As the leaves change color and the weather changes, the yield in the local farmers markets gracefully transforms from the delicious grab-and-eat summer fruits to a generous variety of squash, root vegetables and leafy greens that require a little bit of heat before eating. With the smaller variety of produce in the local markets during fall and winter, it’s easy to fall back on the same recipes when cooking every night. The Sacramento Press asked local farmers at the markets for some of their favorite cooking ideas for the fall and winter harvest, and they had a medley of suggestions. Carolyn McCormack of McCormack Farms in Walnut Grove is finishing her end-of-summer pear harvest and sa

The Halloween season is upon us and besides it being a time for Jack O’ Lanterns and spiderwebs, it’s a time to get the candy scared out of us. When you’ve exhausted your stack of scary movies, it might be time to wander through a haunted house or two for a scream-filled, skin-crawling kind of fun. The Sacramento Press put together a list of several haunted houses in the area that are sure to make one’s hair stand straight. Maines Haunted Mansion Location: 2501 I St., Sacramento Hours: Oct. 21-31 (except 24th and 26th) 7 - 11 p.m. Admission: free - suggested donation This traditional Midtown classic is now moving into its sixth year with a completely new show every year. This year br

A myriad of local artists and hundreds of community members gathered in the street Saturday to celebrate art in multiple forms for the first Midtown Modern Arts Festival. The free, family-friendly street festival was held on 20th Street between J and K streets and featured six hours of music, dance, comedy, visual and performing arts and creative, hands-on activities for kids. The festival was run largely in part to the multitude of volunteers willing to give their time to put the event together, and neither the attendees nor vendors were charged to attend. “This is one way for use to give back to the community — bringing art organizations, artists and businesses together,” said Heather

The economic downturn has resulted in the closure of many small, privately owned businesses, but one family still carries the torch of a business that has been running for six generations – Burnett & Sons Planing Mill and Lumber Company. Burnett & Sons got its start in the 1800s and has had a hand in projects such as the State Capitol and the Crocker Museum. The family business has seen its share of ups and downs, including the Great Depression, but the two brothers and one sister who currently run it share a passion for the company and for the work it provides to the community. “It’s a family business and that’s what I live for- to keep it going because it’s a legacy,” said Jim Miller,

Throughout the summer, access to fresh and local produce has been offered in several locations around Sacramento, but the change of the season means less availability as many farmers markets close until May or June. The remaining markets for the year: Open All Year Sacramento Central Certified Farmers’ Market Eighth and W 8 a.m. to noon Sunday Sacramento Florin CFM Florin road and 65th St 8 a.m. to noon Thursday Sacramento Country Club Plaza CFM Watt and El Camino Avenues 8 a.m. to noon Saturday Open through October Sacramento Chavez Plaza CFM 10th and J streets 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday Del Paso Heights CFM Norwood Avenue and San Juan Road 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday Natomas CF