Progress at Sprouts Market Shopping Center in Walnut Creek

May 8, 2012 8:30 am

Progress at the Sprouts Market Shopping Center, located at Geary Rd. and N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, is coming along nicely and is scheduled to be completed sometime this summer. Sprouts is a supermarket mostly in Southern California with a couple of branches in the Bay Area, the nearest one being in Dublin.

The inaugural stores at the center will be:

Has anyone tried the food at Freebirds? How does it compare to Chipotle? Based on the popularity of the Walnut Creek Habit restaurant, it’s not surprising they decided to open up another one.

On a side note, if anyone has information on new restaurants or stores opening up in Walnut Creek, please send me an email to tips(at)beyondthecreek.com I’m usually downtown, but I’d like to know what else is opening up around town.

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“Pickling, Preserving and Curing” Cooking Class at We Olive Walnut Creek May 9th

May 7, 2012 4:30 pm

We Olive Walnut Creek is offering a cooking class on Pickling, Preserving and Curing this Wed. May 9th from 6pm – 7:30ish:

Few of us know yet the beauty of perserving our foods. It is a tradition and technique that we have been living off of for thousands of years. Take this journey with us as we learn about Salt Curing, Pickling with amazing Vinegars and Perserving our fruits of the summer.

Tickets are $30 and can be reserved by calling 925-280-4574.

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Judging Confectionery Stores – Plumeria Flours in Walnut Creek

May 7, 2012 11:30 am

Plumeria Flours, a “cookies and confections” store located on busy Newell Ave. in Walnut Creek, is “inspired by the flavors of the Hawaiian Islands”, and makes handmade desserts like, “Chocolate Covered Fleur De Sel Hibiscus Flower Caramel“, “Popcorn Seaweed Caramel – ‘Humuhumunukunukuapua’a’” and “Chocolate & Pop Rocks with Cayenne Powder: WRATH OF PELE“. You can check out the rest of their store-pickup specials here.

Although located on Newell Ave, you may not have noticed it before. That’s because it’s located BEHIND the strip mall where George’s Giant Hamburgers and Pacific Bay Coffee are. In addition they are open for in-store pickup ONLY. They do sell at farmers markets and other events around the bay area; check out their schedule (at right) here. Just yesterday they were at the Celebrate Mama event in Walnut Creek. Did anyone have a chance to try their products?

I’m going to go on record saying that I definitely want to try these confections! It’s too bad they aren’t open normally as there is a nice plaza in the back of the mall with benches which would be the perfect place to munch on a chocolate covered Aloha Lei Oreo cookie.

Plumeria Flours is located at 1463 Newell Ave. in Walnut Creek.

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Mural of the Day

May 7, 2012 10:00 am

Spotted in the back of the David M. Brian store, next to Crate and Barrel, in downtown Walnut Creek. Check out window washer at right, that’s classic.

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Armed Home Invasion Robbery in Walnut Creek

May 7, 2012 8:25 am

From a Walnut Creek Police department press release:

Date / Time Occurred: Monday, 05/07/11 @ 0020 hours
Location: Residence on Countrywood Drive, Walnut Creek
Crime Description / Code: Home Invasion Robbery/211 PC
Suspect(s): Hispanic male, early 30’s, thin build
Hispanic male, early 30’s, large/heavy build
Hispanic female, mid to late 20’s, medium build
Hispanic/White female, mid 30’s, thin build

On 05/07/12 at 0034 hours, WCPD Officers responded to a report of an in progress residential home invasion burglary/robbery.

At about 0020 hours, two females entered the backyard of the victims’ house, contacted a resident, and asked to use the phone. When the resident turned around to get the phone, the two females and two other males who were initially out of sight, entered the house without permission. At least one of the suspects was armed with a handgun. All of the residents were contacted at gun point and ordered to lie on the floor. The suspects then ransacked the house looking for property. The suspects then exited the residence through the garage, loaded the stolen items into a vehicle and fled the scene.

No one was injured as a result of this robbery.

Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Walnut Creek Police Officer Bruce Jower or Detective Scott Moorhouse at (925) 943-5844.

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Judging Restaurants – OI-C Bowl in Walnut Creek

May 4, 2012 11:30 am

OI-C Bowl used to be located in a smaller space across the street, while my beloved Crepevine was here, but alas, times change and a few years ago OI-C Bowl moved to 1616 N. Main St. where it’s one of the few Chinese restaurants in downtown Walnut Creek, Dragon’s Pond, Modern China Cafe, and, if it can be considered, P.F. Chang’s being the others.

You can see their menus here. Any fans of this place? What are the best items to order?

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Broadway Plaza Scuttlebutt – Empty Storefront to be Turned into Conference Space?

May 4, 2012 10:30 am

In March I noted the numerous empty storefronts at the backside of Broadway Plaza near Boudin Bakery, and although it’s filling up, there are still quite a few spaces available. I have heard that the space located in the photo above, next to Filthy Gorgeous, will be turned into conference/office space for Broadway Plaza. This is just scuttlebutt though so I have no official confirmation on this yet.

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Groceries Around the World – Babushka in Walnut Creek

May 3, 2012 11:30 am

Walnut Creek is home to several large groceries like Safeway, Whole Foods and Nob Hill Foods, but quite a few ethnic groceries are also represented in Walnut Creek. Above is the entrance to the Russian grocery Babushka, in business since 1997, located a few stores down from George’s Giant Hamburger on Newell Ave.

Take a look at that kielbasa selection:

Shopping here you might as well be in Brighton Beach yet, step outside and you’re steps away from Broadway Plaza and downtown Walnut Creek. Babushka also has a restaurant located in the back which will be profiled in a later post.

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Car of the Day

May 3, 2012 8:30 am

Spotted in front of Nordstrom in downtown Walnut Creek, this red Ferrari really stood out. If you’re going to get a Ferrari, red is the way to go, right?

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Calligraphy Craft Program for Kids May 5th

May 2, 2012 4:30 pm

A calligraphy craft program for children will be held at the downtown Walnut Creek library this Saturday, May 5th from 10:30am – Noon. From the website:

Learn more about one of the ancient civilizations of the world! Explore Chinese culture through Chinese calligraphy and painting. Watch how it’s done and try it yourself. Space is limited. Register online. Ages 6 and up. Held in the Children’s Area. Presented by Contra Costa Chinese School.

Register HERE.

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