Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the May 2, 2016, Stamford Advocate.

If children are confused about the meaning of Memorial Day, that’s on us.

Collectively, we have not been the best stewards of the most somber of our national holidays. As time sweeps further from its origins in the wake of the Civil War — and its declaration as a federal holiday on May’s last Monday during the Vietnam War — it has been reduced to a synonym for the dawn of summer. Even that characterization is wildly wrong, as the season won’t begin until June 20.

Even the history of the holiday is muddy. More towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day than the birthplace of baseball. Much of this is apocryphal.

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By Julie Johnson, Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Investigators suspect a 27-year-old Rohnert Park man missing for 10 days was the victim of an unprovoked, deadly attack at a remote Mendocino County marijuana farm where he and his suspected killer were paid laborers.

Joshua Richard Ruoff

The body of Timothy William Sweeting has not been found, but Mendocino County sheriff’s officials said an eyewitness account of the killing, a bloody crime scene and other evidence were enough for a judge to sign an arrest warrant that sent detectives across the country to New Hampshire, where his alleged assailant had fled.

Joshua Richard Ruoff, 30, of South Lake Tahoe left Covelo in a rented U-Haul on May 18 — hours before a 911 caller told dispatchers a violent attack had occurred at a property in the remote community where Highway 162 ends in Mendocino County, Capt. Greg Van Patten said.

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By Zara Kessler, Bloomberg

Those basement-dwelling millennials are at it again.

In 2014, Americans 18 to 34 years old were a little bit likelier to be living in their parents’ home than with a spouse or partner in their own household, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, released this week. It’s the first time that has happened in the modern era.

Young men have long been more likely than their female counterparts to be roommates with mom and/or dad. The share of young men living in their parents’ homes most recently surpassed the share living with partners in their own households in 2009, but as of 2014, the crossover still hadn’t occurred for young women.

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The Broadway smash-hit “Cabaret” is coming to Lake Tahoe Community College June 10-19.

“Cabaret” takes place in 1930, with American writer Cliff Bradshaw arriving in Berlin to search for excitement and “something to write about.” He visits the seedy Kit Kat Klub, where the enigmatic emcee, the enticing but self-absorbed singer Sally Bowles, and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd and encourage them to leave their troubles outside.  A complicated romance develops between Cliff and Sally against the backdrop of the rise of the Nazi party. As the two pursue their pleasure, the world outside the Klub begins to splinter. Sally and Cliff are faced with a choice: abandon themselves to the pleasures promised by the cabaret, or open their eyes and face Germany’s coming storm.

LTCC’s version of “Cabaret” mirrors the ground-breaking 1998 revival on Broadway starring Alan Cummings and Natasha Richardson. That production closely follows the play, written by John Van Druten, which was based on original stories written by Christopher Isherwood.

Due to its adult content, this production is not recommended for children under the age of 18.

Performances of Cabaret are June 10 and 11 at 8pm, and June 16-18 at 8pm, and June 12 and 19 at 2pm.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors, groups of eight or more, students with a valid student ID, and children under 13. Tickets may be purchased in advance at LTCC’s bookstore Monday through Thursday. The box office will be open for ticket sales one hour prior to all performances.

By Steve Reilly, USA Today

Mossack Fonseca, the focus of the Panama Papers leak, is far from the only company mass-producing shell companies in secrecy-friendly states like Wyoming, Nevada and Delaware.

A USA Today examination of the limited records that are available — some states are making corporate records increasingly invisible — shows that Mossack Fonseca registered less than 2 percent of the Nevada “companies” that are linked to addresses outside the United States. A similar review of Wyoming’s more secretive records shows that just 24 of more than 2,000 foreign-based businesses registered since 1990 were created by Mossack Fonseca’s Wyoming branch.

The states have become willing partners in the lucrative front-company business that generates millions of dollars in revenue for the government.

Indeed, the review of corporate-registration data shows there are more than 50 firms in Nevada that have registered as many or more different companies than Mossack Fonseca, and many with bundles of businesses tracing back to shared addresses in places from Panama to islands off the European coast.

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Lexus RX 350 continues to be a standout with each new model. Photos/Larry Weitzman

By Larry Weitzman

2016 marks the new Lexus RX 350. And it is almost all new, as about the only carryover is the 3.5L V-6 and even that has changed with more horsepower. Styling has improved in an evolutionary manner. If it looks sleeker, it is as it is 5 inches longer (192.5) and rides on a 2-inch longer wheelbase (110 inches).

But what makes the RX is the extended window line carrying it to the nicely shaped rear window and hatch. It’s a great look; the best yet for the RX, as the stance is a bit wider by half an inch as well. About my only dislike is the L’finesse grille. It doesn’t work for me. Its best face is a rear quartering view. Then again, what do I know?

While the 3.5L V-6 carry’s over, the ubiquitous 2GR-FKS, Lexus engineers have found another 25 hp and about 20 more pounds of twist with a new rating of 295 hp at 6,300 rpm and 267 pounds of twist at 4,700. But it is now connected to an eight-speed automatic tranny instead of a six-speeder. But with eight gears it seems to be sometimes hunting for gears, especially on a road trip going up Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe.

Specifications
Price $41,880 to about $55,000
Engine-conventional
3.5L DOHC 24 valve V-6 270 hp @ 6,200 rpm
248 ft.-lb. of torque @ 4,700 rpm
Transmission
Conventional six speed automatic
Configuration
Transverse mounted front engine/front wheel drive/ all-wheel drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase 109.8 inches
Length 192.5 inches
Height 67.7 inches
Width 74.6 inches
Weight (FWD) 4,222
Track (f/r) 64.4/64.0 inches
Ground clearance 7.3 inches
GVWR 5,666 pounds
Tow capacity 3,500 pounds
Weight distribution (f/r) 58.6/41.4 percent
Fuel capacity 19.2 gallons
Cargo volume (second row up/second row folded) 80 cubic feet (est.)
Seat belts (passenger capacity) 5
Wheels (std/0pt) 18X8.0/20X8.0 inch alloys
Tires (std/opt) 235/65X18/235/55X20
Turning circle 40.0 feet
Steering lock to lock 2.70 turns
Coefficient of drag 0.34
Performance RX350 FWD
0-60 mph 6.74 seconds
50-70 mph 3.49 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 4.78 seconds
Top Speed Electronically limited to 112 mph
Fuel economy EPA rated at 20/28/23 city/highway/combined mpg (FWD). Expect 22 mpg in rural country driving with some stop and go and 32-33 mpg on the highway at legal speeds.

Performance hasn’t materially changed from my last two RX Road Beats, albeit the previous generation. Zero-60 mph averaged 6.74 seconds, which is four-tenths slower than my record setting last RX test from a year ago. The difference may have been its AWD system and better traction off the line and perhaps small changes in gearing. However, in passing runs from 50-70 mph, the new RX was a tenth of second quicker at 3.49 seconds. The same run up a 6 percent grade 50-70 mph required 4.78 seconds. Those are virtually the same from prior tests, the level pass is probably helped by the new tranny. Bottom line is that it is very responsive with plenty of get up and go.

However, the new eight-speeder really shows off in improved fuel economy. My last test of an AWD RX had EPA numbers of 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined, this new FWD returns 20/28/23 mpg and with AWD the number improves over my last AWD tester to 19/26/22 mpg. But in real life it is even better, mostly due to the new tranny. My 2015 tester spun at 2,200 rpm at 70 mph, now the number is only 1,750 rpm and that makes a huge difference. My 2015 model on a two-way run averaged 25 mpg at 70 mph, this new 2016 model returned 32.8 mpg, a 7.8 mpg or a 31 percent improvement. Overall it improved to about 22-23 mpg in rural hilly driving. On a run from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe and back the RX returned 27.3 mpg, a 2 mpg improvement over my last test.

Fuel economy is up significantly with no loss in performance, but how does it change directions? Improved which means very good. While suspension remains state of the art MacPherson Struts up front and a double wishbone set up in the rear, the electronic power steering has been sharpened (now 2.70 turns lock to lock) and the tires and wheels have grown. RX alloys are now 20X8 inches and the rubber is 235/55X20. The result is even more cornering power and improved handling. The RX is remarkably good when the road bends. It will impress most drivers.

When it gets to ride quality, can you say Lexus? Yes, it is beyond smooth and quiet, it’s a Lexus. Sharp bumps do not unsettle the passengers and the chassis and body are more like a bank vault. And that rpm at 70 mph is just 1,750, no extraneous noise from the tires, road and/or wind.

While the brakes are the same size 13-inch ventilated disc front and rear it stop from 40 mph was a foot shorter at an excellent 41 feet. It has an alphabet soup electronic interventions plus incredible good triple beam LED headlights (part of the Lexus Safety System, $2,250). But standard lighting is also excellent.

Inside is semi-aniline leather done in a cream tan (Luxury package, $4,610) otherwise you get NuLuxe interior in black or stratus gray. With heating, cooling and power every which way, to say they are comfortable is an understatement. Standard NuLuxe seating trim does a credible job of imitating leather but most buyers will prefer the leather.

Instrumentation includes a large tach and speedo separated by an information center, but the center stack panel is topped by a free standing 12-inch screen that is only about 6-inches high so it doesn’t block your forward view. But it can display a lot of information at one time including the Nav and radio info side by side. The entire vehicle is beautifully detailed, fit and finish is remarkable.

Rear 40/20/40 seating is huge and there is about 80 cubes with everything folded flat behind the front seat.

Pricing for this gorgeous Lexus RX350 FWD starts at $41,900 plus $940 for the train and truck from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. The carpeted floor mats are standard. My tester three main packages, the aforementioned luxury Pack, the Lexus Safety System and a Nav system that lists for $2,180. It had a few other options such as blind spot monitor ($500), intuitive parking assist ($500), Moonroof ($1,100) and a couple of other items brings the total sticker to $54,820. It’s a fair amount of money, but it is such a beautiful ride that covers all the bases, a sporty drive with moxie, a luxury vehicle and a Home Depot special, RX continue to be the best selling Lexus.

Larry Weitzman has been into cars since he was 5 years old. At 8 he could recite from memory the hp of every car made in the U.S. He has put in thousands of laps on racetracks all over the Western United States.

By Associated Press

State auditors say groups paid to educate people about Nevada’s health insurance exchange often didn’t give adequate proof that they did the outreach they billed for.

Lawmakers reviewed findings Tuesday on the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, which pays $4 million each year to groups that do marketing, outreach and enrollment assistance for the exchange.

Auditors say nine “navigator” organizations billed for thousands of hours and said they attended hundreds of events between May and October 2015, but could only provide documentation for attending a fraction of those events and didn’t adequately explain what they did for much of the time.

Exchange officials say accountability measures for the navigator organizations have been ramped up.

There were about 88,000 people enrolled in the health insurance exchange as of earlier this year.

A panel of professionals on June 8 will talk about how to best show and sell art.

Panelists include: Dennis Doyle of Fallon, professional photographer; Judith Monroe of Sacramento, mixed media artist; Lee Pollock of South Lake Tahoe, bronze sculptor; Richard Bell Smith of Phoenix, bronze and copper sculptor’ and Tahoe’s Kelly Smith Cassidy, bronze sculptor.

First there will be a wine and cheese reception hosted by and at the Tahoe Art League (30162 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe) for Kelly Smith Cassidy from 4-6pm. The talk will start at 6pm at the senior center. Both are free.

To the community,

Why have so many organizations aligned with Parker Development in wanting to stop the Yes Campaign for Measures E and G?

In 2004 El Dorado County adopted a General Plan which was challenged with a referendum giving the voters in the county the opportunity decide whether or not to adopt the plan.  Promises were made that this plan would protect our agricultural, recreational, natural, historic and cultural resources that make up our county’s rural character.  The Measure passed by a mere 50.9 percent.

Since that time our Board of Supervisors, under heavy developer influence, has amended, weakened, eliminated and refused to implement many of those protective policies.

Save Our County (SOC) realized that the only way to stop the Board of Supervisors from opening the flood gates for massive growth and debt, was to bind the Board to implement those protective polices by law. Other organizations joined SOC as they watched the Board of Supervisors abuse their discretionary powers.

Measure E relates to Measure Y, which has been in place since 1998 and expires in 2018. In 2008 it was rewritten which weakened the requirement for Developers to fully fund their own road infrastructure and gave the Board of Supervisors the four-fifth vote to allow a development to cause gridlock.  Measure E restores those policies and adds that the board cannot allow a change in land use which would create gridlock. That’s where the discretionary wording comes in. No land use change (discretionary) unless the road is there that prevents gridlock from happening. It does not stop any other projects or actions that the opposition is claiming.

Measure G restores and implements the protective policies promised in the 2004 General Plan. Having these policies in place would have prevented the massive billboards from being placed in Shingle Springs, retained the Camino Mill from being demolished and stopped the Dollar General Store from being place on Georgetown’s Historic Main Street.  These policies have been partly implemented, but stopped by board direction. To incentivize our board, no discretionary actions (actions requiring permission by a jurisdiction) can take place until they finally adopt the policies. These policies should not take that much time or money to implement but will go a long way in protecting the rural character of El Dorado County. The character that has sustained El Dorado County’s economy for generations.

It’s very discerning how many people have allowed their good names to be used in order to promote lies by Parker Development’s marketing agent. Why? Only those that have signed the propaganda can answer that, but they do know they are promoting the lies. A no vote on these measures will give our Board of Supervisors the excuse to sell out what’s left of our resources to mega development.

A “yes” vote will hold their feet to the fire and legally bind them to protecting the rural character of El Dorado County.

Here is the link to the verbiage for the Measures and background information.

If you have any questions regarding these measures, feel free to call me.

Sue Taylor, Camino

By Jill Colvin and Ellen Knickmeyer, AP

FRESNO — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump told California voters Friday that he can solve their water crisis, declaring, “There is no drought.”

California is, in fact, in midst of a drought. Last year capped the state’s driest four-year period in its history, with record low rainfall and snow.

Speaking at a rally in Fresno, Trump accused state officials of denying water to Central Valley farmers so they can send it out to sea “to protect a certain kind of three-inch fish.”

“We’re going to solve your water problem. You have a water problem that is so insane. It is so ridiculous where they’re taking the water and shoving it out to sea,” Trump said at a rally that drew thousands.

The comments came a day after Trump outlined an energy policy plan that relies heavily on expanding U.S. fossil fuel exploration and reducing environmental regulations.

He held a pair of rallies Friday in Fresno and San Diego as he closed a campaign swing through the west, drawing vocal crowds of protesters, many carrying signs critical of Trump’s plan to wall off the U.S. border with Mexico.

About a thousand Trump foes demonstrated outside San Diego’s convention center as Trump spoke inside to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters packed in tight. Police said they made about a dozen arrests, including one man who climbed a railing separating protesters from officers. His arrest led protesters to spray water and throw empty plastic bottles at police.
In another tense exchange, police shoved back demonstrators to separate them from Trump supporters when they left the center after the rally.

Officers in riot gear declared the gathering outside the convention center unlawful after shouting matches erupted and people began hurling trash at each other.

Inside, the mood was far less charged, as Trump took repeated jabs at Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton. He also went on defense against negative media stories and an ongoing lawsuit against his now-defunct Trump University.

“I’m getting railroaded by a legal system,” Trump complained.

In Fresno, Trump said he’d spent 30 minutes before his rally meeting with more than 50 farmers who complained to him about their struggles.

“They don’t understand — nobody understands it,” he said, declaring at one point: “There is no drought. They turn the water out into the ocean.”

Trump appeared to be referring to disputes over water that runs from the Sacramento River to the San Francisco Bay and then to the ocean. Some farmers want more of that flow captured and diverted to them.

Politically influential rural water districts and well-off corporate farmers in and around California’s Central Valley have been pushing back against longstanding federal laws protecting endangered fish and other species, saying federal efforts to make sure endangered native fish have enough water is short-changing farmers of the water they want and need for crops.

Water authorities say they can’t do it because of the water rights of those upstream of the farmers, and because of the minimum-water allowances needed by endangered species in the bay and by wildlife in general.

The 3-inch Delta smelt is a native California fish on the brink of extinction. The smelt has become an emblem in the state’s battles over environmental laws and water distribution.
The farm lobby, a heavyweight player in California’s water wars, also is seeking federal and state approval for billions of dollars in new water tunnels, dams and other projects.

Trump promised that, if he’s elected, he would put their interests first. “If I win, believe me, we’re going to start opening up the water so that you can have your farmers survive,” he said.

California is the country’s No. 1 agriculture producer. The state’s drought is raising the stakes in water disputes among farmers, cities and towns, and environmental interests.

A count by the Associated Press found Thursday that Trump has reached the required number of delegates to officially clinch the Republican nomination.

Associated Press writer Scott Smith contributed to this report.