Comstock's Magazine 0919 - September 2019

FAIR OAKS HOPPING AGAIN | DIVERSIFICATION OF RICE | RX FOR MERGER MADNESS
BUSINESS INSIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL REGION SEPTEMBER ‘19 VOL. 31 | NO. 9
we hate
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Volume 31 Number 9
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September 2019
“Together, with our award-
winning products from
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
world-class manufacturers,
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MEG ARNOLD
Principal, GSD Consulting and our dedicated, highly
CO-CHAIR
CHRISTI BLACK-DAVIS trained professional staff,
Executive Vice President, Edelman
MIKE AMMANN
we provide products,
solutions and technology
President and CEO, San Joaquin Partnership
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CEO, Five Star Bank
necessary to help your
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CEO, Bender Insurance Solutions
business operate today and
CAROL BURGER
President, Burger Rehabilitation in the future.” JOE REEVES | CEO
ROBERT BURRIS
President and CEO, Solano EDC
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State Agency Relations Manager, Sempra Energy
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September 2019 | comstocksmag.com 11

CONTENTS n
FEATURES September 2019
38 44
MERGERS
38 Rx for Merger Madness ON THE COVER
With hospitals and physician practices consolidating, businesses PHOTO: MIKE GRAFF
covering their workers need to re-evaluate plans to keep costs
FAIR OAKS HOPPING AGAIN | DIVERSIFICATION OF RICE | RX FOR MERGER MADNESS
from soaring.
by Steven Yoder BUSINESS INSIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL REGION SEPTEMBER ‘19 VOL. 31 | NO. 9
AGRICULTURE
44 The Growth of Rice
A recent deal to export to China is expected to further
expand the market for the popular grain grown across the
Sacramento Valley.
we hate
meetings
by Judy Farah How to make them worthwhile
by Jeff Wilser
EDUCATION 52
60 College Confidential
There are proven ways to navigate the college admissions
MANAGEMENT
process without cheating the system.
by Laurie Lauletta-Boshart Meeting Goals
Sure, we all hate meetings — but they are an
essential part of business, and there are ways
to make them more effective.
by Jeff Wilser

n CONTENTS
September 2019 DEPARTMENTS
26 30 104
17 Letter From the Publisher 30 Discourse

The split-roll property tax measure on next year’s El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO
California ballot is bad for business Laurel Brent-Bumb on issues in its rural communities
by Winnie Comstock-Carlson Interview by Sena Christian
18 RSVP 34 Taste
Comstock’s 30th Anniversary | Airco Mechanical Fair Oaks Village is experiencing a renaissance fueled
45th Anniversary | Sacramento Self-Help Housing by new drink and dining options
Let Them Eat Cake by Judy Farah
22 Worth Noting 104 In the Making

Buzzword of the Month: Silo | Readers sound off on Conscious Creamery uses cashews as the base of its
social | ICYMI: Last month’s hottest web exclusives plant-based gelato and chocolate-dipped tacos
24 Evil HR Lady 106 Seed Round

Why a manager should never pad an employee’s Meet the founder of PairAnything, our September
timecard Startup of the Month
by Suzanne Lucas
26 Leadership SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

The good, bad and ugly of open-space offices 67 City of Folsom
by Ryan Lundquist Comstock’s, in partnership with the City of Folsom,
highlights the city’s housing growth, technology
28 Main Street companies, outdoor-activity opportunities, wine-
One of Placerville’s most famous buildings now tasting rooms and a hyperlocal video series by
dishes out ice cream Cristina Mendonsa.
by Tom Couzens

Member FDIC

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Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC
16 comstocksmag.com | September 2019

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER n
A SPLIT-ROLL PROPERTY TAX

MEASURE IS BAD FOR BUSINESS
PHOTO: TERENCE DUFFY
W
hen we saw the first email system in 1978, nearly all of us well as schools. But schools already claim a large portion of ev-
were still sending letters with a 13-cent stamp. Gasoline ery property tax dollar through Proposition 98.
was cheap at about 65 cents a gallon. In California, most And it’s a tax hit businesses can’t afford, especially in an
people could buy a home for less than $50,000. economy with flat consumer spending and trade tariffs. The
At that price, most of us could afford to buy a home. But in Federal Reserve recently noted that U.S. manufacturing has
1978, many middle-income families, including those who had slumped in the first half of this year. That’s a sign of a fragile
bought their homes at much lower prices many years before, economy. The timing for a tax increase couldn’t be worse.
were fearful of losing the biggest investment of their lives. Al- That tax also would hurt small businesses. Technically, they
though they could afford the original mortgage, escalating are exempt from the proposed measure. But the majority of
property taxes fueled by the worst inflation since the 1940s small businesses lease storefronts, offices and other properties
threatened to push them out of their homes. valued easily at more than the $3 million threshold this mea-
That was the volatile environment in which California tax- sure puts in place, and the additional taxes would be passed
payers overwhelmingly passed Proposition 13. In a year when onto them in the form of increased rents, an unintended — but
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded inflation at nearly 9 very real — consequence.
percent, it capped the tax base at 1 percent of a property’s value The proposed measure would have “a devastating im-
and annual tax increases at no more than 2 percent. Perhaps it’s pact” on counties and would overwhelm their ability to assess
a coincidence, but that is the rate of inflation the Fed considers a nearly 650,000 commercial and industrial properties statewide,
barometer of a healthy economy today. according to a nonpartisan and independent analysis by Capitol
Prop. 13 reassesses the tax on the value of a home or com- Matrix commissioned by the California Assessors’ Association.
mercial property when it changes ownership. Nearly two-thirds The statewide cost to complete the assessment roll, according
of California voters approved a measure that cut property tax to the analysis, would increase between $380 million and $470
rates by nearly 60 percent. million annually during the first five to 10 years. And those pro-
Beyond the tax cut, Prop. 13 was also a demand from home- jected increases do not include the cost to upgrade technology
owners and businesses for economic stability and predictability, systems. Counties would need to hire seven times more apprais-
two key factors to long-term planning. ers than they now have and would need three to five years to
Next year, voters will be asked to amend Prop. 13 through a train them properly. Sacramento County, for example, would
ballot measure that will upset more than 40 years of that steadi- need to add 48 commercial appraisers to their staff of 34 to han-
ness and a “no surprises” business environment. The measure dle an extra 12,000 appraisals a year.
calls for a “split roll,” in which commercial and industrial prop- Prop. 13 has worked for four decades because it is simple to
erties would be taxed separately and more often than homes. administer and provides one measure of stability in a challeng-
Reassessing those properties on their current value every three ing economy. By comparison, the proposed split-roll measure is
years would impose the same unfairness on businesses and in- complex, costly and nearly impossible to administer in the near
dustrial companies that homeowners escaped four decades ago. term.
The backers of the initiative claim it’s unfair that business Prop. 13 is working. Splitting it in half is bad for business
properties seldom face tax increases because ownership doesn’t and a bad deal for counties.
turn over as often as a home. But that is a simplistic argument in
an attempt to sell an initiative that is too costly and too complex
to work.
The initiative’s backers and the nonpartisan California
Legislative Analyst’s Office estimate the split-roll measure will
generate between $7 billion and $11 billion annually, primarily Winnie Comstock-Carlson
to support city and county government and special districts as President and publisher

n RSVP
30TH ANNIVERSARY
COMSTOCK’S MAGAZINE
Comstock’s magazine celebrated its 30th anniversary at Downtown & Vine in downtown Sacramento on July 17. The event included wine,
hors d’oeuvres, a raffle for guests, and was followed by a movie screening at Esquire IMAX Theatre. Photography: Tia Gemmell
1 Christi Black-Davis, executive vice president, Edelman,

and co-chair of Comstock’s editorial advisory board; Clayton
Blakley, vice president and director of business development,
Comstock’s; Winnie Comstock-Carlson, president and
publisher, Comstock’s; and Leo Grover, CEO, Pinnacle
Emergency Management 2 Jennifer Krueger, residential
mortgage manager, Equip Mortgage; John Krueger, senior vice
president, site expansion services, Colliers International; and
Chelsea Minor, corporate director for consumer and public
affairs, Raley’s 3 Steve Biondi, president, Biondi Paving &
Engineering, and wife Mary Biondi 4 Mike Kimmel, president,
Kimmel Construction, and wife Julie Kimmel; Mary Brown
and husband Ron Brown, president, Brown Construction
5 Scott Kime, director of business development, Morton
& Pitalo; John Home, vice president, operations, Rudolph
and Sletten, and wife Julie Home; and Lorretta Laslo,
director of business development, Lawson Mechanical

more images at comstocksmag.com
6 Melanie Harrison Okoro, CEO and principal, Eco-Alpha

Environmental and Engineering Services; and Uzoma
Okoro, co-owner and president of engineering, Eco-Alpha
Environmental and Engineering Services 7 Joanna Peterson,
director of marketing, Diagnostic Pathology Medical
Group; and Ken Hurst, president, Valley Communications
8 Tom Couzens, executive editor, Comstock’s; Valerie
Reynoso Piotrowski, director of key advertising accounts,
Comstock’s; and Mike Testa, president and CEO, Visit
Sacramento 9 Patrick Wall, sales manager, Holt of
California; Dacia Eastin, business developer and senior
associate, HGA Architects and Engineers; Kristi Rolak,
vice president and general manager, KBM-Hogue; and
Helen Day, business development, KBM-Hogue 10 Rachael
Camillo-Bennett, president, MTA Inspired Spaces; and Alex
Blangeres, workplace consultant, MTA Inspired Spaces

n RSVP
45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

AIRCO MECHANICAL
Airco Mechanical celebrated its 45th anniversary on July 11, at its headquarters in Depot Park in south Sacramento. More than 300
leaders in the Capital Region construction industry attended the event. Photography: Zach Leighton
1 Wyatt Jones, president, Airco Mechanical; and Pete

Kreuser, project executive, DPR Construction 2 Reef El-
Atrache, project manager, Performance Contracting Inc.; Cory
Bangs, special projects division manager, Airco Mechanical;
and Kevin Halfhill, senior estimator, Otto Construction 3
Heman Chand, vice president, S+B James Construction; Jake
Matthewson, senior project manager, Airco Mechanical; Nic
Cardin, senior project manager, XL Construction; and Axel
Perron, superintendent, Airco Mechanical 4 Joann Hillenbrand,
chief financial officer, Airco Mechanical; and Pete Young,
safety manager, Airco Mechanical 5 Mark Shope, president,
Ascent Builders; Russ Mindt, planning and development,
Ascent Builders; and Matthew Shigihara, principal, Stantec

LET THEM EAT CAKE
SACRAMENTO SELF-HELP HOUSING
Sacramento Self-Help Housing hosted its 17th annual Let Them Eat Cake fundraising event at Beatnik Studios in downtown Sacramento
on July 11. Community members and partners raised $90,000 for the nonprofit organization, which works to eliminate homelessness in
the region. Photography: Charles Vincent McDonald
1 Jaime Force, interim housing case manager, Sacramento

Self-Help Housing 2 Ron Javor, retired assistant deputy
director, State of California 3 Serena Candelor, student,
American River College; and Rachel Holmstrom, community
organizing assistant, Sacramento Self-Help Housing 4
Brittany Begley, anchor, ABC10; Mark S. Allen, anchor,
ABC10; and Paul De’Talley, former client, Sacramento
Self-Help Housing 5 Jim Swanson, Realtor, Better Homes
and Gardens Real Estate Reliance Partners; and Pamela
Maxwell, community development manager, U.S. Bank

n WORTH NOTING
buzzwords
READERS SOUND OFF

IN THE COMMENTS
Silo
\ ˈsī-(ˌ)lō \
A part of a company that works in isolation
from others, making for a culture of limited
communication
BY Vanessa Labi
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Lewis
Why You Can’t Retaliate Against
Whistleblowers
Nancy Rodriguez: Great post! It is always dif-
ficult navigating through so many employment
"I think we need more silos to really increase transparency and productivity,” said
no one, ever. Silos refer to a part of a company that works in isolation from others,
making for a culture of limited communication. In this age of collaboration in the work-
laws. Retaliation cases are on the rise and it is place, businesspeople are on a mission to break silos down.
important that managers are well trained on
how to deal with various workplace situations. THE BUZZ
PHOTOS BY SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP); RYAN ANGEL MEZA (MIDDLE); MIKE GRAFF (BOTTOM)
Some may confuse silos with the concept of ultradefined roles. Leidhra Guild, an en-
gagement manager at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, explains that role
clarity — knowing which departments and team members are experts in which areas
— is beneficial but is not to be confused with silos, which obscure information between
departments.
Guild, who liaises across departments to gather companywide information to en-
sure investor satisfaction, says, “There have to be some defined lanes, but to me, it’s
important to have a defined lane where you can still have the fluidity to move in and out
Pathway to the Future of your lane. That’s so different from a siloed system.”
Karen Ek: Such an interesting view of techni- Silos can be formed when making sure employees’ time is spent only on their exper-
cal college education. Too much emphasis is tise or when everyone in the company is so busy they feel they don’t have time to reach
placed on degrees from 4-year universities. The beyond their domain.
need for skilled workers continues to grow, Dr.
King has put an emphasis on affordable educa- THE WORD
tion with job placement a reality. The students So how can companies avoid silos? Guild recalls one tactic used by a manager from El-
are being prepared for future manufacturing liott’s Natural Foods, where she worked during college. “My manager wanted us to all
and health care positions not even identified. train on everything, from the cash register to supplements. He didn’t use the word ‘silos,’
but looking back on it, that’s what he was trying to avoid.” Guild points out that this all-
hands-on-deck approach is sustainable, to boot. “If you have silos and somebody leaves,
there’s no one to fill in on that position.”
An organizational chart can also go a long way toward defining role clarity, as well
as outlining opportunities for communication and collaboration. “It really helps as long
as you’re not so defined by the role that you’re like, ‘Ooh, can’t touch that — that’s not
within my job description.’ That’s where silos are created.”
A chart is a strategic, tactical approach, but even before that tool comes into play, it’s
crucial for a company to have core goals, and in order for these ideals to stick, it has to
Former Base Is Booming come from leadership. “Whether that’s just a nicely written sentence or communicating
Karyn Lininger: Great article! So proud of the the core goals of an organization, it can really help, because it’s saying we’re all in this
base’s history. The Park is also home to the premier together to reach these goals,” Guild says.
Flying Panthers Flight School who have an incred- Guild also says companies should be transparent in the interviewing and onboarding
ible group of instructors training future pilots! process: “Just so people know, ‘Hey, we promote an open culture here, a collaborative
information-sharing culture.’” As it turns out, acknowledging them can move the needle
Have something to say? Email us. toward connection and clarity. Guild says, “If we’re talking about the issues, that’s a step
editorial@comstocksmag.com. in the right direction.”

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comstocksmag.com Maria Kang, who revealed how her critics
opened the door for her success.
In Transition
Maria Kang: There were a few things in this

article, I never told a soul! Thank you Bethany
for allowing me to talk about my eating disorder,
Passion Brew my husband, my nonprofit and my journey

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACK 7 (TOP); PHOTO BY NICOLETTE LOVELL (BOTTOM)
toward self acceptance.

by Blair Anthony Robertson
As craft brews have boomed in the Capital Region, breweries have emerged as a new class of philanthro-
pists, creating special products to help with fundraising and charity initiatives when communities are in
times of crisis and need.
Riding their Rye
@LegadoSpirits We're honored to have been

featured in @comstocksmag! Read up on our
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Getting to Know: Gabriel Diaz

by Vanessa Labi 75
@comstocksmag It’s that time of year again!
The creative stylist discusses wellness and luxury, how Gwyneth Paltrow inspired his career, and why
Who’s excited for the annual @wideopenwalls
he doesn’t like the term “influencer.” to start? Check out this first California
Mural @calautomuseum sponsored by @
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sponsor for this year’s mural festivities & can’t
wait to see the amazing talent out there!

n EVIL HR LADY
DILEMMA OF THE MONTH
WHY A MANAGER SHOULD NEVER

PAD EMPLOYEES’
TIMECARDS
by Suzanne Lucas
ILLUSTRATION: JOHN CHASE
I
was recently promoted and will be taking over a
team that previously reported to my boss. A couple
years ago, due to a new law regarding exempt
employees, the team was switched from exempt to
nonexempt. They were given a nice bonus, $5,000, to
help “soften the transition.” Recently, my boss let me
know he’s been adding three hours per week to their
timecards. Additionally, he allows them to clock out
from home after leaving the office. For example, one
employee left the office at 4 p.m. but clocked out at 6:15
p.m. I told my boss I would be stopping these practices.
Am I micromanaging the team by asking them to clock
out when they leave the office?
A
OH, BOY, I HATE MICROMANAGING, BUT when you cut off the gravy train. But cut it
THIS IS NOT MICROMANAGING. This isn’t off you must. Your boss put the company
even close to micromanaging. This is at risk by padding his team’s paychecks,
managing, and basic managing, like what and continuing this will only make the
you would expect from the shift manager situation worse.
at the local fast-food restaurant. The Fair Labor Standards Act has
Your boss made a huge mistake, and strict rules regarding paying non-exempt
your employees will be very unhappy employees, and California is even stricter.

ILLUSTRATION: DESIGN MARISSA LEWIS; ELEMENTS FROM SHUTTERSTOCK
The Fair Labor Standards Act has strict rules

regarding paying nonexempt employees, and California
is even stricter. One of the key components is that
employees must be paid for every hour they work.
One of the key components is that em- 2 Meet with HR to discuss salaries probably not be happy, although you may
ployees must be paid for every hour they for your employees. Make sure they are find that some are relieved that the pro-
work. By not keeping accurate hours, your currently receiving market rate salaries; cess will be legal now. You will need to be
boss has opened the company up to pos- if they aren’t, create a plan to increase an extra awesome manager to help during
sible disastrous results if someone com- their pay. this transition, but you’re likely to experi-
plains or if the U.S. Department of Labor 3 Sit down and meet with the em- ence some turnover due to this as well.
does an audit. ployees. Normally, tough conversations The biggest lesson here is how much
I’m sure he’ll argue he’s adding to their should be held one-on-one, but because of a mess things can become when some-
paychecks, not taking away from them, so this is the same conversation with ev- one ignores the law and best practices in
there’s not a problem. And it’s probably eryone, you can do it as a group. Explain an attempt to be nice. n
true that none of the employees are going that you have to bring paychecks into le-
to complain about extra money in their gal compliance. That means: Suzanne Lucas spent 10 years in corporate
paychecks. • People clock in when they arrive at work human resources, where she hired, fired,
But that’s not the only problem. Let’s and clock out when they leave. managed the numbers and double-
talk about fraud. Let’s talk about theft. • If they work additional hours at home, checked with the lawyers. On Twitter
Because that is what is going on. Employ- they must clock in at home and clock @RealEvilHRLady. Send questions to
ment attorney Jon Hyman says he prob- out when finished. evilhrlady@comstocksmag.com.
ably wouldn’t advise a company to press • Lunch breaks will be accurately record-
charges in this situation, but he would ad- ed. Keep in mind, California has strict
vise that the manager be fired. break laws that you need to comply
He’s put you in a terrible situation. with, making working through lunch
You’ve got to tell employees their pay- almost always illegal.
checks are going to be cut, and you need • Employees will be paid for overtime (in
to report what has been going on to hu- California, that’s more than eight hours
man resources. If you don’t report it, you in one day and more than 40 hours in
are complicit in the fraud. And as much one week).
as you want to forget this, at least one em- • If you and HR agree that salaries should
ployee will complain about how you cut be adjusted, tell them you’re working Have you ever had to work during what
pay, so it’s no longer going to be a secret. on it. should be your lunch break?
1 Report the fraud to HR or to pay- Make sure you express how much you TWEET US @COMSTOCKSMAG
roll or to your boss’s boss. Any one of appreciate their work and how excited
those is fine. you are to be working with them. They will

n LEADERSHIP
OUT IN THE OPEN

The good, bad and ugly of open-space offices
BY Jessica Kriegel
ILLUSTRATION: DESIGN MARISSA LEWIS; ELEMENTS FROM SHUTTERSTOCK
THE IDEA OF OPEN-SPACE OFFICES HAS ers gained access to everyone and every- collaboration has really been to promote
BEEN WITH US SINCE THE START OF thing, what did they lose? distraction,” Markman says in "The Why
THE TECH REVOLUTION. It seems we Art Markman, a psychology profes- Factor" podcast for BBC.
are under the mistaken belief that the sor at the University of Texas and author Unavoidable distractions — such
early technology companies — such as of the book “Bring Your Brain to Work,” as listening to a neighbor’s “half-a-
Google, Wikipedia, eBay — were onto says the modern open-office environ- logue” (half of a phone conversation,
something when they tore down office ment is kind of a disaster. He maintains which is harder for many to ignore
walls, removed cubicles and allowed that it is very hard to concentrate in an than a full dialogue) or the sudden
workers to float in a sea of open access. open office area. “What the modern of- distraction when a neighbor pops
Teamwork became the goal. But as work- fice has done in an attempt to promote up and looks over the cubicle wall

UNAVOIDABLE DISTRACTIONS — SUCH AS LISTENING TO A NEIGHBOR’S “HALF-A-LOGUE”
(HALF OF A PHONE CONVERSATION, WHICH IS HARDER FOR MANY TO IGNORE THAN A FULL
DIALOGUE) OR THE SUDDEN DISTRACTION WHEN A NEIGHBOR POPS UP AND LOOKS OVER THE
CUBICLE WALL (WHIMSICALLY CALLED “PRAIRIE-DOGGING”) — COMPETE WITH OUR ABILITY
TO FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND.
(whimsically called “prairie-dogging”) must be some pressure put on each em- their power and give them the time,
— compete with our ability to focus on ployee to think for themselves and to silence and opportunity to contribute to
the task at hand. contribute freely. But that doesn’t always a congenial workplace environment.
For a 2018 study, “The Impact of the happen, according to John Maeda, the One solution is more flexibility for
‘Open’ Workspace on Human Collabo- global head of computational design and employees to work from home, a cof-
ration,” two researchers from Harvard inclusion for Automattic, best known as fee shop, the doctor’s office, the park or
Business School studied two Fortune the creator of WordPress.com. In any even their car. Working from home has
500 companies that had recently adopt- group-think situation, Maeda says on now become workplacelessness. Given
ed an open floor plan. They found that the BBC podcast, there are some who the distractions at home, more and more
face-to-face interactions subsequently simply sit back. These are the so-called virtual employees are finding other plac-
dropped by 70 percent. Employees sim- “free riders” who let others speak first. A es to get their work done. I sit in McKin-
ply emailed and instant messaged each more polite term might be “introverts.” ley Park in East Sacramento as I write
other more — 56 percent more — in an Then there are the people who tend these words. Corporate America is now
effort to turn down the volume and re- to speak up first and loudly. They are the starting to embrace that people don’t
claim a sense of lost privacy. extroverts, the narcissists and the people necessarily go to work, they just start to
Kerstin Sailor from the Bartlett in power. There’s nothing wrong with do the work.
School of Architecture in London stud- that; sometimes even narcissists have True collaboration is not achieved by
ied the effect of spatial design on people good ideas. But because they speak first, throwing everyone in a room and seeing
and social behaviors. She points out that they sway the discussion and set uncon- what develops. There is an art to it, and
just because corner power offices dis- scious parameters the free riders follow. time and effort needs to be invested to
appear does not mean the power does. The problem is that up to 50 percent of do it well. And sometimes the best thing
Power becomes less about offices and the population are introverts, according for collaboration is solitude for process-
more about surveillance — seeing and to Susan Cain, the author of “Quiet: The ing and preparation. n
being seen. As a result, workers become Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t
less creative and less productive and Stop Talking.” And they’re not given the Jessica Kriegel, Ph.D., is an organizational
more focused on seeing and being seen. space and time to process, then share, in development consultant and an expert on
In the beginning, the open-space the fast-paced corporate environment. generational issues. For more, visit www.
office was designed to foster “collabora- In an open-space office, intro- jessicakriegel.com.
tion.” The assumption was that collabo- verts often are silenced or diminished,
ration would lead to new and creative when the goal is to encourage inclu-
ideas. Wouldn’t two heads — or three or sivity and creativity. Think of the ge-
10 or 20 — be better than one? Unfor- niuses — such as Ludwig Wittgenstein,
tunately, that’s not the case. With more Wolfgang Mozart, Virginia Woolf and
ears listening in, the depth of discus- Albert Einstein — who thrive on pri-
sion changed between colleagues. Con- vacy and focused time alone in their
versations became more surface level. study, at their pianos, or in their soli-
Tell us about your open-space
That leads to a reduction in trust and, tary, metaphorical world. Think, too,
work environment.
ironically, less proactive collaboration at of the half of the population who are
work. not being supported and encouraged. TWEET US @COMSTOCKSMAG
To foster the team’s best effort there Then try to think how best to harness

n MAIN STREET
REVIVING HISTORY
One of Placerville’s most famous buildings now dishes out ice cream
BY Tom Couzens
HANGMAN’S TREE
ICE CREAM SALOON
Owner: Sue and Tim Taylor; daughter
Jamie Nutting is the manager
Where: 305 Main St., Placerville, El
Dorado County
Facebook: @HistoricHangmansTree
Founded: 2017
Business: Ice cream parlor
WHAT ABOUT THAT NAME?

Placerville has been known as Old
Hangtown — it’s even on the welcome
sign — since the gold rush days, be-
cause of several hangings from a giant
white oak near the center of town, ac-
cording to town lore. And for more than
100 years, one of the most famous es-
tablishments was Hangman’s Tree bar,
a classic dive like many others in small
Sierra Nevada foothill towns. What set
Hangman’s Tree apart was the dummy
infamously hanging above the entrance,
perhaps the most photographed thing in
town. Hangman’s Tree closed in 2008,
when the building was deemed unsafe,
and the structure was unoccupied until
Sue and Tim Taylor purchased it and the
adjacent Herrick Building in 2012 and
began restoring both buildings. “We
Jamie Nutting came home to Camino to can fix this,” Sue Taylor recalls telling
manage Hangman's Tree Ice Cream Saloon the previous owners. “The city was go-
for her parents. She graduated from nearby ing to tear it down.” The Taylors restored
Union Mine High School.
the saloon, saving what they could and
PHOTO BY TOM COUZENS
recreating what they couldn’t, and re-

EL DORADO COUNTY AT A GLANCE
opened it as Hangman’s Tree Ice Cream Population: 190,678

Saloon in 2017. Most of the floors are
Median Age: 45.5
original — you can still see burn marks
from cigarettes — and Sue Taylor says Median Income: $74,885
the stump of the famous oak is still be-
Size: 1,805 square miles
neath the floor in the middle of the shop.
In 1934, the building became California County Seat: Placerville
Historic Landmark No. 141.
Biggest Cities: South Lake Tahoe
WHY AN ICE CREAM STORE? (22,036), Placerville (11,048)
THE 10-COUNTY
Jamie Nutting, 30, who graduated from CAPITAL REGION
Union Mine High School in El Dorado,
returned to her hometown of Camino,
SOURCE: EDCGOV.US, FACTFINDER.CENSUS.GOV
where the family still lives, after her
parents asked her to manage the busi-
ness. They decided on an ice cream par-
lor, Nutting says, because “we wanted years later. Earlier this year, the fam- WHY CLOSED ON SUNDAYS?
to do something for all ages and family ily took him down for about a month to For most businesses, Sunday is a busy
friendly.” She tells the story of George spruce him up; he returned to his spot day. But not for Hangman’s Tree. Nut-
Peabody, considered one of the fore- in March. Nutting embraces George, ting, who is married and has a young
most historians of El Dorado County up even taking him around town to visit son, says she works most evenings and
until his 2014 death at 96, who she says other businesses, which she documents her husband works days, so Sundays are
would bring groups of children into the on the store’s Facebook page. In April, the only time they have together. “It’s a
bar to show the history of the building, for example, “he was spotted trying to quality-of-life thing,” she explains. It’s
including a huge mural behind the bar sweet-talk his way into a free hat” at not the only unusual aspect of the busi-
that depicts the town during the gold Combellack’s, a clothing shop on Main ness. They don’t have a business phone
rush, but the bartenders would make Street. Nutting says she doesn’t hear because Nutting says they don’t need
them leave because they were under- complaints about the dummy, though a one. They also are occasionally closed
age. “History should be open for all,” Shingle Springs man’s efforts to have it on Tuesdays, especially in the winter
Nutting says as she scoops ice cream removed in 1996 attracted national at- when business is slower. “Most of the
for a young boy. The family embraces tention, including a story in Newsweek. town closes on Tuesday,” Sue Taylor
the building’s history so much that they points out. n
produced the brochure “A Guide to Arti- WHAT’S IT LIKE ON MAIN STREET?
facts and Decorations,” which includes The Taylors decided to purchase the Tom Couzens is executive editor of
the 18-foot redwood bar that came from buildings because Main Street is like a Comstock's. On Twitter @tomcouzens.
a bar in Sacramento that was frequented family, Nutting says. “Everyone knows
by John Sutter. Nutting also is an entre- everyone.” During renovation, Nutting
preneur; she sells the brochures for 50 says, “everyone was so excited because
cents because, she says, “everyone has the business had been closed for so long.
questions.” Now it’s a gathering hub, a place people
come to gossip.” Walking along Main
WHAT’S UP WITH GEORGE? Street is like taking a step back in time:
MAIN STREET profiles businesses
When you stroll down Main Street, it’s The Cary House Hotel, opened in 1857, is in our 10-county Capital Region.
hard to miss George, but he hasn’t al- just across the street, and not far down If you know of an interesting
ways been hanging there. He was sto- Main Street is Placerville Hardware, one, email
len the night before the bar closed, but which proclaims to be the “oldest hard- tcouzens@comstocksmag.com
he mysteriously showed back up three ware store west of the Mississippi.”

n DISCOURSE
Chamber Challenge
El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce CEO on issues
facing businesses in its rural communities
INTERVIEW BY Sena Christian PHOTO: Ryan Angel Meza
L
aurel Brent-Bumb is in her 20th year as CEO of
the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce,
which serves businesses spread over more than
1,800 square miles. The organization also works
with several independent chambers within the
county. Comstock’s spoke with Brent-Bumb about
efforts to make this largely rural region a desirable
place to do business.

Tell me about your organization.
El Dorado County for many
We’re at around 650-700 members. Be-
cause of our agricultural industries and
the fact that most of our businesses are
years did not have a reputation
five or fewer employees, we have a lot of
small businesses and mom-and-pop and
as being very business-friendly.
independent cottage industry businesses.
(We’re) also responsible for the visitors
The current leadership … has changed
authority and the film commission. …
We have a contract for service with El
that, and it’s a new paradigm (and)
Dorado County to attract tourism. … Our
film commission was started 25 years ago. we are overcoming that negative,
(The El Dorado Lake Tahoe Film & Me-
dia Office) executive director is Kathleen not-business-friendly environment.
Dodge; she has amazing relationships
that enable us to attract many projects
— media projects, film projects. She just advocacy is a critical component of our
landed a big picture that is not going to be relevance, but we do have opportunities
released until next year, so I can’t tell you for education, networking, helping with
what it is. Through our film commission, social media and moving businesses for-
we generate between $1 million and $7 ward. We have a business resource center
million a year in economic impact in our that’s available — professional business
community. counseling, educational seminars, a lend-
ing library — so that’s another piece.
Your county includes some big residen-
tial communities, two incorporated What are the main needs of your mem-
cities and lots of rural unincorporat- bers?
ed areas. How do you meet the diverse
needs of your members? I’m a member of a professional organiza-
tion called Western Association of Cham-
El Dorado County is mostly unincorporat- ber Executives, and (its) polling proves
ed. We have incorporated areas — that’s that 80 percent of chamber members
the city of Placerville and the city of South place advocacy as an extremely important
Lake Tahoe. We have a very strong work- piece. Networking and marketing support
ing relationship with the city of Placer- is another piece, and when members hit
ville (and) the city council of South Lake growing pains or challenges, (they know)
Tahoe. .... We have a Joint Chambers we’re here to be able to help walk them
Commission; that is our advocacy arm. through that.
We work collaboratively with El Dorado
Hills, Shingle Springs and Cameron Park Is the lack of rural broadband some-
on issues and legislation. We were really thing that affects your members?
fortunate a couple years ago to become
one of the founding members of a group It’s on the top of our radar … and we’re
called UCAN — that’s United Cham- looking at opportunities and alternatives
ber Advocacy Network. We’re at seven for increasing and improving broadband.
chambers in that organization, and we If you talk to any Realtor, they will tell you
have a lobbyist at the state level. … We that the lack of high-speed internet has
believe that representing our members in been an issue in the sales of residential

n DISCOURSE
and commercial (properties), so it’s a ness models that include the services of cleaning up our forests so they’re healthy.
challenge for us. (We’re) looking for op- independent contractors, as well as many The millions and millions of trees that we
portunities that don’t cost millions and of our members are independent contrac- lost to the bark beetle and the drought,
millions of dollars. tors. I understand there may be two sides it was because of overgrowth. So at the
to this issue, but the “one-size-fits-all” federal level, that would be the big issue
What’s the biggest state issue on your approach to the issue isn’t the answer. A for us.
radar? closer look is needed to allow what is a
viable alternative to the traditional em- In 2018, El Dorado County voters ap-
El Dorado County for many years did not ployer-employee standard. proved five ballot measures legalizing
have a reputation as being very business- the cultivation and sale of commercial
friendly. The current leadership … has What’s the biggest federal issue on your cannabis, and those ordinances are be-
changed that, and it’s a new paradigm radar? ing developed. Is the chamber involved
(and) we are overcoming that negative, in this discussion, and how might can-
not-business-friendly environment. I’m National forests, working to make our for- nabis affect your organization?
really disappointed to say I don’t feel that ests sustainable. We’ve lost the timber in-
way at the state level. … And because of dustry in the state of California, and we’re Yes, the chamber is involved. We have
state regulations and imposed costs of liv- importing over 70 percent of our lumber weighed in. The county has been dili-
ing and cost of doing business constantly from Canada and Australia. You can’t walk gent in (its) approach to working with
increasing, it’s very difficult. I think the through our forests because of the over- the industry as well as the population in
challenge right now is with the Dynamex growth and the fuels. It’s not a matter of coming to a place that is as comfortable as
(California Supreme Court ruling on in- if there’s going to be another catastroph- possible for both the industry and the res-
dependent contractors) issue. I believe it ic fire, it’s when. I’m hopeful the extreme idents. Everyone knows that cannabis has
is yet another case of unintended conse- environmentalists are understanding that been grown freely, illegally, here because
quences. Many of our members have busi- it’s time for a more proactive approach to we have such a rural environment that it
Join us for our Fifteenth Annual
“Now to him who is able

WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSIT Y
SUNDAY,OC TOBE R 13, 2019 to do far more abundantly

5PM, E VENING AT TIRE
than all that we ask or think,
Tickets and sponsorships now available

according to the power at
J E S S U P. E D U/G A L A
work within us.”
EPHESIANS 3:20

lends itself to that kind of illegal activity, we’re out of the earthquake zone, we’re
unfortunately. I’m hopeful that with the (close to) Tahoe, we’re two hours from San
legalization of cannabis that regulation Francisco, we’re close to an international
and control will be better, and (canna- airport. n
bis) will be less of a negative impact in Tell us about your business in
our community, but I suppose we’re in Sena Christian is managing editor of Com- El Dorado County.
a wait-and-see mode right now. I heard stock’s. On Twitter @SenaCChristian or
TWEET US @COMSTOCKSMAG
on the news the results of the (California senachristian.com.
Bureau of Cannabis Control’s) expectation
of having brought in $200 million by now,
and having only brought in $2 million —
1 percent of the expectation.
How has the region’s affordable-hous-

ing crisis affected efforts to retain or at-
tract workers and, therefore, businesses
in the county?
Affordable housing is important to com-

munity, not just business. We have a lot
of generational families, pioneer families
that have been here for a very long time,
… and the young people will go away to
school and they can’t come back, and
that’s really sad. It is almost exclusively
(due to) the cost of housing. The lack of
workforce housing is an issue in many
communities but seems to be more im-
pactful to El Dorado County. Govern-
ments, both local and state, could develop
programs to create incentives to make it
possible for developers to produce an af-
fordable product.
What do you want readers to know

about doing business in El Dorado
County?
El Dorado County has it all. We are at a

tipping point right now because of the new
paradigm and new culture in county gov-
ernment, because of the opportunities in
our agriculture industry and our ag-tour-
ism — we now have 71 wineries … with
more to come. … We have the educated
workforce that lives here and commutes
out of El Dorado County. So to be able
to come here as a startup or relocating
your business to El Dorado County, not
only do you have the workforce and the
business-friendly environment, but you
have the quality of life that is untouch-
able anywhere else. Our central location,

n TASTE
HOPPING AGAIN
Fair Oaks Village is experiencing a renaissance fueled by new drink and dining options
BY Judy Farah PHOTOS: Debbie Cunningham
I
t’s a weekday afternoon and the Fair
Oaks Brew Pub is hopping. Regulars
come in for a late lunch or beer after
work. Families sit on the patio, talking
and eating pizza. Next door, Wild Roost-
er Bistro is prepping Mexican dishes for
the dinner crowd while down the street
in Fair Oaks Village, Shangri-la, the new
Palm Springs-themed restaurant at the
site of a former mortuary, welcomes cus-
tomers with its outdoor bocce ball court.
Colonized in the late 1800s, Fair Oaks
Village is the quaint, charming center of
town. The village is tucked away under
a canopy of heritage oak trees within
walking distance of the American River
and a few miles from busy Sunrise Bou-
levard. The annual Fair Oaks Chicken
Festival, summer concerts and theater in
the park attract people from throughout
the region. With its historic buildings,
colorful amphitheater murals and cluck-
ing chickens roaming free, the village
could be the setting of a Hallmark movie.
Fair Oaks Village is experiencing a
renaissance, largely driven by a bur-
geoning dining scene. “There is a kind
of revitalization in the village right now,”
says Roselyn Barbray, president of the
Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce. “I see
people meeting there — as opposed to
going to a Starbucks to meet a client, they
go to the brew pub.”
The village took a hit when Slocum
House closed in 2011, a victim of the
economic downturn. Once considered
one of the finest restaurants in the Sac-
Gary Juels opened the Fair Oaks Brew Pub ramento area that drew crowds from all
in 2015 and is now restoring the former
over the region, Slocum House featured
Slocum House, which closed in 2011.
a high-end menu and a romantic patio.

After it closed, the village suddenly grew
quiet.
Then Gary Juels came along in 2015
and opened the Fair Oaks Brew Pub at
what once was a doctor’s office. The pub
quickly attracted a crowd. Gov. Gavin
Newsom and his family, who live nearby,
are frequent visitors. “It created an envi-
ronment people wanted to be a part of,”
says Keith Wright, director of the Oran-
gevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank and honor-
ary mayor of Fair Oaks, a title designated
by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce.
“And that’s exactly what Fair Oaks Vil-
lage needed.”
Juels, who has lived in Fair Oaks since
1995, recognized the potential. A former
Marine who brewed ales and pilsners in
his garage and earned his master brew- with landscaped grounds where patrons Fair Oaks Village has undergone a revitaliza-
ers certificate from UC Davis, he didn’t can walk around with a glass of wine. tion recently due to several restaurants open-
like driving to downtown Sacramento to He’s started working on the neglect- ing and a full calendar of events at the park.
visit breweries or restaurants. Growing ed interior, but must follow strict guide-
up in a small town in Minnesota, he had lines for color paint and wood because
fond memories of walking to the corner the building is on the National Regis-
bar, where friends and families gath- ter of Historic Places. “I’m cleaning it,
ered. He wanted to recreate that atmo- scrubbing it, some paint, trying to bring
sphere in Fair Oaks. it back to life,” Juels says. “The bones are
When the doctor’s office became in really good shape.”
available in 2015, Juels snapped it up. “I
wanted a place where people can go to
and have fun ... and have a kick-back at-
mosphere,” he says. “(Fair Oaks Brew Pub) created an environment people
Juels and friends built the bar from
100-year-old railroad wood found on
the property and decorated a wall with
wanted to be a part of. And that’s exactly what Fair
vintage Sacramento newspapers from
the doctor’s office. His wife, Wei, is often
Oaks Village needed.”
serving customers, giving them samples
of beers, including some brewed by Juels. Keith Wright, honorary mayor, Fair Oaks
The brew pub is undergoing an expan-
sion; while the bar area — with its small
tables — is lively, Juels wants more inti- Just around the corner on Winding
mate seating for patrons to enjoy a quiet Way, Shangri-la opened this summer.
dinner. Owner Sommer Peterson grew up in Fair
Now Juels is taking on an even big- Oaks before moving to San Francisco,
ger task. He bought the former Slocum where in 2012 she opened the popular
House next door in 2018. The historic Mission Bowling Club, which features
building, built in 1924 for local business- artisan beer and comfort food. She re-
man Charles Slocum, operated from 1976 turned to Fair Oaks in late 2016 to be
to 2011. Juels plans to keep the name and closer to family. (Peterson has a 5-year-
restore Slocum House as a restaurant old daughter, Olivia.)

n TASTE
Patrons gather on the patio of the Shangri-la,

which opened this summer.
When she saw a for sale sign on a and burritos. And around the corner, is the Sunflower Drive-In, a vegetarian
large corner lot at the site of a former O Cafe opened in January 2018 with a restaurant that’s been around since 1978
mortuary, she was inspired. She loved French flair. Owner and chef Christophe and is well-known outside the area for its
the “cool” vertical windows and flat roof Jusseaume was a pastry chef at Freeport nut burgers and tacos.
that had a 1960s architectural feel. She Bakery and went on to open his own Carolyn Fisher and her husband,
envisioned a Palm Springs-inspired re- restaurant in France. Now settled back Vince Nicholas, of Citrus Heights were
sort, complete with palm trees. in Sacramento, Jusseaume serves pas- married at the park in Fair Oaks Village
Shangri-la features a 360-degree bar tries, including chocolate croissants and after Vince discovered the village when
that opens outdoors to a 6,000-square- lemon tartlets, along with quiches and a friend invited him to Fair Oaks Coffee
foot child- and dog-friendly patio with stuffed galettes, a thick crepe. Shop & Deli.
fire pits and two bocce ball courts. “In Along with the new restaurant scene, “It’s just off busy Sunrise Boule-
Sacramento, we love to be outside,” Pe- the Fair Oaks business community is vard, but as soon as you enter the village
terson says. “We have great weather nine working together to spruce up and mod- square, it’s like stepping into a different
months out of the year. If I was going to ernize the village. The Fair Oaks Village world,” Fisher says. “It’s a charming,
do something, I really wanted that out- Enhancement Commission has created quaint, insulated little area. It’s our fa-
door space. I didn’t want to just build a new sidewalks, restriped walkways, in- vorite place to go for a romantic date, but
restaurant.” stalled new lighting and planted trees it’s also perfect to spend the day there
Customers can order craft cock- using county and federal grant money. with our kids too.” n
tails, such as the Corpse Reviver, which William Mercado, co-owner of the Wil-
pays homage to the former tenant, and liam Charles Salon and president of the Judy Farah is a veteran journalist and
dine on homemade pasta. “I wanted to commission, says FOVEC also has post- writer who has worked in the New York,
do something different with more of a ed street signs, called Way Signs, that di- Los Angeles and Sacramento markets.
fine-dining twist, but still keep it neigh- rect drivers around the winding village. Read more of Judy’s work at www.
borhoody and approachable,” Peterson Their next project is to add parking. judyfarah.com and find her on Twitter
says. Mercado says FOVEC wants to attract @newsbabe1530.
Another restaurant, Wild Rooster the right mix of businesses to the small-
Bistro, opened in July 2018, serving Mex- town feel but unique enough to attract
ican food such as street tacos, tostados outsiders. Wright says a good example

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n MERGERS

Rx for
merger
madness
Hospitals and physician practices are
consolidating; for businesses covering their
workers, that means re-evaluating current
plans to keep health care costs from soaring
BY Steven Yoder ILLUSTRATION: Melinda Arendt

n MERGERS
I
n the 2019 American economy, the big are getting bigger. That study found that hospital prices at Sutter and Digni-
Mergers are everywhere — the number of mergers and ty were 25 percent higher than at other hospitals around Cal-
acquisitions exceeded 15,000 in 2017, a record for a single ifornia. The researchers used data from Blue Shield of Cali-
year, with 2018 a close second. fornia, so Kaiser was not included because it operates both a
That makes the consolidation in California’s health health system and an insurer.
care sector no anomaly. A September 2018 study in the jour- Evidence suggests that mergers are creating giant health
nal Health Affairs by UC Berkeley and Rand Corporation re- care systems that can wield their market power to drive up
searchers calculated that in 41 California counties, hospital prices. An ongoing lawsuit by California’s attorney gener-
market concentrations were almost three times higher than al against Sutter alleges exactly that, charges Sutter rejects.
the level the federal government already considers “highly For businesses buying health care for their employees, such
concentrated.” The latest key marriage was in January be- consolidation means it’s tougher than ever to control health
tween Catholic Health Initiatives, which has national offices costs. That’s why benefits experts say it’s critical for compa-
in six states, and Dignity Health, based in San Francisco. To- nies to regularly evaluate alternatives that can help them
gether, the two systems comprise a 150,000-employee com- gain a price advantage.
pany serving 21 states with 30 hospitals in California that’s
now known as CommonSpirit Health. (Across the 21 states, A COLLAPSING FOOD CHAIN
CommonSpirit has 142 hospitals and more than 700 care In California health care, it’s not just the big fish — the hos-
sites, according to several reports.) pitals — eating each other in mergers. The big fish also are
For consumers, economies of scale don’t necessarily swallowing big schools of minnows. The UC Berkeley re-
mean lower prices. About a year ago, Tom Avery needed an searchers found that the share of physician practices owned
MRI of his shoulder for a torn rotator cuff. As president and by hospitals increased from about 25 percent in 2010 to
founder of employee-benefits more than 40 percent in 2016.
consulting firm Innovative Among specialist doctor prac-
Broker Services in Folsom, it tices, the increase was bigger,
was a chance to research dif- “When like-sized systems come up from 20 percent in 2010 to
ferences in list prices among
providers, so he called five.
together in health care, they don’t 54 percent in 2016.
The researchers’ data
The gaps weren’t small. The
Sutter Health imaging cen-
get rid of anybody. And it’s because showed all that market power
pushed up the prices of phy-
ter to which his doctor had that merger isn’t for efficiency. It’s sician outpatient services by
referred him came in high- 5-9 percent and Affordable
est at $3,200. An indepen- for negotiating power.” Care Act insurance premiums
dent MRI facility down the by 12 percent. That’s how eco-
street — where he ended up Chad Follmer, senior vice president, nomic theory would predict
going — charged $700, he Woodruff Sawyer having just a few big suppliers
says. Sutter’s list price for in a market — oligopoly pow-
that MRI has since increased er — works. “If the providers
to $3,720, according to data on its website. (A Sutter spokes- have greater control of the process, the discounts — from
person declined to respond to a question about the price what I can tell — tend to be less, and it just drives insurance
difference.) costs right up,” says Steve Vilas, chief financial officer and
Sutter runs the second-largest health system in the state, partner at benefits-consulting firm Burnham’s Roseville of-
with Kaiser Permanente and the pre-merger Dignity com- fice.
ing in either first or third, depending on how the count was Locally, a few counties are off the charts in health care
done. Rankings in 2017 by medical industry data provider provider concentration. The UC Berkeley researchers rat-
IQVIA, which rates system size by number of facilities owned ed each county’s concentration of market power on a scale
and managed, found Kaiser as the largest California-based from 1 to 6 and used their data to identify seven “hot spots”
integrated health system, with Sutter second and Dignity where a few providers have vacuumed up almost all com-
third. A 2016 study used another measure, the number of petitors. Their data showed market concentration didn’t
system-owned hospitals in the state, ranking Dignity first increase in Sacramento County from 2010 to 2016, with the
and Sutter second. county rating a moderately high 4 out of 6 both years. But it

did for most of the surrounding counties, especially to the competitors. And its contract terms forbid insurers from
east. Amador and Calaveras counties both show up as hot giving their patients financial incentives to use lower-cost,
spots, with the highest rating of 6. El Dorado County came non-Sutter providers, the plaintiffs say. The case was
in at 5, making it among the 10 most concentrated markets scheduled to go to trial in September.
in the state. A Sutter spokesperson declined to respond to ques-
tions Comstock’s sent by email about the allegations.
WILL CHALLENGES CHANGE THE PICTURE? Sutter spokesperson Amy Thoma Tan instead released a
Politicians are pushing back against the threat of consoli- statement that read, in part, “Sutter Health is vigorously
dation and rising prices. State legislators have introduced defending itself against what we believe are baseless alle-
at least two bills since 2016 designed to provide more over- gations brought by self-interested plaintiffs whose lawsuit
sight of health care mergers and forbid anticompetitive is supported by insurance companies. It is insurance com-
practices, though neither passed. panies who will benefit from the remedies sought through
And an important lawsuit is testing the power of gov- this litigation, not Northern California patients. ... The Af-
ernment to regulate large providers’ negotiating practices. fordable Care Act explicitly encourages integrated models
In March 2018, the state attorney general filed an antitrust of care like Sutter Health to foster better quality and value
lawsuit against Sutter, joining an earlier antitrust class in healthcare. … Yet the plaintiffs suing us want to dis-
action complaint brought by employers and labor unions. mantle Sutter’s integrated network.”
They allege the health system engages in anticompeti- That response gets at an important question experts
tive practices that have pushed up costs. Those allegedly have debated, including at an October Health Affairs fo-
include all-or-nothing contracts that force insurers that rum in Sacramento: Is it possible to have an integrated
it contracts with to accept all of Sutter’s sites regardless health system, which most everyone agrees is a good idea,
of considerations like location or price. They charge that without financial consolidation? The 2010 ACA did create
Sutter includes gag clauses through which it forbids in- financial incentives for health care providers to integrate
surers from sharing price information with customers or by forming accountable care organizations, or ACOs —
A shallow amount of water

in local rice fields provides
California Rice two distinct benefits –

growing food and providing
Twice the Benefits vital environmental benefits.
Farms in the Sacramento

Valley provide virtually all
of America’s sushi rice, as
well as habitat for millions
of birds.
Learn more at
CalRice.org/TwiceTheBenefits

n MERGERS
groups of providers that agree to closely coordinate their

care to avoid unnecessary procedures.
If there’s an uber-ACO out there, it’s Kaiser, made up of a
health insurance plan, physician groups, a hospital system
and now even a medical school. A 2015 report by the Brook-
ings Institution pointed to Kaiser’s integration leading to
better outcomes and lower costs. Kaiser providers all use
the same electronic medical records system, doctors work
in teams with other providers like psychologists and social
workers, and providers operate under the same goal of keep-
ing people healthy and out of the hospital rather than gener-
ating lots of billable services, the report says.
Providers have responded to the federal push for ACOs
and the competitive pressure of Kaiser’s model. Sutter
launched its own HMO in 2013, Sutter Health Plus — an in-
tegrated network of hospitals, doctors and other health care
services. Other systems in the region — like UC San Francis-
co, Stanford Health Care, Canopy Health and now Common-
Spirit Health — are following suit, says Dard Hunter, a senior
DISASTER vice president at Lockton, a benefits broker and consultancy
Cordova Church of Christ in Rancho Cordova experienced a major that has an office in Sacramento. It’s an acknowledgment, he
says, that “Kaiser has won the battle of the model.”
sewer backup. The cause was unknown, but throughout the
If integrated systems can deliver on better patient experi-
church’s campus of five buildings, all bathrooms and sinks were
ence, better health outcomes and lower cost, then everyone
flooded. wins, says Hunter. But Chad Follmer, a senior vice president
at the Sacramento office of Woodruff Sawyer, an insurance
RESPONSE brokerage and consulting company, is skeptical about that
Pinnacle Emergency Management, Northern California’s premier last part — lower cost. He points out that sometimes a merger
restoration contractor specializing in disaster-related damage, can save a struggling rural hospital, which benefits everyone
who lives there. But overall, “When like-sized systems come
repaired administrative offices, kitchen and breakroom areas, a
together in health care, they don’t get rid of anybody,” he
children’s nursery, and bathrooms. “We replaced drywall; repainted
says. “And it’s because that merger isn’t for efficiency. It’s for
walls; removed, cleaned and replaced appliances and office
negotiating power.”
workstations; and with monumental assistance from Master’s
Wholesale flooring, refloored 15,000 square feet,” says Leo Grover, HOW BUSINESSES CAN TAKE BACK
Pinnacle’s founder. “Cordova Church had been preparing to host (SOME) CONTROL
their annual summer camp for 600 children, so we kept to a tight Businesses shouldn’t count on the ongoing legal and legisla-
timeline, finishing the job in only five weeks and enabling them to tive battles to keep their health care costs reasonable — they
accommodate campers as well as a wedding.” need to search out alternatives, say benefits experts.
For large companies with about 500 employees or more, the
most common solution is self-insurance — cutting out health
“Everything from Pinnacle’s project manager, Bob Morico, our insurance companies and paying providers directly. Plans like
adjuster, Jerry Griffin, to our final cleaning was seamless. Go, that covered about 5.7 million California workers at last count.
Pinnacle!” Under the self-funding approach, experts point to one prom-
— Kin Davalos | Office Administrator ising strategy: reference-based pricing. Instead of accepting a
health care provider’s list prices as the starting point, employ-
ers set the price they pay — say, 175 percent of the Medicare
fee — and then negotiate from that starting point as needed.
Pinnacle Emergency Management
For large companies that can’t enroll in an HMO because they
916.371.7431 | www.GoPinnacleNow.com have many employees outside the region, that may be the most
promising option; companies that use it save 5-15 percent on
costs, according to a March 2018 Lockton report.
Before a crisis or disaster hits, call Pinnacle for a
free evaluation of your company’s needs. CSL#897165

But for smaller companies and for big companies that have A few recent developments could indicate that a Godzil-
all or most of their employees here, one of the narrow-network la vs. King Kong moment is approaching — when the pricing
HMOs that dominate the Sacramento market nearly always power of giant health care systems meets the purchasing
comes out cheaper, says Chris Bender, vice president of ben- power of giant buyers. In March, Amazon, J.P. Morgan Chase
efits at Bender Insurance Solutions in Roseville. HMOs offer and Berkshire Hathaway announced the formation of a new
better prices than all but the most aggressive reference-based company to contract directly with hospitals and clinics that
plans, those that start very low, at levels like 125 or 150 per- provide high-quality care at lower cost. Since the three com-
cent of Medicare, says Bender. But those aggressive plans can panies have 1.2 million combined employees, the announce-
cause problems of their own, ending in hard negotiations with ment shook the health care world — health care stocks shed
health care providers and unhappy employees who are more billions of dollars when word of the venture came out in Janu-
likely to get surprise bills from their doctors. ary, according to reports.
Benefits experts say any plan needs to be tailored to a Follmer is skeptical that will do much to cut costs, given
firm’s size and employee demographics. But the price pres- how little success already-huge health insurers like Aetna and
sures mean it’s more important than ever for firms to regularly UnitedHealthcare have had in checking cost growth. He has
reassess how they’re paying for coverage to spot ways to save. more faith in big employers banding together to do something
Avery, of Innovative Broker Services, for example, is working different: start or acquire their own provider networks, in
with a 5,000-employee client trying to save money on phar- much the way that one iconic industrialist launched his own
macy benefits. In researching the company’s current plan, he health system to serve shipyard workers during World War II.
discovered drug companies are paying the firm’s pharmacy “What would be really innovative is a new Kaiser,” he says. n
benefits manager — a company that acts something like a
pharmaceuticals distributor for self-insuring employers and Steven Yoder writes about business, real estate and crim-
insurers — more than $500,000 in rebates, which the manager inal justice. His work has appeared in The Fiscal Times,
hasn’t passed along to Avery’s client. If the client heeds Avery’s Salon, The American Prospect and elsewhere. On Twitter
advice, that practice is about to end. @syodertweet and at www.stevenyoder.net.

n AGRICULTURE
Ken LaGrande’s Sun Valley Rice reached a deal in July to

export his rice to China, the first time China has agreed to
terms with an American rice farmer.

the
growth
of rice
A recent deal to export to China is expected to
further expand the market for the popular grain
BY Judy Farah PHOTO: Fred Greaves

n AGRICULTURE
K
en LaGrande was with his family in London in ear- “There’s definitely something for use for everything that
ly July when he received the blockbuster news. His comes out of those rice fields,” says Chris Crutchfield, presi-
global rice team was at an industry event in China dent and CEO of American Commodity Company, which op-
when it finally sealed a deal LaGrande and his Sun erates a rice mill and packaging plant in Williams. The com-
Valley Rice business had been negotiating for near- pany delivers to customers in the U.S. and around the world,
ly 15 years — China agreed to import his California rice. It including Turkey and parts of Asia.
was the first time China reached a deal with an American “California rice is largely viewed, certainly around North
rice farmer, opening up the California rice market to the America but around the world as well, as some of if not the
No. 1 consumer of rice in the world. highest quality of rice,” Crutchfield says.
“Our strongest … potential customer said ‘We’re ready.’ Tim Johnson, president and CEO of the California Rice
And we said, ‘We’re ready.’ And we struck a deal. It was as Commission, an organization of 2,500 rice farmers, agrees.
simple as that. After almost 15 years, it came down to they Buyers know the product has met the U.S.’s strict regulations
were ready,” says LaGrande, CEO of Sun Valley Rice, found- involving water quality, pesticide management and safety
er of LaGrande Family Foods Group and a fifth-generation standards at mills that process the grain.
rice farmer in the Sacramento Valley. “I reacted by buying Ninety-five percent of California’s 550,000-plus acres is
dinner and a couple of extra bottles of wine.” in the Sacramento Valley, in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Sut-
It was the latest and most significant development for ter, Yuba, Glenn, Butte and Colusa counties, according to the
California’s $5 billion rice industry that employs 25,000. commission. Conditions are perfect. Hard clay soil provides
Rice is one of the state’s most diversified crops, producing a basin for the 5 inches of water required for rice to grow;
all the sushi rice used in the U.S.; all the rice used to brew crystal-clear water from the Sierra Nevada that flows into the
Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch’s Fairfield plant; carbohy- Sacramento River helps it thrive; and the region’s Mediterra-
drates for pet food; grains for Kellogg’s, General Mills and nean climate of hot, dry summers helps the grains to grow.
Quaker Oats cereals; ingredients for sake brewing; and The average American eats 25 pounds of rice a year,
poultry beds for Foster Farms. compared to Asian countries, where people eat 100 pounds
Haarmeyer
WINE CELLARS
610 Harbor Blvd. • West Sacramento, CA

haarmeyerwinecellars.com
Tastings by appointment

a year, according to Johnson. Half of and level the fields, making furrows ter levels don’t evaporate during the
the rice grown in California goes to for the 175 pounds of seed they plant region’s hot summers. The rice grows
the U.S. and Canada; the other half per acre. Warehouse workers soak the 3 feet high with a golden crown of bil-
is exported to Japan — the largest rice seeds for 24 hours until they ger- low y kernels ready to be harvested in
importer of California rice with 25 minate, making them heav y enough the fall. (Planting this year was de-
percent of the market — and 30 oth- to sink to the bottom when crop dust- layed due to heav y rain in May.) Each
er countries, including South Korea, er airplanes drop the seeds in 5 inch- acre yields 4 tons of rice.
Taiwan and Jordan. Now China, the es of water. Once planted, the rice is “The rice comes up, and the grain
largest consumer of rice in the world, checked twice a day to make sure wa- gets heav y, and it tips over and the
joins that group.
FROM FIELDS TO SACKS

Rice was introduced to California
during the gold rush, when Chinese
Over fifteen attorneys, hundreds of
immigrants arrived as laborers. At-
tempts to grow it in Los Angeles and satisfied clients, billions of dollars in
Sonoma counties proved futile, but successful business transactions
then farmers discovered it could be
grown in the Sacramento Valley. The and a mountain of lawsuits
state’s commercial rice industry be- efficiently resolved.
gan in Biggs in Butte County in 1912,
when U.S. Department of Agriculture
soil specialist W.W. Mackie discovered
medium-grain rice grew well in the
hard soil. Rice fields now provide a
lush green landscape across the valley
during growing season and provide a And it all
home to 5 million birds, including started five
ducks and geese, and 230 other wild-
life species.
years ago.
Generations of rice farmers con-
tinue to tend to family crops. On a sun-
ny summer morning, Sean Doherty, a
fifth-generation farmer and owner
of Sean Doherty Farms in Dunnigan
in Yolo County, drives his white Ford Thank you to our clients and friends who
truck across the levees of his fields, in-
took the leap with us to start our own firm.
specting his crop, passing clusters of
songbirds, red-winged blackbirds and
bitterns. He stops his truck to point to On our fifth anniversary, Chris Delfino, Jennifer Madden,
a f lock of cinnamon teal ducks. “We John O’Malley, Dan Coyle and Jeff Koewler,
get ospreys and eagles,” Doherty says. join partners Monica Hans Folsom, Corinne Gartner,
“I’ve canoed down the canal with my Elizabeth Leet Jackson, Shaye Schrick
daughter, and we’ve seen beavers as and our wonderful team of attorneys and staff to
big as Labradors, river otters, minks, thank each and every one of our friends
all kinds of animals.” who have made our business a success!
Doherty and his brothers grew up
on this ranch, working weekends in
the fields and driving trucks at age
9. Now, in the spring, his crews plow
delfinomadden.com

n AGRICULTURE
“We’re the largest producer of sushi rice, that short, medium rice we find
in sushi and Korean cuisine. We grow all the sushi rice in the United States.
Whether you’re eating sushi in New York, Dallas or here in Sacramento, it’s
all rice grown right here in the Sacramento Valley.”
Tim Johnson, president and CEO, California Rice Commission
fields get golden,” Doherty says. “Then days to reduce moisture content. The er pieces, and faulty kernels are used
you drain the fields, heav y equipment next step is an intricate process that for beer and pet food.
cuts the rice and puts it into grain inspects the rice for damage, insects, “It will go through an optical sort-
carts, fill it, and take it to the rice dry- rocks and dirt before it goes through er, which believe it or not, every kernel
er facility.” separators. Brown rice has its outer is looked at by a camera, and if it sees
The next stop is the mill. Each hull removed, while white rice has the a defect of a size and intensity that is
day, about 40 trucks filled with rice hull and second layer of bran removed unacceptable, there’s a little puff of air
come into Farmers’ Rice Coopera- (both come through the same plant). that will pop it out of the stream,” ex-
tive in West Sacramento, a massive The white rice goes through two roll- plains Joe Alves, director of milling at
industrial complex in its 75th year. ers that pop the hulls off, and a ma- Farmers’ Rice Cooperative.
After the trucks are weighed, the rice chine “polishes” the kernels to make Once ready, the rice is packed in
is put through a giant dryer for two them whiter. Machines remove short- sacks ranging from 2 pounds to 1 ton,
JOIN THE SVP COMMUNITY!

We are a community of philanthropists who are dedicated to
ensuring all students in the Greater Sacramento Region are on a
clear pathway to economic security.
COME LEVERAGE YOUR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE BY WORKING

WITH IMPACTFUL NONPROFITS IN EDUCATION.
contact
Cameron Law, Executive Director of SVP Sacramento, at Cameron@SVPSacramento.org
www.svpsacramento.org

with labels in different languages for nia’s rice crop, mainly the broken or provide a clean, crisp taste that has
shipping all over the world. Noisy fork- half pieces that are discarded from pre- been part of Budweiser’s recipe since
lifts move across the massive factory mium table rice, is used to brew beer, 1876, she says.
f loor, transporting the packaged rice and Anheuser-Busch’s Fairfield plant “All the rice they use at their brew-
to trucks that will take it to its next uses 2.5 million pounds each month to ery in Fairfield comes from California,”
destination domestically or to the make Budweiser and Bud Light, two of Crutchfield says. “They use a tremen-
ports in Sacramento and Stockton to the three top-selling beers in the U.S., dous amount.”
be shipped overseas. according to Anheuser-Busch spokes- Rice also is the main ingredient
woman Molly Drenkard. Rice helps in sake. Gekkeikan Sake, founded in
SUSHI AND BEYOND
The state’s rice industry has benefited
greatly from the growing popularity of
sushi throughout the world. According
to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, For-
estry and Fisheries, there were nearly
120,000 Japanese restaurants outside of
Japan as of October 2017, a 30 percent
increase from 2015 and five times more
than its first study in 2006. And, accord-
ing to the report, more than 25,000 of
these restaurants are in North America.
“We’re the largest producer of sushi
rice, that short, medium rice we find
in sushi and Korean cuisine,” Johnson
says. “We grow all the sushi rice in the
United States. Whether you’re eating
sushi in New York, Dallas or here in Sac-
ramento, it’s all rice grown right here in
the Sacramento Valley.”
Mikuni, a popular sushi restaurant
with nine locations, is the largest user
of California rice in the Sacramento
region. The rice grown in the Sacra-
mento Valley is a medium grain, sticky
rice called Japonica, perfect for sushi
and Asian dishes. Daniel Schmook, Mi-
kuni’s executive chef, orders roughly
40,000 pounds a month, and the chain
has a chef at each location whose sole
job is to cook rice with its secret recipe.
Batches are cooked 10 pounds at a time,
with 20-30 batches each day, Schmook
says. “It goes into everything,” he says.
Mikuni also uses about 650 cases of rice
bran oil, another rice by-product, each
month.
Another big rice user in the Capital
Region is Anheuser-Busch, the largest
buyer in the U.S. One-third of Califor-
R e a d a b o u t Ye n L u :
E S K AT O N . O R G / A G E I S B E A U T I F U L
n AGRICULTURE
1637 in Japan, chose Folsom for its

only production facility in the U.S. in
1989 because of the clean water from
the Sierra Nevada used in nearby
rice fields. Its facility produces 1,400
bottles of sake a day and is open to
tourists who can sip it in the tasting
room surrounded by koi ponds. Koichi
Murakami, vice president of market-
ing, says Gekkeikan Folsom uses 2,000
tons of California rice annually.
Crutchfield says rice also has oth-
er great “co-products,” meaning ev-
erything produced by the industry
can be used for something. Califor-
nia rice is sold to pet food companies,
including Mars, maker of Pedigree
and Iams. Foster Farms is also a huge
consumer, using discarded rice hulls
for bedding for chickens and tur-
keys. And on the environmental side,
nutrient-rich fields after harvest at-
tract migrating birds while scientists
use f looded rice plains to build the
salmon population.
A HUGE NEW MARKET

China is the world’s largest producer
of rice and also the world’s largest im-
porter of rice. With a population of 1.4
billion people, most of whom eat rice
as a daily staple, China depends on
imports from other Asian countries,
with 97 percent of rice imports com-
ing from Vietnam, Thailand, Cambo-
dia and Pakistan.
Gaining access to China opens
more opportunity for California rice.
LaGrande credits his nearly 15 years of
unrelenting effort through three U.S.
presidential administrations (George
W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald
Trump) and the dozens of trips to Chi-
na by his senior vice president of sales,
Steve Vargas, to develop relationships
with officials there. While other farm-
ers and the rice commission held back
during tariff talks between the U.S.

SACRAMENTO INTERNATIONAL
HORSE S H O W
SEPTEMBER 25 - OCTOBER 6, 2 019
MURIETA EQUESTRIAN CENTER | RANCHO MURIETA, CA
and China, LaGrande and his team
PHOTO: MCCOOL PHOTOGRAPHY

Saturday Sept 28 7:30PM
decided to push — and it paid off. The
$40,000 WELCOME GRAND PRIX 1.45M
first shipment of Sun Valley Rice is ex-
pected to arrive at the Port of Shekou Thursday Oct 3 6:00PM
in Shenzhen, China, in October. $36,500 GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER 1.50M
LaGrande says the tariff talks be-
tween the U.S. and China govern- Friday, October 4 6:15PM
ments did not affect his deal. Any $36,500 MURIETA INN,
higher cost due to tariffs will be offset
SPA & RESTAURANT 1.45M
by the pricing of his California rice, he Saturday, October 5 7:00PM
says. LONGINES FEI JUMPING
“When they can buy rice or other WORLD CUP TM SACRAMENTO
food from the U.S., they are willing to
pay a premium for the product,” La- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 6:15PM
Grande says. 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1 ADMISSION
However, as this issue of Com- Veterans and Kids are FREE | First 100 get a FREE Hot Dog & Drink
stock’s went to press, it remained un-
clear if the ongoing trade war would
have a long-term affect on the poten-
tial growth of the China market for
California rice.
“We’ve spent decades chasing this W W W . J U M P S A C T O . C O M | Tickets on sale early August
enormous market, and the Sun Valley
Rice sale is the first ever of U.S. rice to
a private importer,” Betsy Ward, pres-
ident and CEO of USA Rice, an indus-
try advocacy group, said in a news re-
The next generation of Act!™ is here!
lease. “It is truly historic and sets the
stage for continued regular trade with
China for U.S.-grown rice.”
LaGrande hopes developing the
China market will give California
farmers a higher return for the invest-
ment they’ve been making. “The crop
we’re raising is not only high quality
from a table point of view, (but from) a
production point of view and sustain-
ability,” LaGrande says. “My fellow
rice millers who take rice to China can all-in-one CRM sales and marketing platform
bring California rice farmers a higher
return for those investments they’ve
been making.” n
Judy Farah is a veteran journalist and

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Los Angeles and Sacramento markets. Contact me for a demo & free trial
Read more of Judy’s work at www.ju-
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n management

goals
meeting
Sure, we all hate meetings — but

they are essential, and there are
ways to make them better
BY Jeff Wilser
PHOTO: MIKE GRAFF
n management
I
bet you a cup of coffee that Except they’re not walking away with
$2,000. Another 2014 study by Keith tallied
you are reading this just be- up the cost of meetings at a jaw-dropping
fore a meeting, or maybe just $1.4 trillion. Then there are the costs that are
tougher to quantify — frustration, burnout,
after. Another bet: You feel stress, hurt feelings. So we asked Sacramento
productivity and organization experts why
that there are too many meet- our meetings go sideways — and how to fix
ings. A third: This gauntlet of them.
meetings can make it tough — WHY SO MANY, AND WHY IT MATTERS

Let’s start with the good news. The increase in
or impossible — to finish your meetings has been fueled, in part, by positive
work. trends in the workplace, according to Barrett
McBride, who owns Barrett McBride & As-
These are cowardly bets for me to make, sociates, a Sacramento-based management
because the research says I will almost cer- consultant company. “Leadership trends have
tainly win. A 2012 Salary.com survey of 3,200 evolved from autocratic approaches to inclu-
employees found “too many meetings” to be sive approaches,” she says. To get more input
the top time waster (at 47 percent). And we from more voices, we meet with them. Overall,
go to more meetings than ever. Back in 1976 McBride says, that inclusion has led to higher
a study published in the Harvard Business engagement and more transparency in deci-
Review estimated there were 11 million meet- sion-making.
ings every day in the United States, and that We can also thank (and blame) technology.
number has more than tripled: A 2014 analysis Kimberly Elsbach, a professor of management
from meeting guru Elise Keith estimates this at UC Davis, says that in the era of Skype and
figure to be from 36 million to 56 million. video conferencing, “there’s no excuse for not
Perhaps the most surprising thing is how attending a meeting.” Technology makes it eas-
numb we are to all of this. We take this over- ier to schedule meetings, organize meetings,
abundance of meetings as a given, like traffic go to meetings. And technology has a sneakier
on the way to work. Yet the issue should com- impact. Since so much of our workday is spent
mand our attention. As Intel cofounder Andy behind screens, people feel what Lisa Montan-
Grove once observed, “Just as you would not aro, a productivity expert based in Davis, calls
permit a fellow employee to steal a piece of of- a “cultural pressure” to counteract the screen
fice equipment worth $2,000, you shouldn’t let time with face time. “People want to feel like
anyone walk away with the time of his (or her) there’s a face-to-face connection, and that the
fellow managers.” communication lines are open,” says Montan-

“People are stressed
aro, who owns Lisa Montanaro Global Enterprises. She also says
managers call meetings because they think we’ve always done it
this way. We have lots of meetings because we’re used to having
lots of meetings, and it can take guts to buck the status quo.
Meetings breed meetings too. A 2014 study by Michael about all the work
Mankins, a partner at Bain & Company, found that at one large
company, the weekly senior executive status meeting — just
once a week! — required 300,000 annual hours of work (more
they didn’t get done
— and that still needs
than 5,000 hours per week). Senior directors met to prepare for
the executives, junior directors met to prepare for the senior di-
rectors, managers scrambled to prep for the directors, the un-
derlings hustled to make slides and spreadsheets — the Dilbert
cartoon writes itself. to get done — because
These meetings can cause burnout. We’re all busy. “Peo-
ple are stressed about all the work they didn’t get done — and
that still needs to get done — because they were in a day of
they were in a day of
meetings,” says Elsbach. It’s not that meetings get in the way
of leisure; meetings get in the way of work. “There’s almost a
resentment,” says Montanaro. “People are thinking, ‘I could be
meetings.”
chiseling away at my to-do list.’” That frustration is acute when
meetings feel pointless, veer off-topic, get nothing done and are Kimberly Elsbach, professor of management, UC Davis
dominated by the conversation hogs. Middle managers have it
particularly rough; McBride says they’re pulled in two direc-
tions — meetings from the top and meetings from the bottom
— and her clients grumble that there’s “a lot of discussion but
no decision.”
There are countless ways to upgrade meetings, but they can
be clumped into one of two buckets: the structure of meetings
(the when, the where, the who) and the internal dynamics of the
meeting itself (the why, the how).
THE STRUCTURE OF MEETINGS
The When
Thanks to habit, custom and, more realistically, the default
settings of Outlook, we schedule meetings for an hour or 30
minutes. But does that make sense? Logically, what are the

n management
“I personally love walking

meetings. If you get people
to move their bodies, it
gets the oxygen flowing,
changes perspectives.”
Lisa Montanaro, productivity expert,
Lisa Montanaro Global Enterprises

odds that the optimal time to accomplish your its uniqueness, but also, as an added bonus, TINY-
goal is exactly 30 or 60 minutes? Recall the wis- pulse reports almost zero tardiness.”
dom from Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill
however much time you give it. So why give it the The Where
full hour? Another simple tweak is to mix up the location. When
Montanaro suggests meeting for a fractional Montanaro conducts training sessions at a law firm,
time, like 23 minutes. “People aren’t as late if you she’ll sometimes surprise them by saying, “Let’s go
have a start time of 4:07,” she says. That time is outside!” Or maybe she’ll make it a walking meeting,
memorable, even kind of playful, and, worst case, a la every Aaron Sorkin show. “I personally love walk-
it will only waste 23 minutes instead of 30. If that’s ing meetings,” she says. “If you get people to move
simply too goofy for your organization’s culture, their bodies, it gets the oxygen flowing, changes per-
you can go the Google Calendar route, and default spectives.” Walking meetings, typically one on one,
all meetings to 20 or 50 minutes instead of 30 and are fashionable in Silicon Valley; Rogelberg says the
60, which builds in a cushion for bathroom and ranks of meeting-walkers include Twitter’s Jack Dor-
email breaks. In his book “The Surprising Science sey, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and employees at
of Meetings,” Steven G. Rogelberg cites the ex- LinkedIn, where “folks circle around a 22- to 25-min-
ample of TINYpulse, a survey research company, ute looped path in their corporate headquarters.”
which “starts a daily staff meeting at 8:48 a.m. Not Then there’s the huddle, aka the daily stand-
only does this practice raise eyebrows because of up or daily scrum, which has “really taken off,”

n management
“Norms create safety. I’ll tell them, ‘If you’re an

extrovert, challenge yourself to ask do you have
more to add. And introverts, challenge yourself
to speak up and to add something without
requiring a red carpet.”
Tania Fowler, owner, Interplay Coaching
according to Tania Fowler, owner and THE MEETING ITSELF back to the mission of your compa-
founder of Sacramento-based Interplay ny, by saying, perhaps, with raising
Coaching. The huddle is used at Apple, The Why voice, “Right here, right now, in this
Dell and Capital One. Fowler gives a The true cause of a bad meeting could be conference room, we will ensure that
few simple rules: It should be short more foundational. Fowler cites research we have the right revenue targets, be-
(5-15 minutes), every day at the same from Gallup finding only 41 percent of cause if we don’t get the revenue right,
time, no chairs (this encourages brev- employees “strongly agree” they know then our company will not survive.”
ity), “no coffee cake” (you lose focus), what their organizations stand for, which A St. Crispin’s Day speech this is not,
no decision-making and “absolutely no means 59 percent do not. This ambigui- but employees are more engaged when
problem-solving.” (Once you go down ty bleeds into meetings. Meetings can they can sniff the purpose.
the twisted path of problem-solving, be lousy, says Fowler, because compa-
you’ll blow past your allotted time.) nies are “terrible at clarifying what the The How
hell they’re about. If you’re going to call Another reason meetings can be un-
The Who a meeting, then clarify why you’re calling productive, says Fowler, is people lack
How many people should come to a the meeting. I call it the mission of the a grounding in the right “norms” of
meeting? We tend to over-invite, in- meeting.” meeting culture. This can be fixed.
cluding this guy and that guy and the I push back a bit. I ask her, “Aren’t When Fowler facilitates meetings, she
kitchen sink because, as Montanaro some meetings necessary but, you spends the first five minutes quickly
says, “There’s often a fear of, ‘Oh, my know, kind of boring? Take a finance establishing its norms, and then jotting
God, we’re going to leave someone budget meeting. Should even that them down on a f lip chart or white-
out!’” Large, bloated meetings can have a ‘mission’?” board. Example norms: No talking
lead to both exasperation (it’s hard to Fowler pauses, thinks. She then over people; be succinct; listen before
chime in) or, at the other end of the cites a classic story from the 1960s you speak; and no technology (phones,
spectrum, “social loafing” — as oth- when, at the peak of the space race, laptops, tablets), except during breaks.
ers wrestle to grab the conversational Walter Cronkite paid a visit to NASA Once a team creates its norms, Fowler
conch, some might slink into the back- and interviewed its employees. He instructs the team to print, laminate
ground. So embrace your inner door- spoke to a janitor and asked him what and use it for meetings in the future.
man and keep a strict guest list. Or you his role was. Fowler gives the punch- Put someone in charge of the norms;
can use Amazon’s “two-pizza rule” — line: “The janitor said, ‘I’m putting that person doesn’t have to be the boss.
the maximum number of people in a a man on the moon.’” So, yes, even Fowler adds that you can “even have
meeting is based on how many can be a snoozer of a meeting about the fun with it,” like tossing Nerf balls at
fed by two pizzas. third-quarter budget can be mapped the person who breaks a norm.

“Norms create safety,” says Fowl- reminder that you work with human
er, meaning they help make a meeting beings who laugh and think and are Jeff Wilser is the author of six books,
more inclusive, and they can empower made of skin and bones, not algo- and he’s now (finally) working on a new
and embolden the introverts. An age- rithms. It was a meeting, after all, that one. His writing has appeared in print
old meeting problem: The good ideas gave us the Declaration of Indepen- or online in New York Magazine, GQ,
from the introverts are buried beneath dence. Time, Glamour, Esquire, Los Angeles
all the mediocre ideas from the yap- So don’t stop meeting. Meet better. n Times, Chicago Tribune and others. For
ping extroverts. So when establishing more, visit jeffwilser.com.
norms, Fowler explicitly brings up the
question of introverts vs. extroverts.
“I’ll tell them, ‘If you’re an extrovert,
challenge yourself to ask do you have
more to add. And introverts, challenge
yourself to speak up and to add some-
thing without requiring a red carpet.
The World
You have a duty to challenge yourself
too.’”
McBride suggests three additional
tactics for being more inclusive to the (and beyond*)
introverts.
Send an agenda, and send it in ad- Brought to
vance. “Introverts need time to pro-
cess,” she says. “Having an agenda Your Stage.
gives them time to consider what they
want to contribute.”
During the meeting, the leaders
should directly check in with the in-
troverts. “Hey, Sam, what are your
thoughts on this?”
After the meeting, ask for their ad-
ditional input. Or you could invoke a
more provocative technique that Rog-
elberg calls “brainwiring.” For a brief
period of time, in complete silence, ev-
eryone jots down their ideas — wheth-
er the topic is brainstorming, the pros Experience Hendrix | OCT 7
or cons of a proposal, or the reaction to Billy Cox, Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, Dweezil Zappa and others
a marketing campaign — and then the
ideas are shared and discussed. Espe-
Lila Downs—Día De Muertos: Al Chile | OCT 10
cially for those who fear public speak- MOMIX—Viva MOMIX | OCT 13
ing, this boosts the odds that the best
ideas are uncovered. If the meeting is
*NASA Astronaut Terry Virts—View From Above | OCT 16
to ratify a decision, brainwiring could Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain | OCT 18
lead to a more legitimate consensus, with special guest Rakesh Chaurasia
as all of the potential issues have been
openly (and safely) aired.
Andrew Bird | OCT 21
with special guest Meshell Ndegeocello
Finally, it’s important to remem-
ber that meetings are not the enemy. Joshua Bell, violin and Alessio Bax, piano | NOV 2
They have merit. A good meeting is a
and more!
mondaviarts.org
n EDUCATION

college
confidential
There are proven ways to navigate the
college admissions process without
cheating the system
BY Laurie Lauletta-Boshart
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCKPHOTO

n EDUCATION
T
he sweeping college admissions scandal that broke scandal demonstrates just how far some will go. So, what
in March 2019 exposed an intricate web of pay-to- do college admissions officers look for in undergraduate
play and bribery schemes by wealthy parents, college applicants, and are there elements that can boost a stu-
coaches and administrators for select students to gain dent’s chances? Programs such as AP and International
entry into some of the country’s most elite universities. Baccalaureate may be differentiators in the admissions
Federal prosecutors charged 50 of these people from across and readiness process, as can alternative pathways like
the United States with paying millions in bribes to college transferring from community college or taking a gap year.
consultant and former Carmichael resident William “Rick”
Singer — through his nonprofit Key Worldwide Foundation — SPECIAL PROGRAMS, OTHER OPTIONS
and accepting entitlements to get children into top colleges by With tens of thousands of undergrads applying each year
cheating on entrance exams and bribing athletic coaches and for limited spots, the UC and California State University
administrators for admission spots. systems have approved admission criteria for assessing
“The news of the scandal was certainly disappointing incoming freshmen. While the strength of a student’s
for (University of California) and nationwide,” says Dar- academic record is one of its top considerations, the UC
lene Hunter, senior director for UC Davis undergraduate system has established 14 factors — both academic and
admissions. “UC continues to be committed to a fair and nonacademic — for undergraduate admissions.
transparent admissions process that is based on student merit “Every single UC campus does something a little bit dif-
and achievement and represents a level playing field.” ferently, but the criteria never change,” says Hunter. “Some
With educational opportunity and access growing, the campuses use qualitative and quantitative measures, and
U.S. Department of Education’s some use a holistic review method-
National Center for Education ology of assessment. That’s what
Statistics estimates that 20.5 mil- the Davis campus uses.”
lion students will attend U.S. “One of the really good A holistic review includes as-
colleges and universities by 2027,
up from 15.3 million in 2000. Stu-
things about (International sessing an applicant’s unique
experiences alongside tradi-
dents with competitive grades,
high test scores and a long list of
Baccalaureate) is that I felt tional measures of academic
achievement, such as grades and
extracurriculars are being turned like I really taught myself test scores. Hunter points to some
away from four-year colleges that of the nonacademic criteria that
statistically would have offered how to study and how to add value, such as special talents,
admission a decade ago. achievements and awards in a
Declan DeGeorge, a 2018 grad- learn. I now have the work particular field; experiences that
uate of California High School in demonstrate unusual promise for
San Ramon, applied to 10 colleges ethic and skill set to succeed leadership; and accomplishments
for engineering and biology with a
4.3 grade point average (which in-
wherever I go.” in spite of life experiences and
special circumstances. “We’re
cluded five Advanced Placement looking for students that challenge
Emily St. Denis, 2019 salutatorian,
classes and three honors classes), themselves within the curriculum
Oakmont High School
a 1,540 score on the SAT (out of a of the educational opportunities
possible 1,600), participation in for their respective high school,”
two sports, and community service and work experience. He Hunter says, “but we’re also looking for students who tell
confidently expected to get into several colleges. their story.”
Instead, he was rejected by San Diego State University and The CSU system is a little more straightforward, with
four University of California campuses, waitlisted at three three criteria: earn a high school diploma or equivalent,
other colleges, and admitted to UC Santa Barbara and his complete 15 required high school courses with a grade of
safety school, University of Washington. “I questioned why I C or better, submit SAT or ACT scores, and meet or exceed
had tried so hard if it wasn’t going to pay off for me,” DeGeorge the CSU minimum eligibility index. But with impacted and
says. He selected UC Santa Barbara. competitive campuses such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Parents and students are understandably anxious about and San Diego State — where there are more qualified ap-
their college prospects, and the recent bribery and cheating plicants than available spaces — admissions officers review

additional factors, such as space availability in a program or “One of the really good things about IB is that I felt like I
major, going beyond the minimum eligibility requirements, really taught myself how to study and how to learn,” says St.
activity inside and outside the classroom and indications of Denis. “I now have the work ethic and skill set to succeed
exceptional talents or overcoming obstacles. wherever I go because I’ve faced so many academic challenges
The most widely known academic program, AP, is of- that seemed really daunting, but I was able to get through it.”
fered at more than 20,500 U.S. high schools and gives All three students were admitted into several of their
students the opportunity to take college-level courses and top choices for college, and they credit the IB Diploma Pro-
exams for college credit. In May 2018, approximately 1.24 gramme as one reason but recognize that it was not the only
million U.S. public high school graduates, or 38.9 percent of factor. “I think the academics will only take you so far,” says
the class, took at least one AP exam. During the same peri- Alyssa. “They are a great foundation to ensure that you’re
od, 23.5 percent of the class scored a 3 (considered passing) going to get into a good school somewhere, but the extracur-
or higher on an exam. riculars are what boosted me for sure.” Alyssa, for example,
International Baccalaureate is offered at nearly 1,000 taught piano, played tennis and was actively involved in a
U.S. high schools, including 13 public schools in the Capital number of clubs on campus.
Region (see list on page 64). Of the 13 programs, nine have Mira Loma High School in Sacramento has one of the re-
launched in the last 10 years. The IB Diploma Programme gion’s largest and oldest IB programs, which started in 1989
consists of six subject groups (classes vary per school) and and has grown from 34 students to 338 (out of a total student
the Diploma Programme core, which includes the theory of population of about 1,800). Mira Loma holds an annual cel-
knowledge, community service (typically 150 hours) and a ebration in December for the previous year’s graduates to
4,000-word essay. receive their IB diplomas, which arrive in July.
Emily St. Denis and twin sisters Anjali and Alyssa Desai, “Each year my former students, now one semester into
the 2019 salutatorians at Oakmont High School in Roseville, their college careers, tell stories about crazy roommates
give the IB Diploma Programme high marks for teaching and terrible dorm food, but they also tell me that they are
them time management and independent learning skills. well-prepared to succeed in their college classes,” says Mira
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

5:30 - 9:00 PM
Center at 2300
2300 Sierra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA
WINE TASTING • DINNER BY JACKSON CATERING • LIVE AUCTION
SILENT AUCTION • LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES • COCKTAIL ATTIRE
Program includes induction of new STARS Hall of Fame honorees
with Q&A by Rob Stewart of KVIE.
2019 STARS HALL OF FAME HONOREES
Historic
Heidi Poppelreiter Parris Dr. H. Michael Shepard Scott Pease
Transformation
(Casa Roble High School) (Del Campo High School) (Bella Vista High School)
NASA, International Space Award winning Visionary video The American Public Transportation Association
Station flight controller cancer biologist game developer (APTA) honored SacRT General Manager/CEO,
Henry Li, as the 2019 Outstanding Public
Transportation CEO in North America.
Proceeds support innovative learning opportunities
in science, technology, arts, and reading for
students in San Juan Unified schools.
For tickets & information, visit www.sjefeveningwiththestars.com

n EDUCATION
International Baccalaureate programs

AT PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CAPITAL REGION
• Armijo High School, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School • Laguna Creek High School, Elk Grove Unified School
District, Fairfield District, Elk Grove
• Colfax High School, Placer Union High School District, • Luther Burbank High School, Sacramento City Unified
Colfax School District, Sacramento
• Cordova High School, Folsom-Cordova Unified School • Mira Loma High School, San Juan Unified School
District, Rancho Cordova District, Sacramento
• Franklin High School, Stockton Unified School District, • Oakmont High School, Roseville Joint Union High School
Stockton District, Roseville
• Granite Bay High School, Roseville Joint Union High • Stockton Collegiate International Secondary School,
School District, Granite Bay Stockton Unified School District, Stockton
• Inderkum High School, Natomas Unified School District, • Tracy Joint Union High School, Tracy Unified School
Sacramento District, Tracy
• Kit Carson International Academy, Sacramento City source: international baccalaureate foundation
Unified School District, Sacramento
Loma IB coordinator David Mathews. “They know how to with no guarantee. UC accepted a record number of trans-
speak up in class, how to plan their time and how to think fer students for admission for the 2019-20 academic year,
independently. The real value of IB is that it prepares our stu- including a 76 percent acceptance rate for transfers from
dents for college.” California community colleges, compared to a 62 percent
UC Berkeley senior T.G. Roberts, who graduated from acceptance rate for California freshmen.
Stockton’s Franklin High School in 2016 with her IB diploma, A gap year alone isn’t enough to boost admission chanc-
agrees. “Having teachers who have very high expectations es, but a year spent volunteering, traveling or interning is
for you to do your homework, and do it well, really pushed something that can broaden a student’s experiences and
me to sit down and focus,” she says. “And then in college, it expand their story, according to the Gap Year Association, a
was a very beneficial relationship with professors because national nonprofit working to extol the benefits of taking a
they could see that I cared about my education, so they year off before starting college.
cared. It was good training in the IB program.”
The IB program appears to have a statistical advantage PICKING A MAJOR MATTERS TOO
for college admissions. A 2011 survey by i-graduate that Another factor that affects college admission is how many
profiled 4,171 graduating high school seniors found that applicants apply to each academic area and the enrollment
for selective California schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA space available in that area, which can vary from year to
and several Ivy League schools, the IB program candidate year. Last fall, UC Davis had more than 78,000 freshman
acceptance rate was more than double the total population applicants for slightly more than 6,100 spots. On average,
acceptance rate. incoming freshman students apply to 4.5 UC campuses and
Alternative pathways, such as transferring from com- 8-12 schools overall. And they tend to apply in the most pop-
munity college or taking a gap year to work or travel, are ular majors.
gaining in popularity and have their own advantages. Cal- “I’ve watched this happen cyclically over the years,” says
ifornia’s community colleges offer an Associate Degree Hunter, who has been with UC Davis admissions since 1972.
for Transfer where specific two-year associate degrees are In popular majors such as the biological sciences and com-
transferable to a California State University campus with puter science, there are fewer enrollment spots.
guaranteed priority admission for eligible students. The For example, the College of Engineering received more
UC system has a similar Transfer Pathways program, but than 5,100 applications for computer science and engineer-

ing and computer engineering for fall 2019; freshmen encourage applicants to apply to a major in which they
enrollment targets for these two engineering majors was would be satisfied in achieving their degree,” Hunter says.
fewer than 200. “When students wonder why their friend Brian Henley, Sacramento State’s admissions and out-
got admitted and they didn’t, it is most likely that even reach director, also has practical advice for prospective
though they may have similar academics, their friend may students and parents. “I think too frequently people see the
have applied in a different field of study, or they may have status of being admitted to elite institutions as the goal,” he
more fully provided information and told their story in the says. “Our goal here is to admit students who are going to
application,” says Hunter. be successful and ensure those students have the resourc-
Hunter encourages students to consider all majors es they need to graduate. And I think that should be the end
and points out, for example, that nearly half of UC Davis goal of any of this process.”
pre-med students are majoring in communications, psy- Now in his second year at UC Santa Barbara, DeGeorge
chology, human development, English and languages. has a different perspective on the college admission process.
“There are a lot of majors outside the ‘in’ ones that will get Even though UCSB wasn’t originally high on his radar, it
students where they want to go,” she says. “And they may turned out to be a good fit. “I definitely believe people end up
not have as many applicants. We tell students to go for a where they’re supposed to be because it’s been so perfect for
major they have a passion for, and they will excel. They can me,” he says. “I wound up seeing the results that I wanted to,
also get minors.” and I could not be happier.” n
If unsure of their field of study, students also can apply
to one of six undeclared and exploratory programs, but not Laurie Lauletta-Boshart is a contributing writer and ed-
as a loophole; applying undeclared or to a major that is less itor for consumer publications, Fortune 500 companies,
selective in the hopes of easily transferring to a selective small business and higher education. She has written for
major once on campus is not simple. There are academic Dwell, ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, SI.com (Sports Il-
policies and criteria that applicants must meet in order to lustrated) and others. On Twitter @laurieboshart and at
be eligible to apply for an on-campus change of major. “We www.wordplaycommunications.com.
916.880.4040
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FOLSOM
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All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, school assignments and ratings, availability, broker commission programs,
incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’
renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to changes or delay without notice. Maps and plans are
not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades, and options. All homes are subject to prior
sale. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by all applicable state and federal laws. No Purchase Agreement may be negotiated
or signed by a prospective buyer for the purchase of a home until the Community’s applicable Conditional or Final Public Report has been issued
by the Department of Real Estate (DRE). Please see a Community Sales Manager and purchase agreement or visit www.taylormorrison.com for
additional details. Taylor Morrison Services, Inc., DRE # 00968975. © August 2019, Taylor Morrison of California, LLC 8/19/19
Dignity Health
DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY COMPASSIONATE CARE AND ACCESS FOR THE CITY OF FOLSOM
PICTURED ABOVE [L-R]: DR. ROBERT COSTA-ALLEN; CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER | BONNIE JENKINS; CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | RANDALL ROSS; PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | LISA
K
HAUSMANN; SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES | BRITTANY BRESLER; DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
“
nown for its exceptional care lactation clinic and support services.
and strong ties to the Folsom Equally as impressive is the hospital’s
community, Dignity Health emergency department: It cares for We pride
Mercy Hospital of Folsom is one of the approximately 48,000 patients every year.
best hospitals in the region. The acute-
“Our physicians and nurses are excellent
ourselves on
care facility offers outstanding medical
and specialty services including a certified
patient advocates,” says Ross. “Not only delivering
that, but they are leading the way in
stroke center, orthopedic and spine
delivering great care to our community. We high-quality,
surgery, robotic surgery, family birth center,
affordable
are immensely proud of the work they do
cardiology, and emergency services.
for our patients.”
“We deliver great care with both
compassion and respect,” says Randy Ross,
Since the hospital’s inception more than patient-
35 years ago, Mercy Folsom has created
president of Mercy Folsom. “From our
a solid footprint in Folsom by being an centered care.
programs and services to the initiatives
exceptional community partner. From — RANDY ROSS
we support, our goal is always to increase
fighting homelessness and human President of Mercy Folsom
”
access to care and improve the overall
trafficking to supporting local education,
health of our community.”
law enforcement and community events,
Recognized as a baby-friendly hospital, Dignity Health believes giving back to the
Mercy Folsom is known for its Family Birth community is the right thing to do.
Center. Over the last 10 years, more than
“When I look at the city of Folsom and
9,000 babies have been born at Mercy
also the hospital, I think the future is really
Folsom. The birth center offers private and
bright,” Ross says. “As Folsom continues to
contemporary birthing suites, labor tubs
grow and demand more specialty services,
and massages for mothers post-delivery, as
Mercy Folsom is committed to grow along
well as a progressive new doula program,
with it.”
dignityhealth.org/sacramento
Nick Sadek Sotheby’s International Realty
A FULL-SERVICE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FIRM OFFERING BEST-IN-CLASS SERVICE
T “
here’s luxury, and then there’s “The Sotheby’s International Realty brand
Sotheby’s International Realty. is well-known in larger markets such as
The boutique firm, owned and San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York,” We are a service-
operated by Nick Sadek, serves the luxury says Sadek. “We are immensely proud to
residential real estate markets in Placer, have brought the global franchise to the
oriented firm
Sacramento and El Dorado counties.
Sadek, who purchased the franchise in
tri-county region and offer our clients a
first-class experience, extensive resources
that provides
2016, says the real estate firm is known for and a global network.”
an experience.
its white-glove service.
Committed to the communities they call
“Our goal is to deliver exceptional customer home, Nick Sadek Sotheby’s International Every day, we
service and exceed our clients’ expectations Realty donates its time, talent and resources
every time,” says Sadek. “Our advantage to organizations making a difference. From get to help our
is that we offer local expertise backed by supporting nonprofits such as Make-A-Wish
global resources, which allows us to offer and Shriners Hospital for Children through
clients buy their
dream home.
”
our clients the best of both worlds.” a program called Realtors Who Shrine, to
volunteering in impoverished communities
Sadek has more than 30 years of experience
or in the classroom, the firm embraces a
working in the real estate industry. In less
strong culture of giving back.
than three years, he has grown the business
from two agents to 95 in two different offices. “We firmly believe in being a community
Utilizing the latest technological tools to partner and a dedicated advocate,” says
achieve results for their clients, Sadek and Sadek. “Whether it’s our commitment
his team of top-producing listing and selling to volunteer service or working with 9217 Sierra College Blvd Suite 120
Roseville, CA 95661
agents are known in Placer County as the No. our clients, we are always professional,
1 seller of luxury real estate. passionate and ethical about what we do.” 2277 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Suite 460
NickSadekSIR.com
special supplement
Contents
8 WELCOME
A joint letter from City of Folsom City
Manager Elaine Andersen and Greater
Folsom Partnership President and
CEO Joe Gagliardi
10 HOME EXPANSION
Quality of life and comparatively lower
housing costs are attracting homebuyers
to new developments in Folsom
by Laurie Lauletta-Boshart
76
14 SILICON FOOTHILLS
Technology companies are the biggest
employers in Folsom, and some predict it
can be the next tech hub
by Luis Gael Jimenez
18 GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY

With 53 miles of trails and access to lakes
and river waterways, Folsom has an abun-
dance of outdoor-activity opportunities
by Steve Martarano
22 IN GOOD TASTE
80 Aspirations to be the next wine hot spot
in the foothills is bringing tasting rooms to
Historic Folsom
by Jennifer Fergesen
24 FOCAL POINT
Reporter Cristina Mendonsa talks about
“Folsom Focus,” a video series about the
city that she hosts and produces
by Christina Kiefer
26 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
90 84
A listing of events happening in Folsom

FOLSOM
Welcome
Folsom is a vibrant city distinguished by its rich heritage, high quality of
life and natural amenities. Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills
along the border of Sacramento County, Folsom is home to more than 79,000
residents. The city is consistently ranked among the nation’s top cities in terms
of safety and livability and regularly lands on best-place-to-raise-a-family-in-
California lists.
Folsom’s motto is “Distinctive by Nature” because it’s known for its natural
resources that provide a year-round playground for recreational enthusiasts on
land and water. Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma and the American River bound the
city, hosting kayakers and swimmers, among others, from around the region
and world for special events. The community cherishes the city’s network of
50-plus miles of paved trails that meander through open space, woodlands,
wildlife habitats, and along creeks and streams.
The Palladio and Folsom Premium Outlets provide numerous shopping and
dining options. The revitalized historic district offers great shopping, dining,
wine tasting and nightlife set amid architecture from the 1800s and beautiful
scenery. The highly rated Folsom Cordova Unified School District operates
15 schools in the city, including Folsom High School and Vista del Lago High
School, both recognized on the Best High Schools list by U.S. News & World
Report. Folsom Lake Community College — one of the fastest growing in the
country — features the Harris Center, a state-of-the-art venue hosting world-
class arts and entertainment.
Folsom has the highest concentration of software jobs in the greater
Sacramento region. We’re home to multinational and international companies
such as Intel, Gekkeikan, Toshiba, Voxpro and Kikkoman, as well as California
leaders such as VSPOne, California Independent System Operator and SAFE
Credit Union. The Highway 50 corridor, anchored by Folsom, has one of the
highest concentrations of private-sector jobs in the region.
Folsom offers the quality of life, natural amenities, infrastructure and
business climate that provides a competitive advantage to its thriving business
community. The City of Folsom and Greater Folsom Partnership invite you to
explore our family- and business-friendly city, and find your success here.
Sincerely,
Elaine Andersen Joe Gagliardi

City Manager President and CEO
City of Folsom Greater Folsom Partnership

special supplement
California International Marathon

FOLSOM — THE STARTING LINE OF A REGIONAL SUCCESS STORY
F “
olsom represents the California confirms Mansoor. “Launching this as a
International Marathon’s beginning: premier race took tremendous backing from In 1983 Bill Cummings and I,
It is the starting point of the 26.2- cities and financial partners.” along with a dedicated team
mile race that goes all the way to the State of volunteers, envisioned
Thanks to the event’s original partners and a Folsom to Sacramento
Capitol , and it was central to envisioning the
supporters, including the Folsom Chamber Marathon — which is now
event. “Our goal from the start was to create
of Commerce, the marathon had immediate the California International
an international event,” says John Mansoor, Marathon — as a way to
success on an international level. Today, the
cofounder and race director from 1983 to
race draws nearly 9,000 runners and has
celebrate and showcase
2012. Sally Edwards, the co-founder of the the natural beauty and
about a $12 million annual economic impact
famed Fleet Feet running shoes, is the other healthful living in Folsom
on the region with close to 5,000 room nights and throughout our region.
founder. Drawing thousands of elite and
in regional hotels. It is one of the fastest We are humbled and grateful
recreational runners from across the nation
growing marathons in the U.S. and is the No. that CIM has grown into one
and around the globe, this race has been a of the most beloved regional
1 qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
growing success from its inception to today. events and focused the eyes
Every December, thousands of runners from of the international running
In 1983, developers Angelo K. Tsakopoulos
around the world support and highlight community on Folsom and
and Bill Cummings provided the prize Sacramento.
our region, thanks to the vision of the
money needed to attract the world’s elite
race’s founders and critical backing from — ANGELO K. TSAKOPOULOS
runners. “This event would not have gotten
”
Chairman of AKT Investments &
Tsakopoulos and Cummings. Original CIM financial backer
off the ground without their support,”
Profile Sponsored By
RunSRA.org
FOLSOM
PHOTO BY MIKE GRAFF
Home Expansion
Folsom’s annexation of 3,500 acres has been a boon for homebuilders and the city,
attracting young adults to its tech-heavy job market and diverse housing options
by Laurie Lauletta-Boshart

special supplement
Newlyweds Sanchita and Nimish Agashiwala

moved into their new house in Folsom Ranch
in November 2018, the first homebuyers in
the new development to do so.
I
n November 2018, first-time homebuyer the city council culminated in Measure W,
Nimish Agashiwala moved into Folsom
Ranch, a new planned residential com-
an annexation measure Folsom residents
passed with specific caveats: 30 percent “You see a lot of
munity south of Highway 50 in Folsom. of the land must be designated as open
Weary of renting, the 28-year-old Intel space; a dedicated and available water sup- mixed use, higher
engineer began searching for a home in ply must meet planned capacity; schools,
Folsom at the end of 2017 but couldn’t find parks and transportation improvements density, condo
anything that matched his budget and wish must meet the new residents’ needs; and,
list. “I wanted a single-story home with a most importantly, no additional taxes could options, small
big backyard that I could design to my lik- be imposed on existing residents. The final
ing,” he says. But the houses he saw were plan was adopted in 2011, and the landown- lots — options
beyond his $500,000 budget. ers spent the next several years working
After several months of house hunting, out the infrastructure construction. The you might see
Agashiwala found what he was looking for first two homebuilders, Taylor Morrison
when homebuilder Taylor Morrison opened and Lennar, began construction in Folsom in other more
its first tract in Folsom Ranch in early 2018: Ranch in early 2018. By June 2019, 220
a new single-story home he could custom-
ize and afford in a family-friendly commu-
homes were sold in the new community. Of
these first sales, more than 87 percent are
metropolitan
nity with bike trails, community parks and
new schools. He chose his lot and selected
buyers from Folsom and the surrounding
region, and nearly all were former renters.
areas, like the city
his upgrades (with input from his parents
and fiancée), then went to India for his wed-
At build-out in 25-30 years, approximately
11,500 homes are expected to be construct-
of Sacramento.”
ding. After returning, he and wife Sanchita ed, and 25,000 people are expected to live
moved in on Nov. 15 — the first homebuyers in the community. In all, the city has plans Pam Johns, community
in the project to do so. for an estimated 1,770 single-family units development director,
Young adults like Agashiwala who have to be built over the next eight years, includ- City of Folsom
previously been priced out of the escalating ing subdivisions in Folsom Ranch, Prospect
housing market are looking to communi- Ridge, The Harvest, Mangini Ranch, Russell
ties outside of urban centers to realize their Ranch, Empire Ranch and Islands. Another
goal of home ownership. And homebuilders 1,062 multifamily units are planned over the
are happy to oblige, designing affordable next three years at Bidwell Pointe, Talavera
and energy-efficient suburban homes with Ridge, The Hub, The Pique and Parkway.
technology upgrades not found in older
abodes. The city of Folsom is particularly A YOUNG DEMOGRAPHIC
appealing with its abundant open space, Folsom has been called the Silicon Valley
biking and walking trails, upscale shopping of the foothills because of the number of
centers, and highly rated schools. And, tech-heavy companies there, including In-
now, a new planned community. tel, which employs more than 6,000. Per
demographic data from the Greater Sacra-
ADDING ON mento Economic Council, the city’s median
With Folsom’s growing population, the an- age is 38, and median household income is
nexation of more than 3,500 acres south of $116,904. Comparatively, the median age
Highway 50 was proposed in 1992. Years of and income for the greater six-county Sac-
public hearings and input by residents and ramento region is 37 and $71,644, respec-

FOLSOM
tively. Folsom Economic Development’s been obvious to me in the last two years has
Choose Folsom campaign extols the bene- been an increase in the diversity of housing
fits of living in the community, like its No. 1 types being built here,” she says. “You see a
ranking by WalletHub as the best California lot of mixed use, higher density, condo op-
city to raise a family and the highest con- tions, small lots — options you might see in
centration of tech jobs in the Sacramento other more metropolitan areas, like the city
region. Ian Cornell, owner of CornellGroup, of Sacramento. Folsom is definitely starting
a Folsom advertising and marketing firm to market these different housing choices
helping market Folsom Ranch, believes the in and around the historic district and along
lifestyle amenities in the new community our transportation corridors.”
are very appealing to young adults, espe- Elliott Homes is building one of those
cially the town center, which will feature a product types. The family-owned build-
branch library, aquatic center, community er moved into the Folsom market in 1986,
center, town green, shopping and dining. purchasing nearly 4,000 acres, and has de-
“The planned town center in particular is veloped all but 8-10 percent. Elliott Homes
like a combination of Midtown and McKin- has designed several retail centers but is
ley Park (in Sacramento) — close to coffee primarily known as a homebuilder.
shops and live-work options — all accessi- Elliott’s newest residential project in
ble through a bike,” he says. Folsom is The Pique at Iron Point, a 327-unit
With low unemployment numbers (2.9 luxury-apartment complex. It offers easy
percent) and a high education rate (93.8 access to Highway 50, high-end appoint-
percent are high school graduates or high- ments and direct-access garages, plus a
er), millennials are one of the fastest grow- clubhouse, fitness center and pools for its
ing populations in Folsom (28 percent are one-, two- and three-bedroom units, priced
The Pique at Iron Point bills itself as a
luxury-apartment complex, with a clubhouse
20-39 years old). Pam Johns, Folsom’s from $2,095 to $3,245. The Pique is divided
among its amenities. Rent for its 327 units community development director, has no- in two building phases, with 117 units in the
starts at $2,095 to $3,245. ticed the shift. “One of the things that’s first and 210 in the second, with build-out
PHOTO BY TREVOR JOBSON AND CHRIS ROSE OF GLENN ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

special supplement
expected by fall of 2020. So far, 50 units

have been rented and occupied.
“A lot of people today are choosing not
to own their own house but still want some
pretty nice digs to live in. This is our recog-
nition that people deserve some very nice
alternatives to the houses we might build,”
Elliott says.
The largest demographic at The Pique is
college-educated residents ages 26-35 and
46-60, in the income bracket of $100,000-
$124,999.
RISING COSTS — AND

DEMANDS
While the homes in Folsom Ranch aren’t in-
expensive ($500,000s-$600,000s), they
offer a lifestyle including access to trails,
parks and schools at a price that’s compa-
rable to what buyers were paying in rent.
FARM-TO-CHOPSTICKS
MODERN ASIAN CUISINE. TIMELESS TRADITION.
According to the Sacramento Area Council
of Governments, the 2018 median rent val-
ue in Folsom is $2,268 per month, and the F A T 'S 2585 Iron Point Road 1500 Eureka Road
median housing value is $548,500. Com-
ASIA BISTRO Folsom 916-983-1133 Roseville 916-787-3287
fatsbistro.com
paratively, the median home sales price in
Sacramento County in October 2018 was
$360,000, but it varies depending on the
ZIP code, ranging from $235,000 in 95815
(north Sacramento area) to $574,250 in
95819 (East Sacramento).
Escalating rent costs plus the desire for
GET 1 YEAR
a fixed payment and a return on his invest-
ment were factors in Nimish Agashiwala OF COMSTOCK’S
wanting to buy and be part of a community.
Since moving to the new neighborhood in
Folsom Ranch, he’s started an online social
FOR ONLY $25
network on Nextdoor, and he noticed fam-
ilies come out in the evenings and children
WELCOME TO MAIN STREET | TEACHING THE TEACHERS | FILLING A FITNESSBENICHE
ADES YOND
THE TR FOOD
D FOR TRUC
KS |
TR AINE ARE YO
5G | U RECE
play on the street. “It feels like a connected

RE SS ON SSION
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PROG ADY?
| SLOW
BUSINESS INSIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL REGION AUGUST ‘19 VOL. 31 | NO. 8
NO. 6 BUSINE | BUSIN
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31 |
‘19 VOL
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FOR SU
JUN T FOR
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community now, and we like being a part of IGH T FOR

THE
CAPITAL
REGION
JUL ‘19
VOL.
SS INS
that,” he says. n
31 |
BUSINE NO. 7
Laurie Lauletta-Boshart is a contributing writer

and editor for consumer publications, Fortune
elingt it
FuBring
500 companies, small business and higher ed- the Fig
h How Major Leagueind
te
ustryand other big projects
Soccer
nt
SACRAMENTO MAYOR
DARRELL STEINBERG
ucation. She has written for Dwell, ESPN, Wall

can help privaThe Railyards
dbring preve back to life
te an ether to ldfires
The sta tog
rking Womack
by Graham g wi
are wo statin an
deva Christia
by Sen
Street Journal, SI.com (Sports Illustrated) and

others. On Twitter @laurieboshart.
also available at area
NUGGET MARKETS and BARNES & NOBLE!

For a complete location of newsstand locations or to subscribe visit
www.comstocksmag.com/subscribe

FOLSOM
PHOTO COURTESY OF INTEL CORPORATION
Silicon Foothills
The lower cost of living in Folsom is incentivizing tech companies to locate to the
foothill city instead of the famous valley
by Luis Gael Jimenez

special supplement
Intel, which makes mobile processors, is the

largest employer in Folsom. The company
chose to build here because "it had the
best blend of neighborhoods and affordable
living," according to communications
manager Linda Qian.
“What I think you’re going to see is a vibrant tech hub with

a pretty high per capita income as compared to other
communities.”
Don Pearson, chief strategy officer, Inductive Automation
F
or a long time, Folsom was known plotting its use long before tech companies
for being the home of the peniten- were setting up shop in the rolling hills of
tiary where Johnny Cash recorded the region. City planners took into account
his iconic “At Folsom Prison” album, but the estimated population growth, transporta-
lakeside city’s reputation has been chang- tion, education and even nature conserva-
ing in recent years. These days, it’s a bur- tion and plotted out how best to use the real
geoning technology hub, competing with estate.
Silicon Valley as a potential home for tech Joe Gagliardi, president and CEO of the
companies. Greater Folsom Partnership, has seen the
The affluent suburb has become a rising city flourish because of that plan.
hot spot for startups, venture capital firms “Part of the goal in the ’80s was to make
and Fortune 500 companies. Companies sure that it wasn’t a bedroom community,
like Toshiba, Moneta Ventures, StemEx- but was instead a community people could
press and Intel are there, and Intel alone live and work and recreate in,” Gagliardi
employs more people than Folsom State says. “(The plan) set the framework for how
Prison’s employees and inmates combined. the city should grow. … Now, Folsom has a
Though it may seem like it happened pretty incredible jobs-to-housing balance.
overnight, Folsom’s transformation has The amount of households and the amount
been in the works since the 1980s, when the of jobs are about one to one.”
population began ballooning from a small Because of the success of that plan, in
bedroom community of around 11,000 to 2018 Folsom created another 30-year gen-
79,000 people. eral plan, which included the annexation of
In 1988, the city adopted a 30-year 3,500 acres south of Highway 50. The plan
plan, annexing land around Folsom and estimates the city’s population will grow by

FOLSOM
PHOTO COURTESY OF INTEL CORPORATION

Intel installed a solar carport in 2016 at its another 25,000-30,000 people in the next He also sees Folsom on the verge of
Folsom campus that generates more than 30 years. While the city can’t predict how becoming a major hub for technology.
half of the site's needed electricity at peak
many businesses will move to the region, it “What I think you’re going to see is a vi-
capacity.
anticipates they will keep coming. brant tech hub with a pretty high per cap-
“Folsom is positioned to be a commu- ita income as compared to other commu-
nity that’s desirable well into the future,” nities,” Pearson says.
Gagliardi says. “Living in a safe commu- It’s the city’s biggest selling point,
nity where there’s good education (and) since it cannot really offer any incentives
good recreational opportunities makes for to corporations other than affordability,
a community that I think is desirable for Gagliardi says. “It’s pretty hard to incen-
people that are in the tech fields.” He says tivize in California,” Gagliardi says. “There
those lifestyle opportunities don’t neces- (are) very few tools. The state of Califor-
sarily exist in other tech hubs like Silicon nia has made it difficult to provide those
Valley. kinds of incentives anymore. So now it’s
Don Pearson, chief strategy officer of about cost of living.”
Inductive Automation, an industrial soft- Cost of living was one of the biggest
ware company based in Folsom, agrees. factors in Intel choosing Folsom as a home
“I was in the Bay Area before (I was in for one of its sites, says Linda Qian, a com-
Folsom), and by the time I went to work munications manager for the company.
in the morning and came home at night, “One of our employees — employee No.
I didn’t have much time for anything else. 22, Ted Jenkins — was driving around the
Here, I can coach my kids’ Little League. I Sacramento area and ended up picking
can go waterskiing at night, I can actual- Folsom as a future site because it had the
ly still do stuff vs. just go to work, come best blend of neighborhoods and afford-
home and go back to work,” Pearson says. able living,” Qian says. “It turned out really
“I can be home here.” well for us.”

special supplement
Pearson says the community of Fol-

som cannot be understated as a factor in
“The state of California has made
why companies choose the area. “For any
company to be successful, it has to create
it difficult to provide those kinds of
an environment in which its employees feel
that they can build their own lives around. incentives (for corporations) anymore.
Folsom is that place,” he says. “The envi-
ronment and the community of Folsom, the So now it’s about cost of living.”
surrounding recreational opportunities, the
strength of its schools, the affordability of Joe Gagliardi, president and CEO, Greater Folsom Partnership
its housing market are all components that
attract companies to locate here.” “Folsom is a great place to raise a fami-
People from all over the country have ly. It’s safe, quiet, the schools are excellent,”
been moving to Folsom for career oppor- Mondul says, adding that its neighborhood
tunities, and these highly skilled, highly charm is what made it more practical than
educated workers are integrating into the other tech hubs. “(Folsom is) nowhere near
established community. the critical mass you see with tech compa-
Such was the case for Juan Mondul nies in the Bay Area. It’s a lot easier to try
when Intel approached him in 2002 while and raise a family in a place like Folsom —
he was finishing his master’s degree in busi- and a lot less stressful.” n
ness at Purdue University in his home state
of Indiana. Mondul, a father, says he quickly Luis Gael Jimenez is an award-winning writ-
fell in love with the area because of what it er and photojournalist living in Sacramento.
provided for his family and has stayed in the On Instagram @itakewalksalot and Twitter
area, even after leaving Intel in 2016. @luisgaeljimenez.
BRIDGING EDUCATION
& INNOVATION
10 College Parkway, Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 608-6500
www.flc.losrios.edu
GREAT SHOWS. UP CLOSE.

IN FOLSOM.
10 College Parkway, Folsom, CA 95630
Ticket Office (916) 608-6888
www.harriscenter.net
FOLSOM
Go Outside and Play

Folsom’s multiuse trail system and waterways highlight the city’s outdoor
recreational opportunities
story and photos by Steve Martarano

special supplement
Swimmers wait for the start of the

Folsom Triathlon on July 14, at the
American River.
W
hen the City of Folsom hired Active Transportation Program grant fund-
Jim Konopka away from Cal- ing has covered most of the trail costs to
trans in 1997 for the new po- help construct a system that crisscrosses
sition of senior trails planner, designated the city and its downtown district, connect-
pedestrian and biking trails within the city ing with El Dorado County and the 32-mile
limits were scarce. Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail that origi-
“There really wasn’t much there,” nates in Sacramento.
Konopka says of those early days on the job. “Quality of life is the No. 1 driver,”
“We had maybe 2 or 3 miles.” McAlea says. She describes Folsom as a hy-
By the time Konopka, 55, retired in De- brid city that shares features of both urban
cember 2018, he had left quite a legacy. and rural communities. “The investment
With his hire, Folsom officials committed to Folsom has made in trails says a lot about
improving its trail system, cooperating with what we value.”
other state and local planners and utilizing a “Anyone who uses one of the greatest
dedicated core of volunteers. amenities we have in the city of Folsom,
Today, the number of trail miles is 53, which is our trail system, owes a debt of
taking users through Folsom’s open space gratitude to Jim Konopka,” Will Kempton,
corridors near creeks and streams, green- head of Folsom Chamber of Commerce’s
belts, wooded areas and wildlife habitats, economic and business development, said
Jim Konopka, retired Folsom senior trails
allowing easy access to an abundance of in a video produced by the Chamber when planner, stands on the bridge over Humbug
recreational options. Konopka received the chamber’s 2019 Pub- Creek that is named after him, the Jim
The trail system details how Folsom, lic Service Award. Konopka Volunteer Bridge.
with a population of approximately 79,000
(there were around 40,000 residents in
1997), has leveraged its outdoor opportu-
nities to give the city an advantage in at-
tracting new residents and businesses to
the area, says Mary Ann McAlea, Folsom
Chamber senior vice president.
The 21.74-square-mile Sacramento
County city, the home of Folsom State Pris-
on, features a historic downtown, access to
the American River Parkway, Lake Nato-
ma, Folsom Lake, and Nimbus and Folsom
dams. The city has 46 developed parks, as
well as other recreational facilities such as
the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center.
Connecting those resources are the
trails, with access points in virtually every
Folsom neighborhood and retail center.
Since 1997, approximately $16 million in

FOLSOM
Bicyclists head toward the Robbers Ravine Folsom’s bicycle shops, which offer Zukose says probably every employee
Bridge on the 6.3 mile Johnny Cash Trail. sales and rentals, are benefitting from the has used the adjacent trails for biking, run-
city’s enhanced trails system. Francisco ning or hiking — many every day. The com-
Palop, the inventory manager for Folsom pany also provides shower facilities and
Bike, says he’s an avid biker who lived in equipment loaners for employees to utilize.
Southern California and has extensively “It’s a great recruitment tool,” she says.
used trails in Arizona, Northern Nevada The city’s trail system has also attract-
and Tahoe, but he thinks Folsom’s trail sys- ed world-class sporting events, including
tem beats those areas for ease of use and three Amgen Tour of California legs since
access. 2014, and riders have used Folsom’s trails
“Coming out here and seeing the vari- when other cities host the ride, including
ety of trails, I just fell in love,” Palop says. in May when neighbor Rancho Cordova
Folsom-based business software com- hosted. In conjunction with Amgen, in Oc-
pany Inductive Automation, which outgrew tober 2018, Folsom was the start and finish
its space in the Palladio center about two point for L’etape, a 90-mile nonprofessional
years ago, is one business taking advan- endurance ride through the Sierra Nevada
tage of local recreational opportunities. The foothills.
company’s new office on Blue Ravine Road Folsom has participated in several
backs up to the American River and adjoin- endurance events over the years, but this
ing trails, allowing its 100-200 employees year’s Folsom Triathlon on July 14 was
to bike or even kayak to work, says Kristine almost entirely in Folsom. Almost 700
Zukose, the company’s director of public athletes participated in several aquatic,
activities. running and biking events, says Ryan

special supplement
Coelho, race director and CEO of USA

Productions, the race organizer. “Having Folsom’s trail system has also attracted
events in our sweet spot is really important
to us,” McAlea says. world-class sporting events, including
Folsom relies on support from nonprofit
and volunteer groups like Friends of Folsom three Amgen Tour of California legs
Parkways, which sponsors community-ser-
vice days and a new project every April, since 2014.
says Brett Bollinger, the city’s senior trails
planner. The Jim Konopka Volunteer Bridge,
for example, was built in 2009 when vol-
unteers spent 12 Saturdays working on the
project.
After opening in the fall of 2017, the
6.3 mile paved Johnny Cash Trail is a pop-
ular way for the city to highlight its history
with Folsom State Prison. Cash, who died
in 2003, was forever linked to the facility
when he performed “Folsom Prison Blues”
there in January 1968 that resulted in a live
album.
The trail honoring the singer begins
near the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, with
users able to take in views of the American
River and Folsom Lake. Eight art installa-
tions along the Johnny Cash Trail route will
be installed as funding becomes available,
Bollinger says. The first, a 7-foot guitar pick, PICTURED BACK ROW [L-R]: ASSOCIATES: SHERRY IRONS, DIANE LUND, RAQUEL ALTAVILLA, RACHEL MEEKER, CATHY
will be installed at the beginning of the trail HARRIS, AND LISA HAMILTON | PICTURED FRONT ROW [L-R]: PARTNERS: RYAN JANTZEN, DEBBIE HIGHTOWER, BILL
ALTAVILLA, CHRIS REEG, AND SCOTT GORDON
next year.
The city’s next major trail expansion will
DREAM BIG • PLAN WISELY • LIVE FULLY
come with its south of Highway 50 Folsom
Ranch development plan scheduled for the • A team you can trust with proven success for over twenty years
next 25-30 years. The plan includes a mix of • Our primary distinction is to provide an objective, unbiased viewpoint
homes, businesses, parks and open space • Customized investment planning for each client’s unique needs and
all interconnected by a network of tree- circumstances
lined streets and mixed-use trails, Bollinger
We advise each client using a long-term investment plan and then structure customized
says.
portfolios to help achieve their goals. We accomplish this through a time-proven
“I didn’t really think it would get to
process of listening attentively and questioning appropriately while providing ongoing
where the system is now,” Konopka says.
counsel, education and support. We take great care to include the insights and advice
“But we had the full support of the city, and
of our client’s other trusted advisors, such as accountants and attorneys, in order to
I just put my head down and kept working,
deliver a comprehensive plan aimed at meeting each client’s financial goals.
and slowly we started seeing the results. It
was hard to walk away from that.” n
Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacra-

mento Union for 10 years during the 1980s and
worked as a sportswriter, was on the daytime 1130 Iron Point Rd., Ste. 100, Folsom, CA 95630
crime beat and reviewed concerts. On Twitter Phone: 916-932-0150 – Fax: 916-932-0155
@MartArchives. Offices in Placerville and Lodi by appointment only
www.PICwealth.com
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN).
Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Pacific
Investment Consultants is a separate entity from WFAFN. (CAR #0119-01532)

FOLSOM
PHOTO: COURTESY OF D’ARTAGNAN VINEYARDS AND WINERY
In Good Taste
Collaboration between private businesses and the city is pushing
Folsom to become a wine-tasting destination
by Jennifer Fergesen

special supplement
Customers sit at the bar of D’Artagnan

Vineyards’ tasting room in Historic Folsom,
which opened in 2014. Three other tasting
rooms have opened there since, and a fifth is
coming soon.
F
olsom is taking wine seriously. In Au- Folsom, like the Western settler promoters Bernau, is the developer of the Roundhouse
gust 2018, the city released its gen- of the city’s gold-rush glory days. “I don’t building in the Historic Folsom Station.
eral plan for 2035, which includes see it as competition at all,” Reitz says. Clair says Willamette Valley Vineyards’
the imperative: “Brand Folsom as the ‘Gate- “People just love to walk from one tasting space will be the most elaborate tasting
way to the Foothills Wine Region.’” Drive room to another to sample new wines, so room in Folsom, with multiple daily flight
through town and the surrounding area, and the more (that) come in, the better.” options, food pairings and a “barrel blend-
the aspired designation makes sense. One of Reitz’s successful converts is Jeff ing experience” that lets customers create
Past historic downtown, a half-mile strip Bauman of Due Ragazze Vineyards, D’Art- their own customized bottles. Clair de-
of gold-rush relics, the rolling foothills of the agnan’s neighbor in both El Dorado County scribes the mood of the space as a whimsi-
Sierra Nevada open up like the pages of a and its Folsom store. Bauman agrees that cal “steampunk-wine-country casual,” with
book. Nearly every valley for miles seems to Folsom’s tasting rooms help all of the wine- enough gears and levers to build a Victorian
house a winery. In El Dorado County, there’s makers involved, and he adds that Historic automaton.
D’Artagnan Vineyards and Due Ragazze Folsom’s other businesses benefit from the Despite the novel aesthetic, Willamette
Vineyards, both frequent honorees in the extra traffic. When tasters get hungry, they Valley’s goal is to be “a local feature, a local
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. visit one of the district’s restaurants, some- company and a big part of the community,”
Amador County has more than 40, and the times for takeout they bring for an indoor Clair says. To that end, it’s making wines
grape vines continue to climb up the rugged picnic at the cedar tables D’Artagnan and from local grapes for the Folsom location
terrain surrounding Tahoe National Forest. Due Ragazze share. “We’re interested in under the name Natoma — a callout to
A handful of those hill-hidden vineyards selling wine, not food,” Bauman says. Natoma Vineyard, which was the largest in
have chosen to open tasting rooms on Fol- Folsom’s tasting rooms, restaurants the world when it was planted near Folsom
som’s Sutter Street, where a wine scene has and other businesses regularly team up in the 1880s.
been fomenting for years. There will soon to stage events that benefit everyone in- Far from fearing the out-of-state com-
be a new addition when Oregon-based volved, like the annual Sutter Street Sip petition, Folsom’s small family of winery
Willamette Valley Vineyards moves into a and Stroll, a wine-focused block party that tasting rooms is looking forward to wel-
spot in the Roundhouse building in October. involves more than 20 venues. Earlier this coming its newest member. “We’re going to
With securing the big-name tenant and the year, business owners helped organize a join in with them and see what we can do
city’s marketing push, Folsom is positioning months-long calendar of parties and pro- to promote the area more,” says Reitz. He
itself to become a regional wine destination. motions leading up to the centennial of envisions an explosion of tasting rooms in
“There’s a certain synergy as you get Rainbow Bridge on Feb. 10. For the finale on Folsom — up to 15 along Sutter Street alone
more and more tasting rooms in,” says Bob May 4, the bridge became a 500-foot-long — with a winery association to bring them
Reitz, who owns the 12-year-old winery tasting room, where guests sampled wine all together.
D’Artagnan Vineyards with wife Bonnie. and small plates from local businesses as “They say we’re what Napa used to be
When the couple opened shop in a barn- the sun set. 20 years ago,” he says. “People are realiz-
red storefront on Sutter Street in 2014, It’s this collaborative spirit that helped ing there’s high-quality wines here in Fol-
there were no other tasting rooms in His- win over Folsom’s newest tasting-room som.” n
toric Folsom. Today, there are four packed tenant, says Christine Clair, Willamette Val-
into two storefronts on Sutter Street, with ley Vineyards winery director. “We became Jennifer Fergesen is a freelance writer who
D’Artagnan Vineyards, Due Ragazze Vine- attracted to Folsom because it’s a very covers food and the stories behind it. Born
yards, Rempfer Cellars and Merlo Family tight-knit community,” she says. “There’s in New Jersey, she has written for publica-
Vineyards. Tastings start at around $10- an amazing amount of public service and tions around the world, including in Iceland
$15. citizen leaders that are trying to create a and the United Kingdom. Read more at
The Reitzes have embraced their status family-friendly great place to be.” The win- jcfrgsn.journoportfolio.com.
as tasting-room pioneers. They encourage ery’s founder, Jim Bernau, has close connec-
other foothill winemakers to open spaces in tions to that community; his brother, Jerry

FOLSOM
PHOTO BY BOREL PHOTOGRAPHY (WWW.BORELFOTO.COM)
Focal Point
Longtime journalist Cristina Mendonsa produces and hosts a video and
podcast series about hometown Folsom
by Christina Kiefer

special supplement
Cristina Mendonsa is working on the third

season of a hyperlocal video series about
Folsom.
H
ers is a familiar face and voice — What are some surprising things Folsom offers an abundance of innovation
with good reason. For more than 20 you have learned about Folsom and recreation opportunities. We are home
years, Cristina Mendonsa was a re- in making this series? to some of the best biking and running trails
porter and anchor for Sacramento’s ABC10. in the country. We also have a very innova-
After parting with the station in 2017, the I would have to say how much global reach tive chamber and elected city officials who
Greater Folsom Partnership approached the city has. There are so many innovative are committed to Folsom’s growth and long-
Mendonsa to produce a hyperlocal digital companies here in Folsom, and those com- term success. … I don’t know of another
news series to cover business, education, panies have had an incredible impact on the city that would hire a journalist to dig into
innovation, recreation and tourism in the community, our resources and education. their issues without a guarantee that the
city of Folsom. We’ve also seen Folsom transform into a results would be positive. Not only has the
And she did. Launched in September high-tech community, with a number of city been so open, they’re paying me to do
2017, Mendonsa hosts and produces “Fol- Silicon Valley companies building satellite this work!
som Focus,” and her company, Mendonsa offices here in Folsom.
Media, shoots and edits it. What influence do you think the
Mendonsa, who is a morning co-host What would you like to see series has had on the community?
for News 93.1 KFBK, has called Folsom changed or added in Folsom?
home for 23 years. She says the project is Resources in news can be scarce, which
solely funded by Silicon Valley new media I know our city officials consider health care is why many people have turned to
investors, and while she collaborates with a big priority and would like to see more community-based news platforms for local
the chamber on topics, she was given a lot hospitals added within city limits. Personal- news. Residents often send me ideas for
of latitude to design the series. She’s com- ly, I am probably the most curious about the “Folsom Focus,” and after our first season,
pleted two seasons consisting of 30 video city’s growth and to see how that growth we developed a great fanbase. People talk
and 19 podcast episodes that are available will impact the city’s development and to me about the series all the time and have
on YouTube. services. really engaged with receiving their local
She recently spoke with Comstock’s news via this platform.
about the series and life in Folsom. What was your favorite episode
to film? What’s next for the series?
What about “Folsom Focus” has
excited you the most? Several come to mind. We shot a really fun The first two seasons of “Folsom Focus”
episode out at Folsom High School about a launched in the fall, so we are currently
From the start, “Folsom Focus” was creat- couple that runs an innovative drama pro- preparing for season three. Folsom is such
ed to inform residents. I was tasked to ask gram for students. Another great one was a great place to live and a great place to tell
the hard questions and objectively tell sto- about the drones Intel developed here in stories. I’m excited to continue pushing this
ries. As an example, one episode discussed Folsom that were used in the (2018 Winter initiative forward and bring the city more
the issue of homelessness in our commu- Olympics in South Korea). We also did a “Folsom Focus” stories in the very near
nity and examined what the city and local great piece on how the city came together future.” n
agencies are doing to combat the issue. The and gathered supplies to support the vic-
goal has always been to give residents a full tims of the Camp Fire in Paradise. Christina Kiefer is a communications consul-
picture of what the city is doing, which is tant and freelance writer based in Sacramento
why from the start I have been so excited to What do you think makes Folsom who specializes in public relations, copywrit-
work on this project. stand out as a city? ing, content marketing and strategy.

FOLSOM
Calendar of Events
2019 2020
September February
21 COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY TBA TAP FOLSOM
Various locations in Folsom Palladio
www.folsomcommunityservice.org 330 Palladio Parkway
www.tapfolsom.com
21 FOLSOM LIVE
Sutter Street
Historic Folsom April
www.folsomlive.com 4 AMERICAN RIVER 50 MILE RUN
Beals Point
7806 Auburn-Folsom Road
October www.ar50mile.com
5 FOLSOM GLOW RUN
905 Leidesdorff Street 4 SUTTER STREET SIP AND STROLL
Historic Folsom 929 Sutter Street
www.folsom.ca.us Historic Folsom
www.historicfolsom.org
20 FOLSOM BLUES BREAKOUT
HALF MARATHON May
Johnny Cash Bridge, Folsom 9 LOVE MY MOM 5K
www.folsomblueshalf.org Whole Foods
270 Palladio Parkway
www.folsom.ca.us/default.asp
November
1-30 FOLSOM HISTORIC DISTRICT June
ICE RINK
Historic Folsom 27 HISTORIC FOLSOM’S
www.folsomicerink.com HOMETOWN PARADE
Sutter Street
Historic Folsom
14 FOLSOM WOMEN’S www.historicfolsom.org
CONFERENCE
Palladio July
Palladio Parkway
Harris Center 2-4 FOLSOM PRO RODEO
10 College Parkway Dan Russell Rodeo Arena
www.folsomchamber.com 403 Stafford Street
www.folsomprorodeo.com
December August
8 CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL 1 WACKY DASH
MARATHON Historic Folsom
7550 Folsom-Auburn Road 200 Stafford Street
www.runsra.org/california-international-marathon www.folsom.ca.us

Proudly
Proudly partnering
partnering
special supplement
Proudly
to partnering
to support
support the
the
to support
community
community the
of Folsom
of Folsom
community of Folsom
Mangini
ManginiRanch
RanchElementary
ElementarySchool
School

Locally owned.
Locally produced.
Nationally recognized.
SHOOTING R MFOR SUCCESS | SLOW PROGRESS ON 5G | TRAINED FOR THE TRADES
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| CHA RS |
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BUSINESS INSIGHT FOR THE CAPITAL REGION JUN ‘19 VOL. 31 | NO. 6
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by Sena Christian
YEARS
Anniversary
www.comstocksmag.com

Capital Region Cares
Caring for our

Community
hat makes a community? We believe a community is people working together to improve
the lives of those who live in this region, the 10 counties served by Comstock’s. Many of
our community’s heroes are well-known, including firefighters, law enforcement and oth-
er first responders, but the Capital Region has many others who do heroic work, often behind the
scenes, unsung, and with little or no financial reward.
They are the hundreds of nonprofit and volunteer organizations that tend to the many needs
of our community, including supporting the arts, helping the homeless, rescuing abused animals,
and making families stronger with job and educational help.
This is the 24th year of our Capital Region Cares program. In these pages, and more in the
months to come, we will introduce you to the nonprofit and volunteer organizations that add so
much richness to our community. All of them could use financial support or a partner to help them
achieve their mission.
Philanthropy can be a valuable part of any business plan, and it can take many forms. Finan-
cial support is certainly an obvious one. But many of these community groups need expertise and
other forms of help. Some could use volunteers. Some could use grant writers. Some could use
help with financial planning. Some would value the business expertise of a new member to their
board of directors.
We know many in the business community are generous and would like to help but need some
direction to know where they can make the most effective contribution. We hope through the
stories and other information we share in these and upcoming Capital Region Cares pages that
Comstock’s can be a matchmaker and provide guidance to make an informed decision.
We know business cares deeply about this region in ways that are not always measured on a
balance sheet, and we’re glad we can make the introductions that can bring the two worlds of our
community together for the greater good of all.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
September 2017 | comstocksmag.com

March 2019 95
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• Bonnie Bay • Bonnie
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Foundation • Boys and Girls Club • Butte County Fire
& Girls Club • Butte County Fire Victims •Butte County Sheriff Search andVictims Canine
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Companions for Independence • Casa de Esparanza • CASA - School Supply
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& Backpack Drive • Center for Land-Based Learning • Challenged Family
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Chop’s Teen Club • Chop’s Teen Club • Children’s Law Center • Coats for Kids
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•California
Special Olympics of Northern California • St. Jude Children’s Research
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • The First Tee of
Hospital
Greater• The First Tee ofThe
Sacramento Greater
Human Sacramento • The Human
Race - Sonoma CountyRace - Sonoma
• Toys for
County
Tots Triumph Cancer Foundation • United Cerebral Palsy • VeteransPalsy
• Toys for Tots • Triumph Cancer Foundation • United Cerebral of
• Veterans
Foreign Wars of Foreign
• WEAVE Wars• • WEAVEHS
Windsor • Windsor HS Safe
Safe & Sober Grad& Sober Grad
Project Project
• Work
Training
• Work Training Yolo Farm
Center •Center to Farm
• Yolo Fork •toYolo
ForkLand
• Yolo Trust Youth•onYouth
Land• Trust Course
on
Youth
Course and Family
• Youth Programs
& Family Programs
CA DOI License #0B01094 | www.iwins.com

CA DOI License #0B01094 | www.iwins.com
CAPITAL REGION CARES COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Cristo Rey High School

College ready, career prepared.
C
risto Rey High School Sacramento provides a quality Catholic About 80 percent of student-work positions are paid by the
college-preparatory education to students who have limited businesses receiving the students’ services, while the remaining
financial resources, and a unique work study component students work at nonprofits, with a few of those positions funded by
enriches students’ lives beyond their academic accomplishments. local organizations who believe in the program. “We try to convert
Every student works five days per month, gaining valuable the unfunded positions into paid positions,” says Perry, “and look to
experience in jobs at medical facilities, construction companies, law our business community and philanthropic organizations to help us
firms, lobbying firms, marketing and public relations businesses, do that.”
local government, and more. Cristo Rey is a key workforce development partner for the
For the 2019-20 school year, Cristo Rey has more than 380 Sacramento region. “We’re developing this region’s next generation
students enrolled in ninth through 12th grades. This past spring, 87 of workforce through our college prep academics and, in partnership
seniors graduated and 100 percent of them were accepted to at least with businesses, our work study program,” concludes Perry. “We will
one college. Nearly 70 percent chose a four-year university, including continue to partner with as many organizations as possible to serve
Sacramento State, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UCLA and, for the first students who otherwise wouldn’t have these opportunities.”
time, a Cristo Rey graduate has been accepted at Stanford University.
“Covering 60 percent of our budget, the work study relationships
between our students and the business community are Cristo Rey’s
financial engine,” says Cristo Rey’s President, David Perry, Ed.D.
“Students work to offset the cost of their education as well as to
obtain critical insight into the job market and their futures. Our work profile generously sponsored by
study program has more than 115 business partners, including 10
new ones, so we continue to grow.”
CRHSS.ORG
F F o
S Funding an array of college
possibilities.
F
or students without family precedent, individual guidance Sacramento’s standards, and the strongest candidates are
and financial means, college can seem unattainable. Complex chosen from about 300 applications each year. The benefits of
college applications and financial assistance paperwork receiving a Future Sacramento scholarship include mentoring
complicate things further. Future Foundation of Sacramento and assistance with accessing college, participating in college-
identifies students who, despite these obstacles, show prep activities and financial aid workshops, and the opportunity
motivation and the ability to excel, and provides an array of to receive up to five years in college funding, a value of $25,000.
resources to overcome the challenges. The first Future Sacramento scholarship was awarded in
“Our mission is to provide volunteer mentoring and 2010. Since then, local students have been awarded more than
scholarship funding to local financially qualified students in 100 annual scholarships with more than $625,000 provided
support of their college education,” says Elizabeth Marlow, in scholarship funding. In addition, through the financial aid
executive director. “We help low-income, would-be first- advocacy provided by Future Sacramento staff, students have
generation college students gain admission to and graduate received more than $2 million from financial aid grants and
from college.” other scholarships.
An intensive selection process throughout Sacramento-area Future Sacramento operates with only one staff member
high schools identifies 10th grade students who meet Future and with indispensable assistance from volunteer mentors,

We extend our
appreciation to our
generous donors
and Grant Napear
for their support
in ensuring the
continued success
of our program.”
SINDIA MAYA — MICHAEL ANDERSON
FUTURE SACRAMENTO RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE BOARD PRESIDENT
a dedicated board of directors and generous donors. These the NYU Tisch School of the Arts who interned in and now works
supporting individuals are rewarded by seeing students not in the film industry.
only getting into college, but earning degrees. Each July, Future Sacramento welcomes volunteers, and donors are
the Grant Napear Fairway to the Future fundraising golf greatly needed to fund scholarships. “We make the most efficient
tournament is a chance for Future Sacramento graduates to use of donated funds, ensuring all available resources are in place
celebrate their achievements and express thanks to those who to help scholarship recipients through graduation,” Marlow says.
helped them succeed. “Please join us in building a foundation for more students to
“If it weren’t for Future Sacramento, I wouldn’t be here as a attend and succeed in college.”
Cal Poly SLO graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil
engineering, plus a minor in construction management,” said
Sindia Maya, a 2019 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, at this
year’s tournament. “I can still remember being accepted into
Future Sacramento in 2012. That was the moment the question
changed from, ‘Am I going to be able to go to college?’ to ‘What
do I have to (do) on my part to make it possible?’ I’m a story
of what a human being can accomplish when simply given an
opportunity and a little bit of faith and support by individuals.”
Other Future Sacramento college graduates include the very
first Future graduate Monica Sandoval, who’s earned a master’s
degree; Diem Le, the first Future graduate to go to pharmacy
profile generously sponsored by
school; Eden Racket, a University of Chicago graduate who earned
special honors in English with his degree and is now a legal
writing specialist; Luciano Zuniga, a recent UC Berkeley graduate
with a bachelor of arts in public health who started a job with The
Greenlining Institute; and Sophia Fields, a graduate this year of
FUTUREFOUNDATIONSACRAMENTO.ORG
Shriners Hospital
Destination of choice.
L
ocated in the heart of Sacramento, Shriners Hospitals for Since opening in 1997, Shriners Hospital in Sacramento has
Children – Northern California is a destination of choice accepted more than 85,000 children for care. Located adjacent
for families in need of highly specialized care for kids with to the UC Davis Medical Center, Shriners Hospital is the only
complex medical needs and congenital differences. standalone children’s hospital in the region. Each patient’s
Doctors, nurses and other health providers refer more than journey begins with a clinical evaluation, and doctors chart an
7,000 children to the Northern California Shriners Hospital for care individual course of care for each child, which is delivered in a
each year. They include kids with cerebral palsy, clubfoot, spina family-friendly environment.
bifida, scoliosis, limb deficiencies, hip disorders, sports injuries, “With 80 percent of children served coming to us from
colorectal issues, acute burns, facial feature abnormalities, spinal within 100 miles, we’re an incredible community resource,” says
cord injury and more. Patients come from near and far, and kids Anderson. “A gift to Shriners Hospital is a gift to our community.”
treated often require surgical care and acute rehabilitation. An enormous asset to the Sacramento region, Shriners
“While each child comes for a different reason, families Hospitals for Children welcomes philanthropic involvement from
depend on Shriners Hospital for care that otherwise would be the business community.
outside their reach, due to an absence of specialty care in their
community or treatment limits defined by insurance coverage
or financial constraints,” says Alan Anderson, director of
development. “A big misconception is that Shriners is a safety-
net hospital. We welcome all kids — with or without insurance.
The truth is that charitable giving ensures that all children in need
of our services have access to the Shriners gift of specialized
pediatric care.”

SHRINERSCHILDRENS.ORG
City Of Refuge
Sacramento Returning dignity, Restoring lives,
Rebuilding community.
F
ounded by Loren and Rachelle homes that can house 16 women and
Ditmore, City of Refuge children and a community center
Sacramento supports people as on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
they transform their lives, ultimately helping their communities thrive. However, fundraising is underway for a new comprehensive facility
This nonprofit is helping to “Return Dignity, Restore Lives, and Rebuild adjacent to the community center.
Community” in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood. City of Refuge looks to raise $5 million by 2021 for its new four-
Previously known for crime and poverty, Oak Park is experiencing story facility that will provide permanent supportive housing for
a rebirth with recent redevelopment. “An emerging community has up to 40 families, HauteBird restaurant for job development and a
many benefits, but longtime residents can be priced out and tight-knit trauma-informed child-care center. “It’ll be a one-stop shop for life
neighborhoods disrupted,” says Rachelle. “Community is everything transformation for those who really want to better themselves,” says
to people in impoverished areas. By offering housing, employment Loren. “We encourage the business community to help us build this
development and youth-engagement services, we create inclusive center to ensure opportunity for everyone in Oak Park and beyond.”
space for these residents to stay a part of Oak Park.”
City of Refuge’s housing program offers emergency and long-
term transitional housing for women and their children who have
been abused, exploited or come from broken backgrounds. The
organization’s employment arm provides job readiness training and profile generously sponsored by
helps place women from their housing program and transitional-age
youth in jobs with partner businesses, including HauteBird restaurant.
Their youth engagement branch operates multiple programs in 10 area
schools from elementary through high school.
The first City of Refuge home opened 10 years ago, and it has served
nearly 300 women and children. Facilities currently consist of two area
CITYOFREFUGESAC.COM September 2019 | comstocksmag.com 101

Meals On Wheels
A resource for all seniors.
M
eals on Wheels helps keep Sacramento County seniors in throughout Sacramento County. About 2,000 meals are served
their homes and communities by providing nutritious meals, every day. Meals on Wheels also has an AniMeals service that
safety net services, social contact and community resources. provides pet food for homebound participants’ dogs and cats.
The organization serves seniors aged 60 and better regardless of In addition to home-delivered meals, Meals on Wheels has 20
their income level. All Seasons Cafes located throughout Sacramento County, where
“There’s a misconception that Meals on Wheels is income- seniors just have to be 60 or better to enjoy lunch and meet others.
based,” says Kevin McAllister, executive director. “Our services Cafe participants can choose to contribute $3 for lunch, but this is
are available to all seniors who meet the age requirement and are never required.
homebound due to illness, disability or other causes that prevent “We would like to serve more seniors and have more All Seasons
them from leaving their home.” Cafes,” says McAllister. “We’re also looking for ways to help at-risk
The organization’s mission is to enhance the dignity and quality or homeless seniors connect with much needed services. Individual
of life of Sacramento County older adults through nutritional donations can allow us to expand our services, so please help us
programs and assessments of needs, supportive services, and support our community’s seniors.”
assistance to families and caregivers.
“Beyond our meal service, we’re enabling seniors to engage
with others and age in place,” says McAllister. “Many homebound,
isolated seniors need our daily visit, which also allows us to do
welfare checks and provide referrals to community resources if
needed.”
Meals on Wheels currently has 23 vehicles and 243 volunteer
drivers who cover about 2,600 miles a week delivering meals
MOWSAC.ORG
A ll About Equine
Project R .I.D.E. A nimal Rescue, Inc.
T H
o celebrate 40 years of serving orses have served humans
people with special needs, Project for centuries. Striving to
R.I.D.E.’s therapeutic horseback serve them, All About Equine
riding program is upgrading its Animal Rescue, Inc. (AAE) rescues,
facilities and expanding programs. rehabilitates and rehomes horses.
A covered outdoor riding arena Established in 2009 as a small,
and upgraded sensory trail will heartfelt endeavor on a family ranch, this now-thriving
complement existing indoor facilities. A specialized community-based organization needs a larger home.
simulator brings more people the joy of riding, and new “We’ve served more than 285 horses, and in
programs in development will reach a greater audience. collaboration with organizations, AAE added equine-
“In 2020, we are poised to expand our capacity to its based programs that help veterans, at-risk youth, disabled
greatest level ever,” says Executive Director Tina Calanchini. individuals, foster children and more,” says Wendy Digiorno,
“But volunteer support is key.” executive director. “We’ve purchased 61 acres in Pilot Hill
Three trained volunteers accompany each rider, helping and now invite the community to partner with AAE to build
develop academic and social skills, while the horse offers the facility we desperately need to continue serving horses
the physical challenge of maintaining balance on a moving and humans.”
animal. AAE will utilize the new facility to continue rescuing
“If you don’t show, they don’t go,” Community Outreach horses, facilitate training and education, and become a
Manager Marisa DeSalles tells new volunteers in monthly center that unites the community. With strong financial
training sessions. “Without volunteer support, we must management, AAE is rated as a Platinum level nonprofit on
cancel lessons.” The need for volunteer support is constant GuideStar. Please help AAE continue to serve horses and
and ongoing. people in need.
“From high schoolers to retirees, we depend on
community members giving their precious time,” says profiles generously sponsored by
Calanchini. “With a little bit of yours, we can go on
harnessing the magic for years to come.”
PROJECTRIDE.ORG
ALLABOUTEQUINE.ORG September 2019 | comstocksmag.com 103
n IN THE MAKING

SEE VIDEO OF CONSCIOUS
CREAMERY AT
COMSTOCKSMAG.COM
PHOTOS BY FRED GREAVES, CAPTION BY SHOKA
A GOOD DESSERT
The walls of Conscious Creamery’s commer- The first steps — soaking cashews overnight, ucts are available online, at pop-ups around
cial kitchen in Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights blending them with filtered water and churn- Northern California, and several restaurants
neighborhood are lined with stainless steel ing — take three days. Then Seppinni and and stores in the region. The Seppinnis, who
freezers, constantly humming loud and keep- employee Creed Dennis squeeze the freshly have been vegan for 13 years, launched the
ing chef Andrea Seppinni’s plant-based gela- churned gelato from orange silicone piping company in 2015 after an anniversary trip to
to frozen. Seppinni, who runs the business bags into molds and waffle-cone taco shells, Europe during which they saw people waiting
with husband Kevin Seppinni, uses cashews level them and place them in quick-freezing in a long line at a vegan ice cream shop and
as a base, and has created at least three-doz- hardening cabinets. After they harden, they Andrea realized, “All those people standing
en flavors with fair-trade and in-season in- are dipped in chocolate, sprinkled with nuts there in line are not vegans. They’re standing
gredients. Each product is hand-crafted, and and packaged in clear plastic wrappers. Sep- there because it’s good.” n
gelato bars and chocolate-dipped tacos take pinni says they make about 500 bars and
about five days to make (they also sell pints). 140 tacos a week. Conscious Creamery prod-
n SEED ROUND: MEET THE FOUNDER
CHRISTY SERRATO
PAIR ANYTHING
Despite eclipsing $70 billion in value in 2018, the U.S. wine industry still was missing
something — and Christy Serrato believes she found it: technology. Her Davis-based
startup, PairAnything, has a platform in the works to help wineries connect with cus-
tomers beyond the tasting room by guiding customers on wine and food pairings.
“Discovering that magical combination of two different tastes when combined to-
gether … create a balance between components of a dish and characteristics of a wine
is truly magical,” she says.
Serrato says food and wine pairings enhance the dining experience, and the clas-
sic ones (e.g., blue cheese with port, lobster with chardonnay) represent the wisdom
of history. But most of the industry is made up of small to midsized, family-owned
wineries that haven’t yet tapped into the marketing power of digital tools. Serrato, a
former banker who daylights as a program director at the Sacramento Entrepreneur-
ship Academy, used her expertise to create algorithms that provide consumers with
recommendations on wine and food pairings based on their preferences.
For instance, if you enter lasagna into the platform, you’ll get three personal-
ized wine recommendations that pair well with this dish (if you’re not a white
wine fan, you won’t receive white wine options). The platform will then also
refer you to the sponsoring winery for potential purchases. PairAnything,
run by an eight-person team, won the $10,000 Food + Agriculture Sector
Award at the 2019 Big Bang Business Competition at UC Davis.
Pair It. (“When I tested the name,

My backup name for the startup was..........................................................................
for some people, it begged the question, “Pair What?!?”)
...........................................................................................................................
personal responsibility
A startup can’t be successful without.......................................................................
“The Art
The book that best represents my approach to business (and life) would be.....................
of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama
..........................................................................................................................
I do not deliver value to the
My biggest fear about launching was........................................................................
customers
..........................................................................................................................
innovate
If I could give my younger self a word of advice, that word would be.............................
HAS IT BEEN CHALLENGING TO RAISE MONEY? “It’s hard to raise venture capital. It’s
hard as a woman — that’s not an excuse. Instead of bootstrapping, I call it
‘heel-strapping’ because that’s what women do. I’m exploring how to run
a campaign for equity crowdfunding and looking to raise $50,000, which
will go toward developing the platform and accelerating customer acquisi-
tion. By (September), we expect to have completed the equity crowdfunding
campaign.”
WHY WOULD WINERIES WANT TO CHANGE IF MARKET VALUES ARE GOING UP? “Small win-
eries rely on direct-to-consumer sales, where 60 percent of sales come from
tasting rooms and wine clubs. Success comes from loyal customers, but retir-
ing baby boomers are being replaced by millennials, and younger people don’t
want to commit to a wine club. PairAnything helps extend the experience be-
yond the tasting room.”
For more on PairAnything, read Russell Nichols’ Startup of the Month

column at comstocksmag.com.
We’re Committed to Local and Diverse Suppliers
At Kaiser Permanente, we want local economies to thrive.
That’s why we leverage our purchasing power to buy goods and services
from local, small and diverse-owned businesses.
Kaiser Permanente spent almost $2 billion with diverse suppliers last year. If you would like to raise your
visibility for future procurement opportunities, register your business in our Supplier Portal today!
Register your business at supplierdiversity.kp.org

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