Tonight, on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing chats with local music and performing arts talent, Dalrymple MacAlpin, about his journey into music, puppetry, and his local contributions in Nevada County. He speaks of his life in Detroit and his mystical traditions and how he brings his heart and soul into his albums and performances.

Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores and Melissa discuss the prevelance of scams on the internet and other tactics and things we can do to avoid being separated from your money.

Host Keith Porter brings us the story behind the life and work of author, leadership coach and serial entrepreneur Machen MacDonald, who founded the ProBrilliance Leadership Institute and supports the community by volunteering with Bright Futures for Youth, The Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada County Economic Resource Council.

Lori Burkart Frank interviews Paula Gleicher Greenstreet, President of Broadstreet Financial Group and Powerhouse Volunteer. Paula says yes to whatever is needed and happily steps into leadership roles to support organizations she feels drawn to.

Fire Chief Brian Estes of the Nevada Yuba Placer Unit and Placer County Fire Department will retire at the end of 2025, concluding a distinguished 35-year career with CAL FIRE.

Chief Estes began his fire service journey in 1991 as a Firefighter I at a busy station in southeast San Diego County. His early passion for fire aviation led to a four-year assignment on a CAL FIRE helicopter crew in Tuolumne County, shaping his expertise in rotor-winged operations. Over the years, he served as a Military Helicopter Manager and Liaison Officer with the California National Guard.

Promoting through the ranks, Estes became a Fire Apparatus Engineer in 1998, Captain in 2000, and Battalion Chief in 2005, overseeing training and emergency medical services. In 2005, he joined Incident Command Team 10 as a Type I Operations Section Chief, managing over 30 complex emergency deployments. By 2013, he was selected as a Type I Incident Commander, leading Incident Management Team 6 through 14 major incidents across California.

As Unit Chief, Estes has led over 450 personnel across 1.7 million acres, managing a $100 million budget and deploying resources from fire stations, air attack bases, and fire crew camps. As Placer County Fire Chief, he has transformed the department into a top-tier organization, serving 70,000 residents across 1,000 square miles. His leadership has enhanced advanced life support, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, and tactical medic services in partnership with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Beyond operations, Estes played a key role in rebranding CAL FIRE in 2006, designing the department’s patch, logo, and fleet identity. He has chaired the statewide uniform and standards committee for over 15 years and earned three Directors Superior Accomplishment Awards. His contributions extend nationally and internationally, including mentoring new incident commanders, aiding Maui’s 2023 wildfire recovery, and speaking at a major fire symposium in Germany.

Brian is a also a huge Dodgers fan, an accomplished artist and can shred on the drums.

Chief Estes’ dedication to public safety and professional excellence leaves a lasting legacy. The community thanks him for his service and wishes him well in retirement.

Tonight, on The Sages Among Us, host Kimberly Ewing chats with Ariel Elliott, a native to Nevada County as well as part of the Kumeyaay Nation. She works with Indigenous Futures Society as an Ecological Knowledge Community Associate, as well as an Executive Board member of newly formed Sierra Theatre Company. She talks of her journeys of growing up in North San Juan and, recently going to University to receive her Native American Studies degree, while still pursuing her passions in the arts.

Host Hollie Grimaldi Flores talks with Eli Bacon, Executive Director of Sierra Harvest about the importance of fund development and extensively about the mission of Sierra Harvest to have fresh food accessible to our community and some of the barriers needed to be overcome.

Lori Burkart Frank interviews, Erin Mettler, Deputy County Executive Officer / Chief Fiscal Officer for the County of Nevada. Erin is a Nevada Union High School graduate who came home after 19 years away at college and working with the City of Stockton. She shares about the 12 years of awards the County has won in their budget process as well as how she rejuvenates herself with outside activities.