Science Cafe: Is Anybody Out There? at Lafayette Library on Nov. 17th

Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Tuesday, November 17th, 2015
7:00pm – 8:30pm | $10

Science Cafe Presents: Is Anybody Out There: the search for ET with help from eight million volunteers, with speaker Dan Werthimer, University of California, Berkeley.

What is the possibility of other life in the universe and can we detect radio and optical signals from other civilizations? Berkeley’s SETI@home project analyzes data from the world’s largest radio telescope using desktop computers from millions of volunteers. These volunteers have the small but captivating possibility their computer will detect the first signal from a civilization beyond Earth.

Dan Werthimer is principal investigator of SETI@home and several radio and optical SETI programs at the University of California, Berkeley. Werthimer also directs the Center for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronics Research (CASPER), and is associate director of the Berkeley Wireless Research Center (BWRC).

$5 current donors. $10 general admission, payable at the door.

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McCovey’s Baseball Bat Door Handles Finally get Removed in Walnut Creek

November 16, 2015 11:30 am

1444 N. California Blvd, Walnut Creek

Not sure what’s going on at the former McCovey’s baseball themed restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek but the cool baseball bat door handles have finally been removed. Last month we learned that a For Lease sign appeared on the door indicating that maybe Slater’s 50/50 was no longer coming but although the For Lease is missing on the doors I do see them on the side windows.

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The Landing Breaks Ground in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 16, 2015 8:30 am

1800 Lacassie Ave, Walnut Creek renderings courtesy BHV CenterStreet Properties

A new rental development called The Landing is breaking ground in downtown Walnut Creek near the BART station. Check out the renderings below; the website is here.

From a press release:

“The project, called The Landing, at 1800 Lacassie Avenue, consists of 178 studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments wrapped in contemporary styling and capped off with multiple rooftop decks with Mt. Diablo views. Amenities include a sky-deck yoga studio, roof-top garden, an outdoor movie theater, outdoor barbecue and dining area, indoor-outdoor fire pit lounge, and resort pool and cabanas.

The Landing also plans to be pet-friendly. A pet spa will provide private grooming facilities for residents’ four-legged companions.

Inside, The Landing’s 35 studio, 110 one-bedroom and 33 two-bedroom units will feature quartz countertops, designer cabinetry, mosaic backsplash, high-end stainless steel appliance packages, in some cases with wine fridges, plus plank-style floorings throughout and walk-in closets.”

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Hello Gorgeous! A Live Tribute to Barbra Streisand at Lesher Center on Nov. 15th in Walnut Creek

November 13, 2015 4:30 pm

Hello Gorgeous! A Live Tribute to Barbra Streisand:

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Sunday, November 15th, 2015
3:00pm | $45

Actress/Singer Rebecca Clark becomes Barbra Streisand in this live one-woman musical delivering all the greatest hits of this legendary singer performed live with no sync or voice track!

Through live singing and comedic dialogue, along with playful crowd interaction, Clark captures the character and heart of Streisand, recounting her amazing journey through stage, television and film.

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New Macy’s Window Visible at Broadway Plaza

November 13, 2015 11:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Last spring we learned about the giant Macy’s window at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, and as Broadway Plaza’s newly redeveloped section is set to reopen in a week it’s now fully functioning. 12 out of the 21 panes are not clear but it makes for a nice design element.

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Question of the Day – Do you Play a Musical Instrument?

November 13, 2015 8:30 am

Photo by Flickr user Raymond

Having kids that play musical instruments has enticed me into wanting to play something so I decided to get a basic Epiphone acoustic guitar. Quite a difference from the trombone I used to play back in school. I’m checking out YouTube videos and have learned how to tune it and am trying to figure out the chords. Not sure about using a pick or not. It’s a fun diversion from life’s hectic grind.

Do you play a musical instrument? If so, what do you play? If not, did you play one in school?

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Walnut Creek Turkey Trot Race on Nov. 26th

November 12, 2015 4:30 pm

Walnut Creek Turkey Trot Race:

Civic Park
1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Thursday, November 26th, 2015
8:00am – 11:00am | $40

The Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot is an annual 5K/10K event taking place on Thanksgiving Morning.

The Walnut Creek Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for Walnut Creek schools through WCEF (Walnut Creek Education Foundation) and P.E.A.K. The Food Bank and Wellness City Challenge

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Armed Home Invasion Robbery in Moraga this Morning

November 12, 2015 12:15 pm

From the Moraga PD:

At 9:45 a.m., Moraga Police responded to the report of a home invasion robbery that occurred on Via Granada in the Campolindo neighborhood.

The homeowner was confronted by 3 armed black males who were driving a silver late model Toyota Camry. All of the males were wearing masks and were armed with guns. The suspects left the area in an unknown direction. The victims were not injured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Moraga Police at 925-888-7055. Also, if you live in the area and have a surveillance system, please check your recordings from this morning, starting before 7:00 a.m., for any suspicious persons or the described vehicle.

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Heritage Walk Walnut Creek Signage Up around Downtown Walnut Creek

November 12, 2015 11:30 am

The next time you’re in downtown Walnut Creek check for these new Heritage Walk signs with audio commentary to 50 sites. It looks like there are still technical difficulties with the audio part as the phone number is taped over. I called and entered the landmark site number but got a message that the “stop number” was invalid. Hopefully this will be available soon.

From the Walnut Creek Historical Society website:

To continue the Centennial celebration, the Historical Society will launch a self-guided mobile-phone Downtown Heritage Walk this fall – making Walnut Creek’s history available to the entire community at any time.

The Heritage Walk will feature some 50 sites – from Botelho’s Island (now Broadway Plaza) to the Nut House (now the Lesher Center for the Arts).

Each site will be marked with prominent signage on a street lamp post (see photo) that includes facts about the site and details on how to hear the audio (cell phone) tour.

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Dover Saddlery Opening on Friday in Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga

November 12, 2015 8:30 am

Rheem Valley Shopping Center, Moraga

Great news for English riders as Dover Saddlery is opening their first northern California store in Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga this Friday. I didn’t realize Moraga was a hotspot for English riding but since Dover Saddlery has a giant mail order operation they knew that there is large demand within 20 miles of Moraga.

Tuesday Morning used to be at this location, I took a look inside and it’s gigantic. They also carry horse-themed clothes so even if you’re not looking for a new English saddle, this is a must see!

From their website:

Founded in 1975 by US Equestrian Team Members, Dover Saddlery is the leading purveyor of quality English horse tack, horse supplies and riding apparel for horse and rider at any level of competition. The stores are stocked with all the products you want and a knowledgeable staff is there to help the customers find exactly what they need. So come on in and say “Hi” to the friendly faces at your Dover Saddlery Retail Store.

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Beyond the Creek