Beyond the Creek

Synergy Theater
81 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette
Saturday, January 16th, 2016
8:00pm | $10

Playwright Jackson Gravel needs your help. His new play is due tomorrow and he hasn’t even started it yet. So, come on down to Jackson’s pad and help him out with your incredible suggestions for strange locations, surprising characters, shocking lines of dialogue, unexpected twists in the plot, and big, surprise ending that will have the audience leaping to their feet and begging for more. It’s a completely improvised two-act play, completely at the mercy of your suggestions!

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Siren’s Sandwich Shop Opens in Pleasant Hill

January 13, 2016 11:30 am

2391 Pleasant Hill Rd, Pleasant Hill

Siren’s Sandwich Shop opened a few months ago in Pleasant Hill with a healthy twist: A juice bar featuring kombucha on tap. Check out their menu here. I tried the chicken vegetable with orzo pasta soup and it was delicious! The kombucha juice bar confused me as in my mind kombucha goes with yoga not a sandwich joint. It turns out the owner is a huge kombucha fan and so two flavors are available on tap. I’ve tried kombucha in glass bottles before and found the taste to be too vinegary so when I was offered a sample I was a bit leery. I tried watermelon basil and grapefruit sage and it was surprisingly good without the vinegar taste. I’ll be back for more.

As for the firehouse motif, it turns out the owner’s husband is an actual fire captain with the Pleasant Hill fire department and sure enough, as I was leaving they entered the shop to get a bite to eat. Check out the photos after the jump to see the old style fire alarms that you can actually ring. Another nice touch is a red, white and blue fire hose shaped into an American flag. Appropriately, a giant fire truck was parked in the back of the parking lot.

More photos of the inside including old, working fire alarms after the jump…

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Impulse Room Jazz Club Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek

January 13, 2016 8:30 am

1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek

Impulse Room, a new jazz club featuring live musical performances and a wine and beer bar is coming to downtown Walnut Creek possibly in late summer in the space formerly occupied by UFC Gym at the corner of N. Broadway and Lincoln Ave. Check out updates on their Facebook page here. Check out their web site here for more details about Lounge Tuesdays, Saturday Night Dance and more.

From their website:

[Impulse Room] is an upscale 21 and older Jazz Club specializing in live musical performances by inspired artists. We feature a really nice Wine & Beer bar, along with an assortment of coffees and teas. There is a dance floor for those wanting to move to the beat and FREE Wifi for those that want to conduct informal business. We do have a strict dress code policy and we are dedicated to maintaining a friendly and comfortable place to listen to all forms of jazz music. There is an $18.00 cover charge at the door which includes a complimentary buffet for a designated period of time.

From the owner:

I really want this place to provide a sense of discovery for those visiting us. Unlike forums that attempt to draw big names, we are looking to be a showcase for original and vibrant performances of all types. All the artwork is original as well and can only be found here. I just secured a renowned artist, he is on the facebook page of ours and the site.

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Rose Pruning Class at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek on Jan 16th

January 12, 2016 4:30 pm

Rose Pruning Class:

The Gardens at Heather Farm
1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, January 16th, 2016
10:00am | $25

It’s rose pruning time at The Gardens AND in your backyards! Pruning is about more than just looks; proper pruning improves the health of a rose bush, prevents disease and encourages better flowering. The roses are the centerpiece of The Gardens’ property, the reason many folks flock to see us as well as a prime motivator for 75+ couples to get married here each year, and we know pruning is a key to their success. On Saturday, January 16 at 10am, nursery owner and rose pruning expert, Marsha Hildebrand will be on site among The Gardens’ roses to help kick-start our pruning efforts while demonstrating best tips and techniques. Come out and join us! This is a hands-on class where you’ll work on real rose bushes, so bring your pruning shears and garden gloves! Register for the Rose Pruning class online at gardenshf.org.

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Pyramid Alehouse Closes in Downtown Walnut Creek

January 12, 2016 12:20 pm

1410 Locust St, Walnut Creek

Thanks to everyone for sending word that Pyramid Alehouse has closed in Walnut Creek. According to the San Francisco Business Times, “Pyramid does not own the Walnut Creek location and will leave that spot open to lease.” See also Claycord for the initial news.

One reader wrote:

When I was there they had security guards inside by the door. A bunch of people hoping to get lunch there today were disappointed.

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RÊVE Bistro Opening in Lafayette on Jan 26th

January 12, 2016 11:30 am

960 Moraga Rd, Lafayette

Last month we learned of a new French bistro called RÊVE Bistro coming to Lafayette where Chevalier used to be and they will be opening on January 26th. Initially they will be open for dinners Tuesday through Saturday and their, “menu will change seasonally & feature classics like French Onion Soup & Steak Frites”. The chef Paul Magu worked for chef Alain Ducasse at La Bastide de Moustiers and was chef at the Ritz Carlton and St. Regis hotels in San Francisco. Check out their menu here and wine list here (curated by the former wine director for Gary Danko). Check out updates on their Facebook page here.

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Hallmark Closing End of Feb in Tassajara Crossing in Danville

January 12, 2016 8:30 am

Tassajara Crossing, Danville

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Hallmark is closing in Tassajara Crossing (located across from Blackhawk Plaza) in Danville. February 29th will be their last day and currently almost everything is marked 40% off in their store.

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Free Movie Showing Tootsie at Orinda Theatre on Jan 14th in Orinda

January 11, 2016 4:30 pm

Free Movie Showing Tootsie:

Orinda Theatre
4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda
Thursday, January 14, 2016
7:00 PM | Free

The next free classic film is “Tootsie” on Thursday January 14th at 7pm at the Orinda Theatre.

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Kuki’s Ice Cream Cakes & Yogurt Opens in Palos Verdes Mall in Walnut Creek

January 11, 2016 11:30 am

Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Kuki’s Ice Cream Cakes & Yogurt has opened where Taylor Made Cakes & Yogurt used to be in the Palos Verdes Mall in Walnut Creek. Check out their online menu here. In addition to frozen yogurt they also vanilla soft serve ice cream and soft serve vanilla custard as well as other items. See the red velvet cupcakes, toppings and more after the jump. I love ice cream cake and they offer that as well.

More photos after the jump…

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Indoor Dog Space Zoom Room Closing in Walnut Creek on Feb 21st

January 11, 2016 8:30 am

7001 Sunne Ln, Walnut Creek (Treat Blvd.)

Thanks to a reader pointing out that the the indoor dog space Zoom Room, which opened a couple of years ago, is closing in Walnut Creek (near the Pleasant Hill BART station), on February 21st. The owner commented on their Facebook page that they will be, “forming a new dog training company and Courtney and Meagan will likely be joining me! We will not have a physical location to start. We will offer in-home training until we can afford a space to do group classes in.” Check out their Facebook page for updates.

From their Facebook page:

It is with extreme regret that I inform you that we will be closing our doors on February 21st. Unfortunately, our rent has become too high for us to remain in business. This decision pains me and my staff members greatly as we love you and your dogs so much. It’s been amazing to be a part of this community, and I thank you so much for all of the great times we have shared.

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