Élevé Closing Late June in Walnut Creek- Library on Main Opening in its Place Late July

June 3, 2015 11:30 am

1677 N. Main St, Walnut Creek

As a huge fan of Élevé‘s pork firepot dish, it’s with trepidation learning that the Vietnamese restaurant will be closing on June 27th as chef owner Michele DuRye plans on reopening as an American style restaurant late July. Called Library on Main, according to Diablo Dish, it will, “feature a retro library theme, walls of books, quotes from famous writers, and other nods to the written word” which is apt since the original Walnut Creek library was located at this corner. Stay tuned…

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Sign of the Day

June 3, 2015 8:30 am

I think it’s great that recycled water is being used to irrigate downtown Walnut Creek’s flowers, but shouldn’t the sign say, “Irrigated with Recycled Water”?

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Moon over Buffalo Playing at Town Hall Theatre through June 15th in Lafayette

June 2, 2015 4:30 pm

Moon over Buffalo:

Town Hall Theatre
3535 School St, Lafayette
Saturday, May 23rd, 2015 – Monday, June 15th, 2015

What? Bad news in this company? The House of Usher Repertory Theatre?

A slam-bang farce from the author of “Lend Me A Tenor”, “Moon Over Buffalo” focuses on George & Charlotte Hay, two fading stars of the 1950s. About to give up all hope of stardom, they receive word that they might just have one last shot: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Unfortunately for them, everything that might go wrong does in this hysterically funny comedy.

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Alamo Grill Opening Soon in Stone Valley Center

June 2, 2015 11:30 am

3160 Danville Blvd, Alamo

Thanks to a reader for sending word and photo showing the new Alamo Grill signage at the Stone Valley Center in Alamo. The previous restaurant, Izzy’s, closed on April 13th. According to Diablo Dish, it will feature hearty dishes like a Horseshoe sandwich and lighter fare such as salads.

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Rheem Theatre Closing End of June in Moraga

June 2, 2015 8:30 am

350 Park St, Moraga

Prominently proclaimed on the Rheem Theatre marquee in Moraga is notice that due to a 60% increase in rent the theater will be “forced to close soon”. The expected closing date is within 30 days.

From their Facebook page:

We are very sad to report that today we received a 60% rent increase from the landlord. We can not afford such an increase and will be forced to close soon. We were given a 30 day notice. Thank you all for the happy memories over the past 5 years, the joy, the laughs and now the tears!

Note that this property is owned separately from the Rheem Shopping Center a few stores down. It looks like the popularity of the Century Theater in Walnut Creek has caused a drop in attendance. What are the possible reasons why the landlord is raising rent? Do they want to force the city to buy the parcel in order to save the theater? Thanks to those who sent word about the closing.

Photos of the inside after the jump…

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Open House at Goal Achievers Toastmasters in Lafayette this Evening

June 1, 2015 4:30 pm

Open House at Goal Achievers Toastmasters:

Atria Park (3rd fl)
1545 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette CA
Monday, June 1st, 2015
7:00pm – 8:30pm | Free

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US at Goal Achievers Toastmasters. We meet every week and we love visitors and new members! Come on by and start becoming a better public speaker!

The Open House will include opportunities to ask questions about Toastmasters, hear speakers, and see demonstrations.

DON’T WAIT. We make it easy, comfortable, and even fun getting practice with public speaking in a warm and friendly environment. We coach and mentor, so you advance with tools and help from friendly and knowledgeable peers.

Drop in, meet some nice people, and see how we train and mentor our members in a friendly atmosphere to become successful meeting organizers, leaders, and polished, confident public speakers.

Members receive valuable, thoughtful, insightful immediate feedback. There are unique, fun exercises that help you learn to think on your feet and to express yourself persuasively.

There’s usually a couple of guests at every meeting, so you’re not alone. We are a smaller (but growing!) club. Members work at their own pace. Smaller clubs allow opportunities to speak more often and progress faster than with a large group.

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Izakaya Jun Opens in Walnut Creek

June 1, 2015 11:30 am

1552 Locust St, Walnut Creek

A couple of weeks ago we learned that Izakaya Jun would be soft-opening in downtown Walnut Creek and they opened over the weekend. The wood paneling looks great with a long bar towards the back and various sake bottles decorating the perimeter. I sat there and enjoyed eating dishes I haven’t tried since being in Japan such as shiokara (fermented squid) and yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls) with ume (pickled plum) and grilled salmon. (See photos after the jump). Both went great with the draft Asahi beer they offer. (Warning: shiokara is an acquired taste, try it if you dare!) Check out their appetizer and sashimi menu here, the entrees menu here and drinks menu here. They are also open for lunch.

More photos including food and entrance after the jump…

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Lace & Bustle Bridal Coming to Downtown Lafayette this Summer

June 1, 2015 8:30 am

3569 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

O’Brien Homes, located in the Clocktower in downtown Lafayette is moving next door at the end of June to make room for a new bridal shop called Lace & Bustle Bridal. Check out their Facebook page here for updates.

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Stolen Car Crashes and Burns on St. Mary’s Road Last Night, 2 Arrested

June 1, 2015 7:25 am

From the Moraga PD:

On May 31, 2015, approximately 8:15 p.m., Moraga Police received a report from a citizen of two subjects loitering around a car and garages on Miramonte Drive, possibly trying to steal the car. Officers responded to the area and observed the subjects driving away from the area in a black Acura. The officers ran a computer check on the car and found that the car had been reported stolen to Concord Police.

The officers followed the car and requested assistance from Lafayette Police and Contra Costa County Sheriffs units. As the suspects were driving on St. Mary’s Road near South Lucille Lane, they suddenly sped up. The officers turned on their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the car, but the suspects failed to yield. The officers pursued the vehicle from St. Mary’s Road to Moraga Road. The suspects turned off of Moraga Road and drove on streets around Stanley Middle School to return to St. Mary’s Road. When the suspects turned from Topper Lane on to St. Mary’s Road, they failed to stop at the intersection and collided with a car that was being driven westbound on St. Mary’s Road.

When the stolen Acura came to a stop, the engine caught on fire. Moraga and Lafayette officers had to cut a seat belt off of one suspect and a shoe off of another to extricate and pull them from the burning car. The officers were able to put the fire out with a number of fire extinguishers. The other vehicle was occupied by a father and son from Lafayette. The son, who was the passenger of the other car, received a minor injury, but his father was not injured. Both vehicles suffered major damage.

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Art & Wine Festival at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek this Weekend

May 29, 2015 4:30 pm

Art & Wine Festival:

Heather Farm Park
301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 30th, 2015 – Sunday, May 31st, 2015
11:00am – 7:00pm | Free

Three days until the party starts!! The free family-friendly Festival includes hundreds of one-of-a-kind arts and crafts booths, a premium wine tent, craft beer garden pouring East Bay brews, food booths offering delicious treats and a new game area just for kids. Live entertainment features Bay Area favorites on two music stages with non-stop dancing guaranteed during the two action-packed days of fun for the entire family. Sat-Sun.

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Beyond the Creek