Beyond the Creek

Wild Valentines at Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek Feb. 14th – 18th

February 12, 2013 4:30 pm

Photo courtesy Lindsay Wildlife Museum

Wild Valentines
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Thursday, February 14th – Monday, February 18th, 2013
12-5 PM (Feb. 14 -15, 10am – 5pm Feb. 16 – 18 | $7 adults, $5 children

Creek—Which wildlife mom knows her young by their scent? Which shares her
nest with other moms, while the “teenagers” help raise the babies? Find out how our
wild neighbors raise families and find mates during Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s WILD
VALENTINES, Thursday, February 14 to Monday, February 18.

From 12-5 PM on February 14 and 15, and 10 AM-5 PM on February 16, 17 and 18:
• meet and learn about wildlife family members
• make a valentine craft, and/or purchase a valentine to hang in our exhibit hall
• watch a bald or golden eagle presentation
• pet a live rat, hamster, guinea pig or rabbit
• see an animal ambassador being fed
• greet an owl up close and personal.

Throughout the day, visit our exhibits to get closer than you’ve ever been to a real,
working beehive and its queen bee at Hive Alive! Glimpse how 5,000 wild animals a
year are cared for at Wildlife Hospital Behind the Scenes. Spread your wings and soar—
virtually—like a hawk over Mount Diablo at Raptors, Hunters in the Sky.

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Zachary’s Chicago Pizza Opens in Pleasant Hill

February 12, 2013 11:30 am

It’s official, Zachary’s Chicago Pizza has opened in Pleasant Hill right across the street from the Cinemark movie theater on Crescent Drive. They offer both Chicago style stuffed pizza as well as thin pizza. Check out their menu here. In addition to pizza they also have salads. Lunch slices will be offered beginning March 1st. Remember that a stuffed pizza can take 40 minutes to make so you should order while you’re waiting. They give you a pager that will page you twice. Once so you can place your order and get the estimated wait time, and a second time when you can sit down and order drinks and salads until the pizza comes.

The inside is very cool looking:

More photos of pizza closeups and the patio after the jump…

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Sign of the Day (Spelling Edition)

February 12, 2013 10:00 am

Spotted at an unnamed East Bay entertainment establishment…

Thanks to a reader for the photo.

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Clarissa Bridal Salon Closes in Walnut Creek

February 12, 2013 8:30 am

In business for 32 years, the owners of Clarissa Bridal Salon in Walnut Creek next to the Pacific Bay Coffee Company on N. Main St. have retired after 32 years in business. Thanks to a reader for the tip!

If you’re looking for bridal dresses check out Flares Bridal which recently expanded in Broadway Plaza a stone’s throw away. Also, La Soie Bridal will eventually open in downtown Walnut Creek at the corner of Broadway and Cypress once the new building is completed.

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Valentine’s Day Specials at Walnut Creek Yacht Club on Feb. 14th

February 11, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Walnut Creek Yacht Club:

We urge you to give us a call asap if you’d like to dine with us on this very oyster-licious day. We will be starting dinner a bit earlier than usual: We will start taking reservations for dinner at 4:00. Our last lunch reservation will be at 2:00 that day. As usual, in addition to our regular menu, Chef Kevin has a special prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu for two.

February 14, 2013
Valentine’s Day Menu for Two
Each of you can choose first and main course.
The dessert is served to share.

Amuse Bouche

Smoked Trout & Fennel Canapé

First Course

Roasted Red Pepper & Crab Bisque
herb cracker, horseradish crème fraîche
or
Fried Oyster & Spinach Salad
bacon, beets, cucumber
tabasco & buttermilk dressing

Main Course

Idaho Trout Valentino
prawn & dill mousse, parsley potatoes
pink peppercorn sauce
or
Moroccan Chicken Brochette
ras el hanout, saffron cous cous, mint
raisins & pistachios
meyer lemon & shrimp sauce

Dessert

Love Potion #21413
warm , spiced, aztec chocolate shot
bittersweet chocolate & rum truffle
chocolate espresso – shortbread cookie
tcho chocolate brownie
dark chocolate ice cream
chocolate sauce, candied hazelnuts

$80.00 for Two
(tax and gratuity are not included)

These menu items will not be available outside of this menu.
The regular menu is also available.

Call us now for Valentine’s Day reservations. We’re filling up.

VALENTINE’S DAY LOYALTY MEMBERS’ RESERVATION SPECIAL
Make a reservation for 4 or more for Valentine’s Day, and you will receive a complimentary dozen Oysters when you come in on 2/14 to dine.
(You must be a Loyalty Member to receive this special, and only one dozen per table of 4 or more. Please mention that you would like to take advantage of this special when you are making your reservation.)

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Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop Opening Soon in Walnut Creek

February 11, 2013 11:30 am

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop is opening soon in Walnut Creek at the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and N. Broadway across from the DMV. Based on a peek inside it looks like they are ready to open very soon. Check out their menu here. Any fans of this place? Thanks to a reader for the tip!

From their homepage:

Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop sandwiches are made with high quality meats, served on delicious San Francisco style breads – freshly baked, we offer a choice of five different cheeses and also include “everything” (mayo, mustard, our special recipe garlic sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles, peppers, onions).

Check out the I Love Mr. Pickle’s sign:

I didn’t see an outside sign up yet but the sign is on the door:

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Max Studio Closes in Broadway Plaza

February 11, 2013 8:30 am

The designer women’s clothing store Max Studio closed earlier this month in downtown Walnut Creek in Broadway Plaza. Back in January I noted that Arden B. would be closing as well so I wonder whether there is beginning to be an impact as retailers wait and see whether the Broadway Plaza long term plan will be approved by the city which would increase the retail space significantly but also demolish much of what is there currently. On February 19th the Broadway Plaza owners Macerich will present a refined development proposal so it will be interesting to see what they offer up.

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Building Healthy Soil Talk at Lafayette Community Garden on Feb. 9th

February 8, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Lafayette Community Garden website:

Building Healthy Soil
Lafayette Community Garden
Saturday, February 9th, 2013
1:30 – 3pm | FREE ($5 donation appreciated)

Lori Caldwell, an educator on sustainable gardening from Martinez, invites you to bring a sample of your own soil and learn how to assess it. She will then guide us in ways to improve its health so it works for you. This 90-minute talk includes hands-on demonstration, handouts with references and tips and an opportunity to ask questions.

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Parking Lot Sign of the Day

February 8, 2013 11:30 am

When I saw this sign at a parking lot I thought it was rather odd that they offer parking for an entire day until I realized that it was for 24 Hour Fitness customers only. 🙂

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Oysters at the Downtown Walnut Creek Farmers Market

February 8, 2013 11:30 am

Great news for oyster lovers! The Point Reyes Oyster Company recently started selling Kumamoto, Pacific and other oysters at the downtown Walnut Creek farmers market. In business since 1989, they farm oysters at Tomales Bay right next to Hog Island Oysters. When I dropped by I peppered the man there with all kinds of questions on preparation and safe food handling and he patiently explained how to tell a good oyster from a bad one (knock on it), how to open it (with a screwdriver and butter knife if you don’t have an oyster shucker) and more.

From their website:

We sell many different types of shellfish, including miyagi and kumamoto oysters, manila clams and bay mussels.
Our miyagi oysters are cultured in floating bags at the top of the water column where algae is most dense. These oysters develop a nicely cupped shell. The purple-brown shells are easily opened to expose a blonde meat nearly filling the cup. The sweet soft meat develops a salty tang as it crossed your tongue.
Our kumamoto oysters are cultured in rack tied mesh bags high in the intertidal zone. These little oysters develop plump meats and an extended shelf life. The silver-brown shells are among the easiest to open. Being diminutive has not hampered the reputation of these oysters. Their buttery-sweet taste and firm texture attract novice and confirmed oyster lovers alike.

I’m definitely coming back ASAP with an ice cooler to try these oysters. How do you eat oysters at home, barbecue-style or raw? What kind of sauce to use? Just some lemon juice?

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