Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last June we learned that the Spanish clothing retailer Zara would be coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and later in the year we learned that the Macy’s Men’s store would be demolished to make room for the new Zara store. Recently the massive Macy’s Men’s building has been demolished. Click here to see what the new Zara store may look like. Looks like there will be way bigger windows to allow plenty of natural light in which is going to look great.
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Sunday, March 13th, 2016
2:00pmOne of the most remarkable violin prodigies of any generation, Sarah Chang has matured into a young artist of astonishing virtuosity, musical insight, and emotional range. She performs with the world’s top orchestras with such conductors as Kurt Masur, Valery Gergiev, Gustavo Dudamel and Mariss Jansons, and plays chamber music with such artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Pinchas Zukerman, Martha Argerich, Lynn Harrell, Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma.
Ms Chang’s special relationship with Walnut Creek began many years ago, when as a jaw-dropping prodigy she was invited by conductor Barry Jekowsky to perform with his orchestra, the California Symphony. These performances kindled a love affair between Ms Chang and Contra Costa County audiences that still burns brightly.
We presented her in recital in 2013 in the Hofmann theatre, and sold every one of its 785 seats. Sarah Chang performed stunningly – it was a truly memorable event – so it is with special pride that we are bringing her back in 2016.
We are also pricing the tickets at affordable levels – the top price is $66, the middle price is $51 and the lowest price is only $36 – because we want to fill the theatre and make it another very special event for as many patrons as possible.
Do not miss Sarah Chang’s triumphant return!
Pier 45 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
It’s been years since I’ve been to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, but when someone left a comment on the Playland Not-at-the-Beach post from last month about another old time arcade center with a Laffing Sal, I knew I had to check it out. The Musée Mécanique is located in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf, and has a huge selection of mechanical musical instruments as well as really old arcade games. Check out the fascinating story behind the museum here. Interestingly, out back there is a World War II submarine and warship you can check out (separate from the arcade).
Compared to Playland Not-at-the-Beach, the pinball selection is not as large, but it has a bigger video game selection including Pong and other black and white games as well as games from the 80’s that I grew up playing. The mechanical musical instruments and older games (that you can see from the photos below) are astounding. I’ve never seen anything like this and highly recommend checking this place out if you’re looking for something to do.
Unlike Playland Not-at-the-Beach, admission to Musée Mécanique is free, but it costs about 50 cents to play each game. Initially I preferred paying a one time entrance fee with free-to-play games, but it turns out I spent less than I did in El Cerrito.
From their website:
We will take you on a journey from turn of the century hand cranked music boxes to modern video arcade games. This is a trip down memory lane. It is a chance to show your children or grandchildren what you did for fun when you were their age. Before video games at home, perhaps before television, perhaps what you remember sitting in your grandparent’s parlor
For those of you who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is a chance to remember Playland at the Beach, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House. There is our own “Laffing Sal”, “Susie the Can-Can Dancer” and the fascinating “Carnival.” Other things have been brought in from around the world for your amusement.
Check out plenty more photos of the inside after the jump…
Yesterday we learned that a Wetzel’s Pretzels kiosk would be coming to Broadway Plaza which got me wondering what kind of snacks people enjoy the most. Lately I’ve been enjoying kettlecorn and getting back into dried shredded squid which I used to snack on when I lived in Japan. What is your favorite snack?
Heather Farm Park
301 N. San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek
March – May, 2016
Wednesdays at 6:45 & 7:35 pm | $75WAKA kickball is a 21+ co-ed kickball league designed to bring people together via the game of kickball and other social activities.
http://www.kickball.com/season/cavikingspring2016
A few details are below:
Registration for Spring 2016•Registration includes: 7 weeks of regular season games + playoffs, T-Shirt, awesome parties & social events, prizes for the champions and weekly discounts at our sponsor bar, Blu42!
•Games Wednesdays at 6:45 & 7:35 pm starting March 11, 2016
•7 week regular season + playoffs tournament (every team makes the playoffs)!
•Don’t have a full team? No worries. You can sign up as team, a small friend group, or a free agent. We will place you or your group on an existing team that needs players. WAKA Kickball is a great way to get your friends and co-workers together or to just meet new people!Spring 2016 Schedule of Events
•PRESEASON PARTY: TBD
•FIRST WEEK OF GAMES: March 11
•MIDSEASON PARTY: April 6th
•Playoffs: May 4th & 11th
•End of Season Party: TBD
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
A Wetzel’s Pretzels kiosk is coming to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek right near the entrance to Macy’s according to leasing information from Broadway Plaza. Check out their menu here. Previously there used to be an Aunti Anne’s Pretzels nearby.
Spotted outside CREAM in Concord. The emblem in front is Ford, anyone know what year this is from?
The Museum of San Ramon Valley
205 Railroad Ave, Danville
Saturday, March 12th, 2016 – Sunday, May 15th, 2016
$5The Art of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil of Tule Lake is coming to the Museum of the San Ramon Valley
This Exhibit Explores the Only Japanese American Segregation Center of WWII
The Art of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil of Tule Lake, an exhibit that explores the experiences and events at Tule Lake, the only Japanese American Segregation Center of WWII, will be at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley from March 12th to May 15th. The traveling exhibition probes the complexity of this unique Japanese American confinement site, which was located in Newell, CA.
Tule Lake became the only officially designated segregation center during WWII and was ruled under martial law. This location was the largest of the 10 confinement sites and, because anyone deemed a troublemaker by the federal government was relocated to Tule Lake, it ultimately housed people from all sites. Many of the people who were brought in under segregation were people who knew their rights had been egregiously undermined and were willing to stand up to the injustice. Accused of being disloyal, in their dissent, they were ironically acting in the most American way. The incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese descent, most citizens of this nation, was a travesty; Tule Lake was exponentially disturbing.
1500 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek
Last year we saw the progress of The Village condo/retail complex at the corner of S. Main St. and Newell Ave. in downtown Walnut Creek (where the White Building used to be) and now it’s called Agora at South Main and looks to be apartments rather than condominiums. Check out their floor plans here and apartment features and amenities here. Interestingly, some apartments will have private rooftop decks. As noted previously, this is the same complex where Starbucks will soon be opening, as well as California Pizza Kitchen.
For their website:
Agora at South Main offers life without compromise. Located in the bustling center of Walnut Creek, we pride ourselves on our spacious apartment homes with high-end finishes and thoughtful amenities. Agora at South Main is a contemporary mixed-use building, with 35,000 square feet of shopping and dining at the street level and luxurious apartment living above, complete with fitness center, large sundeck with pool and spa, clubhouse with double-sided fireplace and full kitchen, and more. Here, the fast-growing community is within reach, and your every need is thoughtfully addressed.
