Congrats to Cameron Park author Beverly Parayno (beverlyparayno.com)—whose debut short story collection Wildflowers was nominated for an award in the fiction category at the annual Northern California Book Awards in San Francisco. Parayno’s writing (mainly fiction, memoir, essays, and author interviews) has appeared in various esteemed publications; she also serves on the board of PAWA (a nonprofit literary arts organization) and the Munster Literature Centre in Cork, Ireland, and co-facilitates the Writers’ Workshop at the Cameron Park Library.

Preview up-and-coming restaurants at Roseville Rising Culinary Showcase—hosted at Randy Peters Catering & Event Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on November 1. The emerging epicureans are recent graduates of Roseville Rising, a program of Roseville Venture Lab that helps early-stage entrepreneurs innovate and grow their businesses locally. Tickets ($25) include creative food and beverages and can be purchased at lu.ma/cnclnytv.

Attention artists! The Placer Community Foundation is seeking applicants (deadline is November 30) for its Susan Cooley Gilliom Artist in Residence & Teaching Program, which is housed at Blue Line Arts. The selected artist is required to lead various activities (lecture/presentation, two workshops, open studio hours, and a school tour) during a residency from April 11-May 2, 2025, and will receive an honorarium of $10,000 plus commission from all gallery sales. For more info and to apply, visit bluelinearts.org/scg-local-2025.

Folsom-based Foodom (myfoodom.com), a personal chef service that makes healthy eating accessible for everyone, now offers FSA/HSA payment options for all their diabetes-friendly meals. For the first time nationwide, individuals with pre-diabetes or any type of diabetes can use their pre-tax dollars to hire Foodom’s talented team of chefs. Learn more at myfoodom.com/food-as-medicine.

In the “Oops, We’re Only Human Department,” we apologize for incorrectly printing who the El Dorado Hills Brewfest was produced by. The event—where nearly 1,200 patrons were treated to tastings from over 30 breweries and a sprinkling of wineries, while also enjoying fantastic food trucks, a game area, and live music by the Brodie Stewart Band—was produced by the El Dorado Hills Chamber.

Congrats to this year’s Spirit of Folsom Award winners—community members chosen for their outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to making the city a better place for all. At a recent Folsom City Council meeting, the following recipients were honored: Jeff Ferreira-Pro, Brian Smith, Jeff Moore, Sandy Zaboukos, DeAnn Wren, and Steve Heard. To learn more and nominate someone, visit folsom.ca.us/residents/spirit-of-folsom-award. 

The American Institute of Architects California 2024 Urban Design Awards—an annual state-wide competition that recognizes planning excellence in the creation, improvement, and sustainability of our physical environment—honored The Strand (Placer County Town Center) in North Auburn with an Award of Merit. Learn more about the project, which organizes a mix of potential uses along a main pedestrian parkway—including “farm-to-glass” production and distribution, shops, restaurants, parks, and housing—at aiacalifornia.org/2024-urban-design-award-recipients/the-strand-placer-county-town-center-merit.

Foodom photo by Ilanit Turgeman. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.