Mexico born and raised in Sacramento, Francisco Chavira is an artist working as commercial photographer and painter. Inspired by his heritage, his work focuses on all things color and joy, while telling the many stories of Sacramento. You can find his work at Franciscochavira.com.
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This Architectural Treasure in Nevada County Was Nearly Lost to Time
Now volunteers are restoring it to its former glory — and sharing its pioneering history with the world
North Star House, designed by renowned 20th-century architect Julia Morgan and owned by North Star Historic Conservancy, has undergone a painstaking transformation.
The California Modernist Dream Is Alive in Sacramento’s Newest Historic District
Step inside an emblematic Midcentury home in South Land Park, designed with a social conscience
The interior retains many of its original “Eichler” features, including pristine globe light fixtures and mahogany-paneled walls.
This Fanciful Retreat Turns Heads With Soundscapes and Water Features
Visionary voice actor transformed a derelict bungalow into his own ‘happiest place on earth’
Du Bose, a voice actor, lived in L.A. for 25 years before growing weary of the scene. In 2015 he resettled in his hometown of Fair Oaks while continuing to work in the industry. To decompress from a stressful job, Du Bose threw himself into transforming his yard and home into a showstopper. “I wanted to make it feel like I was on vacation,” he says.
Getting to Know: Robert Heidt, Jr.
In his 16 months on the job, Heidt has increased membership and personally reached out to businesses
Since being hired in January of 2024, Heidt not only took the helm of an organization with an annual budget of $5.5 million, a 20-member board of directors and a fulltime staff of 10 plus “five contractors who have very specialized skills” — but also began what he calls “an apology tour.”
Architect’s NorCal ‘Dream Home’ Embraces the Mediterranean Climate
The high-tech house in the hills is a playground for entertaining, car collecting and relaxation
“It’s a pretty spectacular home that emulates the juxtaposition of modern and traditional design in a Northern California style,” Brian Whitmore describes his house located in the Sierra de Montserrat development in Loomis.
The Power and Potential of Seaweed
From keeping oceans healthy to being used as an alternative to plastics, researchers believe seaweed has a multitude of uses
Nearly 2,000 miles northwest of Sacramento, Matthew Perkins rode a boat out into the Gulf of Alaska and saw nothing but endless potential for growth. “It’s kind of overwhelming how much opportunity there is,” he says. “You’re on the water, snow-capped mountains in the backdrop, you look down and see this incredible biomass growing. It’s literally the bounty of nature.”
This Midtown Jewel Box Was a Diamond in the Rough
The condemned Victorian sat vacant until a visionary couple took notice
For years, Mike Baddley walked his dog from his J Street office past a dilapidated little house on the corner of 24th and I Streets in Midtown. “I was fascinated with it,” he says. The abandoned folk Victorian-style house, built in 1893 for H.L. Cuthirth, had been deemed by the city a substandard building, meaning not safe for occupancy.