Health + Wellness

Pitch Perfect

Alexander Audiology is redefining hearing health with a practice rooted in expertise, empathy and deeply personalized care Article by Grace Galloway For Dr. Melissa Alexander, the work of audiology has always been about something deeper than technology or diagnostics. At its heart, it is about connection—helping people stay engaged with the conversations, music and everyday sounds that shape their lives.  That perspective developed early. Alexander grew up in Northridge immersed in the...

Arts + Culture

Rising Note

Article and Photography by As the Santa Monica International Jazz Festival makes its debut this May throughout the city, it arrives with a clear mission: to honor the legacy of jazz while spotlighting the artists shaping its future. Among them is Lakecia Benjamin, a six-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer and educator, who plays with both captivating emotional force and deep intention. “My approach is very much rooted in honesty and expression,” she says. “I try to play in a way that...

Shopping

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Article and Photography by A Thoughtful Touch Shop local this Mother’s Day with a curated selection she’ll truly love Still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Whether planning ahead or pulling something together at the last minute, the most meaningful presents are the ones that feel personal and considered. “The best Mother’s Day gifts reflect her personality, hobbies or needs,” says Jill Bronstein of Style Salon, a local service that includes closet edits and organization...

Health + Wellness

A Collective Shift

Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney are building a powerful new force in female health—rooted in trust, truth, knowledge and connection Article by Amanda Eberstein It started, as so many great ideas do, with a chance conversation. Brentwood resident Mary Alice Haney—former fashion editor and founder of her eponymous line HANEY—and Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, one of Los Angeles’ most sought-after OB-GYNs, first met when Haney was guest hosting Lipstick on the Rim , the podcast by Molly Sims. Dr...

Food + Beverage

Deeply Rooted

Soulful Korean American bistro The Mulberry brings warmth, flavor and connection to the westside Article by Beth Friedman | Photography by Bonjwing Lee  Over the last few months, The Mulberry has quietly emerged as one of the most intriguing new restaurants in the area, and arguably all of Los Angeles. Located just a few minutes from Brentwood, tucked into the historic stretch of Sawtelle, this bistro-style eatery feels at once entirely new and deeply familiar. It isn’t just another buzzy...

Finance + Legal Services

My Town: Ashley Warne

Article and Photography by For Ashley Warne, financial planning has always been about helping people feel more confident and organized. “I’m a second-generation financial advisor, and I learned from my dad that this work is really about grit and compassion,” says the Raymond James advisor and founder of Financial Formwork, a private wealth management practice. “More than anything, I want to be an approachable person who helps demystify and organize people’s finances.” A true local, Warne grew...

Education

Autism Diagnosis Later in Life

Receiving an autism diagnosis later in life can feel both illuminating and overwhelming. For many individuals, it brings long-awaited clarity to experiences that never quite fit conventional expectations—social dynamics that felt confusing, sensory sensitivities that seemed hard to explain, or a persistent sense of being “out of sync.” What was once labeled as anxiety, introversion, or even personal failure begins to take on new meaning through a neurodivergent lens. A later-in-life diagnosis is...

Education

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month—a time to recognize, reflect, and recommit to a deeper understanding of autism and the individuals, families, and communities it touches. Over the years, there has been a noticeable and meaningful shift in how autism is perceived. What was once largely misunderstood is now more widely recognized as a difference in how the brain processes information, rather than something to be “fixed.”This shift matters.Awareness has grown significantly. More educators...

Food + Beverage

Brentwood’s Bagel Boom

A new wave of local players has reshaped the classic breakfast item into an unmistakable neighborhood showdown Article by Carole Dixon For more than two decades, Brentwood mornings followed a familiar rhythm—coffee poured, newspapers folded and, for many locals, a stop at the beloved New York Bagel Co., a stalwart of the community that served multi-generations from its Town & Country perch. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t trendy—it was constant. Families grew up on it, regulars knew the counter...

Life + Culture

My Town: Vanessa Hernandez

Article and Photography by For Vanessa Hernandez, skin is the ultimate long-term investment. The A-list aesthetician and founder of VH Skincare has built her Brentwood practice around consistency, prevention and personalized care—approaching facial health like a carefully managed portfolio designed to strengthen and evolve over time. Trusted by celebrity and beauty insiders, she is known for delivering naturally radiant, camera-ready complexions through a deeply individualized approach. “We...