BART Running until 3 am on New Year’s Eve

Let BART help you ring in the New Year! BART will extend service on New Year’s Eve to get you home safely from festivities. BART will run a normal weekday evening service schedule which will extend until 3 am. Trains will run every 20 minutes after midnight with extra trains standing by in downtown San Francisco after the fireworks show.

To further ease platform crowding at our busiest stations, Embarcadero, Montgomery, and West Oakland, beginning at 8 pm, BART will utilize a “skip-stop” train pattern into and out of San Francisco:

Going into San Francisco- After 8pm:

• Trains from the Pittsburg/Bay Point and Richmond lines heading into San Francisco will not stop at Embarcadero Station. The San Francisco stop closest to the fireworks show for customers on the Pittsburg/Bay Point and Richmond lines will be Montgomery Street Station.

After the fireworks end:
• Passengers bound for Pittsburg/Bay Point and Richmond must use Montgomery Street Station. Trains on these lines will not stop at Embarcadero Station on their way out of San Francisco.

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Armed Robbery at Valero Gas Station this Morning in Walnut Creek

December 30, 2015 3:45 pm

Via Google Maps

From the Walnut Creek PD:

On 12/30/15 at 0435 hours, the Walnut Creek Police Department (WCPD) received a call that a robbery had just occurred at the Valero Gas Station located at 605 Ygnacio Valley Road. Surveillance video showed the suspect fled southbound on foot. Officers arrived within a minute and set up a perimeter. A WCPD K-9 tracked the scent but no one was located.

The suspect brandished a handgun at the victim/employee and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register before fleeing. No one was injured in the crime.

The suspect is believed to be the same responsible for recent robberies in Redwood City and San Leandro. Investigators from all involved agencies are working together to get the suspect identified.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call WCPD Detective Jeha at (925) 256-3518.

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Swad Indian Cuisine Signage Up in Lafayette

December 30, 2015 11:30 am

960 Moraga Rd, Lafayette

During the summer we learned that Swad Indian Cuisine would be relocating within downtown Lafayette and the signage is now up so the opening is getting closer…

Next door RÊVE Bistro will be opening sometime in January as well.

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Fringe Flower Co. Opens in Walnut Creek

December 30, 2015 8:30 am

1489 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek

A cool new flower shop opened recently in Walnut Creek in the strip mall where Pacific Bay Coffee and George’s Giant Hamburgers are located on Newell Ave. Check out their floral gallery here. They offer free delivery to Kaiser Permanente hospital across the street.

From their website:

We both spent our youth outdoors elbow-deep in flower and veggie gardens here in the Bay Area, and perhaps it’s because we’re locally grown ourselves that we believe so strongly in the power of community, and how businesses supporting one another strengthens the fabric of that community. So when we decided to open our own flower shop we wanted a holistic business approach. We offer the best in floral design (goes without saying!) but our florals are sourced using premium flowers from local growers. We work with recycled containers whenever we can, and appreciate those that do the same. We are earth friendly and socially conscious—we compost, we use vintage ribbons and containers, we deliver leftover florals to community groups, we partner with local organizations, and we give back via donations and outreach.

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Grand Opening Party at Open Barre in Walnut Creek on Jan 12th

December 29, 2015 4:30 pm

Open Barre Fitness Studio Grand Opening Party:

Open Barre Fitness Studio
675 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek
Tuesday, January 12th, 2015
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Free

We have set our grand opening party date for Jan 12th, 6-8pm and will have giveaways, raffles, free demos, champagne, and food!

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Cine Cuvée Wine Bar Soft Opens in Orinda

December 29, 2015 11:30 am

4 Orinda Theatre Sq, Orinda

Back in October of last year we learned that a new movie-themed wine bar called Cinee Cuvée would be coming to Orinda Theatre Square and they are now having a soft opening according to their Facebook page:

Our soft opening has been going on. Stop by for a glass of wine or two!

Anyone have a chance to check this place out? They have a cool video on their Facebook page of a waterfall effect overlaying the famous movie shower scene from Psycho.

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Hoverboard Mania Hits Downtown Walnut Creek

December 29, 2015 8:30 am

Now that Christmas is over, let the hoverboard mania begin. Over the weekend I spotted numerous hoverboards all over downtown Walnut Creek including parks and Mt. Diablo Blvd. crosswalks. Although called hoverboards, they don’t actually hover like in Back to the Future Part II; they have two wheels on the ground and movement is controlled based on leaning motions, like a Segway without hands.

Has anyone tried a hoverboard? What do you think? I’m tempted but then I read articles like this and reconsider.

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Welcome the New Year with a Hike Around Majestic Mount Diablo

December 28, 2015 4:30 pm

Welcome the New Year with a Hike Around Majestic Mount Diablo:

Mount Diablo State Park (Oak Knoll Picnic Area)
Summit Rd, Walnut Creek
Friday, January 1st, 2016
9:30am – 2:30pm | $10 (car fee)

Start the New Year with a fairly strenuous hike around Mount Diablo! We will begin at the parking lot immediately west of the Oak Knoll picnic area. We will soon cross the Summit Road and head uphill on the Juniper Trail to Deer Flat Road. We’ll contour around until we get to the pass on Moses Rock Ridge and then head down to Deer Flat. From there, we hike to Murchio Gap where we will pick up the Bald Ridge Trail and use that to get to Prospectors Gap. The North Peak Trail will take us to Devil’s Elbow and dramatic views of the burn area from the 2013 fire. We will use the Summit Trail to take us back to Oak Knoll. This is a 7 mile loop with about 2600’ of total gain. Steady pace with lunch break. Wear layered clothing and bring a lunch or snacks and plenty of liquids. Be prepared for mud and poison oak. Rain cancels.

This is a variation of Hike #38 in the newly released Hiker’s Guide to Mount Diablo State Park.

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Hubcaps Diner Closing in Walnut Creek – Will Reopen as Broderick Roadhouse by April

December 28, 2015 11:30 am

1548 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Hubcaps Diner is closing in downtown Walnut Creek. This Sunday, January 3rd will be its final day so stop by to reminiscence about old times while drinking a malted milkshake. Keep in mind that there is still Mel’s Diner (same owner), located a few blocks from Hubcaps if you’re hankering for that 50’s diner style.

The same owner and staff will be back by April with the Sacramento based restaurant Broderick Roadhouse. Check out their menu here. In addition to lunch and dinner they will also offer breakfast. Looks like with the new Lyric apartments coming next year across the street from Hubcaps they want to take things a bit more upscale. Their goodbye letter notes:

In just a few short months we will be re-opening as BRODERICK ROADHOUSE. Our menu will consist of omelets, skillets, eggs benedicts and hotcakes for brunch, but will feature a wide variety of burgers, salads and upscale bistro sandwiches.

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When a Sale isn’t a Sale – Restoration Hardware in Walnut Creek

December 28, 2015 8:30 am

****UPDATE**** Based on the comments below I decided to go back and this time the sales people did state that the towels were on sale. Over the weekend not only did two sales people insist that the towels were not on sale, but one of them explained in great detail why they were not on sale. I’m not thrilled about having to go back but I applaud her creative story telling!

Like many others who shopped for after-Christmas sales, I stopped by Restoration Hardware in downtown Walnut Creek and noticed these signs plastered everywhere:

AFTER THE GIVING
YOURS FOR THE TAKING
SAVE 25-75%
ON EVERYTHING IN STOCK

When I asked a salesperson about what percent off the towels were she indicated they weren’t on sale. I pointed out the sign indicating “everything in stock” and she said “stock” refers to “furniture”. How silly of me! I thought in stock meant products available in-store. I guess that’s how marketing works at Restoration Hardware.

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Beyond the Creek