AstroBlast Space Exploration on Jan 30th at the Lafayette Library

January 28, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center:

Designed for: Kids (5-11), Middle School (Grades 6-8), Elementary School (Grades K-5)

Blast off for a fantastic exploration of space!

Join us for an exciting evening of space science fun, see a stunning NASA photo exhibit of the solar system, talk with a real live NASA scientist, experiment with hands-on activities with Chabot to Go, fire off rockets you build yourself, use a computer simulation to construct your own planet, and much more. For youth ages K-8th grade.

Underwritten by the Brenner Foundation.

Free.

No reservations necessary.

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Sneak Peak of Canvas and Cabernet

January 28, 2013 11:30 am

Last week I noted that Canvas and Cabernet, the paint and sip studio would be opening over the weekend in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. It turns out that was a bit premature but they are planning for a February 2nd opening. In the meantime I was able to get a sneak preview inside. As you can see from the photo above one wall will be decorated with various art pieces done at the studio. Note that this is just a preview, more work is being done on the interior before it opens next week.

Check out part of the front display:

Check out the pendant lighting from Neiman Marcus as well as the wood stained bar area:

In addition to alcoholic drinks there will be deliveries made from Harvest Market around the corner and another part of the store will have vintage goods for sale. A children’s area will be in a separate section where kids can create their own paintings.

I look forward to checking out how this looks when they open. Canvas and Cabernet is located at 1421 Locust St. in downtown Walnut Creek, across the street from the Walnut Creek Yacht Club.

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Pier 1 Imports Moving to Old Golfsmith Location in Walnut Creek

January 28, 2013 8:30 am

Back last February I noted that the tennis and golf shop Golfsmith was moving to Pleasant Hill and now this huge building on Mt. Diablo in Walnut Creek will be home to Pier 1 Imports who are moving down from a block away also on Mt. Diablo Blvd. As you drive around town you may notice people standing around with huge 20-40% off signs in order to get rid of inventory from the other store.

This is a smart move by Pier 1 as I don’t think I ever actually went to their current location. Despite being a stone’s throw away from downtown it seemed really isolated. The new location is huge and should be a lot more visible to downtown shoppers. Any fans of Pier 1? I rarely shop there but when I think of Pier 1 the first word that comes to mind is: wicker.

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Lindsay Wildlife Museum Bird Stroll at Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Jan 26th

January 25, 2013 7:30 pm

Photo by Flickr user fotobydave

From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center:

Use your beginning birding techniques to explore and learn about our local birds. The walk will leave from the library (meet in the front lobby). Bring binoculars or bird guides if you have them. If it is raining cats and dogs, we’ll stay inside to identify our feathered friends and how you can begin your new birding hobby. For families with kids 8+. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Library: Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Location: Amphitheater
Price: $5/child

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Carl’s Jr Closing in Walnut Creek Today

January 25, 2013 11:30 am

Photo by Flickr user daecon

The Contra Costa Times reported that the fast food restaurant Carl’s Jr. will be closing today in Walnut Creek at the Citrus Marketplace shopping center at Oak Grove Road and Citrus Avenue. A Carl’s Jr spokesperson noted, “that lack of a drive-through window, combined with “increasing business costs” and the expiration of the building’s lease, prompted the Carpenteria-based company to close its Walnut Creek store.”

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New Rheem Theatre in Moraga Closes Upstairs Theatres

January 25, 2013 8:30 am

Photo by Flickr user Schaffner

Due to a broken chair lift and ADA laws the 3 upstairs theaters at the New Rheem Theatre in Moraga have closed leaving Moraga with a one screen movie theater. Theater management is looking to the community to help raise the enough funds ($30,000) to replace the lift. They will be hosting an Oscar Party on February 24th to watch the Oscars in style for $100 per ticket. The Lamorinda Theatre Foundation is also accepting donations for the “Rheem Theatre Elevator Lift Fund”

Tax deductible checks can be written to:

Lamorinda Theatre Foundation
350 Park Street
Moraga, CA 94556

So who’s going to donate? Are the Lamorinda Theatres non-profit organizations? I’m confused who the owner is.

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Suicide at Nordstrom Cafe Rooftop Dining Area

January 24, 2013 10:00 pm

Claycord reported on a suicide that took place earlier today at the Nordstrom rooftop dining area.

From the Walnut Creek police:

On 1/24/13 at 1:51pm, the Walnut Creek Police Department received a report that a subject had jumped off the roof at Broadway Plaza, landing near the sidewalk of South Broadway and Mt Diablo Blvd.

The subject was a female in her late 20’s and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Witnesses and the subsequent investigation revealed the subject was by herself when she intentionally jumped off the third floor balcony.

The subject’s identity is being withheld pending notification by the CCC Coroner’s office. The suicide resulted in nearby roads being closed. All roads were reopened at 1513 hours.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255

From the website:

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

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Bike Walnut Creek Advocacy Ride at Walnut Creek Library on Jan. 26th

January 24, 2013 4:30 pm

From the East Bay Bicycle Coalition website:

Date:
January 26, 2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Bike Walnut Creek is planning a bicycle ride which will tour Walnut Creek’s bicycling infrastructure. We would like to see a diverse group of both cyclists and non-cyclists on the ride, mainly consisting of folks who make critical funding, designing, and building decisions for the city. If you have any contacts that fit the bill, please ask them to join us on Saturday, January 26th. We will meet at the WC Library at 10am. The ride will be small, around 12-15 bicyclists. The tentative route is mapped here:

http://goo.gl/maps/n6Bpe

In conjunction with the Advocacy Ride, we will do a survey of bicyclists at the Walnut Creek library also starting at 10am on January 26th. For those parking their bicycles in the racks in front of the 4 entrances, BWC will inquire as to the route they used to get to the library, whether they felt comfortable on the route, whether they think improvements could be done for bicycle access to the library. This is our first public recruiting event and it is a great way to get more passionate bicyclists involved in our cause.

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CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) Coming to Walnut Creek this Summer

January 24, 2013 11:30 am

I’ve recently learned that CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) will be opening a new location in downtown Walnut Creek this summer. Known for their ice cream cookie sandwiches, CREAM has quite a following in Berkeley. I can’t wait to try this place out! Has anyone tried this before?

From their website:

When we opened CREAM, we embarked on our business venture as a family. We based our business model on four principles. We decided to adhere to them throughout our introduction of this great concept.

The four guiding principles can be summarized as follows; Our first principle was premium products. Top notch Sandwiches made with superior ingredients. The second was to keep our product affordable, thus shattering the old business rule of high quality equals high prices. Third, we wanted every consumer to leave delighted not only with our product, but with our service. Our employees treat every customer with unconditional respect and gratitude. The fourth and final principle we cemented into our business model is our atmosphere. We wanted to have a very relaxed and fun environment.

Looks like downtown Walnut Creek is becoming ice cream central. San Francisco Creamery and Gelato Naia are here with Lottie’s Creamery opening soon and now CREAM. Stay tuned for updates on location and construction progress.

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Judging Gift and Bedding Stores – Sugi in Lafayette

January 24, 2013 8:30 am

I’ve driven past Sugi, a small, family owned Japanese style gift and bedding store thousands of times and finally dropped by to check it out. They are located in downtown Lafayette on Moraga Road right next to La Fiesta Square.

From their website:

Sugi Fine Bedding & Gifts is a special place to shop for natural handcrafted bedding and futon, tatami platform bed frames, home decor, zen items, and specialty gifts from Japan and around the world. We’re conveniently located at La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette, California.

Check out the back of the store:

The front of the store has a wide selection of fabrics:

Sugi is located at 961 Moraga Rd in downtown Lafayette.

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Beyond the Creek