Life + Culture

Local Love

Meet the Market Makers at the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market Article by Lindsey Hickman | Photography by Provided by vendors Nestled on Locust Street between Cole and Lacassie, the Walnut Creek Farmers Market is easily accessible by foot, bike, car, or public transit, just a short stroll from BART. Open year-round, this market brings together more than 100 local producers, creating a vibrant hub where fresh, sustainable, and seasonal foods meet community spirit. Founded in 1982, Contra Costa...

Life + Culture

A New Chapter in Walnut Creek:

Nathan Pastor and Caroline Chiara on Navigating Parenthood Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Simone Rotman We met Nathan Pastor and Caroline Chiara in 2025’s February issue. And what a difference a year can make. The couple welcomed a son last summer: David Francis Pastor was born on August 19th at Kaiser in Walnut Creek. As expected, a baby changed everything for the couple. Well, not everything. Here, they share the ups and downs of parenthood and how they keep finding ways to...

Local Services

Rossmoor Realty:

Decades of Family-Owned Excellence in Walnut Creek Article by Ryan Phillips | Photography by Simone Rotman For nearly 60 years, Rossmoor Realty has been a family story. Founded in 1967 by John H. Russell, Sr., the business was built on a deep commitment to the unique community it serves.  In 1981, his son, John H. Russell, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Barbara Russell, purchased the company. Barbara continues this proud family tradition as the owner and leader today.  "I saw what my...

Local Services

Volunteering in Walnut Creek:

How to Support Local Nonprofits Article by Laurel Kellam | Photography by Stock Photos As we celebrate all things local in our February issue, we're spotlighting organizations in our area that rely on volunteers to make a meaningful impact. These local nonprofits shared how community members can get involved and what they look for in volunteers. Whether you have a special skill, a little extra time, or simply a desire to support others, each offers accessible, rewarding ways to give back. ...

Home Services

On the Move with Karel Smid

How a former professional soccer player built a thriving local business Article by Debbie Cohen | Photography by Provided by Karel Smid Karel Smid knows how to keep things moving in the right direction. It’s a skill the founder and business owner has applied to both his successful East Bay-based company, Commander Moving Inc., and to his personal life.   Born in the Czech Republic, Smid, a former professional soccer player, first visited the Bay Area as a young man while traveling. Looking...

Life + Culture

Hidden Gem: Alamo

That small town with the horse on top of the shoe repair shop Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Samantha Durbin With a population of approximately 14,000, I’ve always thought of Alamo as a sleepy residential area. It is. But since moving here recently, I’ve found it to be a hidden gem, with a friendly community and a mix of shopping and dining options within a quick bike ride. Many of the businesses in and around Alamo Plaza are family-owned, retaining that small-town charm that...

Wellness

What to Eat Before, During, and After Your Workout:

Fuel Smarter, Feel Stronger, Recover Faster. Article by Rachel Gargano | Photography by Stock Photos Whether you’re heading out for a quick beach run or hitting the gym, nutrition plays a powerful role in how you perform and recover. You need the right fuel at the right time to have efficiency. Here are some science-backed answers to your most common questions about workout fueling. What should I eat if I only have 15 minutes before a workout? When time is tight, easy-to-digest...

Style + Beauty

Look Younger, Live Longer

Dr. Amela Hozic Redefines Beauty and Longevity Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Simone Rotman When you have a calling to do something, you find a way or the way finds you. That’s how board-certified physician Dr. Amela Hozic found herself with a thriving private practice in Walnut Creek: Éllevi Medical Center for Aesthetics.  “I have wanted to help people since I was 6 years old,” says Hozic. “I never thought about being anything other than a doctor, helping people on the inside...

Health + Wellness

Can I Kick It?

KickHouse: The friendliest fighter gym in Walnut Creek  Article by Samantha Durbin | Photography by Samantha Durbin and Stock Photos I was a walking fireball around this time last year. I had recently separated from my husband and moved back to the East Bay with my kids after a two-year stint living in Santa Barbara (we had previously lived in Martinez). Having grown up in Oakland, my village was in the Bay Area.  After the move, the accumulated anger, not just at my ex-husband, but at...

Life + Culture

Blade and Light International

The Nonprofit Training Doctors Worldwide in Mohs Surgery—and Saving Lives Article by Crystal Long | Photography by Provided by Dr. Hayes Gladstone and Blade and Light International What happens when a doctor with a passion for healing also carries a passport stamped with a love for global impact?  In the case of Dr. Hayes Gladstone, that blend sparked a movement—one that now provides life-saving skin cancer surgeries to patients around the world who would otherwise go without. Gladstone, a...