San Miguel Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the Taco Bell in San Miguel Center in Walnut Creek will be closing with their last day being this Thursday, February 18th. Stay tuned to see whether Dunkin’ Donuts will be replacing them…
2895 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill
A couple of weeks ago we learned that four Navlet’s Garden Centers would be replaced with Sloat Garden Centers and they are all now open according to this Sloat Garden Center page. The four locations are in Concord, Danville, Martinez and Pleasant Hill. Above you can see a photo of the Pleasant Hill store.
Photo by Flickr user saucysalad
I hope everyone is enjoying Presidents Day with all this great weather!
Romancing the Waterfalls Hike:
Mount Diablo State Park, Walnut Creek
Lower Summit Parking Lot
Sunday, February 14th, 2016
9:00am – 4:00pm | $10/carShow your love and test your endurance on this romantic and very strenuous hike from Mount Diablo’s Summit down to the Falls Area along the Falls Trail and back up the mountain. Highlights include Devil’s Elbow, Prospectors Gap, Bald Ridge Trail, the many water falls along the Falls Trail of course, Mt. Olympia, and North Peak Trail with early wildflowers out along the way.
This is hike #32, shaped like a heart, in the Hiker’s Guide to Mount Diablo State Park.
Dress in layers and bring a lunch or snacks, liquids and hiking sticks recommended.
Be prepared for mud, ticks and poison oak.
Steady rain cancels.
91 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette
It’s been a couple of months since The Art Room relocated a few paces from their prime Lafayette Circle spot to another great location next to the Lamorinda Music parking lot in a can’t miss aquamarine blue painted house/studio. Check out their website here to see their class and workshop schedule for both kids and adults.
Photo by Flickr user crazymandi
With Valentine’s Day coming this Saturday, I was wondering how many people plan on dining out Saturday night to celebrate? Or will you avoid the crowds and enjoy dinner at home?
Valentine’s Day Comedy Extravaganza! with Johnny Steele and Friends:
Town Hall Theatre
3535 School St, Lafayette
Saturday, February 13th, 2016
8:00pm | $30 ($25 in advance)Pittsburg’s favorite son, Johnny Steele brings a long some of the funniest comedians in the Bay Area to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Back in December the handbag and accessories shop Toss Designs opened a temporary popup location in Broadway Plaza where the skincare shop Aveda used to be in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now closed.
1928 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
I can’t remember the last time I visited a video rental store. With Blockbuster gone, and being able to rent movies online, I haven’t been to one in over 10 years. Recently I was checking out the soon-to-open Wisegirl restaurant in Oak Park Center in Pleasant Hill when I passed by a bonafide video rental store (originally based in Lafayette) called Take One Video. Feeling nostalgic, I decided to check it out and realized that not only do they carry uncommon out-of-print films not available on Amazon or Netflix but actually carry blu-ray new releases for $5/week with a $1 discount if it’s returned within 2 days. This is cheaper than renting online at Amazon or Apple!
Not only are the video rentals reasonably priced, but the employees are super-knowledgeable and make great recommendations as well. Having two kids five years apart I was wondering whether one movie was appropriate for my younger child when one employee I talked with steered me away from it and instead recommended a great movie that our whole family enjoyed. I returned it the same weekend so ended up with a $4 rental which isn’t even available to rent online. Check out their website here.
Rethinking Plants: Choosing Multi-function Plants:
Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center
315 Cortsen Rd, Pleasant Hill
Saturday, February 13, 2016
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | $35 (bulk discount available)The quality of soil makes or breaks any garden. Anyone can improve their soil with just a little time and effort – and it doesn’t have to cost a dime. Plus, the healthier your soil, the more you save in amendments, your garden blossoms and you spend less time weeding and wondering why your garden isn’t thriving. Participants will be able to: indentify soil characteristics based on texture, structure and types of plants growing in it; know what turns soil into dirt; understand basic plant biology (and why never to buy petrochemically-based fertilizers again); know how to compost and vermicompost; understand the importance of organic matter in soil (hint: more is better!).