Comstock’s monthly look at the business news in the Capital Region. So what happened in July (and the tail end of June)?

Nonprofits Honored on Special Day

Did you know June 28 is California Nonprofits Day? Me either. But don’t feel bad — 2017 marked only the second year, after the day was designated in 2016 by the state Assembly. Nearly 100 nonprofit organizations selected by legislators as their “Nonprofits of the Year” were recognized during a luncheon at the Sacramento Convention Center. Granite Bay-based A Touch of Understanding was among them; the organization educates children and adults about disabilities in an effort to foster inclusion. “The nonprofit arena is filled with dedicated individuals working tirelessly on behalf of others,” said Leslie DeDora, founder and executive director, in a press release. “To be chosen among this group is both humbling and inspiring.” ~ SC

Sac Ballet Puts its Best Foot Forward

The Sacramento Ballet recently announced the appointment of Amy Seiwert as its artistic director, replacing the outgoing, longtime artistic directors, Ron and Carinne Binda Cunningham. Seiwert used to dance for the Sac Ballet throughout the ’90s under the leadership of the Cunninghams, and in a press release, said she hopes to continue and honor the legacy they established. (Such efforts could certainly help heal the fracture the unwilling dismissal of the former artistic directors caused.) Seiwert currently directs the San Francisco–based contemporary ballet troupe, Amy Seiwert Imagery, and has been the resident choreographer of Smuin Ballet for eight years, also based in San Francisco. She will begin the new job in time for Sac Ballet’s 2018-2019 production season, which will include a celebration of the tenure and accomplishments of the Cunninghams’ time with the Sac Ballet. ~ RE

Tear it Down! Tear it Down!

Demolition began July 12 of the 80-year-old Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville, which I think we can all agree was an outdated and unimpressive excuse for a fairground. Crews started tearing down Jones and Johnson halls to make way for upgraded indoor space; new landscaping, a re-paved main parking lot and 21 other repairs are also planned for the site. The $8 million project should be completed by November, according to a press release. Placer Valley Tourism is currently trying to get approval for a new 130,000-square-foot events center — to accommodate 5,000 people — to be built on a vacant part of the fairgrounds property. PVT says with this new complex and upgrades to the old fairgrounds, the property could hold 300 events a year (up from 80 these days) and generate $12 million in economic impact annually. ~ SC

Off to the ‘Burbs We Go

GATHER, like more and more millennials, has moved to the suburbs. On July 27, the inaugural monthly neighborhood event was held at Quarry Park in Rocklin (the last one of the season is scheduled for October; and the Oak Park GATHER is still happening too). “We developed the concept of GATHER as an answer to a question we had been asking ourselves when we moved from Natomas to Oak Park: How can we get people to interact with their neighbors in a fun and interactive way?” says Roshaun Davis, of Unseen Heroes, who organizes the event with his wife and business partner, Maritza. They considered how they make new friends — they eat, drink and listen to music together — and have tried to emulate this interaction through their events. “With GATHER, we wanted to provide a place for people to come out of their houses and get to know one another,” Davis says. “With Rocklin, or any of the suburbs for that matter, the same desire to connect with your community exists. People want to know their neighbors. They want to break bread. They want to celebrate the uniqueness of their neighborhood.” ~ SC

But What About the Trees?

I was saddened to see all the chopped-down trees, I had to look away! There they lay, dead and discarded. But I suppose it was for a good cause: clearing out space for Kaiser Permanente’s new, five-story, 210,000-square-foot medical facility in Roseville. This facility will replace the original Riverside Medical Office Building built in 1980 — the first Kaiser in Placer County — and nearly double the capacity of current service, according to a press release for the groundbreaking on July 10. There will be increased provider offices, a larger pharmacy and laboratory, an onsite MRI suite and other improvements. The building, expected to be complete in fall 2019, will be LEED Gold-certified, which sort of makes up for the chopped-down trees. ~ SC