January 2011

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Dear Gov. Brown …

Put communication on the top of the list

I have long believed that the best thinkers outside government have a great deal to offer those inside government. In that spirit, I asked several dozen of our region’s business and thought-leaders to give their ideas on key steps your new administration could take to repair our battered state.

Jan 1, 2011 Winnie Comstock-Carlson

Some Like It Cold

Flying high in the Tahoe's skies

Dave Rintala is giving new meaning to the term powder day. His Tahoe adventure-sport company, Pacific Crest Heli-Guides, in partnership with local chopper operator HeliTahoe, has sprouted a new helicopter skiing and snowboarding operation in the Sierra Nevada starting this winter.

Jan 1, 2011 Christine Calvin

Working lunch with Brice Harris

More than 40 years ago, Brice Harris entered education leadership and vowed never to use money — or lack thereof — as an excuse for the performance of the higher-learning institutions he served. However, he now insists the California Community Colleges System cannot adequately serve the student population without more state funding.

Jan 1, 2011 Douglas Curley

Red Rover, Red Rover

Population shifts call for redistricting

The most important political event for the Central Valley in 2011 will be the April release of new California population figures by the U.S. Census Bureau. For the first time in our history, the state is growing no faster than the nation.

Jan 1, 2011 Tony Quinn

Nursing a Quandary

A worker shortage with no jobs?

California might be facing a long-term nursing shortage of epic proportions, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find a job. Blame it on the Great Recession, but for new nurses it’s harder than ever to get a foot in the employment door.

Jan 1, 2011 Josh Brodesky

Safety Knot

Cities scrape for police, fire funding

Cities nationwide have welcomed hoards of elected officials who will have little time to celebrate their appointments before confronting daunting financial challenges. Among Capital Region cities, public safety budgets and all they encompass — cuts, swollen pensions, potential new fees, layoffs and department closures — have become the most contentious load to bear.

Jan 1, 2011 Christine Calvin
Fred Teichert of the Teichert Foundation

Funding Famine

Charities turn to foundations for support

The economy has rocked a number of local nonprofits, putting a dent in donations just as they were taking on the burden of increased social needs. Many of these charities have turned to foundations for increased support.

Jan 1, 2011 JT Long
Cathie Walker, Casa El Dorado

Home Again?

Local nonprofit gives a voice to foster youth

Between her 8th and 15th birthdays, Ashlee Rogers moved out of nearly a half-dozen foster homes. She was removed from her mother twice, and she floated all over El Dorado County, from Placerville to Pollock Pines and back.

Jan 1, 2011 Bill Romanelli
Photo by Aero Union Corp.

Fire Stomper

Aero Union Corp. moves headquarters to McClellan

Last year the nation watched as images of weary firefighters battling a massive inferno in the Angeles National Forest blazed across their TV screens. After starting on Aug. 26, 2009, the Station Fire went on to burn 160,577 acres, injure 22 people and kill two firefighters before it was fully contained nearly two months later.

Jan 1, 2011 Linda DuBois