Forks Up, Fireworks Coming 🎆

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

🏁 Cars and Coffee – Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Vine Street Parking Lot, 2101 Vine Street
Join car enthusiasts for a casual morning gathering which feature a variety of vehicles and a sip of coffee. See more →

🪄 Jordan the Science Wizard – Thursday, July 10, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: El Dorado Hills Library
Meet Jordan the Science Wizard and see his new and exciting “ElectroSonic Spectacular” show! Experience sound and electricity as you've never seen and heard before. See more →

🪷 Intro to Ikebana: The Japanese Art of Flower Arranging – Thursday, July 10, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: El Dorado Hills Library
Learn about Sogetsu Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, and create your own flower arrangement in this introductory class taught by Pat Medeiros. Join the waitlist now. See more →

🐕 Summer Paw-ty & Art Station + Sidewalk Sale – Friday, July 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Location: Bark Avenue El Dorado Hills
Join us for a lively event which features the Dog Art Station, Edible Bubble Machine, Pool Playtime, and the Raffle Wheel. These are the perfect way to celebrate summer with your dog! See more →

🖌️ Coloring and Tea – Monday, July 14, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: El Dorado Hills Library
Enjoy a nice warm, or cold, beverage and unwind at this stress-free space for adults. See more →

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

New menus, soft openings & can’t-miss flavors around town:

🍽️ Sienna Modern American Restaurant
A locally owned modern‑American grill in EDH Town Center. Sienna serves wine‑country inspired dishes and an elevated seasonal menu in a friendly and upscale yet relaxed setting. See more →

🌮 Almighty Bistro El Dorado Hills
A cool, gluten‑free bistro offering chef‑driven dishes—from island‑style tacos to hearty salads and creative cocktails—using pasture‑raised and sustainably sourced ingredients in a cozy, intimate space. See more →

📣 Got a local food fave? Tell us - we’ll shout it out next issue! 📩

Today isn’t just about fireworks or a long weekend.

It’s about freedom—and what it costs, what it gives, and who makes it possible.

For me, that story begins with my grandfather.

He passed away three years ago this July. Before that, we took care of him at home while he was in hospice—just like we did for my grandmother a few years earlier. Even near the end, he never complained. He was always thankful. And whenever we talked, he’d remind me how lucky he felt to be in this country. How lucky I am to be here too.

When he was a little boy in Incheon, Korea, he was starving—cold, alone, and desperate. One day, he came across a U.S. military base. Outside the gate, kids were gathering. He found out that if you got in line and fought another boy, they’d give you a piece of candy.

He stepped up to fight—a much bigger kid—and got knocked flat. His head hit the ground. Dizzy and bloodied, he stood up again, ready to keep swinging. That’s when a soldier stepped in and handed him two pieces of chocolate—one more than the others. “You took on the big one,” the soldier said.

He had never tasted chocolate before. He told me it was like being transported to another world. Sweet, warm, comforting—it didn’t feel real.

It became his daily routine. He’d show up, step into the circle, and take a beating from bigger kids—but he gave it right back. Bloody nose, bruised ribs, dizzy from the blows. Still, every time, he got back up. Afterward, he’d wash the blood off his face, pull a hat low to hide the swelling, and try to sneak back into line for another fight. Most days, the soldiers recognized him and waved him off.

Still, he came back the next day. And the next. He could sell the chocolate for a little money, but sometimes he didn’t want to. He told me there were days he hoped it wouldn’t sell—just so he could eat it himself. That taste stayed with him. That moment lit something inside him. If they were giving that away outside the gates, what must be waiting inside?

He waited, watched, and eventually found a way to sneak in under the fence. He made it to the mess hall and followed the smell of food… to a trash can. There, he found red mush with noodles—his first taste of spaghetti. He hunched over the bin, eating with both hands, stuffing his face. He was starving. But in that moment, he said he was in heaven.

Then he heard a voice yell, “Boy!”

He froze. When he turned around, he saw a huge man—tall, Black, smiling, with teeth so white they almost glowed. My grandfather had never seen a Black man before. He thought he was a monster. He panicked, thinking he was about to be eaten alive.

But the man didn’t yell. He reached out, picked him up, and hugged him.

And the second my grandfather felt that hug—felt the warmth of that man’s arms and heard him gently say, “It’s gonna be okay, boy”—he knew. He wasn’t there to hurt him. He was safe.

That moment changed everything.

From that point on, my grandfather believed in America—not just the country, but the people. That one soldier showed him kindness when he had nothing. It changed how he saw the world. It gave him a dream.

He spent the rest of his life chasing that dream—coming to America. In 1974, it finally came true. The road after that was anything but easy. He faced setback after setback. His family endured hardship. He worked brutal hours, took whatever jobs he could. But through it all, he never complained. And he never spoke about this country with anything but gratitude. Not once.

So on this 4th of July, I wanted to share this.

Because the freedom we celebrate today isn’t just about independence from 1776.

It’s about the freedom my grandfather found in that hug, in that chocolate, in that trash-can spaghetti—and in the dream that one day, he’d make it here.

That’s why I’ll never take this place for granted.

That’s why I’ll always be thankful.

That’s what the 4th of July means to me.

—Leo

We’re kicking off a new feature spotlighting the incredible work of non-profit organizations in and around our community. From youth mentorship to animal rescue, these groups are making a real impact—and we’re here to share their stories. 💖

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