Cover Artist James Hartman
Inside Land Park/Grid September 2022
James Hartman is a Bay Area based artist who paints landscapes, still lifes and figure studies mostly in the plein-air style.
Cover Artist Patricia Prendergast
Inisde Arden September 2022
Drawing inspiration from various locales along the American River and beyond, Prendergast’s paintings are an evocation of an emotional response to the transcendence found through nature.
Herbal Delights
Abandoned last fall when its blueberry bush was transplanted into a more spacious container, the pot needed new tenants. Life intervened, I gave it scant thought, and the pot sat empty and forgotten.
After much procrastination, the pot was reborn in spring with one of my favorite plant families: herbs. Tarragon, sage and thyme now thrive in that old pot.
Every gardener should welcome herbs. Lavender and rosemary are not uncommon in Sacramento gardens. I grow four different lavenders and both upright and trailing varieties of rosemary.
Potholes & Pavements
There’s no way to sugarcoat the horrible condition of our roads in the unincorporated area. When I discuss potholes and crumbling pavements with fellow residents, the conversation usually ends with an expletive.
Paying for road maintenance is complicated. Engineers at Sacramento County Department of Transportation often function like accountants to secure every available dollar for our roads.
In a nutshell, the department uses approximately $20 million each year from the Senate Bill 1 gas tax, approved by voters in 2018. The measure requires annual valuations by state authorities to determine adjustments in the gas tax. The most recent change occurred in July, with an increase of 2.8 cents. Current tax is 53.9 cents per gallon.
Cover Artist Leslie McCarron
Inisde East Sac September 2022
Sacramento-based McCarron is inspired by her time walking by the American River, working in her garden and bringing fresh flowers into her studio to paint.
