Life + Culture

Strength, Tenacity, and Heart

Meet Three Local Women Saving Lives in Emergency Medicine Article by Lindsey Hickman | Photography by Albena Ilieva National Emergency Services Week spotlights the selfless work of those dedicating their lives to saving others. May is an opportunity to recognize local trailblazing women for the skills and courage they bring to the industry. Meet three exceptional female first responders serving Contra Costa County as paramedics in three different roles: on a fire engine, a helicopter, and an...

Shopping

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Pamper the Queen of Your Heart With These Gifts! Article by Walnut Creek City Lifestyle Team | Photography by Stock Photos This Mother’s Day, go beyond the ordinary and give the most important woman in your life a thoughtful gift she’ll truly cherish. Whether she loves fresh flowers, elegant stationery, or a bit of pampering, our curated gift guide has something for every mom! Bloom Flowers and Events Brighten her day with a breathtaking floral arrangement from Bloom Flowers and Events, a...

Fitness

Jewel Roemer’s Olympic Journey

Team USA and Stanford Women's Water Polo Player Shares What It's Like To Balance Sports and Life Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Getty Images/Stanford Athletics If Stanford University athlete Jewel Roemer wrote an essay about what she did last summer, it would tell an amazing story. Most of her time was spent at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a member of the U.S. Women's Water Polo team. With the support of hip-hop artist Flavor Flav, she and her teammates rode the wave of women's sports...

Style + Beauty

Creating an Authentic and Timeless Signature Style

Learn how to develop a personal style that saves you time, money, and energy—while making you feel confident and effortlessly put together Article by Alena Le Blanc | Photography by Andrea Liora and David J Toman Style is a way to express yourself and share who you are inside and outside. Creating a "signature look" can feel overwhelming, especially when the fashion industry constantly serves new trends. Every season has a new "it" color, silhouette, and style. It can feel exhausting and leave...

Life + Culture

Balancing Beauty and Motherhood

Gina Deluca’s Journey Article by Laurel Kellam | Photography by Laurel Kellam and Stani Photography Motherhood is often described as a juggling act. For Gina Deluca, a hairstylist and co-owner of Salon Hanover in Walnut Creek, this couldn’t be more true. Since the birth of her son Giovanni in December 2023, she has navigated the transition from working full-time to finding a new rhythm that allows her to be both a dedicated mother and a thriving stylist. “I used to work five to six days a...

Life + Culture

Optimizing Patients' Well-Being

East Bay Health Co-Founders Provide Free Care To Uninsured, Low-Income Individuals Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by Provided by East Bay Health Family medicine physicians and East Bay Health co-founders Tracy Hu, M.D., and Naomi Breckon, M.D., explain how they optimize patients' health care.  AS A NONPROFIT, WHAT FREE HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY EAST BAY HEALTH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS? “We offer free primary care services to people below the poverty line and who...

Finance + Legal Services

Navigating the Financial World

A First-Time Investor’s Guide to Success Article by Crystal Long | Photography by Provided by Omar Chyou When it comes to investing, especially as a first-timer, things might get a little overwhelming. Between all the seemingly foreign financial jargon and various strategies, starting to invest might seem daunting. However, with the proper guidance, navigating the financial landscape can be empowering and rewarding. In this issue, we speak with  Omar Chyou, Senior Vice President of Wealth...

Home + Design

Move-In-Ready Homes Vs. Tackling Renovations

Realtor Yelena Vayn Reflects On Juggling Real Estate Career And Home Remodel As First-Time Homeowner Article by Julie Brown Patton | Photography by Albena Ilieva Photography Bay Area Realtor Yelena Vayn practices what she preaches to clients. While house hunting in 2024, she and her husband, Igor Sydorenko, fell in love with the character and views from their 1950s-built home in Walnut Creek. But they knew it needed work, TLC, and updates. “I often tell clients that buying a home is just the...

Home + Design

Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

Simple Tips + Staging Insights Article by Lindsey Hickman | Photography by Provided by Ana Gonzalez Spring is a season of renewal, and what better time to breathe fresh life into your home? Whether you're preparing to sell, planning to entertain guests, or just craving a change, spring offers the perfect opportunity to revitalize your space. Ana Gonzalez of A&A Studio Staging & Design offers a few simple tweaks and a touch of creativity to help you transform your home into a welcoming haven...

Finance + Legal Services

Estate Planning Essentials

Ensure your assets are protected and your wishes honored with a solid estate plan. Article by Nathan Pastor | Photography by Aika Cardin Photography Having a solid estate plan is the key to securing a future for you and your family. Three cornerstones of solid estate planning are creating a will or trust to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, having powers of attorney so that someone else has the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so...