Grieving a loved one’s death is never easy, as I learned 20 months ago when my husband Jim passed away.

My biggest challenge was managing my publishing business alone. Jim retired several years earlier, but he was my business partner for more than two decades.

My focus was off, my employees unsure how to deal with me. No one wanted to deliver bad news. I struggled with decisions. It took time, but we all adjusted.

The National Association of Realtors is on a losing streak. They need some wins.

The largest trade association in America with 1.5 million members, the Realtors’ group began its downward spiral in August 2023. That’s when The New York Times published allegations of sexual harassment by the association president.

It was a classic “Me Too” scandal. President Kenny Parcell allegedly engaged in years of inappropriate behavior toward multiple women with no accountability. He denied the complaints but resigned soon after the story broke.

If you’re looking for Jonathan Lum, check the soccer pitch.

As vice president of the Sacramento Soccer Alliance, Lum says he has “no specific duties” for the nonprofit that provides community-based competitive soccer to area youth.

No specific duties mean he really does everything.

On Jan. 26, 2023, James Takashiba woke in the early morning to a fire notification from his alarm company. His family’s restaurant, Hana Tsubaki, was burning.

The fire department was on scene and quickly subdued the fire, but not before the kitchen suffered major damage.

For many longtime residents, Hana Tsubaki, a Japanese restaurant in East Sacramento, had been there forever. The butterfly roof and red and black paint stood out on J Street almost unchanged since 1978.

But that’s too simple. To keep a restaurant open for nearly 50 years, an operator must push through adversity. The Takashibas pushed hard.

The Big Leafy too often transitions from blistering hot to chilly and wet, allowing minimal days of local autumn color. Our magnificent trees should not be denied the opportunity for extended applause and encore performances.

Eventually, the heat concedes, and Sacramento is blessed with orange and crimson leaves, but for how long?

Gardeners have an elevated appreciation of the city’s leaf canopy. Shade, beauty and finally wonderful composting material are welcome perks.

Daniel Owens has a theory. He says, “In every art form, there are envelope pushers and archivists. Both play very important roles. But it’s been very helpful for me to figure out which one I am.”

Throughout his career as a musician and teacher, Owens pushed. He was halfway through a degree in classical trombone performance at San Jose State when he realized he didn’t fit the classical world. He transitioned to jazz and salsa, composing and performing his own work.

His decision to study trombone was unconventional. Raised in a musical family and playing piano, in middle school he craved the community of a band. He switched from piano to trombone and “caught the bug,” joining every band possible.