Big Wins, Big Plans & 700 Backpacks to Fill 💪

Former Purple Place Transforms Into Future Lake House
New signage and renovations reveal progress at the long-awaited restaurant transformation. Read more →

EDH Teen Qualifies for Three Equestrian Championships
Payton Fullmore earns national recognition and an NCAA commitment after just six years riding. Read more →

Major All-Stars Win District 54 Championship
Thrilling 9-8 victory over Lakeside sends EDH chasing another deep postseason run. Read more →

The Glass Guru Expands With New Local Location
Experienced owners Dave and Julie Hull bring decades of glass industry expertise to EDH. Read more →

CSD Union Considers State Labor Complaint
Union weighs PERB filing as EDH contract negotiations remain unresolved. Read more →

Dignity Health Marks Major Folsom Ranch Milestone
Final steel beam signed as $123M medical center moves closer to 2027 opening. Read more →

California State Fair Opens for 17-Day Run
Concerts, carnival rides, new attractions and fair food return this weekend. Read more →

Know something we should cover? Send us your tip or story here. 📩

Your go-to list for family-friendly events and happenings:

🎶 Live Music (RocKHaven) – July 17 | 7 PM | EDH Community Park
Summer Concert Series returns with another unforgettable night of live music. See more →

🌼 Groovy Paint Class (ages 7+) – July 18 | 11:30 AM | Painted. Studios, Folsom
Paint along step-by-step with groovy music and laid-back creative vibes. See more →

🧘‍♂️ Yoga in the Park – July 19 | 9 AM | Blackstone Park, EDH
Join a family-friendly introduction to yoga postures and flows with YogaSix. See more →

🏠 Bird & Fairy Houses (ages 13-17) – July 21 | 2:30 PM | El Dorado Hills Library
Build and decorate whimsical miniature houses with creative crafting supplies. See more →

🌱 Sandwich Bag Greenhouses (ages 4+) – July 22 | 10 AM | El Dorado Hills Library
Learn how to build a mini greenhouse and watch your creativity grow. See more →

🚒 Fire Fighters Visit – July 23 | 10:30 AM | El Dorado Hills Library
Discover firefighting gear, safety tips, and an up-close truck experience. See more →

🍷 Tastes of Town Center – July 25 | 5 PM | El Dorado Hills Town Center
Explore tastings, live jazz, art, and exclusive open house experiences. See more →

Got exciting events to share? Let our community know by sending in local happenings here. 📩

Every business has a story. We’re highlighting the hardworking locals behind the brands serving El Dorado Hills. Be featured for FREE here. 👉

— by Lil City Staff

For the 13th year running, middle and high school students with Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference are leading a school supply drive across El Dorado County, with donations collected throughout July and a big "Stuff the Bus" event happening July 17 at El Dorado Hills Town Center. The effort is entirely youth-led, with young volunteers handling everything from planning to distribution, alongside adult mentors who support rather than run the show.

The need is real: county officials report that nearly 800 children in local schools experienced housing instability last year alone, with many more families stretched thin financially. The drive aims to hand out supplies to more than 700 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, letting kids pick backpacks, folders, and school gear in the colors and styles they actually like, a small detail organizers say matters more than it sounds, giving students a sense of ownership as they head into a new year.

What stands out most is who's leading it. Junior committee members and first-time volunteers alike describe the project as something that gave them a sense of purpose, not just a resume line. It's a reminder that some of the most consistent community support doesn't come from large institutions, but from teenagers choosing, year after year, to show up for younger kids they may never meet.

Donations are being accepted through July 17 at drop-off locations across Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, and Placerville, with full details available at Hands4HopeYouth.org/schoolsupplydrive

It's a good reminder that some of the strongest safety nets in a community aren't built by policy, but by neighbors. In this case, teenagers, deciding to show up for people they've never met. 💛

We're giving away 1 professional local business website EVERY MONTH! Reply "WEBSITE" with a business name to enter.

PLUS, 50% OFF WEBSITE BUILDS for all El Dorado Hills & local businesses for the rest of the year!

Handpicked properties in El Dorado Hills that you won’t want to miss 🛣️

8188 Ryland Dr, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 – $685,000
4 Bed | 4 Bath | 2,426 sq ft

4596 Echo Springs Cir, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 – $2,175,000
4 Bed | 5 Bath | 4,243 sq ft

We’re looking for someone local to help build relationships with businesses and support our growing 5,000-home community mailer.

Want to help local businesses grow with Lil City? Reply "TEAM" to this email to connect. 📩

Join our community and help shape the stories that matter:

✅ Submit a Story: You have a scoop, spotlight, or question? Share it with us →

✅ Stay Connected: Join our growing community and get first dibs on our weekly prizes!🎁 Follow us on Instagram →

Are you a local business owner or know someone who is?

We’re featuring local businesses in upcoming issues of the Lil City newsletter—and we’d love to include yours. Whether you want to share your story, highlight a service, or sponsor a local giveaway, just reply to this email and let us know.

Let’s build something great together for our community.

Catch up on our last issue: Garage blaze contained, Mountain Mike's opening & what AI reveals. Read here 👉

🚀 Know a student who wants to launch their own Lil City in their town?
Find out how it works: https://leaders.lilcitymedia.com/

Thank you for supporting Lil City—a student-led newsletter sharing local news, events, and community stories, while empowering youth and giving back to causes that matter. We’re growing city by city, building chapters to help more students lead and serve their communities.