Living Here

By Carlos Alcalá - Published: 12:00 am

Editor's note: As the nation celebrates its birth, the staff of the Home & Garden section wanted to celebrate some enigmatic pieces of Sacramento history.

Gallery: Panama Pottery

Seeds: Urban 'farms' can help feed the hungry

By Debbie Arrington - Published: 12:00 am

Fighting hunger can begin in your own backyard.

Late afternoon gardening

Arboretum All-Star: Cenizo or Texas Ranger

Published: 12:00 am

This is the 14th part in a weekly series featuring the UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars – drought-tolerant plants well-adapted to our region.

The Bee Garden Diaries, week 7: Save moisture – and mulch more

By Debbie Arrington - Published: 12:00 am

Mulch saves moisture. During hot summer months, it can make the difference between a thriving garden and a desertlike weed patch.

Calendar: Upcoming events for the home & garden

Published: 12:00 am

Introduction to preserving and food safety with UCCE master food preservers

Top Picks: It's all about orchids

Published: 12:00 am

Once considered among the most exotic houseplants, orchids are popping up all over at affordable prices. Some easy-to-grow varieties have become supermarket staples.

BEE PHOTO CONTEST

There are facts: We all look like our pets, and the dog is man's best friend. We love all the clichés but what we really love are your funny photos of your pets. You can post them here until July 7 for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for Western Pet & Feed Supply.

Click here for more info.

Home and Garden

Seeds: Urban 'farms' can help feed the hungry

Fighting hunger can begin in your own backyard.

Late afternoon gardening

Health and Fitness

New Kennedy-Dodd health plan to cost less, with 'modest' employer tax

WASHINGTON – The Senate health committee's top two Democrats on Thursday rolled out a revamped plan to overhaul health care that is projected to cost less than $600 billion over 10 years, far less than their previous version, but which would impose a tax on many employers.

Outbound

Four lakes for the Fourth

For many outdoor enthusiasts, the Fourth of July often turns into a four-day weekend, with the hopes of enjoying a four-pack of fun through different daily adventures.

• sacmomsclub.com
• sacpaws.com

The Chef Apprentice

A new challenge: Chef apprentice for a BBQ pit master

The ribs that provoked so much knashing of teeth

Filleting sardines - a nostalgia, a dream

Family

An ounce of prevention: Apply often

As you toil away in your office cubicle, the afternoon sun taunting you from nearby windows, your mind is bound to wander to the host of summer adventures awaiting your family.