Comstock's Talks

California fig farmers, who grow nearly all the figs produced in the U.S., harvested about 30,000 tons of fruit worth $22 million in 2015, according to the latest crop report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. But of all those figs, there were just a handful of genetically distinct varieties — mostly black mission, Kadota, Adriatic and brown Turkey. Meanwhile, almost uncountable heirloom varieties have fallen to the wayside or even disappeared. Harvey Correia, a Rio Vista resident, has one of the most diverse collections of the common fig in the world.

Written by Alastair Bland; read by Robin Epley

On this episode of Action Items, Greater Sacramento Economic Council CEO and President Barry Broome and Code for Hood cofounder Alona Jennings join host Tre Borden to discuss the need for Sacramento to disrupt its economy by strengthening career pathways that leverage its diversity.

Music: "Thinking Time" by Lunaverse; "Motivation" by Scott Holmes

According to an October 2016 study from the National Association of Realtors, the number of single-women homebuyers has been on the rise, climbing from 11 percent in 1981 to 17 percent today, and is expected to continue to grow. Women also represent 62 percent of all certified realtors in residential real estate and are joining the professional ranks on the homebuilding side, founding companies and occupying seats in the executive suite and on industry boards.

Written by Laurie Lauletta-Boshart; read by Robin Epley

The open-source movement has taken on patient health. Liz Salmi, a local woman who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer nearly a decade ago, is at the vanguard of the movement. Written by Sena Christian; read by Allen Young

Crest Saechao, director of DECODE and bootcamp curriculum at Hacker Lab, joins Rivkah Sass, executive director of Sacramento Public Library, to discuss the role of third spaces in addressing homelessness.

Music: "Thinking Time" by Lunaverse; "Motivation" by Scott Holmes

Women are still underrepresented in educational leadership — Comstock's speaks to University of the Pacific president Pamela Eibeck, CSU Stanislaus president Ellen Junn and others, about how California's state institutions of higher education are leading the way in gender parity.

Written by Steven Yoder; read by Allen Young

Heather Fargo and Michael Rios discuss how public transportation can better serve all residents in the Capital Region.

Music: "Thinking Time" by Lunaverse; "Motivation" by Scott Holmes

Even with advanced family planning methods more readily available, working moms still struggle to have it all.

Written by Amy Westervelt; read by Katie Tortorice

For families taking care of a special-needs child or adult, solid financial and legal planning gives a measure of control over an expensive future.

Written by Steven Yoder; read by Katie Tortorice

Celestine Syphax and Clay Nutting join host Tre Borden to discuss supporting the arts economy, and collaboration between established and grassroots artistic movements.

Music: "Thinking Time" by Lunaverse; "Motivation" by Scott Holmes