Do you know “Aubrey”? Report this Carjacker & Kidnapper! (Walnut Creek)

November 14, 2012 7:00 am

Last week there was a carjacking and kidnapping of a 57 year old woman from the Shadelands parking lot in Walnut Creek and now a photo has been released of one of the suspects, who possibly goes by the name “Aubrey”. Walnut Creek police has more information:

This photo depicts one of the suspects from last week’s kidnapping/robbery/carjacking case. The photo is from a drive up bank ATM. The suspect in the photo went by the name “Aubrey”. The second suspect went by the name “David”. It is important to stress we do not know if these are the suspect’s actual names.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 256-3577.

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Chick-fil-A Opens in Walnut Creek

November 13, 2012 11:30 am

Back in July I noted that Chick-fil-A would be opening in Walnut Creek and last Thursday they finally opened. I had a chance to stop by on Saturday and it was absolutely packed. I’ve noted how crowded The Habit Burger Grill gets but this was nothing compared to Chick-fil-A. Even with more seating, the line wrapped throughout the restaurant and out the door despite what the Chick-fil-A president had to say about ‘traditional’ marriage. There were no protests on Saturday when I checked it out mid-day. Note that I was here strictly for the opening to see what it was all about for this post.

I also posted a video of Larry David in the Palestinian Chicken episode on Curb Your Enthusiasm which I thought was particularly apt in this situation. However having tried the chicken strips I have to say that the Larry Davids of the world don’t have to worry about this dilemma. The chicken strips I tried were mushy. When I think of chicken sandwiches my baseline is Bakesale Betty in Oakland. Now that’s a chicken sandwich. Of course, this is a fast food joint so maybe the comparison isn’t fair.

Chicken strips, potato waffle fries, and Chick-fil-A sauce:

The registers:

The car in the playroom is cool:

The most interesting thing about my experience at Chick-fil-A is that they offer table service without a number. Keep in mind that the restaurant was absolutely packed. I get to the register, order and they ask my name. I asked for my number and they told me I can sit wherever I wanted to. I asked the cashier how they did it and she said she’s physic. So I go find a seat in the corner hidden away, and sure enough another woman brings me my food. “How did you know to bring that to me?” She replied, “We know these things”. I thought that was pretty amazing but wondered how they did it. Were there video cameras or something recording where I sit? It turns out they note something about the customer in order to make them easier to find. Apparently it works almost all the time. In my case I was wearing a green jacket, and was by myself, which narrowed it down to one possibility, me. Pretty clever.

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24 Hour Fitness Super Sport Opening Jan. 26th in Walnut Creek

November 13, 2012 8:30 am

Back in August I noted that another 24 Hour Fitness would be opening up in Walnut Creek, at the former cement plant location at 2800 N. Main St. According to the 24 Hour FItness website, it will open January 26th and include the following amenities:

Cardio Equipment

Free Weights

Full Sized Basketball Court

Group Cycling

Group Exercise

Indoor Lap Pool

Kids’ Club*

Personal Training*

Personal Training Area

Personal Viewing Screens

Pro Shop*

Sauna

Steam Room

Strength Machines

TRX Suspension Training

Towel Service

Whirlpool

Check out the inside being worked on below:

Who is going to sign up for this? What are you most looking forward to? This reminds me, I need to start going to my Crossfit gym more.

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Race Alert – Walnut Creek Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Morning

November 12, 2012 4:30 pm

For all you running fans, from the Change of Pace website:

Please join us on Thanksgiving Morning, November 22nd, for the 20th Annual Forma Gym Walnut Creek Turkey Trot to help raise money for both the Contra Costa County Food Bank and local public schools, as well as to promote physical activity. We hosted 4,600 runners and walkers in our 5K, 10K, and Kids’ Fun Runs in 2011 and anticipate nearly 6,000 for 2012. We thank you for your support and look forward to sharing Thanksgiving morning 2012 with you and families at this annual holiday tradition.

You can register online, at the Forma gym, Sports Basement until Friday, or on race day. I’ll be running the 5K so I’ll see you there!

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Testing the Hoses

November 12, 2012 11:30 am

Every year the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department tests their hoses out to make sure it’s in proper working order. I was going for a jog one morning and happened across this scene. The hoses stretch all the way back out of frame for hundreds of feet. Pretty cool! In case you were wondering, the wider yellow hoses are for connecting from the hydrant (especially useful in hilly Orinda), while the white ones are what the firefighters hold closer up. They both fit on the fire engine itself.

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Major Detours Around Newell/Main St. Intersection in Walnut Creek

November 12, 2012 8:30 am

Last week I noted that the ‘white’ building at Newell & N. Main St. was getting demolished and this is going to cause major detours for the foreseeable future. The detour map is available full size here. From the City of Walnut Creek webpage:

To ensure the public’s safety during the exterior demolition, there will be significant lane closures around the Main Street/Newell Avenue intersection starting November 5. Lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Changeable message signs will be posted beginning October 29 to alert drivers to the closures. Specifically:

Main Street, southbound, will be closed between Broadway Plaza and Newell Avenue.

Newell Avenue, eastbound, between the Newell Promenade entrance and Main Street, will be closed, except for one lane that will be right-turn only onto South Main Street.

Newell Avenue, westbound, will be closed between Main Street and the Newell Promenade entrance. The Kaiser Permanente garage entrance on Newell will remain open. Also, Newell Promenade shops on Newell between Main Street and California will remain open.

Understand? Good, because when I looked at the detour map I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. 🙂

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Rhythm Drumming at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Nov 10th

November 9, 2012 4:30 pm

From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center website:

Designed for: All Ages, Kids (5-11)

Come celebrate with the Lafayette Library & Learning Center as we welcome DRUMMM and their “One Beat” Rhythm Drums! Meet us in the Amphitheater for a great afternoon of Hands-on-Noise-Making Family Fun! Generously sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Libary & Learning Center.

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Sign of the Day

November 9, 2012 11:30 am

GIANTS – Congratulations Champs window sign spotted on the Sherman Clay Piano store in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Friday Question of the Day – Where is the Best Location for Independent Retail Stores?

November 9, 2012 8:30 am

With the news this week that the women’s shoe and handbag boutique Footcandy is closing this year due to competition from larger retail stores in Walnut Creek, that got me thinking about where is the best location for a small independent retail store to set up shop, in Walnut Creek or Lafayette?

Walnut Creek has big department stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, along with mid-tier retailers like Pottery Barn, H&M, Barnes and Noble and Apple, with smaller independent retailers mixed in such as Atlas and Norf London, while Lafayette is home to many independent retail stores such as the recently opened men’s clothing store Venture and children’s store Tulip. It seems to me that Walnut Creek would bring in more foot traffic, but competition would be greater with more choices available. The question is whether the increased foot traffic is worth being overshadowed by the larger stores. If you were going to set up shop as a small independent retailer, where would you choose, Walnut Creek or Lafayette? I also have Orinda on the list but I think it will come down to Lafayette and Walnut Creek. I didn’t bother adding Moraga to the list, because well, cows don’t shop. 🙂

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Take a Walk with the Mayor of Walnut Creek on Nov 10th

November 8, 2012 4:30 pm

From the City of Walnut Creek webpage:

The final “Second Saturday Walk with the Mayor” begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 and will be about 3 miles long. The theme is the art and architecture of downtown Walnut Creek. Meet at the steps at the corner of California and Ygnacio Valley Road (in front of WC BART). No need to RSVP!

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Beyond the Creek