Forma Gym, located at the corner of N. California Blvd. and Cypress St., is moving to 1908 Olympic Blvd, according to a sign on their window. Note, the “1” was removed from the window based on reader comments. This is the former location of Walnut Creek Sports and Fitness.
Normally I make a late afternoon post about some local event taking place but yesterday I unfortunately skipped this because I sold my 10 year old Honda Civic. For an eternal pessimist like me this is easier said than done. I had visions of counterfeit cash, carjackings and kidnappings constantly running through my mind but I had to get rid of it somehow so I finally broke down and posted an ad on Craigslist.
Viewing other ads for the same Civic I chose what I felt was a fair price and then waited for the replies. Before the ad was even posted publicly I received my first reply somehow, and after answering some questions I asked that we meet at the Lafayette Safeway parking lot as I heard it’s not recommended to show it at one’s house, it’s better to show it in a public area. In the meantime I gathered up all relevant documents, got the car washed and then parked the car in the parking lot, waiting for the potential buyer. Checking my iPhone I received about 10 more inquiries so I felt pretty good, although I thought I may have underpriced it and to top it off I forgot to mention I had a car alarm installed in the ad.
I had no idea who to expect but it turned out to be a middle aged couple from the other side of the Caldecutt. They got out of their car and walked around the Civic, asking lots of questions. Eventually they asked for a test drive, and I said sure, as long as I could ride in the back. (That’s where the car-jacking/kidknapping visions reappeared.) We take off down Mt. Diablo towards Walnut Creek, and eventually the guy asks about seeing a mechanic. Since I usually take my car to Walnut Creek Honda for service, and we were headed that way, I asked them whether they would like to stop there where they could look up the records for the Civic. They agreed, and we head to the Honda service center in downtown Walnut Creek. Parking the car right outside, we go in and ask someone to look up the record. He noted that the timing belt was recently changed, and everything seemed fine. The couple liked what they heard, and after talking it over among themselves for a bit, they agreed to buy the car at asking.
The final issue that remained was payment. (This is where visions of counterfeit cash appeared.) Thankfully the guy said he needed to withdraw cash directly from Mechanics bank. So we headed a few blocks down, with me happily pointing out the new restaurant Opa!, as well as the new “fountain head” sculpture, and enter the bank. I witnessed as the teller counted out the cash, handed it over to me, and then we went to an empty spot in the bank and completed the deal and I handed him the title and other documents. The whole transaction was painless and I ended up in my favorite area, downtown Walnut Creek. They expected to drive me back to the Lafayette Safeway parking lot, but how could I not hang out for a bit since I was already in beautiful downtown? So I bid them good day, walked a couple of blocks to Wells Fargo to deposit the cash, then headed over to Peet’s and proceeded to drink a refreshing iced tea, followed by dinner at Boudin Bakery since dinner was not yet being served at Corners Tavern. (I wanted to get the burger.)
So that’s the story of how I sold my beloved Honda Civic, No counterfeit cash involved, no carjackings and kidnappings, just the familiar and friendly Lafayette and Walnut Creek that I know and like so well.
Back in February I noted that the Thai restaurant Erawan on N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek closed, and now I have learned that it’s being turned into an ice creamery. According to one of the workers there it will be called Latto. That will make for a trifecta of ice cream stores in downtown Walnut Creek, the others being Gelateria Naia and San Francisco Creamery.
Back in June I posted some scuttlebutt about a new men’s clothing store in downtown Walnut Creek, and it turned out to be true, it is called Pelican Rock, and is opening up this month with a resort/boating theme. This looks like it might be a perfect compliment to the Walnut Creek Yacht Club a few blocks away. Pelican Rock is located next to Main St. Rags and Papyrus at 1378 N. Main St.
photo by Ashraf
From a press release:
You’re invited to taste the best food & wine in downtown Walnut Creek at Diablo Ballet’s 2012 Gourmet Gallop on Thursday August 9th 6 – 9 PM. For information, visit www.DiabloBallet.org or call 925-943-1775.
A gourmet adventure awaits you at 13 downtown locations, where you’ll sample culinary creations at many top restaurants:
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
Massimo
Sasa
Cypress
Bosphorus
Babalous
Silk Road
Peet’s Cofee & Tea
Pomegranate
Tender Greens
Lettuce
SF Creamery CompanyPlus an exclusive Damian Rae Winery tasting at We Olive
Tickets are $30 when ordered before July 25th. After July 25th, the price is $40.
With your Gallop map in hand, you’ll be able to set your own schedule, where you can sip, sample, and stroll to each of these renowned restaurants.
Diablo Ballet’s Gourmet Gallop is a fundraising event for the Company’s acclaimed PEEK Youth Outreach, which brings in-school arts education to over 5,000 students in under-served Contra Costa County elementary schools.
The people at the Walnut Creek Implementation Team have a new newsletter available highlighting the history and future of parking in downtown Walnut Creek. Check it out here.
Interested in winning tickets to the Chevron Family Theatre Festival at the Lesher Center of the Arts on Saturday, July 21, 2012?
Forward this email to at least three people to be entered to win a family four-pack of tickets.
Five random winners will be chosen on July 12. Winners will be notified via email by 5:00pm that day.
Presumably since it’s a web page not email, you could just forward the page via email as well. I checked the Lesher site and tickets are going for $5 per performance. Check out what’s playing here.
After several delays, Citra Grill, located across the street from the Century Movie Theater in downtown Walnut Creek is scheduled to open on July 16th. As you can see they have a new sign in front. I hope this opens soon because I can’t wait to try it out!
In case you haven’t been in downtown Walnut Creek yet, the second redesigned Walnut Creek water fountain on North Main St. (in front of Mechanics bank) has been finished. The first one by Wowhaus received favorable reviews, but this new one, by Seyed Alavi, of a giant head with watering trickling over its face as if being waterboarded (or taking a shower), is getting mixed reviews based on the numerous emails I’ve been getting.
Is having a polarizing sculpture good for Walnut Creek, to encourage people to check it out or will this alienate Walnut Creek shoppers? So what do you think, do you love it or hate it?
From the City of Walnut Creek website:
Join Mayor Bob Simmons on a walk in the Acalanes Open Space on Saturday, July 14. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Larkey Lane and Second Avenue, which is also an entrance to the Mount Diablo-Briones Trail. Then follow the Mayor on a 4-mile walk through Acalanes Open Space and be amazed by some of the most amazing views in Walnut Creek. Be sure to bring water and suncreen. The walk is part of Walnut Creek Walks.
Photo by Flickr user Ron’s Log
I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! By the way, this photo is from the 2005 Moraga fireworks show, check it out if you can, it’s great!