California Groundbreakers: Recent Episodes
California Groundbreakers
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This pandemic has created a major upheaval in Los Angeles, the global hub of entertainment.
We’re now used to streaming movies and TV shows whenever we want, and we’re finding new types of entertainment in places like YouTube, Twitch and TikTok.
So what does the future hold for movie theaters, streaming services, film and TV studios, and the people who work for all of them, when this pandemic ends?
Listen to two experts in entertainment and pop culture who tell us what types of things we’ll be watching in the future, how we’ll be watching then, and what that all means for one of California’s biggest economic forces, the entertainment industry.
GUESTS * Gene Del Vecchio, adjunct professor of marketing at USC's Marshall School of Business, marketing consultant for the entertainment industry, and author of business books like "Creating Blockbusters" - https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/gene-del-vecchio * Henry Jenkins, Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts and Education at USC, writer/editor of 20 books about media and popular culture, and co-host of the podcast "How Do You Like It So Far?" - https://annenberg.usc.edu/faculty/henry-jenkins
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 6:15 min - The biggest changes that Del Vecchio and Jenkins made in their entertainment consumption during this pandemic * 10:30 min - Are movie theaters going to survive? * 17:40 min - How the movie experience, and types of movies, will change as more of us stop going to the movies * 23:10 min - What's the relevance of movie stars these days, and will Scarlett Johansson's "Black Widow" lawsuit against Disney change the way they're paid? * 31:25 min - How the rise of streaming video is changing TV production and the traditional TV and cable networks * 42:05 min - How GenZ's tastes in entertainment are changing the way Hollywood makes entertainment * 48:20 min - How social movements are hitting Hollywood (i.e., MeToo, PayUpHollywood, cancel culture), and are they causing significant change? * 57:25 min - Will Los Angeles remain the epicenter of entertainment, and will Hollywood still be "Hollywood?" * 1 hr, 30 sec - Del Vecchio and Jenkins' recommendations for what to watch this summer
Silicon Valley has always been the global hub of technology, and in the past 18 months, it has made the tools that allowed Americans -- and the American economy -- to survive the pandemic.
Right now, California’s tech industry is triumphant, and flush with profits. What will it do with all that money and power? And who, if anyone, can restrain tech, and its potential to dominate the way we live our lives?
We talk with Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, about what Big Tech and Silicon Valley are doing – and should be doing – when it comes to misinformation, consumer data, cyberattacks, dealing with Congress and the FBI, and more (https://www.eff.org/about/staff/cindy-cohn).
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:40 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 4:40 min - How Cohn has personally experienced the boons and the banes of pandemic-time technology * 7:40 min - With the Delta variant of the coronavirus on the rise, should tech be used to create vaccine passports and immunity passports, and for public health monitoring in general? * 14 min - How privacy and security of our consumer data gathered online has changed during the pandemic * 18:05 min - How the battle of the Feds vs. Big Tech will affect us * 25 min - "This is an example of everyone agreeing on a problem and rushing to a really awful solution" * 28:10 min - What the tech industry should do (or not) about the issue of misinformation vs. freedom of expression * 33:30 min - Can Silicon Valley protect us from ransomware, spyware and cyberattacks? * 41:30 min - Why California's "broadband destiny" now has a bright future * 46 min - Because we're more online now, how can we better protect our digital privacy and freedoms? * 50:30 min - Silicon Valley is always rising and falling -- how will it do this time post-pandemic?
RESOURCE GUIDE * Electronic Frontier Foundation's tools for web privacy and security - https://www.eff.org/pages/tools * EFF's "How to Fix the Internet" Podcast - https://www.eff.org/how-to-fix-the-internet-podcast
California's arts institutions are dealing with budget cuts and revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic, and a reckoning with systemic racism in the art world.
So what progress have they made in diversifying their staffs, their artwork, and their audiences over the past year? And will any of us ever look at art, and the meaning of it, in the same way again?
We talk with two people who present great works of art to the public, but do it in very different ways.
GUESTS * Thomas Campbell, CEO and director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and former CEO/director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (https://deyoung.famsf.org/Becoming-an-Anti-Racist-Institution) * Andre Jones, a.k.a. Natty Rebel, designer, muralist and founder/director of the Bay Area Mural Program (https://bamp.netlify.app)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode
PART ONE: Thomas Campbell * 4 min - Why Campbell, an Englishman who had a prestigious career in London and New York, decided to make the move to California * 7:40 min - How he views art in California, California art, and how we perceive it * 10:25 min - What Campbell learned about leading two top museums through two tough times in U.S. history * 14:20 min - How George Floyd's murder shaped Campbell's view of the art world, and his decision to create an anti-racist institution * 20:05 min - What should California's arts institutions be doing to create "blockbuster" exhibitions of non-white-male California artists? * 26:35 min - Diversifying museum staff and management - do they all need Masters and Ph.D degrees? * 31:15 min - How to make a museum's board of directors more diverse -- and still have a board that brings in the money needed to run the museum * 35:25 min - Using California's role as a technology hub to revolutionize art * 40:50 min - How the inaugural DeYoung Open brought in a new range of art and artists * 46:10 - What art institutions, and us art lovers, can do to support artists and make the art world more accessible
PART TWO: Andre Jones * 51:20 min - What brought Jones from the East Coast to the Bay Area, and how his new home has inspired the way he creates art * 57:20 min - His approach to creating public art * 59:45 min - How the Bay Area Mural Program got started and is now expanding * 1hr, 2:25 min - How the events of 2020 made Jones take action as an artist and activist * 1 hr, 6:55 min - Is the new focus on diversity of art turning into more financial success for artists of color? * 1 hr, 10:15 min - Creating the new generation of artists * 1 hr, 13:40 min - Jones' recommendation for public art that really resonates today * 1:16:10 min - Jones' prediction for the future of public art in California, and how Californians can make that future bright
RESOURCE GUIDE * Institutional Blog for the Museums of Fine Arts in San Francisco - https://deyoung.famsf.org/blog/category/1494 * Black Liberation Walking Tour in Oakland - https://www.blwt.org
IMAGE CREDIT: "United We Rise" Mural in Downtown Oakland by Divya Bala (https://www.instagram.com/artbydivya/?hl=en)
Few business sectors in California were more battered by the pandemic than the dining industry -- nearly a third of the state’s restaurants permanently closed in the past year, and two-thirds of workers temporarily lost their jobs.
Now as California opens back up, how many restaurants will reopen, and will they bounce back?
We talk with two people who write about California’s dining scene about how restaurants are adapting post-pandemic, and what we should expect now when we go out to eat.
GUESTS * Janelle Bitker, food enterprise reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle (https://www.sfchronicle.com/author/janelle-bitker) * Javier Cabral, editor of LA Taco (https://www.lataco.com/author/javiercabral)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 4:20 min - Janelle and Javier share their "This Changes Everything" moment covering the food scene in the past 15 months * 10:25 min - Do people still want to pay $300 for a fine-dining meal? * 13:30 min - How "ghost kitchens" are changing up the restaurant industry * 18:45 min - How the labor and racial justice movements are changing up the restaurant industry * 26:10 min - More people of color being hired as food critics at top California publications -- how will their articles and POVs change our food scene? * 33:55 min - How we Californians can support and help restaurants stay alive and thrive * 37:50 min - Janelle and Javier give some of their favorite dining-out picks in SF and LA
RESOURCE GUIDE * Janelle's eat-here pick in San Francisco: Nari in Japantown (https://www.narisf.com) * Javier's eat-here pick in Los Angeles: Tamales Elena Y Antojitos in Bell Gardens (http://ordertamaleselenayantojitos.com) * LA pop-ups: Golden Rice (https://www.goldenrice.co), Little Fish (https://www.instagram.com/littlefish_echopark/?hl=en) and Quarantine Pizza (https://www.instagram.com/quarantinepizzaco/?hl=en) * Nonprofits that are helping keep restaurants open: SF New Deal(https://sfnewdeal.org)and Restaurants Care (https://restaurantscare.org/get-involved) * "The Taco Chronicles" on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/81040704) * "Counter Intelligence: Where to Eat in the Real Los Angeles" by Jonathan Gold (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780312267230)
The pandemic has changed the concept of physical stores – do we still need them, what’s their purpose now, and how should they change to stay relevant?
And what about the stuff we buy – do we need to have the same things we bought before the pandemic, and do we still need to shop for so much of it?
We talk with two retail experts about how the coronavirus has shaken up the industry, how our consumer spending habits are shifting, and what shopping will look like in the future.
GUESTS * David Fishbein, co-founder of the Runyon Group, a real-estate development firm in Los Angeles that owns, creates and manages new types of shopping hubs (https://www.voguebusiness.com/consumers/is-la-platform-the-future-of-retail) * Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association (https://calretailers.com)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 4;55 min - Notable turns, twists and trends in shopping and retail since the pandemic shutdowns began * 11:25 min - How stores will look different in this new experiential type of shopping * 17:40 min - How Amazon -- and everyone buying all their stuff online -- are threatening brick-and-mortar shopping * 22:50 min - How consumer tastes and trends -- especially those of younger people - are changing what's in and out of style with shopping * 28:20 - Will shopping malls stick around? And will we still go shopping in our downtowns?
Travel is bouncing back, but there’s still plenty we don’t know about how the pandemic -- and new variants of the coronavirus -- will play out, either here in California or overseas. And those big unknowns are still dramatically shaping the future of travel.
We talk with two California-based travel experts who have been on the road this year about what to expect for local, domestic and international travel, what’s quickly going back to normal, what may be changing permanently, and what’s still to be determined.
GUESTS * Julia Cosgrove, vice president and editor in chief of Afar Media (https://www.afar.com) * Hugh Garvey, editor in chief of Sunset Publishing (https://www.sunset.com)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and this episode * 5:25 min - How the pandemic has changed travel trends and people's preferences since shutdown started * 11:10 min - What travel in California looks like now * 16:50 min - How shortages (i.e., rental cars, restaurant employees) are going to affect your travel plans * 19:35 min - New and different types of trips that are now in style * 27:35 min - Will plane travel be any different or go back to the (unfortunate) norm? * 33:50 min - The future of the cruise industry * 36:55 min - How "working from home" and "digital nomads" are reshaping travel * 41:40 min - Julia and Hugh pick the best California trip to take (after the summer is over)
RESOURCE GUIDE * Arundhati Roy's travel essay, "The Portal Is a Pandemic," that Julia cited - https://www.ft.com/content/10d8f5e8-74eb-11ea-95fe-fcd274e920ca * Nominate a place or a person for Sunset Magazine's Travel Awards 2021 by July 16 - https://www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards-returning-2021 * What to know about camper van rentals - https://lushpalm.com/camper-van-rentals-california-coast *Santa Ynez Valley - https://www.visitsyv.com * Bell's Restaurant in Los Alamos - https://www.bellsrestaurant.com * White Water Lodge in Cambria - https://whitewatercambria.com
Now that California is reopening, where do we go and how do we get there?
This three-part episode focuses on the future of transportation in the state, from clean cars and electric trucks to high-speed rail and highway removals. We're talking with three people who are working on innovations in all those areas.
GUESTS * Part 1: Robert Powers, general manager of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART ) * Part 2: Craig Segall, deputy executive officer of mobile sources and incentives at California's Air Resources Board * Part 3: Jeanie Ward-Waller, deputy director of planning and modal programs at Caltrans
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 2:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 2:30 min - Robert Powers of BART talks about public transit -- how it's recovering from the pandemic gut punch, who it needs to service, and how it should be funded going forward * 23:10 min - Craig Segall of the Air Resources Board explains California's Clean Cars program, how he's going to meet the 2035 goal of all new-car sales being zero-emission vehicles, and how he's going to convince millions of us to buy them * 38:25 min - Jeanie Ward-Waller, the "forward-looking thinker" at Caltrans, talks about that agency's plans, from "electrifying" California to making Equity come first when repairing current infrastructure and building new ones
RESOURCE GUIDE * SPUR's Bay Area Regional Strategy for 2070: Climate Change and Transportation (https://www.spur.org/featured-project/spur-regional-strategy/climate-transportation) * Link21, the proposed integrated rail network for Northern California - https://link21program.org/en/about * The Advanced Clean Cars Program - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advanced-clean-cars-program * Clean Cars 4 All Program - buying guide and rebate incentives - https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/msprog/lct/vehiclescrap.htm * Caltrans' 5 Priorities - https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/documents/director-5-topic-fact-sheet-a11y.pdf * California Transportation Plan 2050 - https://dot.ca.gov/programs/transportation-planning/state-planning/california-transportation-plan
The pandemic has re-shifted our priorities, particularly where we want to live and work. For many Californians, that location may be a different one than the place they were living before the coronavirus hit. And that’s causing major changes in cities, suburbs and small towns across the state.
Join us as we talk with two planning and development experts about how the pandemic is changing the urban and rural regions they live and work in, and what those changes mean for California overall.
GUESTS * Alicia John-Baptiste, CEO of SPUR, a nonprofit think tank focused on regional planning and public policy in the San Francisco Bay Area (https://www.spur.org) * Shawna Purvines, deputy director of the Community Development Resource Agency in Placer County (https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/sacramento-tipping-point/article251711163.html)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:10 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this episode * 4:10 min - John-Baptiste and Purvines share what pandemic-induced changes they've seen in their regions, as planning professionals and as residents * 10:15 min - How the pandemic has affected the housing markets in the Bay Area and super-hot Placer County * 18:35 min - Will it be easier, or harder, now to build more affordable housing in California? * 29:45 min - What will Downtown look like in the future, and where will the new community-gathering hubs be? * 36:30 min - Predictions for post-pandemic traffic patterns and transit use * 43 min - Has the pandemic turned ideas previously considered as "moonshots" into actual possibilities for future community planning and development?
After more than a year of closed campuses and online-only learning, California’s higher education system has been completely changed in a way that will persist when students head back to class in real life for a new school year. But there are other changes still developing, like: * what's the right mix of face-to-face, virtual and hybrid learning * how to better help students with their mental health, financial aid, and food and housing needs * how to make campuses get more flexible in the ways they operate * and how to get California’s large population of lower-income students all the way to graduation with a college degree and good job prospects
We talk with two college students, and a newly-appointed university president, about which changes are needed most, and what California’s higher education system needs to do to become the best in America again.
PART ONE * Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, the brand-new president of Fresno State University PART TWO * Stephen Kodur, a 2021 graduate from Reedley College and president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges * Josh Lewis, a senior at UC Berkeley and chair of Government Relations for the UC Student Association
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to min - Intro to the podcast and this episode * 3:35 min - Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval describes what learning will be like at Fresno State in the new school year, and how the campus will operate differently * 8:30 min - Improving mental health care needs and access to other amenities students need to avoid burnout and dropping out * 19:45 min - Are there any new ways to boost financial aid, and get it to a wider group of students? * 22:20 min - Most 9th graders in California right now apparently won't get a college degree - how can we change that? * 32:20 min - How state colleges can be run more like businesses that provide good products to their customers * 36:45 min - Jiménez-Sandoval's advice for high school students currently thinking about college applications and their futures
- 41 min - Stephen Kodur and Josh Lewis share their most significant moment of being a college student during a pandemic
- 45:50 min - The pros and cons of virtual education and learning online
- 50:15 min - How should the cost of a college education be priced going forward?
- 55:45 min - What the state and the Feds should do to reform and improve the financial aid system
- 1 hr, 1:05 min - How college students feel about their job prospects, and are their schools helping them out?
- 1 hr, 6:40 min - What should the college campus of the future be like?
- 1 hr, 12:25 min - Kodur and Lewis predict what their post-pandemic futures will be like
RESOURCE GUIDE * Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval's appointment as President of Fresno State University - https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article251194999.html * Stephen Kodur profiled in this CalMatters story about student financial aid - https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2021/04/cal-grant-expansion-older-students/ * Info about Assembly Bill 1456 to revamp Cal Grants - https://edsource.org/2021/california-lawmakers-propose-cal-grant-reforms-to-help-low-income-students/649611 * Info about Assembly Bill 928 to make it easier for community college graduates to transfer to CSU and UC schools -https://diverseeducation.com/article/207621/
This pandemic has been a wild ride for everyone, especially for young Millennials and Generation Z.
These teens and 20-somethings are dealing with some turbulent stuff -- mental health issues, remote learning, a rocky economy and job market -- during some pivotal life stages.
On the other hand, what happened in 2020 made many young people far more aware of politics and activism, and their generation is set to take over the economy in just a decade.
So what are the specific ups and downs they’re going to be facing between now and then, and how are they going to handle them?
We’re asking those questions to three people: a Gen Zer, a young Millennial, and a researcher who studies their generations’ cultures, habits and lives.
GUESTS: * Isha Clarke, the 18-year-old co-founder of climate-change activism group Youth vs. Apocalypse - https://www.youthvsapocalypse.org/meet-the-staff * Assemblymember Alex Lee, representing Assembly District 25, and California's first Gen Z state legislator - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/02/us/alex-lee-california-assembly.html * Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of many books on generational differences, her latest is "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy -- and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood" - http://www.jeantwenge.com/about-jean
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:05 min - Intro to the episode and our guests * 6:05 min - Alex Lee and Isha Clarke explain how the past 14 months have impacted them and their peers * 9:40 min - How Millennials/GenZers have changed the way mental health issues are perceived and addressed * 14:30 min - How Alex and Isha are making their mark in politics and activism - and how their generations must work with older ones to make change * 20:50 min - The economic and job outlook for young people - and how they'll handle their powerful role as the now-largest population group in the U.S.
Remember when a first date often involved dinner and a movie, a few drinks in a crowded bar, and if things went well, a goodnight kiss? 2020 changed all that with social distancing, mask-wearing and the threat of catching a deadly disease.
But right now, when every adult is eligible for vaccination, what does this summer -- and the future -- hold for modern dating, romance and relationships?
GUESTS * Paul Eastwick, professor of psychology at UC Davis and head of the university’s Attraction and Relationship Research Lab - http://pauleastwick.com * Julie Krafchick, producer and co-host of the podcast Date/Able, which focuses on sex, love, dating and relationships - https://www.dateablepodcast.com
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 5:20 min - Intro to episode and our guests Paul and Julie * 5:20 min - How people's views of dating and relationships have changed since the pandemic started * 9 min - Have people's views, and people's use, of online dating changed. too? * 14:20 min - Will this summer start another "Roaring 20s," or FODA (fear of dating again) or something else? * 19:05 min - What role does passion play these days in modern relationships? * 24:50 min - Has the pandemic changed people's views about weddings and getting hitched? * 28:50 min - With the pandemic putting so much stress on people's relationships, how to keep them surviving and thriving? * 33:20 min - Julie and Paul's advice for getting out there to mix and mingle again
What does the future hold for working parents in California? Will the childcare crisis, homeschooling debacle and issues involving remote work and essential work put us on a new path to better work-life balance? Are the federal and state governments going to make parenting easier to do going forward? And how can we use what we’ve learned during the pandemic to ensure that raising kids while working full-time fills us with happiness instead of with heartburn?
We talk with two people who focus on better work-life balance issues professionally at their day job, and also personally at home as parents to young children.
GUESTS * Danika Dellor, executive director of the California nonprofit Women’s Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA) in Silicon Valley - https://wandasiliconvalley.org * Liz Morris, deputy director of the Center for WorkLife Law, an advocacy and research organization at the University of California’s Hastings Law - https://worklifelaw.org
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:50 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the reasons for this episode * 6:50 min - Some significant work-life impacts Dellor and Morris have seen on parents during this pandemic * 11:40 min - Their thoughts on the Biden Administration's American Families Act and what California legislators are proposing * 16:10 min - Will paid leave be more widespread and easier to access? * 19:30 min - Burnout, and the apparent disconnect between what "back to the office" should look like * 24 min - What should employers be doing to improve work-life balance? * 27 min - Where are the men in this scenario? * 32 min - Can we innovate an expanded, and improved, childcare system? * 36:15 min - Words of advice for current -- and future -- parents who work
RESOURCE GUIDE The Center for WorkLife Law has COVID-19 resources, including a free legal helpline for parents, family caregivers and pregnant and breastfeeding people. English: https://worklifelaw.org/covid19/helpline-resources/ Spanish: https://worklifelaw.org/covid19/recursos-de-covid-19/
COVID-19 caused the early deaths of many seniors, but even as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, the big issues of aging and senior care in California won't be easing up. The new Census data shows that California keeps getting older, and by the year 2030, nearly a quarter of our population will be over age 65. That affects nearly everything in this state, including housing, pensions, jobs and of course, healthcare.
That’s why California has created a new Master Plan of Aging to address the issue of aging in the Golden State, and how we’re all going to handle it, no matter how old we are.
We talk with Kim McCoy Wade, director of California’s Department of Aging, who's in charge of rolling out this Master Plan and preparing America’s most populous state for massive demographic change over the next decade. She explains what you need to know, and prepare for, as a California resident who’s getting older by the day.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 5:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're focusing on aging * 5:15 min - How California's aging demographics affect all of us * 8:35 min - What the pandemic has shown about the problems of aging in California * 12:40 min - How to build seniors-suitable housing in a state that's infamous for making housing available for people of any age * 15:50 min - How to improve nursing homes and give them a "Golden Girls" quality of life * 19:40 min - How will California innovate healthcare delivery and Medicare? * 24:05 min - How to use technology to improve seniors' lives * 26:55 min - Reducing age-ism and keeping seniors productive in society * 30:30 min - Where's the money going to come from, and how will the Master Planners be held accountable for making this work? * 36 min - What California citizens can do to make "aging in place" work better in this state
RESOURCE GUIDE * California's Department of Aging -- check out its "How DO I?" section - https://aging.ca.gov/ * California's Master Plan for Aging - https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/ * Local Playbook for communities, companies and philanthropists can use to help with the plan - https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/LocalPlaybook/ * How to Build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs, or "granny flats" for short) in California - https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-research/accessorydwellingunits.shtml
Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Even though coronavirus infections have sharply dropped, and the CDC is relaxing the rules around masks and mingling, what are we going to do about California’s healthcare system and our shell-shocked hospitals? How can we make sure we prevent so many unnecessary deaths among the people who cook our food, clean our houses, take care of our kids and do all the essential work we rely upon them for?
Join us as we talk with Elaine Batchlor, M.D. -- or "Dr. B" for short -- the CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, which was the Ground Zero of COVID deaths in California during those dark days last winter. She’ll tell us what went wrong last year and why, and what needs to happen now so we can address California’s major healthcare challenges and do better next time.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 4:20 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, this episode and "Dr. B" * 4:20 min - The status report for California hospitals today, where they stand in the COVID-19 battle, and getting people vaccinated * 7:30 min - What this pandemic is teaching us about California's public health system * 11:30 min - Where the building blocks -- and the money -- should be focused for creating a successful public health system, and what Dr. Batchlor is doing about this at her own hospital * 21:30 - Why hospitals in wealthy areas leave hospitals like Dr. Batchlor's in the lurch when they're overwhelmed with patients, even during a pandemic * 26:40 min - How hard it will be to keep burnt-out healthcare workers on the job, and get young people into the medical field, after this grueling year * 30:30 min - What can we Californians do to build a better public healthcare system?
RESOURCE GUIDE * New York Times article on the novel treatment MLK Jr. Community Hospital is now offering the patients it treated for COVID-19 - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/us/coronavirus-hospitals-recovery.html * Medscape article on Dr. Batchlor and how she turned a hospital nicknamed "Killer King" into a highly rated healthcare site in Los Angeles - https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/948712
With recent headlines about scandals and snafus at Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook, tech workers in Silicon Valley are fed up with doing business as usual, and they’re fighting back. Software coders and engineers who earn six-figure salaries are joining forces with the lower-paid workers who make their tech campuses run and embracing the idea of labor unions.
in this episode, we’re talking with two people who believe in the power of collective action to make Silicon Valley a more equitable place.
GUESTS * Maria Noel Fernandez, director of Silicon Valley Rising (https://siliconvalleyrising.org) * Christopher Schmidt, software engineer at Google and a founding member of the Alphabet Workers Union (https://alphabetworkersunion.org)
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 5:10 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," this specific episode, and our guests * 5:10 min - Fernandez and Schmidt describe their organizations, the missions, and what they're focusing on now * 14:20 min - Are tech companies responsive to these groups, and making change? * 19:20 min - How Google's planned mega-campus in San Jose -- and the concessions it's giving to people living there -- could be a model for the rest of California and the U.S. * 24:05 min - How have the past 12 months of shutdowns, business crises and remote workforces changed the groups ' missions and tactics? * 29:35 min - Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama recently voted against unionizing - why did they decide that, and what does that say about working for a Big Tech company? * 34:30 - How has the pandemic changed the meaning of work, and what it means to be a worker? * 41:15 min - Fernandez and Schmidt give advice to both management and employees on how they can work together to run a business that benefits everyone
Thirteen months of statewide shutdowns have meant shuttered doors and bankruptcies for businesses in all types of industries, and the exodus of companies leaving California for other states seems to have accelerated. Governor Gavin Newsom has promised that the state will be fully open for business by June 15 if all goes well, but how many businesses will make it to that date? And will they be able to recover and thrive in a post-pandemic economy?
We’re talking to two CEOs in industries that were hit hardest by California’s shutdowns.
GUESTS * Dustin Lancaster, founder of An Eastside Establishment, the umbrella company for a group of restaurants, bars and hotels in Los Angeles (www.establishmenteast.com) * Francesca Schuler, CEO of In-Shape Health Clubs, which operates fitness centers statewide (www.inshape.com/our-story)
NOTE: There are some audio glitches between the 8:50-minute and 10:30-minute marks, and again between the 13:15-minute and 14:15-minute marks
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:25 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," and why we're doing this episode * 4:25 min - The two CEOs' share a few of the tough decisions they've made in the past year, and where those decisions have put them today * 10:30 min - Where they got help -- and where they didn't -- from federal, state and local government authorities * 14:50 min - How different will your restaurants and gyms look to customers when they go back inside? How has that changed the way you run your businesses overall? (Will fine dining bounce back? And do you think cocktails-to-go will stick around?) * 29:10 min - What should California government do more of to keep businesses here in the state and thriving? * 38:25 min - The CEOs' advice for current and aspiring business owners in California to run their companies and make them grow
When kids go back to in-person learning, what will that be like? How will the classroom be set up? How will school administrators handle the needs of their students, parents and teachers? And how will California’s public schools be different, for better or for worse, when the new school year begins?
We’re asking these questions to David Miyashiro, superintendent of the Cajon Valley Union School District. His was one of the few in California, and the nation, to keep schools open for in-person learning during the pandemic. And unlike many other districts in the state, Cajon Valley got cooperation from its teachers, parents and school boards to allow students back to the classroom.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:20 min - Intro to this episode and why we're talking with David Miyashiro * 4:20 min - Miyashiro explains his decision process when the shutdown started, and why he decided to reopen his schools when others were not * 7:25 - How Miyashiro planned in advance for remote learning and using technology outside the classroom * 9:10 min - Setting up the in-person classroom for a new school year * 12:05 min - Biggest lessons learned over the past 12 months * 14:20 min - Handling students' mental health needs * 15:25 min - How Miyashiro worked with his teachers and the school boards to open up the classrooms * 19:40 min - There are warning signs of a shortage of public school teachers, and more parents taking their kids out of public schools -- how is Miyashiro handling those issues? * 23;45 min - What the new school year starting in August will look like in Cajon Valley Unified, and Miyashiro's advice for state officials on what they need to do long-term for public schools
RESOURCE GUIDE * New York Times story with more info on Miyashiro's decision to reopen Cajon Valley School District for the 2020-2021 school year - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/us/cajon-valley-school-reopening.html
Photo Caption: Sandy Huffaker for the New York Times
In this episode, we’re taking a look at The Future of Work in California – how we’ll be doing it, and where we’ll be doing it from.
In Part One, we’re talking about the post-pandemic office, and what it will look like, with two people in the Bay Area who are designing it now - Christopher Good, creative director of One Workplace, and Melissa Pesci, a principal at HGA Architecture in San Francisco.
Then it’s a conversation with Adam D’Angelo, CEO of the technology firm Quora. Last June, he announced that his company, headquartered in Silicon Valley, would now and forever be a “remote first” company.
Listen in as they tell us what the last 12 months has done to the workplace, and the workforce, in California, and how office life will be totally different going forward.
PART ONE * 0 to 3:55 min - Intro to "This Changes Everything," and our workplace-creator guests, Christopher Good and Melissa Pesci * 3:55 min - Visualizing what "Workplace 2030" looks like, or at least what to expect for Workplace 2021 * 10:25 min - Open-concept space, or cubicles and closed-door offices? * 16:55 min - Improving communication between workers in the office and remote workers at home * 20:40 min - How will the future of how we work, and where we work, affect the urban downtowns where big offices and headquarters are typically based? *25:20 min - What Good and Pesci look forward to when working in the post-pandemic workplace
PART TWO * 29:35 min - Intro to Adam D'Angelo, CEO of Quora * 32:20 min - D'Angelo's views of remote work before the pandemic hit, and how they changed a few months later * 36:45 min - Why open-space office concepts aren't so great, even for collaborating * 39:35 min - How Quora's management and working structures have changed since going remote * 41:30 min - How a "remote first" workplace will actually level the playing field and help employees climb the career ladder * 44 min - Should workers' paychecks be based on where they live? * 46:15 min - Will Silicon Valley and the Bay Area take a hit if more companies leave and go remote? * 48:50 min - One thing D'Angelo misses about working in person with others, but why he advises everyone to be optimistic about remote work going forward
RESOURCE LIST * Christopher Good's six-part series on LinkedIn about the experience his team went through as they tried to create a better workplace for their company - www.linkedin.com/pulse/culture-community-design-part-1-6-good-cid-ncidq-asid-leed-ap/ * Melissa Pesci's "Redefining Workplace" podcast - https://hga.com/redefining-workplace-podcast/ * Adam D'Angelo's explanation on the Quora blog about why a "remote first" workplace will work best - https://quorablog.quora.com/Remote-First-at-Quora
In this first episode, we’re taking a look at The Future of News in California, and how the pandemic has added more stress to local newspapers, which are already in a downward spiral. If they keep cutting back, or close for good, how will we Californians get our news?
We’re talking about that with: * Colleen McCain Nelson, the brand new editor in chief of the Sacramento Bee, and regional editor of the McClatchy company’s four other newspapers in California * Jeff VonKaenel (pictured top right), owner of the News & Review, which has published free weekly community newspapers in Sacramento and Chico for over 40 years.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 8 minutes - Why we're doing this new "This Changes Everything" podcast, and intro to the Bee's new editor Colleen Nelson * 9:38 min - How can someone who never lived in California be the right pick as top editor for five California newspapers? * 12:55 - Nelson's answer to the people who say, "I don't subscribe to the Bee because there's nothing to read in it anymore." * 15:25 - The controversy around "clickbaiting," and how to balance publishing stories that people find interesting to read and publish stories that they should be reading * 20:12 - Should newspapers focus on certain topics because they've got the staffing (i.e., political reporters in Sacramento) or the reader interest (i.e., restaurants), and less on other topics that don't have that support? * 23:15 - How the Bee newspapers are covering equity and diversity now * 28:35 - How the new Community Advisory Boards will work * 32:20 - Why do hedge funds and billionaires like Jeff Bezos want to buy newspapers, and what does that mean for the future of news? * 37:30 - What keeps Nelson motivated to keep working in an industry that everyone says is near death
- 43:30 min - Intro to Jeff VonKaenel
- 44:50 min - He describes the day when he knew the coronavirus would make him layoff 40-plus staffers and stop publishing the papers
- 47:20 min - What goes into the $45,000-per-week cost for publishing newspapers that don't charge for subscriptions
- 50 min - Is the financial model of being supported by advertising totally dead?
- 53 min - If free community newspapers stop printing, where will people get their local news? And do people know -- and care -- about this crisis?
- 56:40 min - VonKaenel talks about the Independent Journalism Fund he started
- 57:55 min - Google and Facebook are setting up multimillion-dollar funds to rescue local journalism -- even though they're seen as the reasons why local newspapers are dying. Will VonKaenel take their money?
- 1 hr, 55 sec - What he has in mind for a new business plan to save local media
- 1 hr, 7:40 min - What Californians can do to ensure local journalism stays alive and thrives
NOTABLE LINKS * McClatchy Company, owners of the Sacramento Bee, Fresno Bee, Modesto Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo - www.mcclatchy.com/ * News and Review, which publishes in Chico, Sacramento and Reno - www.newsreview.com * Nieman Journalism Lab, a great website to read (for free)about what the future of journalism could look like - www.niemanlab.org * The title of the book that Vanessa couldn't remember when talking to VonKaenel about the connection between newspapers and democracy is "Ghosting the News" by Margaret Sullivan - https://globalreports.columbia.edu/books/ghosting-the-news/
Photo credit: Terry Hagz, Sacramento News & Review
We're doing a new podcast series about California's post-pandemic future.
Here's a quick intro so you know what to expect.
Episodes will drop weekly between March 28 and July 4.
We're doing a specific group of podcasts in July -- conversations focused on what systemic change looks like, particularly here in California, in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Each conversation has two people: a young leader who has galvanized others by speaking out and leading demonstration and campaigns, and a "veteran" activist/ decision makers who has been working on race equity and justice issues for decades.
For this podcast, we're looking at some proposed laws on racial justice and equality that the state legislature will be voting on, and also that California residents will be voting on in the November ballot.
Talking about them are a 19-year-old college student who helped to get 15,000 people protesting on the streets of Oakland last month about police brutality, and a state politician who proposed some of these new laws and is getting them in front of the state legislature and on the election ballot for votes.
SPEAKERS * Xavier Brown, Oakland native and UCLA student (in photo above) * Kevin McCarty, California Assemblymember representing the 7th District, which includes the city of Sacramento
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:40 min - What's the purpose for doing these podcasts * 3:40 min - How Xavier Brown helped get 15,000 people out on the streets of Oakland to protest against police brtuality * 8:10 min - How being biracial made Kevin McCarty see race and racism, and influenced his role in politics * 11:30 min - What is the California Black Legislative Caucus, and what it's working on right now * 14:50 min - Proposed bills about use of force and holding law enforcement officials accountable (Assembly Bill 1506 Deadly Force Accountability Act, and AB 1185 on officer oversight in the Sherriff's Department) * 26:20 min - Affirmative Action on the ballot: good intentions, but is it a good thing to bring back to California (Proposition 16) * 38:30 min - Giving parolees a better chance to thrive in their post-prison world (AB 2342 in the State Legislature and Proposition 17 on the November election ballot) * 43:20 min - Reparations: How should California remedy inequality and discrimination?(AB 3121) * 50:25 min - Ethnic Studies classes in colleges and high schools as a requirement to graduate(AB 1460) * 52 min - Brown and McCarty have some questions for each other
SONG CREDIT: "Be the Difference" by Izreal Graham, a.k.a. Sacramento PD Officer Filmore Graham (youtu.be/xaRXwnndydg)
PHOTO CREDIT: Alejandro Lazo / The Wall Street Journal
This conversation was recorded on July 13
We're doing a specific group of podcasts in July -- conversations focused on what systemic change looks like, particularly here in California, in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Each conversation features two people: a young leader who has galvanized others by speaking out and leading demonstration and campaigns, and a "veteran" activist/ decision maker who has been working on race equity and justice issues for decades.
This conversation is focused on police reform, so we put together two people who may often look at law enforcement from opposing sides: a former police chief, and an activist whose brother's death at the hands of police officers made national headlines and led to California's groundbreaking police-use-of-force law.
This conversation could have gone in any direction -- listen to find out how the two men agree on some things, disagree on others, and decide where to take this conversation next.
SPEAKERS * Stevante Clark, a human rights activist in Sacramento (in photo above) who just started the I AM SAC Foundation, in honor of his brother Stephon Alonzo Clark (www.iamsacfoundation.com) * Bob Harrison, police office for 30 years, former chief of police for the City of Vacaville, and current course manager for the California Peace Officer Standards and Training’s Command College, a graduate program for law enforcement managers.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:25 min - What's the purpose for doing these podcasts * 4:25 min - Stevante Clark explains how "passion without direction is chaos" and how he's steering his passion into a new direction * 12:35 min - Bob Harrison explains what police departments are focusing on now, and how they're responding to the current spotlight on police reform * 18:30 min - Drilling down on what community policing, the need for more mental health assistance, and defunding the police means * 21: 15 min - How Clark and Harrison view protests, and policing them * 25:50 min - California's "Stephon Clark Law" on the use of force by police: how is that working out? * 31:30 min - What Clark thinks of Attorney General Javier Becerra's recommendations for police reform * 34:10 min - Harrison's thoughts on how to turn police from "warriors" into "guardians" * 42:55 min - How to get more people of color into the still majority-white police departments * 48:25 min - Clark asks Harrison how he would have handled the Stephon Clark shooting if it had happened in his police department * 49:45 min - How Clark and Harrison plan to keep this conversation going
SONG CREDIT: "Be the Difference" by Izreal Graham, a.k.a. Sacramento PD Officer Filmore Graham (youtu.be/xaRXwnndydg)
PHOTO CREDIT: Xavier Mascarenas / Sacramento Bee
This podcast was recorded on May 18
NOTE: Forgive us for the spots of glitchy audio in this one -- they're worst in the first 4-5 minutes, and then it gets better. Such is podcasting during Pandemic Time!
After nearly two months in lockdown, restaurant owners got their first concrete guidelines for opening up again when the state of California issued a 12-page document with 99 new regulations covering everything from physical partitions and closed bars to dishwasher goggles and table wait times.
How will these guidelines change the way restaurants look and operate? Will they guarantee safety of staff and customers? How much will the new regulations raise restaurants’ costs of business, and how much of those costs will be passed on to customers? And will those customers even be eating out again when they’re allowed to?
Listen to our conversation with Brad Cecci, chef of the Sacramento restaurant Canon, and Jot Condy, CEO of the California Restaurant Association, about what eating out will look like in the New Normal.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:30 min - How different Cecchi's restaurant, Canon, will look once it reopens * 6:50 min - How reopening is looking like around California, and will it be the same for different types and sizes of restaurants? * 12:20 min - How friendly are landlords being to their struggling restaurant tenants? * 17:10 min - How to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission between staff and customers during a meal * 23:35 min - How to track sources of outbreaks if a diner falls ill -- and how to address liability risks * 29 min - How will the "fine dining experience" be different, and how do you convince people to come out and pay for it? * 35:35 min - Running a restaurant will become more costly -- what changes will owners make to keep costs low, and what costs will be passed on to diners? * 41:30 min - What types of restaurants will survive, even thrive, and which ones will become obsolete? * 50 min - Restaurants have been around since the 1600s - what aspects of them will stick around, and what New Normal changes will happen after reopening?
In this episode, we’re talking about how to keep our mental health and our sanity intact during Pandemic Time.
Dr. Peter Yellowlees, Chief Wellness Officer at UC Davis Health System, has been writing a newsletter called “Good Stuff” about how to keep one’s mental health in good shape. He started writing it when the pandemic began, specifically for essential workers on the frontlines at UC Davis Medical Centers. But because his advice is applicable to other people stressed out by the current situation, we got him to sit down and offer mental health tips and strategies for the rest of us.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4:45 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode right now * 4:45 min - How to think about what we can control, what we can't, and how do we accept that * 7:30 min - How to approach day-to-day living in "the bubble," and how to handle relationships * 10 min - How people, both living solo and living with kids and significant others, can maintain their sanity * 13 min - Advice for helping kids keep mentally upbeat * 15:55 min - Handling money and job stresses during this economic crisis * 20:25 min - How to make positive change, make good decisions, and making them stick * 25 min - What Dr. Yellowlees has learned about his mental health while sheltering in place * 30:10 min - The Crystal Ball question: What will we learn from sheltering in place, for better and for worse? * 34:20 min - Resources for those who want to reach out for help
READ Dr. Yellowlees' Pandemic Time reading pick ("The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry) and his "Good Stuff" newsletters at https://health.ucdavis.edu/clinician-health-and-well-being/Program/Good-Stuff-Newsletters.html
LISTEN to Dr. Yellowlees' podcast, "Joy of Medicine," talking with physicians about what they do and why they love it - http://joyofmedicine.org/joy-of-medicine-on-call-podcast/
WATCH the show -- all 23 seasons of it -- that Yellowlees and our parents have become addicted to during the shutdown (available on Amazon and Hulu) - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007y6k8
FIND HELP and resources at these websites: * Centers for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html * UC Davis MIND Institute - https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/resources/covid-19.html * Mental Health America - https://mhanational.org/covid19 * National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide
If you’re running out of things to watch on streaming TV or favorite podcasts to listen to, have we got suggestions for you.
We talked with a few people who read books, watch TV and produce podcasts for a living, and they gave us great suggestions for what to tune into during this “Pandemic Time." Listen to their picks for current news, "comfort food" selections, for kids, learning new skills and hobbies, and episodes that will make us escape from reality, connect with others, and celebrate life.
PART ONE: STREAMING TV Michele Foss-Snowden (pictured in photo), a professor of communication at Sacramento State University also hosts her own podcast, The TV Doctor, in which she offers Television "prescriptions" to help cure whatever is ailing you. Her picks range from "Nailed It" and "Making It" to "Schitt's Creek" and "Star Trek Discovery"
PART TWO: PODCASTS (at the 36:50-minute mark) Rockwell Felder, co-founder of Squadcast, a startup that makes podcast-creation software startup, and Sacramento podcast host/producer/consultant Johnny Flores, gave us their top picks for easy listening during these tough times. Their picks range from "Science Vs" and "Wow in the World" to "Flexitarian Feast" and "Hardcore History"
PART 2.5 - Podcasts for Kids Johnny Flores asked Sasha, his girlfriend who is a Sacramento librarian, for kid-friendly podcast picks, and here's what she recommends: - Ear Snacks - Eleanor Amplified - Stories Podcast - The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
PART THREE: BOOKS We interviewed Heidi and Ross Rojek, owners of Capitol Books in Downtown Sacramento, for top book picks, but sadly the sound quality of our interview wasn't great. So we're going to list their picks here, and you can buy them from Ross and Heidi by going to their website at https://capitalbooksonk.com * Coronavirus-Themed Fiction - "The Stand" by Stephen King - "Wanderers" by Chuck Wendig
- Solace Reading
- "Copy Boy" by Shelley Blanton-Stroud " Untamed" by Glennon Doyle " That Is All" by John Hodgman
- "Wow, No Thank You" by Samantha Irby
-
" Becoming" by MIchelle Obama
-
Travel Getaways
- "From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home" by Tembi Locke
-
"In the Kingdom of Ice" by Hampton Sides
-
Cooking Books
- "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat
- " Bread Baking for Beginners" by Bonnie Ohara
- " Tartine Bread" by Chad Robertson
- "Dining In" and "Nothing Fancy" by Alison Roman
For the Kids - The "Ivy and Bean" series by Annie Barrows - "Where's Waldo? the Boredom Buster Book" by Martin Hanford - The "Dogman" series by Dave Pilkey - The "Hilo" series by Judd Winnick
This Q&A was recorded on May 8, 2020
We’re taking a look at California’s grocery stores -- how they’ve handled becoming the “public square” that everyone is still allowed to go to, and all the stressful issues that go along with it, from ensuring the health and safety of their front-line employees, to making sure there’s enough toilet paper, flour and beef cuts on the shelves.
And now, with more people using e-commerce to get their groceries delivered, and cooking more meals at home than ever before, what’s the New Normal for grocery stores and how people will shop for their food?
We’re talking with Chelsea Minor, a top executive at Raley’s, the California grocery store chain headquartered in West Sacramento, about how grocery stores are handling the coronavirus crisis, and how the lessons they’re learning today will shape the way we all get our groceries in the future.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 4 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode * 4 min - When Raley's Supermarkets realized things were going to change, and what actions they took first * 5:50 min - How the supermarket supply chain works normally, and how it works in Pandemic Time * 11:45 min - Price gouging: Where, and why, the food costs are going up * 14:15 min - What food shortages should we be prepared for now? * 17:05 min - Deciding what health and safety measures to put in place for store employees working on the front lines * 22 min - Why grocery stores are hiring so many people, and where they're working * 24:55 min - Is online grocery shopping here to stay? * 26:45 min - What grocery stores are learning about human behavior and psychology these days * 31:30 min - Predicting the future of grocery stores in the New Normal, and the way people will go shopping * 35:05 min - Minor's recommendation for an essential kitchen tool since we all have time to cook
In this episode, we’re taking a look at California’s food supply chain – how it’s under stress, and even breaking, because of the coronavirus crisis. We’re talking with a couple of people who are literally “in the field” and seeing how pandemic-induced glitches in the food supply chain are playing out.
First is Evan Wiig, communications director for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, which is helping California’s small farms get through the pandemic by matchmaking them with food banks, school districts and other food hubs that need supplies.
In the second half, we talk with Dave Daley, chair of California Cattle Council, a fifth-generation cattle rancher, and a just-retired professor of animal sciences at Chico State, about the meatpacking-plants shutdown, why he supports President Trump ordering them to stay open, and how this will play out in the butcher shop and the supermarket.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY
Part One: Evan Wiig * 0 to 5:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this episode * 5:30 min - What's literally going on in the ag fields right now * 8:40 min - Why it's not so easy for farmers to pivot from their original clients to new ones * 13:55 min - Federal and state aid to farmers -- who gets it, and will it be enough? * 22:20 min - Community-supported Agriculture (CSA) is doing gangbusters right now -- will it last? * 28:15 min - Matchmaking farmers with food banks and other big hubs that need their food now * 32:45 min - The future of farming, for better and for worse * 37:30 min - How can Californians help farmers out in the New Normal
Part Two: Dave Daley * 42:45 min - The steps in the supply chain of raising a cow from birth to grocery-store product * 48:50 min - What happens when there's too many cows, and few to no places to send them to? * 51:30 min - How will the current situation shake out the cattle industry -- and beef/dairy prices at the supermarket? * 54:20 min - Was President Trump right in using the Defense Production Act to keep meatpacking plants open? * 57:50 min - Dealing with the other New Normals: wildfire season and the rise of Impossible Burgers and other "fake meats" * 1 hr, 1:10 min - The best cut of meat to put on the BBQ for dinner
In this episode, we’re taking a look at California’s restaurant industry – the efforts happening now to keep it going, and what it will look like after the pandemic is over.
Our guest to explain all that today is Patrick Mulvaney, chef and owner of Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento. Like many other restaurants, Mulvaney’s B&L closed its doors once the shutdown started, but that’s when Patrick Mulvaney started cooking up his biggest project yet: serving thousands of meals to Sacramento’s most vulnerable people. And now his project is scaling statewide.
Join us as Mulvaney talks about his new project, how it can help both California restaurants and residents stay afloat, and what he predicts the dining scene will look like after the pandemic ends.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:20 min - Intro to this podcast, and to Patrick Mulvaney * 4:20 min - When Mulvaney realized he had to shut down his restaurant for the first time in its 14-year history * 8:05 min - How he came up with the plan for "Family Meal" * 14:08 min - The commentary Mulvaney wrote about Family Plan that caught fire statewide and in Washington D.C. * 21:10 min - What "opening up" looks like for Mulvaney's restaurant * 24:05 min - What he predicts the post-pandemic restaurant scene in Sacramento will look like * 29 min - How eating out at a restaurant will be different * 32:50 min - How can we Californians help? * 35:25 min - What Mulvaney wants to have happen when his restaurant is open again for business
SUPPORT FAMILY MEAL at www.SacFamilyMeal.com
READ THE COMMENTARY Mulvaney and fellow chef Brad Cecchi wrote that got Gavin Newsom's attention and sparked a statewide initiative at https://is.gd/IaGAah
READ THE ESSAY in the New York Times by NYC chef Gabrielle Hamilton wrote about the decision to close her restaurant, Prune, and her predictions for restaurants at https://is.gd/vMtpSO
In this episode (taped April 19), we’re talking with a couple of everyday people who are doing amazing things in this New Normal -- and got their local communities to step up by offering volunteer time, skills and financial support.
First up: Cris Stellar, owner of Dry Diggins Distillery, who pivoted from brewing spirits for cocktails to making hand sanitizers and disinfectant sprays for California medical and law-enforcement workers.
In the second half, Alan Puccinelli talks about his Operation Shields Up, an organization entirely run and funded by volunteers to make protective face shields for hospital workers, first for Sacramento-area hospitals and now nationwide.
Listen to Stellar and Puccinelli explain how and why they’re doing these altruistic efforts, what they’ve learned along the way, and how you can help out, too.
NOTES: * Cris Stellar says ramped-up production of his sanitizing products means he can now start providing them to workers in elder-care facilities and nursing homes. If you're one of those, or know workers in that area, contact Stellar by phone at (530) 313-4000 or email inquiry.drydiggings@gmail.com
- Operation Shields Up still needs help in various ways. Find out how you can lend support at its website - www.opshieldsup.org
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY
Part One: Cris Stellar * 2:30 min - Intro to this episode, and to Stellar * 5:10 min - How Dry Diggings switched from spirits to hand sanitizer * 7:10 min - How Stellar made sure his new products were legit and good enough for medical workers * 9:35 min - So how do you make hand sanitizer anyway? (Hint: what you're making at home probably isn't the right type) * 11:45 min - Who he started giving these products to, and who he has added on along the way * 16:30 min - Where the community stepped up to support - and why three gallons of glycerine was so crucial * 20:15 min - So can we all buy Dry Diggins sanitizer spray along with our bottle of gin at the tasting room in the future? * 24:05 min - What Stellar has learned in the past few weeks since the pandemic started
Part Two: Alan Puccinelli * 27:55 min - Puccinelli explains what he did post-pandemic, and what he started a month ago * 32:15 min - Who uses the shields he makes, and how he guarantees that they meet the safety requirements needed for frontline workers * 36:50 min - What it takes, in plain English, to make a face shield, and how one maker multiplied to two, to four, to a community effort * 43:05 min - Where Puccinelli still needs help, "because we're still feeding a bottomless pit" * 46:25 min - And how he keeps his health and sanity while creating 1,000 shields a day * 49 min - Will Operation Shields Up still be up when the pandemic is called over? * 56:25 min - What Puccinelli has learned personally and professionally since he started his efforts
Over the next few weeks – or however long it takes before we are allowed to leave our houses again – we’ll be looking at the ways our coronavirus-affected lives are changing over the short- and long-term, and talking with Californians making significant change in this New Normal.
In episode #1 of this series, we talked with a UC Davis epidemiologist about how COVID-19 got its start. In this episode, we‘re asking the question: How will it meet its end? How close are we to a vaccine? Will it kill it, or will it mutate and come back? In the meantime, should we start giving out "immunity passports?"
Telling us what they know so far about all this are two UC Davis medical researchers who are part of the global team working round-the-clock on the race to create an effective vaccine.
Listen to our talk with: * Chris Miller, core scientist in the Infectious Diseases Unit at UC Davis National Primate Research Center * Nam Tran, professor of clinical chemistry in the UC Davis Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine about how they’re fighting COVID-19, what methods they’re testing to stop it in its tracks, and whether we can hope for an ultimate cure.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're doing this series * 3:55 min - Who these guys are, and how they"fell" into their fields of research * 5:40 min - Why Tran called Miller and told him to "drop everything" and join his team to create diagnostic testing and a vaccine for COVID-19 * 9:20 min - Where UC Davis fits into the global race and collaborative efforts of scientists to create a vaccine * 13:50 min - In visual terms, what would a vaccine look like, and how would it act, to effectively attack COVID-19? * 17:15 min - What they know -- and what they know they DON'T know -- about COVID-19 * 24:10 min - What is serology testing, and are "immunity passports" a good idea? * 29:25 min - Two types of experimental drugs getting a lot of media attention -- what is their potential for being the wonder vaccine? * 33:30 min - In the race to create this vaccine, how safe will it be to try options on human "guinea pigs"? * 45 min - Annual shot or the ultimate end-it-all cure: Trying to predict the future of COVID-19
Doing live, in-person events is off the table for a while, but we’re still interviewing Californians doing groundbreaking things during “Pandemic Time.”
So here is our podcast series “The New Normal in California.” Over the next few weeks – or however long it takes before we get the all-clear to leave our houses again – we’ll be looking at the ways our coronavirus-affected lives are changing over the short- and long-term, and talking with Californians making significant change in this New Normal.
In this first episode, we’re taking a look at the coronavirus that sparked a global pandemic, where it started and why, and what can we do as humans to stop this kind of thing from happening again?
To help us understand all that, we interviewed Dr. Christine Kreuder Johnson, a professor of epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who studies animal-to-human transmission of viruses. Her new study about that type of viral transmission was published early April in a prestigious research journal, and it is already the most downloaded study in that publication’s 105-year- history.
We talk with Dr. Johnson about animals, humans, how they mix, how that leads to deadly pandemics, and how there is still hope for reducing them – if we make significant changes in the way we live today.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 6:30 min - Intro to this new podcast series, and why Dr. Anthony Fauci inspired this first episode * 6:30 min - How dizzy water birds that were unable to fly made Johnson become an epidemiologist and do wildlife research * 11:15 - Why you should watch the movie "Contagion" to understand how small actions can turn into a global pandemic * 17:10 min - From AIDS in the 1980s to Ebola around 2013 -- why have more of these animal-to-human virus outbreaks been happening one after the other? * 24:25 min - How COVID-19 got its start, and how it's different from other viruses in the coronavirus family * 29:55 min - Johnson's just-published "rockstar" findings, and why hers is the most-downloaded study in the 105-year history of the "Proceedings of the Royal Society B" journal * 36 min - California has a lot of animals cited in Johnson's study -- should we who live near them be concerned about human-to-animal transmission of viruses? * 38:40 min - What about "zoonotic spillover" between humans and their cats, dogs and other pets? * 41:10 min - Johnson is in charge of PREDICT, a program that detects new, potentially dangerous diseases, and helps labs worldwide to stop global pandemic threats -- but last year the Feds stopped its funding, and the program was scheduled to shut down in March 2020. Has that changed? * 46:30 min - Has this global pandemic made it more likely that countries will collaborate in efforts to stop more of them? * 49:10 min - Will "zoonotic spillover" ever really go away? And what can we as humans do to reduce the number and risk of them?
2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, so we’re running a Q&A series this year called “The Women in Charge,” focusing on California women who are doing groundbreaking things in policy and politics, both here in the Golden State and around the nation.
Because it’s also an Election Year, we’re going to talk with the women in charge of getting other women inspired to run for political office, funding them so they can go the distance, and training them so they’ll succeed.
California is home to innovative organizations that are getting more women elected and appointed to top spots on local, state and national levels.
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California Women Lead is the state's first, and still only, nonpartisan organization that encourages and mentors women to run for office or apply for an appointment at the state or local level.
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Emerge California is a top training program for Democratic women who want to run for office (graduates include Eleni Kounalakis, California’s first female Lieutenant Governor, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf).
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Fund Her, the first political action committee focused on electing progressive women, provides that badly-needed financial support to ensure their candidates are well-positioned to win.
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And Ignite goes all the way down to the K-12 grade level to train young women who want to become the next generation of political leaders.
Join us for a conversation with some inspiring political leaders in California who know how to maneuver through the political world, and teach other women how to navigate successfully, too.
PANELISTS * Esmeralda Cortez Rosales, West Coast program manager for Ignite National * Samantha Farmer-Helton, chief political strategist for Fund Her, and deputy political director for Consumer Attorneys of California * Lindsey Nitta, executive director of California Women Lead * Melanie Ramil, executive director of Emerge California
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the reason for this specific event * 5:10 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and highlight particular California women in politics who have inspired them * 11:15 min - How California Women Lead gets more women appointed and elected around the state * 15 min - How Emerge California picks women to train, and how it trains them * 19:50 min - How Fund Her is getting women candidates to be better fundraisers and get connected to more donors with deep pockets * 23:05 min - How Ignite is training young women to be future political leaders * 30:45 min - Women typically haven't run for office unless they've been asked to -- is that changing? * 35:40 min - What skill sets do women need to run for office in 2020? * 39:55 min - What skills women need to raise money to run their campaigns * 46:20 min - How each of the panelists' organizations are funded * 52:15 min - Do you need to be a "yes man" as a woman climbing the political career ladder? * 57:25 min - How college students can explore career opportunities in the political world * 1 hr, 40 sec - How high schoolers can start thinking about getting involved in politics * 1 hr, 6:35 min - The pros and cons of social media for women running for office * 1 hr, 10:15 min - How do you balance the "likeability" factor with "being real" while running for office? * 1 h, 13:30 min - Lessons learned from the six female Democrats who ran for the Presidential nomination this year
Photo credit: Ignite National
Mom knows best . . . especially when she’s the Speaker of the House. So Christine Pelosi decided to write a book about her mom, Nancy, the homemaker and mother of five who became a Congresswoman from San Francisco and is now the most powerful woman in U.S. politics.
2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, so we've started a new Q&A series called “The Women in Charge,” focusing on California women who are doing groundbreaking things in policy and politics, both here in the Golden State and around the nation.
We kicked things off by having a conversation with Christine Pelosi, a political mover and shaker herself (she’s currently Chair of the California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus), an attorney, an author and the second-oldest of Nancy Pelosi’s five children. Her latest book is "The Nancy Pelosi Way: Advice on Success, leadership and Politics from America’s Most Powerful Woman. "
The recent iconic images of her mother interacting with President Donald Trump — staring him down across the table at the White House, giving him what looks pretty much like a clapback at the State of the Union speech — made Christine believe it was time to relay how Nancy Pelosi gets stuff done, and how women in business and politics can claim their own seat at the table.
Join us for a conversation with Christine about her mom’s rise to political powerhouse, her role in current events, and the Pelosi advice on politics, family and friendship.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 6:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to Christine Pelosi * 6:15 min - Christine's first memory, literally sitting in her stroller, of her mom in political mode * 9:40 min - What Nancy Pelosi was thinking during the last State of the Union, and why she ripped up her copy of President Trump's speech * 15:40 min - How motherhood prepared Nancy Pelosi for politics and to be Speaker of the House * 24:05 - How does one not be pigeonholed as "running as a woman," and instead be considered as "the best person for the job"? * 30:45 min - The various ways Nancy Pelosi took "a seat at the table" and how other women can do the same * 38:40 min - Building strategic alliances to get things done and be successful in your career * 43:30 min - How to handle criticism and keep your cool * 49:40 min - How to handle fear during such a tumultuous time * 54:50 min - How both Christine and Nancy Pelosi have addressed -- and made changes -- to the "Capitol culture" to get rid of sexism and harassment * 1 hr, 2 min - Christine's thoughts on the Democratic candidates for President * 1 hr, 8:05 min - Other countries worldwide have women as heads of state, why won't America elect one? * 1 hr, 13:20 min - Advice for people to get more engaged politically -- and where can we make the most impact?
A new food economy is taking root in places like the dairy section of grocery stores and the drive-thrus of Burger King. Plant-based and lab-made meat, cheese, ice cream and even sushi are appearing more regularly on menus, and many of the companies creating them are based here in the Golden State.
The Age of Animal Protein — with its environmental, ethical and health baggage — seems to be giving way to the Age of Alternative Protein.
But are these newfangled proteins all they’re supposed to be? Critics say they’re heavily processed, contain lots of non-natural ingredients, and aren’t that great for our health. And will they shut down the industry of cattle ranching and poultry farms, or is there a more eco-friendly way for us to have our animal proteins without the guilt?
Listen to this fabulous food-focused discussion with chefs, scientists and food developers about the latest efforts to reimagine and redesign animal- and animal-free proteins.
PANELISTS * Jamie Cavanaugh, owner of soon-to-open Pure Soul Plant Based Eats in Sacramento * Doni Curkendall, vice president of operations and logistics at The Better Meat Co. * Isaac Goldman, head of business development at Eclipse Foods * Ermias Kebreab, professor of animal science at UC Davis, and director of UC Davis World Food Center * Stephen Leopold, COO and general manager of Burger Patch
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and reveal the alt-protein they're currently eating all the time * 11:35 min - An overview of the "meatless meat" industry, and the new innovations * 15 min - How Eclipse Foods plans to be the "Impossible Foods of dairy" * 18 min - Truths and myths about the cattle/livestock industries and their impact on the environment * 23:40 min - Consumer adaptation of alt proteins, and how their tastes and preferences for that food type have changed * 29:25 min - Innovations and expansion of alt-protein products that chefs can serve up in their kitchens * 32:40 min - How healthy is the Impossible Burger and similar foods? * 39 min - As demand for this food type goes up, will supply keep up with it? * 44:40 min - What's the difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based diet, and between plant-based and lab-grown? And what do all these terms like "clean meat" mean? * 51 min - What markets these companies are targeting, and what education strategies they'll be using * 58:25 min - Are there any changes in nutritional values when the plant is turned into product? * 1 hr, 3:05 min - How are these companies handling the issue of GMOs? * 1 hr, 6:35 min - Can these foods be made -- and sold -- at a cost that's equal to their traditional counterparts? * 1 hr, 11:20 min - What are your personal/professional motivations for making these foods? * 1 hr, 16 min - Is there an environmental cost in the rise of alt proteins? * 1 hr, 22:30 - After the Impossible Burger, what's the next hot Alt Protein we'll be hearing about soon?
This podcast was recorded on November 18, 2019
Our final “Policy and a Pint” of 2019 is with a former farm boy from the Central Valley who is now Gavin Newsom’s go-to guy for advice on California ‘s economy and business affairs, and also chair of the state’s High Speed Rail project.
Lenny Mendonca grew up milking cows on his family’s farm in Turlock, but he was the first one in his family to go to college -- Harvard University -- where he became student body president.
A Stanford MBA, a partnership at management consulting mega-firm McKinsey, and advising roles at California startups and nonprofits gave him such an impressive resume that Governor Newsom tapped Mendonca to be his Chief Economic and Business Advisor, the director of the state’s Office of Business and Economic Development (also known as GO-Biz), and, last but not least, the chair of California’s High Speed Rail Commission.
Those are a lot of responsibilities, but Mendonca is taking them on — his mission now is to make Inland California the most desirable place to live in the state. He wants to raise the region’s stature in the eyes of companies on the coast, and solve some of its biggest problems around housing, jobs, transit and wealth inequality.
Join us for this conversation down in the basement of Ruhstaller’s taproom in Downtown Sacramento as we talk with Mendonca about his Central Valley roots and vision, and how he plans to bring the jobs, the housing and the high-speed transit to California’s “flyover country."
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 6:45 min: Intro to California Groundbreakers, and a brief backgrounder of Mendonca * 6:45 min - Mendonca, also owner of Half Moon Bay Brewing, shares his favorite beer on tap there, and a must-visit place he recommends in Inland California (also involves yeast) * 10:15 - How growing up on a dairy farm, running for student body president, and adjusting from Turlock to Harvard University prepped him for the future * 18:05 - How Mendonca envisions the private and public sectors working better together * 23 min - The big news coming out of this year's economic summit run by California Forward, which Mendonca helped create * 26:40 min - How he met Gavin Newsom, who made him a job offer he couldn't refuse * 29 min - The disconnect between Silicon Valley and Central Valley: How Mendonca wants to better connect coastal California and inland California * 35:35 min - How concerned should California be about so many of its companies and middle-class workforce leaving for other states? * 41 min: The future of California's agricultural industry; and what local governments can do to prevent brain drain and draw new businesses * 47:40 min - Boosting education, reducing inequality there, and connecting it more closely to business * 53:30 min - The importance of digital innovation in state government, and "civic tech" as a hot business sector * 58:50 min - What can Property Business Improvement Districts do to improve the urban core, and can they partner up with Go-Biz? * 1 hr, 6:40 min - Investing in Inland California's rural communities * 1 hr, 9:40 min - The future of high-speed rail in Inland California * 1 hr, 14:50 - Hidden business gems in Inland California that need investment help * 1 hr, 17:40 min - How to encourage businesses to decentralize and do more teleworking * 1 hr, 19:45 min - Is there a problem with state legislators who lack business experience but are passing bills that directly affect businesses? * 1 hr, 22:35 min - What is California doing to boost business in the nature/wildlife/outdoors tourism industry? * 1 hr, 25:40 min - How Mendonca manages his multiple jobs sanely; and his direct pitch to our podcast producer Kaleb to consider staying in California
Is the jig up for the “Gig Economy” in California?
Governor Gavin Newsom just signed California’s Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) legislation into law — and it’s one of the most contentious bills this year that we’ll probably still be talking about (and voting on) during Election Year 2020.
AB5, which kicks in on January 1, changes the test used to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The legislation will affect at least one million workers, ranging from ride-hailing drivers and food-delivery couriers to construction workers and franchise owners, who could now all be reclassified as employees.
Proponents of AB5 say the new bill gives gig economy workers more access to basic workplace protections, like a minimum wage and unemployment insurance.
Those against it say it will prevent contract workers from having flexibility and control over their schedules, and it will make running businesses in California even more expensive.
Besides knowing how this may affect your job, you'll also have a better sense about how you may vote on it in 2020 (Uber, Lyft and DoorDash are planning to spend $90 million to support a ballot initiative that would essentially exempt them and their contract workers from AB5).
Join us for a interesting conversation about how this bill could change up jobs, labor unions, the workplace and the economy in California — and the rest of the country.
PANELISTS * Anthony Giannotti, owner of Anthony's Barber Shop and Bottle & Barlow in Sacramento * Kimberly Lucia, partner and attorney specializing in employment law at Boutin Jones Inc. in Sacramento * Khaim Morton, vice president of policy and economic development at Sacramento Metro Chamber * Jeff Perry, a Sacramento-based Uber driver, and an organizer for Gig Workers Rising * NOTE: Caitlin Vega, legislative director for the California Labor Federation, had a family emergency and couldn't attend the event
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 7:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and the focus of this discussion: the contentious Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) * 7:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share the most interesting "gig job" they've ever had * 10:50 min - Lucia gives us a primer on AB5 -- the court ruling that got the ball rolling, and a general summary of the bill Governor Newsom signed into law * 16:20 min - Giannotti describes how that court ruling hit his business hard, and what has happened since * 20:25 min - Perry explains the current situation for gig workers, and how he sees AB5 improving things for them * 27:50 min - Morton tells why the Metro Chamber sees AB5 as really bad for its business members * 30:15 min - Why labor unions and organizers support AB5 * 37:25 min - Why did some types of employees get exemptions under AB5 (e.g., hairdressers and doctors) and some did not (e.g. truck drivers and freelance writers)? * 43:50 min - How will AB5 impact consumers -- and their wallets? * 1 hr, 2:25 min - Why Uber, Lyft and DoorDash are spending $90 million to create a ballot initiative in 2020 that shoots down AB5 -- and will they succeed? * 1 hr, 10:35 - How easy will the independent-contractor-to-employee transition be for workers and businesses? * 1 hr, 16 min - Panelists' personal thoughts on the current situation of work, the workplace, workers' rights, and employee benefits -- and how it could be changed * 1 hr, 22:05 min - What's the outlook for the Gig Economy, and how will it affect other industries?
With fires blazing yet again in Wine Country and the hills of Los Angeles, PG&E power outages, and historic, triple-digit-m.p.h. windstorms blowing through the state, we thought it would be a good time to talk with someone who could help us make some sense of all this Wildfire Season craziness, someone with 30-plus years of experience dealing with it on a daily basis.
So we sat down with California's top firefighter Ken Pimlott, the just-retired head of Cal Fire, who was in charge over the past 8 years of putting out (in)famous blazes like the Wine Country, Woolsey, Mendocino Complex, Carr and Camp Fires.
Listen to Pimlott's take on the latest round of fires blazing; last year's historic Wildfire Season and the 103 people it killed; PG&E and its power shutoffs; what he was thinking while briefing Jerry, Gavin and Donald about the Camp Fire (see photo above); and more.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 5:50 minutes - What it's like to be a firefighter in the middle of a raging wildfire * 5:50 min - Lessons learned from being the head of Cal Fire * 12:30 min - The strategy for fighting big blazes like the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County and just-started-but-still-dangerous fires like the Getty Fire in Los Angeles * 21:05 min - What has changed -- and hasn't -- in Pimlott's time as Cal Fire chief in terms of fighting fires, public perception and media coverage * 30:40 min - Memories and experiences of the Camp Fire in Paradise, which started nearly a year ago * 38:20 min - His take on PG&E's role in wildfire management, the shutoffs, and how to deal with the power lines * 48:15 min - What are the best ways to alert people that a wildfire is coming their way? * 51 min - Should we keep building homes farther afield, especially if they're in high-risk wildfire zones? * 55:35 min - How we'll need to deal with the "New Normal" of Wildfire Season year-round
Kristopher Barkley and Nikky Mohanna are two people who are literally changing the shape of Sacramento’s skyline. They’re designing and constructing buildings that aim to show off the Capitol City at its best, and they’re striving to innovate the places in which we live, work and play.
Barkley, who has just hit the 30-year mark at Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture (which is about to celebrate its 70th birthday), has designed or contributed to nearly all of the firm’s projects, including remodeling of the CalPERS headquarters, renovation of SMUD’s headquarters, and the new Powerhouse Science Center on the riverfront.
At age 29, Mohanna has quickly gained the reputation as one of Sacramento’s most innovative homebuilders, with her about-to-open Midtown “microunits” apartment building, 19J, and her about-to-break-ground 10K, a mixed-use building in Downtown that combines a hotel with studios and co-living spaces.
Listen to this great conversation with a “young whippersnapper” and a “seasoned veteran” as they talk about their groundbreaking projects in Sacramento, and find out how their views compare and contrast on architecture, design, urban planning, and the future of live/work/mixed-use living in California.
PEOPLE * Kristopher Barkley, partner and design director at Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture * Nikky Mohanna, principal at Mohanna Development
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're putting on this event * 6:55 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and tell us what building in California inspires them most * 9:30 min - How Barkley, who grew up in Central Washington, not known for a lot of buildings, became an architect * 11:20 min - How growing up with a real-estate developer and an architect as parents influenced Mohanna's career path * 13:15 min - Barkley's approach to designing a new building versus renovating a local landmark, like the 50-year-old Modernist SMUD Headquarters * 16:50 min - How living in London influenced Mohanna's lifestyle, and the layout of her residential buildings * 23:10 min - What cities are inspiring, and what cities Sacramento should use as models for urban planning * 28:10 min - What do you want people -- particularly government officials who issue building permits -- to know about architecture? * 32:35 min - What is good about building and architecture in California, and what would you like to see changed? * 37:35 min - What's the future for young architects and builders in California? * 41:50 min - Taking climate change and Sacramento's City of Trees" reputation into account when designing and building structures * 46:40 min - How famous Pop artist Wayne Thiebaud made his mark on Sacramento architecture * 49:20 min - Innovation and new technology being used in architecture and building * 56:20 min - If you were playing "Sim City: Sacramento," what would you change about the city's layout, particularly the riverfront? * 1 hr, 4:20 min - Thoughts about "upzoning" and "alley activation" for more urban density in Sacramento * 1 hr, 8 min - What's the importance of exteriors in buildings these days? * 1 hr, 14:15 min - Advice for young people to follow in Barkley and Mohannah's footsteps * 1 hr, 20:15 min - How to address cars, parking and public transit issues with future buildings * 1 hr, 27:10 min - How would you change the suburbs, and what would you do with buildings like the Sleep Train arena and the dying shopping malls? * 1 hr, 32:30 min - How are you using your role as a builder to tackle a pressing issue in California, like homelessness or inequality?
Eating local, sustainable and seasonal is something we hear a lot in the “Farm-to-Fork” capital city of Sacramento. Is that message making its its way to school lunchrooms here as well?
Many school districts are trying to get local ingredients on the menu. And other organizations, from Bay Area startups to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, are helping them out with a big push to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.
But three questions: How will school districts pay for it? How can parents, farmers and other food promoters help out? And will California kids eat it if it’s not fried or chocolate?
Join us for a food-focused conversation about how schools, parents, the public and private sectors, and foodies in general can work together to bring the fresh high-end cuisine California is known for into the cafeteria.
PANELISTS
- Nick Anicich, Farm to School Program lead at the California Department of Food and Agriculture
- Diana Flores, director of Nutrition Services, and the future Central Kitchen, at Sacramento City Unified School District
- Todd McPherson, Urban Agriculture Academy coordinator at Luther Burbank High School
- Kirsten Saenz Tobey, co-founder and chief impact officer of Revolution Foods
- Amber Stott, founding executive director of the Food Literacy Center
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're having this discussion * 6 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite lunchtime meal * 12:30 min - How Sacramento City Unified School District is getting fresh, local food into its cafeterias * 21:15 min - How California's Department of Food and Ag is helping other school districts statewide to do the same * 24:20 min - How Oakland-based Revolution Foods is getting public school districts nationwide to serve its meals * 29:05 - Teaching kids about food literacy, and lessons learned about how to make them more food adventurous * 33:15 min - Teaching students about growing, gardening, food activism, and agriculture as a career * 37:40 min - Working with Federal rules and regulations about school meals * 51:45 min - Any new state legislation that passed to boost "Farm to School" programs? * 55:20 min - How would proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)affect school funding and meals for children? * 58:05 min - How can small school districts procure better foods and partner with farms to improve their meal offerings? * 1 hr, 7:50 min - Panelists share their recent Farm to School success stories (e.g., making pesto for fellow students, testifying in front of City Council, building a cooking school and commercial kitchen, partnering up with Stephen Curry) * 1 hr, 17:20 min - How can farmers and ranchers better connect with schools for offering climate change-focused food and ag education? * 1 hr, 17:20 min - The challenges of switching over school menus to healthier food that won't make students revolt * 1 hr, 24:05 min - What can individual Californians do to help public schools serve better, healthier, fresher food to their students?
RESOURCES For info on panelists' organizations, and other organizations mentioned during the podcast, go to the event info on our website - www.californiagroundbreakers.org/events/2019/9/25/farm-to-fork-in-california-schools
We took a road trip to hold this conversation (our 50th event!) at the lovely Gold Rush town of Auburn because, according to Cal Fire maps, it sits in the “high” risk zone of wildfire hazards, and it’s right next to the “very high” risk zone that includes much of the Sierra Nevadas, including Paradise, Grass Valley and Nevada City, and all of Lake Tahoe.
In fact, one in four Californians live in a high- or very-high risk wildfire zone. So a lot of people are at risk of being hit when the next wildfire burns.
For our second event focusing on “Wildfire Season,” we’re talking with a great group of panelists whose jobs involved making a lot of big decisions about the wildfires that hit California in the past few years. They explain those decisions and what it means to live in a risk zone for wildfires, and give advice on what you need to know, how you need to prepare; how things are changing, from forest management and firefighting to utility usage and homeowners’ insurance policies; and how all that will probably change your lifestyle and the place you live.
PANELISTS * Todd Leopold, county executive officer for Placer County * Michael Picker, newly-retired president of the California Public Utilities Commission * Ken Pimlott, newly-retired chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection * Seren Taylor, senior legislative advocate for the Personal Insurance Federation of California
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 6:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this event * 6:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and divulge whether their dream retirement home is in a high-risk wildfire zone or not * 12:40 min - How California's wildfires -- and fighting them -- have changed over the past few years * 17:20 min - The connection and clash between public utilities and wildfire-risk zones, and how the "public safety power shutoff" decision came to be * 30 min - How insurance companies are rethinking their coverage of California homes in wildfire-risk zones, and how that will affect the homeowners * 38:45 min - What wildfire-prevention legislation came out of the state capitol, and what should lawmakers have done? * 49:50 min - Do forest thinning and fire breaks really works? Would the money be better spent on fireproofing homes? * 57:20 min - What type of early-warning alarm system should be set up in the high-risk zones? And what should you do if the fire hits before you can leave? * 1 hr, 4:45 min - Say you're the urban planner in charge of a town in a high-risk zone, how would you build up (or rebuild)that town to make it better withstand wildfires? * 1 hr, 16:20 min - When the state legislature starts again in January, what wildfire-focused issue do you want them to address?
It’s a special “Back to School” edition of Groundbreakers Q&A as we sit down with Gary May, Chancellor of UC Davis, and talk with him about his vision and goals for UC Davis and the Sacramento region, and his take on the state of higher-education today — the college admission scandals, massive student loan debt, improving diversity levels and graduation rates, boosting students’ STEM skills and career opportunities while trying to find them affordable housing and food.
We’ll also ask him about his inspirations, whether his love of "Star Trek" helped UC Davis score $15 million from NASA to research spacecraft and deep-space exploration, and why he sees comic books as a great educational tool.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5:45 min - Why we picked Gary May for this "Groundbreakers Q&A" * 5:45 min - May explains what a Chancellor does, shares his Top 3 "Star Trek" episodes, and reveals his favorite character from the original series * 12:25 min - How his mother's experience with higher education influenced his own experience * 16:15 min - Why comic books are a great learning tool -- and his favorite comic-book characters * 19:45 min - How May's experience as a Georgia Tech student helped him as a Dean there to attract underprivileged students to the school -- and make them feel at home * 23:35 min - What brought May to UC Davis, what he learned in his first year, and what he has started putting into place * 30:25 min - Getting students into STEM careers -- and particularly keeping women in them for the long run * 33:35 min - Getting more diversity in higher-education faculty and staff * 35 min - After the "Varsity Blues" college-admissions scandal earlier this year, what should be changed about the application and admissions process? * 37:15 min - A high school senior asks for advice about applying to college and getting accepted into the one you want * 39:50 min - The idea behind the Aggie Square development being built in Sacramento -- and how to grow the tech community here in town * 44:45 min - Do we really need four years of college to earn a degree? * 47:10 min - A UC Davis freshman asks how he can afford the $45,000 per year needed to attend the school * 50:35 min - With less financial help coming from the state, where is UC Davis going to find the money to keep the lights on? * 52:55 min - How to make UC Davis stand out, and apart, from other California schools * 55:40 min - Top research coming out of UC Davis, and the "deep space exploration" project for NASA * 59 min - Getting along with the state legislature and the federal government * 1 hr, 2:50 min - Students' safety and activism in this era of uncertainty * 1 hr, 6:30 min - Before they "beam him up," what May wants to leave behind at UC Davis
This podcast was recorded live on August 28, 2019
On the surface, the legal cannabis business looks like the greatest thing since sliced bread to hit California’s tax coffers. Sorry to harsh your buzz, but no. California's cannabis industry is an absolute mess.
In May, the Governor’s office released state budget documents showing that it has cut cannabis tax revenue projections of $1 billion by a whopping $223 million through 2020, so it’s only expecting $288 million this year, and $359 million in fiscal 2020.
How could the state miscalculate its cannabis business so badly? A few reasons given are: 1) a blanket of regulatory red tape; 2) taxes, taxes and more taxes; 3) anti-cannabis city councils and NIMBY objections; and 4) the black market’s not going anywhere.
So where do we go from here? What can be done to bring a new high to the cannabis industry and get it back on the track it was projected to run?
Listen to our conversation with some pros about how to make sure California’s legal cannabis market doesn’t go up in smoke.
PANELISTS * Kimberly Cargile, executive director of the Sacramento cannabis dispensary A Therapeutic Alternative
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Joe Devlin, former chief of cannabis for the City of Sacramento who just became senior vice- president of new market development for Ikanik Farms
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Khalil Ferguson, executive fellow for policy and research at the California Urban Partnership
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Gabriel Garcia, principal at Garcia Law Corporation who practices cannabis law
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Amy Jenkins, senior policy director for the California Cannabis Industry Association
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John Oram, CEO of NUG, a diversified cannabis company based in Oakland that just opened its first retail shop in Sacramento
*This event was recorded on July 10, 2019 *
Sacramento is still sometimes called “that place halfway between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.” And travelers often drive to those two tourist attractions without stopping to see what’s in between them. But that’s changing.
Sacramento is dedicated to turning the Old Sacramento waterfront into a new type of tourism draw. The town of Winters in Yolo County just got selected by USA Today as one of the country’s best small-town food scenes. And Lodi, originally(in)famous for the Creedence Clearwater song, is a place people now don’t mind getting stuck in, thanks to its upward-trending Wine Country status.
We’re talking with a few people who are leading the efforts to boost tourism in Sacramento and the Central Valley. Join us for a great conversation about Northern California’s newest hot spots, and what both tourists and local residents should know about what's going on there.
PANELISTS * Nancy Beckman, CEO of Visit Lodi * John Donlevy, City Manager of the town of Winters * Rob Stewart, host and producer of the KVIE show Rob on the Road * Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 5:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their travel destinations in the Central Valley (Bakersfield is one of them) * 12:50 min - What Sacramento is doing to boost tourism, and who is it's trying to attract * 18 min - How getting picked as "Wine Region of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast magazine has boosted Lodi's tourism cred * 22:15 min - How the town of Winters was ranked #4 on USA Today's "Best Small-Town Foodie Destinations" * 30 min - What Rob Stewart has seen in Central Valley travel trends, changes, ups and downs in his decade of doing "Rob on the Road" * 34:10 min - What works (and doesn't) to get the word out and draw tourists to town * 40:35 min - Fine dining vs down-home food experiences: How to market "Farm to Fork" based on pricing, affordability and exclusivity * 48 min - The right way to add more accommodations in town * 53:35 min - And what about adding more RV parks? * 1 hr, 1:15 min - Demographic differences in tourism: What appeals to different age ranges? * 1 hr, 5:25 min - Travel trends like agritourism and cannabis tourism: Are they on these towns' radars? * 1 hr, 8:30 min - How to market "experiences" in town * 1 hr, 13 min - How these tourism efforts will impact jobs and incomes for local residents * 1 hr, 17:45 min - How tourism efforts address -- or clash with -- California's problems with housing affordability and homelessness * 1 hr, 21:40 min - How do you solve the housing problem called Airbnb? * 1 hr, 25:50 min - Next hot upcoming must-attend events in the area (Junior Olympics, Earthquake Festival and Rob's new show)
This discussion was recorded on June 26, 2019
State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, has made waves since he came to Sacramento in 2016.
His efforts to build more housing around public transportation and in wealthy suburbs have made his legislation the most talked-about so far this year at the Capitol, and in the media. He’s also famous for his proposal to “keep the bars open till 4 a.m.”, citing the cultural and economic benefits of nightlife.
Wiener compares San Francisco politics to “a knife fight in a phone booth,” and says getting his start there had made him steely enough to handle politics at the State Capitol.
Join us at Ruhstaller as we talk with Wiener about housing, homelessness, education and LGBTQ legislation, as well as his past, present and future as a politician and a groundbreaker in California.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * 0 to 1:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:35 min - Intro to Senator Scott Wiener * 6:30 min - How many Senate committees Wiener sits on, and why this year's planned summer vacation is an important one for him * 8:50 min - His first political experience (which involved a threat of burning a cross on his lawn) * 11:40 min - On coming out nearly 30 years ago in North Carolina * 14 min - On moving to San Francisco, moving from corporate law to the City Attorney's office, and making the decision to run for office * 16:50 min - Why San Francisco politics is like a "knife fight in a phone booth" * 20:40 min - What issues he has decided to focus on at the Capitol in order to "push the envelope" * 23:40 min - His efforts on housing legislation to date -- and the controversy over Senate Bill 50 * 30:50 min - How to deal with NIMBY -- and your housing bill being held up by one person * 37:50 min - Lowering the voting threshold to a 55 percent majority from a two-thirds vote * 41 min - Building affordable high-density housing that you can buy instead of just rent * 47:05 min - Tying transportation to construction, and explaining the reality of gentrification * 52 min - Where Wiener stands on the "split roll" revise of Proposition 13 * 58 min - Regarding Google devoting $1 billion to building housing, what is the private sector's role in alleviating the housing crisis? * 1 hr, 2 min - Improving education * 1 hr, 4:15 min - The controversy over housing the homelessness in San Francisco * 1 hr, 7:30 min - Legislation on LGBTQ issues and gender equity in the workplace * 1 hr, 11:20 min -A lot of the housing in California is bought for investment purposes (rentals, Airbnb listings) -- is there any way to change that? * 1 hr, 16:15 min - Wiener's predictions (and hopes) for what will happen at the Capitol after summer break, and in Election Year 2020
This conversation was recorded on June 4, 2019
Wildfire Season is here! (Although in California, it’s now almost year-round, right?) To find out how the Golden State is planning for it, we talked with the man who is now responsible for a lot of those fire management and firefighting efforts — Wade Crowfoot, California’s new Secretary for Natural Resources.
He’s in charge of CAL Fire and the Departments of Water Resources, Fish and Wildlife, and Parks and Recreation. Basically, Crowfoot is making a lot of the decisions about what happens on California lands — and what should happen to those lands in this age of climate change.
Listen to Crowfoot explain what he’s planning for forest management, wildfire preparedness and firefighting efforts, and what will be different about Wildfire Season 2019.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:40 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:40 min - Welcome to Wade Crowfoot's favorite places that show off California's natural resources at its finest * 7 min - How Crowfoot started on the path of an environmental-focused career; and the comparisons/contrasts of working for both Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown at different times * 11:05 min - What has struck Crowfoot most about this job and its huge influence in the past two months since he was appointed * 13:10 min - Forest management, and how to do it in the nation's most-populous state * 17:10 min - Planned firefighting strategies for Wildfire Season 2019 * 22:20 min - How Cal Fire is using new technology to spot and manage wildfires * 25:05 min - Dealing with Washington D.C. when it comes to forest management and wildfires; and how much will California be spending on these -- and is it enough? * 28:30 min - The role -- and financial responsibility -- of utility companies in wildfire prevention and management * 33:50 min - Should we rebuild in areas hit by fire that probably will be hit again? And how to handle the town of Paradise's contaminated water supply, which will be expensive to clean up? * 37:20 min - What are the responsibilities of owners to create "defensible space" and fireproof their properties? * 40 min - How to tackle the labor shortage for jobs in forest/wildfire management * 43:35 min - What can be done to make California a more fire-resilient state? And handling retreats from areas that are prone to wildfires and rising sea levels * 50:55 min - Boosting wildfire preparedness and protection in vulnerable communities * 53:45 min - A new strategy for managing water allocation to California's rural and urban areas * 56:35 min - How is the legislature doing in handling wildfire-focused laws? And would a wildfire version of "tornado sirens" work here? * 1 hr, 1:50 min - A plan for California to take over management of Federal lands * 1 hr, 3:30 min - Should "fire fees" be charged again to rural residents for firefighting efforts?And making it easier and quicker for governments to approve pilot programs of new technologies for wildfire management * 1 hr, 7:35 min - The "people vs fish" question: balancing saving the fish and ensuring enough water for people * 1 hr, 11:15 min - Balancing forest-management projects with carbon-reduction goals * 1 hr, 13:15 min - Crowfoot plugs a few plans for other Natural Resources' upcoming projects, and its new building going up in Downtown Sacramento
This event was recorded on May 23, 2019
California is known for its amazing wines and its innovative, offbeat ways of growing, producing and marketing them. So in our offbeat and innovative way, we’re going doing a new type of tasting, mixing plenty of great wine with good gab by California Groundbreakers who turn grapes into liquid bliss.
Our wine pros this time around are:
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Andrew Willsen, manager and sommelier at top Sacramento restaurants including Mulvaney’s B&L, the Waterboy, Hawks and Taylor’s Kitchen
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Craig Haarmeyer, who runs his Haarmeyer Wine Cellers out of West Sacramento, is designated a “winemaker to watch” by the San Francisco Chronicle, and believes in the power of Sacramento "terroir" (https://haarmeyerwinecellars.com)
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Chris Walsh, an Amador County native who earned his chops in New York City as a sommelier, then decided to come home a few years ago and now makes natural wines under his End of Nowhere label, which showcases grapes grown by other small farmers in the Sierra Foothills (http://ljlwine.com)
Join California Groundbreakers' executive director Vanessa Richardson as she asks questions of Andrew, Craig and Chris about California and Sacramento-specific wines -- how to taste them, appreciate them, and discern the difference between wine reality and marketing hogwash.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY
- 0 to 3:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers
- 3:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves and share their favorite wine-focused movies ("Grapes of Wrath," "Bottle Shock," the "Somm" series and "Sour Grapes")
- 6:25 min - Panelists' first memorable experience of drinking wine, and how they got into a wine-focused career
- 16:45 min - Craig explains notable things and specific characteristics about growing -- and selling -- wine in the Sacramento region
- 22:40 min - The definition of "terroir" and why it matters
- 24:15 min - Chris explains Amador County terroir, and how his "natural" wines are made
- 28 min - How should we taste a glass of wine?
- 35:30 min - What should we talk about when we talk about wine? What's the line between sounding smart and sounding pretentious?
- 41:55 min - Panelists share their pet peeves and under-the-radar highlights of the wine industry
This event was recorded on April 30, 2019
This "Groundbreakers Q&A" is with two guys who know their way around a kitchen.
Rick Mahan and Patrick Mulvaney are Sacramento's Top Chefs. Their restaurants, The Waterboy (opened in 1996) and Mulvaney B&L (in 2006), set the bar for fine dining in Sacramento, and they're still atop the list of places worth opening up your wallet for a memorable meal.
When they're not cooking, they're still doing plenty to promote good food, boost Farm to Fork efforts, and improve Sacramento's dining scene. Mahan is a big supporter of the Food Literacy Center, and Mulvaney is getting national attention for his efforts to tackle the mental health crisis in the restaurant industry.
Join us for a great conversation with these two seasoned veterans of the city's ever-changing, often-challenging restaurant scene as we talk with them about Michelin stars, minimum wage hikes, the mental health movement, farmers markets, and other things that are shaping their menus today.
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O min to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - The chefs introduce themselves and talk about what food they're loving right now (like fava beans and wild boar) * 7:30 min - First memories of food, and first experiences in the kitchen * 11:50 min - What brought Mulvaney, an Irishman from Long Island, out West, what kept him in Sacramento, and how his restaurant got his name * 14:05 min - Mahan's journey from washing dishes at Buffet Excellence at age 16, to having a life-changing experience in France * 20:45 min - What happened in those first few days, weeks and months of opening the new restaurant * 26:35 min - The pros and cons of serving Sacramentans as restaurant diners * 31:15 min - How to address changing tastes, trends and younger customers * 37 min - What the chefs are working on now outside the kitchen * 44:50 min - The Food Network effect: What do these TV shows overhype and downplay in the restaurant industry that we customers should know about as reality? * 53:40 min - The dish from Americo's (where the Waterboy stands today) that Mahan promises to make if you request it * 56 min - Thoughts on tasting menus, "tweezer plating," and the upcoming Michelin guide on Sacramento restaurants * 1 hr, 1:50 min - The pros and cons of running a restaurant -- especially in California * 1 hr, 7:05 min - The biggest challenge -- and fear -- the chefs are facing * 1 hr, 11:50 min - Thoughts on California's agriculture industry, and the future for farmers * 1 hr, 14:10 min - How the Waterboy got its name (it wasn't the Adam Sandler movie) * 1 hr, 20:15 min - Workforce development: How do we train the people who will run Sacramento's restaurants in the future? * 1 hr, 30:15 min - Best piece of advice for someone just starting out in this business * 1 hr, 32:10 min - Best piece of advice for amateur chefs in the kitchen
This conversation was recorded on April 17, 2019
California’s legislature is looking at how to make blockchain and cryptocurrency easier to use here. One bill would set up a structure for regulating virtual-currency business activities in the state. Another would require California to start accepting “stablecoins,” digital currency tied to the U.S. dollar, from cannabis businesses starting in 2020, so they don't have to pay their taxes and fees via briefcases full of cash.
And blockchain isn’t just about currency — California water-rights experts are placing IBM-made sensors in Central Valley rivers to monitor real-time volume and usage. And the Sacramento Kings, the first sports team in the world to accept bitcoin at its games, is using blockchain can improve the fan experience at Golden 1 Center.
But what exactly is this blockchain thing? What’s the point of Bitcoin? Do you need to start learning how to buy cryptocurrency, or is this a fad that will be old news next year?
Listen to our easy-to-understand discussion about this tech trend that California is playing a big role in shaping.
PANELISTS * Ally Medina, director of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition (and current Mayor of Emeryville) * Kevin Weiler, lead blockchain engineer for San Diego-based XYO Network, which bought his blockchain startup, Layer One, last summer
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers and this topic * 5 min - Ally Medina talks about how her Coalition is getting blockchain-legislation passed, and testing cryptocurrency wallets that are government-suitable * 7:25 min - What exactly is blockchain, and examples of how it works * 9:25 min - Who is in the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, and what types of business they do * 10:45 min - How Kevin Weiler uses blockchain with things like "merkel trees," and how his company is creating a competitor to GPS tracking * 17:45 min - How blockchain can best be used by government agencies -- and by cannabis companies * 25 min - What's the status of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrency -- is it a risky fad, or is it here to stay? * 30:10 min - How does one assess the value of a cryptocurrency? * 33:35 min - How would people working in the cannabis industry learn about, get trained in, and enter into the use of cryptocurrency? * 38:25 min - Do blockchain transactions need to be regulated if they are decentralized? * 41 min - How will California's newly-passed Consumer Data Privacy Act affect blockchain? * 44 min - Because blockchain could cause so much disruption, how is Big Business (with big lobbying efforts) handling that? * 49:45 min - Will Bitcoin ever hit its financial high again? * 51:45 min - What Weiler's company is doing to help people keep control of their location-based data privacy -- and why Medina argues for access to that data * 56:15 min - An Oracle executive predicted that "50 percent of all companies will be using blockchain within the next three years" -- is that viable? * 58:50 min - The California state government is putting together a workgroup to study blockchain and see how to handle it -- who should be appointed to this group, and what should they focus on to make effective recommendations?
This discussion was recorded on April 8, 2019
Sacramento is getting attention nationwide for its alt-transportation methods, which focus on smarter, safer and more efficient ways of getting people from A to B, while reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion in a big way.
But it’s not always a smooth ride. There are multiple complaints about how Jump bikes are blocking sidewalks, and Jump scooters are not that safe for their drivers or the people they run into. The City is putting new fees, rules and restrictions in place that Jump says is expensive and prohibitive to expanding its services. The Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project is in jeopardy, with project bids for construction way higher than expected, and far beyond the project budget. And can Sacramento Regional Transit ever get anyone to ride its light rail?
The future of transportation in Sacramento is off to a great start, but how will these bumps in the road affect it? And how will we — as users, taxpayers and voters — affect and be affected by these new modes of transportation?
We’re talking about it down in the basement of Ruhstaller in downtown Sacramento with the people who are in charge of taking us where we want to go, but differently.
PANELISTS * Jennifer Donlon Wyant, active transportation program specialist for the City of Sacramento * Jessica Gonzalez, director of marketing and communications for Sacramento Regional Transit * Jennifer Venema, sustainability manager for the City of Sacramento
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:45 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:45 min - Panelists introduce themselves and tell us the best "ride" they've ever had * 8:40 min - Jump bikes and scooters are just the start: details about the "Vision Zero" project * 10:30 min - "Electrifying" efforts: Sacramento's new focus on electric cars and shuttles * 13:35 min - Sacramento Regional Transit's major rehaul of its bus routes, and its new shuttles * 15:50 min - Sacramento as a transit laboratory: what efforts have tested well so far, and which needs more work? * 24:10 min - What's going on with the Sacramento Riverfront Streetcar Project: will construction start this year as planned? * 26:15 min - Why the City is imposing new fees, rules and regulations on "shared rideables" like Jump bikes and scooters * 31:40 min - Improving pedestrian safety and protecting walkers from aggressive drivers * 33:40 min - The new ordinance for cracking down on improperly-parked bikes/scooters * 38:25 min - How Sacramento's transportation orgs are working on Electrify America -- and how Volkswagen and its "Dieselgate" scandal play a role * 43 min - What's the role of suburbs in this new future of transportation? And how about the private sector? * 53:15 min - Efforts to teach people on how to ride these bikes and scooters properly * 57:55 min - What are the efforts to partner with cities outside Sacramento, like Roseville and Elk Grove? * 1 hr, 1:35 min - Any plans for a multi-use "crossover" pass that works for all the transit methods? * 1 hr, 5:30 min - How do public-private partnerships work in this area, and how are they contracted and monitored? * 1 hr, 9:20 min - With all these tech-savvy transit options, how do you make them accessible to underserved communities with digital divides? * 1 hr, 13:50 min - How all these new transit methods could impact Sacramento's urban planning efforts in the future
- This podcast was recorded on April 3, 2019 at Antiquite Midtown in Sacramento*
We’re talking with some of Sacramento’s mightiest movers and shakers this year, people who are bringing changes, making waves and putting California’s capital on the map in bold font.
This conversation is with two people who play big roles in shaping Sacramento’s arts scene, supporting and promoting local artists, and getting their efforts talked about in cultural circles around California and nationwide.
Liv Moe, founding director of Verge Center for the Arts, and Estella Sanchez, founder and executive director of Sol Collective, do all this by providing vital resources to career and emerging artists, as well as offering arts education opportunities for youth and adults. They’re two major reasons why the Capitol City’s cultural scene is on fire, and why it has such a passionate community rooting it on.
Join us as we talk with Moe and Sanchez about the state of the arts in Sacramento, what they’re working on now, and what they want to happen so that the city’s artists get the support they need and the recognition they deserve.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 4:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:35 min - Sanchez and Moe introduce themselves, and describe the work of art that inspires them most (from Miguel Bounce Perez and Christian Marclay, respectively) * 8:05 min - From high school counselor and women's rights advocate to leaders in the arts: How each woman started down the path to the positions they hold today * 12:40 min - The specific things that make Sol Collective and Verge unique * 17:30 min - The blood, sweat and tears shed in buying the buildings these organizations are housed in -- and how that effort made both Sanchez and Moe stronger * 26 min - How strongly is Sacramento embracing its arts scene -- and its artists? * 33:20 min - The arts and gentrification: How they go together, for better and for worse * 41:50 min - Approaching art as activism, especially in these politically-charged times * 52 min - How Sacramento museums can better support the local arts scene * 1 hr - How Moe and Sanchez mentor their artists, and have helped them go on to bigger, better opportunities * 1 hr, 6:30 min - As a cultural leader in Sacramento, when do you know how loud to speak out, and how do you know when it's best to step back and stay silent? * 1 hr, 12:50 min - Next steps and future plans for Sol Collective and Verge
This event was held on February 27, 2019 at Antiquite Midtown in Sacramento
One of the City of Sacramento’s big initiatives: Come up with the right jobs strategy that boosts all of its neighborhoods, especially those with less-than average employment rates and high poverty.
So how is that going? How is Sacramento residents' feedback on the matter being used? What is funding being spent on, and who and where is it benefiting? And how can the City’s government, businesses, nonprofits and us individuals turn these efforts into tangible economic growth and good jobs that boost people’s incomes and improve the neighborhoods they live in?
Join us for another “cocktail conversation” with some Californians who are giving their all to boost economic growth in neighborhoods that need it — and find out how you can help them with their efforts.
PANELISTS
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Melissa Anguiano, economic development manager for the City of Sacramento
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Nicholas Haystings - president and executive director of Square Root Academy, a nonprofit that puts on after-school programs and community events in STEM skills for underrepresented students
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Mariah Lichtenstern - founding partner and managing director of DiverseCity Ventures, a venture capital firm that funds tech companies run by underserved founders
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Tyrone Roderick Williams - director of Sacramento Promise Zone, and director of development for Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
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Dianna Tremblay - Director of Acceleration for ICA Fund Good Jobs, a nonprofit, impact investment firm focused on creating jobs and economic opportunity in San Francisco and Oakland’s inner cities
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY
- O to 7:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and about this topic
- 7:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share the most "interesting" job they've had to date
- 11:15 min - Details about how the City of Sacramento is going to tackle economic inequality
- 18:05 min - What is the Sacramento Promise Zone?
- 24:35 min - How STEM skills are expected to secure good jobs -- and how they're being taught in underserved neighborhoods
- 28:45 min - What's the landscape like in Sacramento for entrepreneurs from economically-disadvantaged areas who want to start and build businesses?
- 34:25 min - How one Bay Area org does it re creating jobs and building economic growth - and how that can be applied here to Sacramento
- 41:50 min - How much should city governments do -- and offer -- to lure companies to town and bring jobs to neighborhoods that need them?
- 50:45 min - What's the private sector's role in getting jobs and economic growth to underserved neighborhoods -- and what should it be?
- 53:30 min - What are efforts to getting economic equality to the City's schools?
- 1 hr, 2:45 min - For struggling neighborhoods that are not in a Promise Zone or an Opportunity Zone, how can they get resources and funding to boost their economic growth?
- 1 hr, 6:20 min - How do you bring the "entrepreneurial spirit" to residents in neighborhoods who have potential but may not have that type of business background or knowledge?
- 1 hr, 16:05 min - What can we, as individuals and as California residents, do to help get economic growth to neighborhoods that need it?
We’re talking with some of Sacramento’s mightiest movers and shakers this year, people who are bringing changes, making waves and putting California’s capital on the map in bold font.
First up is a conversation with two of Sacramento’s most well-known groundbreakers — literally — who are responsible for what the city's growth will look like.
Katherine Bardis and Bay Miry were born into real estate development families, and they’re carrying on the tradition. They like to go into under-the-radar parts of town and revitalize them (Miry's red-hot “R Street Corridor” and the 700 block of K Street; Bardis' housing community, the Mill). They’re taking innovative spins on how “mixed-use” housing and retail should go together, and how it should fit into a community. They’re addressing head-on the challenges of affordable housing and the fear of gentrification. And they just got married.
We're in Ruhstaller’s basement taproom in downtown Sacramento with Bardis and Miry as they tell us about their current construction projects and what Sacramento should/could look like in the future.
PODCAST PLAY BY PLAY * O to 4:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:35 min - Katherine and Bay introduce themselves -- and tell us about the buildings in Sacramento they admire most (that are not theirs) * 10:45 min - Growing up in real estate development families, and how that type of childhood made them want (or not) to go into the family business * 19 min - A past or present construction project that is particularly significant to each of them, and to Sacramento * 28:15 min - Who is the target customer these days? * 36:30 min - How are you adjusting your projects for macro trends (i.e., a potential recession); and what innovative projects around the U.S. do you want to bring to Sacramento? * 43:15 min - The role of "mixed use" development in Sacramento's future; and is the "Bay Area effect" really happening here? * 49:30 min - Two wishes for changing how building and development is done in Sacramento * 51:40 min - Thoughts on our new Governor's plans for tackling California's housing crisis * 55 min - The role of gentrification in development -- and their role in it * 1 hr, 1:10 min - If you were given $500,000, what would you build? What about $500 million? * 1 hr, 5:20 min - The frustrations of a service-industry worker about Sacramento's unaffordable housing - and what can developers do about that?
(photo by Nicholas Wray - www.nicholaswray.com)
This podcast was recorded on November 9, 2018
Good job, you filled out your ballot and cast your votes — now what are you going to get in return? How are the results of Election 2018 going to affect you as a resident, taxpayer and user of services in California?
For our last election-focused “Policy and a Pint, we’re with a savvy group of political experts to discuss the results of Congressional races, top state offices, ballot initiatives, voter turnout -- and what’s next for California in 2019 with a new governor, state legislature and the 116th Congress taking charge.
PANELISTS * Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation * Brian Brokaw, principal of Brian Brokaw Consulting, and senior political advisor to Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom * Tim Rosales, vice president of the Wayne Johnson Agency, and campaign manager for gubernatorial candidate John Cox
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers and this event * 5:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and explain what got them into the crazy world of politics and election campaigns * 13:45 min - What's notable about the voter turnout in California - was it historic? * 23:45 min - Gavin Newsom is our next governor - what's he going to tackle first? * 26:45 min - The future of California's Republican party - do they still have one here? * 38 min - Congressional Democrats won back the House and Nancy Pelosi will probably be Speaker again - what does that mean for California? * 44:30 min - Why can't our ballot initiatives be written in easier-to-understand language? * 48:40 - Surprising results of the state races and ballot initiatives (it wasn't about who won) * 55:35 min - Are there any ways we can get more people to vote? * 58:45 min - C'mon, there HAVE to be more ways to encourage people to vote . . . right? * 1 hr, 6:35 min - Will we be be taking a look at Proposition 13 -- and maybe changing it -- in Election Year 2020? * 1 hr, 9 min -- Will any city/county initiatives on the ballot this year bubble up to be statewide initiatives that all Californians will vote on in the future? * 1 hr, 15:10 min - The crystal-ball predictions about what will happen in California politics over the next two years until Election Year 2020
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" are focusing on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
In this podcast, we're talking about Proposition 12, about banning the sale of meat and eggs from animals confined in spaces below specific sizes. NOTE: Our "No on Proposition 12" panelist had to drop out due to a family emergency, so we only have the "Yes on Proposition 12" panelist, but our moderator did her best to question him thoroughly.
PANELIST * Chris Holbein, director of public policy of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 3:40 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and what this discussion is about * 3:40 min - Panelist introduces himself and explains how Proposition 2, which we passed a decade ago, leads to Proposition 12 on the ballot today * 10:30 min - Why is a Washington D.C.-based organization the one behind putting both Propositions 2 and 12 on our state's ballot? * 11:55 min - Prop 2 was supposed to make chickens cage-free by 2015, but it didn't -- why? * 14 min - How are farmers supposed to prepare and spend the money to meet Proposition 12's new requirements? * 15:40 min - If Proposition 12 passes, what does "cage free" mean and visually look like? * 18:40 min - Who would be in charge of making sure Prop 12's rules and requirements are being met and enforced? * 20:30 min - Prop 12's opponents say that it would cause meat and egg shortages, raise prices drastically, and shutter farms - what's the response? * 24:45 min - Proposition 3 wants to regulate interstate commerce of pork, veal and eggs -- how would that work? * 26:55 min - Some people think Proposition 3 is too conservative and doesn't go far enough -- so why vote for it instead of waiting for another try in 2 to 4 years? * 30:20 min - Where do farmers stand on Prop 12? * 32:35 min - Does Prop 3 do anything for hens besides make them cage free? * 34 min - Why can't savvy farmers and consumers' tastes and trends in food drive the changes to farm animal welfare instead of a ballot initiative? * 36:35 min - More details on how pigs, sows and calves would benefit from Prop 3 * 38:30 min - With a new governor and legislative session starting in January, what should they be doing better in farm animal welfare matters?
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" are focusing on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
In this podcast, we're talking about Proposition 3, the "Water Bond," about authorizing $8.87 billion in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, supplies and storage, and watershed and fisheries improvements.
PANELISTS * Gerald Meral, director of the California water program at the Natural Heritage Institute, and author of Proposition 3 * Eric Parfrey, chairman of the executive committee of Sierra Club California
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5:35 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and what this discussion is about * 5:35 min - Panelists introduce themselves -- and talk about their favorite body of water in California * 9:15 min - Meral explains why he put Proposition 3 on the ballot * 11:30 min - Parfrey explains why the Sierra Club -- and many major newspapers' editorial boards -- are against Proposition 3 * 16:45 min - Wait, didn't we pass a water bond back in June? How does Proposition 3 differ from that one? * 21:30 min - The "pay to play" factor for who benefits most from Proposition 3 * 25:55 min - Financial accountability and transparency: Who's in charge of spending the funding if Prop 3 passes? * 28:55 min - Which specific regions and individual local governments would have the most water projects in their areas, and what's the financial impact to them? * 37:50 min - What's the alternative to Proposition 3? * 44:20 min - Is there a rural/urban, red-state/blue-state factor to whether people support or oppose Proposition 3? * 50:55 min - Status update of Proposition 1, the $7 billion water bond we passed 4 years ago -- is another water bond really necessary right now? * 56:25 min - How to guarantee that the money earmarked for cleaning up the water supply in Central Valley towns goes where it's supposed to * 1 hr, 20 sec - Panelists explain what will happen if Proposition 3 passes/doesn't pass
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" are focusing on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
In this podcast, we're talking about Measure U, establishing a one-cent sales tax increase -- and making it permanent -- in the City of Sacramento to maintain public services, and be used for investments in youth, affordable housing and inclusive economic development.
PANELISTS * Craig Powell, chair of the “No on Measure U” campaign * Zachary Yeates, campaign manager of “Yes on Measure U”
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 5:20 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5:20 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share the place they enjoy most in Sacramento * 8:15 min - Yeates gives a backgrounder on Measure U - the original version, and the new concept we're voting on * 12:45 min - Why Powell is leading the campaign to defeat Measure U * 16:05 min - What is the money earmarked for, and how will it be spent? * 31:35 min - How to handle the rising cost of city employees' pension liabilities * 40:20 min - Alternatives to passing Measure U * 46:10 min - Besides public services, what other areas does the City want to spend Measure U money on? * 57:10 min - The "trusting government" issue: City Hall must handle these big issues, but how does it make itself financially accountable and transparent to its residents? * 1 hr, 3:50 min - Powell and Yeates explain what would happen if Measure U passes/doesn't pass
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" are focusing on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
In this podcast, we're talking about Proposition 6, about repealing 2017’s gas tax and vehicle fee increases, and requiring a public vote on future increases in transportation-specific spending.
PANELISTS * Kiana Valentine, senior legislative representative for the California State Association of Counties * David Wolfe, legislative director for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and what this discussion is about * 5:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves -- and talk about their favorite road trip through California * 7:40 min - The background of Proposition 6: Valentine explains Senate Bill 1 and the passing of the "gas tax" * 17:50 min - Wolfe explains why Proposition 6 is on the ballot to repeal the gas tax * 20:50 min - It has been nearly a year since the gas tax started - what has happened in that time? * 29:55 min - Will Prop 6 force gas companies to lower the price of gasoline at the pump? * 32:55 min - What if a recession hits: How will that affect our gas use and transportation funding? * 38:05 min - The federal government's role in fixing infrastructure in California * 42:30 min - If Prop 6 passes, what would be the ideal outcome? * 53:20 min - The flip side: What will happen if Prop 6 doesn't pass? * 55:40 min - How does Prop 6 address climate change and public transit issues? * 58:20 min - The premise of using cap-and-trade funds to fill in the gaps for transportation funding * 1 hr, 1:30 min - The "Plan B" proposed by Prop 6 proponents * 1 hr, 4:55 min - With a new governor and legislative session coming in January, what should they be doing with transportation fixes and funding?
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" will focus on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
Of the 11 propositions on the ballot this year, four of them are focused on housing.
In this podcast, about letting the state use revenue from the "millionaire's tax" on $2 billion in revenue bonds to house homeless people in need of mental health services.
PANELISTS * Mary Ann Bernard, retired attorney and plaintiff in the lawsuit that led to Prop. 2 being on the ballot * Maggie Merritt, executive director of the Steinberg Institute
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and tell us what their favorite house is in California * 8:45 min - Merritt explains why a proposition we passed back in 2004 is an important part of Proposition 2 * 16:25 - Bernard explains why she filed a lawsuit and became "the mother of Proposition 2" * 22:15 min - What Proposition 2 actually is, and what the opposition against it is * 29:15 min - How the "millionaire's tax" comes into play with funding for Prop 2 * 34 min - Housing or mental health services: What should be provided first when helping the homeless who need both? * 36:50 min - How Proposition 2 would bring together law enforcement, health providers, public safety officers and other parties to create an integrated treatment process for the mentally-ill homeless * 41:50 min - What kind of housing and services would Prop 2 provide, and for who specifically? * 45:05 min - The perspective of a former lender and affordable-housing developer on Prop 2 * 51:25 min - NIMBYism often holds up housing intended for the homeless - how does Prop 2 address that? * 56:35 min - Does Prop 2 require that the mental-health services come along with the housing? * 1 hr, 2:40 min - A mental health therapist wants the specific details of housing and services provided in Prop 2 * 1 hr, 11 min - Panelists summarize the pros and cons of Proposition 2 passing/not passing
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" will focus on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
Of the 11 propositions on the ballot this year, four of them are focused on housing.
In this podcast, we're taking a look at Proposition 1, about issuing $4 billion in general bonds for affordable housing-related programs and housing loans for veterans.
PANELISTS * Laine Himmelmann, director of development for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento * Rob Wassmer, acting chair of Sacramento State's Department of Public Policy and Administration, and head of its Master's Program in Urban Land Development
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 3:50 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 3:50 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and pick their favorite "dream house" in California * 6:50 min - Starting with a primer on bonds in California - how they're issued, used, spent and paid for * 14 min - What Proposition 1 covers, and what the $4 billion would be earmarked for * 16 min - The backstory on why Prop 1 made it to the ballot, and how the state legislature played a role * 20:30 min - Building homes is an expensive process in California - would Prop 1 make that any easier or less costly? * 28:45 min - How would Prop 1 affect the revenue that local governments get from housing fees and property taxes? * 35:30 min - Any specific low-income groups of excluded from this bill, and would the housing built be "affordable housing" for the long term? * 41 min - How much does the problem of artificial inflation of housing prices by lenders and real estate investors affect the housing supply in California? * 42:55 min - What is the role of the private sector -- for-profit housing developers -- in Prop 1? * 45:30 min - What should the next governor and the next legislative session do to address housing, whether Prop 1 passes or not? * 56:20 min - Panelists explain the pros and cons of Proposition 1 passing/not passing
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" will focus on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
Of the 11 propositions on the ballot this year, four of them are focused on housing.
In this podcast, we're taking a look at Proposition 5, about preserving lower property taxes for Californians age 55 and older who sell their home. It's the first proposition to propose changes to Proposition 13, "the third rail of politics," which California voters passed 40 years ago.
PANELISTS * Dorothy Johnson, legislative representative for the California State Association of Counties * David Tanner, CEO of the Sacramento Association of Realtors
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to Proposition 5 * 4:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and tell us about their "dream home" in California * 7 min - Proposition 5 is a lot about the (in)famous Proposition 13 - what did that cover and why was it a big deal? * 10:25 min - How Proposition 13 has affected city/county budgets and services * 12 min - Proposition 5: how it would work, who it would benefit -- and who would be hit * 17 min - If Proposition 5 passed, how would it affect the housing market? * 21 min - And how would city budgets, school districts and California services be affected if it passed? * 23 min - Will it only be affluent homeowners who benefit? Why are there no caps on ages or income levels for homeowners who sell? * 30:10 min - There were three versions of Proposition 5 floating around at one time - how did this version get on the ballot? * 31:25 min - What the term "split roll" means, and why we may see another proposition about it on the 2020 ballot * 35:35 min - How would renters be affected if Proposition 5 passes? * 38:25 min - Panelists list the pros and cons of Proposition 5 passing/not passing * 44:35 min - What does the California Association of Realtors, the group that put this on the ballot, get financially if Proposition 5? * 46 min - Do counties get the power to set the rates they charge on the tax base? * 46:45 min - Panelists give their legislative "wish list:" An ideal housing-focused ballot initiative or policy change that would really make a difference * 51: 35 min - Will a new governor and legislative session in 2019 make a difference on solutions to the housing crisis?
Election 2018 is in full swing -- and now is the time to start figuring out how you're going to vote!
Our Fall 2018 "Policy and a Pints" will focus on California's General Election ballot. We're holding discussions with panelists who, whether they are "for, " against" or "neutral," will give us the straight talk on local/statewide propositions and races, and what it means if you vote yay or nay on each.
Of the 11 propositions on the ballot this year, four of them are focused on housing.
In this podcast, we're taking a look at Proposition 5, about preserving lower property taxes for Californians age 55 and older who sell their home. It's the first proposition to propose changes to Proposition 13, "the third rail of politics," which California voters passed 40 years ago.
PANELISTS * Debra Carlton, senior vice-president of public affairs for the California Apartment Association * Christina Livingston, executive director of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:20 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and to this event * 4:20 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and talk about their favorite neighborhood block in California * 6:30 min - Why Proposition 10 is on the ballot, and what it's all about * 10:05 min - Groups against Proposition 10 have spent $20-plus million to fight it, and Carlson explains why * 12:50 min - Livingston talks about existing rent-control policies, in California cities and other states, that could be models to follow * 15:30 min - Landlords' POV on rent control -- and how it shows in managing their rental properties * 18 min - The geographic issue of rent control: is this just a big deal in urban centers, and do we need rent control in less-dense areas? * 23:15 min - The winners and the losers if Proposition 10 passes * 26:05 min - California is still considered a desirable place to live, so will rent control really send landlords and builders packing out of state? * 29:30 min - Why can't cities and counties just have the choice to decide whether they want rent control or not? * 33 min - What are the anti-Proposition 10 proponents' solutions for preventing people from being forced out of their rental homes? * 36:40 min - Sacramento's Mayor and other City Council members simultaneously proposed two separate rent control solutions: are they good ideas? * 40:45 min - The NIMBY factor in rent control * 44:20 min - How rent control should be involved in construction of new housing going forward * 47:55 min - Is there really a need for rent control if recession hits and affects the rental market? * 51:30 - Panelists explain the pros and cons if Proposition 10 passes/doesn't pass * 54 min - Panelists give their "wish list" policy changes - housing-focused ballot initiatives and legislative bills that would be good solutions
The City of Sacramento recently announced it would rethink its ordinance on buskers and outdoor music performers. It also hired a new "Creative Economy" director to think how arts and music can get a bigger boost here.
But there are still some sour notes. The Police Department is still called out to turn the music down. Gentrification means long-time music venues are getting complaints from new neighbors. Local musicians say they lack community support due to a lack of small venues, rehearsal spaces and frugal audiences who don't want to pay.
So what should Sacramento be doing to boost its local music scene, and its musicians? Should we look at top music towns like Austin or Nashville and follow their lead? Or are we doing just fine creating our own plan?
We're talking with musicians, and the people who book and promote them, about how we can achieve perfect pitch in the capital city.
Also, for this podcast, it was fitting to start and end it with music from Sacramento-based performers, so: Podcast intro music: "Turn Up" by Element Brass Band Podcast ending music: "Love and Affection" by Todd Morgan and the Emblems
PANELISTS * Scott Brill-Lehn, concert promoter and owner of SBL Entertainment * Byron Colborn, baritone saxaphonist and bandleader of several local ensembles, including Element Brass Band and the Byron Colborn Big Band * Gabriell Garcia, co-owner of the Blue Lamp * Johnathon Glus, director of Cultural and Creative Economy for the City of Sacramento * Danielle Vincent, founder of First Festival and Show Up Sacramento * Paul Willis, local rapper, spoken-word artist, educator and activist
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 5 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite summer songs * 10 min - What are Sacramento's music tastes overall, and how have they changed over the years? * 14 min - The pros and cons of putting on an all-local-music festival in Sacramento * 19:10 min - The pros and cons of running a live music venue in Sacramento * 24 min - The pros and cons of "making a survival" as a professional musician in Sacramento * 29:10 min - Racism in Sacramento's music scene * 35:45 min - How the City of Sacramento plans to promote and support the music scene * 42 min - What factors bring Sacramentans out to see music shows * 47:15 - Why can't more local bands open shows for national acts? * 53:45 - How parking and permit issues affect Sacramento's music scene * 1 hr, 3:45 min - How to set up the young musicians we're training to be successful, working artists * 1 hr, 21:15 min - How philanthropy and civic investment can help boost Sacramento's music scene
They're both new to Sacramento. This is their first year on the job. They're listening, watching and learning how things are done here. They're in charge of Sacramento City's public schools and 101-year-old community college. And now they're starting to put their stamp on how education is handled in Sactown's classrooms.
Listen to our discussion with Jorge Aguilar, the new superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified District, and Michael Gutierrez, the new president of Sacramento City College, as they talk about schooling Sacramento students; their future plans and how they're going to roll them out; what they've learned this past year; how they're working together to make sure kids go from pre-K all the way to good-paying jobs; and what they've learned about Sacramento schools, students, parents and the city.
Recorded May 23, 2018 at Antiquite Midtown in Sacramento
PANELISTS * Jorge Aguilar, superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District * Michael Gutierrez, president of Sacramento City College
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * 0 to 4:50 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:50 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share one thing they've found interesting about Sacramento since they moved there last summer * 16 min - How education helped Aguilar rise from his farmworker-family roots in the Central Valley town of Parlier -- and how it affected him while attending UC Berkeley * 20:45 min - Gutierrez explains how the role of community college has changed in the past few years, and how California's community colleges compare and contrasts to those in Texas (where he's from) * 28:45 min - Initiatives that Aguilar is rolling out in Sac City Unified schools, including a data-tracking program for high school graduates, arts and sports programs in elementary schools, and the importance of new, expanded summer-school program * 37:45 min - Initiatives that Gutierrez is rolling out at City College, including a just-opened maker space, an "Anyone Can Code" program, the California Promise initiative, and a revised placement program for new students * 45 min - The importance of teaching STEM skills, and should workforce development be a priority? * 55 min - Has there been a benefit of Sacramento's gentrification on its public schools? * 1 hr, 4 min - Aguilar's plan to address the achievement gap for students with learning disabilities * 1 hr, 10:50 min - Gutierrez' plan to ensure underrepresented students get access to the college's tech-forward programs * 1 hr, 13:35 min - Addressing the "wealth gap" and college-loan debt in the schools, and adapting the school district for modern-day needs * 1 hr, 25 min - How are you recruiting teachers and faculty to your schools? * 1 hr, 32 min - Educating foster youth * 1 hr, 36:40 min - Getting more technology in schools - how will you get students up to speed on using it in the classrooms? * 1 hr, 42:10 min - How do you foster innovation and creativity as a leader - and who are the women that have inspired you? * 1 hr, 50 min - In a time when school shooting are too numerous, how do you balance safety and security and letting your students still "just be kids?" And how do you encourage your students to be advocates who turn fear into empowerment and action?
Art has changed people's minds, shifted public opinions and made history. In our first “Groundbreakers Q&A,” we're talking with four people who create art that does just that.
The Chicano Movement, known as "El Movimiento," was a major effort in the 1960s and 1970s to extend Mexican-American civil rights and empowerment. A major component of El Movimiento was the artists. They created a socio-political movement that highlighted the plight of Mexicans in the U.S., they gave birth to a Chicano world view and, they generated a cultural renaissance, particularly here in California.
Think of the famous murals in San Francisco's Mission District and in San Diego’s Chicano Park. The creation of art collectives like the Mexican-American Liberation Art Front in Oakland, Mujeres Muralistas in San Francisco, and the Royal Chicano Air Force in Sacramento. In today's politically-charged times, with DACA and ICE raids and National Guard troops summoned to the border and gentrification impacting Chicano/Latino neighborhoods, El Movimiento is getting a second wind. We're talking with four major artists who made that movement happen, and have inspired a new generation of activist artists in California.
THE GROUNDBREAKERS
* Juana Alicia, artist, former field organizer for the United Farmworkers Union, and founder of the True Colors Mural Project at Berkeley City College
* Malaquias Montoya, founder of the Mexican-American Liberation Art Front and UC Davis professor, teaching both in the department of Art and the department of Chicana/o Studies.
- Juanishi Orosco and Esteban Villa, founding members of the Royal Chicano Air Force and still-active artists (their latest work with the RCAF is on display at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento
The movie "Lady Bird" brought a lot of attention to Sacramento. After its release in Fall 2017, California's capital was written up as a travel destination in the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times. So now that the spotlight is on us, have we arrived as a destination and place to visit/live/exist?
Listen to some of Sacramento's taste-makers and trend-setters talking about Sacramento Style. What is it? When you think of Sacramento fashion, decor, architecture, what do you see in how we dress, decorate and live? How do we compare and contrast to San Francisco, Los Angeles, the rest of California? Do we have a signature style yet, or are we still coming into our own?
PANELISTS * Ryan M. Brough, co-owner of Sacramento Fashion Week and owner of Ethos Event Planning * Maritza Davis, co-founder of the marketing agency Unseen Heroes and the retail concepts Damas and Display: California * Jake Favour, conceptual designer and project curator who has shaped the look and feel of many Sacramento hotspots, such as Lowbrau and the Public Market at Warehouse Artist Lofts * Anthony Giannotti, owner of Anthony's Barbershop and Bottle and Barlow, and co-owner of the new Bastille Barbers in Oak Park * Josie Lee, owner of Rire Boutique, which has two locations in Sacramento * Phoebe Verkouw, one of Sacramento's best-dressed-on-a-budget fashionistas who runs the Dress Fiend blog and Fabulous Thrift Tour
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their "This Is Sacramento" place to visit * 10:50 min - Sacramento's taste in fashion styles and trends, and how it has changed since the city has grown * 16 min - The history of Sacramento Fashion Week * 19:50 min - Sacramento men: What they like in haircuts, grooming, tattoos, barber-shop culture and overall style * 25:25 min - Why Sacramento doesn't have a collective style . . . yet * 33:45 min - Does Sacramento actually need style? Should we just keep it janky? * 38:40 min - How does our "government town" role play a part in Sacramento's style? * 42:20 min - What do we need to get rid of to move forward in becoming more stylish? * 47:30 min - Where and what Sacramentans spend their money on (and not) to be stylish * 50 min - Agree or Disagree: Once you've defined your style, is it time to redefine it? * 55:10 min - What each panelist spends money on when they go shopping (socks, sneakers and Hawaiian shirts among them) * 1 hr, 10 sec - How Sacramento can do a better job in embracing its diversity when it comes to style * 1 hr, 8:15 min - A audience member asks panelists for advice on how to dress as the officiant at a NorCal wedding * 1 hr, 11:40 min - How we can find -- and support -- Sacramento-based fashion designers when it's not Sacramento Fashion Week * 1 hr, 16:50 min - What changes from the inside (e.g., city government actions and funding) and what changes from the outside (like people from the Bay Area and SoCal moving in) will affect Sacramento style and culture going forward?
This podcast was recorded on March 26, 2018 at the CLARA Auditorium in Midtown Sacramento
There is an unprecedented surge of first-time female candidates, running for political office nationwide in Election Year 2018.
But here in California, the bluest state of them all, women candidates are still hitting a wall. Women account for only 26 of the 120 state legislators -- and they actually lost seats in the past two elections. In a round of caucus meetings back in January, Democratic Party activists in three competitive Southern California House races overlooked EMILY’s List-endorsed candidates and threw their support, by wide margins, to men.
Even after the #MeToo movement, female candidates in California are still forced to contend with lots of disadvantages — fewer political connections, competitors with higher profiles, a lack of desire for bare-knuckle politics, and supporters unaccustomed to writing women large checks.
But the 2016 election has energized women in unprecedented numbers to step up to run - what will the results be in 2018?
We met at Arcade Underground in Old Sacramento to talk with two women running for political office, and two women who recruit and train novice candidates. They explained the upsides and challenges for women candidates running in California, what has changed for better and for worse after Election 2016, and what they predict will happen in this current election year.
PANELISTS * Regina Bateson - Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 4th Congressional District * Kula Koenig - president of the Sacramento chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action * Rachel Michelin - executive director of California Women Lead * Amanda Renteria - former aide to Diane Feinstein, Hillary Clinton and Xavier Becerra who is running for Governor of California
PODCAST PLAY-BY-PLAY * O to 4:25 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:25 min - Panelists introduce themselves -- and talk about the women who inspired to get them into government and politics * 10:50 min - What made Amanda Renteria decide to enter the Governor's race at the very last minute * 13:25 min - Why Regina Bateson decided to stay in the race when the California Democratic Party chose not to endorse her * 16:35 min - Why California women lost legislative seats in the past few elections, and what their prospects are in 2018 * 21:40 min - Do women of color have political clout in California now? And what should the state's political parties be doing to get them into office? * 25:15 min - Women "making waves" while running for office - what is the significance of doing that in Election Year 2018? * 33:40 min - What are the pros and cons of being young, first-timer candidates in this race? And are they shaking up the "old guard" and "boys' club?" *44:05 min - How to bring young women into political campaigns and have them run as candidates * 47:25 min - How women can be outspoken but avoid verbally stepping into political brouhahas * 50:15 min - How first-time candidates can get their message heard when running for any political office is expensive * 57:35 min - What was the lowest point during your political career that shook you to the core, and how did you bounce back? * 1 hr, 3:40 min - How do you fire up politically-apathetic youngsters to vote, let alone run for office? * 1 hr, 12:10 min - How to make sure the surge of women running for office isn't just a trend but instead a change that lasts for the long run
It's obvious that "affordable" and "housing" rarely go together in California. We're known for having some of the highest rental and housing prices in the U.S. But some Californians are taking action by: * fighting for more funding for affordable housing construction * authoring laws that create higher-density housing and forces cities to meet their housing goals * demanding rent control on apartment buildings, and demanding the repeal of a law that forbids it
And come November 6, Californians will be voting on some of their actions on the state ballot, and many local ones, too.
This "Policy and a Pint" focuses on the latest efforts to create more affordable housing -- by the state legislature, local advocacy groups, and the construction industry -- and what to keep in mind when voting "yay" or "nay" on them on your ballot.
PANELISTS * Jovanna Fajardo, Sacramento Director of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, one of the groups in the Sacramento 4 Housing coalition that's trying to get a rent-control measure on the Sacramento ballot this November * Ioannis Kazanis, Communications Director for North State Building Industry Association, top advocate for the homebuilding industry in the Sacramento region * State Senator Scott Wiener (D - San Francisco), who has authored multiple housing bills * Holly Wunder Stiles - director of housing development for Mutual Housing, which builds and manages sustainable housing in Northern California
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 4:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves -- and talk about their most memorable house-hunting experiences in California * 10:20 min - The housing-specific bills Scott Wiener got passed last year, and the ones he wants to get passed this year * 18 min - California homebuilders' POV on how the state legislature is handling this * 25:30 min - How will the federal tax reform bill that just got passed affect the Veterans Housing and Affordable Housing Bond Act that we're voting in 2018? * 27:40 min - The efforts to put rent-control and just-cause measures on the ballot, and getting them applied to more housing statewide * 35:50 min - Specifics about adding anti-demolition language, inclusionary programs and an affordability requirement to SB 827 * 43 min - If we don't control rent control, how can we prevent landlords from drastically increasing rents? * 46:20 min - What's the way to do "the middle housing" in a speedy, viable way? * 49:45 min - How SB 827's streamlined permitting process will surpass CEQA in the development review -- and will that be a good thing? * 51:30 min - Should we call a housing emergency city- or state-wide to create housing and shelter for the homeless? * 58 min - The downsides of SB 827 when it comes to holding cities more accountable to meeting homebuilding levels * 1 hr, 35 sec - The "third rail" of Proposition 13 - will a repeal of it ever show up on the ballot? * 1 hr, 4 min - Can homebuilders and rent-control advocates come to a compromise? * 1 hr, 8:10 min - "I'm going to be retiring, my lease is due, and I'm going to have to get the heck out of California - there's no way I can afford to live here anymore." * 1 hr, 14:15 min - With NIMBYs vs YIMBYs fighting on either side of the housing battle, what should Californians keep in mind, especially come voting time?
Recorded on February 26, 2018 at CLARA Auditorium in Sacramento
The Central Valley is often called "America's Salad Bowl" and "the World's Breadbasket." It's definitely integral to Sacramento's "Farm to Fork" image. But right now, more than ever, it is Ground Zero for immigration-reform issues, ICE raids, and a Federal/State clash over "aiding and abetting authorities."
That's leading to a lot of fear, turmoil and changes in Central Valley -- to the towns, the farms, the workforce and the food that's being grown and raised there. No matter where you live in California, all of that will affect the food you eat, and probably how much you pay for it.
In this "Food for Thought" discussion, we take a close look at the "Farm" in our Farm-to-Fork efforts, and talk about the Central Valley, the often overlooked but major player in the foodie scene we gush over.
PANELISTS
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Santana Diaz - Yuba City native with family roots in agriculture who started the culinary programs at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, then became executive chef at Golden 1 Center, and is now starting a new Farm-to-Fork program as executive chef for UC Davis Health
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Bruce Rominger - a fifth-generation Yolo County farmer who runs, along with his brother, the innovative Rominger Brothers Farm in Winters
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Lety Valencia - regional organizer for Faith in the Valley, a group of community partners in five Central Valley counties that is focused on improving its residents' futures
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 6:45 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 6:45 min - Panelists introduce themselves * 13 min - How the recession, the drought and the immigration deadlock has affected Farmer Bruce's decisions on what crops to pick * 19:15 min - Chef Santana's "Farm to Fork" efforts to boost Central Valley farmers and ranchers, and get more of their food on our plates * 24:40 min - What Lety Valencia is seeing in the Central Valley with ICE raids, arrests and rapid responses * 28:25 min - How immigration turmoil and the minimum-wage increase are affecting farmers and the workers they employ * 34:20 min - The crops California is growing fewer of, because there's fewer hands to pick them * 38:35 min - The Central Valley voted pretty "red" in 2016 - how is the Republican Party's stance on immigration taken by farmers who rely heavily on undocumented workers? * 44:35 min - Can farmers stabilize their workforces by sponsoring them for citizenship? * 52:30 min - The outside groups (Silicon Valley, government, investors) coming into the Central Valley to fix the situation * 55:55 - Migrant camps and the challenge of finding housing for farmworkers * 58:30 min - Faith in the Valley, PICO and other state groups doing coalition work on immigration issues * 1 hr, 1:50 min - How farm diversification -- and the new legal marijuana industry - could affect the farm labor market * 1 hr, 6:15 min - The new guest-worker visa used to bring farm labor into California - is it helpful? * 1 hr, 9:10 min - For locally-grown food, does this mean a shift to smaller farms who use fewer workers? * 1 hr, 19:15 min - What can Californians -- as residents, consumers and eaters -- do to improve the situation in the Central Valley?
Sacramento calls itself the "Farm to Fork Capital," but it won't be written up in a Michelin Guide for the foreseeable future (we're not included in the Guide for the Bay Area and Wine Country).
But that's okay, because we've got a couple of natives who left town to work at Michelin-starred restaurants and are now coming back home with their Top Chef skills and creds, and opening up their own places here.
For our first "Food for Thought" event of 2018, those two chefs talk about all things food - skills, favorite dishes and ingredients, their new restaurants, and whether "Michelin" and "Sacramento" belong in the same sentence.
PANELISTS * Brad Cecchi - a Carmichael native who earned a Michelin star as executive chef at Solbar in Calistoga, and came back to open Canon in East Sacramento * Scott Ostrander - he sold his Sacramento home, intending to backpack through Europe, but instead got a job at the three-star restaurant Alinea in Chicago before returning here to blend Michelin skills with Farm-to-Fork philosophy at Paragary, then the Inn at Park Winters, and soon at his own place, Origami Asian Grill in East Sacramento
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 2:45 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 2:45 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share what's in their refrigerators * 4:30 min - Cecchi's journey from Embassy Suites in Sacramento to Michelin-starred Solbar in Calistoga * 7:45 min - Deciding between backpacking across Europe or working at a Michelin three-star restaurant * 13:40 min -- The difference between working in a Michelin-starred kitchen and other fine-dining restaurants * 18:10 min -- Cecchi talks about maintaining Solbar's one-star Michelin rating -- or else looking for a new job * 23 min -- The reasons for returning to Sacramento, and opening up their own restaurants * 32:30 min -- How can women's status as top chefs be improved? * 36:45 min -- How to get truly local produce grown in Sacramento into its top restaurants * 39:15 min -- The one meal Sacramento should be famous for * 41:50 min -- The difference between a line chef and a Top Chef * 43:30 min -- Is attending culinary school worth the price of $70,000 tuition? * 48:50 min -- Why isn't the Michelin Guide in Sacramento yet? * 51:45 min -- Is this town a good place for haute cuisine? * 54:40 min -- What it will take to keep momentum going for new restaurants opening up here * 1 hr, 3 min -- Which Michelin-star skills chefs are using in their own restaurants * 1 hr, 7:35 min -- Keeping the pace without cracking up * 1 hr, 11:30 min -- What cooking skills they've learned -- and adapted -- from their travels * 1 hr, 13:50 min -- What they want to see added to Sacramento's food scene -- and what should go away
Besides #MeToo, one of the best-known hashtags in California right now is #WeSaidEnough.
That term was introduced in a bipartisan letter published last October in the Los Angeles Times, with signatures from more than 140 women working in California politics. It was the first statement nationwide by women calling for an end to the pervasive culture of harassment and assault within the halls of government. Their actions highlighted the fact that, even in a state as progressive as California, the Capitol community can still be an "old boys' network" that doesn't always treat women working within it with much respect.
So what happens next? What will come from the Capitol's legal investigations and legislative hearings? Should we expect specific bills on this issue, and will they have teeth? And how will the sexual harassment scandals in state government translate into policy that affects workplaces around California?
PANELISTS * Samantha Corbin, executive director of #WeSaidEnough, the op-ed letter that turned into an equity-focused organization * Assemblyperson Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), who held hearings on this topic in her role as chair of the Assembly Rules Subcommittee on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention and Response * Jodi Hicks, partner at the women-led government relations firm DBHK and one of the signers of the #WeSaidEnough letter * Janine Yancey, an employment-law attorney and CEO of Emtrain, a HR and compliance training firm
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 2:05 minutes - "I get to have the privilege of speaking out without fear" -- Panelists introduce themselves * 6:15 min - "We got 22,000 hits on the website almost immediately" -- How #WeSaidEnough got its start, and where it's going now * 12:50 min - "I woke up in the middle of the night and thought, 'Wait, I just signed this letter . . . and I think there's a committee on sexual harassment . . . and I think I'm the chair'" -- From making Hollywood movies to holding goverment hearings on sexual harassment * 22 min - "The Senator said, 'We might start a policy not to have drinks with female lobbyists.'" -- The negative impact of speaking out * 28:30 min - "'I don't want anyone to see you with me" - because I'm the Sexual Harassment Fairy" -- Is it easier now or not to speak out and be a "Silence Breaker?" * 36:20 min - "These two venture capitalists say, 'I haven't read that article. How come I'm not getting invited to these sex parties?" - How California businesses are reacting * 42:45 min - "We're asking women to be the ones to put themselves out there, and not get to the top" -- Being guilty of not doing anything . . . and how to change that * 53:10 min - "We can be a lot more productive, a lot more objective, and have a lot more transparency" -- How can the state legislature build a structure that has a fair process for all parties involved? * 57:25 min - "It's one of the reasons to seize on this moment, because this may not be a hot topic in a year" -- What panelists think of the legislature's new bills that tackle sexual harassment * 1 hr, 6:20 min - "One person thought that was highly offensive, another person asked, 'Well, was his fly undone?'" -- Is there a backlash to this movement now? * 1 hr, 12 min - "The problem is, when you're an elected official, the accountability is hard to find" - - Why does the state legislature play by different rules on this than everybody else? * 1 hr, 16:50 min - "Victims are looking for resources, to feel solidarity, to be connected, and to reserve the right to make decisions on a go-forward basis" - - Two panelists' new technology to combat sexual harassment * 1 hr, 23 min - "I'm not going to act like Melanie Griffith, I'm going to act like Sigourney Weaver in 'Alien'" -- What's needed to make efforts of the past few months permanently stick
This discussion was recorded on November 30, 2017.
We partnered up with the Crocker Art Museum for its "Conversations that Matter" series to have a conversation about the future of the neighborhood that surrounds it -- Downtown Sacramento.
It has been a little more than a year since the Golden 1 Center opened. The arena brought in a host of hot-ticket concerts and kicked off a slew of new development around it. Next up: development of the Railyards, revitalizing the riverfront, and making Old Sacramento more of a draw for the locals.
But what are the plans for housing? For handling the homeless issue? For turning the still-too-many stretches of derelict buildings into something more pleasant? For parking and public transit? And making sure Downtown doesn't turn into an overpriced playground only a few can afford to enjoy?
We're talking in the Crocker Museum's Friedman Court with a group of people in charge of handling these issues about what has changed in Downtown Sacramento, what has improved and what still needs work.
PANELISTS * John Dangberg, assistant city manager for the City of Sacramento - he was the city's top person in charge of the Golden 1 Center's construction project, and now is focusing on more redevelopment of Downtown and development of the Railyards. * Brooksie Hughes, Old Sacramento District Director for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership - she's tasked with making Old Sacramento a more hip, happening place where locals equal, or even outnumber, out-of-town visitors. * Bay Miry - vice-president of development for D&S Development - first he helped turn R Street into one of the city's hottest nightlife destinations, now he's turning a section of K Street from eyesore to gateway to Golden 1 Center. * Richard Rich - Railyards and Riverfront project manager for the City of Sacramento - a former "imagineer" for the Walt Disney Company, he's turning his imagination toward how Sacramento can revitalize the riverfront.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 1 min, 45 sec - Erin Dorn of the Crocker Museum introduces "Conversations that Matter" * 4:20 min: Intro to California Groundbreakers * 10:35 min: Panelists introduce themselves and share their favorite spots in Downtown Sacramento * 23:40 min: "We've gone from a valuation of $22.5 million to well over $1 billion in value" - How the City built a downtown arena without spending a lot of money and taking on a lot of debt * 33:30 min: "We can utilize all these really cool basements in these really cool historic buildings" - Turning the 70O K St block from a run-down stretch into the city's next hot spot * 45:50 min: "Of those 124 stores, less than 10 of them are T-shirt and candy stores" - Making Old Sacramento a draw for the locals as well as the tourists * 51:25 min: "20 years from now, that area could be turned into a great marina and mixed-use area" - Revitalizing the Sacramento waterfront * 58 min: "After subsidies, it's still $150,000 that needs to come from the government - per unit" - How much housing can we build in Downtown Sacramento? * 1 hr, 10:10 min: "The big upshot would be linking the two sides of the river, where the most exciting things are happening" - Smart ways for putting bikes, cars, public transit and pedestrians together harmoniously downtown * 1 hr, 20:15 min: "We're reaching the point where companies like Raley's are looking at smaller concepts that don't need as many parking spaces, delivery trucks or building space" - Putting a grocery story and everyday services in the grand vision of downtown * 1 hr, 27:35 min: "We really want to directly incentivize job growth" - Creating high-value jobs in Downtown * 1 hr, 34:20 min - "Anything we can do to create artist pop-ups within the empty retail spaces, we're looking at programs to do that" - Putting art, culture and farm-to-fork efforts around Downtown.
We're running a monthly series called "Food for Thought," in-depth conversations with groundbreakers who run farms, restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars around California and are shaking up the way we eat and drink.
For our fifth talk, we're emphasizing the "farm" in farm-to-fork efforts, and discussing the future of farming in California.
Are there enough young farmers to take over for seasoned ones who want to retire? Can they afford to make a living in a high-cost-of-living state? Can they be profitable and sustainable when climate change makes it harder to predict what they can sow and reap?
PANELISTS * Dennis Donohue, head of Western Growers' Center for Innovation and Technology * Mary Kimball, executive director of the Center for Land-Based Learning
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 6 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers - who we are, and upcoming events * 6 min - "Eventually hot salads will catch up, and then radicchio will overcome kale" -- Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite farm-fresh recipes * 10:20 min - "Yes, there is a town of Yolo" -- Mary Kimball, from farm girl to head of an organization that inspires and trains California's future farmers * 15:45 min - "Let's rub the two sticks together of Silicon Valley and the Salinas Valley and see where that takes us" -- Dennis Kimball, former mayor of Salinas who made AgTech a growth driver for his lower-income town * 21:45 min - "The kinds of jobs in ag and food today have completely changed in the last 10 years, and the majority of people don't have any experience with agriculture" -- The Center for Land-Based Learning's youth and adult programs for creating a skilled workforce for today's ag industry * 32 min - "Farmers by nature like to try things - we have a great history of innovation in our industry" -- How the Western Growers' Center for Innovation and Technology is connecting venture capital to AgTech, and to farmers * 44:15 min - "I want to figure out a way to irrigate my almond crop to know how exactly how much water is going to every single tree, and I can control it from the computer on my desk" -- What a California farm looks like today * 54:50 min - "In Monterey and Salinas Counties, we count on the fog, and when that doesn't happen and we have more heat events, we don't like that" -- How climate change is affecting how farmers do things * 1 hr, 8 min - "The #1 area for new jobs in California ag is in food safety, but there are very few colleges and universities around the state that are actually training people to go into these jobs, so we're behind" -- How the federal Food Safety Modernization Actwill affect farmers and consumers * 1 hr, 13:50 min - "What you're asking is the hardest question that the entire agriculture industry is grappling with" -- Helping farmers hand down their land to their kids * 1 hr, 24:20 min - "Increase demand, you're at least making sure farming is profitable" -- What food consumers can do to be better advocates for farmers * 1 hr, 29:05 min - "It's very difficult for farmers to harvest food for free" -- How is the ag industry going to make organic food accessible to people at all income levels? * 1 hr, 35 min - "We haven't yet figured out how to use robots to pick strawberries" -- How federal immigration issues are affecting California's ag workforce * 1 hr, 39:40 min - "What does it mean that Amazon is a major food supplier?" -- The forecast for higher food prices in the future * 1 hr, 45:55 min - "You got to get kids to understand that 'farm' does not equal 'farmworker'" - Keeping children of immigrants engaged in the farming community
California's new gas tax went into effect November 1. That means most drivers will pay 12 cents more per gallon of gas, diesel increases 20 cents a gallon. Starting January 1, you'll be charged a new annual vehicle fee ranging from $25 to $175, depending on the value of your car.
The gas tax increase ushers in a 10-year program to raise more than $52 billion for transportation projects, like repairing roads and improving traffic congestion across the state. Will that money be spent wisely?
Governor Jerry Brown fought hard to get the gas tax (officially known as Senate Bill 1) passed last April, saying "real money" is needed to fix California's aging transportation systems.
But Republican lawmakers are skeptical that the gas tax is the best way to handle road repairs, saying taxpayers already pay plenty for them, money is available from the state's general fund, and Brown should scrap his multibillion-dollar bullet train project. Now they're actively working to put a repeal-the-gas-tax measure on the November 2018 ballot. And they say that because polling on the gas tax shows it to be extremely unpopular, there's an excellent chance it will be repealed a year from now.
In this new edition of "Policy and a Pint," we discuss the gas tax and what it consists of, where the money goes, why it's a good thing, why it's a bad thing -- and how it affects you as a California driver, taxpayer and maybe even as a voter in November.
PANELISTS * Brian Annis, Undersecretary of the California State Transportation Agency (they oversee big transportation agencies like Catrans and the DMV * Katy Grimes, president of the Sacramento Taxpayers Association (one of the groups that's against the gas tax) * Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Jobs Alliance (one of the business associations that supports the gas tax)
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 7 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers, and why we're talking about the Gas Tax * 7 min - Panelists introduce themselves, and share their favorite road trips * 11:45 min - The Legislature passed Senate Bill 1, a.k.a. the Gas Tax, in April - what it is, what's designed to do, and what we're paying more for * 18:30 min - Why most business and trade groups, which typically hate new taxes, are supporting the Gas Tax * 23:35 min - Reasons why the Gas Tax shouldn't have passed, and alternatives for funding transportation repairs * 30:55 min - What is Caltrans specifically going to spend Gas Tax money on, and how will it ensure work is done on time and on schedule? * 36: 25 min - Other U.S. states that are good models of transportation spending and investing * 43:20 - How the Gas Tax will affect cycling and public transit projects * 47:10 min - Predicting the future of transportation in California - what should it look like? And where does high-speed rail fit into that? * 53:35 min - The earmarks and deals that had to be done to get Senate Bill 1 passed - will they help or hinder California as a whole? * 57:10 min - How will Senate Bill 1 expand transit and road capacity? * 1 hour, 2 min - If the Gas Tax isn't there to pay for our roads and transit, then who's supposed to pay for it? * 1 hr, 6:30 min - What's being done to make Caltrans and transportation projects more efficient? * 1 hr, 11:15 min - Republicans' efforts are planning to put a repeal of the Gas Tax on the Election 2018 ballot * 1 hr, 13:10 min - If there is a "repeal the Gas Tax" initiative on the ballot next year, what should we consider as voters when deciding whether it stays or goes?
We're running a monthly series called "Food for Thought," in-depth conversations with groundbreakers who run farms, restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars around California and are shaking up the way we eat and drink.
Our fourth talk is with the Brewmasters, two people who've won lots of awards for creating some of some of the best craft beer to come out of Northern California.
One is a seasoned vet who helped a small Chico-based brewery grow into a billion-dollar company. The other is a young whippersnapper who, 13 months after moving his beers from the garage into a professional setup, won two gold medals at the California State Fair.
To celebrate Octoberfest, we raised some pints and celebrated California craft beer with a great discussion by these two guys who've helped to make it famous.
PANELISTS * Steve Dresler - the just-retired Brewmaster of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., who has overseen the development and production of almost all of its new beers for more than 30 years, and has won the the brewery eight World Beer Cup awards and 31 Great American Beer Fest medals during that time.
- Michael Mraz - the owner and founder of Mraz Brewing Company in El Dorado Hills, who went from homebrewer to superstar homebrewer (he was crowned Homebrewer of the Year at the California State Fair just two years after starting the hobby), then went from professional brewer to superstar professional brewer in 13 months (he won two gold medals for his Belgian Tripel and red ale at the CA State Fair).
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 2:40 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 2:40 min - The Brewmasters introduce themselves * 9:40 min - The first memorable beer that led to a career in beer greatness * 13:40 min - How they got into homebrewing * 16:15 min - The decision to be a professional brewmaster * 20: 15 min - Picking the best in the four ingredients needed to make excellent beer * 26 min - The art of barrel-aging beers * 28:10 min - Sharing beer recipes or keeping it secret * 33:25 min - How California's changing environmental conditions changes its beer * 40 min - How Sierra Nevada Brewing has changed since its start -- and the brewmasters' favorite keg beers * 44:30 min - Dealing with beer snobs who think even Sierra Nevada isn't "real" craft beer * 48:15 min - How you expand beer production while keeping it quality beer * 50:45 min - Why Mraz decided to expand his brewery -- and then decided to call it off * 54:15 min - How Dresler's brewmaking techniques changed as Sierra Nevada Brewing got bigger * 56:15 min - Dresler's most notable beer collaborations with other brewing partners * 59:55 min - Sour beers -- and new trends, flavors and ingredients influencing beer today * 1 hr, 6 min - How important is the "art direction" of beer? * 1 hr, 10:10 min- Pros and cons of running a brewery * 1 hr, 14:40 min - What they want people to experience when drinking beer * 1 hr, 16:45 min - How to pair beer with food * 1 hr, 20:20 min - When you know it's time to retire -- and the importance of Dresler's most recent award
AND LISTEN TO THE ICEBREAKER PODCASTS "Icebreakers" are mini-podcasts we uploaded in advance of this Brewmasters discussion. Go back to our main page on SoundCloud to listen to a few other people who also do groundbreaking stuff in the beer industry, including:
- J-E Paino of Ruhstaller Beer explains why his is the only brewery in California, besides the mega-big Sierra Nevada Brewing, to grow its own hops.
- Charlie Bamforth, Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at UC Davis, also known as the "Pope of Foam," discusses how his department and its research has shaped the production of California's craft beer.
- Kate Whelan, director of Sacramento Beer Week, talks about how women are shaking up the beer industry.
- Glynn Phillips, owner of Rubicon Brewing Company, talks about the rise and fall of Sacramento's oldest craft brewery, and why he closed Rubicon 1.5 months before it marked its 30th anniversary.
Here's the final "Icebreaker" mini-podcast focused on California Groundbreakers in the beer industry, in advance of our live "Brewmasters" event on October 11 .
Like many beer lovers, Kate Whelan started out as a homebrewer. But she was tired of talking only with guys about beer. So she co-founded HopBroads nearly five years ago, a group focused on attracting more women to the craft beer culture. She's also a member of Pink Boots Society, which supports and promotes women working in the craft brewing industry ( one superstar Pink Boots member is Crooked Lane Brewery head brewmaster Teresa Psuty, who just won a Gold for her Wobblor Dopplebock at the Great American Beer Festival).
Now she's the director of Sacramento Beer Week, a major brewfest scheduled for May 2018 that's guaranteed to draw tens of thousands of people. That means Whelan is in charge of turning around a once-rudderless ship and boosting Sacramento's cred -- and its 60-plus breweries -- to beer drinkers statewide.
Whelan took time out during a busy wedding season (her official day job is events planner) to talk about her career in beer, and how women are making a big impact -- both as workers and as drinkers -- in California's craft beer scene.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 1 min - Intro to Icebreakers -- and Kate Whelan * 1 min - Whelan's most memorable beer (so memorable she had three in a row) * 2:30 min - How a scavenger hunt set her down the path to a career in beer, and founding HopBroads * 6:35 min - The pros and cons of homebrewing with a man in the kitchen * 7:55 min - Sacramento's chapter of Pink Boots Society -- and its medal-winning members * 10 min - A woman's place in the California craft beer scene * 14:50 min - Starting Sacramento Beer Week from scratch -- and making it better and bigger than ever * 17:55 min - Whelan's take on the future of NorCal's craft beer scene * 19:50 min - And her advice for women to get into the beer scene and kill it
Here's our third "Icebreaker" mini-podcast focused on California Groundbreakers in the beer industry, in advance of our live "Brewmasters" event on October 11 .
November 1, 2017, marks the 30th anniversary of Rubicon Brewing, the oldest operating brewery in Sacramento (and the 6th oldest in California). But owner Glynn Phillips couldn't make it that far. On August 7, he told the public he was shutting down. It was one of the worst days in his life.
Two months later, Phillips sat down with us -- bringing along a big-ass bottle of unfiltered Rubicon IPA to drink -- and talked about the rise and fall of Rubicon. How he got into brewing beer as a minor and met Rubicon founder Ed Brown at his friend's house. How making Rubicon IPA was like dropping a bomb on Northern California's beer scene. How the brewery went gangbusters but then the craft-beer competition got tough. How he made the fateful decision to close -- but why that may not necessarily mean the end of Rubicon.
Phillips says he's in better spirits than back in August -- and certainly the big-ass bottle of IPA helped to make this conversation a good, cheerful and uplifting one.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 1:40 min - Intro to Phillips and Rubicon Brewery * 1:40 min - Phillips' most memorable beer (of course he was underage) * 4:30 min - Getting to know Ed Brown, Rubicon's founder, on the basketball court * 7:35 min - Sacramento's beer scene when Phillips bought Rubicon * 10:15 min - The bomb-dropping impact of Rubicon IPA * 13:20 min - Phillips' good Sierra Nevada Brewing story about the "Friday paycheck and a case of beer" * 16:25 min - The pros and cons of running a food-serving brewpub * 22 min - Gangbuster beer sales till 2010 and then . . . what happened? * 24:10 min - The fateful decision, the announcement, and the results * 27 min - A Rubicon comeback? And Phillips' Phase 2 in beer * 30 min - Phillips' take on California's craft beer scene -- and advice for those who want to work in it * 34:25 min - How (or if) he'll celebrate Rubicon's 30th anniversary on November 1
Here's our second "Icebreaker" mini-podcast focused on California Groundbreakers in the beer industry, in advance of our live "Brewmasters" event on October 11 .
Charlie Bamforth, the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at UC Davis, is nicknamed the “Pope of Foam,” which pretty much says it all. Throughout his 30-plus-year career, Bamforth has embraced every dimension of beer, from raw materials and processing to its impact on the human body, published multiple research papers and written nine books, and he is generally considered to be one of the world's leading writers and speakers on beer. He also is a football (soccer, to us Yanks) fanatic, has a witty sense of humor and is a much-loved professor who loves to teach.
Pope Charlie is retiring next year after a nearly 40-year career helping breweries worldwide improve their beer and turning UCD students into in-demand brewmasters.
He sat down to talk with us at 10 am, so no beer, but once we asked Bamforth about the first beer he had while a wee lad growing up in the north of England, we immediately felt like we were in the pub with bitters and crisps.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 1:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:15 min - How Bamforth got the "Pope of Foam" nickname * 2:05 min - British pubs vs. California taprooms * 6:20 min - Defining -- and defending -- the "wholesomeness" of beer * 10:15 min - The condensed history of beer and brewing it * 13:20 min - The condensed history of Bamforth and beer * 17:25 min - Turning UC Davis into a beer-research hub and a brewing powerhouse * 23:30 min - "The most impressive guy I've ever met in this industry" * 25:30 min - Some of UC Davis's notable brewing graduates and beer-making partnerships * 29 min - What makes a great brewmaster? * 30:45 min - Has the beer industry lost its soul? * 34:30 min - Bamforth's view of NorCal's craft brew scene today -- and its future * 36:25 min - Why he's leaving UC Davis, and what he'll do next * 38:10 min - What's required to fill the Pope's hat when Bamforth leaves * 39:45 min - The beer Bamforth prefers when it's time to look back at his 40-year-plus career
We're starting to do "Icebreakers," mini-podcasts that we upload in advance of our live Groundbreaker events (which are always recorded and uploaded as the main podcasts).
In advance of our "Brewmasters" event on October 11 -- a live conversation all about beer with master brewers Steve Dresler of Sierra Nevada and Mike Mraz of Mraz Brewing -- we're sitting down in the recording studio with a few other people who also do groundbreaking stuff in the beer industry.
First off, a conversation with J-E Paino of Ruhstaller Brewing in Sacramento. Not only did he restart the once-largest brewery west of the Mississippi, (Ruhstaller Brewery operated from 1881 to 1933, and Paino opened it up again in 2010), he's the only beermaker in California, besides the mega-big Sierra Nevada Brewing, to grow his own hops. Sacramento used to be the largest hop-growing region in the U.S. in America, till Prohibition shut that all down. Now Paino wants to restart that industry too, and make this area the Napa Valley of hops.
(The great photo of Paino in his Dixon hop field is by Sacramento photographer Carlos Eliason at elias-visuals.com)
He brought a few Ruhstaller 1881 Red Ales that we drank while talking-- which is probably why this short conversation that was supposed to be 20 minutes max actually went to 50 minutes. But Paino is a good conversationalist with a great story, so it's all a worthwhile listen. We did break it down in the "Podcast Timeframe" below so you can go to specific sections if you want.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 1:20 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:20 min - Details about our next event - "Food for Thought: The Brewmasters" * 2:30 min - Why J-E Paino is sitting here in the recording studio * 4: 25 min - California as the (former) hop-growing capital of the United States * 5:50 min - How did this weed-looking plant turn into a primary ingredient for beer? * 7:40 min - How Sacramento became the Beer Capital of the West Coast -- and how/why it lost the crown after Prohibition * 11:30 min - What the hop industry in California looks like now * 14:40 min - Why Paino decided to be the lone-wolf brewer to grow his own hops -- and how Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers is involved * 19:25 min - The hop-harvesting process, from climbing the vine to baling, boxing and brewing * 24:45 min - How this year's harvest was different and stood out from the past five * 31:30 min - Paino's other California-based hops suppliers -- and why Black Ops helicopters may fly in if he grew a specific type of hops * 35:25 min - Does it really matter where the hops in your beer are grown? * 41 min - What's stopping California from being the Hops Capital of the U.S again? * 43:45 min - Can craft beer-loving Californians change their taste buds to like "non-standardized" beers made with local hops? * 48:30 min - How beer lovers -- and potential hop growers? -- can get up and close with the hops at Ruhstaller's farm in Dixon
We're running a monthly series called "Food for Thought," in-depth conversations with groundbreakers who run farms, restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars around California and are shaking up the way we eat and drink.
Our third talk is with "Los Autenticos," four well-known restaurateurs known for their Mexican cuisine. All of them have opened up new hotspots in Sacramento during the past year, and they're intent on serving authentic food and drink the way it should be prepared -- and serving it up in settings that reinforce the fact you are indeed eating the "real" thing.
To get an early start on celebrating Mexico's Independence Day, we talked with the four señores at Casa de Español, a great place to celebrate Latin American culture, to hear how their cultural roots and backgrounds led them to their present roles as Sacramento's ambassadors of Mexican cuisine.
PANELISTS * Art Aguilar and Max Archuleta - this dynamic duo teamed up to open the open-air Midtown's Cantina Alley in February, an immediate hit. * Ernesto Delgado - A native of Napa, he came for school in Sacramento, where he learned to appreciate Latino culture. He started with Tequila Museo Mayahuel, then La Cosecha on Cesar Chavez Plaza, and Mesa Mercado in Carmichael's Milagro Centre. * Lisandro “Chando” Madrigal - he helped his dad open and run a tortilla factory in Tijuana, where he learned about the recipes and flavors of the local street food. In Sacramento, he opened Chando's Tacos, generally considered the best tacqueria in town. His latest place: Chando's Cantina, next door to the Governor's Mansion, which has higher-end but just-as-authentic food.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME (the song you hear in the intro is a fitting one -- "Flor de Huevo" by Los Lobos) * 7:20 min - "There have been days when I wake up at 5, I tell my wife, 'I’m craving tacos birria.' We pack the kids in the car, we drive to Tijuana and we go eat. We’re that crazy" - the panelists introduce themselves * 25:40 – "We need to educate people about what a real taco is about and how to eat this food”- Chando moves from tortillas in Tijuana to partying with Jerry Brown * 35:10 – "From age 16, I knew I wanted to run a restaurant, probably because that’s when I started selling Chiclets" - how Ernesto learned to appreciate his Latino culture * 43:50 – "On our last trip to Mexico, Max made sure we got a meaner dog" - creating the visuals at Cantina Alley * 50:10 - "I’m down with the brown" - educating people vs. accommodating them when it comes to the food * 55:15 – “I hope to change the tortilla game in high-end supermarkets” - changing the sameness, and influencing the local food ecosystem * 1 hr, 7:40 min – "You put out an ad and the reality is you get 30 male applicants vs 1-2 female applicants” - getting more women into the male-dominated Mexican food scene * 1 hr, 15:25 min – "Go out to the peach tree orchards and you'll find verdolaga" - what local crops California farmers can grow for great Mexican food * 1 hr, 22:25 - "Now my answer is, ‘I’m the only crazy, idiotic one who believes I can make a difference'" - helping the Sacramento community in the role as a restaurateur
Wide Open Walls (WOW) is the official name for Sacramento's annual mural festival, now in its second year. Between August 10-20, 2017, 50 artists from 12 countries are painting 40 individual surfaces, from small-business walls and back-street alleys on the Grid to silos and water towers in the suburbs.
When they look around Sacramento, what will catch their eye? When they put down their brushes and paint-sprayers, what will they leave behind for us?
Street art is a big deal around the globe -- think Montreal with its own famous Mural Festival, Wynwood Walls in Miami, San Francisco's Mission District.
As the capital of the (currently) 5th largest economy in the world, is it Sacramento's time to join the ranks of international cities known for their colorful, vibrant street-art scenes and communities? If so, what should those look like? What images should be on those walls? Who decides what they should be and where they should go? And how do the non-painters of us living here figure into creating a world-class street-art scene in Sacramento?
We hosted a WOW-focused panel on August 9, 2017, at Beatnik Studios, which showed work from every local artist participating in WOW.
PANELISTS * Raphael Delgado, a Sacramento artist who recently returned from a residency in Montreal, home to the largest street art festival in North America -- his WOW mural will be on the wall of Jalapeño's on 21st Street in Midtown Sacramento * David Sobon, founder and producer of Wide Open Walls, and a member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission * Mike Testa, the brand-new CEO of Visit Sacramento, the city's convention and visitors bureau, which is a big sponsor of Wide Open Walls * Demetris "BAMR" Washington, a Sacramento-based artist who has painted more than 20 murals throughout the city, with his latest one being for WOW and located in South Sacramento
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 1:50 - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 1:50 min - "'Hey, I curate a gallery, come jump in my car!" - - The panelists introduce themselves * 5:20 min - "It was nothing more than being inspired by walking the dog with my wife in the alleys of Sacramento" - Comparing and contrasting last year's inaugural mural fest to this year's WOW * 11:20 min - "It's something that media will be interested in across the country" - How (and why) the City of Sacramento is supporting WOW * 15:15 min - "They're so into what we are doing, so we have to dictate the trends" - How Raphael Delgado gets inspired, both here in town and outside the U.S. * 19:05 - "They have something to say, so they use my voice" - How BAMR does his murals * 22:05 - "We'd like to give everybody complete control, but we also have sponsors that need to be taken care of" - What WOW artists are told before they start painting * 25 min - "It's 90 feet wide, 25 feet tall and it's filled with poetry" - Should Sacramento's street art reflect the city itself? * 31:50 min - "Put us in the ring with the best in the world. We'll be all right" - What's the right mix of international artists and local artists for the WOW festival? * 37:15 min - "We're going to go paint in areas that are not cool" - Incorporating residents and the community into WOW * 44:55 min - "You're living in a dream world" - The artist/sponsor collaboration, and how that affects the final work * 50:10 min - "Find people who are willing to push" - Cutting the red tape to get artists working more closely with businesses, nonprofits and government agencies * 58:05 min - "It boosts the esteem of an entire community of people" - the political and economic impact of WOW * 1 hr, 2 min - "Great ideas are only great ideas unless people take them off the paper they're written on" - When did this start happening in Sacramento? * 1 hr, 6 min - "Suddenly we see not only Downtown and Midtown full of murals, but the entire region" - What the goal is after WOW ends on August 20
We're running a monthly series called "Food for Thought," in-depth conversations with groundbreakers who run farms, restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars around California and are shaking up the way we eat and drink.
Our second talk is with a couple of "empire builders" in the region's restaurant scene: Chris Jarosz of Broderick Roadhouse fame and Garrett Van Vleck, one of the partners in the Shady Lady crew. Neither of them are top chefs or award-winning bartenders, but they sure know how to build brands and turn concepts into drink and dining hotspots.
Listen to Jarosz and Van Vleck talk about how their pasts, presents and futures, where they're rolling out the next phases of their dining empires, and how they manage all these places without losing their sanity.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 4:40 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 4:40 min - "I'm Garrett Van Vleck and I'm an exotic dancer . . . " - the panelists introduce themselves * 9:10 min - A drifter with tattoos and "jail time" - Chris Jarosz's back story * 21:25 min - Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . . the childhood home that comprises 1.5 percent of all land in Sacramento County - Garrett Van Vleck's back story * 27:30 min - "Either they're going to be okay over there, or they might be dead" - turning derelict buildings in not-so-great locations during the Great Recession into today's hot spots * 37 min - "When someone walks into a place, they should look around and say, 'I know what this is'" - turning a concept into a fleshed-out establishment * 45:30 min - "I spent two years saying 'I can fix this' . . . and the next thing you know, I'm almost $1 million in debt" - biggest failures, and biggest lessons learned from them * 56:45 min - "We argue about every little detail, all day, every day" - the Shady Lady crew branching out from bars to food-focused spots * 1 hr, 1:25 min - "People are coming through from all over the world and the message when they go home [should be], "Holy shit, Sacramento is pretty bad ass" - Chris J. branching out into the 'burbs and into the State Capitol * 1 hr, 13:15 min - "Keep it small" - Garrett V.V's top advice for aspiring restaurateurs * 1 hr, 16:40 min - "For what we deal with in our lives, I think we need to be more appreciative and value every day that we have" - Chris J. on the Marines and the military * 1 hr, 21:45 min - "They kept going after me" - what made Garrett V.V. take the plunge * 1 hr, 24 min - "He does not like Davis. He will never go to Davis." - how to pick locations outside Sacramento to open up a new place * 1 hr, 28: 45 - "There were 30 restaurant permits pulled recently in the City of Sacramento area alone, and we're all thinking, 'Oh shit, how are we going to get through this?'" - camaraderie vs competition in the business * 1 hr, 32:35 min - "A lot of us are standing on the sidelines and waiting to see what happens over the next couple of years" - would you open up your next place in Sacramento today? * 1 hr, 38 min - "I'll never forget the first time we started putting on the menu, 'This cocktail was made by this bartender'" - the cocktail-creation process * 1 hr, 42:25 min - "At the time, he was running around with a shotgun, trying to take out food trucks. I have the bullet holes to prove it." - how being a restaurateur is kind of like being a politician * 1 hr, 47:45 min - "Joe's Crab Shack is the highest-volume restaurant in the entire city" - can Old Sacramento ever become the city's next hot spot?
We've started a new series called "Food for Thought," in-depth conversations with groundbreakers who run farms, restaurants, breweries and bars around California and are shaking up how we eat and drink - and the way we think about food and drink.
Kicking it off is a discussion with two well-known Sacramento restaurateurs -- Andrea Lepore of Hot Italian, and N'Gina and Ian Kavookjian of South. While one restaurant focuses on pizza and the other on down-home Southern cooking, the three owners share a common trait: they wanted to serve food they've since childhood that is rooted in their cultural heritage. They're also now branching out into different, new-to-them areas (a Jewish deli and the Food Factory business incubator for Lepore, the Quinn vintage retail shop and an "urban country club" called the Good Saint for the Kavookjians).
Hear them talk about how they got started, where they're going now, what food means to them, and how they want to change up Sacramento with their restaurants and future endeavors.
PODCAST TIMELINE * O to 5:55 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers and the "Food for Thought" series * 5:55 min - Panelists introduce themselves - and the food/drinks they're currently craving * 10 min - How did food fit into your childhood, and how did it play a role while you were growing up? * 17:35 - What made you decide to open a restaurant focused on your childhood-favorite cuisine? * 27:05 - Lessons learned about opening up a restaurant * 35:30 - The importance of design and sustainability in your restaurants and other projects * 44:20 - Plans (or not) for the new Jewish delis * 50:40 The Kavookjians' new "urban country club" * 58 min - The Food Factory, Andrea Lepore's new business incubator * 1 hr, 3 min - What does food innovation mean to you? * 1 hr, 12 min - Adapting traditional recipes to make them healthier and more wholesome but still "real" * 1 hr, 17:20 min - Molecular gastronomy: Truly innovative or tech just gone plain wild? * 1 hr, 21:35 min - How do you feel about serving boxed wine and canned beers in your restaurants? * 1 hr, 27:20 min - What are the opportunities and the skill gaps in the food industry around here? * 1 hr, 33:15 min - What you would love to see added to the Sacramento region's food scene?
After the epic winter of 2017, we all know what the term "atmospheric river" means, and what a "spillway" is. Now we're about to learn more about the state of our aging levees and crumbling dams; how (or if) they can be repaired; how much will that all cost; and who's supposed to pay that particular water bill.
Our good group of panelists explain what repairs are needed to our massive water infrastructure system to keep the Central Valley from turning back into the inland sea it used to be, and what local and state government have planned if/when we go back to drought.
PANELISTS * James Gallagher, California Assemblyman representing the 3rd District, which includes the Oroville Dam * Leslie Gallagher, executive officer of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board * Brent Hastey, director of the Yuba County Water Agency, and a board director for the Association of California Water Agencies * Jay Lund, executive director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis * Michael Mierzwa, lead flood management planner at the California Department of Water Resources
PODCAST TIMEFRAME 0 to 4:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakeras 4:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves 14 min - Lessons learned by the Department of Water Resources after the Oroville Dam break 17:35 min - Status report on the Central Valley levees 23:30 min - How is the state legislature thinking about water-infrastructure fixes? 32:30 min - Can we breathe easier now that the reservoirs are filled and the drought has been officially ruled as over? 37 min - The view from UC Davis' Center for Watershed Sciences on California's weather forecast 44:15 min - How to fund the fixes - and who will pay for it? 49:30 min - How do we handle the issue of restoring California's dwindling groundwater levels? 1 hr, 20 min - The Yolo Bypass is an successful example of flood plain management - can it be replicated elsewhere in the state? 1 hr, 8:15 min - Can't we just tear down some of our dams? 1 hr, 16 min - The Central Valley is an inland sea, and many of us live deep in a flood basin - do we move out or do we just accept the risks (and the costs) of living here? 1 hr, 21:15 min - The trade off between having vegetation and eco habitats around the levees vs. flood safety 1 hr, 28:30 min - How the state is -- and should be -- integrating climate change into its future plans for our water infrastructure
An affordable housing project for seniors in San Francisco's Mission District was just taken to court. Affordable housing for low-income residents in Orange County was waylaid for several months. And a homeless shelter for teenagers originally planned for San Francisco's Marina District had to move elsewhere.
They're just a few examples of how the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, is used as a way to block housing and other types of development.
But CEQA’s defenders say the landmark law, passed in 1970, has given California cleaner air, less congestion and sewage, and made it a more desirable place to live. Home developers say that, depending where you are in the California, the onorous fees, codes and CEQA-specific reviews mean they pay at least $50,000 before even putting a shovel in the ground.
So do we love CEQA for keeping California from being congested and over-built? Do we champion it as it is because it gives people the power to block development they want? Or should we tell state government to reform CEQA or even scrap it?
This is the final part of our Crazy Housing Market Series, held on April 28 in the basement of Graciano's Speakeasy in Old Sacramento which, based on CEQA regulations, maybe wouldn't get the go-ahead for construction today.
PANELISTS * Tom Buford, senior planner with the City of Sacramento * Chris Norem, director of government and legislative affairs at the North State Building Industry Association * Howard Penn, executive director of the Planning and Conservation League * Tina Thomas, founder of the Thomas Law Group in Sacramento and original co-author of the environmental-law textbook "Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act"
PODCAST TIMEFRAME O to 5:15 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers 5:15 min - Panelists introduce themselves 11:15 min - The layman's description of CEQA, how it works, and what it covers? 14:40 min - How does CEQA affect housing? 16:15 min - What real estate developers and homebuilders think about CEQA, and how they want it to change 20 min - An environmentalist's POV of CEQA and how it should change/not change 26 min - How CEQA has shaped the City of Sacramento, and how it's shaping its future landscape 31:55 min - How does our CEQA act compare and contrast to what other states and the Feds have on the books 34 min - The process for how anyone can file a CEQA-related lawsuit 46:20 min - Does CEQA affect where developers build, and not build? 47:40 min - How CEQA has turned into an industry 49:25 min - How can cities and developers create accurate Environmental Impact Reports on empty plots of land? 1 hr, 1:25 min - How Mayor Darrell Steinberg has affected CEQA and made changes to it 1 hr, 15:15 min - How are local jurisdictions doing in streamlining CEQA 1 hr, 24:25 min - What's the sweet spot for CEQA being streamlined, and the public still having their say?
According to Realtor. com, Sacramento is #7 of the Top 10 U.S. cities that are gentrifying the fastest in 2017. And while our median home price increase during 2000-2015 has more than doubled (from $127,500 to $255,000) we're only 26.5 percent gentrified.
Sacramento is also on Top 10 Lists of most diverse cities. How can we gentrify our city and still keep the neighborhoods diversified in age, race and income?
That's the topic of Part 3 of our four-part panel series, "California's Crazy Housing Market," held in Ground Zero of gentrification in Sacramento today - Oak Park.
PANELISTS
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William Burg, Sacramento historian and author -- his latest book is "Midtown Sacramento: Creative Soul of the City"
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Tom Karvonen, co-owner of Oak Park Brewing
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Barbara Range, owner and curator of the Brickhouse Art Gallery in Oak Park
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Tracy Stigler, president of St. Hope Development Company
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Katie Valenzuela Garcia, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, and co-facilitator for the Sacramento Neighborhood Coalition (which is currently working on creating a community land trust)
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 6 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 6 min - Panelists introduce themselves * 16:15 min - The role of former Mayor and (Oak Park native) Kevin Johnson's St. Hope Development in developing and revitalizing Oak Park * 21:30 min - Why Oak Park Brewery decided to open up shop in Oak Park * 23:20 min - Why Brickhouse Galley chose to open in Oak Park * 27:45 min - Why racial discrimination, "redlining" and segregation still exists in Sacramento, and what Oak Park Neighborhood Association is doing about it * 33 min - How gentrification has changed Sacramento through the years, and how Oak Park compares and contrasts to examples of other neighborhoods in the past * 42:15 min - What is St Hope's mission and vision in balancing the "old" and the "new" in Oak Park? * 49:30 - How a "new" business like Oak Park Brewery gets involved in, and gives back to, the neighborhood * 53 min - Artists are often "pioneers" who move into a under-the-radar neighborhood. So do they boost a neighborhood, or just speed up its gentrification? * 1 hr, 5:45 min - How a community land trust works to keep housing affordable in a neighborhood * 1 hr, 14:40 min - What is the City of Sacramento's view of redeveloping/revitalizing underserved neighborhoods? * 1 hr, 20 min - What are the hiring policy and local outreach efforts that local businesses are using? And how do long-term residents benefit from gentrification? * 1 hr, 30: 20 min - How can a land trust connect to money and partners to make it sustainable? * 1 hr, 36:40 min - How to include the local community in revitalizing their own neighborhood * 1 hr, 47: 05 min - The real "good" and "bad" of gentrification in Oak Park * 1 hr, 51:30 - How can residents get a "seat at the table" for discussing the future of their neighborhoods?
What does "affordable housing" mean in California, especially when only 30 percent of state residents can afford the median-priced home?
What will it take to make housing affordable -- build more of it, pass some more laws, repeal some others?
And with the crazy supply-and-demand status of housing here these days, can it even be done?
Listen to our panelists talk about the current options and potential opportunities for the affordable-housing market in California -- and who, if anyone, will benefit from it.
PANELISTS * Melinda Coy, policy specialist for the California Department of Housing and Community Development
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Rachel Iskow, CEO of the nonprofit homebuilder Mutual Housing
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Todd Leon, development director at Capitol Area Development Authority
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Darryl Rutherford, executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance
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Sonja Trauss, founder of Bay Area Renters Federation, and leader of the YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) movement to build high-density housing
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Daniel Weisfeld, a consultant at McKinsey & Company's San Francisco office who authored the McKinsey Global Institute’s report “A Tool Kit to Close California’s Housing Gap."
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 5:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers
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5:35 min - Panelists introduce themselves
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25:30 min - How housing goals, planning and regulations get started on the state level, and move on down to the counties/cities level
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31: 25 min - What makes certain affordable housing projects successful (i.e., the Warehouse Artist Lofts on R St. in Sacramento), and what forces other affordable housing projects to fall through (i.e., Westminster Presbyterian Church's mixed-use project, also in downtown Sacramento)
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36:20 min - What the "new breed" of affordable housing looks like, and what it will take to get it built
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44:45 min - Connecting the dots between Sacramento's homelessness situation and an affordable-housing solution - what's the status?
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55:10 min - How the Bay Area Renters Federation (a.k.a. BARF) wants to increase YIMBYism and housing density -- which includes suing a city in the East Bay to force it to build more housing
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1 hr, 3:20 min - Where are California's "housing hot spots" that we can build in, and how much can we build there?
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1 hr, 7:45 min - Many affordable housing-focused bills are going through the state legislature right now - which ones have the most promise of passing, and which have the most potential for working?
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1 hr, 18:50 min - How people as individuals can help to get the bills they like passed
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1 hr, 21:30 min - What residents can do on the local level to address affordable housing
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1 hr, 25:45 min - What's the definition of "affordability" today, and can we change the clock back to make that truly be affordable for most Californians?
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1 hr, 31:30 min - How can we replicate the success of the Warehouse Artists Lofts?
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1 hr, 34:45 min - Are the city and county of Sacramento helping to replicate that success?
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1 hr, 40:20 min - The Sacramento version of BARF is starting! Plus, what are examples of affordable housing projects done right in California?
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1 hr, 44:10 min - How can we move housing development from being consumer-focused to community-focused?
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1 hr, 48:33 min - Is it time to revisit Proposition 13, and how would that affect affordable housing?
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1 hr, 55:20 min - A home developer voices her concerns about doing affordable housing and "making it pencil"
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1 hr, 58:50 min - The big deal about Assembly Bill 199
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2 hr - The Legislative Analyst's Office states that the only way to make housing affordable will come from residents and communities changing the way they view housing. How do we convince them to change -- and how do we get them to convince their legislators to make the change?
-- Recorded February 12, 2017 at the CLARA auditorium in Midtown Sacramento
This may not be considered as "serious" a topic for discussion as policy and politics, but relationships are truly serious matters of the heart. Most of us want that special someone, sometimes for a night or for a lifetime. And California has had a big impact on how dating and relationships are done around the globe -- websites and apps that started here include Match.com, Tinder, Grindr, Snapchat and Down (formerly Bang With Friends). And don't forget "Netflix and Chill."
Listen to this post-Sunday brunch discussion about dating, love, sex and relationships -- and how California's culture, technology and higher-ed research are changing how we experience them. Whether you're single, married, committed or "it's complicated," you'll learn something interesting about why the heart wants what it wants.
PANELISTS * Jenn Brian, CEO of The Dating Queen, which does date planning, coaching and matchmaking
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Adam Busch, founder of DateNight XO, a weekly email that provides ideas for date nights
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Joey Garcia, relationships columnist for Sacramento News & Review
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Patrick Harbison, owner of Patrick Harbison Public Relations
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Leigh Smith, graduate researcher in the Attraction and Relationships Laboratory at UC Davis
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Jordan Venema, contributing writer for Sacramento magazine -- he wrote the "Dating Game" feature in this month's issue
We're planning a four-part panel series on California's Crazy Housing Market, taking a look at why it's crazy, can it ever calm down, and what can be done -- economically, politically, and locally -- to make it easier for renters and homebuyers to afford a roof over their heads in this state.
This first panel is a 360-degree overview of the housing market (the other three will be about Affordable Housing, Gentrification, and the love-it/hate-it effects of the California Environmental Quality Act). We focus on the Sacramento area's real estate and rental markets -- who and what are affecting the prices, what's the forecast for 2017, will anything change, what renters, home owners and potential buyers should know, and other burning questions from frustrated renters and potential homebuyers.
PANELISTS * Tom Bannon, CEO of the California Apartment Association * Ryan Lundquist, a residential appraiser who writes the Sacramento Appraisal Blog * Mike Paris, founder and president of BlackPine Communities, which built The Creamery and Curtis Park Village in Sacramento, * David Tanner, CEO of the Sacramento Association of Realtors * Ling Tseng, residential and commercial real estate broker for Lyon Real Estate * Ben van der Meer, staff writer for the Sacramento Business Journal who covers real estate, development and construction
PODCAST TIMEFRAME 0 to 6 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers 6 min - Panelists introduce themselves 18:30 min - How Sacramento's real estate market did in 2016 -- and how different will 2017 be? 22:30 min - The appraiser's POV on the real estate market and rising prices 27:10 min - What stops and starts are affecting new housing developments here? 29:30 min - The homebuilders' POV: Is it harder or easier to build these days? 33:30 min - Is Sacramento still a great place to invest in real estate? 38 min - How hot is Sacramento's rental market? 43:20 min - Why the Sacramento region overall (i.e., El Dorado, Placer, Yolo Counties) is like a Hot Pocket 49:10 min - Can local and state government do anything to help homeowners and renters out? 55:45 min - How will the Trump Administration help or hinder our housing market? 59 min - The "Bay Area Effect" on Sacramento's housing market 1 hour, 2:25 min - I'm almost 30 and I worry that I can never afford to buy a home . . . is there any hope for me? 1 hr, 10: 55 min - What new types of housing are being built? 1 hr, 13 min - How will the City of Sacramento's skyline change in the future? 1 hr, 15 min - Rent control's effect on the housing market 1 hr, 22:20 min - The NIMBY factor 1 hr, 25 min - Can microhousing work here? 1 hr, 29 min - What does an "Innovative home" look like in Sacramento? 1 hr, 39:15 min - The future of home lending -- are all-cash offers the only way to go? 1 hr, 44:50 min - How dense can we build housing here? 1 hr, 46 min - How do homebuilders take the "uniqueness of Sacramento" into consideration when planning future developments? 1 hr, 49 min - Can rents ever go down when the housing bubble isn't bursting? 1 hr, 51 min - Where did the construction workers and trade labor go, and can we ever get them back? 1 hr, 53 min - Crystal-ball predictions for what will happen in the housing market this year
California Groundbreakers and Comstock's Magazine partnered up to present "Innovation City" at the CLARA auditorium on January 23, 2017.
Before he left office, former Mayor Kevin Johnson put a plan in place to jumpstart Sacramento's innovation economy. That includes investing $1 million in local companies via the city’s RAILS grant program, which stands for Rapid Acceleration, Innovation and Leadership. So what's next? If Sacramento wants to succeed in becoming an innovation hub, what needs to happen now?
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, kicked off the talk with his hopes and plans for jump-starting innovation in Sacramento. Then a moderated Q&A with some RAILS grant winners and other innovators about how they're helping to turn Sacramento into an innovation city.
PANELISTS * Brian Collins, chief advisor to the accelerator program at I/O Labs, which received a $250,000 RAILS grant
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Alona Jennings, co-founder of Operation Innovate, a program that gives digital badge certification in STEM careers to Sacramento's underserved youth, and just received a $50,000 RAILS grant
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Vaibhav Nadgauda, managing partner at Moneta Ventures -- one of Sacramento's few venture capital firms, Moneta recently announced it would give $60,000 each to 20 startups in I/O Labs' new accelerator program.
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Clay Nutting, food- and arts-focused entrepreneur -- he helped put Lowbrau, TBD Fest and Art Hotel on the map; his latest efforts include Art Street, which just got $25,000 from the Mayor's Innovation & Growth Fund
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Crystal Strait, senior advisor to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg -- she helped set up the Mayor's Innovation & Growth Fund, as well as the City of Sacramento's Creative Economy Initiative, which includes funding for local arts, food and tech initiatives.
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Eric Ullrich, co-founder and chief operating officer of Hacker Lab, which offers office space, tools and training for makers and entrepreneurs in Sacramento, Rocklin, and soon in Rancho Cordova
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 5 minutes - Allison Joy of Comstock's magazine and Vanessa Richardson of California Groundbreakers do their intros * 5 minutes - Mayor Darrell Steinberg gives his vision of innovation in Sacramento * 10 minutes - Panelists introduce themselves * 23 min - What are MOFIE and RAILS? * 29:50 min - I/O Labs got a $250,000 grant form the City -- its plans for what to do with all that money * 37 min - Hacker Lab's vision for a "Fab City" * 44:30 min - Where's the venture capital funding going to in Sacramento? * 47:50 min - Getting the diversity and youth of Sacramento into STEM training and careers * 52 min - Tying together innovation in tech, food and the arts * 58 min - Besides funding, what should the City's role be in innovation? * 1 hr, 2:10 min - Can Sacramento be the capital of GovTech? * 1 hr, 10:20 min - The private sector's role in Sacramento innovation * 1 hr, 16:30 min - Silicon Valley: How should Sacramento work with it, and how should it stand on its own? * 1 hr, 19:20 min - The City's efforts to recruit companies from elsewhere * 1 hr, 22:20 min - How about funding for tech infrastructure? And tech education in the schools? * 1 hr, 27:25 min - What incentives can Sacramento provide to keep talent here and not moving away? * 1 hr, 32:20 min - The Digital Badge program: replacement for a college degree? * 1 hr, 35:45 min - How state regulations could hinder innovation * 1 hr, 41 min - How can citizens support -- and track -- RAILS grant winners' efforts? And . . .drones! * 1 hr, 44:15 min - How can state government more effectively recruit innovators? And what areas there are most ripe for innovation? * 1 hr, 49:50 min - Public and private support for funding companies that have race and gender diversity * 1 hr, 54:20 min - Where are the black people in the tech community here? * 1 hr, 58:55 min: I have a revolutionary tech idea . . . where do I go around here to get it off the ground? 2 hr - Introducing the 15 RAILS grant winners
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So Proposition 64 has passed. The first thing you may want to know is, "When can I start buying recreational pot, and use it legally?" Yeah, but there's so many more questions to ask -- and the answers are still evolving.
For our first "Policy and a Pint" panel of 2017, we gathered people who are shaping and creating the state's cannabis industry explain the highs and lows of Proposition 64, how it's going to affect California economically, culturally and politically -- and, whether you partake or not, what you need to know about our biggest cash crop.
PANELISTS * Lori Ajax, Chief of California's Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation * Hezekiah Allen, executive director of California Growers Association * Nate Bradley, executive director of California Cannabis Industry Association * Gabriel Garcia, co-leader of the Cannabis Law practice at Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard * Jay Schenirer, Sacramento City Council Member for District 5 * Andrea Unsworth, founder of StashTwist, a cannabis delivery service in Oakland, and co-founder of Supernova Women, a group focused on getting more women and people of color running businesses in the cannabis industry
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 5 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 5 min - Panelists introduce themselves and explain how they got involved with the cannabis trade * 19:45 min - The timeframe for rolling out the different parts of Prop 64 * 23:30 min - How does California compares and contrast to Colorado, Washington and other states where recreational pot is legal? * 25 min - How the state government is doing in regulating cannabis -- is it on track to meet Prop 64's deadlines? * 28:50 min - How will the two-tier system of state laws and city/county ordinances for the cannabis industry work ? * 33 min - Oakland has been a trendsetter in medical marijuana regulation -- what can other California cities learn from it? * 37 min - The City of Sacramento's post-Prop 64 plan for marijuana regulation * 40:50 min - The pros and cons of Proposition 64 passing * 45 min - The "Gold Rush of Pot" - boom or bust? * 54:20 min - What will the state and the City of Sacramento do with the taxes generated from medical and recreational marijuana? * 56:30 min - The law-enforcement aspect of regulating Prop 64 * 1 hr - How will California try to avoid the adverse impact of legalized marijuana use on youth and people of color? * 1 hr, 4 min - What are the major challenges ahead for Prop 64, and what can the public do to help? * 1 hr, 11:45 min - What's the future of regulating trademarks and branding for cannabis products? * 1 hr, 17:30 min - How will state regulation of cannabis compare and contrast to regulation of alcohol and tobacco? * 1 hr, 21 min - Can Prop 64 change anything about Federal banking and financial restrictions on the cannabis industry ? * 1 hr, 25 min - Will Jeff Sessions as Attorney General affect Prop 64? * 1 hr, 29 min - As a business owner, can I smoke cannabis on my outdoor patio? And can I host a cannabis vendor event? * 1 hr, 31:50 min - Interstate and intrastate commerce -- and collaboration -- with Nevada next door, which also legalized pot? * 1 hr, 34:50 min - Biggest hopes and biggest fears this year for the cannabis industry * 1 hr, 35:50 min - Councilman Schenirer, are you liberal or conservative on cannabis? * 1 hr, 36:50 min - How can the state create a unifying message for Prop 64? * 1 hr, 39:45 min - What will Prop 64 do, if anything, in shaping the cannabis industry geographically - can Sacramento be the Napa County of Cannabis?
AgTech is a big deal in Sacramento's "Farm to Fork" economy. UC Davis is all all over it, a lot of companies have moved here to benefit from the school's world-class research, and the local industry just keeps seeing green -- investors forked over $4.6 billion to AgTech startups worldwide last year (compare that to only $500 million in 2012) as they look to tackle production and sustainability issues facing the farming sector. All that action will affect the regional economy, the crops and livestock raised here, and ultimately the food on your plate.
At Davis's Sudwerk Brewery, AgTech innovators explained how innovations coming out of Yolo County are a game-changer -- for global food production as well as for our economy -- and why you, whether you shop at the farmer's market or not, should care.
PANELISTS * Sarah Hovinga, senior scientist at Bayer CropScience, the largest AgTech firm in Yolo County * Joe Kopenick, Associate Director of New Venture Resources for UC Davis's Venture Catalyst, which helps turn university research and technology into for-profit ventures. * Kristy Levings, Program Director for AgStart, an AgTech incubator in Woodland, and a third-generation farmer in Yolo County. * Jeremy Warren, CEO and co-founder of Astrona Biotechnologies, a startup that's creating a handheld device to detect pathogens in the food-supply chain, from farm to kitchen.
PODCAST TIMELINE 0 to 5:45 min - Intro of California Groundbreakers 5:45 min - Intro of the panelists 10:30 min - Why Bayer, Monsanto and other major international companies are coming to Yolo County 14 min - What are AgTech startups focusing on? 16:30 min - How a UC Davis graduate turned lab research into a VC-funded biotech company 21 min - How UC Davis's Office of Research is turning students and alumni into entrepreneurs 27 min - On a scale of 1 to 10, where does Yolo County stand in AgTech prominence and potential? 32:30 - Are local farmers on board with AgTech and being the beta testers? 37 min - What can UC Davis do more of, or better, to boost AgTech? 43:30 min - And how about about local government in Yolo County? 46:30 - Is our "Eat Local" mentality hurting or helping the local AgTech's efforts to grow? 50:45 - How involved do UC Davis faculty get in AgTech startups? 58 min - Are insects the future of food? 1 hr, 1 min - What can Yolo County do from a public-policy perspective to keep local AgTech startups here? 1 hr, 7 min - How is UC Davis making money off its Venture Catalyst efforts? 1 hr, 12:20 min - How is the AgTech industry tackling the citrus-greening disease? 1 hr, 17 min - Examples of cool AgTech companies and products coming out of UC Davis and Yolo County that are making an impact 1 hr, 33 min - The "blank check" question: Panelists' wish lists if they got Federal funding and/or contracts to further AgTech 1 hr, 41:30 min - Efforts to build more maker spaces and lab space in Yolo County to boost research and development 1 hr, 47:30 min - The Bay Area effect: With changes in San Francisco currently impacting Sacramento's economy and real-estate prices, how will those changes impact AgTech and Yolo County?
Driving to the Roseville Galleria is not much fun. Neither is commuting on Highways 80 and 65 through Rocklin and Lincoln. But with population growth and more homebuilding on the way in Placer County, traffic isn't going to get any better.
Placer is one of 16 counties in California with a ballot measure to increase the retail sales tax for transportation improvements (Sacramento County has something similar with Measure B). If approved by two-thirds of county voters, it would be in place for 30 years and raise about $1.6 billion to fund highway projects ($380 million specifically for the Highways 80-65 chokepoint), public transit expansion, local street improvements, and other projects in Placer’s suburban and rural areas.
Measure M is a contentious one, and it certainly is making for strange bedfellows (when was the last time the Tea Party and the Sierra Club took the same side on a political issue?). Opponents say it will hurt the local economy, residents already pay high taxes to build and repair roads, and not enough is earmarked for public transit. Advocates say Measure M will relieve congestion and repair roads with strict accountability, and if not this, then what? Whatever the outcome of Measure M, anyone driving through Placer County will feel the effect.
For our second "Policy and a Pint" discussion at The Monk's Cellar in Downtown Roseville, proponents and opponents of Measure M squared off over this ballot initiative to explain why it will have a major impact -- for better or for worse -- in the Sacramento region. As you'll hear, it was a contentious debate -- but all the panelists shook hands and saluted each other at the end.
PANELISTS * Jeff Flint, Campaign Manager for Yes on Measure M * Michael Garebdian, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club’s Placer Group * Tom Hudson, Executive director of the California Taxpayer Protection Committee, and President of the Placer County Taxpayers Association. * Kirk Uhler, Placer County Supervisor District 4 (Granite Bay and much of Roseville)
Sure, there's plenty of movers and shakers in California's political scene. But who are the Groundbreakers aiming to break the mold, move the needle, and establish a better connection between elections, the campaigning process and social change?
We're starting a series of events called "Policy and a Pint" -- moderated panels and Q&As revolving around policy and politics on a local, regional and statewide level. In short: what's coming out of the Capitol, and how it's going to affect you as a voter, a taxpayer and a California resident. We're going to hold these events at breweries and other venues where a good pint of beer can be served (and eventually, good glasses of wine and good cocktails, both shaken and stirred).
To kick off our first Policy and a Pint event, we're having a talk with some California Groundbreakers in the political field. They're spearheading programs, both in California and nationwide, aimed at changing the way elections work, and how politicians structure their campaigns, how voters get approached and marketed to, and ultimately, how decisions will be made at the voting booth.
PANELISTS * Caitlin Maple, research analyst for California Forward, who' s leading that organization's new political reform project, the 50 State Solution (http://cafwd.org/50state/entry/california-forward-launches-50-state-solution-political-reform-project)
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Paul Mitchell, owner of Redistricting Partners, which helps local governments navigate the quagmire of redistricting, and also vice-president of Political Data, Inc., a major provider of voter information to political campaigns, consultants and pollsters (www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article2601216.html)
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James Schwab, chief of legislative affairs for California's Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who talks about the brand-new program his office just created to partner with colleges to get students more involved in the political process and turn out at the polls.
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 6 minutes - About California Groundbreakers * 6: 15 min - Introduction of the panelists * 11:30 min - What is the 50 State Solution? * 15 min - The CA's Secretary of State new efforts to get younger voters revved up, and to streamline voter registration * 22:30 min - Paul's no-filter thoughts on this year's election that he put down on paper as columns for Capitol Weekly * 30:30 min - Is polling still relevant? * 35 min - How social media fits into the campaigning and election processes * 46 min - How is that open-primary system working out for us so far? * 59:30 min - The Red State/Blue State mix in California now * 1 hr, 5:30 min - Is vote-splitting in an issue in this election? * 1 hr, 10:30 min - How to reduce misinformation to voters * 1 hr, 16:45 min - Predictions for how Gavin Newsom, Tom Steyer et al will do in 2018 * 1 hr, 23 min - How will "voter fatigue" affect people's decisions on the 17 ballot propositions? (and Google "Damien Carroll haikus ballot measures") * 1 hr, 32 min - Will Republicans ever have a chance to win again in California?
We've got Old Sacramento and now the Barn, but what else do we have along the Sacramento River? Why can't we have the hike/bike trails, the boat launches, the water taxis, and work/live/play options along the waterfront? Both West Sacramento and the City of Sacramento say they're making waterfront revitalization a priority, but what's do-able and what's not?
For our second event at The Barn in West Sacramento on September 22, we asked questions to people who know the Sacramento River well about what's in the works for the short term -- and what needs a lot of work to happen in the long term -- on both sides of the riverfront.
PANELISTS * Jim Houpt - head of Friends of the Sacramento River Parkway, which aims to have a complete multi-use trail run along the Sacramento River, and use it to create the Great California Delta Trail, running down to San Francisco Bay * Harry Laswell -- CEO of the Powerhouse Science Center, Sacramento's version of the Exploratorium, which wants to move into an old PG&E plant on the river. * Brooksie Hughes --the new Old Sacramento District Director, who has big hopes and big plans for making Old Sacramento a bigger draw for tourists and locals alike. * Stephen Jaycox -- chief design and marketing officer for Fulcrum Property, designer and developer of the Barn. * Chris Ledesma -- City Council Member of West Sacramento, who was instrumental in approval of the Bridge District plan, the new urban zone near Raley Field, and is now working to open more riverfront parks and recreation areas
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * O to 9:30 min - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 9:30 min - Panelists introduce themselves and share their favorite pastime on (or alongside) the Sacramento River * 16 min - What's happening with the City of Sacramento's Master Plan for the riverfront * 21:30 min - What West Sacramento is planning on its side of the river * 24:45 min - Fulcrum Property is a major developer in Sacramento -- what are its future plans for development on both sides of the river? * 29 min - Future hopes, dreams and plans for Old Sacramento * 34 min - What's holding the new Powerhouse Science Center back from opening up on the river, and what it will look like * 41 min - How Friends of the Sacramento River Parkway is working with public and private entities to get its goal of a walk/bike trail completed * 45:45 min - What are West Sacramento's plans for a hike/bike trail on its side of the river? * 52 min - Plans to boost recreation ON the river -- are more marinas, boat launches and ramps, and water taxis in the works? * 55 min - Making Interstate 5 less of a barrier between people and riverfront access * 59 min - State and federal government agencies: Barriers against, or friendly helpers for, getting riverfront projects done? * 1 hr, 3 min - If it's hard to get funding, how are government officials thinking "outside of the box" to get things done? * 1 hr, 6:30 min -- And how are they turning public apathy into citizen buy-in and support for riverfront revitalization? * 1 hr, 10 min - Changing people's minds about how dangerous it is to bike along the river * 1 hr, 15:30 min - How public/private partnerships will affect riverfront revitalization * 1 hr, 23 min - How West Sacramento is overcoming financial and regulation barriers to get things done * 1 hr, 27:45 min - Why isn't there more commerce, entertainment and events on the river? * 1 hr, 31:30 min - Making Old Sacramento "historically hip" * 1 hr, 37 min - How about using barges to put events on the river? * 1 hr, 41 min - Big announcement: A new type of lighting of the Tower Bridge * 1 hr, 43 min - What's the story behind the developer who spent millions on building a large dock south of the City, and why is it still not open? Why can't the City get that done? 1 hr: 45 min - What's an ideal model of development that we can use to revitalize our waterfront area?
California is having a Beer Boom. In the Sacramento area, at least one new craft brewery is popping up every month. But how long will that last? Are we at a tipping point of quality beer, or is there room for more? What are the top names in NorCal brewing planning to do next? And for beer lovers, what’s on the horizon?
For this discussion on all things beer, local brewers and beer pros tell you where California’s craft beer scene is at, where it’s headed next, what their own plans are, and how it’s going to affect the beers and breweries you love.
PANELISTS * Ken Anthony – owner of Device Brewing, who went from engineer and home brewer to running one of Sacramento’s most respected breweries in just three years -- but still gets insomnia attacks at 2 a.m. * Charlie Bamforth -- Professor of Malting & Brewing Sciences at UC Davis, a.k.a. “The Pope of Foam” and “Mr. Beer” * Tom McCormick -- executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association, who keeps an eye on how the drought, proposed legislation, and beer-specific mergers and acquisitions will affect the brewing industry statewide * J-E Paino – owner of Ruhstaller Beer, who just had to shut down the tasting room at his Dixon hop farm after a battle with Solano County over permitting and building codes, but says he has “big plans” for the future * Teresa Psuty – brewmaster at the brand-new Crooked Lane Brewery in Auburn -- and yes, one of the few female brewmasters in California
PODCAST TIMEFRAME * 0 to 8 minutes - Intro to California Groundbreakers * 8 min - Panelists introduce themselves and share their favorite beer ever (for that day) * 18 min - Is there a craft-brewing bubble in California? * 27 min - Lessons learned from the recent California Craft Beer Summit * 30 min - Barriers to entry for the aspiring brewer who wants to set up shop * 38 min - Who are the future beermakers of America coming out of UC Davis's Brewing & Malting Sciences program? * 41 min - Do new breweries need to go all out in order to get noticed in a crowded market? * 45 min - Future growth for Device Brewing, and how the "Solano County Effect" hit Ruhstaller after it had to shut down the taproom at its DIxon hops farm * 55 min - How legislation coming out of the Capitol affects the state's breweries * 1 hr, 3 min - The rise of "family-friendly" breweries * 1 hr, 7 min - Mistakes made (blue beer), lessons learned ($30,000 of beer poured down the drain) * 1 hr, 13 min - Marketing strategies to get the customer * 1 hr, 16 min - What will craft beers of the future taste like? * 1 hr, 23 min - How breweries approach the "sustainability" factor * 1 hr, 28 min - Favorite mentors, and the best lessons they taught * 1 hr, 33 min - Can California be a top grower of hops again? * 1 hr, 42 min - Is the Beer Boom changing UCDavis's Brewing & Malting Sciences curriculum? * 1 hr, 45 min - What would happen if you got a call from one of the Big Brewers asking to partner with you, or to buy you out?