An organization that assists youngsters who are involved in the court system due to neglect or abuse will hold informational meetings next week for prospective volunteers.

CASA El Dorado seeks people interested in serving as court-appointed special advocates for vulnerable children. Meetings to acquaint prospective volunteers with the program are scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Centro coffee shop in Placerville, Wednesday at Starbucks in Cameron Park and Aug. 28 at Bella Bru in El Dorado Hills.

CASA El Dorado trains volunteers who are appointed by judges to serve as advocates for children involved in the court system.

Training classes are to begin in September.

For more information about the meetings, call CASA El Dorado at (530) 622-9882.

Water transfer approved

The El Dorado Irrigation District announced that it has received approval from the state Water Resources Control Board to transfer into Jenkinson Lake up to 4,000 acre-feet of water currently being released from Caples Lake under emergency conditions.

The transfer began Friday morning, Tom Cumpston, the district's general counsel, said in a news release.

"Although we hope to get as close to the 4,000 acre-foot maximum limit as possible, we will probably run short due to the drawdown that has already taken place," he said.

An acre-foot is the amount of water required to cover an acre to a depth of 1 foot.

The district began releasing water from Caples Lake, off Highway 88 in Alpine County, in late July after inspections revealed that gates in the lake's main dam were seriously deteriorated.

The drawdown is necessary to allow crews to begin repairs in mid-September. District officials said the transfer of 4,000 acre-feet of water into Jenkinson Lake in the Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines will serve as a hedge if 2009 proves to be a dry year.

Jenkinson Lake is the district's largest water storage facility. Some of the water also is being diverted through the district's powerhouse to generate state-certified "clean" hydroelectric power, according to the news release.

The district announced last week that it has developed a plan with the state Department of Fish and Game to transfer fish from Caples Lake to nearby Silver Lake in Amador County and to restock Caples Lake next spring.

Citizens academies offered

El Dorado County residents have an opportunity to learn about local law enforcement through two citizens academies, one offered by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department and the other by the Placerville Police Department.

The programs include presentations on patrol procedures, investigations, K-9 units, gangs, narcotics, search and seizure, and use of force. Participants also will have an opportunity to accompany a deputy or police officer on his or her beat during a four-hour ride-along.

The Sheriff's Citizens Academy will begin Sept. 2. Classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays for 11 weeks. To request an application, call Lt. Kevin House at (530) 642-4706, or Detective Jeff Leikauf at (530) 642-4720.

The Placerville Police Citizens Law Enforcement Academy will begin Sept. 10. Sessions will be held at 6 p.m. on consecutive Wednesdays for nine weeks at the Placerville Masonic Lodge, 2820 Cold Springs Road, Placerville.

Applications are available on the city's Web site at www.cityofplacerville.org and at the Police Department's front desk. For more information, call Lt. Kim Nida at (530) 642-5210.

Both academies are offered free of charge, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Folsom images sought

Folsom Patrons of the Arts seeks entries for its annual photography contest, Folsom Focus.

The contest, in its third year, provides an opportunity to photograph life in the Folsom community. Winners will receive cash prizes, and photos will be displayed in the Gallery at 48 Natoma in Folsom.

Contestants may enter a total of five photos in their age group, selecting from six categories: innovative photography, Folsom faces, Folsom outdoors, Folsom bridges, Folsom old and new, and fun in Folsom.

Entries will be accepted from Oct. 1-27. Winners will be announced in a special exhibit Nov. 14 at the Gallery at 48 Natoma.

Entry forms with contest rules are available on the Folsom Patrons of the Arts Web site: www.patronsofthearts.org/ folsom-focus-photo- contest-2008.htm. Questions may be e-mailed to folsom_focus@yahoo.com.

– Compiled by Cathy Locke