Ardent content food &flavor 16. HEARTY SQUASH SOUP CT Morris
18. HOME AGAIN Sicilian Trapanese Pesto & Pizzicotti Cindy Della Monica 24. PUMPKIN MUSHROOM RISOTTO & APPLE CROSTATA Deeply Rooted Kitchen 26. SWEET WINE CLUB McConnell Estates
featured
30. community
30. BARN QUILTS
36. PIONEER VILLAGE SJC Museum
education
40. PAINT THE GROVE Elk Grove
34. WHAT I’VE LEARNED CT Morris
music
42. WOMEN AND THE BLUES Nan Mahon
love story 46. PAITYN & WYATT
books
profiles
38. BOOK REVIEWS Sacramento Public Library
52. CHRIS GANDY State Farm Insurance
health
54. TIPS FOR MAKING BUSY FALL SCHEDULES MANAGEABLE Kaiser Permanente 56. SUNSHINE DOESN’T SOLVE EVERYTHING Anna Osborn 60. STROKE PREVENTION & RECOVERY... NATURALLY Elk Grove Vitamins
history
4. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
18.
64. THE ELK GROVE REGIONAL PARK Louis Silveira
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy No doubt you’ve heard a lot about Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy lately. What is it all about? How does it work? Who needs it? Is it something you could benefit from? Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, also known as BHRT, is exactly what it sounds like. Your declining hormones are replaced with hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones produced by your own body. Why is this important? Hormones that are not structurally identical to your own (for example, Premarin, which comes from horse urine) do not act the same on your body, may contain hormones that your body does not make and has no receptors for these hormones, so you waste energy by giving incomplete messages to cells which then fail to produce a balanced hormonal response. Also, your body cannot effectively metabolize these foreign hormones, which may have long term unknown, potentially, negative effects on your body.
MYTH: Our hormones levels are declining because we are growing older. FACT: We are growing older because your hormones are declining.
The goal in BHRT is to turn back the hormonal clock to around age 35, or around 20 years younger than your chronological age. Anti-aging medicine is a personalized, metabolic medicine. We now have the science to individually customize your care and we can look at the cause of the problems, instead of just treating symptoms. If you are basically healthy, we can look at how your body breaks down things to help you be healthier and stay healthy. All the patients in my practice have a totally different treatment regime, there are no protocols. It is a very personalized approach.
So is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy right for you? Do you find yourself wondering……? Why am I so tired? Why am I gaining weight? Why do I have mood swings? Why do I have a low sex drive? Why am I not able to sleep well? Why am I having memory lapses? Why do I have frequent urination and/or incontinence? Why do I have migraine headaches?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, bio-identical hormone therapy may be just what would benefit you.
How does the process work?
After obtaining lab testing of saliva, blood or urine, you meet for a consultation with Dr. Dayle A. Imperato, an American Anti-Aging Academy trained physician for evaluation of your unique bio-identical hormonal needs. You are prescribed the specific hormones that your body needs! We use a quality compounding pharmacy and carry a high pharmaceutical grade of supplements for your use. Your hormones are a symphony of interactions. All of your hormones are designed to work together and if one is altered, or deficient, it will affect the actions of all of the other hormones in your body. It is an interactive balance and as unique to an individual as a fingerprint. One size does not fit all. Treating even “mild” hormonal deficiencies can dramatically improve quality of life. Longevity medicine is aimed at the early detection, prevention, treatment, and reversal of age related decline. We are not prisoners of our genetic destiny. Chronic inflammation is the cause and the effect of most illnesses and the diseases of aging. Balanced hormone optimization and a balanced life style decreases chronic inflammation. Hormone optimization is the finishing touch of an anti-aging lifestyle of good nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, anti-oxidants and nutraceuticals.
Contributor’s Corner Justin Azevedo
Justin has been a Youth Services Librarian for Sacramento Public Library since 2010, and is currently the Youth Materials Selector for the system.
Allie Crump
Event Manager at McConnell Estates
Shannon Hillyard
Owner of Shannon Hillyard Photography
David Hipskind
Owner of The Red Door Antiques, Vintage, and More. Located in Historic Old Town Elk Grove.
Dr. Dayle A. Imperato
A Board Certified physician, she has served the Sacramento community for the past 20 years. Owner of Rejuvenation Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine in Old Town, Elk Grove.
Nan Mahon
Nan is an author and journalist. She is a member of the City of Elk Grove Committee for the Arts and received the Elk Grove 2011 Mayor’s Award for Volunteerism in the Arts.
Cindy Della Monica
Cheesemonger and Owner of Cheese Central in Lodi, Ca.
Carole Morris
Instructional Specialist, Author and Adjunct Professor. She is married to an outstanding, brilliant man and the mother of two grown aweinspiring children, and grammie to three flawless grandchildren.
Katie Neumann
Katie, owner of Deeply Rooted Kitchen, is a local kitchen garden enthusiast who loves to help make peoples' garden-to-table dreams come true!
Anna Osborn
Anna lives in Elk Grove with her husband and school aged twins. She owns Life Unscripted Counseling in Midtown Sacramento.
Elizabeth Pinkerton
Teacher and Administrator for 40 years, she is now a historian and author.
Justin Pinnell
Justin is not just another pretty face in Real Estate. He enjoys long walks on the beach and high mountain sunsets.
Louis Silveira
Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and Archivist at the Elk Grove Historical Society
Dianna Singh
Owner of Elk Grove Vitamins for the past 12 years.
Zachary Wackman
General Manager at McConnell Estates Winery
Kayla Webb
Marketing Manager at McConnell Estates Winery
Brendle Wells
Is a librarian and lifelong reader who has a passion for sharing books with pretty much anyone she meets. She currently works as the Adult Materials Selector for the Sacramento Public Library and asks, “What have you read lately?”
For full bios of our contributors, please visit www.ardentforlife.net. 12. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
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Carole Morris
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Copyright © 2026 Mrs. and Mr. Publishing Published by Mrs. and Mr. Publishing six times a year Want to know about great events, open houses, and more? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ardentforlifeelkgrove Ardent For Life is distributed in Elk Grove, Sacramento, Lodi, and every point in between. Have a great story idea, or know someone that we should feature? Email us with your comments & suggestions at info@mrsandmrpublishing.com Interested in increasing your business and partnering with Ardent For Life? Check out www.ardentforlife.com. The information in this publication is for informational purposes only. Mrs. and Mr. Publishing Inc. (DBA Ardent for Life) assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization is not necessarily the views of the magazine.
ARDENT f o r
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Checking In Autumn is upon us, and I appreciate its beauty and inspiration. I don’t know about you, but the cooler weather invigorates my senses! I love to rake leaves and watch our silly chickens run helter skelter investigating EVERYTHING suspicious…leaves, bugs and our dogs. And let’s not forget the abundance of fall activities that are so much fun to share with loved ones, life is so good! executive editor
Carole Morris What I’ve learned I personally have never seen a barn quilt, even though they are a colorful American Tradition. Read the informative article about how they are made and enjoy the colorful geometric patterns. Talk about creativity! Nan has written a wonderful article about WOMEN AND THE BLUES, if you are a blues lover this article is for you. Now that the weather is cooler, put on your cooking shoes and try our unique recipes…your family will love you for it.
food}
Squash By CT Morris
Fall Hearty
Soup
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food} SQUASH SOUP I think the main reason squash soup is comforting and cozy (besides being delicious) is because it’s one of the few vegetables that originated in the Americas…the original “home grown”. Ingredients
4 tablespoons of butter 2 tablespoons of basil 1 large onion, chopped 2 stalk celery, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 4 medium potatoes, cubed 1 large squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed 5 cups chicken stock 1 cup of mild cheddar cheese Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Puree squash in food processor and set aside.
Melt butter in a large pot, and cook onion, celery, carrot, potatoes until lightly browned (over medium heat). Pour in enough chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes.
Add squash to the pot and cheese and any remaining stock to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
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Home
food} CINDY DELLA MONICA
Again By Cindy Della Monica
Our long-planned trip to Italy is over. We are home, in a landscape filled with billboards, fast food signs, traffic lights, and burbs of housing that look all the same. Our month in Italy allowed our minds to rest from all of that California “noise.” This travel adventure, 3,900 miles, covered Tuscany to Milan, the Amalfi and Salerno, to Palermo and back to Bari on the heel of the boot. There are no “burbs,” no fast food (literally saw two McD’s and a KFC in all that time). Billboards are very few and only near the very big cities. South of Tuscany, the center of Italy looks like the Central Valley, with fields of produce, sunflowers and round hay bales. The length of both sides are hilly or mountainous and heavily wooded. Sicily has more characteristics of our foothills and drier landscape, but its Tyrrhenian Sea is blue green, clear and warm, free from seaweed and sharks… and did I say warm? Warm like a tepid bath! Join me on my Italian food journey.
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Hilltown watercolor by Cindy, inspired by a picture seen in a tiny Italian shop.
Now, don’t laugh! Our first meal when leaving Rome was to have dinner at the AutoGrill on the A1. A truck stop. Essentially the same as our AM/PMs. Sure, AutoGrill has fast snacks and a coffee bar, too, but they also have delicious panini and pizza, fresh salads and beautiful pastries, and sometimes café tables indoors with a chef to prepare your cotolleto e insalata served with the freshest bread or rolls. The Bufalino was delicious: flavored fresh bread stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella di bufala for 7,90 euro. Gotta love Italy.
A taste of the road at Italy's Autogrill: fresh pastries, crisp salads, panini, and pizza make these highway stops a destination in themselves.
The macelleria / griglieria (butcher / grill restaurant) in a tiny town close to our Villa home is known for bistecca alla fiorentina, Italy’s equivalent to Wagyu beef. Come hungry, as the bistecca is custom cut at 32 oz., prepared in fresh rosemary butter and served with a bit of bitter greens and lots of shavings of Parmigiano on top. Our table also indulged in truffled ravioli and tagliatelle e ragu chianina. A beef lover’s fantasy! We should have walked home.
food} CINDY DELLA MONICA
Macelleri Griglieria
Italian “flag” on a platter
Monteriggioni, Tuscany
Shopping at Coop, the local grocery, in Arezzo was more fun than Disneyland, with the aroma of freshly baked regional breads and pastries assaulting your nose, a surprisingly small (by American standards) fruit and vegetable display, but enormously long counters of cheeses from around the world and every type of salumi prepared in small clear trays for today’s consumption in antipasti. The wine section alone made me swoon—chianti, sangiovese, pinot grigio and so much more, for 10 euro or less. We happily consumed hearty reds and chilled whites, all priced under 7 euro! Cooking at the Villa with these great ingredients was a joy.
Al fresco dining tucked into a narrow alley in Salerno, where balconies hover overhead and the bells of the Church of St. Matthew call the faithful to vespers on a quiet Sunday evening.
The pasta shape that is “local” to the Casentino area is pici, a thick rustic spaghetti shape usually served with rich red sauces featuring wild boar, rabbit and duck, or pork sausage and dried porcini mushroom. As Italy is a wooded land of wild pigs, there are many salumi, salsiccia, and imaginative ways to use pork including the lardo that arrived on my crostini in a tiny town called Bibbiena. (See Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy on Disney+, episode on Tuscany, for how lardo is made in the area. What a fascinating process!). All hands at the Villa collaborated one night to produce dinner: braciola, salads, and the Italian “flag” on a platter—a pici with tomato, a cacio a pepe and a regional presentation of pesto pasta with potato and green beans. It was fun to team up and produce a meal for the 11 of us, great skills shown by all!
Trofie con vongole
A flaky pistachio croissant at a café in Poppi.
A morning visit to the charming hilltown of Poppi for the farmer’s market snagged a chewy crusty bread that was almost purple from the whole grain content, and honey from different parts of Tuscany. Made by the woman who raises the cows on her family homestead, a cow’s milk cheese, soft and gooey with an ash rind was stunning. The caffe and pistache croissant were memorable (where has pistachio crème been all my life?) We munched on fresh local
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Another sun-filled day, with a crisp blue sea laden with boats of all sizes, the hillside inlets filled with buildings of creamy white, lemon yellow, cantaloupe orange, and baby blue… and the crazy madness of driving on the Amalfi Coast amid tiny Fiats and Vespas.
(Top to bottom, left to right) On the menu called Crostini Mixta (chef’s selection). Tomato bruschetta, very spicy spread, coarse pate, lardo, braised leeks and cheese (Lardo production can be seen on Stanley Tucci’s Italy, Tuscany episode at Carter’s marble quarry)
Tiny Cheese shop in Monteriggioni
cherries, aromatic apricots and nectarines, and Eggs for breakfast in Italy? Can’t find them any“funny shaped tomatoes” I’ve never seen before, where. I will happily dine outside the “breakfast box.” At a piadeneria, I enjoyed an eggplant and called pomodore due cure. prosciutto piadena, folded just like a big taco! And A tipica (“local”) food tasting in a small shop in did I say porchetta for breakfast in San GimignaAssisi brought to my attention the delicious pair- no? I sure did! Of course, there is always a variety ing of Parmigiano-Reggiano with truffle honey, of pastry, too, just as Italians do for their breakfast. or with the thickest raspberry balsamic imaginable, as it stands in a firm puddle on the plate In Civitivecchia, the seaside lunch restaurant had ready for your dipping pleasure. Paired with a Sicilian chef. Unknown til now, I learned of anwild boar salami and duck breast prosciutto, other local pasta: pacherri, like a wider rigatoni, the wines poured with the tasting were perfetto! adorned with Trapanese pesto and shrimp. As the pesto was Sicilian, then dessert should be, (Are you drooling yet?) too, right? …a Sicilian cassata for dessert, a cake Bruschette e crostini on the menu turned out to shell layered with ricotta and citron. Our coastal be a chef’s choice of crostini on a plate: a to- tour is amazingly delicious! mato bruschetta; a very rustic pate flavored with rosemary; a blob of very spicy sauce; a slice of Another sun-filled day, with a crisp blue sea lardo; and a braised leeks and cheese toast. The laden with boats of all sizes, the hillside inlets shared plates that followed were papparadelle filled with buildings of creamy white, lemon yelragu cinghiale (wild boar), bistecca fiorentina, a low, cantaloupe orange, and baby blue… and the wild boar braised in local red wine, and a cracker crazy madness of driving on the Amalfi Coast crisp thin pizza with potatoes, walnuts and blue amid tiny Fiats and Vespas. Stopping at the Hocheese. A fresh crisp mixed salad left just enough tel Tramonto d’Oro for lunch was the best deciroom for a small scoop of gelato—NEVER pass sion of the day filled with traffic! Bacala, though familiar with the ingredient, I’ve never eaten it. up an opportunity for gelato or granite. My lunch starter: bacala croquette, followed by Monteriggioni, a very tiny Tuscan hilltown, a rolled eggplant Parmigiano, and Amalfi lemon boasts a very little cheese shop, a clothier, a jew- sponge cake topped with lemon mousse that will eler, a leather shop, an art gallery, a bookshop be remembered forever. and… seven restaurants! I happily painted a study in watercolor of the church in the piazza while enjoying a caffe latte and the quiet buzz of people around me. A late lunch in the garden restaurant--note to self—make this one at home in the Autumn: ravioli stuffed with beef cheek and ricotta, in wheat pasta, over puree of cauliflower, with half a burrata and roasted tomato halves served cold on top. Oh, man. The combination of hot ravioli and cold burrata, savory beef on velvety vegetables, nutty pasta and sweet tomato—inspired! Amalfi lemon sponge cake
Before traveling, I pack a small “pantry” bag of items I might need just a bit of when cooking in a foreign kitchen. I use old prescription bottles as they are air tight and see-thru. Baking powder and soda, chili flakes and herbs, vanilla and tapioca are just a few of the items. Tapioca? Those farmer’s market fruits make great baked crisps thickened with tapioca. Better Than Bouillon is a must, with many uses.
Tiny clams I fell in love with in 1983, found again at a grocery in Arezzo. 20. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
The Coop had my favorite tiny tiny tiny clams, which I steamed in flavored broth and served with chili flake and bread for dipping before dinner. The shell is perhaps the size of a cherry and the clam itself is the size of a pearl! We followed up with a rosemary and thyme butter bake on salmon with dried porcini risotto and fresh green beans, amazing farmer’s market fruit for dessert, and pizzicotti cookies, also great for breakfast with coffee. The bag pantry came in very handy that day.
In Sapri, the evening was hot and humid, so we wandered the tiny town square at the lido, and stepped into Taberna du Mar for dinner. Funny, if you had a reservation, you were seated in the air conditioned dining room. But as a walk-in, seating on the outdoor patio with a tall standing fan close by was your lot. So, an Italian menu is divided into antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, and dolce (starters, first plate, second plate,
primi of seafood
food} CINDY DELLA MONICA sides, and dessert). As it was so hot that evening, I decided on a lighter meal with just primi of seafood something. For 18 euros, I received a platter of 36 mussels, 24 clams, and a very small serving of linguini in lemony sauce underneath. I just had to eat it all ;} The car ferry ride from the toe of the “boot” to Messina, Sicily, is just 20 minutes. Enough time to bolt out of your car, go up the stairs and grab caffe and something to eat. Our morning “something” was shared arancino a ragu, prosciutto calzone and a bombolino with our coffee! We have arancini in America, the pingpong ball-sized deep-fried
Breakfast on a car ferry to Sicily. Hey, it’s Italy!
rice with a bit of cheese stuffed in the middle. These were the size of a waffle cone, filled with meat sauce! The calzone was sandwich-sized, and the bombolino much like a filled jelly donut, but with pastry creme. Hey, they DID offer you two simpler, American choices: an unidentified white muffin, and a ciambella zucchero (raised sugar donut) for 3 euro. But, when in Italy…
Sicilian street food reflects the weather and the mix of culture on this island. Easy to find and enjoy, choose sfincione, a soft focaccia-style bread topped with a complex mix of minced meat, spicy salami or anchovy, onion and tomato sauce--definitely not pizza! Or a cold salad made of cous cous and grilled vegetables with a saffron dressing, evoking the Tunisian cuisine that is just 200 miles away. Very far from Tuscany! You know when you are very familiar with a food, and THEN you have it where it originates, it just blows your mind? Well, I’ve never been a big Sicilian cannoli fan. And THEN I had it in Palermo. Sicilian dessert at its best, filled with real sheep milk ricotta, lightly sweetened, and no chocolate and pistachios or other flavorings to muck it all up. Even better to enjoy it on Mondello Beach, with your toes in the Tyrrhenian Sea. A wonderful way to finish this Italian adventure, such a sweet ending. Thank you for sharing my culinary journey. I hope it inspires you to seek out newto-you Italian food. Ciao!
Simple beachside lunch came with… a side of shoulder rub?
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food} CINDY DELLA MONICA
Sicilian Trapanese Pesto Ingredients 1/2 C toasted almonds 1 t minced garlic 1 C packed basil leaves 2 C fresh grape tomatoes Directions
1 t salt 1/2 t red pepper flakes 1/2 C extra virgin olive oil 3/4 C freshly grated Pecorino cheese
In a blender or food processor, combine almonds and garlic until finely chopped. Add basil, tomatoes, salt and pepper flakes. Blend to break up, then with motor running, drizzle in a thin stream of olive oil until well combined. Toss pesto with hot cooked pasta, preferably a long strand variety, and top with finely grated Pecorino.
I enjoyed this dish from a Sicilian chef who added small prawns to the water in the last few minutes of cooking the pasta. It was served with a drizzle of olive oil and finely crushed almonds mixed into the Pecorino for topping. A delectable dish!
Pizzicotti
Ingredients 2 C finely ground walnuts 1/2 C + 2 T sugar 1 egg white Directions
Pinch of salt 1 C powdered sugar, more if necessary for rolling
Preheat oven to 350*. In a medium bowl, whisk egg white to foamy with salt. Add sugar, mix well. Add walnuts, and stir well. Form into tablespoon sized balls, and roll in powdered sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch the top third of the cookie to form a little peak. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on the tray. Store in an airtight container. Makes 16 cookies. 22. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
food} DEEPLY ROOTED KITCHEN
Pumpkin Mushroom
Risotto
By Katherine Neumann, Deeply Rooted Kitchen
www.deeplyrootedkitchen.com
This recipe is a great way of using up edible fall decor! It's rich, decadent, warm and comforting. It's also a great vegetarian (could be easily made vegan) dish for any holiday event. This recipe, like any good risotto, takes time, and is definitely a labor of love. That being said, it makes a large batch and freezes pretty well as long as it’s not stuffed before freezing. Happy cooking! Ingredients Medium sweet onion, diced (around 1C) 8oz baby bella/crimini mushrooms, diced (around 2C) 2C Arborio rice 8C vegetable stock 1C freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus more for topping) Salt and pepper 8TB butter 1 TB extra virgin olive or avocado oil 4, 2lb edible pumpkins (like Autumn Crown, sugar pie or other winter squash like acorn, etc.) Directions
coated. Cook until onions are golden brown in
Prep the pumpkin: Start by cutting off the color/caramelized. When they are done cook-
top of the pumpkin, making a large circle opening. Scoop out all of the seeds and membranes, pat the pumpkin dry (*If the pumpkin is extra thick, you can scoop out some of the extra flesh as well, leaving enough for stuffing). Save the seeds for toasting and sprinkling on top of a green salad to go along with your risotto, if you’d like! Drizzle the inside of your cleaned pumpkin and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet or stone in a preheated 350°F oven and bake to al dente (just before fully cooked), around 30-45 minutes, depending on thickness of pumpkin. Set aside. *Note, I also bake the tops/lids, but that is purely for decorative purposes. You don’t have to include the tops.
ing, remove the onions with a slotted spoon and place onto a plate lined with a paper towel.
Next, in the same pot, add in the diced baby Bella mushrooms, a pinch of salt and stir until coated. Cook until mushrooms are golden brown and caramelized. Using a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms and place onto a plate lined with a paper towel. Increase stove temperature to medium. Add the 2C Arborio rice to the same pot (add a TB of butter and EVOO if the oil is too low). Stir the rice until coated with the oil. Toast the rice until it is a nice golden brown color.
Then add 2C of vegetable stock and stir. Leave
Risotto: In a large pot on medium-low heat, the pot uncovered and cook the rice, stirring
24. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
melt 8TB of butter and 1TB of extra virgin olive occasionally, until almost all of the stock is aboil or avocado oil. Add in your diced sweet on- sorbed. Add in the next 2C of stock and repeat ion with a pinch of salt and stir until onions are the process until all 8C of stock have been used.
food} DEEPLY ROOTED KITCHEN
At the very end, finish the risotto just before all the stock has been absorbed so the rest can absorb during baking. If you prefer to not stuff the risotto into pumpkin, let all the stock absorb and move on to the next step. Next, add back in the caramelized mushroom and onions as well as the grated Parmesan, stir. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. *The risotto is perfect at this point and can be served as is if you prefer to leave out the pumpkin. Take the risotto and stuff your par-baked pumpkins until full. Top with extra grated parmesan, till your heart's content. Take your baking sheet or stone with the stuffed pumpkins and place in a preheated 350°F oven. Bake for around 20 minutes or so or until the risotto is bubbling and cheese is melted. *Note, if using the tops/lids of the pumpkins, don’t rebake them. Leave those aside for when the stuffed pumpkins are done baking.
To serve, you can plate stuffed pumpkins individually or you can serve family style. You can slice the entire pumpkin into wedges and serve individual slices or you can scoop risotto onto plates, making sure to scoop out some of the pumpkin as you are scooping. Serve alongside a simply dressed green salad with some sliced sourdough and you have a decadent, delicious fall dinner everyone will love!
Apple Crostata Ingredients Prepped pie crust, homemade or store bought 2 large granny smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced 3TB all-purpose flour 1/4C sugar 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Dash of salt 4TB butter, cold and diced 1 egg mixed 1TB water, for egg wash Turbinado sugar, optional Directions:
Place prepped, rolled out pie crust onto a baking stone or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lay apple slices on the crust within 2” of the edge of the crust. Separately, in a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and butter until mixture is crumbly. Top the apple filling with the crumbled mixture. Next, fold the crust over the edge of the apple filling, pinching the crust together as you go. *A crostata is a rustic dessert so don’t worry too much about form!
**Notes: You can use chicken stock instead of veggie stock, but risotto will be much richer in flavor. If using veggie stock, buy the best you can find or make your own. This recipe is very adaptable to your preference and can be made vegan, if using vegan butter and Parmesan.
Brush the edges of the crust with egg wash and sprinkle the crust with turbinado sugar. Bake crostata in a preheated, 450°F oven for around 18-20 minutes, rotating the baking stone/sheet half way through. Let the crostata rest for a few before serving. Serve crostata sliced with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
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profile} MCCONNELL ESTATES
Introducing the
Sweet Wine Club By McConnell Estates - mcconnellestates.com
There's a new way to join the McConnell Estates family! We're excited to introduce the newest addition to our club: the Sweet Wine Club. An Artistic Intersection
Designed as a variation of our Classic 3-Bottle Wine Club, the Sweet Wine Club offers members three bottles every quarter in March, June, September, and December. Each allocation can be customized from three of our sweet wine selections, featuring two exciting new releases and the long awaited return of a fan favorite: Vino Dolce, 6 Gen Zin, and Legacy Dessert Wine.
Whether you love our Sangria and are looking to explore more wine, new to wine altogether, or simply enjoy sweeter styles, the Sweet Wine Club was created with you in mind.
26. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
We are always looking for new ways to evolve and create the best experience for our members. The Sweet Wine Club allows us to expand our wine offerings, introduce new flavor profiles, and welcome even more wine lovers into the McConnell Estates’ family.
New Releases Vino Dolce
Our newest release, Vino Dolce, is a sweet white wine crafted from our estate-grown Vermentino. Bright, refreshing, and wonderfully versatile, it’s the kind of wine that shines during warm summer days.
This wine was crafted with food in mind as its vibrant, fruit-forward style pairs beautifully with a multitude of dishes. It complements everything from fresh fruit, desserts, and even spicy dishes, making it one of the few wines that pairs with heat. From brunch to dessert, Vino Dolce is a fun companion for any occasion.
The label celebrates two of the most iconic sights on our estate: the vibrant sunsets that stretch across our vineyards and our 300-year-old oak tree that has stood for generations and serves as the backdrop for countless wedding sunset photos. Together, they capture the beauty, history, and sense of place that make McConnell Estates so special.
6 Gen Zin
It’s back! One of our most requested wines has officially returned to the menu. Named in honor of the sixth generation of the Wackman family, 6 Gen Zin celebrates the heritage of our family-owned and operated winery. Crafted from late-harvest Zinfandel grapes, this approachable, fruit-forward sweet red wine has earned a loyal following over the years. Whether paired with chocolate, poured over vanilla ice cream, or enjoyed slightly chilled,
profile} MCCONNELL ESTATES it’s easy to see why this wine rent owners Howard III, Mihas become a member favorite. chael, and Alan Wackman, he instilled in his family the values Whether you’ve been patiently of hard work and a love for the waiting for its return or are land, principles that remain at discovering it for the first time, the heart of our winery and we’re thrilled to welcome this ranch today. fan favorite back to the lineup. With its rich, dark cocoa notes Rich, decadent, and aged and devoted following, this is for two years in oak barrels, one release that never seems this port-style dessert wine to stay on the shelves for long. is meant to be savored and shared. We hope every bottle serves as a reminder that while Legacy Dessert Wine Legacy is our tribute to How- a person’s time may be finite, ard Wackman II. This barrel- the legacy they leave behind aged and fortified Zinfandel can endure for generations. honors the man whose commitment to family, integrity, Interested in more information and agriculture helped shape or joining our new Sweet Wine the values that continue to Club? Visit our website or conguide McConnell Estates Win- tact us directly to be one of the first to join the club! ery today. Howard passed away at the young age of 44, but his impact lives on through the generations that followed and the farming community he helped shape. As the father of our cur-
Howard Wackman II instilled in his family the values of hard work and a love for the land, principles that remain at the heart of our winery and ranch today.
McConnell Estates Winery
10686 W Stockton Blvd, Elk Grove CA 95757 916-685-5368 www.mcconnellestates.com
McConnell Estates' Bottling Team
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Space-Age Barware Cocktails Go Atomic Classic
There was a time when entertain- They could roll from room to ing at home meant more than room, transforming an ordinary pouring a drink—it meant putting living room into cocktail central. Many were designed with two on a little show. In the 1960s and tiers—one for bottles and mix1970s, the home bar became a ers, another for glasses, tools and stage for the optimism, color and garnishes. Their combination of practicality and polished metal futuristic style of the Space Age.
tifying makers and patterns. Libbey’s “L” mark, Culver signatures and Briard designs can turn a simple tumbler into a small piece of entertaining history, worth finding and keeping around.
Today, that era’s barware is having anoth- made them as much a piece of furniture as a serving accessory. At The Red Door Antiques in Elk er moment. Think jewel-toned tumblers, geometric patterns, starbursts and atomic motifs that seem ready to launch from the cocktail cart. Add gleaming chrome, sculptural ice buckets and whimsical shakers, and the result is unmistakably mid-century: functional, but never boring.
Brands mattered, too. Libbey Glass Company offered colorful patterns and caddy sets, while Culver became known for lavish 22-karat-gold decoration. Georges Briard added bold, graphic designs, giving collectors plenty of personality to discover today across the era’s cockChrome bar carts were particularly suit- tail glasses and entertaining pieces. ed to the period’s entertaining culture. For collectors, part of the appeal is iden-
Grove, shoppers can explore the thrill of the hunt for vintage pieces that bring this spirit home. Whether you are furnishing a dedicated bar or simply looking for one spectacular conversation piece, Space-Age barware proves that entertaining never has to be ordinary.
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featured} BARN QUILTS
Barn Quilts
A Colorful American Tradition Driving through the countryside is never quite the same once you catch sight of the colorful geometric patterns known as barn quilts. Each charming and unique work of art displayed on barns across the United States tells a story, reflecting the creativity and vision of the artist who painted it. It's a beautiful tradition that began centuries ago and has experienced a remarkable revival in recent years.
These vibrant designs served several purposes. Some families believed the symbols would protect their livestock, bless their harvests, and bring good fortune. Others used them to identify their property, much like a family crest.
A Tradition Rooted in History
Today, the art of barn quilting is once again being stitched into communities across the country. Travelers can explore designated barn quilt trails, where dozens of colorful designs decorate barns, businesses, and public buildings. Information about established trails throughout the United States can be found at www.barnquiltinfo.com.
The history of barn quilts, however, reaches much further back when the German and Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants brought these decorative traditions to America in the 1700s. They painted colorful geometric symbols on their barns, creating what we now know as barn quilts.
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The Colorful Revival
These trails are organized and maintained by local organizations. Although there is no national barn quilt association, communities across the country continue to create their own trails and celebrate this unique form of folk art.
Jeanne Strong
The modern barn quilt movement began in 2001, when Donna Sue Groves of Ohio painted a quilt pattern on her family's barn to honor her mother, a master quilter. What began as a heartfelt tribute soon inspired communities across the country to revive a beloved piece of American folk art.
Barn quilts also became useful landmarks for travelers. According to local folklore, some believe they were even used during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to mark safe houses and supply locations.
One of these organizations began taking root locally just a year ago and has continued to grow. The group has created an impressive collection of barn quilts in a variety of sizes and designs while working toward establishing a local barn quilt trail.
featured}BARN QUILTS
Tell us about your barn quilt and your favorite barn quilt design. Chele Matsumoto
This is the only barn quilt I've made, but honestly, every single one is a work of art, in its own unique way.
The Woman Who Gathered a Community
While the local barn quilt group is relatively new, the idea had been growing in Wilton resident Jeanne Strong's heart for nearly twenty years.
Jeanne first discovered barn quilts while traveling through Plumas County. She immediately knew it was something she wanted to create. Her husband researched the craft and purchased all the supplies she would need, but as life often does, other priorities took over and the project was set aside.
taught barn quilt painting classes. While explaining that barn quilts were new to her, Hillery also pointed out that her decades of experience painting murals made her confident she could teach the technique. She offered to host a class at a local sewing studio. "I thought, 'Let's see where it goes,'" she laughed.
Then Jeanne contacted Hillery about painting two barn quilts. During their conversation, Jeanne mentioned she hoped to start classes in Wilton and wanted Hillery to teach them.
Teresa McGonigle
This was my first and favorite barn quilt. It's on display in the entry way of my front porch, and brings a smile to my face everyday.
When the time finally felt right, Jeanne decided The timing couldn't have been better. it was time to begin.
A friend of Hillery's, Lara, who owns the Farm Store at Lavender Estates in Wilton, connected with the owner of the estate to see if the group could use the barn as a classroom space. The owner, Prabhjot Rai, was happy to oblige and "At first, the group mostly consisted of my has even attended a class herself and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Within just a few months, all neighbors around Wilton," Jeanne recalled. the pieces had fallen into place. Word spread quickly, and before long the classThis August marks one year since that first barn es had taken off. quilt class. Her niece helped her connect with artist Hillery Wallis. With an instructor in place, Jeanne began inviting fellow barn quilt enthusiasts to join her.
The Artist and Instructor
"Hillery is an amazing and talented artist, and we all love her as an instructor. She's always organized and on top of everything for her classes," Jeanne said.
"There are so many little details that came together to make this happen that it still makes me laugh," Hillery said. "You never know what's going to happen next."
Hillery Wallis has worked as a painting contrac- More Than Paint on a Barn tor since 1995, specializing in murals, signs, What started as a simple tribute to a mother has grown into a nationwide celebration of art, and decorative artwork. history, and community. Every barn quilt tells a About a year ago, a homeowner in Penryn story—not only through its colorful design but asked whether she could paint a barn quilt. Al- also through the people who create it. though she had never painted one before, she accepted the challenge. As more colorful quilt blocks appear across
our countryside, they're doing more than
That single project quickly led to another opportunity. Within a week, someone contacted decorating old barns—they're preserving her through Facebook asking whether anyone history and celebrating creativity.
Debbie Gunn - The quilt was done as a gift to my husband- Rich Gunn. It reflects his love of America, his police service in Milpitas and his faith. My favorite quilt pattern, well that’s a tough one! I guess it’s the barn quilt I’m working on presently. There are so many and the hobby is addictive- I need more barns and out buildings! I’ve thought of lining my fence with them, but who knows. My mom was a quilter, so this makes me feel a bit closer to her. I have a barn full of her quilts!
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featured}BARN QUILTS
Q&A With Instructor Hillery Wallis
How did you first become interested in making barn quilts?
I was painting at a home in Penryn. What started as an interior painting project turned into faux shiplap, then a sign for the family's business, Martyne's Mandarin Farm. One day the homeowners, Deanna and Steve Martynse, asked if I could paint a barn quilt. I said, "Sure!" Then I went home and looked up what a barn quilt actually was. It turned out I'd been driving past the Loomis Barn Quilt Trail for years without realizing what those colorful designs were called. I painted my first 4-by-4-foot barn quilt for them, and it sparked something. I was later added as an administrator for the trail's Facebook page, and now we're working on expanding the trail. By the end of 2026, we'll have four new barn quilts added.
the most popular designs tend to be sunflowers and hummingbirds.
Do the designs have special meanings?
Just like fabric quilts, barn quilts often reflect family history, agriculture, or something that's meaningful to the owner.
One of the most interesting stories I've learned involves the Underground Railroad. During a class I took in Auburn, I heard that some people believe certain quilt patterns were used as symbols to help guide enslaved people seeking freedom. While historians continue to debate whether this actually Deanna Martynse, who asked me to paint my happened, it's a fascinating piece of first barn quilt, now joins all my local Barn Quilt folklore that's become part of the classes, and helps coordinate the classes at the history surrounding quilt patterns. Mandarin Farm.
Can you give our readers a quick overview of how a barn quilt is designed and created?
A barn quilt is a painted version of a fabric quilt. First, we choose a design and transfer it onto a primed board using a grid or point pattern. From there, we connect the points to create geometric shapes, flowers, animals, or other designs. Once the pattern is drawn, we use delicate painter's tape to create crisp, straight lines. We paint one color at a time, remove the tape, retape for the next section, and continue until the design is complete.
What are some of the most popular or traditional barn quilt patterns?
What sizes do barn quilts typically come in?
Around here, I usually see 2-by-2, 3-by-3, and 4-by-4-foot barn quilts. In the Midwest and on larger farms, though, you'll sometimes see them as big as 8-by-8 feet. Those larger designs are much easier to see from the road, and they're even more impressive when you get up close.
If someone has never painted before, What do you enjoy most about teaching or being part of this group? can they still participate?
Absolutely! I've had quite a few students that Making new friends is my favorite part. have said halfway through the class that this is the first time they've ever taken a painting class. I love seeing husbands come with their wives and end up getting completely hooked. SomeThey enjoyed it times they even finish before everyone else!
Do participants need to bring their own It's also wonderful when someone brings a friend
Some of the classic patterns are the Ohio Star and the Mariner's Compass. In my classes, though, supplies, or are materials provided? Students can choose whether they'd like to paint a 2-by-2 or a 4-by-4-foot barn quilt. I ask them to bring a pencil, a yardstick, and a 6-by-24-inch ruler. I provide everything else, including the primed and painted board, painter's tape, eraser, razor blade, paintbrushes, and paint. I use high-quality exterior paint, so the finished barn quilt doesn't need to be sealed.
Approximately how long does it take to complete a barn quilt?
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I always tell my students that I'm just a phone call or text away if they have questions. I think everyone who's taken one of my classes has finished their board because they always send me a picture afterward, and I love sharing their finished projects with the group.
because they don't know anyone in the group. By the end of the class, everyone has shared snacks, stories, and laughs, and we've all gotten to know one another.
I've had several ladies take my class three different times. With each project, they've challenged themselves with more detailed patterns, and many have started customizing their designs to make them uniquely their own. Some who began with a 2-by-2-foot board have even moved up to painting a 4-by-4.
Do you have a favorite pattern or design? What makes it special?
I honestly don't think there's one I don't like. It Everyone works at their own pace. would be really hard to pick a favorite. Some people finish during class, while others take their projects home to Some people want a traditional quilt block, while others ask for something completely unique. Two complete.
of my favorite Barn quilts that I have painted that are non-traditional designs are a California bear standing in the foothills to represent a client's home. Another was inspired by my uncle in Washington. He sent me four different photos he liked, and I combined elements from each one to create a custom mountain scene.
It's so fun to watch someone's pattern come to life. As they add the final details, they get excited about every straight line and the way the colors complement one another until, finally, they have a finished painting.
What advice would you give someone thinking about painting their first barn quilt? Just give it a try.
It's only paint. If you don't like it, you can always paint over it and start again.
One of my favorite moments is watching someone's confidence grow throughout the class. They begin with a blank board, and by the end they're excited about every crisp line, every color choice, and the beautiful piece of art they've created. It's incredibly rewarding to see. Contact Hillery or follow her for more information and class schedules. Wallis Specialty Painting LLC - Hillery Wallis - 916-316-0879 Email - Paintsalot2003@yahoo.com Facebook - Hillery Reed Wallis Business page - Painting for you Instagram - @hillerywallis
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education}
What I’ve Learned About
Artificial Intelligence
By CT Morris - BS Elementary Ed., MS Ed.
If you have been on this earth for any length of time, you have been traumatized by movies depicting robots with human-like traits. Who can forget HAL from A Space Odyssey? cabulary support, and visual descriptions. That movie was AI on steroids… Hal was Therefore, students can engage with gradesupposed to be the perfect computer; how level content more independently. did that turn out? AI is used in classrooms every day and many Recently, portrayals of AI in movies have school districts are pairing AI tools with a K-12 online learning platform for adaptive been adjusted to what society’s ideas instruction. Because AI offers instant hints regarding artificial intelligence are. The to students (who are struggling), it gives the movies always strive to illustrate that instructor the ability to work with all students, without leaving anyone behind.
artificial intelligence is a part of mankind’s evolution, and here we are—evolving. Studies show that AI is most useful when it's supplementing a teacher (not replacing). We have moved swiftly from AI being an abstract conversation to it being a practical, Because those same studies found that daily tool used in classrooms and everyday when students use AI, they aren’t learning writing. In fact, new advances in artificial how to analyze fact from fiction and they're intelligence have revived debates about the not engaging with the material. Reports also advantages and hazards of AI. show that students who use generative AI We can’t honestly say that AI is a bad tool are seeing a decline in content knowledge, that nobody should use, because it does have many benefits. It supports multilin- critical thinking and creativity. Therefore, gual students with instant translations, policies must be developed to guide safe and therefore removing language barriers. AI appropriate use. The conversation should be also helps struggling readers, and students with disabilities by providing support such shifted from whether AI should be used—to as speech-to-text, read-aloud features, vo- how it should be used responsibly. 34. .ardentforlife.net ardentforlife.net- Autumn - Autumn2026 2026 34
education}
Reports show that students who use generative AI are seeing a decline in content knowledge, critical thinking and creativity. Therefore, policies must be developed to guide safe and appropriate use.
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community} HAPPENINGS
SJC Museum’s
Pioneer Village Living History Center Photos by Jack Jacobs, docent at SJC Museum
We have watched with bated breath the construction of SJC Museum’s Pioneer Village Living History Center for the past year. Therefore, it was wonderful celebrating its completion by opening our campus to the community on July 25, 2026.
experiences of a past age into the modern era. We will be providing the background and practices of long-ago cultures by incorporating historic objects, accurate environments and appropriate activities to make stories about the people who used those objects multi-dimensional.
If you would like to learn more about We are looking forward to seeing the the Museum’s educational programs educational programs move into the check us out at www.sanjoaquinhistory. village this fall, bringing the lives and org/education/ or call 209.331.2055.
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Photos on page 37 by Sara Pinnell
books} REVIEWS
Reviews brought to you by the
AMERICAN FANTASY
Author: Emma Straub Book Reviews by BRENDLE WELLS American Fantasy by Emma Straub is set aboard a themed boy band cruise full of women of a certain age seeking a sunny escape from reality and the freedom to celebrate their love of the band Boy Talk wildly and unironically. Three of those on board are less than thrilled to be there, however. Annie is recently divorced and was persuaded by her sister to come but is now rooming with a stranger after her sister broke her leg. Sarah is the production manager for the cruise and very tired of her job and her life. Finally, there is Keith, a member of Boy Talk who does not enjoy the cruise due to his anxiety, among other reasons. Each is at a turning point and, though they don’t realize it, this cruise will provide each of them with a potentially life changing direction. Despite the cynicism of the narrators, the book does not mock the fans. Instead, it honors the uncomplicated joy of their passionate fandom. It’s funny, nostalgic, accepting, and very enjoyable. If you ever had a crush as a teen, miss feeling connected, or are nostalgic for the passions of youth, this is a book for you. Riverhead Books 2026
JAPANESE GOTHIC
Author: Kylie Lee Baker Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker starts in 2026, where we meet Lee who has fled to his father’s new house in Japan after killing his roommate in New York. Or at least he thinks that is what happened, the details are unclear in his memory. Hiding in the same house in 1877 is Sen, a samurai, training for a battle she is destined to lose due to her father’s participation in a failed rebellion. The house has seen its share of violence over the years and is not a peaceful refuge for either. The land around it is mysteriously barren of life in Sen’s time and in the modern era, unsettling noises come from within the walls. It also has one unusual feature, a door that sometimes opens a passage between 2026 and 1877. Strange coincidences will echo across the timelines and the two will soon realize their fates may be intertwined. Their story combines gruesome historical horror with Japanese folklore, drawing from the legend of Urashima Taro to tell a story filled with grief, generational trauma, and colonialism. Shining through it all are the lead characters, who are both deeply flawed, but beautifully real. This is a great choice for literary horror fans and book groups alike. Hanover Square Press, 2026
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books} REVIEWS
HOLD
Author: Randy Ribay Illustrator: Zeke Peña Children's Book Reviews By JUSTIN AZEVEDO A father and child are on their way out of the house when Dad, his arms encumbered by all of the things necessary for their trip, asks the toddler to hold a water bottle. Emboldened by this new power, the child asks to hold a toy, as well… and then another toy, and the family cat. And a tree! That truck, driving by! Maybe the rain? Dad does his best to comply, but the child soon realizes how hard it is to do anything with your arms full of stuff (something Dad knew all along, obviously). Fortunately, it’s always easy for a parent and child to hold each other. This picture book is remarkably sweet, and tells a lot of story with only a few words, including some Spanish sprinkled in. Peña’s bright illustrations walk the line between picture book and graphic novel, and carry a sense of happy chaos with plenty of sounds and motion. The story provides humor and heart for both energetic kids and their lovingly frazzled parents. A funny and tender read-together best for ages 4 to 6. Kokila, 2026
The Faraway Inn
Author: Sarah Beth Durst Calisa’s summer doesn’t look anything like she thought it would. Nursing a broken heart after her boyfriend’s betrayal, Calisa’s moms send her to work at her great-aunt’s bed and breakfast in Vermont, hoping that some quiet time in the woods will help her heal. But the inn is nothing like Calisa thought it would be—it is falling apart, seeming almost abandoned. Even worse, Auntie Zee makes it immediately clear that she doesn’t want Calisa there at all. Determined to make the most of her summer gone wrong, Calisa sets her mind to helping make the Faraway Inn beautiful again (whether Auntie Zee wants her to or not), with the help of the friendly son of the groundskeeper. But it is soon apparent that the inn isn’t all it appears to be, as inexplicable situations and otherworldly guests increasingly make themselves known. The Faraway Inn hides magic beyond its doors. But when Auntie Zee suddenly disappears, Calisa will have to summon her own magic to save both her and the inn itself. Sarah Beth Durst is a known quantity in cozy fantasy, and her latest YA title brings the warm energy that cozy fans will adore, with a woodsy setting, a gentle romance, and plenty of loveable (if occasionally grumpy) characters to get to know. The central mystery keeps the pages turning, and everything is tied together by themes of connection and the desire to help. The result is a comforting and immersive fantasy read for ages 14 and up. Delacorte Press, 2026 WWW.SACLI BRARY.ORG For details, telephone the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.
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community} HAPPENINGS
Paint the Grove
The inaugural Paint the Grove mural festival, presented by the City of Elk Grove (in partnership with Talking Walls) has officially come to a close, leaving behind eight vibrant murals and a renewed sense of energy throughout Historic Main Street. Below is a recap of the festival highlights, including the murals and community events that brought this project to life. Paint the Grove Murals
Event Debriefs
School, Katherine L. Albiani Middle School, Laguna Creek High School, Monterey Trail High School, VIP Reception - June 1, 2026 | Sheldon High School, and Cosumnes Oaks High Explore Elk Grove Office Paint the Grove would not have been possible School came together to explore the history of without the collective support of the City of Elk street art, engage directly with festival muralists, Grove’s participating building owners, sponsors, and gain hands-on exposure. elected officials, artists, volunteers, commission- Through this hands-on experience, students were ers, Talking Walls, and City staff. Each played an able to see firsthand how public art connects creessential role in bringing this inaugural festival to ativity with community impact, reinforcing how life, from providing access to walls and support- programs like Street Art 101 can serve as both a ing production to shaping the creative vision and cultural asset and a gateway to creative learning, Paint the Grove brought together incredible art- executing the work on the ground. exposure, and future career opportunities. ists, each contributing a unique artistic voice and perspective to Elk Grove's growing public art To celebrate these partnerships and kick off an collection. As community members watched the exciting week of mural-making, the festival began Walking Mural Tour - June 6, 2026 | murals take shape, many returned day after day with a VIP Reception recognizing everyone who Old Town Plaza to follow the artists' progress, ask questions, and helped make it possible. Featuring music by Mia At the end of the week, the community came out learn more about the creative process behind Mercado and local catering the evening set the in droves for the Paint the Grove Mural Walking each piece. Today, the eight murals can be found tone for a week centered on collaboration, cre- Tour, filling Historic Main Street with residents and visitors eager to experience the newly comthroughout Historic Main Street, creating a walk- ativity, and community. pleted artworks. able public art experience that invites visitors to discover local shops, restaurants, and gathering Street Art 101 - June 3, 2026 | Attendees traveled along Elk Grove Boulevard, Old Town Plaza places along the corridor. As part of the City’s commitment to arts educa- stopping at each mural to hear directly from the While the murals are the festival's lasting legacy, tion and workforce development, Paint the Grove artists about the inspiration, symbolism, challengPaint the Grove also featured a series of events hosted Street Art 101, a unique learning oppor- es, and techniques behind their work. The tour ofthat gave the community opportunities to engage tunity for 20 Elk Grove students. Participants fered a rare opportunity for the public to connect directly with artists and experience the creative from Elk Grove Charter Academy, Elk Grove High with the muralists and gain a deeper appreciation School, Franklin High School, Harriet Eddy Middle for the stories being told across the corridor. process firsthand. Over the course of a week, eight talented muralists from near and far transformed blank walls into large-scale works of public art along Elk Grove Blvd, creating an outdoor gallery that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come. The murals now serve as both landmarks and conversation pieces, celebrating creativity while encouraging exploration throughout the historic district.
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community} HAPPENINGS
Local Artist Battle - June 6, 2026 | Old Town Plaza
The festival concluded with the Paint the Grove Local Artist Battle, showcasing nine talented local artists competing live before a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, alongside approximately 20 local artists and arts organizations who activated the space with tabling and community engagement.
$1,000 Judges' Award, selected by the Paint the ing connections, investing in creative talent, and activating public spaces. Residents and visitors Grove mural artists. can continue exploring the murals throughout Creating Lasting Impact Historic Main Street by visiting PaintTheGrove. Beyond beautifying the corridor, the murals com, where they can find mural locations and have helped establish Historic Main Street as a learn about the artists behind each installation. destination for arts and culture, bringing new While the paint may have dried, the impact of visitors to the area, increasing foot traffic for Paint the Grove continues to inspire residents, local businesses, and generating excitement support local businesses, and celebrate Elk about the future of art in Elk Grove. Grove's growing arts community. Paint the Grove generated remarkable commu- Mark your calendars for next year's Paint the nity engagement throughout the week, with resi- Grove Mural Festival, returning May 31 through dents and visitors following the artists' progress, June 5, 2027. attending events, sharing photos and videos, and Interested in helping shape the future of arts and celebrating the completion of each mural. culture in Elk Grove? The City is developing its first-
Throughout the event, spectators watched artworks come to life in real time, interacted with artists and creative organizations, and casted votes for their favorite pieces. The competition highlighted the depth of creative talent within the region while providing artists with a platMore importantly, the festival sparked new conform to share their work with the community. versations about creativity, community identity, Congratulations to Erica Thomas, winner of the and the role public art can play in shaping the $1,000 People's Choice Award, selected through future of Elk Grove. Paint the Grove was about public voting, and Annie Peony, winner of the more than painting murals. It was about creat-
ever Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Strategy, Creative Spark, and residents, artists, businesses, and visitors are encouraged to share their ideas by completing the Creative Spark community survey or participating in an upcoming focus group. Learn more and get involved at elkgrove.gov/creativespark.
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music}BLUES
Women and The Blues By Nan Mahon
Alicia Fulbright
“I book fifty bands a year, always three months or more ahead,” Alicia said. “Sometimes it’s a scramble because last minute problems get in the way.”
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Alicia is a soldier in a small army of women who keep music affordable and in the mainstream throughout the Sacramento area, often in the most unusual venues. Each of them will say it’s to preserve the blues genre and to be sure it is there for future generations.
Maybe it’s a singer like Dana Moret, a club owner such as Marina Texeira, a promoter like Mindy Giles, or just a volunteer, their goal is the same.
At Xochimilco restaurant, the ambience has a family feel. Some musicians are returning, and audiences are requesting favorite performers. In June, when well-known local jazz singer Claudette Stone celebrated her 91st birthday, the restaurant diners celebrated with a cake; raising their voices in a birthday song for her.
“I have been a servant to music,” she said. Her list of credits include helping organize major festivals such as the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Ragtime Festival, Hot Jazz Festival and zydeco/crawdad festivals.
“I have the privilege of being a bridge for all of those wonderful music organizations and to work with them to make the Sacramento music scene a true, strong family.”
Many of the women in Sacramento’s inspired army of Jazz and Blues purveyors met as workers at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. When the music festival closed, they stayed friends but carried on in their separate fashions.
“I do this because it’s a place of joy where people can unite in friendship and have a good time,” Alicia said.
In high school Alicia was part of the choir and the jazz band. It set her path in life from that day on.
Sue Ramon
Every Wednesday evening during the dinner hour at Xochimilco Mexican restaurant in Sacramento, blues lovers will find Alicia Fulbright hosting a band she has booked for the night. For six years now, she has coordinated these performances to help keep the blues alive.
“I organized my senior prom,” Sue said. “It was my first major event, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Growing up in Chalmette, Louisiana meant growing up with the blues and zydeco. Living so close to New Orleans, every weekend would find teen-age Sue and her friends on a bus headed for The Big Easy to hear legends such as Fats Domino performing in the French Quarter. In 1985, Sue arrived in Sacramento and introduced Cajan and zydeco music to Old Town.
“At first, everyone laughed at me,” Sue said. “Except Lina Fat, who took interest and backed me. That first festival brought 30,000 people.”
Kathy Becker
Sue has slowed down to three festivals a year and is doing more creating and promoting now. “We have to plant the seeds of the music in the kids, so the history stays alive,” Sue said of her audiences. Music is gumbo that we make to sing and dance.”
“I turned my passion for music into my life’s work and had the chance to work with some of the greats in the blues world. I’m rich in stories.” Not willing to let Traditional Jazz fade out with the Sacramento festival, Kathy Becker, who had worked beside Alicia and Sue, took her skills to manage a second Sunday afternoon jazz concert at the Straw Hat Pizza in Rancho Cordova. She is also president of the Hot Jazz Festival that takes place every Labor Day in West Sacramento.
“We are keeping the music alive and keeping musicians working,” she said.
The fusion of jazz/ zydeco and blues began with the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, but it continued long after the big party ended.
Sally Katen
It was at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee that Alicia met Louisiana Sue Ramon. Sue came into the area like a Southern storm, bringing the sounds of zydeco and the taste of gumbo with her.
Mindy Giles - Photo by Bob Hakins
Lonnie, Mindy & Albert
music}BLUES
In 1999, Sally Katen survived breast cancer and made it her mission to raise money for research. In partnership with Marina Texeira, owner of the Torch Club in
midtown, Sally established Blues for the Cure benefit. Sally became a leader in the Blues world, taking on responsibilities in every part of the Sacramento Blues Society organization. Each year, at the end of summer, she hosts The Blues Hall of Fame to honor musicians and advocates both living and deceased, who have been a major part of the local blues scene.
“We are preserving blues music for future generations,” Sally said of the Blues in the Schools program operated by the Blues Society.
Currently, the program to teach students of the American musical heritage is overseen by Mindy Giles. Mindy came to Sacramento from Indiana by way of Chicago where she worked as a publicist, promoter and producer for a large record company. Once here, she put her skills to work in such ventures as booking the mainstage of the Sacramento Music Festival (formerly the Jazz Jubilee), the Crocker Jazz Summer Series and the Blues and Bourbon Wednesday nights at Harlow’s nightclub in midtown.
“When I was four, I followed my brother to the only record store in our small town of Columbus, Indiana. I loved the music, the rhythm, and the joy it brought,” she said. “I turned that passion into my life’s work and had the chance to work with some of the greats in the blues world. I’m rich in stories.”
Mindy, owner of Swell Productions, was inducted into the Sacramento Blues Hall
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music}BLUES
It is important to these women of the blues to keep the music in the mainstream and promote it for the future as well as to remember the heritage. of Fame for her years of work to advance music in this area.
Carrying the torch by hosting a venue for a young crowd is Dana Moret who manages the music for The Boardwalk in Orangevale. A popular singer in her own right and a member of the Blues Hall of Fame, Dana took on the challenge of promoting new music in an old nightclub. Dana Moret
“It can be frustrating to get it all together? She said, “But when it all comes out right, it is worth it.”
In the Elks Lodge on Stockton Blvd, Ellen Marshall Roseli keeps that soul sound going every Sunday afternoon with her Sunday Soul Jam. In addition to her house band, The Chosen Few, she opens the mic for anyone to sit in. It is a way to encourage the young and up- andcoming.
Every group needs a gathering place, a watering hole. The Torch Club became that place for blues musicians and blues lovers. Marina Texeira, owner of the club, keeps the light burning for all the blues family as they celebrate victories, mourn deaths and present awards.
It is important to these women of the blues to keep the music in the mainstream and promote it for the future as well as to remember the heritage.
Ellen Marshall Roseli
About the Author: For ten years, Nan Mahon has produced a nonprofit Jazz&Blues Hour on the first Sunday of every month in Elk Grove, bringing in local professional bands. Her Motto: If you love something it’s worth working for. You don’t have a choice.” As chair of the Elk Grove City Arts Commission, she was the creative spark for such shows such as A Blues Revue and A History of the Blues. In 2021, Nan was inducted into the Elk Grove Hall of Fame. Her credits include The Arts Advocacy Project, Jazz/Blues Concert Series, Agape Family Services, Nannosecond Productions, Freelance Writer/Author. 44. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
love}
stories
Paityn &
Wyatt Photographed by MKL photography
www.mklphotography.net
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love}
stories
How did you meet?
My name is Paityn Ringeisen, and on May 16, 2026, I had the incredible joy of marrying my best friend, Wyatt Ringeisen. I always believed that the love of my life was out there somewhere, but I never imagined God would bring him into my life so soon or that I would be lucky enough to marry him at just 25 years young. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a single thing. I’m so grateful for the timing, the journey, and the way God brought our lives together.
What started as a first date turned into a love story, a best friendship, and now a lifetime together. We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and even more blessed to call each other husband and wife. So, here’s our story.
How did you meet?
Wyatt and I met through a mutual friend, and our first date was at the Orchard Bar & Grill in Chowchilla. I had never been before, but I had definitely heard of it and had been wanting to go, while Wyatt had been there plenty of times. He ended up introducing me to quite a few people that night, which made the whole evening feel so fun and welcoming.
After dinner and drinks, we walked next door to the grocery store to grab some beers to take back to our friends’ house. From the very beginning, Wyatt was such a gentleman. He held my jacket, opened doors for me, and even caught the bar when I dropped something so I wouldn’t hit my head. It was one of those dates where all the little moments just felt easy and special. Looking back, it really was the perfect first date and such a sweet beginning to our story.
The Proposal?
Our proposal happened during a pretty unforgettable adventure. We took a cross-country road trip with Wyatt’s parents, traveling through more than 17 states to help them decide where they wanted to move. By the time we reached Texas, which was pretty much the final stop of our trip, we had already made so many memories along the way.
Wedding day...
Having everyone we love in one place, celebrating together, and watching everyone have such an amazing time made the day feel even more special.
While we were in Fort Worth, we spent the day exploring the Stockyards, walking around, visiting different bars and restaurants, and just enjoying the day together. That evening, we went to the rodeo, which was the perfect Texas experience to add to our trip.
After the rodeo, we stepped outside to take a picture together. I thought we were just wrapping up another fun day when Wyatt started telling me how much he loved me and how I was his best friend. Then, completely and unexpectedly, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Of course, I immediately said yes! There were lots of happy tears, even more kisses, and a whole lot of excitement. It was such a perfect surprise and such a special moment to end an already unforgettable trip.
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love
I that he makes me feel safe, loved, and accepted… exactly as I am. I also love how respectful and humble he is. He has such a genuine heart, and the way he treats me and the people around him says so much about who he is. What is love?
Paityn: To us, love is so much more than just a feeling. It’s when you care so deeply about someone that you genuinely want to be around them all the time. It’s choosing each other, not only on the easy and exciting days, but on the hard ones too. Love is being able to laugh together, communicate openly, give each other grace, and truly try to understand one another.
Love is choosing patience when it would be easier to be frustrated, choosing forgiveness when it’s hard, choosing grace when we fall short, and choosing each other every single day. It’s knowing that we won’t always get everything right, but trusting that with God at the center, we can continue to grow together.
things I love most is knowing that he will always put God first and me second. That means so much to me and is such a beautiful reflection of the kind of man he is.
I love that with him, I can completely be myself without ever feeling judged. He makes me feel safe, loved, and accepted… exactly as I am. I also To us, love is a gift from God and one of the great- love how respectful and humble he is. He has such est blessings is getting to experience that gift with a genuine heart, and the way he treats me and the We also believe love is change. Not because the your best friend. people around him says so much about who he is. other person asks you to become someone you’re What is love? not, or because they don’t accept you for who you More than anything, I love the person I get to be Wyatt: To me, love is a response to the people are, but because loving someone makes you want when I’m with him. He’s my best friend, my safe who mean the most to you. It’s shown through to become the best version of yourself. It’s wantplace, and the person I want to share every part the way you care for someone, the way you listen, ing to grow, not just for yourself, but for the sake of life with. the way you show up, and the way you choose of your relationship and the life you’re building them over and over again. together. What do you love most about her? Love is being there through the good days and What I love most about my wife is the connection Most importantly, we believe God is at the cen- the difficult ones, giving grace when it’s needed, we have. She’s my best friend and my partner all ter of what makes love last. We don’t believe we celebrating each other’s victories, and growing in one, and I love how close we are and how natufound each other by accident. God brought us together through every season of life. It’s feeling ral everything feels between us. together at the right time and has continued to safe enough to be completely yourself while also guide us, teach us, and grow us individually and encouraging each other to become better. Being with Paityn has always felt easy, like I’ve together. When we put Him first, we’re reminded known her for much longer than I actually have. that marriage isn’t just about what we can give What do you love most about him? I can be completely myself around her, and I love each other, but about allowing Him to lead our There are so many things I love about Wyatt that that we can laugh together, talk about anything, relationship. it’s honestly hard to choose just a few. One of the and enjoy even the simplest moments side by side.
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love}
What started as a first date turned into a love story, a best friendship, and now a lifetime together.
Vendor List
Photographer/Videographer MKL Photography Rentals J&S Linens, Merced CA El Torito Jumpers, Merced CA Caterer Catering by Chef Melissa, Atwater CA Wedding Coordinator
I planned our wedding, and a friend of mine did day-of coordination for me; she had me as her day-of coordinator years back, which was my first official gig as an Event Coordinator.
storieses
DJ Bliss Events Group, Fresno CA (DJ Davey) Hair @Vieira_beauty* Bridesmaids Makeup Instagram @_bymercy* Bride's Makeup @MadisonRass* Florist @MadisonRass* *Instagram
Bride’s Dress Mira Bridal Couture, Modesto CA
She’s the person I want to share everything with, Fun facts and I feel incredibly lucky that my best friend is A fun little fact about Wyatt and me is that we actually grew up only also the person I get to call my wife. Dress Alterations about 20 minutes from each other Karalin’s Bridal Couture, and knew quite a few of the same When did you know you were in love? Turlock CA Paityn: I can’t say there was one exact moment people, but somehow never crossed Desserts when I knew I was in love with Wyatt. Honestly, paths until later in life. It’s funny to Bridesmaids Dress Catering by Chef Melissa, it feels like I’ve known since the very first day we think about how close our worlds Azazie Atwater, CA met. Everything between us felt so easy and so were all along! pure, like we had known each other much lonRings Cake ger than we actually had. And somehow, without We love spending time with our Orloff Jewelers, Fresno CA Paityn's Mom even realizing it, I knew I wanted to spend every family and friends and making day after that with him. So it wasn’t one single memories together. We’re also hapmoment. It was a feeling that just kept growing, piest outdoors, especially on lake days. We love It was so much fun seeing everyone laughing, and looking back, I think a little part of me knew fishing, hunting, and taking a ride around the dancing, catching up, and just enjoying being from the very beginning that he was my person. ranch on the Honda while watching the sunset together. Honestly, we both wish the day could and checking on the goldfish, which, if you know, have lasted so much longer! It went by way too fast, but we’ll always be so grateful for the memoyou know! When did you know you were in love? ries we made with the people we love most. Wyatt: I knew I was in love with Paityn the night we met. There was just something about her that A lot of our favorite moments are the simple felt different from everyone else. She stood out to ones: being outside, surrounded by the people Honeymoon We’re saving our honeymoon for 2027, when me in a way I couldn’t quite explain at the time, we love, and enjoying life together. we’ll be heading to the Philippines for two whole but I remember having that feeling that she was weeks to island-hop and explore! We decided What did you enjoy most someone special. to wait a little after the wedding so we could on your wedding day? As time has gone on, that feeling has only become Marrying my best friend, obviously! But beyond enjoy better weather and have a less busy seastronger. The more I’ve gotten to know her, the that, one of our favorite parts of the day was get- son at work, which means we’ll be able to truly more I’ve realized just how right that first feel- ting to see all of our family and friends who we slow down and soak up every minute of our trip. ing was. Looking back now, I think God gave me a hadn’t seen in a while. Having everyone we love We’re so excited for two full weeks of uninterlittle glimpse that night of the person who would in one place, celebrating together, and watching rupted time together as newlyweds. We can’t become my best friend, my wife, and the person I everyone have such an amazing time made the wait to make a whole new set of memories in such a beautiful place! day feel even more special. want to spend the rest of my life with.
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profile}
More Than a Policy
Experience, Education and Service
Chris Gandy From Sacramento baseball fields to a longtime Elk Grove insurance office, one local business owner has built his career around relationships, education and good old-fashioned service. Raised in Sacramento, he attended Christian Brothers High School before heading to the University of California, Riverside, where he played college baseball. After college, he pursued professional baseball in the minor leagues before returning to the Sacramento area. old-fashioned service. By that, I mean working to owners insurance covers just about anything that happens to a home. exceed the expectations of those we serve. I don't believe insurance should simply be about The fact is, homeowners insurance has limits, purchasing a product. People should understand conditions and exclusions throughout the policy. what they have, why they have it and what that That's why I encourage people to read and study their policy rather than simply putting it away coverage is designed to do for them. and forgetting about it. Decades later, he remains deeply connected to the community. Q: What is one of the biggest mistakes The message I always come back to is: understand what you're paying for. Elk Grove has grown tremendously since he people make with auto insurance? arrived, yet he says it has retained much of its A: I don't think there's one mistake that applies small-town feel. Over the years, he has developed to everyone because everyone's circumstances Q: Is the same advice applicable to renters? longstanding relationships with local businesses and insurance needs are different. A: Absolutely. and families. In some cases, those relationships What I do find is that many people don't fully unhave spanned generations—clients who origiderstand what each coverage in their auto policy It's common for landlords of apartments, condonally came to his office with young children have means. That's why I emphasize understanding miniums and other residential properties to rewatched those children grow into adults and, the coverages within a policy and knowing ex- quire tenants to purchase and maintain renters eventually, become parents themselves. insurance during the term of their lease. actly what you're paying for. He had always wanted to be in business for himself, and that goal eventually led him to an opportunity with State Farm Insurance in Elk Grove. It seemed like a natural fit: a career that would allow him to work with people, help people and build something of his own.
His approach to insurance has evolved along Uninsured motorist coverage is one area where I with the community, but one philosophy has find many people struggle to understand the full remained constant: education, experience and purpose and protection it can provide. personal service. The important thing is not to assume that evQ: What makes your office different? eryone's insurance needs are the same. Take the A: I feel there's no substitution for years of expe- time to understand your own situation and your own policy. rience.
If you're required to carry the coverage, it makes sense to understand what you're paying for and what a renters policy is designed to do on your behalf.
Q: Why do you place such an emphasis on life insurance?
A: Most people have heard of life insurance, but many don't stop to think about the financial imOur focus has been on educating our insureds Q: What about homeowners insurance? pact of the premature death of a head of houseabout insurance products and providing good A: One common misconception is that home- hold or income provider.
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profile}CHRIS GANDY
I want people to understand what they're purchasing, why they're purchasing it and how it can serve them. I want them to feel comfortable asking questions, and I want them to know we're here to help. Would there be enough money to pay the bills? What about emergencies or childcare? Would the surviving spouse have to take on another job? How would the children afford college?
Those are difficult questions, but they're important ones.
A life insurance program is designed to help create an immediate estate. An appropriate amount of coverage can provide money to help fulfill the dreams and wishes of those who survive you. Many people feel life insurance will cost too much. My personal philosophy is simple: some is better than none.
I encourage people to look at life insurance as the beginning of a program. Coverage can be enhanced or changed over time as family needs change.
Q: When is the right time to purchase life insurance?
A: That's a very personal, individual choice.
I think the first step is to examine your family situation and consider the dreams and goals you have for the people who would survive you. Once you've thought about what you want to accomplish for your family, that's the time to seek information about what products may be available to serve those needs.
Q: What advice would you give someone starting a small business?
A: Liability insurance can sometimes be viewed as another expense for a new business or startup. I encourage new businesses to look at insurance as a cost of doing business and an essential step toward being successful.
A potential customer may choose not to do business with a company that isn't properly insured. Liability protection serves both the business owner and the client or end user of the product or service.
Q: What should people look for when choosing an insurance agent?
A: If time allows, I encourage people to visit a prospective agent's office and interview them. I would interview the staff as well. Choosing an agent is about more than selecting a company. It's about finding the right fit.
I think “right fit” is often overlooked. You want to know who you're going to be dealing with, how they operate and whether they're people you feel comfortable working with. I also encourage people to know their agent and staff, understand what policies they've purchased, read and understand those policies, and seek annual reviews. Life is always changing, and insurance needs can change along with it.
Q: What does great customer service mean to you?
A: Great customer service happens when those providing the service place the needs and desires of the client first and foremost. For me, that comes back to education, experience and personal service. I want people to understand what they're purchasing, why they're purchasing it and how it can serve them. I want them to feel comfortable asking questions, and I want them to know we're here to help.
Beyond the Office
When he's not working, his focus turns to fam-
ily and the activities he enjoys most. He loves spending time with his grandchildren and enjoys fishing and playing golf—although he readily admits he's “not very good” at the latter. All three, he says, are relaxing, rewarding and fulfilling.
He also remains enthusiastic about the community he has called home professionally for so many years. He appreciates Elk Grove's diverse population, beautiful parks, excellent schools, shopping and restaurants. Through all that change, his philosophy has remained consistent: insurance is about people first.
Whether the conversation involves an automobile, home, rental property, life insurance or a small business, his advice is straightforward: understand what you're paying for, know what your coverage is designed to do, review your needs as life changes and find an insurance professional who puts your needs first. For him, that's what good old-fashioned service is all about. Chris Gandy - State Farm Insurance 9275 E. Stockton Blvd, Suite 400 Elk Grove, CA 95624 916-684-2655
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health} KAISER PERMANENTE
SCHEDULING FOR SUCCESS, NOT STRESS.
Tips For Making Busy Fall Schedules Manageable
Do you feel like there are never enough hours in the day? From sunrise to sunset, life can often feel like one long to-do list for busy parents. Parental stress and burnout have reached such high levels that they were declared public health priorities by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A 2024 advisory, titled "Parents Under Pressure", reported 48% of parents say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to 26% among other adults. As many parents prepare for the start of school (and all the other daily activities) we talked with Samad Rizvi, PsyD, a clinical
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Submitted by Kaiser Permanente
psychologist at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento about what causes parental stress and how families can manage their busy schedules in a healthy way.
Q: What is causing stress for families?
A: There is no shortage of worries when managing a household, from ensuring children are getting the support they need, to juggling activities. As we are “raising the next generation,” there may be an intense amount of judgment directed toward parents to be perfect. Many parents are just trying to survive the day, so taking breaks may seem unimportant or impossible.
Q: Have families always been this busy or was there a change? Why?
A: It can feel more stressful now because of the proliferation of technology. We are all more connected to each other than ever before, being able to message one another, and stay up to date on what is happening at
every moment of the day. Additionally, social media has become increasingly performative, an environment where people share the incredible challenges they overcome, all with smiles on their faces. That may leave you thinking if they can do it and be happy, we should be able to do that and more.
Q: What are the physical and mental impacts on parents and children who are trying to juggle multiple commitments?
A: When “achieving it all” starts to feel unmanageable, we judge ourselves, indicating that we are not good enough. Those mental thoughts, on top of managing the physical challenges of coordinating activities, take up space we already do not have in our schedules and in our minds. We may start to feel physically tired, emotionally drained, or overwhelmed, which then impacts our ability to complete our commitments.
health} KAISER PERMANENTE Be intentional about down time for kids, time for exercise and mediation, or a date night with your partner. If you don’t plan those times, they might not happen.
Q: What tips or guidance would you give busy families for managing the stress?
A: Remind yourself that you do not have to do everything. It is perfectly okay to say no to an activity if you already have a full schedule. At the start of the week, review your upcoming schedule. Be realistic about your plans, prioritize the items from most important to least important so you know where to put your focus. Share pick-up and drop off responsibilities with a partner or another parent from school, so it feels less overwhelming. Schedule time for meals and breaks to ensure you have the fuel you need to avoid burning out. Be intentional about down time for kids, time for exercise and mediation, or a date night with your partner. If you don’t plan those times, they might not happen.
Q: Final thoughts?
Samad Rizvi, PsyD.
A: Life is filled with amazing experiences. But if you are constantly feeling overwhelmed you may not be able to enjoy them. Experiment and try different methods to manage your schedule. If you need support, reach out and talk to someone. Everyone struggles with some form of these stressors, and it can feel validating to connect with someone about it. If you start to feel increasingly anxious or frequently sad, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor or a mental health therapist for additional support. Kaiser Permanente has support in place to ensure that everyone knows their mental health is crucial. You are not weak if you ask for help – you are brave and you are strong.
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SUNSHINE DOESN’T Solve Everything By Anna Osborn, LMFT, Relationship Therapist and Coach
I grew up in the foggy central coast and as soon as it was in my control, I moved away to hotter temps and more days of sunshine. I prefer the hot and don’t have too many complaints when the heat starts to rise mid-summer. Yes, I wear all the sunscreen and keep a hat on most days spent in the sun…and yet I will still find any excuse to be outside soaking up the rays.
Simply put, I think that a sunny day solves most everything!
Except when it doesn’t. When my little plants start to sag in the heat or the yellow spots in the lawn get wider and wider. Sometimes too much sun isn’t a good thing, and we need a few clouds to roll in and even things out.
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And the same is true in our relationships. Sometimes too much of the good stuff actually prevents us from addressing the important stuff. I hear quite often about couples not wanting to broach certain subjects because they don’t want to ‘rock the boat’ or ‘ruin a good day’. The bad habit of hoping the good times will somehow address the hard stuff that lives below or avoiding it altogether, in hopes it resolves on its own.
And I get that. But at the same time… pushing off the hard stuff to enjoy only the good, sets us up for a crash. As much as we would like to believe that good times last forever or hard conversations don’t need to exist, the reality is that’s not how healthy, functional relationships work. Instead, you need to use the good times to bolster your spirits and actually tackle some of the harder topics that exist in your relationship.
Having hard conversations as a couple is best done during the good times. When you’re feeling more refreshed and well rested, you typically have more bandwidth to pause and listen, versus react with emotionality.
As expected, we tend to be more patient and grounded in the good times and done with the right care, deeper conversations can be more productive.
If you feel overwhelmed or apprehensive about tackling hard conversations with your mate, here’s a few simple steps to apply: 1. Stop waiting for the right time and
instead create it yourself. As mentioned above, couples tend to delay necessary conversations because they want to time it perfectly and instead end up never addressing it. Invite your mate
health} RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
As expected, we tend to be more patient and grounded in the good times and done with the right care, deeper conversations can be more productive.
Consignment Furniture Gallery
into a conversation while also setting the stage for it to be successful. Can you pair it with a walk or while driving to get coffee together? Set the stage and create the ‘right’ time.
2. Start off slowly and speak from a place of I. Share how
you’re feeling and what you want or need without using too many ‘you’s’. The more you can keep it about how you’re feeling and the less about what your mate is doing wrong, the more productive it will be.
3. Keep it simple and don’t overthink it. Remember most con-
versations are not one and done. They need to be revisited and refined. Do your best. But most importantly just do it. Don’t put off the deeper and more meaningful conversations for the perfect time and certainly don’t delay them just because you feel like everything is ‘great right now’. The time is now.
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Turn your quality home furnishings and décor into cash—without the hassle of garage sales, classified ads, or unreliable buyers.
If you find yourself enjoying the sunshine a bit too much, don’t risk a sunburn and instead take a break in the shade… together…and see what sort of relationship maintenance you can get to. Take the time to realize that ‘good’ times can exist in tandem with harder conversations. And that you actually get more growth from having harder and deeper conversations on the regular. You got this! A
Anna Osborn, LMFT, is a relationship coach and therapist. You can reach out to her by calling 916.955.3200 or visiting her website at www.AnnaOsborn.com.
ardentforlife.net 57
We accept well-caredfor furniture, home décor, and select collectibles, all subject to approval. Call us for more details and to get started!
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health} ELK GROVE VITAMINS
How to Recognize a
STROKE
Even if you have no medical training, you can do a simple assessment for a stroke and possibly save someone's life: • Ask them to SMILE. If the smile is lop-sided, if only one half of the mouth smiles, call for emergency assistance.
Stroke Prevention &
• Ask them to TALK-just speak a simple, coherent sentence. Ask them to repeat a phrase. Slurred or garbled language, or lack of ability to speak, is a classic sign of stroke. Call for emergency assistance.
Recovery... Naturally Written By Terry Lemerond Sponsored by Dianna Singh, Owner of Elk Grove Vitamins
Strokes are terrifying. When you have a stroke, a portion of your brain dies. This is a profound injury that can change mood, thoughts, memories, speech, perceptions – the very ideas we use to define ourselves and lend meaning to our lives. For those who have been through it themselves, or have seen friends and loved ones altered by its effects, it can seem insurmountable. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. African Americans and men have higher rates of stroke, but in women they are more deadly. In fact, strokes kill more than twice as many women as breast cancer. 60. ardentforlife.net - Autumn 2026
Grim though this disease may be, there is good news. First, obtaining emergency care within the first few hours of a stroke can greatly reduce damage done. Second, with patience, hard work, and luck, many victims of strokes recover some – or all – of their lost abilities. Third, and perhaps most importantly, strokes are largely preventable. In this Terry Talks Nutrition I will share with you nutrient interventions to help you prevent strokes, or help you recover and prevent a recurrence of this dangerous problem.
Defining A Stroke
Strokes occur when blood vessels to the brain are either blocked by a clot, or burst. When this happens, the blood and oxygen flow to the brain is interrupted and the affected sections of the brain begin to die. A “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke” is caused by a temporary blood clot, and for all appearances, seems just like a stroke. Known as a “Transient Ischemic Attack” or TIA, it can be the precursor
• Ask them to close their eyes and RAISE both arms. Weakness in one arm, or difficulty in raising one arm is a sign of a stroke. Call for emergency assistance. Remember, the sooner you seek emergency care, the better the outcome.
to something more serious. It should definitely be taken very seriously.
Shift the Balance in Your Favor
Arteries become clogged or clotted for two reasons: oxidation and inflammation. When LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol becomes oxidized, it tends to get “stickier”, forming clots in the arteries. This oxidation (and clotting) also triggers an inflammatory response. These conditions damage arteries and attract more LDL cholesterol to the clot. Together, this can set up a difficult situation to overcome, but one that the right natural ingredients can address. Keep in mind that most serious cholesterol problems have more to do with your family’s history of cholesterol. Our bodies produce up to 1,000 mg of cholesterol a day. In those cases, having an abundance of LDL cholesterol boosts the odds of oxidation and inflammation. So, while I don’t believe that cholesterol is the ‘enemy’ as we’ve been taught, I believe that a balance
health} ELK GROVE VITAMINS
In the vast majority of cases, strokes are preventable. Eat a healthy diet, maintain your weight, avoid smoking, get regular physical activity, don’t drink alcohol to excess, and lower your risk with amla. of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) that scavenges excess cholesterol, and LDL is important. And I believe that plant extracts can have tremendous benefits – without the dangers of statin drugs.
Reduce Your Risk with Amla ( Emblica officinalis )
To reduce your risk of stroke or heart disease, I recommend amla. Amla has been used in Ayurvedic practice for over 2,000 years. In fact, early Ayurvedic medical texts dating back to 200 to 400 BC considered it “one of the best rejuvenating herbs.” Practitioners noted that it helped rebuild tissues throughout the body, reduce inflammation, strengthen vision, and make bones stronger. This botanical, also known as Indian gooseberry, is excellent for getting your cholesterol levels into balance. More recently, it has also been shown to inhibit growth in human lung cancer cells, melanoma cells, and cervical cancer cells. Additionally, amla has the ability to increase our levels of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which detoxifies carcinogens, boosts natural killer cell cancer-fighting NK activity, and prevents DNA mutations caused by aluminum, lead, and chromium.
Amla reduces inflammation – one of the primary causes of all disease, including heart disease and stroke. Research shows that it can reduce levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) by over 30 percent. This marker of inflammation in the cardiovascular system is routinely measured to determine an individual’s health risk. I believe that getting a well-prepared, strong extract is key to getting the results you want faster. The concentrated power of a supplemental form will help you balance your cholesterol levels more effectively, which can help reduce the risk of stroke dramatically.
A Stroke is Not Inevitable
In the vast majority of cases, strokes are preventable. Eat a healthy diet, maintain your weight, avoid smoking, get regular physical activity, don’t drink alcohol to excess, and lower your risk with amla. You can help ease your blood pressure numbers back to where they should be, get your cholesterol levels in balance, and reduce your risk of stroke. It’s so simple to incorporate amla into your daily regimen – and definitely worth the time.
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AMLA LOWERS LDL Cholesterol VLDL Cholesterol C-Reactive Protein
PLUS in a placebo-controlled study Atherogenic Index of the Plasma (AIP)
AIP is a measure of the ratio of triglycerides to HDL
Triglycerides
High AlP measures are a sign of higher risk for coronary heart disease, and high triglycerides are often implicated in worse health outcomes than cholesterol. Fortunately, amla was incredibly effective in reducing these numbers, without reducing participant's levels of CoQ10— unlike statin drugs.
health} ELK GROVE VITAMINS OTHER NUTRIENTS THAT REDUCE RISK OF STROKE Olive Leaf Extract
Oleuropein is a phenolic compound found in olive oil and olive leaves. Olive leaf extract has been shown to reduce blood pressure, which in turn, reduces the risk of stroke. In a clinical trial, a special olive leaf extract lowered systolic pressure (the top number) by 11 points, diastolic pressure (the bottom number) by 5 points, and reduced LDL cholesterol levels as well. Olive leaf ’s antioxidant activity – much more powerful than vitamin E – protects the walls of the blood vessels, and helps widen narrow blood vessels allowing blood to flow more easily.
Grape Seed Extract
Many people are probably familiar with grape seed extract as a heartfriendly supplemental ingredient.
The oligomeric proanthocyanidins – OPCs – from grape seed are compounds that do much of the extract’s heavy lifting. But there’s a catch: the OPCs must be small enough to be easily absorbed so they can be effective. That’s why I recommend a French grape seed extract that is standardized to contain only OPCs that are small enough to be absorbed, so you’ll get astounding results. In an Italian clinical study, individuals in both low and high dose grape seed extract groups saw an improvement in blood pressure, although those at the higher dosage noticed more dramatic effects. In fact, blood pressure numbers normalized in 93 percent of those in the higher dosage group.
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.
Stop by Elk Grove Vitamins to find out more about these products and many more. We have a knowledgeable staff that can answer your questions. We'd like to help you get started on the path to health. Visit us at 9647 E. Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove.
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TERRY TALKS NUTRITION
Strokes are one of the most frightening things that can happen to anyone. They can change a person’s life in an instant and create a ripple effect of health issues for years to come. But strokes can be prevented, and there are nutrients that can even help those who have suffered from a stroke from relapsing. One of the most effective is amla, also known as Indian gooseberry. This botanical can: • Prevent stroke and heart disease • Stop inflammatory damage to
blood vessels and arteries • Boost levels of good (HDL) cholesterol • Reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol • Normalize blood pressure levels
Terry Lemerond has over 45 years of experience in the health food industry as an owner of several health food stores and dietary supplement manufacturing companies. He has researched and developed over 400 nutritional and botanical formulations that continue to be top selling products on the market today.
history}
The Elk Grove Regional Park The Pavilion, the Pool, and a Lifetime of Memories Part three By Louis Silveira, Elk Grove Historical Society Photos courtesy of Elk Grove Historical Society
Pavillion in 1939
In the first two parts of this series, we explored how a determined young woman helped save a grove of majestic oaks and how that grove gradually grew into Elk Grove's first community park. But a park is more than its trees and open spaces. It is the place where memories are made. For generations of Elk Grove residents, two landmarks became the heart of those memories—the pavilion, where music and laughter filled the air, and the swimming pool, where countless children learned to swim and escape the summer heat. Their stories reflect the spirit of a community that has always found ways to gather, celebrate, and grow together.
By 1922, the Park Board decided to build something even more permanent. Using the foundation of the original dance platform, they constructed a pavilion.
Bernice Gallup continued: "In 1922, the board borrowed money and built a pavilion on the foundation of the dance platform, erected years before by the original board of directors. The first year The Pavilion the pavilion was built, enough money was From the earliest days, dancing was one of cleared to pay $1,000 on the mortgage and the highlights of the annual Grange picnics to build a dining room and an addition held beneath the towering oaks. As attenwith a fireplace." dance grew, so did the need for a larger gathering place. The pavilion soon became the backdrop for countless wedding receptions, dances, reAccording to Bernice Gallup in the unions, Grange gatherings, and community February 17, 1965, Elk Grove Citizen: celebrations. "In 1904 the Park board then had an open-air dance platform and bandstand By 1958, Elk Grove Regional Park had built, which was 100 feet long and 70 feet become a destination for recreation of evwide. The low bid was $1,419.50 for the ery kind. Elizabeth Pinkerton wrote in the construction entered by E. E. Berry, who June 27, 1984, Elk Grove Citizen that the park featured picnic tables, open fireplaces, received the contract." horseshoe courts, kiddie rides, two baseball The impressive dance floor quickly became diamonds, a swimming pool, a large dance the social center of the park, hosting dances, pavilion with kitchen facilities, and a Boy celebrations, and community gatherings. Scout building with modern restrooms.
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Sadly, one chapter came to an end on the evening of Wednesday, October 23, 1968, when the pavilion was destroyed by fire. Arson was suspected, and the building was deemed beyond repair and eventually razed. But like so much of Elk Grove's history, the story did not end there. In 1971, a new pavilion was constructed, continuing the tradition begun nearly seventy years earlier. Today, complete with a kitchen, sound system, tables, and chairs, it remains one of the park's most popular gathering places. Wedding receptions, class reunions, dances, nonprofit fundraisers, the Strauss Festival, Gardeners of the Grove celebrations, and countless community events continue to fill the building with life.
The site of the original pavilion also found a new purpose. In 1976, the historic Rhoads School was relocated from Sloughhouse to the former pavilion site. Today, the Elk Grove Historical Society uses the school to host approximately 80 living history classes each year, helping new generations experience Elk Grove's rich past.
history}
Did You Know?
The original dance platform measured an impressive 100 feet by 70 feet—an enormous gathering space for a rural community in 1904. The Swimming Pool If the pavilion was where Elk Grove gathered to celebrate, the swimming pool became where generations gathered to cool off, compete, and create lasting summer memories. Historical records indicate the original pool opened on July 28, 1939. Built through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs designed to create jobs during the Great Depression, the 55-by-105-foot Piranhas Swim Team in 1967 pool—often simply called "the tank"—was constructed for approximately $10,000. In January 2005, it was dedicated as the Jerry Fox Aquatic Center in honor of Jerry Fox, History often comes alive through the mem- who served as Superintendent of Parks and ories of those who experienced it firsthand. later Deputy Administrator of Parks, Facilities and Development for the Cosumnes Former Elk Grove High School social stud- Community Services District. During his ies teacher Arnie Zimbelman arrived in Elk career, Fox oversaw numerous improvements Grove in 1956. He first worked as a lifeguard throughout the park system, including renobefore becoming the pool manager. vation of the Elk Grove Park pool. He recalls that before the filtration system was upgraded, the pool had to be completely drained every Monday and refilled—a process that took several days because the original filtration system simply couldn't keep the water clean.
As Elk Grove expanded, newer facilities such as the Wackford Aquatic Complex and the Elk Grove Aquatics Center were built to meet the needs of a growing city. Yet for many longtime residents, the original park pool remains the place where they learned to swim, joined their first swim team, and spent Fortunately, improvements soon followed. countless summer afternoons with family In June 1958, an $11,000 filtration plant was and friends. installed, eliminating the need for weekly draining and making the pool far easier to Did You Know? operate. The park's original swimming pool was As Elk Grove continued to grow, so did de- built as a WPA project during the Great Depression, providing jobs while creating mand for the popular facility. a community treasure that has served Elk Bernice Gallup reported in the February 17, Grove families for more than 85 years. 1965, Elk Grove Citizen: "In 1961 the Board of Supervisors allo- A Park That Lives Through Its Memories cated $96,000 renovating the park pool... Looking back over the past three articles, one it would be more economical to repair and thing becomes clear: Elk Grove Regional replace portions of the existing pool than Park was never just a park. to build a new one as the old pool was inadequate for the increasing number of It exists because one young woman believed people using it. New dressing rooms were a grove of oak trees was worth saving. It grew built, and it was opened and dedicated in because neighbors invested in their community, purchasing shares to preserve the land May of 1962." for future generations. And it flourished beThe pool received one final major renovation cause each generation added something new while honoring what came before. in 1969.
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The pavilion has echoed with music, laughter, and celebration for more than a century. The swimming pool has introduced generations of children to the water while providing relief from hot Sacramento Valley summers. Together, they tell the story of a community that has always valued gathering, recreation, and connection. Today, families still spread blankets beneath the same majestic oaks that welcomed visitors more than 120 years ago. Children still laugh, friends still reunite, and new memories are made every day. Few communities can trace the story of their favorite park from a single act of preservation to the thriving regional treasure it has become. Thanks to Jennie McConnell's determination and the vision of countless volunteers, leaders, and residents who followed, Elk Grove Regional Park continues to stand not only as a beautiful place to visit—but as the living heart of our community.
Did You Know?
When Jennie McConnell convinced her father to help save the grove in 1903, she wasn't just preserving a stand of oak trees—she was helping create the first park in our area and protecting a place that generations of Elk Grove families would come to call their own. The previous information was compiled from and based on several articles written by local Elk Grove historian Elizabeth Pinkerton. Our community remains deeply indebted to her years of dedication in preserving and sharing Elk Grove’s history.