Lamborghini spotted in front of Prima in downtown Walnut Creek. Love this color!
DRUMMM to the Rhythm! An interactive drumming event for adults:
Walnut Creek Library
1644 N. Broadway Ave., Walnut Creek
Monday, June 22nd, 2015
6:30pm | FreeWe’re putting away the kids’ drums and rolling out the “adult-appropriate” ones for this evening’s interactive interlude. Discover what cultures have long known about drumming as a tool for connection: that it promotes strength and unity while celebrating diversity. Take a break from “Reading to the Rhythm” and enjoy this special Summer Reading Festival event!
This free program is presented by OneBeat Drum Circle. This participatory drumming experience is brought to you by the Walnut Creek Library Foundation and a NickelAid grant from Raley’s
3614 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Over a year ago we learned that Walgreens would be opening a new location in downtown Lafayette on Mt. Diablo Blvd. and things are progressing quickly with new signage up as you can see in the above photo. They are also hiring in a Craigslist ad here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last week we learned that J.Crew would be relocating across the street in Broadway Plaza and now it has been confirmed that the fragrance shop L’Occitane en Provence will also be moving to a new location within the Broadway Plaza redevelopment, right near Macy’s. Look for a November grand re-opening. Stay tuned for more Broadway Plaza openings and relocations…
Photo from Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society
Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society Public Showing:
Larkey Park
2751 Buena Vista Ave, Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 20th, 2015 – Sunday, June 21st, 2015
11:00am – 6:00pm | $3Families and train buffs can ‘ride’ the Diablo Valley Lines all year long during their 2015 whistle stop shows, featuring hundreds of model trains representing the mid-20th century through today, traveling over 4,300 feet of track on one of the world’s most mountainous model railroad layouts.
Treat Dad on Father’s Day! Now in its seventh decade, every show includes a dramatic sunset and night scenes with a rainy thunderstorm, a street railway with trolley cars, big freight yards and a large passenger terminal.
The elaborate 34 by 56 foot layout includes a composite of the mountainous area of the Western United States, bridges, tunnels, terrain from desert to snow covered mountains, towns, train yards, electric street cars, wind turbine, ski lift gondola and more. More than 200 train cars and 50 steam and diesel engines are in operation during the show, dispatched by two dedicated Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society members.
Thanks to everyone for sending word that Starbucks is closing all La Boulange cafes by September, including ones in Danville, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek. I’ve had good experiences eating here so this is more disappointing news. Starbucks will continue to carry the La Boulange brand within Starbucks but based on what I’ve tried that’s a far cry to what was offered in the La Boulange cafes themselves for some reason.
1149 S. Main St, Walnut Creek
I was a little early with the scuttlebutt last April, but it’s finally happening; Barnes & Noble is closing this coming January in downtown Walnut Creek. According to the Contra Costa Times, Anthropologie will be relocating from their Mt. Diablo/Locust St. shop. As someone who frequently shopped and browsed here this is quite disappointing although judging from the empty shoppers in their huge video section I’m not entirely surprised. The nearest Barnes & Noble locations will be in Dublin and Emeryville. Swan’s Fine Books is also located a few blocks away on Locust St.
Award-winning Illustrator Rafael López:
Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Friday, June 19th, 2015
6:30pm – 8:00pm | FreeKick-off our “Read to the Rhythm” Summer Reading Festival with special guest, award-winning artist Rafael López! Winner of many prestigious awards including the Pura Belpre Illustrator Award and the Américas Award for Illustration, Rafael will be sharing his latest book, Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music, a true story of a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who was able to break the island’s taboo against female drummers, powerfully written by Margarita Engle. Come hear his creative journey as he magically brought this story to life through his symbolic and vibrant paintings. See some of the original artwork and enjoy an interactive drawing demonstration. Copies of his books will be available for purchase and signing. This free event is brought to you courtesy of the Contra Costa County Library.
350 Park St, Moraga
At the beginning of the month we learned that Rheem Theatre would be closing due to a 60% increase in rent, partly in response to Moraga passing a historical preservation ordinance. However, a Go Fund Me Save the Rheem Theatre page was established which raised over $5,000 and announced, “the New Rheem Theatre will be operating for another 60 days to give time for the formation of a new nonprofit foundation within the Moraga community”.
According to the Town of Moraga website:
the community expressed overwhelming support to keep The New Rheem Theatre operating as a theatre. With a generous and cooperative spirit, the property owner and operator agreed to continue the Theatre’s current operations to allow time for all parties to resolve several key issues, including: terms to prevent the building from being demolished; a process to quickly work with the property owner, as the Town does with others, to determine appropriate development options for the remainder of his property absent an historic designation for the Theatre; and the formation of a Community Foundation to assist with funding for the Theatre.
According to this Lamorinda Weekly article, the long term vision would not have a historic preservation ordinance. “While the property owner can develop other areas of the property, Puri agreed not to demolish the theater building, so the need for the ordinance goes away, she [Town Manager Jill Keimach] said.”
What’s not clear to me is how does the property owner agreeing to not demolish the building mean there is no need for a historical preservation ordinance? It seems like a reasonable possibility that while the property owner remains the same, the rent will remain low, and when it’s eventually sold without a historical preservation ordinance, the new owner will tear down the theater for redevelopment. Or will the Moraga community foundation be able to raise enough money to purchase the property to preserve it as a movie theater?
