Food + Beverage

Editor’s Picks: Three Italian Date Night Spots

Whether you're looking for Northern Italian, California-Italian or Roma-cuisine, here are my personal favorites. Article by Kat Schuster Valentine’s Day lands on a Saturday this year, meaning you either snagged a Feb. 14 reservation early or you’re celebrating another night. Either way, Long Beach offers plenty of Italian flavor. On the next page are three date-night picks, Northern Italian, Roman, and California fusion, recommended by yours truly. Cafe Gazelle  If you know, you know ...

Arts + Culture

A Love Story Written in History

How David and Sharon McLucas Built Forgotten Images Article by Atira Rodriguez | Photography by Provided In 1969, at Cal State Long Beach, a shy basketball player from Oxnard caught the attention of an outgoing cheerleader.  David McLucas was walking down the hill to basketball practice when Sharon Scott called out to him — not once, but twice. When he finally turned around and asked,  "You talking to me?" neither could have imagined that decades later, they'd be preserving African American...

Life + Culture

When Love Means Business

Robert Dugan and Renee Trepagnier built a brand on radical compassion — for themselves, each other and the women they serve through Here I Am Self-Care. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Candice Wong For Robert Dugan and Renee Trepagnier, love and work are not separate spheres. They are intertwined by shared values, mutual trust and a belief that care — for oneself, for each other and for the wider community — is a radical act. As the founders of Here I Am Self-Care, a self-care...

Food + Beverage

Q&A: Chef RJ & Mercedes Squires

The restaurateur couple shares how they navigated rebranding and relocating their Caribbean Soul Kitchen together. Article by Long Beach City Lifestyle | Photography by Provided How did Panama International Restaurant begin, and what inspired you to open a restaurant together? It started during COVID in our small home kitchen as Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA. Love for the food and culture of Panama was our inspiration. Chef RJ, your Panamanian heritage and your grandfather’s cooking have been...

Arts + Culture

Amor Learns to Love Herself Through Her Art

Long Beach artist finally shares her work — after years of letting imposter syndrome win. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Atira Rodriguez For years, Amor Roldan wanted to put her art into the world — but a quiet, persistent voice told her not to. “I had that voice in my head that was like, ‘I don’t think that’s good enough,’” Roldan said. “And it just took over. And I let it take over for so long.” That self-doubt followed her even as she built a life rooted in creativity, education...

Health + Wellness

Consistency Over Intensity

How Beatrix Whipple is redefining midlife fitness. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Carlos Santana When Beatrix Whipple wakes before dawn, usually around 4:30 a.m., her day begins with stillness. “I’ll prep my coffee and sit down on my couch,” she says. “I usually do a session of meditation via a guided meditation app called Open. It’s the only one I’ve been able to stick with.” After 10 to 15 minutes of breathwork and meditation, Whipple opens her iPad to journal.  “My first part...

Health + Wellness

Healthy Teeth Habits for the New Year

Top-rated local dentist Dr. Will Grella shares post-holiday tips on maintaining optimal oral health Article by Dr. Will Grella, DDS | Photography by Nirav Solanki 1. It's not how much sugar you eat — it's how often you have it. One bite of sugar feeds bacteria and creates acid that breaks down teeth for 20 minutes. One bite every 20 minutes means your teeth are under constant acid attack without a break. 2. Sugar is in beverages, not just foods. Your pumpkin spice latte is going to tag...

Sports + Recreation

Adam Duvendeck Reflects On Wellness, Leadership

The two-time Olympian discusses the lessons that guide his approach to health, leadership and legacy. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Provided by Dignity Health Sports Park Adam Duvendeck’s routine today looks a lot different than the one that took him to the Olympics twice, but the same principles drive his success.  The former U.S. track cyclist, now General Manager of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, says his approach to leadership isn’t far from his approach to training...

Health + Wellness

From Pain to Purpose

Mark and Mia Norwood's Path to Radiance Article and Photography by Atira Rodriguez When Mark Norwood found himself in the emergency room eight times in 12 months, he knew something had to change.  The former educator was battling multiple sclerosis and three herniated discs in his cervical spine. Traditional pain management wasn't working, and the medications offered only temporary relief. The answer came from an unexpected source: a close friend of his wife, Mia, was undergoing cancer...

Wellness

The ‘Silent Surge’

With dementia cases on the rise, most families aren't prepared to face hard choices about care. Article by Atira Rodriguez | Photography by Provided by UltraCare Home Services When Leslee Deanes-Bryant's grandmother was sent home from Cedars-Sinai after a catastrophic medical error, the pharmaceutical sales rep faced an impossible choice.  Her grandmother — sharp-minded and independent enough to have driven herself to the hospital — needed round-the-clock care. But Leslee had a lot on her...