With news this week that a new wine bar called Cine Cuvée is coming to downtown Orinda, in addition to ADEGA Wine Bar coming to downtown Walnut Creek, not to mention a new wine bar being added to the Century Theater in Walnut Creek, I’ve been wondering what are your favorite wine bars? I’m familiar with Residual Sugar, what else is out there that you recommend?
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Friday, October 17th, 2014 – Saturday, November 15th, 2014A musical theatre classic – Satire done with the fondest affection.
It’s the late 1950s. The town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, goes bonkers when the nation’s most popular singer and heart-throb, Conrad Birdie, arrives to give his biggest fan ‘one last kiss’ before going into the army – and on the Ed Sullivan Show, of course! A fresh look at the 1961 Tony Best Musical.
Director/Choreographer: Christina Lazo
Musical Director: Matt Smart
Production Manager: Shannon Strain Demers
This backyard chicken coop on the Lamorinda Trail was featured last year and they have updated their “Farm fresh Honest Egg Stand”. How cool is that!?
N. Main St. & Duncan St, Walnut Creek
Take a close look at these two photos showing the electronic “Spaces available” signage at the parking garage next to Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek on Duncan St. At top it says “45” and at bottom it says “04”. Notice the white car with door open? These photos were taken within seconds of each other. Drivers see the “45”, and pull in for an easy parking spot. They may notice a line of cars pulling out and think it a bit odd that so many people are leaving this parking garage at the same time. As they ominously head higher and higher with no open spots available it suddenly dawns on them that there will be no available spots.
This time I got lucky, very lucky and snagged the very last spot at the far end up top as a car pulled out as I contemplated turning around. Many others were not, and wasted a collectively enormous amount of time and gas thanks to this malfunctioning sign. This sign malfunctions several times per year so here’s hoping that those responsible will have it fixed permanently to help those who want to shop and dine in downtown Walnut Creek.
7 Fiesta Ln, Lafayette
Berkeley-based olive oil and balsamic vinegar company Amphora that we learned would be opening next to the Cooperage in downtown Lafayette is planning to open in late October. In addition to offering extra virgin olive oil, infused olive oils and balsamic vinegar from around the world, this Lafayette location will also feature small bites such as hummus, salads, and popcorn to highlight the various olive oils and balsamic vinegar they will be offering. As you can see in the photo above there will be outdoor tables in front as well as seating inside to enjoy these small bites. Note that the patio furniture will change from the current design.
Check out their website here. Below are the canisters used for their balsamic vinegar. Stay tuned for more updates…
The first phase of the Walnut Creek Transit Center at the Walnut Creek BART station is going for their final design review this evening and here are the renderings of how it will look. This is for the parking garage only; phases 2 and 3 will involve residential apartments and commercial space. Check out the renderings from over two years ago.
From the Design Review report:
Phase 1 includes a five-level multimodal center intended to provide replacement
automobile parking for BART users, a fifteen-bay bus terminal for local and regional bus routes, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and an accessible drop and ride lane. Phase 1 also includes a 2,000 square foot ground floor office intended for use the BART Police Department. The garage includes 878 parking spaces of which 850 are 1:1 replacement parking for the anticipated loss of all existing surface parking spaces at the BART Station. In addition, there are 8 spaces for the office space and 20 additional spaces…
Photo by Flickr user Don McCullough
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek
Thursday, October 16th, 2014
7:00pm – 8:30pm | $15What: Camilla Fox, founder and executive director of Project Coyote, headlines Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s ‘Coyotes In Our Midst; Learning to Live with North America’s Native Song Dog’ with an engaging, inspiring presentation about the remarkable adaptability and resiliency of this successful predator and the challenges and opportunities they provide to urban communities. Learn about the fascinating world of Canis Latrans and their keen intelligence, amazing resourcefulness, and importance in many ecosystems.
Where: Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, adjacent to Larkey Park.
When: Thursday, October 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $10/members, $15/non-members; pre-register at http://wildlife-museum.org/cart/registration/4043 or buy tickets at the door. Appropriate for ages 16 and up. Free parking.
1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
A new ramen and yakitori restaurant called Ramen Hiroshi will be opening the beginning of November in downtown Walnut Creek where 310 Eatery used to be on Bonanza St. Since they don’t have their alcohol license yet they’re starting with ramen initially with plans to add yakitori later on. The owner mentioned one of my favorite South Bay ramen spots Orenchi from Santa Clara so I’m very hopeful!
Broadway Plaza
Last month we learned that the women’s sports clothing store Athleta would be opening next to Starbucks and the Tesla showroom in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and the signage is up now and they will be opening on October 21st. Athleta is owned by GAP.
Considering that the previous store Bracciale closed only a couple of weeks ago I think this is the fastest I’ve ever seen a new store open up!
