Events

Live Poets Society at Orinda Books on May 26th

Live Poets Society:

Orinda Books
276 Village Square, Orinda
Sunday, May 26th, 2019
1:00 – 3:00pm | Free

Featuring Maw Shein Win and Rebecca Foust

Maw Shein Win‘s poetry chapbook Score and Bone is on Nomadic Press (2016). A full-length collection Invisible Gifts: Poems was published by Manic D Press in 2018. Maw is the first poet laureate of El Cerrito (2016 – 2018), and her forthcoming second full-length collection of poetry will be published by Omnidawn in Fall 2020. She is currently a Visiting Scholar in the English Department at UC Berkeley.

Rebecca Foust’s books include Paradise Drive (Press 53 Award), reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement. Recognitions include the Cavafy Poetry Prize, the James Hearst Poetry Prize, the Lascaux Flash Fiction Prize, the American Literary Review Fiction Prize, and fellowships from Hedgebrook, MacDowell, and Sewanee. Foust is passionate about literature being for everyone, not just the elite, and is happy to be able to promote this goal as Marin County Poet Laureate, an Assistant Editor for Narrative Magazine, and the Poetry Editor for Women’s Voices for Change, https://womensvoicesforchange.org/category/arts-culture/poetry.

May 20, 2019 4:30 pm

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Shopping

Half Price Books Coming to Willows Shopping Center in Concord this Winter


Willows Shopping Center, Concord

In February we learned that Half Price Books would be closing across from Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and I noted back then that Half Price Books would be a great addition to the Willows shopping center especially in terms of competing with the soon-to-open Barnes & Noble next door at The Veranda. It looks like I’m not the only one who thought that because according to the City of Concord Facebook page they plan on reopening late November or early December at the Willows shopping center where Aaron Brothers used to be.

This seems like a smaller spot than before but I’m glad to see them returning to Concord and to have two bookstores within walking distance is going to be great!

May 20, 2019 8:45 am

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Events

Bay to Breakers Race in San Francisco May 19th


Photo by Flickr user jganderson

Bay to Breakers Race:

San Francisco
Sunday, May 19th, 2019

A quintessential San Francisco experience since 1912, the race is interwoven into the fabric of the city and is a true reflection and celebration of life between the breakers and the Bay. As participants progress throughout the course, they will pass through nine neighborhoods, each with distinctive personalities, geography and landmarks. The course is designed to deepen your love and appreciation for the city.

May 17, 2019 4:30 pm

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Question of the Day

Question of the Day – Android or iPhone?


Photo by Flickr user jfingas

When I started this blog over seven years ago it was partly so I could come up with a reason to use the camera on my new iPhone 4S and I’ve been using Apple phones ever since, along with iPads since it’s convenient to stay within the Apple ecosystem. However, I know people who are adamantly against the closed Apple system and prefer Android instead. Do you use iPhone or Android phones?


May 17, 2019 8:30 am

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Events

Diablo Symphony Orchestra Presents – Pastoral: Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony at Lesher Center in Walnut Creek May 19th


Pastoral: Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony:

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Sunday, May 19th, 2019
2:00 – 4:15pm| $35

We perform Beethoven’s glorious Pastoral Symphony in a special side-by-side performance with members of the San Ramon Valley High School Orchestra, celebrating connections in our community through music. Rising Iranian composer Aida Shizari is writing a new work just for us, and the DSO’s own concertmaster, Sara Usher, performs Bach’s double violin concerto with the one and only Dawn Harms.

Shizari – New work: Ardea Alba (world permiere)
Bach – Concerto for Two Violins
Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”)

May 16, 2019 4:30 pm

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Restaurants

Starbread Bakery in Pleasant Hill is Sooooo Goooood!


College Park Center, Pleasant Hill

Recently I found myself strolling around College Park Center in Pleasant Hill when I passed by this bakery call Starbread, “Home of the Seniorita Bread”. I thought to myself, a Mexican bakery, no big deal, and moved on. As I lingered nearby, this sweet, sweet smell permeated my senses and I walked back to the bakery, this time peeking inside. “Hmm, looks like some kind of donuts, let me check this out”, I thought to myself. For $2 for a bag of five I figured, why not?

Needless to say, they were delicious and these aren’t even the famous seniorita breads. It turns out, this isn’t even a Mexican bakery; it’s a Filipino bakery and they offer other goods like roasted garlic peanuts and Camachile cookies which go great with coffee and tea. Addictingly so. My waistline may not thank me, but my taste buds sure are grateful! If you’re in the area be sure to check this place out.

More photos of food and the inside after the jump… Continue Reading

May 16, 2019 11:30 am

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Shopping

Chase Bank Opens in Lafayette


3603 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

Over three years ago we learned about a new Chase bank coming to the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Dewing Ave. in Lafayette and they are now open. Inside are a few fancy-looking ATM machines where you can do a lot of things like pay your credit card etc.

Note that I’m not so sure the special limited time offer they have posted on their window is so “special” because I’m constantly getting much better $600 Chase offers (for years) delivered to my post office box down the block.

May 16, 2019 9:15 am

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Restaurants

Chow Closes Suddenly in Lafayette; Tutu’s Food & Drink Takes Over


La Fiesta Square, Lafayette

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Chow in Lafayette has closed after over 15 years in business. To the rescue is Lafayette Restaurant Group, which opened Tutu’s Food & Drink with the same menu as Chow, sans alcohol for the time being until they can get a new license. The little market and bakery on the side thankfully remains, although they no longer sell wine bottles etc. there either. Check out their food menu here and drinks menu here.

May 15, 2019 1:00 pm

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