Berkeley Hills Living

07/03/2025

“I used to think I lived my life in chapters,” says Pamela Blair, who you’ll meet in this month’s issue. She’s been a dancer, political activist, therapist, mother, and now writer, with a new novel about two college women who made different choices in 1960s America. Read the latest chapter as our Featured Resident turns the page on her life yet again.
To read this month's issue, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at berkeleyhillsliving.com

07/01/2025

Here is the ultimate marketing checklist for local businesses in 2025, including actionable items and strategies that every company can implement in the digital, social media and print landscapes.

Local businesses can maximize growth using this ultimate marketing checklist covering digital, social, print and community strategies.

06/25/2025

Schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you build awareness, generate interest, create desire, and drive action—ultimately branding your business effectively and optimizing your results. Ask me how!

https://calendly.com/cathyschmitt/connecting-you-with-our-community

A well-built marketing funnel utilizing the TOFU, MOFU and BOFU stages can attract, engage and convert local customers.

06/03/2025

Bread, dough, cabbage, bacon, clams ... how about loot, coin, bills, moolah, cha-ching? Figured out what these words have in common? They’re all slang terms for money—a word with slang terms in seemingly every language.
We all wish money grew on trees, but this month’s Featured Resident, Kristin Hull, is showing how financial power can benefit trees and the rest of the environment, and how individuals can save money and the Earth at the same time. She learned business working for her father, and now she owns a woman-run asset management firm that’s working to green the world in more ways than one.
Cover by Gary Schatan
Article by Randy Lyman

02/13/2025

🌟 Meet Andrea Gordon: A Powerhouse in Real Estate, Theatre, and Animal Advocacy! 🎭🏡🐾

Andrea Gordon is a force to be reckoned with—one of the East Bay’s top Realtors®, an award-winning theatre artist, and a dedicated advocate for animals. Whether she’s helping families find their dream homes, directing new plays, or funding life-saving surgeries for rescue pets, Andrea puts her heart into everything she does. ❤️

Her journey started on stage at a young age, inspired by her opera-singer mother, and has taken her from New York to the Bay Area, where she’s shaped both the arts and real estate scenes. Now, as the host of her podcast REalizations, she’s on a mission to educate people about the industry she loves.

Oh, and did we mention she has six pets, including a 23-year-old parrot named Yo-Yo? 🦜✨

Read all about Andrea’s incredible story in this month’s Berkeley Hills Living magazine! 📖



Article by Randy Lyman
Photos by Gary Schatan

01/31/2025

📜 Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future: Inside the Berkeley Historical Society & Museum 🏛️

Berkeley’s story is still being written, and the Berkeley Historical Society & Museum (BHSM) is ensuring that its rich past is preserved for future generations. From historic exhibits to a vast archive of records and artifacts, BHSM is a treasure trove of local history—and it’s right in the heart of downtown Berkeley!

✨ Did you know?

🔹 BHSM curates rotating exhibits, like Roots, Removal & Resistance: Japanese Americans in Berkeley, running through April.

🔹 Their website (berkhistory.org) is a virtual museum, offering online exhibits, articles, and videos.

🔹 They’ve even expanded the beloved Berkeley Historical Plaque Project, allowing community members to contribute their own "e-Plaques" to a growing digital history map!

And there’s even bigger plans ahead! With hopes of moving into the renovated Maudelle Shirek Building by 2028, the museum is set to expand its collection and community outreach.

💡 Want to be part of Berkeley’s living history?
Visit the museum, explore exhibits, or volunteer!

📍 Visit BHSM at the Veterans Memorial Building
(Thurs-Sat, 1-4 PM)

www.BerkeleyHillsLiving.com



Cover Photo By : Gary Schatan
Article by: Randy Lyman

09/08/2024

Berkeley Hills Living Some say September is like a second chance at New Year’s resolutions. Hmm... I'm not so sure about that. BUT, I am sure that you’ll love this month’s issue!! Our feature this month is Bruce Stangeland, a neighbor who embodies “neighborliness” and “zest for life.” From summer dinners on a table set up in his driveway so he can engage passers-by to beautiful paintings, travel, and grandkids, this feature even includes a bit of interesting Norwegian history!
Cover photo by Gary Schatan
Article by Karen Walker

08/01/2024

🌟 Meet Eric Arens and Beth Saucier, the dynamic duo behind the family motto "Get Outdoors!" 🌟

Their story begins at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory in 1987, weaving through fascinating individual journeys and shared adventures that span the globe. 🌍

From inventing the infrared camera for the James Webb Space Telescope to teaching foreign languages and creating art, their passions are as diverse as they are inspiring. 🛰️🖌️

Whether sailing, skiing, or exploring new cultures, Eric and Beth embody the spirit of adventure. ⛷️🚤

Join us in the August issue of Berkeley Hills Living to dive into their captivating story and discover the vibrant lives they lead in our community. 📖✨



Article by Karen F. Walker
Photos by Gary Schatan

07/08/2024

🛡️ Meet Your Berkeley Police Officers at Berkeley Hills Living Magazine! 🛡️

👮‍♂️ Officer Byron White, a 25-year veteran of the Berkeley Police Department, shares what he enjoys most about his job: "Feeling that just because I was there, someone felt safer or someone could get home safely. I still feel that way today, 25 years later."

👮‍♀️ Officer Jessica Perry was hooked on the profession since she became a Police Explorer at age 15. "I wanted to make a difference," says Officer Perry. "Growing up, I saw a lot of different officers in my community, some of whom I wasn’t as impressed with. I was always told to be the change you wish to see in the world, so I became a Police Officer!"

👮‍♀️ Chief Jennifer Louis echoes her colleagues, "Simply put, I wanted to help people."

✨ At Join Berkeley PD their mission is to safeguard our diverse community through proactive law enforcement and problem-solving, treating all people with dignity and respect. They pride themselves on building strong relationships with our community to ensure everyone’s safety.

📅 Don’t miss Berkeley Night Out on Tuesday, August 6! Get to know your neighbors and your local police in a relaxed setting. Forge strong relationships that ultimately make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live and thrive.

👀 Interested in joining their team? Berkeley PD is currently hiring Police Officers, Dispatchers, and Community Service Officers. Visit JoinBerkeleyPD.com for more information.

📊 Check out the Police Transparency Hub for up-to-date information on crime data, use of force, calls for service, and more: https://bpd-transparency-initiative-berkeleypd.hub.arcgis.com/

Follow Berkeley PD on social media for timely updates and community news!

📸 Photos by Gary Schatan
📝 Written by Karen F. Walker

06/07/2024

🌊 Meet Paul Kamen: Berkeley Hills’ Avid Sailor & Inspiring Neighbor! ⛵️

From the serene waters of Long Island Sound to thrilling sailboat races in California, Paul Kamen's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. With a rich background in naval architecture and a heart dedicated to our community, Paul has made waves both on and off the water.

Discover his incredible story, captured beautifully by writer Karen F. Walker and photographer Gary Schatan, and learn more about his contributions to local sailing and paddling adventures. 📰✨

05/15/2024

We’re delighted to bring you another new sponsor in the Berkeley Hills Living Magazine, please welcome Carly Ebenstein of CCJB Insurance
As an independent insurance broker for more than 20+ years, Carly is passionate about helping others. “I love what I do,” she smiles, “and am grateful that my clients appreciate my educational
approach to Life and Long-Term Care Insurance.”

Please check out one of Carly’s online events at cjbins.com/events and see what clients have to say about her at https://www.yelp.com/biz/cjb-insurance-services-berkeley-2.

Long-term care and life insurance workshops to educate you and your whole family.

05/07/2024

🌹✨ Exciting News Alert! 🌹✨

Join us in celebrating the beauty of May with a special tribute to the Berkeley Rose Garden, nestled in the heart of the Berkeley Hills!

We're thrilled to announce that singer-songwriter Alexis Harte, alongside filmmaker Josh Peterson, is bringing the magic of the Berkeley Rose Garden to life in a captivating short film, "Your Rose Garden." 🎥🎶 This project is more than just a showcase of stunning visuals and melodious tunes; it's a heartfelt homage to a cherished sanctuary that holds a special place in the hearts of many locals.

From its breathtaking amphitheater design to its diverse array of rose varieties, the Berkeley Rose Garden continues to captivate hearts and inspire creativity. 🌹✨

Join us as we come together to celebrate this beloved landmark and the profound impact it has on our community.

Stay tuned for updates on the release of "Your Rose Garden" and get ready to be enchanted by the beauty and spirit of the Berkeley Rose Garden like never before! 💫

Photo by Gary Schatan

Article by Karen Walker