Since our first edition in 1996, Inside has published an estimated 1,400 works by approximately 400 artists. Because each of our four editions carries its own cover, we showcase an extraordinary range of paintings, photographs and mixed media.

From the start, I’ve selected every cover image. Of all the jobs involved in publishing Inside, curating cover art is my favorite. It satisfies a creative need. Selecting art and writing for the publication bring tremendous pleasure.

For Susan Poirier, the artistic journey toward minimalist abstraction is about uncovering what matters.

Born in Boston and shaped by a childhood of travel, Poirier spent much of her professional life as a critical-care nurse and educator. Now she maintains a disciplined routine, often spending days working in her home-based Carmichael studio surrounded by canvases in various stages of development.

The farm-to-fork movement shows us how to eat in a healthy, local way. We enjoy food co-ops, farmers markets and restaurants that cook with regional produce, fruits and meats.

But what happens as we grow older? When we can’t or don’t want to for ourselves?

The latest farm-to-fork evolution involves senior living, retirement communities and nursing homes. They are embracing the farm-to-fork movement.

I met two chefs, Russell Middleton and Anthony Vo, who run the kitchens at Avella, a senior community in Roseville. We discussed how they incorporate healthy, local food into their menus. 

Sherry Martinez is an avid cyclist and community activist. She combines both interests as a member of the American River Bike Patrol.

The volunteer organization began providing trail safety on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail in 2020. The 23-mile paved pathway along the American River Parkway stretches from Discovery Park to Hazel Avenue.

Interest has grown fast among volunteers and regional communities. Roseville, El Dorado County and the state recently authorized the patrol to cover various paved, natural-surface and multiuse trails throughout the area.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera season starts this month, which means I search around SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center for dinner before a show. That’s how I found Chef Burma.

I’ve been lucky to attend shows by local symphony and opera companies for nearly 40 years. Thanks to my mother for instilling a love of classical music. She never had to drag me to performances at 13th and L streets.

If you see a new well-designed, affordable apartment complex or hear a spirited conversation about how to get reasonably priced housing built, odds are John Vignocchi and his Urban Capital firm are involved.

Vignocchi, 39, has a solid reputation for creativity and commitment to building “workforce housing” people can actually afford.