Life + Culture

The Heart of Public Service in Orange County

Meet Your Orange County Sheriff: Don Barnes Article by Lauren Lenyi | Photography by Orange County Sheriffs Department Orange County locals are familiar with the six-pointed sheriff’s star emblazoned on the distinctive patrol cars of the OC Sheriff’s Department. Deputies are a steady presence in our neighborhoods, keeping watch over the community and assisting those in need. While the department’s fundamental duties are widely recognized, the full scope of their work—the time, effort, human...

Fitness

Changing Lives 30 Minutes at a Time

A story of strength, support, and life-changing transformation at Mission Viejo’s Fit Body Boot Camp. Article by Lauren Lenyi | Photography by Travis Shields Step inside a space where commitment, community, and personal transformation come together. When busy mom and corporate professional Melissa Dehakiz first joined Fit Body Boot Camp, she was simply looking for an efficient workout that fit the rhythm of her day. What she discovered instead was a supportive environment that reshaped her...

Beauty

Unveiling the Unique Artistry of Medical Aesthetics

An artful approach to aesthetic medicine rooted in restraint, integrity, and individuality. Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Travis Shields & Bella Derm In Orange County, where the standard of beauty is revered, curated, and debated with discernment, Bella Derm emerges as a welcome counterpoint to the excesses prevalent in modern aesthetic culture. Since opening its doors in June 2025 in Laguna Hills, Bella Derm has offered something of a rarity—restraint. Founded by...

Education

A Flat-Fee Difference: Service Without Sacrifice

How two Orange County Realtors are reshaping the home-selling experience with honesty and transparency. Article by Lauren Lenyi | Photography by Tom Schulze & Steve Shadell “Your mother always told you to make wise choices.” For Orange County Realtors Tom Schulze and Steve Shadell, that phrase captures the foundation of their work. For Schulze specifically, those words became more than a familiar reminder—they shaped his professional philosophy. After more than 20 years in real estate, he...