Welcome to October!

Folsom-based startup SynapSense Corp. named Ryan Benton as its new chief financial officer. Benton, who has 20 years of finance and operating experience, has previously worked as CFO for SoloPower Inc., the corporate controller for eFunds Corp. and as a financial consultant to ASMA. SynapSense, located in the Palladio at Broadstone, develops energy-saving software and systems for data centers.

Are you a fan of photography and Folsom? If so, submit your photos to the Folsom Focus Photography Contest. Entries will be accepted in three age groups (under 12, 12-17, and over 18) for all three categories (Artistic Lens in Black and White, Folsom Events, and Folsom Outdoors) until October 19. For complete contest rules and prizes, visit the Folsom Art Association’s Web site at folsomarts.org/folsom-focus-photography-contest-2012.

Buffalo wing restaurant chain Wingstop will open this month at 1115 East Bidwell Street. Along with made-to-order chicken wings with a choice of 10 different marinades, the restaurant serves seasoned fries, coleslaw and fresh-cut veggies.

Sadly, local discount retailer Wise Buys called it quits in mid-August and liquidated its stock over the past two months. One of the company’s three stores was located at 1012 Riley Street in Folsom.

Matt Knowles, owner of Sea Escape Travel in Folsom was awarded the 2012 Top 25 Travel Agents in the U.S. Award by Travel Agent Magazine. Knowles, who specializes in travel to the South Pacific and Hawaii, can add this distinction to his already-long list of laurels: He has received four awards from Tourism Australia for Excellence, as well as the 2009 Kiwi (New Zealand) Specialist of The Year Award. Congrats!.

Farmers’ market season is drawing to a close. Head out to the El Dorado Hills Certified Farmers’ Market in the El Dorado Hills Town Center parking lot on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. before it ends on October 28. The Thursday morning farmers’ market, held at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon, concludes on October 18.

A survey from the National Council on Aging (NCOA), UnitedHealthcare and USA TODAY found most older Americans feel their best years are still to come with more than 75 percent of seniors ages 60-69 saying they expect their quality of life to stay the same or get better over the next 5-10 years.

Curious about the saints or scoundrels in your family tree? Learn how to find those ancestors or revive your old research at the 14th Annual Family History Day at the California State Archives on October 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The free, all-day event includes more than 25 beginner-level genealogy classes on topics such as the census, vital records, cemeteries, maps, ethnic research and more. For more details, visit fhdnewsline.blogspot.com.

What’s Happening
at Palladio at Broadstone?
European clothing retailer H&M opened its doors on September 6 (410 Palladio Parkway). Other businesses setting up shop this fall at Palladio include children’s clothing retailer Gymboree and Grebitus & Sons Jewelers.

That’s all for this month, but check back in November for Style’s annual Thanksgiving feature!