![Al Calderone, owner of ARC Guitar in Winters, works on the design of a guitar. He has built 64 acoustic guitars. (Photos by Steve Martarano)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0221_dept_beatentrack_stevemartarano_lead.jpg?1613159834)
Off the Beaten Track: Strumming Along
Teaching the craft of guitar making in the heart of Winters
In the heart of historic downtown Winters, Al Calderone
builds guitars, teaches the craft of guitar and ukulele making,
and gives lessons.
![Carinne Binda (left) and Ron Cunningham were co-directors of the Sacramento Ballet for 30 years until the organization asked them to step down in 2018. (Photo by Keith Sutter, courtesy of Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0221_blog_next-chapter_ron-and-carrine.jpg?1612916582)
A Different Dance
The Next Chapter: What life and work looks like for the former co-artistic directors of the Sacramento Ballet
Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda were co-directors of the
Sacramento Ballet from 1988 to 2018. Since then, life has looked
different.
![MCC Communications founder Michele McCormick is a model, actor and photographer who specializes in travel and nature photography. (Photo by Wes Davis)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0221_feat_next-chapter_michelle_wes-davis_lead.jpg?1612916551)
Camera Ready
The Next Chapter: Michele McCormick sold her public relations company and became a model-actor-photographer
MCC Communications founder Michele McCormick is a model, actor
and photographer who specializes in travel and nature
photography.
![Carl Landau had spent 37 years in publishing and event organizing when he decided to launch Pickleball Media last year. (Photo by Wes Davis)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0221_feat_next-chapter_carl_wes-davis_lead_0.jpg?1612916458)
‘Somebody’ Again
The Next Chapter: Carl Landau, the former owner of Niche Media, launches a podcast from his garage
Carl Landau had spent 37 years in publishing and event organizing
when he decided to launch Pickleball Media last year.
![Octavio Valencia has been working as a professional freelance photographer for nearly a decade, specializing in lifestyle and fashion photography. (Photos courtesy of Octavio Valencia)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/jan.blog_.artexposed.octaviovalencia_img_6198.jpg?1611696613)
Art Exposed: Octavio Valencia
A photographer talks about fashion, mental illness and a close encounter with Anna Wintour
Octavio Valencia has a secret identity. Or two.
![John Hamilton, right, and Tyler Garnett cofounded Department of Sound in 2019. (Photo by Emiliano Martin)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0121_blog_gettingtoknow2.jpg?1611173742)
Getting to Know: John Hamilton
Department of Sound cofounder on how his nonprofit promotes accessible audio education
John Hamilton discovered his passion for DJing in his formative
years. Over a decade later, he’s unearthed a new passion — making
audio education accessible to Sacramento youth.
![Kevin O'Neill (left) is the vice president of sales and marketing for Water Street Antiques & Interiors, a company opened by his father, Terry (right), and his mother, Christine, in 1972. (Photos by Steve Martarano)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0121_dept_beatentrack_stevemartarano_embed.jpg?1610385371)
Off the Beaten Track: Making New Look Old
Water Street Antiques & Interiors also specializes in building furniture
Water Street Antiques & Interiors, founded in 1972 by Terry
and Christine O’Neill, isn’t just an antique store.
![Students in the Performing Arts Corps of the Northern California School of the Arts perform William Shakespeare’s “Pericles: Prince of Tyre” via Zoom in December. (Photo courtesy of Northern California School of the Arts)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img-9419.jpg?1608670276)
Lights, Camera, Virtual Theater
Northern California School of the Arts brings shows to the small screen
The services provided by NorCal School of the Arts aim to support teachers and students in building community and improving mental health in unprecedented times.
![(Shutterstock photo)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/shutterstock_1412897459.jpg?1608672479)
Businesses on the Brink
What do basketball, ballet and parties have in common? All 3 live-event industries are in trouble
As pandemic shutdowns intensify, more than a third of jobs in three California industries that rely on events — sports, performing arts and catering — have already disappeared. And they’ve been slower to recover than the state workforce as a whole.
![Artist Demetris “BAMR” Washington moved to Sacramento from Stockton in 2009 to attend The Art Institute of California. (Photo by Felipe Silva, courtesy of Demetris “BAMR” Washington)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1220_blog_artexposed_bamrportrait7582.jpg?1608067390)
Art Exposed: Demetris ‘BAMR’ Washington
The Sacramento-based artist talks murals, Oak Park and the business of art
Demetris “BAMR” Washington is inspired by graffiti, cartoons and his faith in Christianity, the latter of which was also the inspiration for his alias: BAMR is short for Becoming a Man Righteously.