The Sages Among Us: Recent Episodes
KVMR-FM
Various hosts and guests take a look at people making a difference. It started out as an innovative book about leadership and civic engagement. Four years later, it’s successfully morphed into a weekly KVMR radio series about, you guessed it, leadership and civic engagement.
Lori Burkart Frank interviews Scott Neeley M.D. FACP President and CEO of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital since March 2022.
Tonight, on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing talks with Gary Bowman, a local musician, community volunteer, and retired educator.
Host Keith Porter interviews attorney Kit Elliot, who has performed a wide variety of roles in the legal profession: Public Defender, a private practitioner of criminal law, and a County Counsel, most recently in Nevada County since 2019. Learn about her life, her career and the unique challenges of managing the legal issues for a dynamic and complex local government.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores and guest Shanin Martin discuss the importance of philanthropy. How nonprofits and best utilize sponsors for a successful event, the importance of consistent messaging and branding, all while having fun contributing to causes you love.
Lori Burkart Frank interviews Robin Milam a global earth rights activist and local community volunteer
Tonight, on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing speaks with local farmer, Tim Van Wagner, from C.S.A. farm First Rain Farm about what it takes to farm in the foothills, life as a local farmer and land steward, his background and history, and what makes him an important community member.
Ten years ago this week, the first episode of the Sages Among Us was broadcast on KVMR. The first guest on the show was Cristine Kelly, who at the time was the Executive Director of Music In the Mountains. Since then, almost 500 individuals who are civically engaged in one capacity or another have shared their story on the Sages Among Us. While the show has remained a constant over the years, a lot has changed between 2013 and 2023. Cristine Kelly is interviewed once again ten years later by Brian Buckley, and hear what a difference a decade can make.
Host Keith Porter talks with Pediatrician Sarah Woerner, who grew up in Nevada County and returned to practice medicine and extend her humanitarian efforts locally and around the world.
Host Lori Burkart Frank interviews Shannon Buehler, 4th Generation Local resident, community volunteer, President of Rotary Grass Valley South, VP of Nevada County Toy Run and Mortgage advisor. Shannon inspires us with her problem solving open hearted approach to life.
Tonight on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing chats with local Parking Enforcement Officer Tim Brown. Tim has been involved in many avenues of civic engagement here in Nevada County including being a stage manager & performer in local theatre, an Enrichment Coordinator for Grass Valley schools, a performer in the Civil War reenactment at Pioneer Park, and has been a nurse, a KVMR broadcaster, and even takes care of local cemetery plots.
Host Keith Porter talks with Barbara Rivenes about her lifelong passion for improving our home, the Earth, and the many ways she has worked toward that goal, in our community and beyond.
At 76 years old, Don Attix is the oldest active member of ski patrollers at Sugar Bowl Resort. A heat attack while on the mountain changed his outlook and moved him to form a support group for men at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital which soon merged with the existing women's group "We all have hearts," he said. Don has a great outlook and interesting history which he shares with his wife of 55 years.
Host Keith Porter brings us the story of a David Krikorian, a serial entrepreneur who founded 1849 Brewing Company in Grass Valley, after pursuing many other adventures in life, from commercial aviation to commercial real estate development to creating Deo Volante Vineyards, a winery on his homestead.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores and District 3 Supervisor Elect Lisa Swarthout discuss Lisa’s many years in public service including why she continues to step into the political arena and what it takes to be a good elected official.
Taylor Wolfe speaks with Julie Thornberry, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Nevada County
Host Keith Porter traces the life journey of Antonio Ayestaran, a professional chef and decorated caterer who learned to cook from his grandmothers in Mexico City and Redding, California. He went on to study culinary arts, gather awards at international culinary competitions and become an executive chef. A desire to have a more balanced family life brought a transition to catering, where his services are highly acclaimed and his skills are appreciated by many individuals and organizations in our community.
Lori Burkart Frank speaks with the Nevada County Sheriff’s office, Undersheriff, Alicia Burget.
She was appointed Undersheriff in 2019 and during her 23+ year career she has held positions in patrol, Court Security/Bailiff, Search and Rescue Coordinator, detective in Major Crimes Unit, investigator in Narcotics Unit and as Jails Commander, overseeing all operations at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility and much more.
Lori Burkart Frank speaks with the Nevada County Sheriff’s office, Undersheriff, Alicia Burget.
She was appointed Undersheriff in 2019 and during her 23+ year career she has held positions in patrol, Court Security/Bailiff, Search and Rescue Coordinator, detective in Major Crimes Unit, investigator in Narcotics Unit and as Jails Commander, overseeing all operations at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility and much more.
On tonight's TheSages Among Us, with host Kimberly Ewing, we talk with Greg Cameron, a man of music and talent in sound and motion. Once a touring and recording drummer and member of SST Records (Black Flag's record label), he now is a recording and live sound engineer all over Nevada County for over thirty years. He also has a background in film and TV editing and currently works as a QA engineer at AJA Video Systems in Grass Valley. Greg is often at The Miners Foundry and the Nevada Theatre for sound design gigs, aiding in community theatre and cultural events.
Among the fascinating people in our area is former U.S. Ambassador to both Australia and the African nation of Namibia, Genta Holmes. As the U.S. Deputy chief of Mission in South Africa around the time of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, to serving in Haiti during a time of intense conflict and upheaval, she has had a front row seat to major events on the world stage. Retiring after decades in the public sector with the Foreign Service (including servings the Agency’s Director General) Genta Holmes is this week’s guest on The Sages Among Us. Tune in this Wednesday at 6:30 to hear the inspiring story of this pioneering diplomat.
Hollie Grimaldi Flores interviews Kimberly Parker about her past positions in a variety of roles including the Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento Zoo before taking the helm as the Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation which she recently left after 22 years to take a new position at the county.
Hollie Grimaldi Flores interviews Kimberly Parker about her past positions in a variety of roles including the Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento Zoo before taking the helm as the Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation which she recently left after 22 years to take a new position at the county.
Find out how this PhD's career started first in nursing but evolved into corporate leadership. What brought her to Nevada County? And what's on her bucket list? And what does AAUW offer members and the community at large?
Host Taylor Wolfe brings us the inside story of Jeff Goldman, Nevada County’s Chief Probation Officer. From Kansas City, Missouri, he calls his childhood “poverty with a view” as the family was focused on outdoor activities and moved often. He attended 13 different schools, and graduated from high school in South Lake Tahoe. Studying at Sac State and working at the juvenile hall exposed him to law enforcement and created an appreciation for the field of probation. Jeff discusses the increasingly complicated range of tasks and responsibilities that a probation officer faces each day, making the job much more than “law enforcement” or “social worker with a badge.” Jeff and his wife and their two kids live in Nevada County, enjoy the outdoors and support several community philanthropies and a provide a scholarship through the Nevada Union High School District. He’s heading the “Heart Of Gold” mountain bike race starting at the Rood Center on October 8.
Host Keith Porter helps uncover the fascinating life story of Natalie Adona, Nevada County Clerk-Recorder elect. Growing up as the granddaughter of immigrants in Vallejo, Natalie loved the arts and spent several years as an actor, dancer and teacher in local theaters. A desire to find her true life’s work and make a good living took her back to school, where she worked her way to a law degree and a Master’s in public administration. Experience as a poll worker ignited her interest in elections, which led to work with a variety of nonprofits focusing on elections and then to appointment as Assistant to Clerk-Recorder Gregory Diaz in 2019. In June, Natalie received a majority of votes in the primary election and will soon become Nevada County’s Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters.
Melissa Coneley has been the Supe in the Penn Valley Elementary School District for a little over one year and joins Scott Lay in discussion about how she got here and her vision, goals and plans for the 2022-2023 school year.
Host Lori Burkart Frank gives us the inside scoop on Dan Frisella, Superintendent of the Sierra Nevada Joint Union High School District. Dan served in educational roles in Sacramento, Marin County and in wilderness education central Oregon. He came to Nevada County in 2011, and rose to the Superintendent position this year. Dan grew up in Foster City in a family that was into sports with a single mom and an older brother. In college, he abandoned his childhood dream of working with large cats—lions and tigers and such—when a friend introduced him to Nevada County wilderness. He lives locally with wife Julie and three school-aged boys, and spends his free time mountain-biking, snowboarding, hiking traveling and coaching his boys in basketball and baseball.
On The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing speaks with Kirsten Casey, Nevada County Poet Laureate and Teacher, about her background in poetry, teaching, and how she contributes to our community exploring Poetry and Arts Education with our local children.
Sandra talks about her upbringing "down the hill" and the example of philanthropy taught to her by her role model mother and aunts. She is a graduate of CSU Chico and has worked in fundraising for most of her adult life. She speaks of the importance of access to healthcare and her work with the foundation to further that mission.
Host Lori Burkart Frank introduces us to Craig Griesbach, newly appointed Nevada County Emergency Services Director. Craig brings over 17 years of management and leadership experience in local government programs, including collaborating with emergency services and law enforcement and fire agencies. Craig holds a degree in Organizational Leadership, and is a credentialed fellow of the California State Association of Counties’ Senior Executive Program. He has additional certifications from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the National Incident Management System. Until recently, Craig was the County’s Director of Building. A native of Humboldt County, he now lives outside of Grass Valley with his wife and three sons.
From a nomadic childhood, she learned flexibility; from the arts, she became a lifelong performer and dancer; from progressively responsible professional jobs she learned management, organization and prioritization. In her latest role as Volunteer Coordinator at KVMR, Marni Marshall is learning and loving the task of herding a couple of hundred independent and creative volunteer broadcasters and staff. Learn about her devotion to making her adopted home community ever more vibrant and interesting.
Steve Roddy is a Defensible Space Advisor for Fire Safe Council and Lake Wildwood Fire Wise Committee, a hiking guide and naturalist for Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes (Sutter Buttes) and a Stream Monitor/Naturalist for Sierra Streams Institute - all volunteer activities for this retired school teacher.
Lori Burkart Frank interviews Teresa Dietrich Board Member and Sponsorship Chair of the Penn Valley Rodeo. She is also in charge of Mutton Busting for the Rodeo. Teresa is a REALTOR, active community volunteer and horsewoman with a wide range of expertise and interests.
Kimberly Ewing arts educator speaks with Melinda Douros, Program Manager of Child Advocates of Nevada County about her background and how she contributes to our community influencing and advocating for our local children and the court system.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores chats with Debbie Thomas about her upbringing by two philanthropic and involved parents and her life long education in the power of giving back. She worked 30 years in high tech before spending 2 years as a Peace Corp volunteer and now makes Grass Valley her home.
Host Suzanne Webb welcomes Elaine Sierra, attorney and advocate for several Nevada County women’s organizations providing reproductive services and advancement for women in careers and school including Business & Professional Women’s Association of Nevada County, American Association of University Women and Citizens for Choice.
Host Keith Porter brings us the fascinating story of Mark Leviton, who began writing music reviews as a teenager, had a career in the music industry, and retired to Nevada County to enjoy life, broadcast music on KVMR, and write in-depth interviews in The Sun, a national literary magazine. Learn how, while still a kid, his rather critical reviews were published by Rolling Stone, and how he mellowed with time and experienced forgiveness for some harsh early work much later in life. Mark tells us about the many artists he befriended, how his Jewish faith influences his life, and why his radio broadcast is called “Pet Sounds.”
Hollie Grimaldi Flores talks with Peter Stack who is an advocate working with Partners In Care who non-medical in-home care and full hospice services in Nevada County. Peter grew up in Nevada City graduated from NU and left to see the world. 38 years later, caring for his mother returned him to California and set him on an entirely different course. The experience filled him with a deep appreciation for the needs of both our elders and those who care for them. He turned his skills to marketing for In Home Care and nursing homes. About 2011, when local care homes officially were not really in contact with each other, Stack sought to “bring the senior provider community together,” He started a monthly gathering where care facilities and communities administrators, staff, and hospital workers could meet, share ideas and offer mutual support. The meetings became the Nevada County Senior Providers Network “The Breakfast Club,” and has grown to include local mortuaries, nonprofit organizations, Long term and rehab facilities and active and assisted communities personal caregivers and ample hugs. The group meets monthly and a different community hosts each month, serving breakfast.
Host Lori Burkhart Frank speaks with Cori Ove, Operations Manager for Bright Futures for Youth, an organization that works to support Nevada County youth through after school programming, a drop-in center, skill building workshops, and building supportive relationships.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores helps us learn all about Lynn Wenzel, a writer, editor and political activist. She is the author of four books, the most recent being Puritans, Patriots & Pioneers (pub. 2022) and More Than Petticoats: Remarkable New Jersey Women for which she received a New York State grant. She has written for the New York Times, Newsweek and Ms. Magazine, among many others, and her poetry has appeared in numerous literary publications. She was a book reviewer for the New York Times, a columnist on antiques and collectibles for many national publications and has been a genealogist for over 60 years.
Keri Kemble teaches English and CTE student media classes at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, Calif., where she advises the Prospector yearbook and online multimedia. When not on deadline, Kemble can be found trail running with her dog, Honey, on local trails and feeding her teenage sons.
Host Keith Porter brings us the inspiring life story of Martin Webb, who came to Nevada County following his drug addiction in Washington DC to turn his life around and contribute to his community in many ways. As the founder, manager and consultant for several solar-electric companies, he is a passionate climate activist. As a former heroin addict, he was a long-time contributor to efforts to legalize cannabis. He is a radio host at KVMR, an author, a podcaster and a mentor to youth, a community volunteer and plays drums in a local rock band
Brian Buckley speaks with Hardy Bullock, Nevada County Supervisor for District 5 (encompassing primarily east Nevada County, including the town of Truckee). He is also the Director of Aviation and Community Services at Truckee-Tahoe Airport District. A graduate of Nevada Union High School and The University of Nevada, Reno, Hardy has also been a board member or volunteer for a number of nonprofit agencies, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Truckee Trails Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and Rotary International.
Host Brian Buckley shares with us an exploration of the life experiences of Daryl Grigsby, a retired public works professional, author, theologian and Board President of Color Me Human in Nevada County. From childhood in Washington, DC, where he attended all-black schools, he received a degree in history at Chicago State University. His working career was focused on directing Public Works activities in San Diego, Pomona, Seattle, Kirkland Washington and finally in San Luis Obispo. As an adult, Daryl found a renewed faith through connection with a socially-responsive and inclusive Catholic congregation. While serving on the board of the American Public Works Association he attended a meeting hosted in Grass Valley, and he and his wife found the community a great fit aesthetically, and because of the variety and depth of cultural and artistic events and organizations. Settling here in retirement, Daryl became very focused on the mission of Color Me Human: to celebrate, elevate, educate and advocate with a goal of creating a safe and equitable world for blacks, indigenous people of color and LGBTQ folks, particularly in Nevada County. He is also a presenter for the Sabbatical Renewal Program at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores brings us the story of Jeff Wenzel, a retired sales executive who serves his community as a board member of the Community Beyond Violence in Nevada County. Born in Brooklyn, he lived with Orthodox Jewish grandparents from Lithuania until age 7, when his family settled in Los Angeles, where he was put in a special speech class due to his Brooklyn accent! To Marin County for college, he met his future wife Lynn, joined the Army and eventually won the support of his future father-in-law. Jeff worked for Mattel in Los Angeles and then Manhattan for over 30 years, then he and Lynn came West to Berkeley where he worked for a video game producer and then ended his working career as a freight forwarding executive. They came to Nevada City in 1998 where they drove down Broad Street, fell in love with the area and ended up buying a house here the next day. A Rotary club membership brought Jeff the opportunity to support Polio Plus and that led to many other civic engagements, and eventually to his passionate support for women’s rights and service with the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition, now known as Community Beyond Violence. He loves spending time with his kids and grandkids.
Host Taylor Wolfe welcomes Liz & Steve Heinen, volunteers at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Learn how they failed at fostering, why they relocated from the Bay Area and about the fabulous facility for animals.
Host Mari Weaver talks with Rob Ferguson about his life and experience with civic engagement. From a childhood in the Bay Area where his best friend’s family served as a “shelter” when times were tough in his own dysfunctional family, Rob met his wife in high school and converted to Judaism prior to their marriage. His early experiences spawned a life-long interest in human rights, the environment and peace. Rob and his wife raised their family in Walnut Creek, eventually moved to Sacramento and ultimately established their home in Dutch Flat in Placer County in 2017, where their children and grandchildren are helping create a family “compound.” A whole-grain bakery business in Colfax didn’t survive the Covid pandemic. Rob has consulted extensively helping businesses facing bankruptcy find a path to survival. Experiencing his own health issues with obesity, Rob lost well over 100 pounds and became passionate about counseling and coaching others to make more healthy choices on eating habits and other personal issues. He is also passionate about his volunteer work with dogs at Sammie’s Friends in Grass Valley.
Host Keith Porter helps us walk the long and fascinating life path of Anita Wald Tuttle, who has lived in Nevada County for 33 years and has had a role in over two dozen community organizations and projects. Among other notable achievements, she co-founded the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Mountains here. From humble beginnings in depression-era Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, Anita worked her way through a degree in Occupational Therapy and worked in many--and created several--occupational therapy departments in the Midwest and California. She met and married a Physical Therapist who had been held in a German POW camp, and they had four children.Following her move with her second husband to California and eventually to Nevada County in 1989, she and her daughters co-created fantasy elves and fairies and shepherded the Tanglewood Forest Gallery for 28 years. In our community she quickly got involved in a multitude of community organizations and projects, and continues to be active in many today. Anita and her daughter Marci were members of the founding board of The Center For The Arts in Grass Valley.
Host Brian Buckley takes us on a journey into the life and times of retired Superior Court Judge Frank Francis. Born in Ogden, Utah, Frank’s family moved to San Mateo through 7th grade, where he experienced the impacts of WWII. Frank’s mother was pretty controlling of his two siblings, but for some reason as the middle child he was able to roam pretty freely. Frank met his wife, Francis, in grade school where the two were kidded about eventually marrying and her becoming Frances Francis. Years later, the joking proved prescient and they were married. After law school at USF he worked as an attorney for Southern Pacific in San Francisco and the couple decided to move to rural Northern California. He applied and was hired as Assistant District Attorney by long-time Nevada County D A Harold Berliner. As a Trustee of the William and Mary Ghidotti Family Foundation, Frank and the other Trustees have overseen this cherished institution as it has awarded millions of dollars in hundreds of scholarships. Frank fills his post-retirement years with travel and photography, even selling a photo from time to time, and is participating in a gallery showing in Sacramento opening on May 11.
Host Lori Burkart Frank brings us the story of Karyn Packard, Board President of Hospice of the Foothills. Following her career as a hospital chaplain, she and her husband sailed their sailboat all around the world for two and a half years, and sold it in New Zealand before settling in Lake Wildwood. Born in southern California, she changed schools often and was positively impacted by wonderful teachers who helped her through the travails and insecurities of always joining new schools and classrooms. She sang in churches starting at a young age, and her family helped her learn to work hard without complaint. At age 15, she became her father’s co-driver in unlimited class racing boats. Karyn met her husband and opera singing partner in Hawaii, and returned to California where he was treated for what became a fatal illness. She studied medicine and theology and became an ordained pastor in 1990, and continued on to become a clinical pastoral supervisor in a hospital in Long Beach. She was instrumental in developing a document and processes for easing end-of-life concerns for patients, family members and medical professionals. She retired in 2011, and after her sailing adventure, found her way to Nevada County and was led by her interests to take on the position as President of Hospice of the Foothills.
Host Taylor Wolfe takes us on a journey of discovery into the life of Syd Brown, a retired geologist with California State Parks, where she helped protect and enhance the mountains, rivers, beaches and watersheds in our precious natural resources. Growing up with parents who often went camping, she became very familiar with the back country. With geology degrees from CSU Sacramento, she was based in Sacramento until she began commuting after moving to Nevada City in 1983. She and husband Jesse raised their two children here. After retiring from her professional position in 2012, Syd jumped into many community engagement activities, including theater, film and performing groups, and is a director for Sierra Gold Parks Foundation which supports our three local State Parks. She also is a board member for South Yuba River Citizens League and Production Director for the Holt Ballet Conservancy
Host Keith Porter takes us on a journey of discovery into the life of Tom Last, Community Development Director for the City of Grass Valley. We learn how a youngster from the deserts of far Southern California came North to Chico to pursue his interest in Rural and Regional Planning. Professional positions in Southern California, Butte and Sutter Counties led to a position with Grass Valley that’s lasted 19 years. Tom discusses the joys, tribulations and diverse challenges of overseeing the complex and many-faceted ways in which a small city changes and adapts to the future.
Host Mari Weaver introduces us to Dan Kennerson, who along with friend Jon Dorfman, was doing research for a Department of Defense contractor on ethanol purification. When they had the opportunity to purchase the laboratory in 2017, they faced the choice of producing highly purified spirits or hanging around dairy farms to develop ways of harnessing methane from cow manure. They found the decision to manufacture craft Vodka to be a slam dunk. Covid precipitated a quick pivot into manufacturing hand sanitizer. The first few hundred gallons were provided to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, which sparked requests from many other organizations and agencies. An example of the first sanitizer deliveries in a “vodka” bottle will end up in the American Museum of Natural History. South Fork has become the most awarded Vodka in California. The pair are now creating a community-driven marketplace to offer a series of additional products supporting philanthropic organizations.
Host Keith Porter explores the life and times of Matt Muellenhoff, DO, founder and Medical Director of Sierraderm in Grass Valley. As a boy, Matt attended kindergarten with this grandmother and mother as teachers, grew up in Corvalis Oregon and Lafayette California, and studied Studio Art at UC Davis. Medical School at Western University of Health Sciences for his Doctor of Osteopathy degree led to a residency in Tampa, Florida, where beyond completing his training in dermatology, he learned the basics of owning and operating a medical practice. Married to a Nevada County native he met in school at Davis, the couple located a dermatology practice for sale here and established and grew Sierraderm into a modern and thriving clinic. Learn about the joys and challenges of operating a medical practice and helping keep a community healthy.
Host Brian Buckley interviews Kellea Miller, who grew up in Tahoe Vista and was familiar with the Western slope of the Sierra from visits to Victorian Christmas as a kid. Raised with 4 siblings by a devout Buddhist mom, a Russian Jew dad from New Jersey and a step-mom raised Catholic, she grew up with a wide perspective on the world. Spreading her wings to travel, live and work in areas like New York, the Bay Area and LA eventually led her back to the Sierras in Nevada County to finish her PhD dissertation and raise her kids. She received her PhD in Sociology from University of Wisconsin at Madison and holds degrees in Public Policy and Feminist Studies. Her work in international human rights spans the globe. (Her coworkers from around the world often remark that, for an American, she has a surprising amount of electricity and internet outages!) A passionate promoter of women’s rights, she connected with Community Beyond Violence in 2016 through their Crisis Intervention Training, joined the board in 2019 and became Board President in 2020. She is working to bring the dark truth of domestic and sexual violence out of the shadows and to increase the visibility of CBV in our community.
Host Keith Porter talks with Cindy Zuelsdorf, marketing professional, Founder of KoKoRo Marketing, and author. Video technology brought Cindy’s parents to Nevada County in the ‘80s, and after a couple of visits Cindy made it her home also. Marriage, a daughter, work at Sierra Mountain Coffee Roasters and Ensemble Designs preceded founding KoKoRo Marketing and writing 3 books on Marketing for small and medium-sized businesses. Her team now has many clients in the US and abroad, and her book, 7 Marketing Basics, is a number 1 seller in its category on Amazon. Cindy is very involved in the community, where she helped launch Girls Who Code, and participates in programs to provide assistance to others in need.
Host Keith Porter talks with Thomas Kanomata, MD, about his life growing up as a Japanese-Canadian, his extensive experience in Internal Medicine, his perspective on health care and his work as a front-line primary care physician during the most traumatic health crisis of our lifetimes.
Host Lori Burkart Frank introduces us to Scott Beesley, and the fascinating story of a kid from a Southeast Michigan town that doesn’t exist anymore who didn’t have a clue about what he was going to do when he grew up. An early job as a caddy at a golf club with a forged birth certificate contrasted with his modest background. Volunteering with the YMCA during college eventually led to a staff position. Time in Ft. Lauderdale and Minneapolis reinforced his desire to not live in a big city and be out of doors whenever possible. Visits to his ancestral land of Macedonia were part of his passion for adventure travel, including meeting his eventual wife a second unplanned time at the Taj Mahal. A move to Nevada County and a cute little yurt project on 19 “outback” acres eventually gave way to a move to “the city” of Grass Valley. Scott became a financial advisor in college and advises clients on socially responsible investing. Volunteering with South Yuba River Citizens League, Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and other community initiatives keeps him busy, happy and healthy.
Host Taylor Wolfe helps us with a deep dive into the life and times of Robin VanValkenburgh, who manages transit services....
Host Keith Porter helps us follow the journey of a young man from Sioux Falls, S.D. to Nevada City, with stops in Rapid City, Quincy Illinois and sojourns with several start-ups in Silicon Valley. A life-long love of music and radio led to volunteering at music festivals in the woods and finally the fateful move to become Chief Engineer for KVMR in 2012. Learn how his life was changed with a 12-step program, why Buzz believes radio is the utmost in communication, and why in his professional opinion KVMR is very special.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores brings us an inside look at the life story of Jan Fishler. After graduation from Ohio University, she loaded her belongings into her VW Super Beetle and headed for San Diego. One of only a few women in the video production industry meant time in San Francisco and Oakland, marriage, children and an eventual move to Nevada County and work with Grass Valley Group. A self-published memoir acted as a healing journey in her experience as an adoptee who sought information about her birth parents. Volunteer activities included lots of support for veterans, and a walk with her neighbor launched a collaborative effort to write “Don’t Stop Now: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life.” She finds great pleasure in working with others teaching writing and hosting “drop in and write” sessions on Zoom. Her wish for our community is for people to stop shouting at each other and to learn how to listen and experience civil dialog. Her work is all summarized on her website, janfishler.com.
Host Lori Burkart Frank brings us the inside story of the life and times of Dick Law, realtor and co-founder of This Is Now Your Home (“TINY”), a nonprofit helping create small homes for unhoused folks in need. Raised in San Francisco and Marin County, Dick had a high school classmate named Robin Williams. After a short stint as a butcher, he moved into real estate and came to Nevada County in his early 20’s. Forty-some years later, Dick’s kids and grandkids are all part of our mountain community. With a lifetime of experience with the issues that can leave people without homes, Dick has become a strong advocate for housing for everyone. Helping unhoused folks develop the life skills necessary to maintain a home has become a major interest. TINY has just recently housed its first veteran in a tiny home they constructed, and is actively working with agencies in the community to remove obstacles and create many more opportunities to increase shelter for unhoused folks in our area.
Host Taylor Wolfe leads our discovery into the life and adventures of photography instructor and environmental filmmaker Jeff Litton. Jeff’s work has been published in National Geographic and many other environmental publications. Growing up in Nevada County, he attended Nevada Union High School where he got great ideas and inspiration about doing something you love and figuring out how to be paid for it. College in Santa Barbara and early work as a shipboard videographer gave him an environmental focus. The South Yuba River Citizens League’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival changed his life, sparking a passion for environmental stewardship and making environmental films. Patiently setting wildlife camera traps eventually resulted in exclusive footage of a wolverine in Nevada County. The proposed Centennial Dam on the Bear River brought Jeff’s filmmaking closer to home, where he filmed to support the local Nisenan tribe. A recent project chronicling the amazing accomplishments of the Bear Yuba Land Trust will soon be viewable. Learn how he came to be called “Gringo Loco” at the Galapagos Islands. A compilation of Jeff’s work can be viewed at UGENA.com and Instagram.com/jeff_litton.
Host Keith Porter draws us into the intriguing story of Optometrist, actor and community theater founder Lisa Moon. Lisa’s parents--daughter of a wealthy Chinese family and a poor American studying Chinese--met at a Chinese university and over the bride’s family’s objections, moved to the U.S. Growing up in San Francisco in a family that encouraged education meant an advanced degree was expected, and Lisa readily complied by gaining a Doctor Of Optometry degree from UC Berkeley. The student romance theme continued as she met and married fellow Optometrist Jerry Chan, and together they bought an Optometry practice in his hometown of Grass Valley. While busy operating and expanding their practice, Lisa took time out to become founding President and Artistic Director of CATS—Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra. She has recovered from a serious health issue that meant retirement from her practice, Chan Family Optometry, which is now operated by daughter Dr. Tiffany Chan, also a noted Optometrist. Lisa maintains an active involvement in CATS, and finds joy in acting, reading, baking and two young granddaughters.
Host Brian Buckley brings us an inside look at a local treasure—author and Camptonville leading citizen Shirley DicKard. Shirley’s father was a physician, mother was a nurse. At the time, becoming a doctor wasn’t encouraged for women, but the nurse route was. Degrees from UC Davis and UCSF involved meeting husband, Dick, who became a dentist. From early experiences as a childbirth educator, practicing on a Navajo reservation and working in Florence Italy, emerged a desire to settle into a congenial environment and community. A dental practice in Nevada City helped the young couple discover their ultimate home with compatible folks in Camptonville. Work as a school nurse brought insight into the need for community support for children’s health, and the founding of a community health initiative which resulted in measurably less violence in both the school and community. She is the editor of Camptonville Courier, and author of the novel, Heartwood, which has won several awards including a national prize for visionary fiction.
Host Lori Burkart Frank brings us a detailed look at veteran’s issues and the man who manages them in Nevada County with an in-depth interview with Veterans Service Officer David West II. Graduating from high school in Sacramento, he decided he wasn’t ready for college, joined the Marines, and was named “Marine Of The Year” for the Pacific Fleet during his service in Okinawa. The transition back to civilian life was tough for David; his skills and experience weren’t initially valued. A period of homelessness and an experience he called “mental boot camp” put him back on the path to success. When the construction industry crashed in 2008, he went back to school at Sierra College in Rocklin, became an activist for veterans’ support services and helped start a veterans resource center that became a statewide model. It all led to work with the VA, marriage, and a move to Bakersfield to work in the gas and oil business to start a family. A coincidental meeting on a plane back from Washington DC led to applying for his present position in Nevada County, where he advocates for and assists veterans with medical and mental health issues, homelessness and other needs. He still sees himself in the process of transitioning from Sergeant West to Daddy.
Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores explores all things aviation, and traces the story of General Chuck Yeager's aircraft with Nevada County Airport Manager, Keven Edwards.
Host Taylor Wolfe provides an in-depth introduction to one of two Grass Valleys’ two newest City Council members, Tom Ivy. Born and raised in Nevada County was magical, and Tom then found another place in the woods with lots of recreation opportunities when he went off to UC Santa Cruz to study biology and other things in the process of finding his life’s direction. A class on the UC farm provided the insight that he belonged close to the earth, and influenced him to major in environmental studies and agriculture. After college he made his way back to work locally in the family construction and plumbing business. Maybe one day, a small farm will again be part of his life. A two year stint on the Grass Valley Planning Commission provided lots of information about public policy issues, and became a gateway for interest in public office. Running for office during the Covid pandemic was scary, but encouragement from friends and colleagues helped make it happen. Tom has found reconciling politics and democratic affairs with a contractor’s sense of urgency and focused decision making has been a continuing journey. Tom encourages all of us to communicate with elected representatives to share their opinions and concerns, and to volunteer for the many opportunities exist that make our community better.
Host Keith Porter leads our exploration of the life and times of Michael Selby. From a Catholic Seminarian in his youth and young adulthood, to serving as a parole and probation officer, to corporate trainer, to consultant; all underlain by a love of music and a lifelong focus on service. Realizing his dependence on alcohol brought him into the twelve step process. Moving from Marin County to Lake Wildwood in Nevada County brought a pleasant surprise about the amount and level of music performance in our community, and acceptance of a position on the board of InConcert Sierra. He continues to serve his community through helping neighbors with household projects. A very modern "man for all seasons."
Host Brian Buckley leads our exploration of excellence in education by telling the story of award-winning Nevada Union High School Drama Teacher Rob Metcalfe. Fresh out of college with a theater degree, he stage-managed a children’s production and fell in love with the impact drama had on kids. He learned a lot about good teaching from both the great teachers as well as the terrible teachers in his past. Growing up in Turlock, there was space to be free as a kid. Despite an average GPA, he was accepted into UC Santa Barbara--mostly because of his high test scores, numerous school clubs and activities, and a great submission essay. Work in professional theater held little promise as a career, and teaching proved to be the way to follow his passion. In his 17th year at Nevada Union, he continues to be impressed by the “heart” of the school community and the staff’s commitment to quality education. A critical benefit of the arts for young people is that it gives them a place to belong, and to be themselves without worrying about what others think. How can we help? Support kids’ performances at all age levels!
Hollie Grimaldi Flores marks her hosting debut by introducing us to Gil Mathew, Executive Director of Nevada County’s Economic ResourHollie Grimaldi Flores marks her hosting debut by introducing us to Gil Mathew, Executive Director of Nevace Council, a businessman with a half century of experience building successful enterprises and a playwright, and so much more. For Gil, the secret to our success as a community revolves around building relationships. A key factor in his life is the desire to be of service, and for him the personal rewards of service are immense. Membership in Rotary has helped fulfill that need in his life. Gil’s parents lived in Nevada County and he decided to move here from Orange County in 1981 despite their counsel that it was too slow and small a place for him. He came nonetheless, expressed his love of drama by joining the board of Foothill Theater Company, and never looked back. Our community is home to a significant number of nonprofits which provide immense opportunities for involvement and service. Having a world-class hospital, an institution of higher learning and a first-class airport--all set in the woods--makes this place special. Now back at the ERC, his goal is to help create and sustain thriving businesses in our community, and people with a heart to serve are most welcome to join the effort as volunteers. Gil says one of the joys of life is that the world changes, and we get to learn how to change too.
Host Keith Porter introduces us to the guy who remodeled the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Well, Walt didn’t exactly do it himself, but he saw that it got done! He’s the chair of the Facility Committee of the Center board, and he recently retired as the Facility Director for Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. From a relatively carefree childhood in Fairbanks, Alaska, to teen years in the Bay Area where he observed the “Summer of Love” firsthand, he learned a lot more about the world on a tour in the Air Force. Electronics training and a degree is Clinical Psychology from San Francisco State led ultimately to a career in engineering and facility management in health care, which ended at Sierra Nevada Memorial. Walt says his time on the board of the Center and the process of building a gleaming new state-of-the-art performance venue has been fun. While we may wonder about his definition of fun, our community is deeply appreciative of his service on our behalf.
Host Brian Buckley brings us the inside story of Janeth Maroletti, the Executive Director of Gold Country Senior Services. Growing up with her grandparents in Mexico helped inspire her life’s work and led to a Master’s degree at CSU Fullerton in Public Health with a specialty in Aging. Building and Enhancing connections between generations despite today’s pressurized life styles is one of her great interests. A weekend visit to Nevada County piqued her--and her husband’s--interest in moving to Nevada County, and a house and jobs for both came about within 3 months. She now oversees Gold Country Senior Services with their multiple programs, including meals on wheels and free firewood for seniors, and their current initiative to remodel a building and open a Senior Center with a coffee shop on Colfax Avenue in Grass Valley. Janeth teaches part time at CSU Sacramento, loves to travel and enjoys life with dogs, ducks, chickens and a few great programs on Netflix.
Taylor Wolfe, our newest Sages host, interviews founding hosts Brian Buckley and Keith Porter, and the man who put it on the air at KVMR, Ralph Henson. With quotes from the Sages project godfather Gary Quehl and founding host Norm Westmore, they celebrate the show's anniversary and discuss how and why civic engagement makes great radio.
Host Keith Porter brings us the inside story of a Chaplain’s life. The third child of a Southern Baptist minister who was a World War II veteran, Norris moved six times as a child and graduated from high school in Atascadero. Influenced by his father’s life, he attended Baylor University and Golden Gate Seminary, became a pastor who was serving in Stockton, California, in 1989 when a horrific school shooting occurred. Already a reserve chaplain in the Air Force, he attended an internship at UC Davis to become a certified clinical pastoral chaplain in hospitals and hospice service. He was deployed by the Air Force in the U.S. and abroad in Turkey and Irag, where service in a combat hospital brought profound experiences in dealing with tragic loss. Back home in reserve military service, he was assigned to teams bringing the bad news of an airman’s death to a grieving family. Norris now writes about his experiences as an author and columnist, and regularly speaks to groups about his experiences and insights. His columns and books are available at his website, www.thechaplain.net
Host Brian Buckley gives us an insider’s perspective on the life and times of retired dentist and Camptonville community activist Dr. Richard DicKard. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, raised in Southern California, spent time on a ranch and looking for copper and gold in Arizona. Studying Physics at UCLA brought a confrontation with Calculus, and a realization that his interests were more about working with people than being a lab scientist. A great score on a dental aptitude exam led to a dental degree from UCSF Medical Center. Marriage brought a partnership effort working with Vietnamese families in the Central Valley, a year in Florence, Italy, and a dental clinic for indigenous folks in Arizona. The young couple looked at many small communities as candidates for a permanent home, found our area to have great cultural assets and geography, purchased raw land and built their home in 1976 in rural Camptonville, and opened a dental practice in Nevada City. A bias for community-building resulted in thirty-five years on the Camptonville School board, a current position on the Camptonville Community Services District, which oversees the volunteer fire department and cemetery, water and parks and recreation districts. Spare time is often focused on fishing, and more explicitly, on catching fish by learning to “call” them!
Host Lori Burkart Frank brings us a glimpse into the life of Paul Cummings; where he came from, and how he became a key player in keeping Nevada County safe during emergencies. Growing up in San Diego, he hoped to become a military pilot. A degree in aviation and a pilot’s license resulted in work as an air traffic controller and on to a commission as an Air Force Navigator. Paul’s two kids were born at military bases but have become very much at home in Nevada County. Closing his Air Force career as a mission planner for the U2 at Beale AFB, the family found Nevada County’s geography, rural, laid-back life style and relatively low humidity provided a great landing place. In his current position, Paul oversees a group of folks working to mitigate emergencies in our area, including--but not exclusively--wildfires. He demonstrated complete confidence in the professionals involved in law enforcement and fire suppression, underscored by the fact that an active fire with evacuation warnings broke out in South Nevada County just before the live interview began and he was able to provide real-time updates and advice. He also provided many suggestions for all of us to better prepared and asks all local folks to stay in touch through ReadyNevadaCounty.com
Host Suzanne Webb moderates an in-depth introduction of Stuart Baker, new Executive Director of Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. Stuart grew up in Taos, New Mexico, where his first language was Dutch, spoken at home with his mother who’d immigrated from Holland to marry is Texas-born father, a travelling salesman whom she’d met on a holiday in Taos. The family later moved to a more benign climate in Santa Barbara, where Stuart attended UCSB, majoring in Communications with minor in Art History. His first “job” as a youngster was gardening in Holland, where he learned to appreciate year-round rainfall! His first “real” work was in West Oakland, supervising a crew of young adults, all people of color, working on trails and outdoor projects. He is passionate about alternative transportation, including bicycling and ride-sharing and other ways to reduce the environmental impact of our current transportation methods. He first became acquainted with and fell in love with Nevada City when he attended a program at California College of Ayurveda here. After one month in his new role, he’s focused on many projects and issues for the Nevada City Chamber, including producing major events like Summer Nights and Victorian Christmas, helping local businesses navigate the many issues they face, inviting new appropriate businesses to town, managing pandemic-related financial challenges and welcoming volunteers for office and event support.
Host Taylor Wolfe leads our exploration of the life and times of Kim Blix, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator in Nevada County’s Department of Public Health, and Operations Co-chief of the County’s Emergency Operations Center. She’s also a volunteer with Nevada County Search and Rescue. Kim’s parents brought their family to Nevada County when she was a “wee bairn,” and she attended school at Deer Creek, Seven Hills, and Nevada Union. Off to UC Davis for education, to live a couple of years in Colorado, and extensive travel to fulfill a desire to understand other cultures that took her to England, Spain, Nepal, and to Uganda as a volunteer with Dr. Scott Kellerman’s clinic. In 2013 she closed the circle and returned to Nevada County. Her fresh adult perspective on her childhood home caused her to fall in love with the beauty, culture, dynamism and compassion of our community. From positions with FREED and the County Department of Social Services, Kim joined the Department of Public Health in late 2019 and has experienced pretty much nonstop emergency conditions, first from PSPS power outages, followed almost immediately by the Covid pandemic. She looks forward to emerging from crisis conditions so she can work with the County’s agencies and nonprofit service organizations to take all they’ve learned and experienced and together plan ways to build a better community for all of us.
Host Keith Porter leads the investigation into the life and times of Brain Terhorst. An aspiring archaeologist when a medical condition limited his physical activity, he switched to the field of historic preservation and ultimately to radio broadcasting. He started volunteering at KVMR in 1991 and rose to become General Manager. In 2007 he was recruited to become General Manager at North State Public Radio in Chico until returning to Nevada County in 2016, joining the KVMR Board of Directors and becoming Board President in 2020. Brian hosts Harmony Ridge, an eclectic music show broadcast every other Thursday. Having been mis-diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy for 26 years, he now lives with and supports others with a rare and serious condition, Pompe Disease.
Host Brian Buckley helps us trace the life journey of Trisha Tillotson, who’s just being promoted from her position as Public Works Director to become head of the Nevada County’s entire Community Development Agency. A local girl since landing here at one year old, she attended local schools and graduated from Nevada Union. She went away to earn her Civil Engineering at CSU Chico and worked her way back home to live, work and help build and enrich our community. Trisha’s education as a Civil Engineer made her an ideal candidate for Public Works Director for the City of Grass Valley, subsequently the same role for Nevada County, and soon she’ll be running the entire Community Development Agency with a wide number of responsibilities, programs and departments. She especially enjoyed growing up in Nevada County, and always intended to come back with husband John and raise their family here. She and John designed and built their own home, with only a very few things they wish they had done differently! The climate, proximity to the ocean and skiing, and family in the area made “coming home” desirable and inevitable. She especially hopes that her daughter and son, now in the military, will also choose to settle into the community and raise their own families here
Host Lori Burkart Frank leads our discovery of the life and times of Susan Clarabut, a woman with education in her blood; Grandmother, Mom, Aunts and Uncles were all teachers. A former teacher, principal and Assistant Superintendent, she was elected to the Nevada County Board of Education in 2020. Susan would probably never have left her work in a one-room school in the Redwoods, but her husband was transferred here in his work with CalFire and they’ve adapted well and lived in Nevada County for 40 years. Her time as a waitress taught her a great deal about getting along with people. Like many other teachers, she says teaching kids is the easy part of the job; dealing with all the other people involved, from parents to administrators, sometimes not so much! Heartfelt memories include an eighth grader telling her the book they’d read was the first one he ever finished. For Susan, education is about connection and trust. She now is very involved with teacher induction, mentoring new teachers coming into Nevada County. She was appointed to temporarily fill a vacancy on the county Board, when seeing the need to keep our education free of biases and extraneous agendas convinced her—quite out of character--to stand for election to the Board of Education. Campaigning wasn’t fun, but others stepped up to help and she’s now glad she did it. She’s enjoying learning about the entire county and her board’s role in overseeing it’s nine independent school districts. Susan encourages parents and community members to come to meetings and bring concerns and ideas into the discussion. One of Susan’s favorite community involvements is working as Outreach Coordinator for the Sierra Wine and Grape Growers Association.
Host Brian Buckley leads a deep dive into the life and times of a passionate and innovative educator. There’s a deeper work going on in education that doesn’t hit the news about closed classrooms and online learning. One great example is Heather’s “dual immersion” bi-lingual magnet program at Bell Hill Academy in Grass Valley. Growing up in a family of teachers in Redding, California, she discovered her love of languages and after thinking about other life directions, eventually found her future as an educator. She perfected her conversational Spanish while living in Oaxaca and teaching English in a private school. Back in California, favorite memories include building social coffee time into a sense of community while teaching ESL classes for adults, and helping a student obtain a final paycheck from an employer who was trying to cheat her out of it. While some envision educational administration as paper-pushing, Heather finds it an opportunity to lead others into performing effectively as a team. As a long-time visitor to Nevada County with friends here, it was an easy decision to apply and accept her Principalship at Bell Hill Academy in 2017.
Host Keith Porter leads the exploration of the life and times of a creative person whose great interest in life has always been understanding why people do what they do. Michael studied Psychology and Philosophy, and has developed and written about a unique approach called CARE Parenting—for Caring Adults and Respectful Environments. He’s an active counselor and therapist, a volunteer counselor for inmates at Folsom Prison, and a DJ at KVMR who loves exploring the outer reaches of R&B and Soul music. Michael emphasizes the importance of helping adults change behaviors as the key to successful child and adolescent development. His greatest wish to benefit our community is for all of us to get involved in creating positive experiences for our youth.
Host Brian Buckley leads our journey of discovery into the life and times of a mayor of a small mountain town, who bought a home here sight-unseen on the day of the great Bay Area 1989 earthquake. Growing up in Lafayette with older brothers led Erin to a number of experiences in activism and the choice to get arrested or not at protests. From enjoying school and community theater, Erin tried the LA acting scene and decided that wasn’t a great career choice. A shift to early childhood education led to a degree in Montessori education and the chance to be “appreciated as a performer” by pre-schoolers! She’s had a life-long involvement with the Democratic party, and after the move to Nevada City in 1991 she’s supported many community endeavors including Tall Pines Nursery School and Big Brothers/Big Sisters and she owns her own cleaning business. As a council member, she was able take care of city business and still have a full-time job. As mayor during the Covid pandemic, she’s been much busier, with non-stop meetings and even protesters on her doorstep. She strongly believes in the future of Nevada City and our community’s resilience to solve problems including affordable housing and homelessness. She has an intense interest in fire safety and encourages townfolk to “adopt a sliver” to help clean up small spaces with dangerous vegetation. Her advice to all of us: “If you want to really make a difference and pay it forward, get involved with local issues and/or nonprofits in our community. And be kind and take care of each other!”
Host Lori Burkart Frank takes us on a journey into the life and times of an Adult Services Librarian. We learn that Megan Lloyd grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, but wasn’t that interested in reading until her mother read Harry Potter to her in the third grade. Grandmother was an elementary school librarian and her influence ultimately sealed the deal on books! Megan came to California to attend University of Redlands, after a college recruiter noticed that she was “looking for something a little different.” A BA in Film and Culture led to a stint in Hollywood to see if a Film Directing career was in the cards, an endeavor she soon found disappointing. A couple of years teaching English in Japan led to studying for a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at San Jose State. After interning in the Los Angeles Library System and having a son, her husband’s roots in Nevada County made our community the natural place to establish a librariy career. Her work involves delivering programs like Nevada County Reads and Writes and Learning Conversations, increasing access to virtual programs, learning and teaching about new technology, helping the Library become even more of a community center, and researching and applying for grants to increase the breadth and scope of programs for adults. Among her significant accomplishments, she’s managed to convince her son that healthy muffins are actually “breakfast cupcakes!”
Host Taylor Wolfe introduces us to Ember Amador, who is passionate about understanding the history and culture in the Yuba/Bear watershed before the population explosion of the gold rush. Her experience with a nonprofit organization, Honey Root, focused on somatic education and led to a role doing event planning for workshops. Ember met Shelley Covert, the spokespserson for the local Nisenan people and Executive Director of California Heritage Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) at a workshop on social justice in 2017, which sparked a deep interest in the people who have always been here. She assists CHIRP with community outreach and administrative support and enjoys living in an intentional community with close ties to others and the land. She invites the public to learn more at nisenan.org.
Host Keith Porter leads the adventure tracing Janie’s life from fishing with her father on Long Island Sound to a degree in Cinema to finding kindred spirits in San Francisco to non-violent civil disobedience training to protests and arrests and finding her home on the San Juan Ridge. We hear about her work with the Peace and Justice Center of Nevada County and many other community organizations and initiatives, her experiences being arrested for civil disobedience, her passion for home-schooling and communal living, and her joy at launching into life as a grandmother.
Host Lori Burkart Frank pulls back the curtain with an in-depth introduction, tracing Diana’s life from growing up in Newton, Mass., loving animals, being influenced by family to be aware of social justice and world affairs, and heading off to college at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Working at a Wall Street firm motivated her free spirit to search for a less stressful environment without business attire and high heels, and she discovered simple living and a creative environment in Nevada County. Diana is a board member on the Nevada County Economic Resource Council and co-founded the Nevada County Cannabis Alliance where she is now the Executive Director. Her work focuses on helping to de-stigmatize the industry and help growers create permitted businesses while dealing with extensive regulation and high taxes.
Host Suzanne Webb brings us an in-depth introduction to Bup, who grew up in Southern Nevada County raising cows through 4H to sell them at auctions at the fair. She says cows are not the smartest, but are nice. Childhood was fun on 40 rural acres, and a telephone party line shared with many neighbors. She studied philosophy at UC Davis, but then became a lab assistant at the UC Davis Veterinary school to continue her interest in animals from years in 4H. Helping new lab workers learn the trade motivated her to go back to school for a master’s degree and on to teaching high school English in Dos Palos, Turlock and Manteca. Retiring back to her home territory, Bup’s two-year term as President of the local chapter of American Association of University Women involves producing forums and programs on current issues of interest to women. In Nevada County since 1937, AAUW has been promoting education and equity and providing scholarships and mentoring young women for many years.
Host Brian Buckley takes us on a deep dive into Ben’s background and motivations for serving as Mayor of a small but dynamic city. From his local roots with a father and grandfather with long histories of public service, Ben studied business at Sonoma State and caught the bug for contributing to community ventures. Returning to take his place in the family business, A&A Air Conditioning and Heating, Ben is busy with multiple roles in the business, with his family and two youngsters and, of course, city business. Starting with a “terrifying” decision to compete for an appointed role on the City Council, to election in his own right and now as Mayor, Ben says it’s all worth it when he sees his kids and others “light up” when they go to parks that have transitioned to positive environments under the city’s care.
Host Taylor Wolfe talks with Erica about her life, her work and her passion for public service. From childhood in a family with Asian immigrant grandparents in the Bay Area and time at her grandfather’s community hub-style grocery store, to “weekend warrior” skiing adventures to Tahoe, she learned to love the mountain environment. An environmental degree from UC Davis and internships and paid positions with the state in Sacramento eventually led to her “dream job” with the city of Truckee. Along with life in the backcountry, Erica enjoys creating tackling environmental degradation and climate change by running innovative programs like Truckee Litter Corps and Feed Truckee to reduce food waste. All this while enjoying mountain life, volunteering with Truckee Round House Maker Space, and coaching high school Lacrosse teams.
Host Keith Porter helps trace Lance's life from early childhood in London blitz, to America and a stint in Viet Nam, to adventures in early Silicon Valley Tech including founding his own start-up, to making Nevada County a better community through music with InConcert Sierra and co-founding Sierra Foothills Village to help a growing senior community maintain self-sufficient lives.
Host Lori Burkart Frank traces Andrew’s life journey from birth in Southern California to growing up in Nevada County and attending Bear River High School. Starting as dispatcher with Nevada County Sheriff’s office, he also spent time with Placer County and managing a satellite office in Truckee. He spent two years traveling extensively throughout the US and Canada, training law enforcement personnel in best practices and leadership, returning to manage the dispatch function in Nevada County and was appointed to the added role of Public Information Officer by Sheriff Shannon Moon. He serves as President of the Nevada County Fair Board, continuing a relationship that began at age 15 when his first job was picking up trash during the annual County fair.
Host Brian Buckley retraces Alex's life experience from the San Juan Ridge, to college at Bar Harbor Maine, to guiding kayak and wilderness adventures in the Sierra and abroad in places like the Amazon rain forest. Learn why he chose to come back and settle in Nevada County, and share his adventure kayaking the South Yuba River from its headwaters at Lake Van Norden to San Francisco Bay. Hear about his passion for Expeditionary Learning to build character and culture, and his belief in the caring people who make our community exceptional.
Host Taylor Wolfe leads us in discovering Rebecca’s life journey from the South side of Chicago to a degree in Psychology at Barnard College in Boston when she found baking more fun than studying other people. Time at the French Culinary Institute’s Pastry program, owning and operating several food service businesses and a marketing degree from St. Joseph’s University propelled Rebecca into working as a consultant with national food co-op businesses, which ultimately brought her to a key position at one of the top co-ops in the nation, Briar Patch in Nevada County. She talks about the unique community benefits of co-op, and Briar Patch in particular.
Host Keith Porter helps Scott retrace his life from New Orleans to Los Angeles to Nepal to Nevada City to Uganda, and now to his new position as Nevada County's Public Health Officer. Scott talks about bridging work and play as one of life's rewards, and expresses gratitude for relationships and their importance to fulfillment. We learn a bit about the challenges and opportunities in his role as a guide through the pandemic of our lifetimes.
Host Lori Burkart Frank interviews Sue, a 5th generation Nevada County ranch girl who's been a life-long advocate for agriculture and resources conservation and is grateful for all the gifts of our community, including her first spring calf born today. After her first year on the County Board of Supervisors, Sue talks about gaining a broader vision of the issues and solutions for living in our area, and although she cannot please everyone, how she's enjoying her new leadership role.
Host Brian Buckley interviews Greg about his life and his work as our County election official. Follow his life from Swarthmore College, to Rutgers for a law degree, to San Francisco for immersion in the field of administering elections, and finally to Nevada County where he and his team have successfully managed elections since 2007.
Anne Wood is a childhood polio survivor, pediatric respiratory therapist, aids and gay rights activist, mom to 17 biological, adopted and foster kids, and survivor of the Jones wildfire that destroyed her ranch home in August, 2019.
Host Lori Burkart Frank helps trace Jean Creasey's life journey from youth through becoming a dental hygienist to dentist to community activist, dental public health advocate and international humanitarian.
This interview with Amigo Bob Cantisano, who died on Dec. 26, 2020, originally aired on September 13, 2017, as an episode of “The Sages Among Us.” The interview ranges over many topics, including Amigo’s relationship with nature, how he learned to farm, how he became hooked on organic farming, and his ideas about its future.
Amigo Bob, who started California’s first natural foods distribution company, first organic farm supply company, and first organic crop consulting agency, also hosted a monthly show, Organic Matters, on KVMR.
He was one of the founders of the Committee for Sustainable Agriculture, which sponsors the EcoFarm Conference. The event, held every January in Pacific Grove, is still one of the most influential events in the world of sustainable agriculture.
Artist and community activist David Sparky Parker is a colorful and energetic community activist in Western Nevada County, California.
Host Lori Burkart Frank helps discover why Bob is the quintessential "man for all seasons," following his life from civil service to education (including a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from UC Berkeley) to economics and finance, to health care, to outdoor activities and climate activism. Bob discusses his reasons for moving to Nevada County, his love of living in a co-housing environment, and his new adventures as he enters politics as a new member of the Grass Valley City Council.
Host Brian Buckley taps Donn Harris' creative energy to reveal his journey from Queens to Santa Monica to San Francisco and Oakland (with a detour to Iceland courtesy of the US Air Force) and finally to Nevada County, drawn here by the arts scene, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, the natural environment and the authenticity and intelligent community discourse of the "locals."
Brian McInerney makes his debut hosting appearance with an interview with David Franco, CPA, who is about to end his term as KVMR's board president. We learn how David journeyed from philosophy to accounting, from LA to Denver, and then happily settled 35 years ago in Nevada County where he's been involved in the community and helped guide KVMR to financial stability and leadership excellence.
Host Taylor Wolfe talks with Mike to outline his journey from New York to Las Vegas as a Marketing Executive and then an entrepreneur, through Reno and Fallon Nevada to Penn Valley in 2012, where he and his wife found their “permanent” home along with plentiful opportunities to give back through civic engagement.
Bill Drake was raised as a Southern White Supremacist, but through life-changing experiences learned a path toward social justice and anti-racism. His book, "Almost Hereditary: A White Southerner's Journey Out Of Racism" tells the parallel histories of his own life path and the South's struggles with slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and civil rights. He works in our community and beyond to eliminate racism and co-founded a Creating Communities Beyond Bias.
Mary Anne Davis has lived in Grass Valley with her family since 1987. She has been involved in a wide variety of community events and organizations. She is the marketing and events manager for Hospice of the Foothills and recently published her first book, “Nevada County Wine.” Lori Burkart Frank is your host.