Congrats to Pachamama Coffee (pachamamacoffee.com) for receiving the prestigious Sustainability Pioneer Award at the 2024 Sustainable Food Awards in Amsterdam. For nearly two decades, Pachamama—which owns a state-of-the-art roastery in El Dorado Hills and five cafés across the region, including one in Placerville—has set a gold standard for sustainability in coffee, thanks in part to their smallholder, farmer-owned business model.

A portion of El Dorado Hills’ former Executive Golf Course, sited near the intersection of El Dorado Hills Boulevard and Serrano Parkway, is now owned by the El Dorado Hills Community Services District (edhcsd.org). Their first project was opening the Central EDH Mile Loop Trail—a paved, scenic route suitable for all ages and abilities to enjoy. For more info on the site’s future development and upcoming community survey, visit eldoradohillscsd.org/programs_and_amp_activities/former_executive_golf_course.php.

Members of Women’s Fund El Dorado (womensfundeldorado.org) selected Upper Room Dining Hall (upperroomdininghall.org) as its inaugural Multi Year Grant recipient. The $50,000 grant will be used to implement a Mobile Meal program, allowing Upper Room to build out a kitchen in their new food truck and serve additional individuals and families. 

On September 1, 50% of all proceeds from Red Hot Chilli Pepper (rhcpfolsom.com)—a restaurant known for its Chinese Indian fusion fare that’s crafted using the finest, freshest produce—will be donated to the Folsom Firefighter’s Association, which supports the Folsom Fire Department and the wide range of important services they provide.

Congrats to Toys for Tots El Dorado County-Placerville (placerville-ca.toysfortots.org) for being named “Local Community Organization of the Year (Region 6)” from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. One of only seven campaigns nationwide to earn the honor, the nonprofit will be recognized by the foundation this month in St. Louis. Last year, the organization distributed 10,900 items to 2,887 children, 10 local nonprofits, and two Title 1 schools.

According to search volume data from online travel company Priceline (priceline.com), North Lake Tahoe (gotahoenorth.com) is the second most popular “Fall Foliage Destination” in the U.S. Leaf peepers can peruse the autumnal hues while hiking or biking at Tahoe National Forest’s Donner Pass, Northstar California Resort, or Paige Meadows.

Friends of the Folsom Library is seeking gently used fiction and children's books—both paperback and hardcopy—for their upcoming book sale from September 6-8. Bring donations to the Friends’ bookstore; hours are Tuesday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Auburn Quail Trail (exploreauburnca.com/quail-trail-explore-auburn)—the culmination of Leadership Auburn Class' community project—connects 12 well-loved landmark locations (including Central Square, Art Park, and the Placer County Courthouse) in a 1.48-mile walking loop through Downtown and Old Town Auburn. Look for signs with the quail and QR code, scan it, and learn the history and significance of each stop.

North Lake Tahoe photo courtesy of Go Tahoe North. Red Hot Chili Pepper photo by Ray Burgess ©stylereadersmedia. Auburn Quail Trail map photo by Garman Multimedia. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.