For our new Out of Office column, reporter and photographer Brad Branan takes us on a journey to some of his favorite hikes around Lake Tahoe. 

California’s capital was one of the wettest cities in the state during dry Prohibition, home to a rebellious generation who escaped into hidden drinking dens. A century later, there are still plenty of speakeasies in Sacramento if you know where to look. 

Earlier this spring, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order mandating that most of California’s 224,000 full-time state workers should return to working in the office four days per week starting July 1. The executive order has stirred passionate debate, with local businesses in favor of the change and organizations representing state employees adamantly opposed.

Life has a flair for the dramatic. It loves to throw us unexpected turns — a relationship hiccup that feels seismic, a health scare that rattles your foundation, a sudden financial shift that throws your budget into chaos. And while our initial reaction might be shock, confusion or even anger, the real strength emerges in how we navigate the aftermath.

The interior retains many of its original “Eichler” features, including pristine globe light fixtures and mahogany-paneled walls. 

PODCAST EPISODE: How do you choose your career? When is it a good idea to start a business? How do you maintain momentum? Comstock’s Young Professionals Charanjeet “Charlie” Kaur Tiwana-Purewal and Freddie Silveria offer insight. 

Once upon a time — 1959, to be precise — Fairytale Town opened at 3901 Land Park Drive in Sacramento, just four years after Disneyland debuted in Southern California. Almost immediately it was acknowledged, year after year, as one of the region’s top five family amenities — and still is. 

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.

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.

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.