I may be biased because this spot is less than three blocks from our home, but these gyros are quite literally mouthwatering!This is a locally-owned restaurant that loves to give back to the community. During the pandemic, they did everything possible to stay open and...

We are so excited for this Fourth of July event with our community! There are still a few slots available, just be sure to RSVP soon to get your name entered into the raffle drawing. We will have raffle prizes from some of our amazing downtown shops including; Mighty...

Our family absolutely loves the Downtown Martinez Fourth of July parade and events!This year the festivities will be in full force, which means we are able to host you again for our third annual 4th of July Community Party! The parade in downtown Martinez will begin...

Stoked to announce my newest feature on california.com! Below is a tidbit of the article, and you can read the WHOLE ARTICLE HERE. Known as the hidden gem of the San Francisco Bay Area, the city of Martinez is home to a variety of attractions for families. Natural...

Two pools, picnic areas, playgrounds and a fun splash pad?! Sign me up!Our Martizian pool is located in the heart of downtown, in Rankin Park at 100 Buckley Street. There are great ADA features and tons of other safety protocols to keep the kiddos safe. This awesome...

You're going to LOVE this awesome resource, by CALIFORNIA.COM This is great because you can plan your vacations, find new restaurants and so much more! Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!

Martinez's Campbell Theatre is one of the most original theatres I've attended. There a concession stands, live shows and movies as well. Over the holiday season, my aunt rented the theater for our family and some community members, where they presented "It's a...

Need a fun summer job, or know someone who does? Be sure to share this with them! Fun fact, I worked at a local Youth Camp for years when I lived in Indiana and it truly made me into the leader that I am today. I learned so much, time management, conflict resolution,...

Downtown Martinez has become one of the East Bay's hottest spots for live music, and the SF Gate has noticed! Check out the link below to read the full publication and read all about our bustling downtown. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Thanks so much for making this year my best one yet. There's been a ton of changes in our family's lives, my career and through it all, I've had nothing but support. They say that diamonds are created from pressure, and your support is the pressure I needed to push me...

This spot deserves its own spotlight for the Best of Boutiques! You've seen the San Francisco Ferry Building with its bustling shops? These gals have essentially created the same feel, right here in Martinez and it's Called Market and Main. Be sure to check them out...

Be sure to head over to my INSTAGRAM to enter and get more details!You all know how much I adore where I live! So, in the spirit of the most festive month of the year, I’ve created an amazing, curated gift box from some of my favorite local boutiques, in Downtown...

The downtown Santa House is a fun Martizian tradition. Located in the Main Street Plaza, beside the giant decorated redwood tree, sits the once-a-year Santa House. This year we are back to in-person Santa visits and couldn't be more excited to share with you that they...

Our family loves anything outdoors, so we are thrilled that The Veranda is bringing back their ice skating rink! We hope to see you there and wanted to provide you with the information provided to us online:More info: https://shoptheveranda.com/ice/ Ice at The Veranda...

The Martinez Makers Market is one of our favorite local events. We are able to leisurely stroll downtown, get some good food, and support local artisans. The city creates a lovely scene of blocks of unique booths (upwards to 60) and the vibe is incredible. With the...

Our family recently signed up for a couple of the neighborhood news alert apps (like Patch and Nextdoor) and we were really shocked to see some of the engagement on there. There are so many of our community there! They are sharing experiences they've had at a local...

🎃 We invite you to our family's first appearance at the Downtown Martinez & Co. Trunk or Treat Spooktacular! This is going to be a safe, fun & free event for our community. 🎃 Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 10:00am to 2:00pm 🎃 Be sure to stop by our trunk to...

I'm grateful for all of the community members, family, and friends who have reached out about the upcoming food drive! Like in past years we've held the food drive I've also had neighbors call me to tell me that what I'm doing is self-righteous and that I'm not doing...

Please join us for our third annual Neighborhood Food Drive. September is National Hunger Action month and each year we ask our friends & neighbors to join us in helping to stock our local food bank. For your contribution, every attendee (online or in-person) will...

Looking for something fun to do while you're in Martinez? Here are just a few of the fun things we've done over the last few weeks. - Wine Tasting at Viano Winery - The beautiful vineyard spans acres and acres, and when approaching we are always greeted by the...

One of my favorite things about Downtown Martinez is the boutiques on every block. Here are a few of my favorite ones for Summer 2021. CLOTHING & MERCANTILEFaded Gold Vintage Step back in time, when clothes were funky, jewelry was chunky and the tunes were wild....

It may seem like such a simple thing to do and say, but if you're a workaholic or just passionate about your work, it can be hard! This week my mother was in town and I had a day blocked off for work, but instead, I took it off to be with her. All of my clients were...

Martinez is known for many, many things... but did you know that we have the largest Bocce Ball League in America! Our Bocce Ball courts can host up to 15 games at a time, and has over two thousand members. In reviewing the rules, these members are serious, there are...

This comes with much anticipation... Our FIRST in-person business mixer after the pandemic! This month, Viano Winery and the Marinez Education Foundation will be hosting this fun event. I always enjoy going to these mixers because I get to meet new folks and connect...

Were you aware that Martinez has its very own baseball team as well as baseball fields? We sure do! It's part of what makes the Waterfront Park in the Downtown Area so incredible. Our family loves checking out games because we get to meet other friendly Martizian...

They're baaaack! Our family loves the Open Air Markets because we get to visit with neighbors, meet local vendors and shop outdoors. It's such a fun way to connect to our community and we always have a great time. Typically we visit one of the amazing local eateries...

- No, I don't mean do dangerous things! Humans are used to doing things that they find comfort in; taking the easy route; avoiding conflict or not accomplishing difficult tasks. I believe this is because we try to protect ourselves from the unknown. But this "unknown"...

I'm incredibly thrilled and honored to share some amazing news with you! Just this week I became a Squad Leader on TeamFast. This means that I'll be leading an incredible, collaborative squad of highly-motivated agents on TeamFast. These are agents who have had to...

My real estate journey has lead me down many roads, some bumpier than others and some that have been similar to a chill Sunday drive. The road that I'm now, with Team Fast, has been the most gratifying and I've only been here for three short months. I've already been...

One of my favorite things about Downtown Martinez is the boutiques on every street. I'll be bringing you my fave's every season, and hope that you'll join me in supporting our local business owners. CLOTHING & MERCANTILE Function & Fringe - Bohemian...

This past Saturday our family hosted a fun Earth Day event in our front yard. This was our first event back since the pandemic, so our family was really excited about it! We gifted all the attendee's a young plant to grow in their garden, or as a gift for a friend. It...

This is such exciting news! I recently was asked by california.com (where I am a Recommended Business) to write a blog post on the current real estate market. Typically, I reserve Martinez Musing for Martinez-specific info, but this is too critical not to share with...

Crunchy, soft, or in a bowl, I LOVE tacos! This past weekend we were on the hunt for the best tacos in Martinez and I think we got pretty dang close. Our taco extravaganza was all within walking distance of our home, in downtown Martinez. Below are some of the spots...

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our family has been out on walks almost daily. When we go a couple of days without our walks (because of the weather, or unhealthy air quality) we really feel this. For us, our walks are a time to reflect, discuss important...

Beyond thrilled to tell you about my big move - I’m now a part of Fast Real Estate x Powered by eXp! The folks over at #TEAMFAST have been incredibly helpful in getting me back up and running so that I can best serve my clients. Check out the core values, I think that...

If you've been wondering how you can support your favorite, local restaurant, without spending a dime or leaving your couch, I've got a tip for you! Leaving a kind review on websites like Yelp, Google, Facebook and other places makes the world of difference. In an...

I'm so thrilled to show you the INCREDIBLE write-up that Diablo Magazine did on our little downtown! Click the link below to read the full article that Diablo Magazine wrote on Martinez: City Series: Insider’s Guide to Martinez *photo was taken by yours truly, by...

Just a short stroll from my home is the Carquinez Strait - We love it for the Regional Shoreline Hike, with an amazing nature preserve. Little did we know that it had such a rich history! The strait connects many rivers, which then drain to the San Francisco Bay. It's...

Our annual Pie Party looked quite different this year than those in years past. At this time last year, I was planning to host an all-out holiday party at our home, where I'd invite all our friends, family and clients. There were going to be spreads of foods, drinks...

For me, one of the best feelings in the world is helping. Whether it's hosting an event to provide awareness for a cause, or volunteering at the local Meals on Wheels; lending a helping hand always feels good!  In a recent article in my magazine Start Healthy, Alexa...

I'll be posting some amazing content from California.com that I think you're going to LOVE.   Here's the first one, The 10 Best Bay Area Hikes.   Click the link below to see the full list: https://www.california.com/best-bay-area-hikes/   TOP THREE...

I'm beyond thrilled to announce to you my new partnership with california.com! This is a space where folks, near and far, can go to get top recommendations to eateries, find out where their next adventure will be and locate other community-minded businesses, like...

We often times get asked, "what is it like to live in Martinez?"... The first response is AWESOME and the second one is "let us tell you why", and then 30 minutes later people get it!   This common question inspired me to bring to you The Perfect Martinez...

Our community raised over 660 pounds of food for families in need, through our annual food drive! Thank you so much for you folks that were able to stop by and make donations. We saw over 30 families come through our food drive. Those who attended also received a box...

This week, as my husband and I were discussing how grateful we felt for living downtown. We then started naming all the parks in the downtown area. I've listed them below and am shocked as to how many there are! These are just the parks that are in the general...

September is Hunger Action Month A month where people all over America stand together with Feeding America and the nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger.   It’s a month to spread the word and take action on the hunger crisis and to dedicate ourselves...

This month is National Hunger Action Month. Our family will be hosting our second annual Neighborhood Food Drive + Drive-Up Donut Day... But more to follow on that in the coming week!   This month, there is a lot of good that can be done. You can volunteer at...

With the recent fires in our area, I started to put together a go-bag for our pup. I wasn't sure what to put in there, so I started researching to see what other pet parent's put in their emergency bags. Upon doing so, I found a great FREE resource for you!  ...

2020 has kept us on our toes, and that is putting it lightly. Between the pandemic, heatwave, summer lightning storms, and now wildfires; there have been high tensions all around. But, there's been something else around... Neighbors, lending a helping hand. Folks have...

This week, a friend of mine reminded me to celebrate the small wins and it really resonated with me. I've been running 10-12 hour workdays recently, and have had several small wins that I've forgotten to acknowledge, such as; filing a final contingency removal days...

This weekend our family walked down to our local farmers market. It is so incredible to me, how the local businesses have been able to pivot at this time.   At the farmers market, there were little tape marks to show folks were to stand, lots of signs about...

I'm so thrilled to announce Office Hours! Each week, I'll allocate an hour to be on Zoom to answer any questions you may have. Whether be regarding real estate, the Martinez community or vendors you may need for your home projects; I'll be there to help.  ...

A direct message, from the California Association of REALORS® which I wholeheartedly stand behind, "Today, we are in the midst of yet another in a long string of unspeakable tragedies affecting our country: the May 25 death of George Floyd. We are profoundly saddened...

This week we've faced a lot of uncertainty and a bit of panic. The news has been reporting on the Coronavirus, the Fed's lowering interest rate and the stock market taking big hits. News like this makes all of us feel uneasy, can make us make different decisions than...

This weekend, my husband and I were out & about shooting videos in downtown Martinez. It was such a blast! We started by walking across the street from our home to Ignacio Plaza Park. There we saw some of our neighbors and took in the beauty of a warm February...

This weekend I attended my first improv show at the Campbell Theater and it was awesome! I recognized some of the actor's faces from our community, and that made the night even more special. Afterward, I joined some friends at a couple of the local watering holes. It...

I'm coming off a huge community "high" right now! I just attended the Mayor's State of the City Breakfast, in Martinez, and am so excited about all the recent developments and plans of great ones coming down the pipe. Having moved to Martinez just nine months ago, my...

This week our local refinery transferred hands, and from afar it may have look like just that - Shell Oil Refinery transferred to Martinez Refining Company. On a deeper level, it was much more than that! There was a homecoming of sorts of the management, recognition...

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet over one hundred new groups of people! If you haven't caught on by now, I love meeting new people and creating new connections. Many of these folks I met while hosting an open house in downtown Martinez and most of them were...

Earlier this week I met a really lovely gal, who had graduated high school earlier this year. She graduated a year ahead of schedule, after thinking she wasn't going to be able to graduate at all. I saw a lot of myself in her. I remember thinking having just graduated...

This week, I had the opportunity to create community. I helped friends purchase a home just two houses down from another family who I had recently helped. It felt incredible playing matchmaker to these sweet families!   My husband grew up in a similar...

The green grass on the hillsides; the baby cattle who freely roam the Regional Parks; the crisp pages of our new calendars and the fog that has been rolling in have all brought a sense of freshness to our little community. With a new year comes a fresh start and a...

It's at this point in the year that most folks are looking back at the year that has passed them by... I've been giving thought to this all month long and am incredibly grateful for what has come of the year. Professionally; I hit my target goals; held two meaningful...

Our client appreciation party was SUCH A BLAST! We had many happy clients who attended and took part in the holiday festivities. There were dozens of cookies, and treats, mimosas for the parents as well as arts and crafts. Santa himself even attended!   My...

Happy Giving Tuesday! This time of the year makes me extra grateful for all I have and with that; I want to give, give and give a little more. To me giving feels so much more rewarding than receiving. Whether it's dropping a few bucks in the red buckets at...

This week we celebrated Veteran's Day. At Plaza Ignacio Park, directly across from our home, our community held a lovely ceremony. There was a lovely tribute by a local choir, a 21-gun salute and powerful speeches. The ceremony was incredibly peaceful and very...

This past weekend we hosted Friendsgiving at our home. To us, Friendsgiving is all about showing your friends gratitude for being in their lives; it's a time for us to break bread and reminisce about great things that happened to us this year; and it's a time to...

It's been a very odd month. Between the earthquake, power outages and now the wide-spread wildfires; we are all on high alert. The feeling of unpreparedness was really evident when we had a fire right in our city. We now have a packed bag, food, and water at the...

This week as I left the gym I realized that I recognized a couple of the gals in class. I'm not a shy person, by any means, so I approached them to see if they recognized me too. Right away they asked "aren't you Cienna's mom?". I was so delighted that they remembered...

This week we felt multiple earthquakes in Martinez. They were, without a doubt, a scary wakeup call. My husband and I were getting ready to settle in for the night and all of a sudden our home started shaking. We rushed outside with no jackets, no shoes and no leash...

Creating connections is by far one of my favorite things to do! Just yesterday I had the opportunity to connect two sweet families. They have children that are the same age, and both live in the heart of Downtown Martinez. Good, ol' fashion connections aren't...

The amount of support and love felt at this weekend's food drive was incredible!   As a community, we raised nearly 800 pounds of food, for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano. We met with over 75 lovely neighbors. Many neighbors simply pulled their car up...

September is Hunger Action Month – A month where people all over America stand together with Feeding America and the nationwide network of food banks to fight hunger. It's a month to spread the word and take action on the hunger crisis, and dedicate ourselves to a...

My husband, Mark and I are so thrilled to be taking our belated honeymoon this week! We decided to hold off on taking a honeymoon until we were able to take a proper vacation. This has been five years in the making, and it's an incredible way for us to spend our five...

When we were first researching Martinez, years before we moved there, we always heard rumors about beavers taking over Martinez. Then, when we were in the process of purchasing our home those rumors turned nasty. Some of the neighbors had told us that we would have to...

The Martinez Art Council's Art in the Park, this past weekend, was an absolute blast - There were local musicians jamming on the stage; incredible metalworkers; talented jewelry makers, and event snowcones! We had the opportunity to catch one of our neighbor's sons...

This past weekend I celebrated my birthday and decided to treat myself to a lovely staycation. What exactly is a staycation? To me, a staycation is where I intentionally relax in the comfort of my home, enjoy some of the local sites and take in the beauty that is my...

On August, 18th Martinez will be hosting its 50th annual Art in the Park event!   There will be a great variation of arts, vendors and local musical artist. Admission is free and they can just about guarantee an awesome time.   Our family will be there, will...

Looking for something fun AND active to do this summer in Martinez? Then you'll love the Martinez Summer Bike Challenge! Not only will you get to know your neighborhood better, but there are also freebies at each station. There are a total of five parks on this...

This weeks adventure lead us to discover "Mr. Martinez", John Sparacino. John was a lifelong resident of our little town and became the town's first major, back in 1973. His impact throughout our community was so grand that we have a park dedicated to him, at the...