Is Our Future Tied to the Tracks? with James Stout
PODCAST EPISODE: Journalist James Stout delves into his latest feature for Comstock’s “What’s Holding Up Valley Rail?” where he investigated delays in railway expansion throughout the Central Valley. We discuss the hurdles that are baked into the system, changing attitudes towards public transit and whether hopping on a train might be more commonplace in future America.
Shining Lights
Hobrecht Lighting and Lofings Lighting have longevity while competitors have come and gone
At a time when anyone can order lighting fixtures off Amazon or wander the aisles of Home Depot or Lowe’s and select something readily available and cheap, visiting Hobrecht or Lofings can feel like a trip to a different era. Still, there’s a story worth telling connected to each of these Sacramento stores which shows how family businesses can endure even in changing times.
Roseville’s Unique Shopping and Entertainment Gathering Place
Family business spotlight: The Denio family embraces the future while honoring their roots
Eric and Tracy Denio remember Roseville before it was a suburban powerhouse — back when their childhood days were spent roaming among fields, ranches, ponds and gravel pits. Flash forward to today, and Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet is surrounded by oceans of homes and shopping centers that span for miles in every direction. But one thing that hasn’t changed is its ethos.
Dignity and Compassion
Family business spotlight: W.F. Gormley & Sons has been honoring the final wishes of families in need for 127 years
Founded in 1897 by William Francis Gormley, W.F. Gormley & Sons is anchored by traditional values of dignity and compassion. But they’re not stuffy. The business caters to all religions and beliefs, evolving to meet the needs of a clientele who increasingly request eco-friendly “green burials” and newer technologies like water cremation.
A Pioneer in Organic Farming
Family business spotlight: Pleasant Grove Farms in Sutter County grows popcorn, wheat and rice the natural way
Driving along a country road in rural Sutter County and seeing endless rows of corn, you can’t help but think of the movie “Field of Dreams.” The Sills family decided to build their dream eight decades ago. Pleasant Grove Farms, a family-owned, certified organic grain and bean farm, has been growing corn and other crops for nearly 80 years.
A Stockton Institution
Family business spotlight: The Bank of Stockton has been operating for 157 years
Founded in 1867, Bank of Stockton is the oldest bank in California still operating under its original charter. This longevity and continuity in serving communities with Bank of Stockton branches — as of November, there will be 21 locations throughout the Central Valley — sets this family business apart.
A Chapter Ends in Oakland While Another Begins in Sacramento
The Oakland Athletics play an emotional final game at the Coliseum before moving to Sutter Health Park
The Athletics’ final game at the Oakland Coliseum after a championship run of 57 years would be a significant event under any circumstance. But the bittersweet day on Sept. 26 took on an extra dimension for the Capital Region with the A’s scheduled move to West Sacramento.
Startup of the Month: MyFloraDNA
Gene-editing startup aims to create allergy-free peanut
Peanut allergies affect around 6.1 million Americans, with cases rising as awareness has grown. A 2017 study found that peanut allergy had increased 21 percent since 2010. But what if there was a way to eliminate the genes responsible for peanut allergies?
Celebrate Oktoberfest All Year Round
Here’s where you can enjoy German food, beer and culture in the Capital Region
You don’t need to fly all the way to Munich to get an authentic Oktoberfest experience, even after October draws to a close. Whether indoors or outdoors, in Sacramento, Rocklin or Elk Grove, this area has many biergartens and other German-style spots to choose from.
The First Rule of Art Is to Enjoy It
FROM THE PUBLISHER: I’ve always loved art, in every form I can think of: music, dance, painting, sculpture, film, theater, literature, architecture and even conceptual. After all, art is about taste, memory, the senses — and just as often, can be about political preference, sexual orientation and religious affiliation. In short, art is highly personal.