![In Auburn, officers with the California Highway Patrol Valley Division Air Operations run emergency response missions from Butte County to San Joaquin County, a coverage area of 13 counties. In Auburn, officers with the California Highway Patrol Valley Division Air Operations run emergency response missions from Butte County to San Joaquin County, a coverage area of 13 counties.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0116_dept_snap_1_kj.jpg?1577874530)
Zeroing In
Take a ride in CHP Valley Division Air Operations' GippsAero GA8 Airvan— the only aircraft of its kind currently being used in California.
In Auburn, officers with the California Highway Patrol Valley Division Air Operations run emergency response missions from Butte County to San Joaquin County, a coverage area of 13 counties. “Emergency response is the aircraft’s top priority,” says Sergeant Jeff Watkins, aerial supervisor and pilot for CHP.
![As principal of the School of the Sacramento Ballet, Melanie Haller trains the Pre-Professional Division — the school’s three highest levels (ages 10 to 18-and-up). As principal of the School of the Sacramento Ballet, Melanie Haller trains the Pre-Professional Division — the school’s three highest levels (ages 10 to 18-and-up).](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/_i1c1567_2_2.jpg?1577874530)
A Dancer’s Destiny
In the studio with Sacramento Ballet prinicpal Melanie Haller
As a student, Melanie Haller trained for 12 years at the internationally-recognized Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under world-renowned ballet teacher Marcia Dale Weary. Now, as principal of the School of the Sacramento Ballet, Haller trains the Pre-Professional Division — the school’s three highest levels (ages 10 to 18-and-up).
![Dr. Uma Srivatsa, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine for UCDMC Dr. Uma Srivatsa, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine for UCDMC](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1115_dept_snap_lead_kj.jpg?1577874530)
Untouched Heart
Cardiologists at UC Davis Medical Center are treating heart disease with a remotely operated magnet-guided catheter system.
Arrhythmias (irregular or erratic heart rhythms) can lead to heart failure, stroke or cardiac arrest. That’s why cardiologists at UC Davis Medical Center aim to treat it efficiently and completely with a remotely operated magnet-guided catheter system — the first of its kind to be used in the Sacramento area.
![Business at the WAL is booming for Benjamins Shoe Corp. Since owner Benjamin Schwartz opened at the new location, what began as a side hobby has expanded into a full shop that ships internationally, offering shoe styles for both men and women. Business at the WAL is booming for Benjamins Shoe Corp. Since owner Benjamin Schwartz opened at the new location, what began as a side hobby has expanded into a full shop that ships internationally, offering shoe styles for both men and women.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1015_dept_snap_kj_embed1.jpg?1577874530)
Shoes with Soul
Benjamins Shoe Corp.
Benjamin Schwartz was an aspiring film producer in the middle of creating his first TV show when he stumbled upon his true calling as a cordwainer (a fancy word for shoemaker).
![The set for Idris Goodwin’s “Bars and Measures,” which will end its run at B Street Theatre on Sept. 27, marries structural design with elements of movement and careful light choreography. Though many audience members probably don't realize it, the amount of conceptualizing, visualizing and manpower it takes to be prepared for opening night is immense. The set for Idris Goodwin’s “Bars and Measures,” which will end its run at B Street Theatre on Sept. 27, marries structural design with elements of movement and careful light choreography. Though many audience members probably don't realize it, the amount of conceptualizing, visualizing and manpower it takes to be prepared for opening night is immense.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0915_dept_snap_embed16.jpg?1577874530)
The Team Behind the Scene
B Street Theatre
“We are lucky to work with a great team here, because this is not always easy,” says set designer and charge artist for B Street Theatre Samantha Reno. “You have to be flexible, you have to be quick and you have to make good, solid decisions. The schedule can be grueling, but the show must go on.”
![Phil Kattenhorn was born with butchering in his blood. The owner and operator of Longhorn Meat Co., located off Interstate 80 in Auburn, grew up in a meat market alongside his father, who spent more than 50 years working as a butcher. Kattenhorn started off earning 10 cents for every shishkabob he helped make, then worked his way up from bagging groceries to running the meat department for an Alaskan grocer before taking over the family business. Phil Kattenhorn was born with butchering in his blood. The owner and operator of Longhorn Meat Co., located off Interstate 80 in Auburn, grew up in a meat market alongside his father, who spent more than 50 years working as a butcher. Kattenhorn started off earning 10 cents for every shishkabob he helped make, then worked his way up from bagging groceries to running the meat department for an Alaskan grocer before taking over the family business.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0815_dept_snap_kj_lead_2.jpg?1577874530)
A Cut Above
Longhorn Meat Company
“Old fashioned butchering really is becoming a lost art,” owner and operator of Longhorn Meat Co. Phil Kattenhorn says, “In a world now filled with internet purchases and self-service counters, I think people are beginning to miss that connection. It seems we are headed back towards a more simple way of doing things.”
![VSPOne Optical Technology Center-Sacramento opened in Folsom in November of 2014. The lab manufactures custom prescription eyewear and processes approximately 4,600 pairs of eyewear per day. Johnny Younger, a senior coating technician, has been with the company for 14 years. VSPOne Optical Technology Center-Sacramento opened in Folsom in November of 2014. The lab manufactures custom prescription eyewear and processes approximately 4,600 pairs of eyewear per day. Johnny Younger, a senior coating technician, has been with the company for 14 years.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0715_dept_snap_embed2.jpg?1577874530)
Optical Realities
VSPOne Optical Technology Center
VSPOne Optical Technology Center-Sacramento opened in Folsom in November of 2014. The lab manufactures custom prescription eyewear and processes approximately 4,600 pairs of eyewear per day. Here’s how they do it:
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0715_dept_snap_embed_kj2.jpg?1577874530)
The Family Fleece
Heart and Soul Alpacas & Spinnery in Penn Valley
“Our business allows us to center our livelihood around our family, rather than our family around our livelihood,” says Karen Ball. “We probably work harder and longer because of it, but we love what we’re doing.”
![Anthony Padilla has been spray painting murals since 1995. He snagged his first job at a bar in Citrus Heights after illegally painting a monkey on the back of the building with the word “Knucklehead.” Anthony Padilla has been spray painting murals since 1995. He snagged his first job at a bar in Citrus Heights after illegally painting a monkey on the back of the building with the word “Knucklehead.”](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0615_dept_snap_lead_kj.jpg?1577874530)
The Law of Art
On the streets with graffiti artist and muralist Anthony Padilla
When asked if the perception of graffiti art has softened over time, artist Anthony Padilla pauses before tentatively responding, “A little bit. Obviously vandalism is wrong, but then there’s also the art side of [graffiti]. I think when you see writing on a wall, it shows that there is life in that city.”
![Captain Jeff Hedlund manages Brusco Tug & Barge’s Northern California operation in Stockton, where he started as a deckhand in 1973. Captain Jeff Hedlund manages Brusco Tug & Barge’s Northern California operation in Stockton, where he started as a deckhand in 1973.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/_i1c8933.jpg?1577874530)
A Captain’s Call
On board with Captain Jeff Hedlund
Captain Jeff Hedlund manages Brusco Tug & Barge’s Northern California operation in Stockton, where he started as a deckhand in 1973.