Home + Design

More Than Just a Plant

An excerpt from Krystal Duran’s new book explores how houseplants can bring joy and healing Article by Krystal Duran | Photography by Kat Schleicher There's a quiet kind of gratitude that doesn't come from big, obvious gestures — it comes from a new leaf unfurling on a windowsill, a plant leaning toward the morning light, or the steady presence of something green that's stuck with you through hard seasons. Krystal Duran knows this well. As the creative force behind Plants with Krystal, she's...

Food + Beverage

Poured by Community

Our Spot Coffee and Goods brings a neighborhood-focused coffee experience to Long Beach Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Marissa Vickers The first thing Chris McColl, co-founder of Our Spot Coffee and Goods, remembers about the crowdfunding campaign was how it felt. For days, he and his wife, Ali, were glued to every new email notification as contributions came in. “I think within the first maybe 48 hours, we were almost like halfway through our goal, which was just incredible,” he...

Professional Services

Solving Problems, One Project at a Time

Through The Difference Engine, Ehsan Zaffar helps turn local challenges into practical solutions Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Provided by The Difference Engine Before he founded The Difference Engine or taught civil rights law, Ehsan Zaffar was a child refugee in Los Angeles who helped change city policy. His family had fled the Persian Gulf War, and his parents were forced to start over in low-wage jobs because their graduate degrees were not recognized in the United States...

Sports + Recreation

Born to Ride

Long Beach-based track cyclist Josh Hartman overcame early setbacks and is now chasing a spot at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Kenji Edmonds and Kori James Cycling isn’t just a sport for track cyclist Josh Hartman — it’s the core of who he is. He fell in love with riding at 12, watching races like the Tour de France and hearing stories from his cousin, an Olympian who represented Guyana. Inspired by his cousin, Josh set out to build on his...