While we don’t recommend checking out completely, everybody needs respite from all the horrible headlines. So, when you need a break from being fired up or angry, turn off the news for a bit and read a book or watch a movie, or head to a local gallery or museum, and destress.

If you’re feeling world-weary these days – I know I am! – Outword has you covered. As the Arts Editor here at our newsmagazine, my job is to find cool stuff for our readers to see and do, and there is a great deal to see and do this fall in and around Sacramento.

Not surprisingly, my favorite edition of Outword each year is this one, our Annual Arts & Entertainment Special Issue, chocked full of fun things to get your mind off our national, and international, nightmare. (breathe in, now release)

We had to put the singular sensation Taylor Swift on our cover, since her new album must be the most highly anticipated CD this fall. (You can read about her big screen album release party on page 28.)

The other CD I am eager to get my hands on is the soundtrack for the second “Wicked” film, which won’t be out until Nov. 21, the same day the movie is released in theaters. That article is on page 27.

There is so much more good stuff in our pages, including the Sacramento Greek Festival, a roundup of the hottest concerts this fall, an immersive art exhibit in West Sac, three not-to-be missed theatrical productions, creature features at Tower Theatre, plus Sac Ballet, SF Opera, Crocker Art Museum, Mondavi Center, and more.

You can even find out how to win an electric VW bus from the Jonas Brothers, on page 30. If all that weren’t enough, Matthew Burlingame joins the conversation with more fun and artsy events and activities, courtesy of his indispensable Out & About column on page 24. Thank you, Matt!

Thank you, Chris, for your recap – and all the amazing stuff you brought to the party for this issue. Now all anyone needs to do is click through and read the new issue of Outword online, for free! As always, tell us what you think!