After turning to Bikram yoga to ease her chronic hip, shoulder, and hand pains, seasoned yogi Patty Gray realized a dream in bringing this healing practice to her own community. At Bikram Yoga Granite Bay, she leads a diverse team of certified instructors?which includes a dietitian, a marathon runner, and a former DJ?that helps students of all ages and abilities reach their fitness goals with 26 dynamic postures. These postures, or asanas, include both seated and standing positions and are performed in the detoxifying humidity of a 105-degree room. During each 90-minute sweat session, instructors help students to let go of their competitive nature while improving their strength, balance, and ability to fold themselves neatly into a suitcase.
A graduate of the Brooks Institute of Photography, Trenton Bahr turns routine senior portraits and family photos into masterpieces worthy of passing down to future generations. Each step in the artist's process—the result of decades of experience—ensures that every portrait deserves to hang for years to come. Before each session, he works hand-in-hand with clients to choose an ideal backdrop for the shoot, either in his outdoor portrait park or his indoor studio. He also helps select sensible outfits that will prove timeless as the years go on, such as crisp button-down shirts.
During a shoot, Trenton puts families, pets, and kids at ease with his comfortable charm, allowing their personality to shine through every image by highlighting their natural reactions and genuine smiles.
Once upon a time, Swanson's Cleaners technicians would begin their days by firing up irons, stirring starches, and strapping on roller skates. The business was once one of the largest dry-cleaning facilities west of the Mississippi, the epicenter of Salvin Swanson's vast dry-cleaning empire—an empire packed with Sacramento's laundry, even the chain mail of its knights. To get the job of all this weighty laundry done, staffers needed their own wheels, plus wheels for their hampers.
Now helmed by the third generation of Swansons, the business has grown to 15 locations. In these locations, the team launders and dry-cleans garments with the eco-friendly Revive system, which uses a gentle, odorless, and antibacterial solution made from organic ingredients. Ever mindful of the earth and the community, Swanson's Cleaners recycles its hangers and plastic bags and has collected more than 27,000 coats for local children in need through its Coats for Kids program.
When animals are rescued from dangerous living situations or seized from the hands of smugglers, STAR Eco Station provides second chances at peaceful lives. The facility offers a haven for more than 200 rescued animals and educates the public as an environmental science museum. During public tours, guides lead guests through exhibits of rescued exotic animals, such as parrots, pythons, and wildcats, while explaining the habits, history, and New Year's resolutions of each creature.
The recipient of multiple awards from media and government agencies, STAR Eco Station also provides educational outreach programs to more than 40 California school districts and works in concert with conservation organizations such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Paw Project, and Heal the Bay.
McLaughlin Studios employs a team of professional performing artists to teach private and group lessons in instrumental music, dance, and musical theater. Private music lessons further an individual's proficiency in pop, jazz, rock, classical, and show-tunes styles, whereas group sessions encourage cohesive learning for bands and ensembles prepping for three annual recitals. Adept dancers help protégés progress at their own pace as they learn complex steps and how to dodge tossed rose bouquets with creative movement, ballet, strength training, and modern dance-fusion styles.
Started just a year ago, the McLaughlin Theatre Company gathers youth performers for independent productions at the MTC Playhouse. Young thespians hone their on-stage and auditioning skills in acting classes, which serve as more secure steps toward performing in Broadway musicals than thumb-wrestling matches with Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Before Manifest Destiny and the Gold Rush took hold, the land now occupied by Whitney Oaks Golf Club was home to the native Maidu culture's Nisenan. In 1857, George Whitney established Whitney Ranch after purchasing 320 acres of grazing land for his sheep. Exactly 140 years later?once all of Mr. Whitney's sheep had graduated college?Whitney's old ranch officially became Whitney Oaks Golf Club.
Owned and operated by the United Auburn Indian community, the club envelops rounds with thousands of majestic oaks and an abundance of well-placed bunkers. Large granite outcroppings make for tricky shots on certain holes, and the wetland-rich topography adds to the unpredictability of the layout. Prior to stepping foot on the course, golfers can also squeeze in some practice thanks to a 15-station driving range, putting green, and pitching area.
Course at a Glance * 18-hole, par 71 course * Total of 6,794 from the back tees * Five tees per hole * Slope of 140 * Rating of 74.0 * Scorecard