The historic Nisei War Memorial Community Center is returning to life, thanks to dozens of local volunteers.

The restoration of the Downtown center—known as Nisei Hall—is led by Debbie Eto and Dr. Michael Luszczak.

Eto is vice president of the Japanese American Citizens League, which bought the building with VFW Nisei Post 8985, a Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter created for Japanese American veterans after World War II.

I love art openings. But I rarely write a column saying an exhibition can’t be missed.

This one can’t be missed.

It’s a new exhibition at Sacramento State’s Library Gallery, a powerful presentation called “Lost Childhoods.” The collection explores the lives of foster youth in our community.

“Lost Childhoods” features the voices of foster youngsters who share stories of loss, resilience and achievement within the foster care system.

Artifacts, photos and video portraits are displayed. The opening event was sponsored by the Foster Youth Education Fund, which provides financial support to local college students raised in foster care.

“The Sacramento region continues to grow faster than almost any other place in California. But exactly how the region develops and what kind of quality of life its residents enjoy is up to us.”

So says the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s draft “Blueprint: Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 2020-2050.”

The farm-to-fork movement is more than farmers and chefs. Without a produce company to connect farms to kitchens, the region’s unique food system quickly unravels.

While some restaurants deal directly with farmers, in my 15 years in the industry, every kitchen where I worked relied on distributors. Most restaurants find it impossible to operate without them.

This is where Jim Mills came in. Working with Produce Express, he created a bridge between local farmers, food artisans and restaurants. He transformed the local dining scene.

Mills entered the hospitality industry as a bartender for Randy Paragary after graduating from Sacramento State. As Paragary opened more restaurants, Mills became a general manager and chef.

Along the way, Mills recognized the potential for farm to fork—ideal growing conditions for vegetables, fruits and herbs.

There may be no bigger advocate for Sacramento’s place in the culinary landscape than Patrick Mulvaney. His passion for the region’s food carries weight.

“The first question people ask is my opinion on any of a number of culinary questions,” he says. “But the second one should definitely be about the Sacramento region. It should be about what’s going on at UC Davis. It should be about what’s going on with the farmers throughout the region. It should be about what’s going on at the Capitol.”

If Mulvaney sounds like a professional advocate, it’s because he is one.

More than advocating for the town he calls home, Mulvaney fights for causes such as feeding hungry children and improving school lunches.

Lois Buchter—Miss Lois to her students—has a lifelong affair with drawing. She loves sharing that passion with kids ages 5 to 10.

Buchter ran the nation’s largest Monart School of Art franchise in Texas from 2008 to 2013. Now she brings her expertise to Sacramento with a new children’s educational television program.

“I want to give that gift of creativity,” Buchter says. “I know how the beast roars. You think you’ll feed it and it’ll be quiet, but no, it wants more. It’s such a rewarding, self-fulfilling elevation. I want to give that to kids on a national basis.”