Building the Panama Canal at Lafayette Library on Nov 19th

Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Tuesday, November 19th, 2013
7:00pm – 8:00pm | $5

In 1904 President Teddy Roosevelt committed the brains of American engineering and the brawn of America’s industrial machine to build a canal of unprecedented scope and challenge. After an unsuccessful attempt by the French in 1889, the US succeeded in building a fifty mile sea level canal in Panama. Panama Canal’s successful construction was the result of the convergence of extraordinary men, machines, and methods.

Paul Giroux, recipient of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ prestigious Civil Engineering History and Heritage Award for 2013, will share highlights of this remarkable construction feat, illustrating how the right men, the right, machines, and the right methods all came together in 1904 to build a project of unprecedented scope and challenges.

$5/person

To reserve call: 925-283-6513 x103 or email: reserve@LLLCF.org

Boxed meals available for Pre-Purchase: $10 (non-refundable). Call the above number to order. Beer, Wine, Coffee, Tea & Cookies for sale in the Community Hall.

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Tiffany gets New Door in Walnut Creek

November 18, 2013 11:30 am

It’s been a few months since vandals smashed in the front doors of Tiffany’s in downtown Walnut Creek but the new doors have finally been installed and they look great. I did notice two small concrete pillars on each side as you can see in the photo below but I’m not sure whether they were there before or were added for extra security.

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Fourth Bore of Caldecott Tunnel Opens – Orinda-Oakland

November 18, 2013 8:30 am

It took almost 50 years but the Caldecott tunnel finally has its fourth bore, allowing traffic to pass through two tunnels in each direction, Orinda – Oakland.

From the project site:

Saturday morning, November 16, 2013 at 4:10 a.m. the first vehicles drove through the new, two-lane, 3300-foot-long Fourth Bore of the Caldecott Tunnel. The long-planned $417 million project provides congestion relief to residents and workers in the East Bay, and brings to an end the daily process of switching the traffic direction of the third bore to accommodate travel between Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
The new Fourth Bore features wide travel lanes, roadway shoulders, bright lighting, emergency exits along the length of the tunnel, and state-of-the-art fire and life safety systems. The tunnel’s incident detection and response systems underwent extensive testing before Caltrans began the traffic realignment needed for the new State Route 24 lane configuration utilizing the Fourth Bore.

Years ago when I used to live in Oakland and work in Concord I would dream about that fourth bore opening while waiting to get through, so it’s really amazing that it’s finally happened. Has anyone noticed a difference in their commute time?

Photo from Caldecott Tunnel project

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Book Signing – Mount Diablo, The Extraordinary Life and Landscape of a California Treasure in Walnut Creek on Nov 23rd

November 15, 2013 4:30 pm

Mt. Diablo Book Signing:

Swan’s Fine Books
1381 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
Saturday, November 23rd, 2013
1:00pm – 3:00pm | Free

Please join us on Saturday, November 23^rd, to meet the photographer and author of “Mount Diablo, The Extraordinary Life and Landscape of a California Treasure“.

This book is a first-of-its kind collection of original fine art photographs and panoramic creations of one of California’s premier landscape photographers, Stephen Joseph. Mr. Joseph has been hiking and photographing Mount Diablo in Northern California’s Contra Costa County since 1985, so drawn is he to the complex mountain’s unparalleled natural beauty and intriguing geological faces.

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Cafecitos Cafe Locked and Closed over Past Few Weeks

November 15, 2013 11:30 am

1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek

It’s only been a month since Cafecitos Cafe opened in downtown Walnut Creek but things are not looking good over there as you can see by the bicycle lock on the front doors in the above photo. I dropped by on numerous occasions attempting to try the patacones and papas appetizer but they have always been closed. I’m hoping this is not permanent…

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Does Downtown Walnut Creek have too many Starbucks?

November 15, 2013 8:30 am

This week I posted about a new Starbucks that may open up in the Mercer apartment complex in downtown Walnut Creek which, considering the quantity that already exists downtown, got people wondering if maybe there were too many Starbucks downtown. Existing locations include Target, Barnes and Noble, Safeway, N Main St, Locust St. and two more in Broadway Plaza. So do you think there are too many Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek? If not Starbucks what would you rather have, an independent cafe? Peet’s? Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?

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A Grand Night for Singing Musical Nov 29th – Dec 7th at Lesher Center in Walnut Creek

November 14, 2013 4:30 pm

A Grand Night for Singing:

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Friday, November 29th – Saturday, December 7th, 2013
7:30pm

(November 12, 2013) WALNUT CREEK—As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful A Grand Night for Singing, a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run November 29–December 7 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts.

“Some Enchanted Evening,” “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “Hello, Young Lovers,” “If I Loved You,” and “Maria” are just a few of the songs from landmark Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals—South Pacific, Oklahoma! The King and I, Carousel, and The Sound of Music—that are featured in this Tony Award–nominated revue.

A talented cast of five will bring these exquisitely crafted works to life through innovative arrangements that take the form of a ballroom dance send-up performed to “Shall We Dance,” a sultry Andrews Sisters version of “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair,” and a jazzy “Kansas City” from Oklahoma!

A Grand Night for Singing started as a cabaret show that Tony Award–winning director and choreographer Walter Bobbie expanded into a two-hour revue. Five performers run seamlessly through more than three dozen works from the Rodgers and Hammerstein canon. The Broadway production opened in 1993, and was nominated for two Tony Awards—for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical—and for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue.

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Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar Opens Today in Willows Shopping Center in Concord

November 14, 2013 11:30 am

1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord

The other night I had a chance to check out the eagerly anticipated Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar in the Willows Shopping Center (near the UFC Gym) in Concord at a preview party and wow is this place cool. With almost 8,000 square feet in space the Rocky Mountain aesthetic looks amazing. In addition there is a huge bar area with 9 flat-screen TVs nearby. Local brews from Black Diamond, 21st Amendment, Drake’s and dozens more are available on tap in addition to Lazy Dog branded brews. They also have 25 hand-selected beers by the bottle. Food-wise the spicy Moroccan chicken & cous cous had a real kick that was a pleasant surprise, as was the Jerk Chicken Crisp appetizer which was delicious. Check out the menu here.

The main dining area:

Bar area:

With reasonable prices and generous, tasty portions, I’ll definitely be back with my family to try out some more dishes and local brews.

Plenty of photos including the Moroccan chicken dish after the jump….

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Bank Robbery at Westamerica Bank in Lafayette this Morning

November 14, 2013 11:29 am

From the Lafayette PD:

Bank Robbery at 3515 Mt. Diablo Blvd., police are conducting a K-9 track in the area. ~~School’s in area on lock down.~~
Suspect is a White Male Adult in his 20’s wearing a Baseball cap and sunglasses, navy button down long sleve shirt. Call 9-1-1 if you see anything out of the ordinary. We will update when further information is available.

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iBar Opens in Mercer Complex in Walnut Creek

November 14, 2013 8:30 am

1687 N. California Blvd, Walnut Creek

Back in September I noted that eyebrow threading salon iBar was moving from their Broadway Plaza location to the Mercer apartment complex on N. California Blvd. and they are now open. In fact both locations are open although iBar in Broadway Plaza will be closing at the end of January. Check out photos of the inside below…

Counter area:

More photos of the inside including jewelry, clothing and handbags for sale after the jump…

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Beyond the Creek