Nordstrom Rack Opening in Pleasant Hill on Sept 12th

August 20, 2013 8:30 am

703 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Nordstrom Rack will be opening next to Safeway in Pleasant Hill (near the Sunvalley Shopping Center) on September 12th.

From the Nordstrom Rack website:

Come early to celebrate

At 8:00 am we will kick off our Rally at the Rock with music, breakfast treats and more

Join us early for a chance to win one of 30 $100 gift cards

Rule THE RACK: One lucky winner will receive a $1,000 gift card and early access to the store, beginning at 8:30am

The first 1,000 shoppers who make a purchase wil receive a free reusable tote!

I peeked inside and although it’s not stocked yet it looks huge!

Personally what I find most interesting is that this Nordstrom Rack is located in Pleasant Hill and not Concord. Even the Nordstrom Rack gets it wrong as the new location states it’s in the Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord, CA, but it lists the address as 703 Contra Costa Blvd in Pleasant Hill. When I checked out Google maps I see that the Sunvalley Shopping Center indeed is in Concord, but the border juts back out such that this location and Safeway next door are actually in Pleasant Hill. However according to the Sunvalley Shopping Center website, Safeway and Nordstrom Rack are listed there so it seems that these two stores are located in the Sunvalley Shopping Center but happen to be located outside the Concord border. Fascinating.

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Ella the Musical Playing at Lesher Center Sept 6th – Oct 12th in Walnut Creek

August 19, 2013 4:30 pm

Ella the Musical:

Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
Friday, September 6th – Saturday, October 12th, 2013
Prices/Times/Tickets available here

The Queen of Jazz. The First Lady of Song. The great Ella Fitzgerald. It’s a life lived out loud in this exhilarating new musical that weaves myth, memory and music to tell the uplifting and poignant story of one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time. It’s 1966 and the fabled songstress is preparing for one of the most important concerts of her career. Ella reflects on her life, her secrets and the love of music that made her soar. Featuring more than a dozen of her most famous hits, including They Can’t Take That Away From Me, How High the Moon and That Old Black Magic, this swinging celebration is a must-see dazzling musical event for anyone who wants to fall in love with the magic and soul of Ella Fitzgerald all over again.

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Forge Danville Opening Aug 22nd in Danville

August 19, 2013 11:30 am

345 Railroad Ave, Danville

The other day I stopped by the pizza place Forge in Danville for a preview on Railroad Ave. They are located right next to, and accessible within Lunardi’s supermarket. The design turned out great as you can see by the photos:

Service begins this Thursday. Check out their menu here. My favorite pizza was the heirloom tomato pizza with roasted garlic pesto and smoked mozzarella. Yum!

From a press release:

Forge Danville (“forge” refers to a hearth used to bake items at very hot temperatures) is a welcoming, fun and family-friendly restaurant that will serve freshly-made lunches and dinners seven days a week using the imported, Italian Valoriani oven. Menu items will include: daily homemade soups, hearty salads with fresh local ingredients and wood-fired roasted specialties, all anchored by the signature wood-fired pizzas. The bar at Forge will feature 15 local artisanal beers including 10 beers on tap from the custom designed cast iron tap system. A select wine list featuring Californian and European varietals will be available in addition to house-made tonic, ginger beer and root beer on tap. Forge will be available for catering and private events both on and off site.

More photos after the jump…

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Atlas Moving to Botelho Drive on Aug. 30th in Downtown Walnut Creek

August 19, 2013 8:30 am

1571 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek

Last week I noted that the men’s boutique Atlas was moving from its N. Main St. location, and now have learned that they will be moving to 1571 Botelho Drive, staying in downtown Walnut Creek. This location is right next to Paper Source and across the street from Men’s Wearhouse where Locust St. ends. As you can see from the photo above there is plenty of window space to show off the designs and I look forward to checking out the grand re-opening on August 30th!

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Walnut Festival Run for Education on Sept 8th in Walnut Creek

August 16, 2013 4:30 pm

Walnut Festival Run:

Walnut Creek Lululemon
1201 Main St, Walnut Creek
Sunday, September 8th, 2013
8:00am | $35

Start Time & Staging

The start of the event will be at 8:00 am. Runners are encouraged to start making their way to the start line no later than 7:15 am.

Start Location

Our start line is at 1201 Main Street in front of Lululemon (next to Barnes & Noble & California Pizza Kitchen). This entire section of Main Street is closed and our registration volunteers will be on the street available on the day for signups and to answer your questions.

Course

The 5k course heads north on Main Street, making a right turn onto Civic Drive. You will then make a right turn onto Broadway, heading south and continuing until our turnaround point, just short of Rudgear Road. (There will be the traditional convertible Dodge Dart and Walnut Festival Signs) Make a sharp U-turn, heading back north on Broadway. Next, runners will make a left-hand turn onto Newell, then a right turn back onto Main Street, followed by either:

5k distance – a right onto Broadway Plaza for the finish, or

10k distance – continues straight on Main St. to complete a second loop.

View the course details online.

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Car of the Day (Coconut Edition)

August 16, 2013 11:30 am

Spotted on Locust Street in downtown Walnut Creek, this is apparently the Vita Coco coconut water van. Great idea!

What’s your favorite coconut water?

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Just Be Yoga & Mediation Opening on Aug 17th in Walnut Creek

August 16, 2013 8:30 am

A new yoga studio called Just Be Yoga & Mediation is opening this Saturday in Walnut Creek behind the gift boutique Wish at 2333 1/2 Boulevard Circle. They will offer Vinyasa and other types of yoga. One cool feature of this studio is an outdoor section separated by glass roll-up doors so classes can be held both inside and out. Very cool!

From the owner:

The NEW Walnut Creek yoga studio, Just Be Yoga & Mediation, is opening this Saturday, August 17th. We are offering FREE classes along with special pricing on packages purchased at that location. We would love for YOU to join us for a little yoga and a little celebration.
~ Sign-up to reserve your spot.
~ Spread the word, bring a friend or two.
www.justbeyogaandmeditation.com/schedule

7:30 AM – Power Vinyasa ALL Levels
9:15 AM – Power Vinyasa Basics
11 AM – YIN Yoga

Special Pricing:

Introductory special: 30 days for $30 of unlimited yoga & meditation

Grand Opening Special: $79 per month for the life of your membership. If you plan to attend at least six classes per month or 1-2 classes per week then this offer is for you! Click here for more details or to sign-up.

To purchase your membership:

Visit our online schedule

Go to the online store & select Contracts

Select $79 Monthly Unlimited

Select purchase and follow the steps

You are all set! Check the schedule and either sign-up for your classes or drop-in.

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Live Jazz at Swan’s Fine Books this Friday

August 15, 2013 4:30 pm

Live Jazz Performance:

Swan’s Fine Books
1381 Locust Street, Walnut Creek
Friday, August 16th, 2013
7:00pm – 8:30pm | Free

Please join us this Friday evening, August 16^th, for some live Jazz! Sip a glass of wine, browse our books, and enjoy the music.

We are featuring Chili Corder, a guitarist currently studying at UCLA with jazz guitar legend Kenny Burrell; and Mike Williams, the Director for the Soundwall Music Camp (see full bio below).

Chili and Mike will play from 7:00 to around 8:30 pm. There is no charge to attend and light refreshments will be served.

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Update on Tiffany Smash and Grab Burglary

August 15, 2013 3:20 pm

From the WCPD:

UPDATE: The attached photo shows the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene headed southbound on S. Main Street. Officers arrived on scene approximately 90 seconds after the suspects left. The white pick-up truck used to force entry can be seen at the top center of the photo. The “getaway” vehicle appears to be a white Chevy Blazer.

Any additional photos or video will be released if Detectives determine it could aid in the investigation of this crime. At this time there are no suspects in custody. There is also no direct evidence linking this crime to other similar burglaries where vehicles were used to gain entry into a building.

Investigators are continuing to follow-up on additional leads and information from witnesses.

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Truck Smashes Front Doors at Tiffany’s in Walnut Creek – Jewelry Stolen

August 15, 2013 12:45 pm

From the Walnut Creek PD:

Walnut Creek PD received multiple 911 calls at approximately 5:47AM this morning. Callers reported seeing several men use a truck to force open the front doors at Tiffany’s on S. Main Street. The suspects then ran inside the store and smashed open a single display case. A small amount of jewelry was taken. Witnesses reported seeing the suspects flee the area in a white Chevy Blazer type vehicle. The vehicle used to force the doors open was reported stolen and left at the scene. Investigators are following up on numerous leads and reviewing security footage from the area. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 256-3557.

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Beyond the Creek

Start Time & Staging

Start Location

Course