Last year was a strong one for the performing arts in the region, and 2020 was building on that success, which has led to hope from some local arts leaders that this progress will continue despite the unprecedented shutdown.

Whether we knew him as Michael, Mike or Ziggy, hundreds of us had a tendency to preface a reference to Michael Ziegler with two words: “my friend.”

Mark Haney, the entrepreneur, angel investor, radio host and CEO of Rocklin-based HaneyBiz, says investors should look for startup founders who work well together and are committed to the product.

While researchers and community leaders often highlight the dismal levels of racial diversity among boards, an even greater disparity often goes overlooked. Scarcely 10 percent of nonprofit executive directors are people of color.

Operated by a local nonprofit, the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy is a business training course geared toward food entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

Studies show that people unconsciously attempt to achieve a moral balance. Social psychologists call this tendency the “moral licensing loophole.” In other words, doing good according to one’s own judgment frees people to be bad.

“Warmlines,” phone lines or electronic chat options for people who are not having a full-blown mental health crisis but who could use support to stave off one. are a growing trend in mental health outreach to supplement existing hotlines. One successful warmline recently expanded to cover all of California.