jinny Women’s Designer Boutique Opening Soon in Downtown Walnut Creek

October 20, 2014 8:30 am

1575 Botelho Dr, Walnut Creek

The women’s fashion boutique jinny, originally based in Columbus, Ohio, is moving to downtown Walnut Creek next to the men’s clothing store Atlas on Botelho Dr.

From their website:

jinny, a women’s designer boutique destination founded by L.A. fashion industry transplant Jin H Fillinger, marked its launch on August 19, 2006 in the heart of the Short North neighborhood of Downtown Columbus, OH.

Finding a lack of aspirational boutiques in Columbus to satiate her fashion pangs, Jin developed jinny in the creative and burgeoning Downtown market to give women with similar frustrations an outlet for their sartorial enthusiasm.

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Free “Party of the Century” at Shadelands Ranch Museum in Walnut Creek on Sat.

October 17, 2014 4:30 pm

Free “Party of the Century”:

Shadelands Ranch Museum
2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek
Saturday, October 18th, 2014
11:00am – 4:00pm | Free

What: Walnut Creek turns 100 in October and is celebrating this once-in-a-century milestone with a free Centennial Birthday Festival. The family-friendly day features live music, dancing, strolling musicians, food trucks, local artisans in the Artists’ Market, activities and crafts for kids, museum tours, community service groups, karaoke, face painting, pumpkin patch, birthday cake, and more.

When: Saturday, October 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Shadelands Ranch Museum, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA.

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Joaquin Moraga Sex Abuse Scandal Going National – 48 Hours Exposé Showing Tomorrow

October 17, 2014 11:30 am

The child sex abuse scandal from the 1990’s at the Moraga middle school Joaquin Moraga in which millions of dollars have been paid to settle multiple cases is about to get more national attention as the CBS documentary news show 48 Hours will be featuring this scandal tomorrow on a new episode:

A former middle school athlete kept quiet about years of abuse by a trusted coach. Can she now get the woman to admit to her crimes? Tracy Smith reports in an all-new “48 Hours” Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Check out this Contra Costa Times article for more information.

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Friday Question of the Day – What is your Favorite Wine Bar?

October 17, 2014 8:30 am

With news this week that a new wine bar called Cine Cuvée is coming to downtown Orinda, in addition to ADEGA Wine Bar coming to downtown Walnut Creek, not to mention a new wine bar being added to the Century Theater in Walnut Creek, I’ve been wondering what are your favorite wine bars? I’m familiar with Residual Sugar, what else is out there that you recommend?

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Bye Bye Birdie at Lesher Center in Walnut Creek Oct. 17th – Nov. 15th

October 16, 2014 4:30 pm

Bye Bye Birdie:

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Friday, October 17th, 2014 – Saturday, November 15th, 2014

A musical theatre classic – Satire done with the fondest affection.

It’s the late 1950s. The town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, goes bonkers when the nation’s most popular singer and heart-throb, Conrad Birdie, arrives to give his biggest fan ‘one last kiss’ before going into the army – and on the Ed Sullivan Show, of course! A fresh look at the 1961 Tony Best Musical.

Director/Choreographer: Christina Lazo
Musical Director: Matt Smart
Production Manager: Shannon Strain Demers

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Egg Stand of the Day

October 16, 2014 11:30 am

This backyard chicken coop on the Lamorinda Trail was featured last year and they have updated their “Farm fresh Honest Egg Stand”. How cool is that!?

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Pet Peeve Alert – Walnut Creek Parking Garage Malfunctioning Sign Causes Heartache for Drivers

October 16, 2014 8:30 am

N. Main St. & Duncan St, Walnut Creek

Take a close look at these two photos showing the electronic “Spaces available” signage at the parking garage next to Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek on Duncan St. At top it says “45” and at bottom it says “04”. Notice the white car with door open? These photos were taken within seconds of each other. Drivers see the “45”, and pull in for an easy parking spot. They may notice a line of cars pulling out and think it a bit odd that so many people are leaving this parking garage at the same time. As they ominously head higher and higher with no open spots available it suddenly dawns on them that there will be no available spots.

This time I got lucky, very lucky and snagged the very last spot at the far end up top as a car pulled out as I contemplated turning around. Many others were not, and wasted a collectively enormous amount of time and gas thanks to this malfunctioning sign. This sign malfunctions several times per year so here’s hoping that those responsible will have it fixed permanently to help those who want to shop and dine in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Amphora Opening Late October in Downtown Lafayette

October 15, 2014 11:30 am

7 Fiesta Ln, Lafayette

Berkeley-based olive oil and balsamic vinegar company Amphora that we learned would be opening next to the Cooperage in downtown Lafayette is planning to open in late October. In addition to offering extra virgin olive oil, infused olive oils and balsamic vinegar from around the world, this Lafayette location will also feature small bites such as hummus, salads, and popcorn to highlight the various olive oils and balsamic vinegar they will be offering. As you can see in the photo above there will be outdoor tables in front as well as seating inside to enjoy these small bites. Note that the patio furniture will change from the current design.

Check out their website here. Below are the canisters used for their balsamic vinegar. Stay tuned for more updates…

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Walnut Creek Transit Village Parking Garage Final Review

October 15, 2014 8:30 am

The first phase of the Walnut Creek Transit Center at the Walnut Creek BART station is going for their final design review this evening and here are the renderings of how it will look. This is for the parking garage only; phases 2 and 3 will involve residential apartments and commercial space. Check out the renderings from over two years ago.

From the Design Review report:

Phase 1 includes a five-level multimodal center intended to provide replacement
automobile parking for BART users, a fifteen-bay bus terminal for local and regional bus routes, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and an accessible drop and ride lane. Phase 1 also includes a 2,000 square foot ground floor office intended for use the BART Police Department. The garage includes 878 parking spaces of which 850 are 1:1 replacement parking for the anticipated loss of all existing surface parking spaces at the BART Station. In addition, there are 8 spaces for the office space and 20 additional spaces…

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Living with Coyotes at Lindsay Wildlife Museum this Thursday in Walnut Creek

October 14, 2014 4:30 pm

Photo by Flickr user Don McCullough

Living with Coyotes:

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
7:00pm – 8:30pm | $15

What: Camilla Fox, founder and executive director of Project Coyote, headlines Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s ‘Coyotes In Our Midst; Learning to Live with North America’s Native Song Dog’ with an engaging, inspiring presentation about the remarkable adaptability and resiliency of this successful predator and the challenges and opportunities they provide to urban communities. Learn about the fascinating world of Canis Latrans and their keen intelligence, amazing resourcefulness, and importance in many ecosystems.

Where: Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, adjacent to Larkey Park.

When: Thursday, October 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $10/members, $15/non-members; pre-register at http://wildlife-museum.org/cart/registration/4043 or buy tickets at the door. Appropriate for ages 16 and up. Free parking.

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Beyond the Creek