this month's
CONTRIBUTORS
RYAN Ryan is a freelance photographer
ANGEL specializing in editorial and portrai-
MEZA ture. With over 14 years experience
"From the Ground
in photography, his work has been
Up" pg. 32
The Epic Trail would connect the 35-miles of trails in
Roseville to the extensive network of trails in Folsom, Ran-
cho Cordova, Sacramento, Placerville, Lake Tahoe, Davis and
other cities, with the American River Parkway — our crown
jewel with 32 miles of multi-use trails — serving as the main
trunk. It would connect to the Bay Area through a variety of
alignments, including, but not limited to, down the Great Delta
Trail to the 500-mile Bay Trail through nine counties around
the Bay. Linking these parts of the system together would make
Epic Trail one of the longest, contiguous trail systems in the
U.S. at well over 500 miles in length.
Today, Epic Trail advocates are spending the bulk of our
time focused on working with rail and bike advocates on the
22-mile segment that winds its way along streams and through
oak woodlands between Folsom and Placerville along an old
rail line. A joint powers agency that controls the line’s use is
set to decide this November whether to conduct an alternative
study that looks at a “rails and trails” alignment that could be
the linchpin to the Epic Trail’s fate. We know there is some re-
sistance from those who don’t want to disrupt the status quo
in their communities, and we’ve been working to build those
bridges. But leaders need to hear from their constituents that
building up our regional trail system will be a win for everyone.
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of more than
400 companies, argues, “It is only by being bold that you get
anywhere.” A billion dollar remodel of the Sacramento Inter-
national Airport was bold. Keeping the Kings and building the
half-billion-dollar Golden 1 Center that is reshaping downtown
was bold. Epic Trail is another bold move that we all can work
on together that leverages our greatest economic asset: nature.
Bill Mueller is the CEO of Valley Vision, a civic leadership organization
with offices in Sacramento and Stockton. Valley Vision uses unbiased
research and connections to thousands of leaders across Northern Cali-
fornia to advance breakthrough initiatives that improve people’s lives.
Before becoming CEO in 2008, Bill had previous careers at Intel Cor-
poration as a global business manager, Vice President of Public Policy
for the Sacramento Metro Chamber, and as a public policy adviser on
Capitol Hill and at the California State Capitol.
published in Comstock’s, Sacramento
Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and
elsewhere. Ryan also serves as an
adjunct instructor for the photo de-
partment at Sacramento City College.
He specializes in lifestyle, commer-
cial, travel and documentary-style
portraiture. Born in the Philippines,
Ryan grew up in Texas and moved to
Sacramento in 2004. For more, visit
www.ryanangelstudio.com.
STEVEN YODER Steven writes about business, real
"Mapping the Next Move" estate and criminal justice. His work
pg. 36
appears in Vice, The American Pros-
pect, Pacific Standard Magazine, Mic.
com and elsewhere. “It’s fascinat-
ing to watch how business advisory
firms implement their own advice,”
Steven says of his feature story in this
month’s issue. “It became obvious
in the course of doing research and
interviews for this article that what
BFBA works to impress on others, it
has put into practice for itself. The
company’s experience offers great
lessons on what’s possible in making
leadership handoffs a success.” Read
more at www.stevenyoder.net. On
Twitter @syodertweets.
LAURIE Laurie is a contributing writer and
LAULETTA- editor for consumer publications,
BOSHART Fortune 500 companies, small busi-
"The Family Niche" ness and higher education. She has
pg. 52
written for Dwell, ESPN, Wall Street
Journal, SI.com (Sports Illustrated)
and others. “Niche farming isn’t for
the faint or the weak,” says Laurie
about her story in this month’s issue.
“These hobby farmers aren’t afraid
to get their hands dirty, or their work
attire dusty. The dedication to thrive
in a specialty market includes lots
of hard work and rebounding from
mistakes. But the payoff can be per-
sonally rewarding and profitable. I
found their devotion inspiring.” On
Twitter @laurieboshart or www.
wordplaycommunications.com
October
October
2018
2018 | comstocksmag.com
| comstocksmag.com
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