Beyond the Creek

Holiday Marketplace at the Elks Lodge in Walnut Creek on Saturday

November 14, 2014 4:30 pm

Holiday Marketplace at the Elks Lodge:

Elks Lodge
1475 Creekside Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, November 15th, 2014
9:00am – 5:00pm | Free

Please join us for The Holiday Marketplace Show. We are a group of crafters who create handmade, unique items. The show is a great place to come and shop for holidays or teacher gifts. We have a garden section with toparies and succulents, a kitchen with jams and jellies, breads and nuts. Our crafters created fuzed class, hand painted cards, wooden treasures and a lot more!
It is Friday, Nov. 14 & Saturday, Nov. 15th. Show time are Fri., from 11-7pm & Sat. from 9-5pm.
We invite you to sop by, say hello and shop!

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True Food Kitchen Coming to Broadway Plaza in 2016

November 14, 2014 11:30 am

Boradway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Diablo Dish reports that True Food Kitchen is opening a giant 6,000 square foot restaurant next to Macy’s in May, 2016 in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. The True Food Kitchen concept is based on Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet (see the food pyramid). I’ve followed Dr. Weil’s advice many times so this looks very promising! Check out their San Diego lunch menu here and dinner menu here.

From their website:

You don’t have to be a die-hard Yogi to dine at True Food Kitchen. You need only a desire to give your body nutrients, and your palate something memorable. The basis for the anti-inflammatory diet isn’t meant to deprive a healthy body of great flavors, it’s meant to take popular trends in cuisine and pair them with healthy living.

With a wide, healthy selection of vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free options we offer something for everyone. Try the kale and quinoa, you’ll live longer. Drink the seabuckthorn and acai, you’ll feel better. At True Food Kitchen, we want you to feel better, live longer, and make your mouth happy in the process. It’s honest food that tastes really good.

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Danger Alert – Heather Farm Park “Climbing” Hills

November 14, 2014 8:30 am

Yesterday I posted about the amazing new all abilities playground at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek which is one of the most versatile playgrounds I’ve seen. I’ve been to plenty of playgrounds around the world and have cringed at some elements, but they pale in comparison to one particular element of this new playground. Specifically the “climbing” hills.

From the Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation website:

Free-Play Climbing Hill: Also centrally located, this area has concrete ball elements, facilitating free, unstructured play for all ages.

As you can see in these photos the giant concrete spheres are placed right at the bottom of the hills, and since the hills are used less for climbing and more for sliding down using cardboard sheets there is a huge potential for someone to crash hard into these spheres. I witnessed numerous near-misses in the few minutes I spent watching my kid sliding down.

For those that have been to this playground, am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

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Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief Free Movie Showing at Orinda Theatre this Evening

November 13, 2014 4:30 pm

Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief Free Movie Showing:

Orinda Theatre
4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda
Thursday, November 13th, 2014
7:00pm | Free

Don’t miss the November free movie of the month at Orinda Theatre on November 13th at 7pm with “To Catch A Thief”

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Blackhawk Burger Opening Soon in Danville

November 13, 2014 11:30 am

Blackhawk Plaza, Danville

Thanks to a reader for sending word that Blackhawk Burger, Shakes, Salads & Sandwiches is opening soon in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville where Methany’s used to be.

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Judging Playgrounds – Heather Farm All Abilities Playground

November 13, 2014 8:30 am

Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek

Last month the all abilities playground opened in Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek and it is HUGE! There are so many interesting things to do here that it’s rather overwhelming when first visiting. Make sure you have a meetup spot with your kids because it is very easy to lose sight of them. There is plenty of seating on the side as well as some shaded seated areas. Check out details and features of the playground here. My favorite parts are the shakable ship that can be shaken on the outside, the climbing wall, the long slides and the periscope. Other play structures are also cool so check out the photos below to see what I mean.

One thing to beware of however, which I’ll make another post about, are the popular “climbing” hills. They should be called “sliding” hills because kids use torn-up cardboard boxes to slide down the hills. Beware of the giant concrete spheres located at the bottom of the hill. This is a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Plenty more photos after the jump…

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Frosty the Snowman in Downtown Walnut Creek this Evening

November 12, 2014 4:30 pm

Frosty the Snowman:

Downtown Walnut Creek
Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Free

Hot Cocoa/Cider – Mancini’s Sleepworld – 1359 N. Main St.
LIVE MUSIC
The Revivals – WC Florist – 1668 Locust St.
Silverwood Jazz – Peets Coffee – 1343 Locust St.
Harpist at Rivendale Book & Hatchet – 1601 N. Main St.
Jared & Matt – Tillys – 1179 Locust St.
VISITS WITH FROSTY FROM WALNUT CREEK ON ICE
6-7pm – Orange Theory Fitness – 1531 Locust St.
7-8pm – Mel’s Diner – 1394 n. Main St.

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Nekter Juice Bar Opens in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville

November 12, 2014 11:30 am

Blackhawk Plaza, Danville

Nekter Juice Bar recently opened their first East Bay location in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. Check out how their cleanse works here. They also offer smoothies and acai bowls. See menu below…

Menu:

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Fashion Scuttlebutt – Patrizia Marrone Boutique Moving to Lafayette

November 12, 2014 8:30 am

11 Fiesta Ln, Lafayette

Thanks to a reader for sending word that the footwear and apparel boutique Patrizia Marrone, that used to be located in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville is moving to Fiesta Lane in downtown Lafayette. This is right in the middle of the newly opened stores Amphora and 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons with The Cooperage at the end.

From their Facebook page:

Patrizia Marrone specializes in fashion forward merchandise from exclusive designers all over the world. Come see our must haves in luscious leathers, sensuous gowns, fancy furs, chic bags, cropped jackets, footwear, jewelry, belts, and more!

The Blackhawk Plaza location closed about a month ago:

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Diablo Ballet’s A Swingin’ Holiday and More at Del Valle Theatre this Fri. and Sat.

November 11, 2014 4:30 pm

Photo by Aris Bernales

Diablo Ballet’s A Swingin’ Holiday and More:

Del Valle Theatre
1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek
Friday, November 14th & Saturday, November 15th, 2014
2:00 & 8:00pm

Diablo Ballet’s 21^st Season begins November 14^th at the newly renovated Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek with the Diablo Ballet premiere of Tolstoy’s Waltz by former principal dancer of San Francisco Ballet and Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre, Christopher Stowell. This romantic work premiered at OregonBallet Theatre on June 6, 2008 at Portland’s Keller Auditorium and is set to the music of such composers as author Leo Tolstoy, and choreographer George Balanchine and Julian Scriabin. Oregon press noted, “It stands out as an instant hit.” Diablo Ballet’s performances will feature beloved Bay Area concert pianist, Roy Bogas. Also on the program is the 2014 Edition of A Swingin’ Holiday, created in 2012 by Sean Kelly, former resident choreographer for the national tour of the musical Billy Elliot and former principal of HoustonBallet. In 2012, the SF Chronicle raved, “The Company has a hit on its hands!” Diablo Ballet’s 2014 Edition features favorite holiday tunes and songs from the 30’s and 40’s by such legends as Duke Ellington, Nat “King” Cole, Wynton Marsalis, and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite performed live by the Diablo BalletSwing Orchestra, under the direction of Greg Sudmeier.

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