Some members of the arts sector experience instability due to a lack of ownership in the creative movements they build. A year out from pandemic reopenings, city and state programs are supporting artists in unprecedented ways — but the relief is temporary.

Just as meat alternatives have expanded, so have the eating patterns of people interested in plant-based food. A diverse set of diners are embracing plant-based restaurants, thanks to the proliferation of less restrictive plant-based diets.

Before starting her shoe company Birdies, Marisa Sharkey described herself as risk averse. Eight years in, her bold moves have paid off. 

From exclusive interviews with local business leaders to a roundup of regional Mexican dishes, here are our most-read stories of the year.

In a full-circle homecoming this weekend, Tycho will play a three-night series of “Dive Live,” the only West Coast performance of the set.

The team behind Makers Mart, Sacramento’s annual holiday bazaar, has dealt with a litany of challenging logistics over the last decade. But the show always goes on in high style.

The Nov. 10 tribute to one of America’s most notable and beloved authors, who died December 23, 2021, was arguably overdue.

Wellness is not just a state of being; it’s a perpetual pursuit, a form of prevention and an entire economy. Many businesses in the Capital Region are providing ways for people to foster their own relationship to wellness through progressive services, treatments and practices.

On Saturday, Sacramento’s furry four-legged friends took over for a couple of hours, trotting through the neighborhood costumed and in pursuit of snacks at the second annual Tricks for Treats.

The compliance content genre has a reputation for being outdated, but the video series Lori Richardson produces for the e-learning company Emtrain look like they could be part of a Netflix drama. 

To Celeste Perez, who goes by Digital Mami, urban scenes are canvases waiting to be glossed up by saturated color and saucy sayings. 

The 17th annual event gives art lovers an opportunity to tour hundreds of artists’ spaces and connect with them in their element. 

As a full time director of communications in the health care field, Woodland Mayor Mayra Vega cares about including the underrepresented and boosting the city’s tech jobs.

By: Vanessa Labi

With “Dissect,” Cole Cuchna goes deep into his favorite music albums, cultivating curiosity in others. Now nine seasons in, he’s found success with a Spotify partnership and a talk at TEDxBerkeley.

By: Vanessa Labi

By: Vanessa Labi

By: Vanessa Labi

For most, moving away from the Golden State isn’t an easy choice. “It’s just a spectacular place,” says co-owner of Puroast Coffee, Kerry Sachs. But he made the difficult decision to uproot his 30-year-old, Woodland-based coffee company last year to move operations to North Carolina. 

By: Vanessa Labi

By: Vanessa Labi

In 2020, many forecasters predicted a stalling of style, but like many mindsets that shifted during COVID-19, fashion too was just repositioning itself.

One of the hottest style statements you can make in Sacramento is — get this — a shirt that says “Sacramento.”

Attorney Corey Day has used his expertise in California alcohol law to guide bars and restaurants through the many restrictions and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former journalist shapes the brand for Visit Sacramento’s web content, audio-visual output, podcast, Visitors Guide and more.

Comstock’s stories, designs, photographs and illustrations won 20 California Journalism Awards — a record for the magazine — from the California News Publishers Association. Here’s a list of all our awards and winning content.

The Sacramento-based photographer is traveling around her native country of Ukraine to aid refugees during the Russia-Ukraine war, documenting their experiences along the way.

PODCAST: The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead.

The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead.

Encountering barriers in academia has prompted Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez to launch into entrepreneurship. She is leaving her post as a full professor at UC Davis to create her own school, farm and learning center.

The neighborhood lunch spot serves comfort sandwiches, Sunday brunch, desserts and a bodega-style assortment of beer and wine. 

Alycia Anderson pivoted from a successful career as a sales executive to start her own company championing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

As executive director of Nevada County Arts Council, Eliza Tudor is committed to improving community well-being through arts programs across creative, public, business and nonprofit sectors.   

From art curation to marketing strategy, Melissa LuVisi is invested in the power of creativity. Since joining tab32 as CSO, she’s taken an interest in women’s influence in the dental industry.

As senior program director of Capitol Impact, Anna Fontus crafts policies that address inequality in California’s complex social systems.

Brandon Brown is CEO and co-founder of the fast-growing Sacramento-based company Grin. His thought leadership on influencer marketing is based on authenticity.

Jonathan Joiner finds inspiration in retro-futuristic gadgets, movies and “practical things.”

Freelance essayist Sarah Miller lends her idiosyncratic style to The New Yorker website and many other publications. The Nevada City-based writer was commissioned by Substack to start her own newsletter earlier this year. 

Gallerist Faith J. McKinnie is highlighting the work she wants to see in her Midtown gallery that highlights contemporary art by underrepresented artists.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Lupe Nambo considers it her mission to “decolonize therapy.”

Co-owners Rafael Galiano and John Martin describe Park Winters, a 10-acre estate that serves as a venue for weddings, parties, flower picking and other activities, as “a countryside escape.”

Tucked into a Tahoe Park warehouse is Spiders Garage, a wonderland of vintage clothing collected and sourced by owner Chris Bond.

Meredith Cancilla has made it her business to build up women-owned brands.

It’s no surprise that the Capital Region, home to a flourishing creative community of makers, entrepreneurs and artists, boasts an impressive crop of TikTok creators.

Melissa McGillicuddy and Shahera Hyatt are hosts and comedians of the Moving Van Show, a comedy show based out of a rented U-Haul. 

Janelle Meyers Ullrich is the vice president of marketing at Adventist Health, a faith-based nonprofit health care provider with a corporate office in Roseville.

Vanessa Maggio, vegan snack enthusiast, is the owner of Gxxd Box, an upcycled shipping container that will soon be situated somewhere within Midtown Sacramento.

Onit Coffee isn’t your standard coffee shop. For starters, it’s not a “shop” in the brick-and-mortar sense (yet).

Vicki Gonzalez brings 15 years of news reporting experience and a multicultural point of view to her new role as host of “Insight,” CapRadio’s one-hour morning radio program covering the Sacramento region’s issues and events.

Elyse Tolles is a one-woman show — a designer of artful jewelry and a former flutist.

Lorie Symon is the president of the El Dorado Hills-based aerospace manufacturer Aerometals, which specializes in prolonging the lives of older aircraft for companies like Boeing.