Hello, neighbors! šŸ’›

Another week, another mix of stories that show what’s really happening around town. Some are light, some are surprising, and a few might stick with you longer than expected. Either way, there’s a lot worth taking a quick look at. Let’s get into it! šŸ‘‡

šŸ“¢ Today's highlights:

  • Donations surge, arrests made, snail races. 🚨

  • Creative nights, books, cookies, Mother’s Day fun. 🌷

  • League standings & next match updates. ⚾

  • Community Corner šŸ¤ When family effort feels one-sided and silent.

  • Solar-owned & luxury dream home. šŸ˜ļø

  • FREE lash tint, AI audit, biz website + local ad spots. šŸŽ

  • šŸŽ„ Don't miss out! Follow @lilcitymedia on Instagram for local videos, Behind the Business spotlights, and much more happening around town.

Get Ready, EDH—Olivia & Lash Is Here! ✨

To celebrate our El Dorado Hills launch, enjoy a Free Lash Tint with Olivia’s signature No Glue Lash Liftā„¢. The Safest, Most Lash-Healthy Lash Lift—Trusted for 15 Years in Palo Alto.

šŸ“° What’s Buzzing Today

Twin Lakes Food Bank Pushes for Big Day Donations
Community urged to give as matching funds boost impact for families in need. Read more →

Marshall Earns National Recognition for Senior Care
Awards highlight advanced, compassionate care for growing aging population. Read more →

80th Birthday Bash Brings Snail Races & Fun
Folsom celebration packs games, food trucks, zoo perks, and family activities. Read more →

Retail Theft Bust Leads to Arrests
Employees accused of stealing $28K in merchandise from Folsom Walmart. Read more →

EDH Man Gets House Arrest in Teen Case
No-contest plea leads to six-month home confinement in underage sexual case. Read more →

Know something we should cover? Send us your tip or story here. šŸ“©

šŸ“† Weekend + Events Guide

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

šŸŽØ Watercolor Weekends – May 2 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: 9906 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks
Paint realistic grapefruit—learn layering, color control, techniques. See more →

šŸ“š Adult Book Club – May 6 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Location: El Dorado Hills Library
Discuss ā€œLeave Only Footprintsā€, meet fellow readers, share thoughts. See more →

šŸ–Œļø Mother’s Day Paint and Sip – May 6 | 6:00-8:30 PM
Location: Strad Meadery, Rancho Cordova
Paint, sip, celebrate Mother’s Day, fun creative night. See more →

šŸ”Ž Mysteries & More Book Club – May 7 | 5:30-6:30 PM
Location: Cameron Park Library
Discuss The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. See more →

šŸŖ Blooming Bakery Cookie Decorating – May 7 | 5:30-7:00 PM
Location: Painted. Studios, Folsom
Decorate four cookie designs, perfect for Mother’s Day week. See more →

šŸ–ļø Zendoodle/Coloring Meet-Up – May 7 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: 9906 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks
Relax, doodle, connect, creative night with markers & friends. See more →

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

šŸŽ„ Behind the Business: Meet the Locals Behind the Logos

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

šŸ… Game On: Youth Sports Roundup

Weekly updates on practices, standout players, and upcoming matches:

Oak Ridge High School (Girls)

*League | **Playoffs | ***Tournament

Oak Ridge High School (Boys)

*League | **Playoffs | ***Tournament

Lil City Voices | Community Corner

The Silence on the Other End of the Group Chat

— by Lil City Staff

You share something important in the family text thread. Maybe it's good news, a heartfelt memory, or just a simple check-in. Days pass. Nothing but crickets. From the outside, your family might look fine, calm, even. There are no fights, no slammed doors, no obvious conflict. But beneath the surface, you're the one doing almost all the emotional heavy lifting. If this sounds familiar, there's a term for it: a "low-effort family."

A low-effort family isn't defined by arguments. It's defined by avoidance. Healthy relationships require mutual effort from everyone involved. But in some families, one person ends up carrying the weight of remembering birthdays, initiating plans, and keeping the connection alive. The others? They've never had to practice, because someone else was already doing it. Often, the person over-functioning learned as a child that love had to be earned, that relationships survived only through their own effort. So they keep showing up, keeps reaching out, keeps hoping for a reply that never comes.

Experts say the most important step isn't forcing others to change, it's focusing on what you can control. That might mean setting small boundaries, like not being the first to respond every time.

The hard truth is this: you cannot make someone care more than they're able to. But you can stop abandoning your own needs while waiting for them to show up. You can build chosen family. You can pour that energy into relationships that give back. Because even if your family doesn't meet you where you need them, you can still meet yourself there. And that's not low-effort at all.

WIN A FREE BUSINESS WEBSITE! šŸ’»

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!

šŸ  Real Estate: Home Sweet Home

Handpicked properties in El Dorado Hills that you won’t want to miss šŸ›£ļø

šŸ”‘ Solar-Owned Home

7251 Sagunto Pl, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 – $525,000
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,230 sq ft

⭐ Featured Home

2420 Loch Way, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 – $1,449,000
3 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,058 sq ft

Want to sponsor this section and reach El Dorado Hills families? Express your interest here. šŸ“©

šŸŽŸļø Neighborhood Perks

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100% OF YOUR FEE goes towards promoting your business! Lil City keeps nothing.

šŸ”” Get Involved

Join our community and help shape the stories that matter:

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

āœ… Stay Connected: Join our growing community and get first dibs on our weekly prizes!šŸŽ Follow us on Instagram → @lilcitymedia

🌱 Every share helps our little newsletter grow into something meaningful. Invite a neighbor—help us build a stronger EDH, together.ā¤ļø

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.

šŸ‘€ Missed the Last Drop ?

Catch up on our last issue: Duckling rescues, Mother's Day concert & e-bike safety plea. Read it here šŸ‘‰

šŸš€ Know a student who wants to launch their own Lil City in their town?
Find out how it works: https://leaders.lilmedia.org/

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.

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