WRITTEN BY STEPH RODRIGUEZ

The bounty on display at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market in Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Oak Park Farmers’ Market

Open-air farmers’ markets bring the bounty of seasonal harvests from the farms to the people. Farmers who sell baskets and bundles of homegrown fruits and veggies oftentimes pick a majority of the fresh produce on display early that morning, which ensures the crunchiest carrots and juiciest berries are up for grabs each week.

WRITTEN BY NATASHA BOURLIN

7 tips for turning an urban area into a garden oasis.

Spring has sprung, and you’re itching to get your green thumb into some dirt, but perhaps your spatial situation isn’t conducive to your gardening goals.

Fear not: If you have a wall or eave, or just a minimal amount of space, outdoors or in, you too can plant things this spring. Small spaces actually can be great for growing a multitude of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even fruits, as they’re generally easy to maintain. Imagine getting all of your weeding and watering done simply by standing and spinning in a slow circle.

WRITTEN BY STEPH RODRIGUEZ

Sacramento’s Mediterranean climate makes for such a long growing season when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables sewn throughout the region. For Daylin Wade, a farmer and herbalist with Riverhill Farm in Nevada City, working the soil and watching plants grow is the heart of her life’s work, and she happily shares her wealth of knowledge during the various classes she teaches on gardening and medicinal herbs at Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova.

“I enjoy being outdoors and being able to grow food that is of high quality, and just seeing the whole process through from planting a seed to harvesting the vegetable and eating it,” Wade says.

WRITTEN BY JORDAN VENEMA

Photos by Jana Hendler Photography

When it comes to breakfast, there is next to nothing in this world that will distract me from my syrup-drenched pancakes … but then, I’ve never before been to a drag show over brunch.

On Sun., March 4, Sacramento’s Grand Ballroom will transform into the Glam Ballroom for the LGBT Community Center’s 6th annual Mama’s Makin’ Bacon, which goes to show some people really know how to raise money for a good cause.

“We’ve got Sacramento’s premier drag performers,” says Patrick Harbison, board member of the LGBT Community Center and the event’s emcee.

The 2017 Mama’s Makin’ Bacon Drag Brunch. From left, Glenda Corcoran, George Raya, Ted Lindstrom, Carlos Marquez, Alison Hastings, Mae Moua, Tre Borden, Brett Anderson, Johnathan Cameron, Paul Domemoore Crouch, Natalie Fujikawa, David Heitstuman and Patrick Harbison at the Grand Ballroom

Our favorite time of year in Amador Wine Country.

WRITTEN BY JACK GORMAN

Photos courtesy of Amador Vintners Association

Winter provides a bit of a lull for those of us in the wine industry. Vines fall into a dormant state, conserving energy and resources for the long winter days. Cellar workers quietly monitor the precious nectar of the gods they put into barrels after last year’s harvest. The air is still and quiet, and many winemakers and grape growers, like their vines, use the time to recharge in preparation for the upcoming growing season.

Amador County grapevines taking a winter break

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