Arts + Culture

Celebrate Fall with Style

Walnut Creek City Lifestyle’s Favorite Finds Article by Walnut Creek City Lifestyle | Photography by Stock Photos As we celebrate the  first anniversary of Walnut Creek City Lifestyle , we’re letting you in on a little secret—our seasonal obsessions! From the scents we’re wearing to the rituals we’re loving, our editorial team is sharing what’s inspiring us this fall. Laurel Kellam (Publisher)   Fragrance We’re Wearing  –  Nuxe Body Oil  - A  beauty essential, this luxurious dry oil...

Life + Culture

Confidence and Comfort With Back-to-School Style

Educators share how they balance professionalism, personality and practicality Article and Photography by Emily Viscia Preparing for the back-to-school season isn’t just for students—it’s also a fresh start for educators and school staff to step into the new year with confidence and style. For Lea Harrington, an alumna and staff member at Carondelet High School in Concord, that means embracing what she calls a “casual professional” look. “I like to keep things polished but relaxed,” she...

Education

The Sydney Paige Foundation

Empowering Students With Quality School Supplies Article by Cole Cronk | Photography by Provided by The Sydney Paige Foundation Courtney Brockmeyer, the founder and CEO of the Sydney Paige Foundation, recognizes the importance of education and the necessity of school supplies to achieve academic success in the classroom. This is why the foundation's primary goal is to provide low-income communities with quality school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, paper, folders, scissors, rulers...

Life + Culture

Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream

Helping Bay Area Kids Discover Big Dreams Through Reading Article by Ryan Phillips | Photography by Provided by Kristi Yamaguchi's Always Dream Kristi Yamaguchi's journey from the ice rinks of Fremont to the top of the Olympic podium is a story about the power of dreaming big. Born in Hayward and raised in the Bay Area, Kristi began skating at just six years old, lacing up her skates at the local rink in Southland Mall. What began as a childhood fascination with the annual ice show evolved...

Life + Culture

Style That Gives Back

How Walnut Creek’s Thrift Shops Are Turning Fashion into a Force for Good Article and Photography by Emily Viscia In Walnut Creek, two beloved thrift shops are redefining what it means to shop with purpose. At Leftovers Thrift Shop and the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop , every purchase supports a cause, every visit feels like a treasure hunt, and every customer becomes part of something bigger.  Leftovers Thrift Shop ,  located on Olympic Boulevard, has been   a cherished...

Home + Design

Elegant Kitchen Remodel

Gordon Reese Design Build Transform Kitchen into a Warm, Entertaining Oasis. Article by Gordon Reese | Photography by Marilyn Cunningham Photography When the Johnson family approached Gordon Reese Design Build, their vision was clear: transform their dated kitchen into a warm, functional, and elegant space—one that would support daily living and effortlessly accommodate entertaining. The kitchen’s original peninsula was removed to open the flow between the kitchen and dining areas, allowing...

Fitness

Grit and Grace

Realtor Kailani Kimoto Shares Her Strong Roots and Stronger Vision Article by Lindsey Hickman | Photography by McKenna Ingram There's discipline, and then there's Kailani Kimoto. This Walnut Creek-based realtor has not just built her life on it; she embodies it. Whether it's crushing early morning cardio, meticulously sculpting her physique for bodybuilding competitions, or negotiating contracts in Contra Costa County's dynamic housing market, Kailani's journey is a powerful blend of grit...

Arts + Culture

Sharing The Magic

Meet Young Performers from The Peter Pan Foundation Who Delight Audiences and Kids in Need Article by Linda Ditch | Photography by Provided by Peter Pan Foundation Since 2007, The Peter Pan Foundation (PPF) has aimed to help young people of all ages build talents and confidence through musical theater. The main show, "Wish Upon A Star," features iconic characters like heroes, princesses, and villains, with Peter Pan guiding the audience. Performances support UCSF Benioff Children's...

Life + Culture

All Aboard!

Walnut Creek’s Ace Hardware Hosts a Miniature Marvel in Motion. Article by Ryan Phillips | Photography by Provided by Eric Moe Step into Downtown Walnut Creek's Ace Hardware, and you'll quickly realize it's more than just a place for nuts and bolts. You'll encounter a marvel of miniature engineering. A 575-foot G-scale model train, which has become a beloved community fixture,  loops on its intricate overhead tracks. It chugs past a redwood bridge and tiny landscapes that evolve every few...

Local Services

Forging a Trail

The Story of BSA Troop 402's Bold Beginnings Article by Lindsey Hickman | Photography by Provided by Heather Tzortzis In 2019, a bold and inspiring chapter began in Lafayette when the Tzortzis and Mlynek families co-founded one of the region’s first all-girls Scouts BSA troops. What began as a daughter’s simple request—“I want to join Boy Scouts”—quickly transformed into a pioneering effort that has since created a lasting legacy of empowerment, leadership, and community for young women. What...