Sheila Black is the author of five poetry collections. Read her #poem for Zócalo: 'We Shall Rest.' zps.la/3UqP69a

For our April Sketchbook, illustrator Matt Wood considers humans' relentless addiction to innovation. 'Why are we absolutely determined to 'improve' our way to extinction?' he asks. zps.la/49DPuFG

Eclectic but curated. Smart without snark. Ideas journalism with a head and heart. Sign up for the Zócalo newsletter to get our latest essays and poems, and updates on our (always) free events. zps.la/newsletter

What makes a public square welcome to everyone?

It's Up for Discussion. So, we asked some people who think deeply about inclusion. Read our latest in a series exploring the past, present, and future of the public square: zps.la/4cW2wkp

The A’s will spend three years in West Sac’s minor league ballpark as they wait for a new stadium to be built in their future home, Las Vegas. The relocation should bring the small city more well-earned attention, writes Joe Mathews. zps.la/3JghuEx

Three generations of Daniel Olivas’ family have lived, loved, and worked in Los Angeles. Read Daniel A. Olivas (he/him)'s essay on his first novel and how much the city was embedded in the book. (FYI: Catch him at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books today!) zps.la/4736TpD

Sheila Black (Sheila Black) is assistant director of Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Read (and listen to) her #poem 'We Shall Rest' at Zócalo. zps.la/3UqP69a

In 2008, Beaven Tapureta noticed that #AnimalFarm references were on the rise in Zimbabwe. In the years since, the country’s writers and independent media have repeatedly turned to the 1945 novel as a way to illuminate their political reality. zps.la/3W2boPv

Will you be catching David Ulin at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this weekend? Revisit his essay for Zócalo where he ruminates on noir and Los Angeles: zps.la/4736TpD

“No California city has had a better 21st century than West Sacramento,” declares Joe Mathews in his latest column. Here’s what to know about the small city growing in population and prosperity: zps.la/3JghuEx

States with easier, more inviting registration policies often have higher youth voter turnout. In states with onerous registration requirements, young people simply don’t vote. Read from journalist .@Jane_Eisner: zps.la/3UngoNE

What would it take to make the world a less lonely place? From our “Up for Discussion' series about the future of the public square, we tap some friendly people curating and considering how we find connections. zps.la/43VUgNb

Our public programs are always free and everyone is welcome. Check out what's on the horizon and register to join us (in person or online). zps.la/events

It's #FridayPoem day! Read the latest #poetry at Zócalo: 'We Shall Rest' by Sheila Black (Sheila Black). zps.la/3UqP69a

To get young people to vote in greater numbers, accessibility and peer encouragement are key, writes journalist .@Jane_Eisner. Some jurisdictions do a better job than others. zps.la/3UngoNE

West Sacramento is on a winning streak, argues Joe Mathews in the latest #ConnectingCalifornia . He attributes the city’s success to smart local governance, and three powerful paradoxes: zps.la/3JghuEx

In our latest 'Up for Discussion,' our contributors think about how we might foster a public square that welcomes everyone—from its physical characteristics to its ethos. zps.la/4cW2wkp

Liza Hudock's poem 'Wool Washing' invites us to think about 'the complexity and burden' of the work of washing and stomping wool blankets—from the physicality it demands to the sense of purpose it invites, says curator Connie Voisine. Read the #poem : zps.la/3xvo9rI

Since Animal Farm was published in 1945, the story’s message has served as a bitter pill to all Napoleons threatened by freedom and equality, including in Zimbabwe, where the novel remains ever-relevant. zps.la/3W2boPv

The cowboy boot is back, as evident from Coachella this past weekend. With the footwear trend ascendant, Culture Class columnist Jackie Mansky considers the history and myth embedded in the iconic Western wear. zps.la/3SJdtxC