The Meeting of the Minds held its Annual Summit Nov. 27-28 at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento. Nearly 450 delegates gathered to spotlight tools and best practices for smart city leaders across the globe.

Photos: Kyle Rynicki

The City of Woodland held a swearing-in ceremony for the new Mayor Xóchitl Rodriguez on Dec. 4 at the Woodland Community and Senior Center. Rodriguez is the first woman to hold the position since 1998. Rodriguez is replacing Enrique Fernandez.

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce presented the 2018 ATHENA Award to Occeletta Briggs, a nurse who retired from San Joaquin General Hospital, on Nov. 15 at the historic Stockton Golf & Country Club. The annual ATHENA Award honors accomplished leaders who have demonstrated support for the advancement of business and professional women, have devoted time and energy to their community, and have actively mentored others.

The 2020 Women on Boards/Sacramento Campaign Committee held the 2018 National Conversation on Board Diversity – Sacramento on Nov. 15 at the Sutter Club downtown. The keynote luncheon panel was introduced by Comstock’s Editor in Chief Allison Joy and Clayton Blakley, VP/business development. 2020 Women on Boards is a national campaign to increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20 percent or greater by the year 2020.

The 10th Annual Miss California Latina and Miss Teen California Latina pageant was held Nov. 18 at Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento. The Miss California Latina pageant and Miss Teen California Latina pageants provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in business, politics, the arts and service to the community.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Greater Sacramento held the 2018 Light The Night Walk on Nov. 3 at Raley Field in West Sacramento. The event honored blood cancer survivors, supporters and loved ones lost with music, food, fireworks and festivities.

Think Pink Granite Bay held its fourth Luncheon & Fashion Show Fundraiser on Oct. 14 at the Granite Bay Golf Course. The event raised over $67,000 for research grant research in early detection of breast cancer through the Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation. The sold-out event hosted 220 attendees with a luncheon, live and silent auctions, a raffle and a fashion show with twelve breast cancer survivor models wearing clothes from Button Up Roseville!

Dermveda launched Skin Care Wellness Week on Oct. 14 at Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar at DOCO in downtown Sacramento.

Woodland Chamber of Commerce held the 51st Annual Farm City Dinner on Oct. 18 at the Woodland Community and Senior Center. Attendees enjoyed ag-related games, a live auction, beverages and a buffet-style dinner by Anderson’s family catering. Mark Mezger, owner of Farmers Grain Elevator and Mezger Trucking Co, was honored as the 2018 Agri-Business Person of the Year.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, in partnership with the Metro Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Class of 2018, kicked off the first ever “Rock the Block” event on October 19 and 20 in South Oak Park. Over the course of only two days, 250 volunteers repaired 14 homes, restored a community garden and added amenities to the local park and collaborative in the neighborhood.