Ruth Bancroft Garden Fall Festival Oct. 6th in Walnut Creek

September 25, 2012 4:30 pm

From an email:

Scarecrow Making Contest Celebrates Fall at
Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft Garden

Free Admission for Family Fun Day at Fall Festival
Saturday, October 6, 2012

What: Find your fall spirit by participating in The Ruth Bancroft Garden’s free Fall Festival & Scarecrow Making Contest with prizes including tickets to San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay and Wax Museum and Concord’s Ghost Golf. The Garden provides the scarecrow frame allowing scarecrow designers to let their imaginations go wild. Contest categories include Most Creative; Guardian of the Garden, drawing inspiration from the 3.5 acre Mediterranean Garden; and Fall Festive, displaying the autumn spirit. Scarecrows will be displayed throughout the Garden for voting. The afternoon festival also includes fall crafts, story time, guessing the weight of the Garden’s largest pumpkin and lots of fun photo opportunities.

When:

· Fall Festival is Saturday, October 6, noon – 4 p.m.

· Contest entry forms due September 15; visit The Ruth Bancroft Garden for the form

· Pick up scarecrow frames now at The Ruth Bancroft Garden; call 925 944 9352 to arrange

· Deliver finished scarecrows between October 1st to 5th to The Ruth Bancroft Garden

Where: The Ruth Bancroft Garden; 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek CA 94598

Admission: Free admission (typically $10/person) and free parking; no cost to enter the Scarecrow Making Contest

For more information: Please visit The Ruth Bancroft Garden or call 925 944 9352

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Cardboard Caricature Guitars on Display at Hubcaps Diner in Walnut Creek

September 25, 2012 11:30 am

Yesterday I noted the opening of high-end guitar shop Mighty Fine Guitars in Lafayette. These fine guitars however are actually made from cardboard! How cool is that? They are on display at Hubcaps diner in downtown Walnut Creek at 1548 Bonanza St.

The artist behind this guitar art is Matthew Elium who has a webpage describing his collection on display at Hubcaps:

Over these past months since the creation of the first flying V, I had put four other models of guitars into production: The Explorer, the Moderne, the Jaguar, and the Les Paul. Until now they had all been hanging on my workshop wall just for me to look at, but finally it was time for them to get out and see the world.

Check out these 1958 Gibson cardboard replicas:

The guitars are available for purchase at http://matthewelium.com. Drop by Hubcaps soon as this display will be going away fairly soon.

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Target Police Parking Sign Gone Again

September 25, 2012 8:30 am

I wonder what’s going on with the Target police parking sign. Sometimes it’s there, and other times it’s gone. And back again. Now it’s gone once more. Was it stolen? Is this some kind of practical joke? I wonder…

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Sly Fox Playing Sept. 27th – Oct. 20th at Town Hall Theatre Company in Lafayette

September 24, 2012 4:30 pm

From the Town Hall Theatre Company website:

written by: Larry Gelbart

directed by: Søren Oliver

September 27 – October 20, 2012

Ah! Gold! “God” with an “L”!

Søren Oliver (Art, Twelfth Night) starts us off with the hilarious Sly Fox by Larry Gelbart (M*A*S*H,Tootsie). Fiendishly clever Foxwell J. Sly sets out to fleece the richest men in San Francisco’s Barbary Coast by using their own greed against them.

Rated PG13 for adult situations

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Chick-fil-A Opening Nov. 8th in Walnut Creek

September 24, 2012 11:30 am

Although Chick-fil-A keeps delaying the Walnut Creek opening, and the controversy continues, Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek now has signage, so things are definitely progressing steadily. The Chick-fil-A Walnut Creek page notes that opening day will be November 8th. I imagine the Facebook protest page will be updated as well.

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Mighty Fine Guitars Opens in Lafayette

September 24, 2012 8:30 am

Back in May I noted that Lamorinda Music in Lafayette was expanding and that a high-end guitar shop was going to open up within as well. The shop, owned by The Waybacks former guitarist and singer Stevie Coyle is called Might Fine Guitars. From their Facebook page:

An acoustic guitar boutique featuring absolutely top-shelf luthiers. A limited number of lessons is available, as well. Concerts and workshops by local and touring pros.

The shop is accessible both directly from outside as well as within Lamorinda Music, and performances will be held in “The Big Room” right outside (also within Lamorinda Music). Last Saturday, the Irish musician legend Andy Irvine performed.

Check out the inside of the store with owner Stevie Coyle:

Notice that one of the instruments in the photo above being sold is a mandolin, although the focus are high-end acoustic guitars.

Check out some of acoustic guitars for sale below:

The one at bottom right is particularly interesting as the sound hole is offset to the left. Although I’m not a guitar expert by any means, the quality of these instruments is readily apparent. And the owner has a great sense of humor! For example, they note that their phone number is YAK.ANT.TACO 🙂

Mighty Fine Guitars plans on having a “coffee Klatch” the first Sunday of every month, and owner Stevie Coyle offers private lessons with fingerstyle being a specialty, and beginners are welcome. They are located at 85 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette.

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Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School Student Reports Suspicious Person

September 21, 2012 11:00 pm

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From the Moraga School District:

The Moraga Police Department provided updated vehicle information regarding the Community Alert message sent yesterday, September 19, 2012. The JM student who saw the vehicle yesterday saw the same vehicle again today at approximately 2:30 PM. The vehicle is described as a brown or gold SUV (not a pickup as previously reported), dirty (dusty and possible not maintained) with the rear window either rolled down or broken. If you have any information about this incident, referred to as Moraga Police Department Case Number 12-875, contact the Moraga Police Department at (925) 284-5010.

The September 19, 2012 Community Alert follows:

This afternoon at approximately 3:30 PM, a Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School student reported a suspicious person to the Moraga Police Department. The student reported a suspicious person asked if he wanted a ride after school dismissal today. The student answered “No” and walked away. The suspicious person was described as a college-aged male, thin to average in build and had a short buzz-cut hair style. The vehicle, parked across the street from JMIS on Camino Pablo Drive, was described as a brown, pick-up truck with a flat camper shell and possibly 4-doors. If you have any information about this incident, referred to as Moraga Police Department Case Number 12-875, contact the Moraga Police Department at (925) 284-5010.

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Reminder – Walnut Festival this Weekend at Heather Farm Park

September 21, 2012 4:30 pm

From the Walnut Festival webpage:

2012 Marks the 75th Annual Walnut Festival. Join us in celebrating this incredible milestone in our involvement with the community.

Pre-Sale tickets are available for purchase at the Walnut Festival Office
500 North San Carlos, Walnut Creek – Heather Farms Park
from the hours of 11 – 4 until Wed Sept 19th.

Pay One Price Ride Bracelet Night are Thursday September 20th &
Sunday September 23rd.
Prices are $18 in advance and $25 at the event.
This does not include Admission Cost. Admission is $5.00

Festival Hours:

Thurs. Sept 20th. 5pm – 10pm
Fri. Sept. 21st.     5pm – 11pm
Sat. Sept 22nd.    11am – 11pm
Sun. Sept 23rd.    11am – 8 pm

Schedule of Entertainment:

Carnival Stage:

Thursday 9/20

5: 30 – 6:30 The Breedloves

7:00 – 10:00 The Martini Trio

Friday 9/21

5: 30 – 6:30 Magical Band of Misfits

7:00 – 8:00 Axis

8:30 – 11:00 Square One

Saturday 9/22

11:00am – 3:30 DVC Rock & Rythym Blues

4:00 – 5:00 Hell Cadillac

5:30 – 6:30 Jungle Rooster

7:00 – 8:30 High Cotton

9:00 – 11:00 The UnOriginals

Sunday 9/23

11:00am – 12:00 Jim Etherington

12:30 – 1:30 The Danny Jones Band

2:00 – 3:30 Garage Land Rodeo

4:00 – 5:30 Crosstown 5

6:00- 7:30 Mad Karma

Lakeside Stage:

Thursday 9/20

5:00 – 6:30 Lady Boot Camp

7:00 – 10:00 Stone Groove

Friday 9/21

5:30 – 6:30 Scarlett Machine

7:00 – 8:00 Fred Barchetta (RUSH Tribute)

8:30 – 10.:45 Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers (ZZ Top Tribute)

Saturday 9/22

11:30 – 12:30 Uriah Duffy Trio

1:00 – 2:00 Agape Soul

2:30 – 3:30 Ancestral Waters

4:00 – 5:00 Space Monkey Gangsta

5:30 – 6:30 Coffin Hunter

7:00 – 9:00 CARLOS REYES

9:45 – 11:00 Allman Step Brothers

Sunday 9/23

11:00 -12:00 Chris Ahlman

12:30 – 1:30 Two Friends

2:00 – 3:00 The Terry Sheets Band

3:30 – 5:00 Blue Moonshine

5:30 – 7:30 The Floorshakers

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Mixed Grain Korean Cuisine Opens in Walnut Creek

September 21, 2012 11:30 am

Mixed Grain Korean Cuisine opened its doors a couple of days ago, replacing another Korean restaurant, Koreana Kitchen. The new owners redecorated and plan on offering more upscale, healthy dishes, hence the name, “Mixed Grain”, (as opposed to the less healthy white rice).Check out their menu here and here.

Check out the interior: