Construction on The Venue at Thunder Valley, the casino/resort’s 150,000-square-foot entertainment venue has commenced. Once complete (early 2023), The Venue will feature 4,500 seats and host musical acts, comedic performances, and sporting events, in addition to providing a large event space for conferences and banquets. For updates and more info, visit thundervalleyresort.com/entertainment/venues.

Placer Food Bank (PFB) launched a new online donation program that provides a safe, easy way to contribute funds for perishable and non-perishable food items. The simple-to-use platform allows individuals and organizations to select from bags of fresh fruits and vegetables; boxes of non-perishable, pantry stable goods; or kid-friendly snack items to support PFB’s backpack program. To donate, visit donate.placerfoodbank.org/event/donatefood.

Congrats to the City of Folsom for being named the #2 “Best Lake Town to Live In” (based on affordability, weather, safety, economy, education, health, and quality of life across the U.S.), according to personal finance website WalletHub.

Local artist Silvie Park recently donated an angel wing mural to Historic Folsom. Sited on the corner of Sutter Street and Wool Street, her inspiration was the city’s motto: "Distinctive by Nature,” hence the local landmarks, activities, and native flowers hidden within the wings.

The Folsom Historical Society is excited to welcome back visitors to the Folsom History Museum and Pioneer Village. The museums and gift shop are open at a reduced capacity Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Support for these local museums helps further establish their new museum, the in-progress Folsom Chinese Heritage Musuem. For more info, visit folsomhistoricalsociety.org.

Through May 14, emerging and established visual artists ages 21+ are invited to apply for a $2,500 Art Business Accelerator Grant, which will arm creatives with the necessary business skills to succeed and make a living through their artwork. Visit artworkarchive.com/grants/art-business-accelerator to apply.

Congrats to Frank Vilt of Frank Vilt’s Cakes in Cameron Park for winning the grand prize of $10,000 on HBO Max’s show Baketopia where bakers filled their carts with unique ingredients to create trendsetting, delectable desserts. Follow Frank and all his confections on Instagram and Facebook @frankviltscakes.

Congrats to April Schmitt, CEO of Divine Destination Weddings & Honeymoons/Travel by Divine (divinedestinationweddings.com) for being named a “Top Travel Specialist” by Conde Nast Traveler. Schmitt’s expertise is planning fulfilling experiences for couples and families to destinations like Fiji, French Polynesia, Mexico, Ireland, France, Bali, and Thailand.

The City of Folsom is celebrating their 75th anniversary, and you're invited to take part in the festivities! Join your friends, neighbors, and community to create a photo mosaic commemorating the milestone; download a free printable 75th anniversary scavenger hunt and explore Folsom’s great outdoors; pick up a free commemorative poster and pin at Folsom City Hall (while supplies last); or submit your favorite Folsom-inspired songs and check out the anniversary playlist. For more info on these activities and others, visit folsom.ca.us/75years.

Registration is open for this year’s Golf for Kids’ Sake—an annual fundraiser that supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra. Held at Serrano Country Club on May 24 beginning at noon, golfers can expect course contests and activities, unlimited beverages and food, an awards ceremony, and dinner. Find more info at bbbsns.org/events.

American River Conservancy member and former humanities, history, and religion teacher Keith Atwater is hosting a Placerville Pioneer Cemetery Tour on May 29 from 9 a.m.-noon. Stroll through four local cemeteries while enjoying close-up views of downtown Placerville and studying gravestone markers dating back to the 1850s. Pre-registration is required; visit arconservancy.org/event/placerville-pioneer-cemetery-tour.

Join Keep Placer Moving—which has partnered with the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency on multiple major highway projects to relieve congestion and improve freeway safety—for Funding Strategy Workshops where you can learn more about transportation priorities and let your voice be heard. This month's meetings are via Zoom from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and include the following: May 3 (Central Lincoln), May 24 (Granite Bay), and May 27 (Southeast/Central Roseville). Learn more at keepplacermoving.com.

Women Veterans Giving (WVG)—a Roseville-based nonprofit whose vision is to connect, empower, and accomplish growth of professional women veterans—is hosting two in-person, outdoor fundraisers on May 15: Red White & Blue Fun Run (8-11 a.m.; Orangevale Community Park) and Boots & Ball Gowns Gala (doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Orangevale Conference Center). For more info, visit womenveteransgiving.org.

Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance is hosting their 24th annual Chipping Away at Childhood Cancer fundraiser on May 27 at The Ridge Golf Course & Events Center. Entry includes on-course food and beverages throughout the day, contests, raffle and awards, golfer gift, and a unique post-tournament experience; event proceeds support local families battling childhood cancer. To register, visit childcancer.org/golf.

The Crocker Art Museum has reopened four days a week—Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—with four new exhibits, including Legends from Los Angeles, which explores transformation, empowerment, and the reuse of historical objects that characterize the work of Betye Saar as well as her two daughters. Through May 31, the museum is hosting “Welcome Back Sundays” with free admission. Reservations are required; to purchase tickets, visit crockerart.org.

Stop by 24 Carrot Farm on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Dyer Lake in Placerville/Mosquito most Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. for donation-based restorative yoga classes taught by DJ Hromyak. For more info, follow @dj.theyogi on Instagram.

On June 19 at 8 p.m., Folsom Lake Symphony is performing a free concert, Twilight Delight—featuring music from beloved films like Rocky, Batman, The Incredibles, Star Wars, and more—at Zittel Family Amphitheater (formerly Folsom Historic District Amphitheater). Though VIP sponsors will be in attendance, the concert will also stream live on YouTube, Facebook, and other outlets. For more info, visit stylemg.com.