Beyond the Creek

Amazon Books Opens in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek

November 3, 2017 11:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Almost two years have passed since Barnes & Noble closed in downtown Walnut Creek and finally a new bookstore has returned with Amazon Books having opened yesterday at Broadway Plaza. (Swan’s Fine Books which sells rare and vintage books is also downtown). With their highly detailed online shopping data Amazon is able to feature in-demand books throughout the store, face-out to make it easy to browse. There is a kid’s section in back as well as Amazon electronics such as Kindles, Echos etc. on display throughout the store. Unlike Barnes & Noble that offered sales on best sellers and other books at Amazon Books, amazon.com pricing is only available for Prime members. Otherwise it’s list prices for everything. (Ironically, if you’re not a Prime member, you could browse Amazon Books in-person and then order via bn.com to get better pricing)! To find out Prime pricing there are scanners throughout the store where you can scan books (see photo after the jump). Magazines are list prices even for Prime members. Unlike Capital One Cafe down the block that offers 50% off Peet’s drinks when using a Capital One credit card, there are no cafe discounts for Prime members. Also, I saw only four chairs available along the front window so seating is extremely limited. With wide aisles and nicely curated books facing cover out, Amazon Books is a great place to browse and shop for books particularly for Prime members.

More photos after the jump…

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Friday Question of the Day – Are you Prepared to Evacuate in 5 Minutes?

November 3, 2017 8:30 am

Earlier this week we learned about a house fire in Moraga that unfortunately not only resulted in loss of property but a life as well. What ended up localized to one house could have ended in a far bigger disaster as the recent Napa/Sonoma fires have shown. With evacuation potentially minutes away for those nearby, a go bag with essentials is critical. Not to mention irreplaceable, sentimental items. If you had five minutes to evacuate your house do you know what you would bring? Do you have a go bag?

I happened to be very close to the fire below when I got a call from a neighbor at 5 o’clock in the morning. I looked outside and saw a police car in my driveway. I helped get my family outside, sprayed the yard with water, grabbed a backpack but froze at what to bring so besides a laptop I left empty-handed. The heat could be felt intensely as we watched firefighters battle the blaze across the street, just yards from our homes. There was one particular nerve-racking moment as the winds shifted toward us when I overheard a firefighter ask about evacuating nearby houses. That was when a police officer told us to leave the area immediately. I pointed out that the police car was in my driveway and he replied I could walk. And so I walked. Not far, and sometime later the fire was brought under control and we breathed a sigh of relief. Being so close brought home the importance of a go bag and what irreplaceable items to take. I’m going to starting writing down a checklist…

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McLaren Playing at Blackhawk Museum in Danville Nov 7th

November 2, 2017 4:30 pm

McLaren:

Blackhawk Museum
3700 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Danville
Tuesday, November 7th, 2017
5:30 – 9:00pm | $25

Special screening of McLaren at the Blackhawk Museum to benefit The Blackhawk Museums Children’s Education & Transportation Fund.

The story of Bruce McLaren, the New Zealander who founded the McLaren Motor Racing team. A man who showed the world that a man of humble beginnings could take on the elite of motor racing and win.

Movie showing followed by a Q & A with former race car driver Howden Ganley, the third employee hired by Brice McLaren’s new team as a junior mechanic

5:30pm Reception at Blackhawk Museum

6:30pm McLaren movie showing in Gallery (with intermission)

8:00pm Q&A with Howden Ganley

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Batch & Brine Restaurant Opening in Lafayette

November 2, 2017 11:30 am

3602 & 3604 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

A new restaurant called Batch & Brine is taking over two spaces next to Pizza Antica on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette where Swad Indian Cuisine used to be. Stay tuned..

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No Joke – Adult Day Care Center Planned for Downtown Walnut Creek

November 2, 2017 8:30 am

1271 S. California Blvd, Walnut Creek

When I first read about this in the planning commission agenda I thought it was a joke but it’s true; an adult day care center is planning to open in downtown Walnut Creek where Baja Fresh used to be at the corner of S. California Blvd. and Botelho Dr. No word yet on who the first occupants will be. 🙂

From the agenda:

Trinity Center Temporary Adult Day Care Center Conditional Use Permit

The applicant is requesting approval of a use permit to allow temporary relocation of Trinity Center, currently located at 1860 Trinity Avenue, to a vacant 5,050 square-foot commercial building at 1271 S. California Boulevard, a 1.32-acre property located at the northwest corner of S. California Boulevard and Botelho Drive. The temporary relocation request relates to St. Paul’s Commons, a 45-unit affordable apartment project whose ground floor Trinity Center intends to occupy when the complex is completed in mid-2019. The applicant is proposing that the Conditional Use Permit to expire automatically on September 30, 2019.

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Diablo Ballet’s A Swingin’ Holiday and More at Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek Nov 10th – 12th

November 1, 2017 4:35 pm

Photo from Diablo Ballet

Diablo Ballet’s A Swingin’ Holiday and More:

Del Valle Theatre
1963 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek
Friday, November 10th – Sunday, November 12th, 2017
$25 – $49

Diablo Ballet, now in its 24th season, presents its annual favorite A Swingin’ Holiday, created in 2012 by Sean Kelly, who is currently the Resident Director of the first national tour of “An American in Paris.” The ballet is set to the exhilarating music of the 30’s and 40’s, with holiday favorites by legends Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Nat “King” Cole, and Wynton Marsalis, as well as jazzy renditions of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”, performed by the sixteen-piece Diablo Ballet Swing Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Greg Sudmeier.

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Preview of Bondadoso Coffee & Tea in Walnut Creek

November 1, 2017 11:30 am

2195 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek

In August we learned about a new coffee and tea shop called Bondadoso Coffee and Tea would be opening where Mi Casa used to be in Walnut Creek and they plan on opening sometime mid-November. I recently dropped by and was able to get a preview so make sure to check out the photos after the jump. One important point to note which I wasn’t aware of is they have a parking lot in back!

In addition to serving coffee and tea with kindness, there will also be a separate retail section featuring “unknown micro-roasters and micro-tea producers from around the world”. The traditional espresso bar will serve drinks made by Italian Simonelli espresso machines with multiple espresso roasts available. A single brew bar will also be available. On top of this, and something I haven’t seen anywhere else, is a “tap wall with 8 types of cold-brew coffee and tea offerings including nitro-coffee and nitro-tea”. Be sure to check out the photo after the jump to see a photo of it, I can’t wait to try that out! Another interesting point to note is that drinks are priced the same no matter how it’s made. Tea is priced by the pot. Although there will also be baked goods and some lunch and breakfast items available, the focus is here is definitely on the coffee and tea.

For more details on the shop check out their website here and Instagram page here. They are still looking for people to hire so email ron@bondadoso.com if interested and have coffee or tea experience.

More photos after the jump…

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US Cryotherapy Coming to Avalon in Walnut Creek

November 1, 2017 8:30 am

Avalon, Walnut Creek

Last January Renew Cryotherapy opened in downtown Walnut Creek and now another cryotherapy center is opening in Walnut Creek in the Avalon apartment complex across from the Pleasant Hill BART station. Check out their Walnut Creek services here and check for updates on their Facebook page here.

From their website:

We’re the only Company using safe and reliable refrigerated cooled air instead of liquid nitrogen to treat our customers. This technology is unparalleled, and the only method we recommend backed by the science of WBC. We manufacture and service our equipment here in the USA.

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Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2017 4:35 pm

Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!

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Blu 42 Sports Lounge becoming Chicken Pie Shop in Walnut Creek

October 31, 2017 11:30 am

1251 Arroyo Way, Walnut Creek

Blu 42 Sports Lounge, which opened a few years ago near Civic Park in Walnut Creek is in the process of changing management and will become Chicken Pie Shop according to a recent California ABC notice. According to an employee I spoke with they will be featuring a more varied number of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay tuned for the menu…

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