Marketplace Contra Costa
DECEMBER 2025
Hello Neighbors
As the year winds down, I’m filled with gratitude for our readers, advertisers, and community partners who make Contra Costa Marketplace possible. December always brings a special kind of magic — glowing lights, cozy gatherings, and the joy of supporting local businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving. SHOP LOCAL!
Inside this issue, you’ll find ways to carve out a little “me” time during this sometimes hectic season, local gift ideas, and events to help you celebrate the holidays close to home.
This month, we are excited to have some advertisers back, including Eastshore Pediatric Dental Group (pg. 33) with Dr. Kim and Dr. Thea, and Sycamore Hills By The Bay (pg. 7), a Senior Apartment community in
the heart of Hercules. We’re also delighted to welcome NEW advertisers, PJ’s Italian Restaurant and Cocktail, the much-anticipated relaunch of a beloved, popular El Sobrante restaurant and cocktail lounge (see their First Page ad to learn more), and Wayshower Sanctuary, the only yoga and wellness center in El Sobrante! (see their ad on the Table of Contents page).
Wishing you a warm, joyful holiday season and
Susie | Jacqueline
Giving is the reason for the season!
www.stjosephpinole.org
in the Bay Area
By Suzanna Mannion
The holiday season often hits like a whirlwind, suddenly sweeping us up in a rush of decorations, shopping lists and social engagements. It’s easy to feel like you’ve been placed on a steep slide with no way off until you ride through the New Year celebration. While the festive spirit can be genuinely lovely, it’s important to acknowledge that the holidays can also be an intensely stressful time filled with complex, sometimes conflicting, emotions.
Ongoing messages of joy, family harmony and togetherness can starkly contrast with feelings of sadness, grief, loneliness or inadequacy. Whether you’re jazzed about the holidays or find yourself experiencing a level of dread, here are mindful tips to promote greater ease and balance this holiday season.
PRIORITIZE PRESENCE OVER PERFECTION
Much of the holiday stress stems from trying to “fit it all in.” Planning, hosting, card-sending and gift-shopping add demands that can leave us feeling drained and our bank accounts strained. The first step toward an easier season is cultivating self-awareness.
1. PAUSE AND ASK: WHERE DO I NEED BALANCE?
• Do I need more time to myself or more connection with others?
• Am I “carrying” too much and need to ask for help?
• What am I saying yes to that I need to be saying no to?
Many of us overcommit out of a desire to support family and friends, only to realize later we’ve overextended ourselves, again. Remember that your needs matter. It’s okay to reclaim space for yourself.
3. DEFINE YOUR OWN SELF-CARE
Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, it means ordering takeout because you’re too drained to cook. Other times, it means slowing down to make a nourishing home-cooked meal. Balance for you might mean more movement or time in nature. Tune into what your body and mind truly need.
LOOK OUTWARD: CONNECT LOCALLY IN THE BAY AREA
Loneliness often quiets when you shift your focus from self to service and community. The Bay Area is abundant with opportunities to connect with the holiday vibes and be of service. Here are simple and accessible ways to participate.
1. SEEK OUT THE LIGHT (LITERALLY)
All around the bay you’ll find lowto-no-cost opportunities to appreciate holiday decorations and lights. In San Francisco, check out Union Square, Pier 39 or catch a ride on a decked-out cable car. In the East Bay check out Christmas Tree Lane in Alameda and Picardy Drive in Oakland. Up North, don’t miss the Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade or tree lighting events in Sebastopol or Healdsburg — or the annual Chanukah celebration by Chabad of Petaluma.
2. SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBORS
Every independent bookstore, artisan market or family-run coffee shop you
3. PAY IT FORWARD THROUGH VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is a powerful antidote to isolation, providing instant community and the deep satisfaction of giving back. Resources like Volunteer Match (Volunteermatch.com) or Points of Light (engage.pointsoflight.org) can help you find local organizations that need help year-round across the Bay Area.
4. NATURE FOR THE WIN
An opportunity available to nearly everyone is simply spending time in nature. Whether you’re out on a hike, taking a walk, or resting on a park bench, nature’s healing balm seems to seep into our cells. Can’t get outside? Open a window or connect up close with a houseplant. The East Bay is endowed with the U.S.’s largest regional park system, the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD). Seventy-three parks comprise the EBRPD, offering over 1,000 miles of trails for exploration. Check out their calendar (ebparks.org) and learn about nature walks, guided hikes, and other outdoor programs.
CONCLUSION
Whether you are managing grief, stress or simple holiday overload, remember to be patient with yourself and others. The true spirit of the season isn’t found in forced, frantic cheer, but in showing up intentionally for yourself and your community.
Hatha yoga, connection circles, retreats, and offers Reiki, blending a somatic and engaging approach. Suzanna empowers others to deepen self-awareness and live more connected.
Learn more at heartsaliveyoga com and view her lifestyle photography at aliveinthelens.com.
WANT TO TREAT YOURSELF TO A DEEP RESET?
Register for the Hearts Alive and Planted Enegy Soul Sanctuary Retreat, April 2026 in Nevada City.
Learn more at heartsaliveyoga.com/ soulsanctuary
Giving is the reason for the season!
CONTRA
DECEMBER 1:
UC MASTER GARDENERS SERIES: GROWING MICROGREENS AT CROCKETT LIBRARY
Monday, 5:30pm. Join UC Master Gardener volunteer Andrea Salzman as she shows you how vegetables and herbs can be grown year-round into microgreens inside your home. Participants will be able to take home their own microgreen garden at the program’s end - so come ready to get your hands dirty! Crockett Library, 991 Loring Ave, Crockett 510-787-2345.
DECEMBER 6:
THE ALVARADO ADOBE AND BLUME HOUSE MUSEUMS
Saturday, 11am-3pm. Don’t miss your chance to tour these historic places filled with San Pablo’s history! You are invited to visit each First Saturday of the month to find out more about these historic buildings and see the many vintage artifacts, photos and other memorabilia in our museums. Our town has come a long way since its days as
a stagecoach rest stop. Museum tours can also be arranged by appointment for individuals, families and groups by emailing: sanpablomuseums@gmail.com or calling 510-255-7488.
DECEMBER 10:
MAX MEDITATION AT HERCULES LIBRARY
Wednesday, 6pm. With the guidance of a professional healer, you’ll clear your mind and gain serenity. This event is completely FREE! Hercules Library, 109 Civic Drive, Hercules 510-484-3220.
DECEMBER 13: BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, HERCULES
Saturday, 9am-12pm. Breakfast served until 1030am. Limited chocolate chip pancakes. Face painting. Cookie decorations. Games. Entertainment. Raffles (cash only). Purchase tickets now! Email Friends of the Hercules Senior Center at friendsofhsc2019@gmail.com for the registration link. This is an annual event.
DECEMBER 16:
TITAN TUNESDAYS AT HERCULES LIBRARY
Tuesday, December 630pm. The Community Music Club of Hercules High School will delight us with holiday music - classical, vocal, jazz, contemporary, and more. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s great room. Hercules Library, 109 Civic Drive, Hercules 510-484-3220.
D ON ’S REA L ES TATE UPDATE
DO HOM E IMP ROVEM EN TS REALLY PAY O FF?
E SEAS ON T O C ELEB RATE!
Here in t he Ea st Bay t here are holiday adventures for everyo ne. Enjoy thi s joyo us tim e of year!
Many homeowners are unsure whether improving their home is worth the investment. In the East Bay, the improvements that will deliver the highest return on investment (ROI) include:
· OAKLAND ZOO GLOWFARI · 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland · Until January 25, 4:30–9 pm · Oaklandzoo.org
· LANDSCAPING: Believe it or not, landscaping upgrades tend to deliver the highest ROI. Drought-friendly landscaping is extremely attractive to buyers.
· HOLIDAYS ON FOURTH STREET · Fourth Street Shops, Berkeley · Starts at dusk until February 2026
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE · 3200 Block of Thompson Ave, Alameda Facebook.com/christmastreelane
· MINOR BATHROOM AND KITCHEN UPGRADES: A few minor improvements, new appliances and careful when approaching a major kitchen remodel though, unless you plan to live in the home and enjoy it.
WINTER WONDERLAND · Tilden Park, Berkeley · Tildenmerrygoround.org
4503 GREGORY WAY, MAY VALLEY Sales Pending!
· HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING · Fernandez Park, Pinole · December 6, 3-6:30 pm Pinole.gov
· LIGHTED YACHTS & BOATS PARADE · Oakland/Alameda Waterfront · December 6 Lightedyachtparade.com
· WINDOWS: consider replacing them.
· HOLIDAY ARTS FESTIVAL RICHMOND ART CENTER , RICHMOND · December 7, 10 am–4 pm · Richmondartcenter.org
ATTIC & BASEMENT REMODELS: Adding permitted bedroom or family room - will almost always be worth the investment.
· WINTER ON SOLANO AVENUE · Solano Ave, Albany/Berkeley · December 7, noon–5pm · Solanovenueassn.org
1155 KELVIN ROAD, EL SOBRANTE
· HOLIDAY STROLL · Montclair Village, Oakland · December 11, 4-8 pm Montclairvillage.com
EXTERIOR: Many exterior upgrades will improve the appeal of your home without breaking the bank. Consider painting or a fresh coat on trim and doors. Garage door upgrades tend to recoup their cost, and if your roof needs replacing, don’t
LISTINGS REPRESENTED BY DON ADAMSON
· FAIRY WINTERLAND · 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland December 13-14, 20-21, & 27-28, 12–7pm · Fairyland.org
REALTOR® · #1886430 · donaldadamson.com Informatio n deemed re liable bu t c ann ot be guarantee d.
