Restaurants

“Coffee Shop” Coming to Orinda


25A Orinda Way, Orinda

In March we learned that Orangetheory Fitness would be coming to the new development across the street from the Orinda library and now Coffee Shop is also planning on opening in this location according to an email from What’s Up Downtown Orinda. With their original cafe in Walnut Creek, and more recently, Lafayette, they are really focusing on the East Bay city by city. Check out their roasters here.

From their website:

Coffee Shop is your go-to neighborhood joint, any time, any day. Join us for specialty coffee to pep you up in the morning, organic smoothies, juices, and food to fuel your day, and craft beer, wine, and cocktails to get your night started!

July 27, 2017 11:30 am

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Daily Life

Is it Possible to Reserve the Outdoor Amphitheater at Orchards Shopping Center in Walnut Creek?


Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek

A reader asks:

I’m with a local boy scout troop and would like to know if there’s a registration or schedule for using the small amphitheater by the children’s playground.

I didn’t even realize there was an outdoor amphitheater at the Orchards shopping center, pretty cool!

July 27, 2017 8:30 am

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Sponsored

Songs and Stories of Neil Diamond performed by Jack Wright: Lesher Center in Walnut Creek Saturday July 29

See the show preview video and buy tickets

https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=781

Songs and stories of Neil Diamond performed by Jack Wright is a sophisticated, authentic performance of the hit songs that have kept Neil Diamond in the hearts of his fans for more than five decades. Jack Wright captures Neil’s poetic expressions of wide-ranging emotions and the eclectic mix of his varied musical styles. His natural voice and stage presence are pure Neil – no posturing or over-the-top-mimicry. And it goes beyond the music with the sharing of stories about Neil’s life and explanations of his sometimes complex and complicated lyrics. He interprets the songs the way Neil must have felt when he wrote them, and he connects with his audiences the way Neil always has, while making the songs his own.

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, July 29th
8:00pm | Reserved Seating $39/$49

Running Time: approx. 2 hours, with one intermission

July 26, 2017 4:30 pm

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Daily Life

Live Training Drill at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek Tonight

“SMOKE and LOUD BANGS will be used”. 10pm – 2am

From the Walnut Creek PD:

The Walnut Creek Police Department and CC Fire Department will be conducting training at Broadway Plaza from 10pm-2am. The training area is marked and partial lane closures along Broadway, Newell, and Mt. Diablo surrounding the plaza will also be marked. Please stay away from the area during this important training.

July 26, 2017 8:30 am

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Events

Robert Pearl, M.D. – “Mistreated” at Lafayette Library on Aug 3rd


Robert Pearl, M.D. – “Mistreated”:

Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Thursday, August 3rd, 2017
7:00 – 8:00pm | Free

The Lafayette Library is excited to welcome Robert Pearl, M.D. author of Mistreated: Why We Think We’re Getting Good Health Care — and Why We’re Usually Wrong. Dr. Pearl (former executive director and CEO of The Permanente Medical Group) is uniquely qualified to speak about the shortcomings and opportunities for improvement of America’s health care system. Please join us for a stimulating talk on how we can attain a healthier future.

July 25, 2017 4:30 pm

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Restaurants

Babushka Restaurant Reopens in Walnut Creek


1475 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek

The Eastern European restaurant Babushka has reopened in Walnut Creek. The deli has been open in the back for a while now and there will be a full bar in back where I naturally spotted a samovar on the counter.

From their website:

A family business established in 1996. Husband and wife Leo and Maya Malkov with their two children Zoriy and Biana immigrated to the states in 1993.  Babushka Market was opened and began as a Deli and Cafe, until people began to ask for more of their delicious foods.  With that request, and the amount of people coming to dine at the café, the family renovated the into a full-service restaurant.

The renovation began in 2002, and the restaurant was up and running by 2004.  During this time, Zoriy had begun pursuing a culinary education, and stepped into the family business ready to add his personal flare to the restaurant. After graduating and gaining experience in several kitchens around the area, Chef Zoriy took over the restaurant’s menu and fused a bit of Eastern European influence into the traditional Russian dishes his father had already been serving.

July 25, 2017 11:30 am

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Shopping

Makers Market Opens in Broadway Plaza


Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Last week we learned that Makers Market, a shop featuring American-made, handcrafted goods would be opening in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and they have now opened. They carry a wide variety of really nice looking goods at this location, from handbags to jewelry, clothing, home accessories and plenty more so definitely drop by to check them out if you’re in the area. Check out photos of the inside after the jump and see their online selection here.

More photos of the inside after the jump… Continue Reading

July 25, 2017 8:30 am

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Events

PsychoTronix Film Festival at Rheem Theatre in Moraga July 29th


PsychoTronix Film Festival:

Rheem Theatre
350 Park St, Moraga
Saturday, July 29th, 2017
7:00pm | $10

Set in the beautiful Art Deco Rheem Theater, the PsychoTronix Film Festival is a rare collection of 16mm short films, scopitones*, movie trailers, retro TV commercials, series bloopers, drive-in theater concession stand ads, and much, much more!

Note: *Scopitone is a type of jukebox that plays movies using a 16mm film format and regarded by collectors as the forerunner of music videos. The Italian Cinebox/Colorama and Color-Sonics were competing, lesser-known technologies of the time.

July 24, 2017 4:40 pm

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Restaurants

Lark Creek Closes in Walnut Creek


1360 Locust St, Walnut Creek

Thanks to everyone for sending word that Lark Creek has closed in downtown Walnut Creek. Although the sign said, “closed for scheduled maintenance”, and a peek inside showed they were taking inventory, alas, they were closed for good. Yankee Pier in Lafayette owned by the same group, remains open. I wonder if all the new restaurants moving into downtown affected business?

From their website:

Dear guests,

Thank you for your patronage over the years! We have decided to close our doors effective Friday, July 21. It has been our pleasure to serve and be a part of the Walnut Creek community. We truly appreciate your support.

Lark Creek Walnut Creek

 

July 24, 2017 11:30 am

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