
101 Years of Hustle
Family business spotlight: The Gini family of Collins Electrical Company look to the future
Collins’ first major project was a state hospital in Stockton in 1929, followed by another in Mendocino. More recent projects include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Candlestick and Sutter Health parks, and many casinos.

Recycling and Resilience
Family business spotlight: Vietnamese refugee’s side job turned into a major recycling business
Ming Luong started Ming’s Recycling in 1987, less than a decade after the Luong family arrived in the U.S. They were among the millions of people who fled Vietnam following the fall of Saigon, riding a fishing boat to a refugee camp in Malaysia before a church group sponsored their relocation to Laramie, Wyoming.

What Terra Madre Americas Revealed About the Future of Wine
Winemakers from Mexico, Chile and beyond joined California vintners to celebrate slow wine in a changing world
Here are a few highlights from the Slow Wine Coalition’s panels, and takeaways that may inform the Capital Region’s small winemakers.

Startup of the Month: Purple Door Finders
Platform helps seniors connect with communities directly
Purple Door Finders is a platform for seniors to connect with communities directly, eliminating the hassle of sales solicitations and the costs of referral fees paid by the communities. The Folsom-based startup is a software company that provides real-time information on vacancies, pricing, move-in incentives, services, amenities, community events and more.

Dilemma of the Month: An Employee Accidentally Shared an Email With Sensitive Data. How Can We Know It Won’t Happen Again?
The Evil HR Lady addresses apologies and how to take them
If you’re looking for groveling — well, that’s a problem on your side too. Let’s break this down.

To Halve or Not to Halve, That Is the Question | Opinion
FROM THE PUBLISHER: Reflections on the perennial question of dividing California
For 175 years, from California’s admission into the U.S. until now, it sits as the fourth largest economy in the world. More than 220 attempts have been made to divide our state into two, three and even six states. The various reasons have included its sheer size and its presumed ungovernability.

What a Government Shutdown Will Mean for Californians, From Social Security to National Parks
CalMatters: Social Security and Medicare benefits will keep flowing in a government shutdown, but federal employees will be working without pay and delays likely will occur across many services.

The Capital Region Is Not Alone in Its Challenges | Opinion
FROM THE EDITOR: Cities across the U.S. also have housing, crime, immigration and tariff concerns
I just spent a week in Washington, D.C., attending a National Press Foundation fellowship on local small business reporting. What I learned is that the Capital Region’s problems are not unique; small and mid-size cities around the U.S. are experiencing much of the same challenges and problems that we have here.

Star Power and Flashy Hires Are Kicking Off Sacramento State’s Sports Season
Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal and Sac Kings star Mike Bibby are among the personalities drawing attention to the sports program
Sacramento State’s sports teams have endured many lean
years. But the institution, which debuted its original sports —
basketball, baseball and tennis — in 1948, has embraced a
controversial change.

The Big Commitment: On Friendships, Aging and the Sacred Silliness
For our Last Word essay column, Comstock's former associate editor reflects on friendship
Following an uncomfortable pause after the officiant asked if
anyone knew a reason why these two shouldn’t be joined in
matrimony, Monty, a comedian, stood up and loudly objected. Once
the giggling started, the entire crowd realized we were in for
another performance.