Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacramento Union for 10 years during the 1980s and worked as a sportswriter, on the daytime crime beat, and reviewing concerts. He retired after working in government public affairs for almost 30 years for several state and federal agencies, most recently for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Bay-Delta office. Steve has lived in Sacramento’s Curtis Park neighborhood with wife Sharon for more than 30 years. Read more at www.stevemartarano.com. On Twitter @MartArchives.
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Freewheeler Helps Keep Bike-Friendly Davis Pedaling for Almost 50 Years
Three generations of one family run the bike shop
A family of avid cyclists operates a long-running bike business in bike-friendly Davis.
Capital Region Record Shops Still Spinning the Vinyl
Vinyl enthusiasts in and around Sacramento have a wide variety of shops to choose from
Get excited for Record Store Day on April 23 with this photo essay of some of the region’s most beloved, idiosyncratic shops.
Rolling On
Keeping alive the timeless rhythms of roller skating
Roller skating is trendy on a national and local scale for its nostalgic and therapeutic appeal. Capital Region rinks are capitalizing on the pastime’s increasing popularity.
Wilderness Warriors
Women leaders are an integral part of El Dorado County Sheriff’s volunteer Search and Rescue Unit
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit provides a wide range of emergency rescue services to those who are lost, stranded or injured.
Mare Island Art Studios a Top Bay Area Destination for Art Lovers
Creativity blooms at former naval shipyard
An eclectic studio situated on a Vallejo peninsula, Mare Island Art Studio provides public and private gallery space for 19 diverse artists.
Virgil’s Bait Shop in Suisun City Offers Fresh Bait, Cold Beer
Popular fisherman's hangout has been around nearly 80 years
Memorabilia, beer and longstanding friendships have made the shop a beloved stop for regulars.
Back to Their Roots
Amador County’s Upcountry Farms finds success through trial and error
A young Amador County couple is making their mark with a small-but-mighty vegetable farm in Ione. Starting with little experience, they’ve grown into one of the region’s most popular small farms.
Neighborhood Favorite: Taiwan Best Mart
A homemade sausage business grows into a popular restaurant
“It all started with the sausage,” says Christine Chang, the
second-generation owner of Taiwan Best Mart.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment Reemerge in the Capital Region
The regional business of entertainment, arts and sports is reemerging with new structures and outlooks in place.
How Cornish Pasties Got to California
Grass Valley’s Cornish pasties are a remnant of the town’s mining history
Cornish pasties are an edible trace of the gold rush, connecting
Grass Valley to a global history of migration and
extraction.