Walnut Creek West Downtown Specific Plan Committee Search

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If you live in west downtown Walnut Creek, which includes the areas within the map boundaries above, which include the Almond-Shuey neighborhood, you may apply to be part of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) which will, according to the plan website:

focus on making it easier to walk and bike between the BART station and downtown; and plan for new homes and businesses between Mt. Diablo Blvd and the BART station, while preserving the Almond-Shuey neighborhood.

The West Downtown Specific Plan will be a community-driven plan that defines a vision for the area and develops a regulatory framework for future development and public improvements. The Specific Plan Area is generally bounded by Ygnacio Valley Road at the north, California Boulevard at the east, Mount Diablo Boulevard at the south, and I-680 at the west.

Applications are due in by 5pm on Thursday, May 24th:

The CAC is expected to meet a total of seven times through December 2013, by which time the committee will have completed its task of creating a draft Specific Plan for the further review and approval by the City Commissions and City Council.  Meetings will be scheduled on the second, fourth, or fifth Tuesday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.  The first meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

Anyone thinking about doing this? If so, please keep us informed on the progress!

Animals on Broadway in Walnut Creek – May 20th

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From the Animal Rescue Foundation website:

Sunday, May 20, 2012
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Broadway Plaza – Walnut Creek
Fundraising Pet Walk
Registration 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Walk 10:30 a.m. Sharp

Best Dressed Pet Contest
Immediately following Pet Walk on main stage

Pet Wellness Fair and Vendor Booths
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Follow your passion for pets to the 12th annual Animals on Broadway! Join ARF in celebration of the special bond we share with our furry friends at this spectacular free community event that brings people and pets together.

Kick off the festivities with the nearly one mile Pet Walk to help dogs and cats in need of a second chance. Help ARF reach our goal of raising $75,000 to support our life-saving work by registering to walk with or without your pet. Get a head start collecting pledges with your own easy-to-create fundraising webpage, or in person with our printable pledge form.

After the Pet Walk, head to the main stage for the Best-dressed Pet Contest and cheer on your favorite dapper dog and fanciful feline participating in the Walk.

Delight in the many offerings for pet lovers lining both sides of the street: have your dog washed by ARF volunteers, shop vendor booths showcasing pet items and children’s activities or listen to live music from SixString. Many dogs and cats will be available for adoption — visit the ARF Adoption Mobile and many other rescue group booths to fall in love!
Visit the Pet Wellness Fair for an assortment of individual services such as nail trimming, weight assessment, dental check, ask the vet, certified doggie massage, blood panel and rabies vaccination for a small donation to ARF. Donate $25 for a Pet Passport which entitles furry festival-goers to receive all these services. Micro-chipping and additional low-cost vaccination will also be available at the VIP Petcare Services booth.

Animals on Broadway brings out the best, rain or shine! Gather up the family and join ARF and the Broadway Plaza retailers in Walnut Creek to celebrate Animals on Broadway — and don’t forget to bring your “best friend.”

Contra Costa Crisis Center 2nd Annual 5K Walkathon – Sat. May 19th

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From the Contra Costa Crisis Center website:

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Heather Farms Park (Ygnacio Valley Road & North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek)

9:00am Check-in
10:00am Walk begins
11:00am Food, Music, and Friends
Registration $20 individiual, $30 family
Fee includes T-shirt, food, and entertainment

To Register as a Walker Now Click Here
To Sponsor a Walker Now Click Here

“The mission of the Contra Costa Crisis Center is to keep people alive and safe, help them through crises, and connect them with culturally relevant resources in the community. 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention lines, face-to-face grief counseling programs, homeless services, youth services, and 211 information and referral programs
are offered free of charge.”

Remodel of Downtown Safeway in the Works

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Walnut Creek Magazine noted recently that the downtown Walnut Creek Safeway located across the street from Nordstrom is planning on tearing down the current building to be replaced with a much larger supermarket within the next 3 years. The new supermarket, (55,000 square feet) would be built over the current parking lot with cars being able to parking inside the building, below the shopping area (but not underground). The photo above shows the view from Mt. Diablo Blvd. and S. Broadway. Looks pretty sweet to me.

Please note that these are only the initial renderings, and will probably change over time. For example, the city is recommending access from Iron Horse Trail, removal of the landscape walls, and more landscaping to make it more pedestrian friendly.

This is the current Safeway supermarket:

There would be umbrella tables for eating:

Check out more photos after the jump

Continue reading →

Friday Question of the Day – Should Home Soliciting be Illegal?

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Photo by Flickr user robotson

There’s been lots of complaints lately about home solicitors as summer approaches, and even police departments are sending out notices on what to do and their legality. Turns out it is legal to blanket solicit homes with a permit, but there are things you can do to limit yourself like posting a “No Soliciting” sign on your door, or saying, “no thank you” without even opening your door. However, such soliciting can be used to case homes for future burglaries, or worse.

So do you think it should be illegal to solicit homes for commercial purposes?


First Batizado (Capoeira) Celebration in Walnut Creek on May 19th

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From the Capoeira Equilibrio website:

WHEN: May 19, 2012
WHERE: Assembly Room, Civic Park, Walnut Creek, CA

SCHEDULE
10:00am-11am Jr. Capoeira Workshop
10:30am-11am Besourinhos Workshop
11:00am-11:30am Samba Dance Workshop for Beginners (For guests, parents and capoeira students)
11:30am-1pm Batizado and Roda

Cost: $10 for spectators and guests from other schools, $50 for adult students being promoted, $100 for Jr. and Besourinhos being promoted. Any student being promoted will be given pre sale tickets to to equal the cost of their promotion.

In case you were wondering what capoeira is, from their website:

Combining elements of self-defense, acrobatics, dance, music, and games, Capoeira has all the seriousness and discipline of the well-known martial arts traditions, with the addition of a uniquely playful element. Dating back to the 16th Century, Capoeira’s origins are a matter of debate. It is thought by many to have started as a fighting style disguised by the façade of dance. Capoeira’s roots span ancient African combat techniques to early Brazilian folk dance.

Thurs. Afternoon Rental Option – Town Center Apts (Lafayette)

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This rental is located at Town Center Apartments in downtown Lafayette right next to the Lafayette Bart station.


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From the Craigslist ad:

We have a 2bdrm/2bath apt on notice that will be ready for move-in on June 9th. This unit is located on the 2nd floor featuring 9ft ceilings with crown molding, full-size washer & dryer included (private laundry), master walk-in closet, and balcony overlooking creek below.

Sign a 13mos lease by June 9th and the monthly rent is $2,800. **We also have shorter lease term options. Prices change daily so hurry!**
Security Deposit: $500
Pet Friendly; call for details.

Our property is the youngest in Lafayette (built 2001), located in the heart of downtown, and host to a creek-side walking trail directly to the entrance of the Lafayette BART station. Secured garage parking is available and we have elevators to all levels.

Location-wise this is great as long as the sound from Bart is not too loud. I like how there’s a W/D in the apartment as well. Does that make it worth the $2800 rental price?

 

Judging Restaurants – Babushka in Walnut Creek

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Earlier this month I profiled the Russian grocery Babushka in Walnut Creek, noting that they also had a restaurant with the same name in the back. There’s also a separate entrance around the side which is nice looking. You can look at their menus here.

There is small stage at front with live music for parties:

Has anyone eaten here? How’s the borscht? Any must order items?

“The Old Yellow House” Getting Restored in Orinda

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One of the oldest houses in Orinda, known as, “The Old Yellow House”, despite its faded pink color, has been bought by architect James P. Wright who plans on having it restored by his firm Net Zero Homes, which will be documented on their Facebook page.

The house, built in 1894, is located at 209 Moraga Way, and had been on the market for many years before finally selling for $335K in March. At the end of 2007 it was listed at $875K. You can find out more about the house in a October, 2007 article in the Orinda News.

In addition to restoring the house itself, this looks like it’s a great marketing opportunity for Net Zero Homes due to the historical significance, and it being on a well-trafficked road. I look forward to checking up on the progress of this restoration.