berkeley_piedmont_montclair

07/03/2024

🍽️✨ It's Time to Indulge! Oakland Restaurant Week is Back! ✨🍴

Calling all foodies! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds because Oakland Restaurant Week is here from March 14th to March 24th! 🎉 With over 140 participating restaurants, this culinary extravaganza promises to delight locals and visitors alike.

Experience the vibrant flavors of Oakland's culturally distinct neighborhoods with special prix fixe menus featuring lunch and dinner options at unbeatable prices:
🍲 Lunch: $15, $25, $35
🍽️ Dinner: $35, $45, $65

Discover hidden gems like Perle, where elevated casual dining meets local sourcing for a culinary experience like no other. Indulge in oysters, burgers, and wine while soaking in the warm community atmosphere.

From the hot action at Agave to the soulful dishes at Vegan Mob, Oakland Restaurant Week showcases the best of the city's diverse culinary scene. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore new flavors and support local businesses!

Mark your calendars and make your reservations now at OaklandRestaurantWeek.org. Let's eat, explore, and celebrate the delicious flavors of Oakland together! 🌟🍽️

📆 Save the dates - March 14 to 24! Treat yourself to the best of Oakland's food scene.
🔗 For more information and reservations: OaklandRestaurantWeek.org

Let's celebrate the diversity of flavors that make Oakland's culinary scene a true masterpiece!

Use these hashtags to join the conversation:

🌈🍴

Let's celebrate the culinary richness of Oakland together! 🌟🥂🍛

05/03/2024

🍝✨ Taste the Love: Meet Gianluca and Viviana! 🏡❤️

Get ready to be charmed by the culinary journey and heartfelt story of Montclair's own Gianluca Legrottaglie and Viviana Devoto! 🌟 Gianluca, a seasoned restaurateur, brings the flavors of Rome and authentic Roman "street food" to Montclair through his establishments, including the popular Montesacro. His wife, Viviana, not only manages communications and marketing for their five restaurants but is also a skilled cook herself.

🇮🇹 From Italy to Montclair:
Originally from Rome and Sardinia, Gianluca and Viviana found their way to the Bay Area, falling in love with the vibrant community of Montclair. Gianluca's culinary expertise meets Viviana's journalism background, creating a perfect blend that enriches their restaurants and home life.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Family and Community:
Beyond their delectable dishes, the couple emphasizes family values and community spirit. Their two daughters, Alice and Giulia, embrace both Italian and Californian influences, reflecting the family's rich cultural tapestry.

🌳 Montclair Living:
Gianluca expresses his love for Montclair, likening it to a "ski resort without the snow." The family enjoys the scenic views, community barbecues, and the warmth of their neighbors. Together, they've found not just a house but a true home in Montclair.

🌎✈️ Far & Near:
While they cherish local gems like the Montclair Farmers Market, Gianluca, Viviana, and their daughters also indulge in adventures near and far—exploring the California coast and savoring the beauty of Italy.

🏡💖 Love Your Home:
Viviana shares their enchantment with their mid-century Montclair home, emphasizing the supportive and vibrant neighborhood they've come to adore. It's not just a residence; it's a place where the Legrottaglie-Devoto family has truly found a sense of belonging.
🙌 Join us in celebrating Gianluca, Viviana, and their beautiful family as our featured residents this March in Montclair Living! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our incredible community.

🌈🏡

05/03/2024

Celebrating the journeys of our extraordinary residents since their spotlight in Piedmont Living! 🌟 From entrepreneurial storytelling to tech innovation, pickleball passion, and culinary dreams, these individuals have embraced new adventures and triumphs. Their stories inspire us to cherish connections, explore the world, and pursue our passions. Here's to the thriving community spirit in Piedmont! 🌍💙

🌟 Where Are They Now? - Resident Features Update 🌟

Cynthia Gouw:
- Continues career as an "entrepreneurial storyteller."
- Focused on enriching connections, family, and community.
- Celebrated father's 90th birthday with love and festivities.
- Engaging with the Asian American community, part of the Asian Pacific Fund.

Amy Kelly:
- Miri technology startup has grown with VC funding and Ulta Beauty partnership.
- Launched AI nutrition coach on Miri platform, democratizing concierge health coaching.
- Traveled to Australia, planning a family trip to Vietnam and Bali.
- Joined Sequoyah Country Club, enjoying community engagement and activities.

Rick Schiller:
- Pickleball enthusiast, transformed perception of Piedmont.
Tennis elbow from playing pickleball daily; adapting and working through it.
- Continues Pickin' With Rick music events, adjusting to solo performances.
- Building a custom tube amplifier, maintaining vintage Fender amplifiers.

Jan Matsuno:
-Yumbini, food company, expanded with husband Aki handling sales. Yumbini now sold in 50+ stores in the Bay Area, launching new flavor.
- Personal updates include family trips to New York and Japan, landscaping project.
- Quit day job to focus on Yumbini.

It's heartwarming to see how these individuals have evolved and thrived since their features in Piedmont Living! 🌟 

   

02/03/2024

🏡 Neighbor Spotlight: The Mullens - Running Through Life in Berkeley Hills! 🏡

Meet Anna, John, and their five amazing kids—Mason, Preston, Tatum, Tabitha, and Tilden! 🌟 This dynamic family, sponsored by Tracy Zhou, Sotheby's International Realty, is our March Resident Feature in Berkeley Hills Living Magazine.

🏃‍♀️💨 On the Run with The Mullens: Discover how the Mullen family turns every day into an adventure through their shared love for running, music, and community. From competitive marathons to jazzy tunes, they're all about staying active and enjoying life in the Berkeley Hills.

🎓 Hobbies and Adventures: Learn about John's record-collecting passion and Anna's love for outdoor trails and healthy living. Their hobbies perfectly complement their active family lifestyle.

🌈 An Active Family Life: Meet the talented kids—Mason and Preston rocking it on the track and jazz band, Tatum excelling in mountain biking and music, Tabitha enjoying playdates, and little Tilden, the youngest adventurer. Two dogs and six chickens add to the lively mix!

🏆 Run, Baby, Run: Anna, the powerhouse mom, is not only a competitive runner but holds course records and even tried out for the women’s Olympic marathon team! Get inspired by her achievements and the family's dedication to staying fit.

🏡 Neighborly Love and Appreciation: The Mullens share their gratitude for the vibrant Berkeley Hills community, from supportive neighbors to fascinating connections. They truly embody the spirit of living, loving, and thriving in our beautiful neighborhood.

👏 Thank You, The Mullens: Berkeley Hills Living extends heartfelt thanks to The Mullens for sharing their inspiring story. Your energy and passion light up our community! 🌟

Read more about The Mullens in the latest Berkeley Hills Living Magazine. 📖 Don't forget to check out John's ad for those dusty records!

🌳🏡

21/02/2024

14/02/2024

💕 Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Montclair Living, Piedmont Living, and Berkeley Hills Living magazines! 💕

💖 Today, we celebrate the beauty of love and connection that brightens our communities every day. 🏡✨

To our cherished readers, your stories, experiences, and enthusiasm make our magazines come alive, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of life in Montclair, Piedmont, and Berkeley Hills.

A heartfelt shout-out to our incredible sponsors! Your support enables us to continue capturing the essence of our wonderful communities. Together, we build bridges of connection, spotlighting the businesses and individuals that make Montclair, Piedmont, and Berkeley Hills truly exceptional places to live and thrive.

Here's to the wonderful connections we've made and the countless more to come. Happy Valentine's Day! 🥂❤️🏡

06/02/2024

🌟 Resident Feature of the Month: Alicia Taylor Low's Mosaic Journey 🌈

Meet our extraordinary neighbor, Alicia Taylor Low, whose life took an unexpected turn towards art, unveiling a hidden talent that has brought joy and beauty to our Berkeley Hills community! 🎨✨

From the Burning Man crucible that strengthened her love with husband David, to a transformative trip to Barcelona that sparked her mosaic passion, Alicia's story is a mosaic of love, adventure, and creativity. 🏞️🎭

After a fulfilling career at Kaiser Permanente, Alicia embarked on a second act, retiring to follow her newfound passion for stained glass mosaic art. 🐾🌺 Her mosaic pet portraits, inspired by personal stories, have touched hearts globally, and she even earned 2nd place in the 2023 El Cerrito community art show! 🏆🌍

Alicia's art not only adorns homes as beautiful memorials but also graces public spaces, like the Divine Feminine series exhibited in Oakland. 🌺💫 Her creations, whether capturing the essence of pets or depicting the wonders of nature, reflect boundless creativity and a deep connection to our community. 🌈🏡

Join us in celebrating Alicia's inspiring journey and incredible talent! 🥳👏 Check out her stunning works at downtoearth-mosaics.com and witness the magic she weaves with glass shards. Let's continue to support and celebrate the diverse talents within our Berkeley Hills family! 🌟🎉

05/02/2024

🏓 Meet Corki Recht – A Pickleball Enthusiast from Piedmont! 🌟

If you've ever stepped onto the pickleball courts in Piedmont, chances are you've crossed paths with the vibrant Corki Recht! 🤩 Her infectious passion for the sport is matched only by her big, beautiful smile.

Retirement hasn't slowed Corki down – she remains an active member of the Piedmont Pickleball Steering Committee. For her, pickleball isn't just about exercise; it's a way to forge connections and build a vibrant community.

Corki gives credit to fellow Piedmonters, Rick Schiller, Lester Ellis, and Tom Reicher, referring to them as the "roots of pickleball in Piedmont." After five years of hard work developing the sport, Corki took on the role of chair, contributing to the flourishing pickleball community. She and her husband, Steve, have called Piedmont home for over 30 years, with a shared love for both the local community and their second home in Maui.

Corki invites you to say hi if you spot her on the Linda Beach courts. Who knows, you might just find yourself joining in a game of golf or pickleball! 🌺⛳️

03/02/2024

🌟 Celebrating Dr. Tolbert Small: The People's Doctor 🌟

Meet the extraordinary Dr. Tolbert Small, a true healer and advocate for over 50 years! 🏥🌍 From his early days at a free clinic to pioneering acupuncture in the US, Dr. Small's dedication to community health and social justice is unparalleled.

👨‍⚕️ Known as the People's Doctor, he served diverse communities, breaking barriers and raising awareness about sickle cell anemia. His journey includes working with the bblackpantherpartyfacing challenges from the FBI, and fostering positive change.

🌍 Beyond borders, Dr. Small visited China with the Panthers, where he discovered acupuncture. Today, he's a key figure in introducing this ancient practice to the African American community, leaving a lasting impact on holistic healthcare.

👏 Retired but not done! At 81, Dr. Small continues his mission at the RRoots Community Health Center embodying the Panther spirit with free food programs, homeless initiatives, and anti-violence campaigns.

📚 A man of education and activism, Dr. Small's roots in Detroit shaped his journey. From a Jesuit education to civil rights activism, he's not just a doctor but a poet, an art collector, and a symbol of resilience.

🙌 Let's salute Dr. Tolbert Small, a man for others, a beacon of inspiration, and a living legend in our community! 🌟👏

Article by
Photo by

02/02/2024

February 14th just around the corner

31/01/2024

Love this recently opened Bakery and Brunch gem on San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley. Amanda is pictured here in front of her creations. I’m heading there tomorrow for their fried chicken.

12/01/2024

Buckle up and hang on, as we dive into the new year with positive energy! 😇 Our feature story kicks off with a salute to the real heroes in our community—the firefighter-paramedics at Berkeley’s Fire Station No. 4. This captivating story, suggested by a special neighbor, is just a glimpse into the incredible work these firefighter paramedics do for us. ❤️

Inside the pages, you'll find a direct, realistic perspective on the current real estate market, invaluable wealth management insights, a deeper dive into hearing and balance, and important trust and beneficiary advice—including how to address special beneficiary considerations. Plus, we've got travel recommendations for your next weekend adventure! 🚙⛱☀️

Let's make 2024 a year of inspiration and exploration!

Cover Photo by Gary Schatan
Article by Karen Walker

Subscribe to our newsletter for a front-row seat to inspiring stories, real estate insights, wealth management tips, and more. 🏡💼

www.BerkeleyHillsLiving.com

11/01/2024

Dexter 💕

09/01/2024

Step into the magic of January with Piedmont Living! 🎉✨

Wishing you the best year ever filled with new beginnings and exciting resolutions for 2024. 🌟

Our first story shines a spotlight on the dynamic Piedmont Pickleball group—a community that knows how to kick off the year with fun, excitement, and passion for the game! 🏓🤩

Ready to stay connected with the heartbeat of Piedmont?

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive stories, community highlights, and so much more! 📖💙

Make 2024 a year to remember! 🚀👉

03/01/2024

🌟 New Beginnings in Montclair 🏡✨

This month, meet our Featured Resident, Sieu Sean Do, embarking on a fresh start right here in Montclair. His incredible journey from escaping the terror of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge to finding paradise in Montclair is a story of resilience and hope. 🌺💚

Discover the untold beauty of Cambodia through Sieu Sean Do's beautifully written memoir, exclusively featured in Montclair Living. 📖✍️ Few know the real story beyond the terror, and you don't want to miss it!

Ready to delve into more inspiring stories?
Subscribe to Montclair Living's newsletter now for exclusive access to captivating tales and community highlights! 📰💫

Cover Photo by Gary Schatan
Article by Randy Lyman

BerkeleyHillsLiving.com

21/12/2023

On our cover of Montclair Living is a woman with a heartwarming (if bittersweet) tale of her own. Leslie Absher grew up keeping two big secrets: her q***r identity and her father’s job. He worked for the CIA, and in her new memoir, Leslie tells what it’s like to grow up the daughter of a spy—to struggle to come to terms with his work and her own inner conflicts, and finally to embark upon a journey toward compassion.

Story by Randy Lyman
Photos by Gary Schatan

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues!

Contact us at [email protected].

***rgirl

06/12/2023

Our holiday issue features Lisa Settlemier, a long-time Piedmont resident with a very giving heart. Lisa also serves currently as President of Piedmont’s Cancer League.

Besides having a heart of gold and dedicating her life’s mission to
helping her community’s non-profit organizations, Lisa enjoys cooking, playing pickleball, skiing, reading, and spending time with family. Lisa counts cooking and entertaining as things she enjoys, particularly when sharing her culinary talents with family and friends. Lisa likes to get out and power walk.

This holiday season if you see Lisa power walking, feel free to wave “hi” to this very giving, selfless, and dynamic Piedmonter.

Story by : Karen Silva
Photos by Gary Schatan

07/11/2023

Piedmont Living's feature guest for the month of November is Shanti Brien and husband, Doug. Married for 25 years, Shanti said, “We really set down roots when we moved to Piedmont.”

For their beloved Piedmont community, Shanti shared, “I would like to thank our neighbors and everyone who is a part of this community for being kind and for continuing to become a more
thoughtful, responsible, and inclusive community.

You’ll enjoy reading about their dynamic life and story on page 8-10 of Piedmont Living Magazine.

Article written by: Karen Silva
Photos by : Gary Schatan

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at [email protected].

06/11/2023

This month's featured neighbors Anne Pardee and Steve Beckendorf share their unexpected transition from strangers to neighbors to marriage, and the interesting weaving together of their diverse journeys, yet kindred interests, that motivate them to care deeply about giving-back and serving others.

We just want to say THANK YOU in a big way, Anne and Steve, for sharing a taste of your friendly, service-first, creative energy with the neighbors of Berkeley Hills Living!

Read about their story on page 10 - 13 of the Berkeley Hills Living Magazine.

Article written by : Karen F. Walker
Photos by : Gary Schatan

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues!
Contact us at [email protected].

06/10/2023

Happy Fall and happy pumpkin spice season!
It’s officially pumpkin pie, candy corn, and chai tea season.

Steve Zirkelbach, Long Distance Track and Field Coach at Piedmont High School and father of two children, is our feature guest this month. Steve, a dedicated and driven coach and one of the nicest and easiest going people you’ll ever meet, loves sharing his passion for running and sports with his track team. 💙

Article by : Karen Silva
Cover Photo by : Gary Schatan

06/09/2023

In addition to great Bay Area weather, there’s plenty to savor in this month’s issue, beginning with our feature story on Maxim Schrogin who currently holds
the informal record for fewest words ever used (so far) to fill out our questionnaire. No matter. Maxim’s story is an enjoyable read and even a little thought-provoking.

Article by By K. F. Walker
Photos by Gary Schatan and submitted by Peggy Stein

Enjoy!💛

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues!

Contact us at [email protected]

05/09/2023

Pumpkin spice season has arrived, and Indian Summer is officially here. The beautiful colors of leaves and shades of Fall will adorn our streets and walkways. Welcome to Fall!

Our September feature story is about Pouyan and Neda Assadi. The Assadi’s are new parents to their infant son, Aidan. Pouyan is a head coach of the track and field team and football team at PHS. Pouyan and Neda are also world travelers, and getting ready to take Aidan on his first international trip. ✈️

If you see Pouyan, Neda, Aidan, and Max taking a stroll around Piedmont, feel free to say hi.

Article By Karen Silva
Photos by Gary Schatan

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share?

Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at [email protected].

03/09/2023

First Friday wine block party in the Gilman District with my bestie.

01/09/2023

Meet the Diva Next Door! 💃

Our Featured Resident this month is someone you can look up to: she’s a professional stilt walker and opera singer, usually both at once. Maybe you’ve seen her striding around Montclair Village at winter holiday time. By day she’s an acupuncturist. All her life, Jewelz Moyer knew she had a dual purpose in life: the healing arts and the performing arts. See the many faces of Jewelz in this month’s issue.

Article By Randy Lyman
Photos By Gary Schatan

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues!

Contact us at [email protected]

12/07/2023

Berkeley Hills Living features Astrid Rusquellas for the July cover of our Magazines, a Psychiatrist, Friend, and a Award-winning Artist.

Article written by Karen Walker
Cover photo by Gary Schatan

Astrid is an inspiring and engaging read from start to finish... with a few fun vignettes nestled in between. Truly enjoyable!

26/06/2023

Good humor runs throughout this issue, beginning with our Feature Story on Gary P. Handman, who began cartooning at a young age and even used his burgeoning talent to ward off getting picked on by high school bullies. He put cartooning aside until well after college when his wife gifted him with a drafting table...Fast forward to the past three years and you’ll see what happened to his cartooning pastime during Covid. It’s sure to put a smile on your face!
And not only will you smile... in this issue, you’ll also learn an easy, scientific way
Photo by Gary Schatan
Article by karen Walker

16/05/2023

Berkeley Hills Living
Our wonderful cover story residents Andrea and Michael Scharff share their great adventure and appreciation for terrific neighbors, but also a taste of their passion and perseverance in researching the distinctive Arts and Crafts architectural details of their home and some of the fascinating history and legacy of its famed architect, Bernard Maybeck, and its original owner, J. Henry Senger.
Photos by Gary Schatan
Article by Karen Walker