2112 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
The dance club and bar WPLJ’s was sold in the spring and it looks like an interesting new bar called Retro Junkie Bar will take its place. Check out their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
It looks like Broadway Plaza may be getting a huge new gym in the remaining spot available across from Macy’s as Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness is in advanced talks with the owner of Broadway Plaza to come to the Bay Area. One source has indicated the likely spot if this does go through to be in Broadway Plaza. Check out their offerings including yoga, indoor cycling, kickboxing, pilates and more here. Stay tuned…
Photo by Flickr user gildardo
Waverly Pl (btw Washington & Sacramento, San Francisco
Saturday, August 12th, 2017
11:00am – 5:00pm | FreeThis year, the Festival will feature the world debut of a newly commissioned composition by pianist and composer Jon Jang, and the theme of “Living Alleyways” to highlight the main arteries of the community and the vibrancy in the neighborhood through the arts. Nominated for the 2017 Robert E. Gard Award, a prestigious national award granted by the Americans for the Arts to projects that have integrated arts in the community in meaningful ways, the Festival is part of the “Chinatown Alleyways Project” and also part of Mayor Ed Lee’s $3 million initiative to spur economic development in Chinatown by demonstrating the neighborhood’s vibrancy and diversity through festivals and other cultural activities. The Chinatown Music Festival was previously located at Portsmouth Square.
Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to everyone for sending word and photos that San Diego-based Mike Hess Brewing is coming to the Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek. It turns out that Mike Hess is a Northgate High graduate so I can see how they decided to open in this spot. Check out this Brewbound article for more information on Mike Hess Brewing, check out their beer selection here and find out more about their brewery here.
From their website:
As the city’s first production nano-brewery – and its 33rd brewery – opening in summer in 2010, Mike Hess Brewing quickly built a solid reputation for great beers and a unique brewery and tasting room experience. After outgrowing Miramar’s production, Mike, his wife Lynda and his brother Greg launched the North Park brewery, welcoming our first visitors in August of 2013 after 18 months of construction. The OB location, located just blocks from Dog Beach, opened in November of 2015.
Our tasting rooms are family and pet friendly, and are staffed by some of the best beertenders in the industry. Whether a beer geek or novice, our friendly staff will make you feel right at home and happily walk you through our lineup of truly hand-crafted, well thought out beers. We offer tasting flights, beer by the glass as well as packaged beer – bottles and cans – or a 32 oz canned “Purrowler” of any draft beer to take beer home with you if you like.
Photo by Flickr user sallypics
I always knew that homelessness on the streets of San Francisco and the Bay Area is fairly prevalent but I have recently been going to San Francisco more often and as I walk from Powell to Embarcadero and elsewhere I have never seen so many homeless people in my life. Usually I walk by with no issues but occasionally I feel the need to stay clear for safety. I can only imagine what goes through the minds of tourists as they stroll downtown. I don’t encounter this when I walk through New York. Do you think homelessness is increasing in the Bay Area?
The Ruth Bancroft Garden
1552 Bancroft Rd, Walnut Creek
Saturday, August 12th, 2017
5:00 – 8:00pm | $25 ($20 members)Join us to close out Sculpture in the Garden at this fun evening event. We’ll be channeling a little Southwest Louisiana! The Creole Belles with Andrew Carrière will keep us dancing with traditional Cajun and Creole dance music.
Music: Creole Belles with Andrew Carrière
Food truck: United Bites
Beer: TBD
Wine: Parmeson WineAdvance purchase strongly recommended.
Food and drinks sold separately
Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word and photo that Pancheros Mexican Grill, which opened late last year in the new Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek, has closed. I believe this is the first store to close in the new shopping center. Word on the street is that an Indian restaurant may be opening here. Stay tuned…
Alamo Plaza
Rocklin-based W Salon Suites, which provides private salon suites for beauty professionals is opening a second location in Alamo Plaza where Richards Crafts used to be. Check out the types of services available here.
Cyrille Aimée – Jazz @ Lesher Center:
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, August 12th, 2017
5:00pm & 8:00pm| $40As a child, Cyrille Aimée wandered the gypsy encampments around Samois-sur-Seine, falling in love with the gypsies’ music, life, freedom. Today, this jazz singer is internationally renowned for her unique, wild and improvisational musical vision.
Running Time: approx. 75 minutes, with no intermission
3206 Danville Blvd, Alamo
Earlier this year we learned that Lamorinda Pizza would be opening a second location in Alamo and they have now opened. Check out their pizza selection here, appetizers here and salads here.
From their website:
Lamorinda Pizza is owned and operated by Lamorindians John and Adriana McGrath.
We have been in the pizza industry since the 1990’s. We are passionate about making sure every customer has a positive experience when visiting Lamorinda Pizza.
Our key to a success; Quality, Consistency and Great Customer Service.
We use only the highest quality ingredients including Molinary meats and the finest italian cheese Grande. Our dough is made fresh daily and we roll out every pizza by hand.
