They arrive in my mailbox every few days—little seasonal dispatches from the wider consumer world. A department store’s curated wish list for the holidays. A home-furnishing guide urging a spring refresh. Retro patio furniture promising the arrival of summer. A sustainable clothing brand highlighting its makers come fall.
And then, of course, Amazon’s brick-sized catalog, boasting anything and everything, delivered with frictionless ease.
I treat these catalogs less as shopping lists than as seed catalogs—sources of inspiration for what I can almost certainly find right here in the East Bay. Lazy person’s window shopping, perhaps, but useful all the same. Our own Shop Local pictorial spread channels that spirit: a sampling of thoughtful, locally sourced gifts meant to spark your own excursions this season.
We also celebrate a different kind of inspiration—one born of imagination and play. This issue spotlights Games of Berkeley, a beloved destination since 1980 for gamers, families, hobbyists and anyone in search of a portal to “worlds unknown.” If you’re hunting for gifts that invite curiosity or camaraderie, you’ll find plenty there.
More treasures await in our roundup of nine standout albums released this year by East Bay artists. The depth of local musical history these records tap into left us awed—and reminded us why wandering into one of our many independent record shops is still such a rich, analog pleasure. If you don’t yet own a turntable, perhaps this is the season to remedy that; check out this issue’s simple tips for making your home workspace a little more restorative.
And since every outing deserves a delicious pause, consider a visit to the new Kopi Bar and Bakery upstairs at BAMPFA, where chef-owner Nora Haron pairs Indonesian-Singaporean dishes with inventive pastries. Or, for something more elemental, explore the wild-food workshops offered by Fork in the Path, whose foraging classes reconnect us with the landscapes that surround us.
We’re also honored to feature an interview with Robert Reich, the former U.S. secretary of labor and longtime Berkeley professor, whose new documentary, The Last Class, reflects on a lifetime of activism. His thinking on community and small business feels especially resonant this time of year, proving that our local shops aren’t just conveniences; they are social institutions built over years, worthy of our investment, our attention and, at the very least, our patronage.
Wishing you a joyful, locally rooted holiday season.
