Hand of Peace Unveiling Ceremony on Sept. 16th in Walnut Creek

September 8, 2014 4:30 pm

Hand of Peace Unveiling Ceremony:

Civic Park
1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Tuesday, September 16th, 2014
3:00pm – 3:30pm | Free

The public is invited to a celebration to welcome Beniamino Bufano’s monumental sculpture, Hand of Peace to its new location in Civic Park. Walnut Creek Mayor Kristina Lawson will lead the event.

For 43 years, Hand of Peace, a 32‐foot public art sculpture by world renowned artist Beniamino Bufano stood tucked away in the Quail Court office park in south Walnut Creek. Public art tours visited the sculpture often, but the piece, made from copper, mosaic and stained glass, was mostly hidden from public view – many residents and visitors to Walnut Creek never knew it existed.

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Car of the Day (40s Edition)

September 8, 2014 11:30 am

Looks like 1940s Chevrolets are gaining popularity in Walnut Creek. This one was spotted in front of Peet’s on Locust St.

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Cycle Scape Fitness Opening Sept. 27th in Downtown Walnut Creek

September 8, 2014 8:30 am

1657 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

Back in July we learned about a new indoor cycling gym called Cycle Scape Fitness coming to downtown Walnut Creek and according to the owner they are planning for a September 27th opening by kicking off a, “community event so that everyone interested can review the facility, speak to the trainers, see and participate in a class and share their views.” Check out their website here.

From their Facebook page:

Cycle Scape is an indoor cycling boutique that seamlessly blends video presentation, high impact sound and live instruction allowing our clients to see the world by riding virtually to places in Northern Italy, Paris, and British Columbia.

Each ride lasts 45 minutes and is guided by one of our experienced instructors who will provide you with a vigorous and challenging exercise experience you’ll find in no other fitness club.

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Live Jazz with Chili Corder at Swan’s Fine Books this Sunday in Walnut Creek

September 5, 2014 4:30 pm

Live Jazz with Chili Corder:

Swan’s Fine Books
1381 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Sunday, September 7th, 2014
3:00pm – 4:00pm | Free

Please join us this Sunday afternoon, September 7th, 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, Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA. Chili appeared at Swan’s Fine Books last August and we’re thrilled to have him and his group at our shop again!

Chili and his group will begin playing at 3:00 pm. There is no charge to attend and light refreshments will be served.

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Tasty Scuttlebutt – Campo Di Bocce Italian Restaurant & Bocce Courts Coming to Safeway Orchards in Walnut Creek

September 5, 2014 11:30 am

Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Oak Grove Rd.

The Contra Costa Times recently reported that the Orchards Safeway development complex in the Shadelands Business Park in Walnut Creek has been officially approved after a resident’s appeal was denied. The article noted that a bocce-themed restaurant may be in the plans and taking a look at the renderings of the official Orchards website shows one rendering which looks awfully like bocce courts in the back.

A source familiar with the plan indicates that Campo Di Bocce, an Italian restaurant + bocce facility with locations in Los Gatos and Livermore may be opening in the Orchards. Check out the Livermore menu here. Their bocce page indicates pricing is, “$12.50 per person for 1.5 hours on the court for parties of less than 12 people.”

From their website:

Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos is a family owned Italian restaurant and United States Bocce Federation affiliated Bocce Club located in the beautiful town of Los Gatos. The fundamental building blocks for first class bocce clubs in the United States, our Los Gatos location opened its doors in 1997. The first and premiere bocce and dining entertainment facility of its kind, Campo di Bocce is the brain child of Bocce Aficionado, Tom Albanese. In his quest to create a place for food, friends, fun and of course bocce, Tom, has created the ideal location for any family gathering, corporate outing, rehearsal dinner, wedding or simply a venue to enjoy a glass of wine after a long work week.

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Sustainability Fair in Walnut Creek this Saturday

September 4, 2014 4:30 pm

Sustainability Fair:

Contra Costa Master Gardeners
North Wiget Ln. & Shadelands Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, September 6th, 2014
10:00am – 3:00pm | Free

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
10:00 Introductions and Acknowledgements. Laura McCauley, President, Contra Costa Master Gardeners Association.

10:30 The Green Foodprint. Presented by Linda Riebel, author and environmental educator, Board Member Sustainable Lafayette.

11:30 Plants that Attract Beneficials and Pollinators. Presented by Ellen Zagory, Director of Public Horticulture, UC Davis Arboretum.

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Vineyard Vines Clothing Store Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek

September 4, 2014 1:30 pm

1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

The Contra Costa Times reports that the preppy clothing store Vineyard Vines will coming to the 1500 Mt. Diablo project at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek. Stay tuned for the restaurants/cafes set to come to the other half of this development…

From their Facebook page:

vineyard vines® was started by Shep and Ian Murray in 1998. They quit their corporate jobs in New York to start a clothing company centered around the good life as they remember it, spending their summers in Martha’s Vineyard. With no money and little experience, they set out to make ties that represent the finer places and things life has to offer. Vineyard Vines now offers much more than ties- a full line of Men’s, Women’s, and Youth apparel.

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More Progress on Veggie Grill in Downtown Walnut Creek

September 4, 2014 11:30 am

1320 Locust St, Walnut Creek

Back in June we learned that the building that will house Veggie Grill in downtown Walnut Creek had been completely gutted and things are progressing slowly but surely as the roof is back on and also note that two large openings have been added to the side to allow more light in which is great. I had a chance to try out Veggie Grill when I visited Southern California this summer and it was delicious and the interior looked amazing. Can’t wait to try this out when it opens! Check out their menu here.

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Progress on All Abilities Playground in Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek

September 4, 2014 8:30 am

Heather Farm Park

The $1.25 million dollar all abilities playground is coming along nicely in Heather Farm park across from the Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Walnut Creek. According to the Walnut Creek picnics page it will be closed through October so it should be opening in a couple of months. Check out the project costs here.

From the Walnut Creek Civic Pride site:

Walnut Creek’s All Abilities Playground will be 30,000 square
feet in size and is being designed to fully address the needs of the whole child by intentionally addressing the physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory needs of all children, including the estimated 10-20 percent of our children who have some type of disability.

The new playground will have distinct play areas that will appeal to a range of ages, from toddlers to children as old as 12 years of age.
2-5-Year-Old Play Area
5-12-Year-Old Play Area
Multi-Age, All-Abilities Play Area: Centrally located between the two age-group areas, this area has a large multi-element ramped structure
Free-Play Climbing Hill: Also centrally located, this area will have concrete ball elements, facilitating free, unstructured play for all ages
Sand Play Lot
Swing Set Zone, featuring both traditional swings and accessible bucket swings

Check out the free-play climbing hills:

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China’s Wings Discussion with Author Greg Crouch at Swan’s Fine Books in Walnut Creek on Sept. 11th

September 3, 2014 4:30 pm

China’s Wings Discussion:

Swan’s Fine Books
1381 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Thursday, September 11th, 2014
7:30pm – 8:30pm | Free

Please join us on Thursday evening, September 11th, for a presentation by Gregory Crouch, author, on his book China’s Wings: War, Romance and Adventure in the Middle Kingdom During the Golden Age of Flight.

Greg will be discussing how the book came to be written and sharing stories about the characters, airplanes, places and situations that populate the book. Greg also has a fabulous slide show to accompany his discussion, so we will be having our first-ever media presentation!

In addition to China’s Wings, Greg has also authored Enduring Patagonia which shares the joys and challenges of mountain climbing in strange and terrifying places; he will be happy to answer any questions on this book you may have. A limited supply of both books will be available for purchase the evening of the event, which Greg will be happy to sign.

Since seating is limited, please R.S.V.P. to hold a space. There is no charge to attend and light refreshments will be served.

RSVP to hold a space to laurelle@swansfinebooks.com, or call us at (925) 935-1190.

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