Are Art Spaces Becoming the New Third Places?
As traditional cafes and restaurants vanish, art spaces step up as hubs for culture, connection and creativity
Originally theorized by Ray Oldenburg, a third place is meant to
be a social anchor between home and work. Typically these
communal places are bookstores, salons, coffeeshops, pubs and
restaurants. But across Sacramento, art spaces like Demo, Panama
Pottery and Forma are filling the social gap left by shuttered
cafes and bars.
How Sacramento’s Young Professionals Forge Their Own Paths
Comstock’s was humbled by the high number of nominations we
received for our 2025 Young Professionals issue. In fact, we got
the most nominations ever. There are so many impressive rising
stars in our region, we thought we’d ask some of the nominees
their thoughts on leadership, how they spend their workday and
what advice they have for others who are just starting out.
Young Professionals: Ashley Zavala
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Ashley Zavala, the Capitol correspondent for KCRA-TV, is well known around the corridors of the state Capitol. You can even say she’s feared. The Capital Weekly dubbed her the “Oh, s**t” reporter because that’s what some lawmakers say when they see her coming.
Young Professionals: Camille Zapata
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
It’s been a busy year for Camille Zapata, 29. In June, the political strategist marked her first anniversary as the digital director for Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a year marked by the devastating LA fires and the return of the Trump administration.
Young Professionals: Christine Wolfe
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
If someone has a good hobby recommendation for Christine Wolfe, she would love to hear it. Until then, daily life for this director of government affairs for WM for California, Nevada and Hawaii is primarily about work.
Young Professionals: Charanjeet “Charlie” Kaur Tiwana-Purewal
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Charanjeet “Charlie” Kaur Tiwana-Purewal was studying for the LSAT when her older sister pointedly asked her, “Why do you want to be a lawyer?” When she couldn’t come up with a good answer, Tiwana-Purewal decided against law school.
Young Professionals: Freddie Silveria
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Freddie Silveria, 35, has charisma. Asked about his craft as owner of FSA Auctions, he erupts into the exuberant cadence and gesticulations of an auctioneer, unfazed by the surrounding cafe patrons. But he also knows the art of silence, and he’s not afraid to sit in it.
Sacramento Chess Championship Hits All-Time High in Participation
The classic game is thriving locally post pandemic
In general, players know to watch out for the younger players, who can be child prodigies who rapidly increase their ratings. “They say when his feet don’t touch the floor, you’re in trouble,” local player Paul Taylor said.
Young Professionals: Brandon Kennedy
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Brandon Kennedy, 32, is a program manager for Improve Your Tomorrow, a nationwide nonprofit that helps young people transfer to four-year universities. Over the course of a few years, Kennedy has helped 25 boys do this.
Young Professionals: Blake Johnson
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Blake Johnson, 37, once told himself he wouldn’t follow his mother’s career path. She’d been an educator — both a teacher and a principal— and while he respected her work, he wouldn’t pursue the same trajectory. He eventually changed his mind, setting off on a course that ultimately led him to his current role as chief strategy officer at Child Action.