200 Hartz Ave, Danville
Hazy Barbecue, featuring “Texas-style smoked meats, California green salads, Hazy IPA beer” is coming to Danville. Check for updates on their website here and Insta page here.
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
The Lesher Center is closed through April 30th in downtown Walnut Creek
From their website:
In response to the Contra Costa Health Services order to cease non-essential operations and gatherings in order to limit community exposure to COVID-19, all City buildings are closed until further notice.
Therefore, the Lesher Center for the Arts will be closed to the general public, and ALL EVENTS through April 30 are postponed/canceled. Lesher Center staff is communicating with all clients and ticketholders.
All impacted ticketholders will have the option of:
1. Ticket credit
2. Exchanges
3. Donation to producing company
4. RefundWe appreciate your patience as we work our way to you. There is NO NEED FOR YOU TO COME IN to exercise your option.
110 Hartz Ave, Danville
Thanks to a reader for sending word that Gotta Eatta Pita, which opened over six years ago in Danville, has closed. Their Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton and San Jose locations are planning to reopen on April 8th. Check out their menu here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Not the greatest timing for a new store but SoCal-based men’s clothing store TravisMathew opened over the weekend at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. Interestingly there is a tabletop video game (Pac-Man I think), which you can see in the photo below at left. Too bad nobody can go out to see it. Since parts of SoCal are shutting down as well it’ll be a while before online orders are delivered but you can check out their online selection here.
From their website:
Due to the Orange County Ordinance issued on March 17th regarding COVID-19 requiring businesses to temporarily shut down, the TravisMathew office and warehouse will be closed until end of day March 31st at the earliest. Unfortunately, orders will see a delay in shipment until at least this date. Thank you and be safe!
Photo by Unsplash user Yan Ming
From the comfort of your homes, enjoy a Guinness and have a festive and green Saint Patrick’s Day everyone!
I’ve been harping about coronavirus since before it was officially declared a pandemic, with increasingly distressing news from around the world, and now it has come to this. A Shelter at Home order in all of Contra Costa and other Bay Area counties, mandating people stay home except for essential needs through April 7th, punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.
From the FAQ:
Vulnerable populations must stay home. Everyone should stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. It is OK to go outside for walks if you are not in a group. It may be extended depending on recommendations from public health officials.
What’s Closed?
• Dine-in restaurants
• Bars and nightclubs
• Entertainment venues
• Gyms and fitness studios• You cannot engage in group activities in person with others.
• You cannot have dinner parties. You cannot invite friends over to your home to hang out.
• You cannot go to a nail salon or get your hair cut by a stylist or barber.
• You cannot go shopping for non-essential goods.
• You cannot take unnecessary trips on public transport or in your car or motorbike.
Stay safe everyone!
Photo by Flickr user alachuacounty
As more and more restaurants, bars, cafes and shops are impacted by effects of the coronavirus pandemic, small businesses and their employees are surely suffering as they temporarily close or limit their capacity in order to stop the spread of the virus. Thanks to a reader for pointing out that there is a special Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster program specifically for coronavirus, providing low cost loans up to $2 million which you can find out about here. Contact your local chamber of commerce if interested.
Another reader also pointed out that many restaurants offer take-out services so help support local restaurants by ordering take-out when you can.
As coronavirus infections and deaths mount throughout the world, increasingly stringent orders are coming into effect locally in order to maintain social separation among people so as not to overwhelm hospitals. Schools are closing for multiple weeks coinciding with spring break. Check out the latest Bay Area school closures here. Are there any schools remaining open round here?
With many people working from home with school-aged kids, I imagine there will be plenty of families at home together which should be quite an interesting experience!
From the supermarket that brought you water infused with fulvic acid and drinking vinegar, comes… Collagen Water. Collagen is a protein that is found in cartilage like your nose and ears. And now you can drink it!
Photo by Unsplash user Kelly Sikkema
A little over two weeks ago there were zero local cases of coronavirus in Contra Costa with little concern among some who were more worried about spreading unfounded hysteria than the spread of the virus itself. Fast forward to today and at least 17 people in Contra Costa and thousands in the US are infected with coronavirus, with many more expected. Stocks are in a bear market with a 20+% drop over recent highs. The NBA, Coachella, and even Disneyland will close. Locally, most events and even schools are being cancelled with more people working from home, leaving businesses like restaurants and cafes suffering from lack of diners.
Despite the gloomy news, some people aren’t worried and go on their day as if nothing changed besides possibly washing their hands more often. How much worse is this going to get? Will it peter out as summer approaches? Or will this lead to a recession with many more infections and deaths? Are you going to change your shopping patterns to go when it’s less crowded?