2151 Salvio St, Concord
Last month I noted that the Brewing Network-owned The Hop Grenade Taproom & Bottleshop would be opening in June and now Diablo Dish is reporting that they may be opening this Sunday. Check their Facebook page for updates. Check out their bar menu here.
This week we learned that Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was close to opening in the Sprouts Shopping Center in Walnut Creek which got some comments about the bad parking situation there. Two years ago, before the Habit Burger had opened I was worried about parking:
The only thing I worry about is parking. It’s already pretty full now with only Sprouts being open. When Habit Burger, Freebirds World Burrito (next to Habit), and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf open up things could get ugly parking-wise.
When I go to Sprouts I have only been able to find 30 minute parking and even then I felt lucky. What other malls or downtown areas have difficult parking?
Ruth Bancroft Garden
1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek
Friday, July 11th, 2014
5:00pm – 8:00pm | $15 ($25 at door)This annual event combines the beauty of the Garden in the early evening with great live music and delicious wine. Wander the meandering pathways and observe plein air painters at their easels, interpreting the beauty that surrounds them.
Live music by Dogbone
Menu by Willowstone Catering
Cajun ceasar salad wrap
Jambalaya with chicken and andouille
Red beans and rice with vegetarian sausage
Red velvet cupcakes
$15 admission
$25 at the door
food and drinks sold separately
Please remember to bring cash and wear comfortable shoes!
Ygnacio Valley Rd. & Oak Grove Rd, Walnut Creek
Last September I noted that Whole Foods would be replacing Safeway (which will move across the street) and the Encina Grande shopping center recently submitted new plans (see rendering above). In addition to Whole Foods, there are also plans for Walgreens to move in at the left side on the Oak Grove Road entrance in Walnut Creek.
As I approached this house in Moraga from afar, my first thought turned to E.T., which coincidentally is playing for free at the Orinda Theatre this evening.
Orinda Theatre Square
2 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda
Thursday, July 10th, 2014
10:30am | FreeLizard Lady’s Reptiles is the wildlife experience that children love! An informative and fun show with snakes, lizards and tortoises.
Last week I noted the progress being made to the inside of Coffee Bean & Tea leaf’s Walnut Creek location in the Sprouts Shopping Center and thanks to a reader for pointing out that the signage went up the next day! It can’t be long now… Of course then there’s the question of parking. Yikes.
Speeding scofflaws in Walnut Creek, look out! This new electric police car is ready for you. 🙂
Photo by Flickr user archer10
Sierra Club- A Balkan Treasure- Stunning Macedonia:
Ygnacio Valley Library
2661 Oak Grove Rd, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, July 9th, 2014
7:00pm – 8:30pm | FreeJoin us as we venture south into the Balkans to discover the natural treasures of Macedonia. Carol High will introduce us to this up-and-coming country, a former part of Yugoslavia and independent only since 1991.
Macedonia, with mountain lakes and deep, green valleys, is a perfect place for hiking and outdoor exploration, especially from a mountain monastery that will be part of our journey. We will see Lake Ohrid (a UNESCO world heritage site) that Carol describes as “The Lake Tahoe of Eastern Europe.” Our journey will include Skopje, the birthplace of Mother Theresa and a capital city in transition. We will listen to traditional music and visit the Old Bazaar in Skopje, the largest bazaar in the Balkans outside Istanbul.
Carol High lives in San Francisco with her husband, Todd. Carol recently returned from her third trip to Macedonia in September 2013 where she led a museum fundraising project and received a leadership award from the mayor of Kriva Palanka. Carol has been featured on Macedonian television and print media.
3003 Oak Rd, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word that The Salad Spot has closed in Walnut Creek near the Pleasant Hill BART station. Previously in December I noted that The Salad Spot initially opened.