The Return of Arts and Music Festivals
Big events boost local economies and shape our identity
Capital Region music festivals attract tens of thousands of fans
from nearby areas and from all around the country.
Colorful Bar in Historic Locke Stays the Course After an Ownership Change
Al the Wop’s has been serving bikers, locals and tourists for 75 years
The Delta bar’s five new owners kept the biker bar’s decor, unique traditions, steakhouse-style food menu and controversial name.
After the Blaze
Climate change creates challenging conditions for California wineries
Winemakers are challenged with the consistent threat
of wildfires and their aftermath, plus drought
conditions and complex water realities.
Neighborhood Favorite: Tupi Coffee
A Sacramento coffee shop aims to introduce Brazilian snacks to all 50 states
The Boulevard Park corner cafe serves Brazilian baked goods such as cheese bread and fried dumplings, as well as an assortment of sandwiches and beverages.
Tourism Out of Troubled Times
How lockdowns helped Californians discover local treasures of the past and present
As national and international tourism decreased during the
pandemic, regional visitation saw a boost. We profile three small
picturesque towns that got a big increase in visitors.
Neighborhood Favorite: Lo/Fi
A Southside Park cafe with a punk spirit serves seasonal comfort food
The neighborhood lunch spot serves comfort sandwiches, Sunday brunch, desserts and a bodega-style assortment of beer and wine.
Neighborhood Favorite: Every Little Thing Jamaican
A Suisun City grocery store and takeout business serves Caribbean nostalgia
The market-kitchen hybrid offers Afro-Caribbean favorites like jerk chicken, curry goat and oxtail.
Neighborhood Favorite: Smile Market 2
The second branch of a longstanding supermarket serves Korean Chinese food
After more than 20 years selling Korean specialty items, the owners of Smile Food Market opened Smile Market 2, which serves fresh dishes like spicy seafood noodles and sweet-and-sour pork.
It’s Complicated
Business experts express optimism and concern over the Capital Region’s 2022 economic outlook
After a once-in-a-century pandemic, what happens next? The
Capital Region’s economic experts weigh in.
Entertaining Hope
Capital Region movie theaters struggled through the pandemic — but a few are thriving
We spoke to two Capital Region theaters with long histories that managed to ride out the pandemic.