Patricia Vlcek will provide an overview of California State Parks Foundation’s statewide volunteer program, highlighting how volunteers make a real difference in preserving and enhancing our parks. Patricia serves as the Volunteer Program Coordinator for the foundation, where she fosters community engagement and creates meaningful opportunities for volunteers to care for California’s treasured State Parks.
She brings extensive experience in volunteer management and emergency response from her time at the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership in the North Bay, where she supported organizations and volunteer groups across Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties. A new mom to a one-year-old, Patricia enjoys exploring the outdoors through her baby’s eyes. In her free time, she enjoys hiking the North Bay with her son, husband, and their fur baby.
James Andersen will also share about the impactful wildfire prevention efforts he is leading at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park as a Volunteer Core Leader with the CA State Parks Foundation. Passionate about protecting California’s parks and communities, James feels honored to contribute to this vital work.
Over the past five years, he has led a variety of wildfire prevention projects, including serving as the Firewise Leader for his community in Kings Beach.
A retired firefighter and paramedic, James dedicated 35 years to public service, including 26 years with the Sacramento Fire Department before retiring in 2017. He now serves as an adjunct professor with the Los Rios College District. James and his wife, Lynelle, have been married for 35 years and are proud parents of two sons who also work in emergency medical services.
Last week, we heard from El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne, who shared valuable information about how criminals target homeowners through deed crimes and real estate fraud—and, most importantly, what we can do to protect ourselves.
Janelle presented real-life cases from right here in El Dorado County, clarified misconceptions about companies claiming to protect your property from fraud, and explained who is most at risk. She also provided simple, practical steps to help safeguard your property and outlined what the County is doing to detect, prevent, and respond to these crimes.
One key takeaway: you do not need to pay for a title lock—it’s a reactive, not a proactive, service. Instead, homeowners can check the County’s website anytime, free of charge. For those seeking more proactive protection, services like Equity Protect or Home Title Barrier can help prevent theft and fraud.
Janelle also encouraged property owners to get to know their vacant land neighbors, so that if suspicious activity occurs—such as an unexpected “For Sale” sign—you can alert one another. Surprisingly, only about 10% of deed crimes are ever reported.
Our local District Attorney’s Office has a Real Estate Fraud Division, linked from the County website, and Janelle provided informational pamphlets on how to stay protected. The Recorder-Clerk’s Office now also offers a “Do Not Sell” list for vacant landowners. This list includes limited property owner information (APN number, name, and contact details) and is available only to verified realtors, escrow, or title officers.
The County is also exploring a monitoring service with Equity Protect to provide property-risk alerts in El Dorado County. Details are still being finalized, and it is not yet clear how or when this program will be implemented.
Looking ahead, SB 255 (Recorder Notification Program) will soon require County Recorders to notify property owners by mail whenever a deed or mortgage is recorded. This new protection is expected to take effect in July 2026.
Thank you, Janelle, for helping us understand how to stay vigilant and protect one of our most important assets—our homes.
Photos: The Andromeda Galaxy (left) and the Lemmon Comet (right), both captured through telescopes at the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory during our recent social.
What a wonderful evening we shared at the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory with friends and visiting Rotarians from the Georgetown, Pollock Pines–Camino, West Sacramento, and Point West Rotary Clubs last Sunday night. While enjoying pizza and salad, guests explored the night sky through telescopes and binoculars, guided by a talented team of observatory docents.
The group then gathered in the G. Arthur Court Sky Theater, where President Adam Marshall spoke briefly about the observatory’s origins. He reminded us that this impressive facility was the Rotary Club of Cameron Park’s centennial project, created in 2005 in celebration of Rotary International’s 100th anniversary. Adam recognized several long-term members for their dedication to the original construction and for the countless hours invested in later expansions, including the Sky Theater, solar station, and weather station.
A docent-led solar system tour, led by Chief Docent Randy Hodges, was a highlight of the evening. We learned about stars, galaxies, and constellations—and how the night sky has guided navigation for centuries. The group was treated to breathtaking views of the Milky Way, Big Dipper, Pleiades, Andromeda Galaxy, Double Cluster, and the Pegasus Globular Cluster.
Randy also reminded us to stay cautious about misinformation circulating on social media—including recent false claims about comets passing closer than the Moon or being alien spacecraft. He encouraged everyone to avoid engaging with such posts and to use the “block” option instead.
Inside the observatory building, two large telescopes offered incredible close-up views of Saturn and two comets—Swan, near the Sagittarius constellation, and Lemmon, below the tail of the Big Dipper. For many attendees, this was one of the most memorable and engaging nights of stargazing they had ever experienced.
It truly was a fantastic evening under the stars, filled with fellowship, learning, and discovery. A big thank-you to all the Rotarians who helped make this event a success, Wally’s Pizza for the delicious food—and especially to our dedicated Observatory Docents for sharing their passion and expertise with us all.
Dick Marshall, Adam's father and visiting Rotarian from West Sacramento.
Jim Marshall, Adam’s uncle
Alex Bourriague, CSD Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator
Gary Campbell, Channel 2
Keith Hanblim
Pat Ekelund
Featured Rotarian:
This week President Adam invited Gary Gall to answer a few questions so we could get to know him better as we continue to “Unite for Good.”
Gary shared that he joined Rotary in 1994, and his favorite Rotary moment was working on our club’s largest community service project – The Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory. Starting in 2005 to celebrate Rotary International’s 100th year anniversary, the observatory remains one of our club’s most remarkable accomplishments. Gary played an important role in the project’s fundraising efforts, helping make this community treasure a reality.
And here’s something you might know about Gary: he was the 1968 San Joaquin County Tractor Rodeo Champion!
Announcements:
Adam Marshall:
District Governor Selection: Don Fuller extends his sincere thanks to everyone who supported him in his bid to become the 2028-2029 District Governor. The position was awarded to Bob Stewart, an eminently qualified Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Reno South. Adam shared that Don plans to reapply next year.
Emphasizes the need for club bulletin editor. Please volunteer - Laurie will be soon going on “strike” and out of town. We also need a Sergeant at Arms for our next meeting. If you can help, please let Adam know.
Rotary and Friends Night at the Observatory is October 19 @ 6:30 PM. Menu is pizza and salad.
Volunteers are needed from October 16-20 for Three’s Strands’ Break Free Run- it raises awareness about Child Human Trafficking.
Tomorrow night, October 17, is the Cameron Park CSD Trunk or Treat event at the CSD. Still seeking “trunks” and volunteers.
The Shingle Springs Community Center is having bunco night on Friday, October 17 with a Halloween theme.
A big thank-you to all of the volunteers who participated in the annual dictionary distribution, and especially to Kathy Thompson for organizing the event.
While distributing dictionaries at Blue Oak School, the PTA President mentioned that they are looking for three volunteers to supervise the Bounce House at their Fall Festival on October 24 from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM. They also need one more decorated vehicle for the Trunk- or- Treat lot. Adam has volunteered to help, so only two more supervisors and one trunk are still needed. Please reach out to him if you can assist.
A Fireside Chat Social will be held at Marlyn Pino-Jones’ home on Thursday, October 30. Refreshments will be provided, and Adam promises a fun, relaxed evening to learn more about Rotary and our club.
Save the Date: March 26, 2026, is the area foundation dinner. Placerville Rotary will host it this year.
Congratulated the following on their birthdays this week: Theresa Utterback, Marlyn Pino-Jones, Anne Eckert, and Gina Crofut.
Please donate gift cards for the Christmas Dinner and Auction.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Mo Johnson- $10 happy to announce that the Cameron Park CSD’s first annual “Friendsgiving Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser” will be held on November 8th at the CPCSD from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A $5 donation includes pancakes, sausages, coffee and water. The event will also be a g great opportunity to meet many community partners- including Cal Fire.
Adam Marshall- $10 happy for friendship and for seeing so many familiar faces he hasn’t seen at Rotary for a while.
Tom Elken- $10 happy for spotting Pat Ekelund from his church at our meeting.
Birthdays in October
Tom Elken
Don Mai
Marlyn Pino-Jones
Teresa Utterback
-----Spouse/Partners----
Gina Crofut
George Eckert
Michelle Hamilton
Natasha Roddy
Anniversaries in October
Rachel and Joshua Amador
Gary and Dede Clarke
Liam and Natasha Roddy
Rotary Join Date in October
Tom Elken: 8 years
Suzy O'Neal: 6 years
Upcoming Sergeant at Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
