Beyond the Creek

Impeach Obama Protesters Rally in Walnut Creek

September 5, 2012 8:30 am

I noticed these protesters in downtown Walnut Creek right near Starbucks on N. Main St. and Duncan St many times, and recently saw them in front of Barnes & Noble across the street from Neiman Marcus. Does anyone know what group they represent? What I found odd about this time was that a couple of middle school kids (at least that’s how old they looked to me) next to the booth (outside the frame) were holding up signs and discussing issues with people.

For some reason there is no way I could even begin to talk with these kids about political issues simply because they are kids. I wouldn’t be able to take them seriously, and furthermore would think they would just be parroting what their parents think anyway. Has anyone seen this group in downtown Walnut Creek? What’s the deal with the kids?

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CHP Officer Not Expected to Survive

September 4, 2012 9:30 pm

Reports about the CHP officer who was shot this morning during a traffic stop indicate he is critically wounded at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Word on the street from people who would know indicate he’s on life support and is not expected to make it. Thoughts and prayers go out to the officer and his family. I hope this turns out not to be true and he pulls through.

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Diablo Ballet Dance on Film Series Presents West Side Story Sept. 12th at Lafayette Library

September 4, 2012 4:30 pm

From an email:

DIABLO BALLET DANCE ON FILM SERIES PRESENTS WEST SIDE STORY ON SEPTEMBER 12TH AT LAFAYETTE LIBRARY

Diablo Ballet & The Lafayette Library Foundation ends this season’s popularDance on Film series with a screening of the classical movie musical West Side Story on Wednesday, September 12th 6:30 PM at the Lafayette Library. For information, visit www.DiabloBallet.org or call the library at 925-283-6513.

West Side Story is the 1961 Academy Award winning Best Picture featuring a renowned score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, which features such hits as “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Somewhere.” Under the direction of choreographer Jerome Robbins, this legendary musical is one of the world’s greatest love stories, just as powerful today as it was when it debuted on stage over 50 years ago.

Before the screening, Lauren Jonas, Diablo Ballet Artistic Director and local film critic Beau Behan will share fascinating facts about the making of the film.

During the summer, Diablo Ballet’s Dance on Film series presents some of the finest examples of dance captured in popular movies.

The Dance on Film series presents West Side Story, Wednesday September 12th 6:30 PM in the Community Room at the Lafayette Library – 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Admission is $5 for all. Proceeds benefit the Lafayette Library Foundation. For information, visit www.DiabloBallet.org or call the Lafayette Library at 925-283-6513.

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Southbound 680 Lanes Closed until 5PM

September 4, 2012 3:30 pm

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A California Highway Patrol officer was shot during a traffic stop on Highway 680 just north of Livorna Rd. near Walnut Creek around 8:30 this morning, and the southbound lanes will be closed until 5PM today according to CBS San Francisco:

The shooting prompted the closure of Interstate 680 in both directions in the Walnut Creek area. Northbound lanes reopened around 1:00 p.m. Southbound lanes remained closed and the CHP said it hoped to reopen those lanes by 5 p.m.

I hope the officer is ok and they catch any other suspects.

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Highway 680 Closure Affecting Student Bus Schedules

September 4, 2012 3:15 pm

photo by Flickr user Rosa Say

From the Lamorinda Bus Transportation Program:

We anticipate heavy traffic on Hwy 24 this afternoon due to the current highway closure on 680. School bus drivers have been directed to leave the First Student corp. yard in Martinez 30 to 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Orinda drivers may take an alternate route and access Orinda via San Pablo Dam Rd. This will hopefully result in on time arrival to schools for the afternoon pick up. However, please be advised that buses may still be late.

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Preview of Sprouts Supermarket – Opens Sept. 5th in Walnut Creek

September 4, 2012 11:30 am

Back in July I noted that the Sprouts Farmers Market (Supermarket) would be opening September 5th in Walnut Creek, so I stopped by to check out the progress. There’s a new, large parking lot to handle the influx of cars.

From the Sprouts website:

Scheduled to open on Wednesday, September 19 at 7am. Grand opening promotions: • Coupon booklets for 5 FREE SANDWICHES to the first 500 customers who make a purchase. • FREE reusable bags to all paying customers, while supplies last.

I don’t know why they mention September 19th as being the opening day as it is definitely opening this Wednesday, Septamber 5th. The 5 free sandwich coupon booklets is awesome so if you live nearby see if you can get one.

Work on the other stores in the mall is proceeding at a much slower pace. There is no signage up for the other stores yet, and it doesn’t seem like anything other than Sprouts will be opening up anytime soon. Anyway, back to Sprouts, check out the cool deli area:

Here you can see part of the checkout area, as well as the Gourmet Coffee, Bulk Foods and Frozen Foods areas:

A sign in the window also notes that there will be “Community Screenings and Lectures” which is pretty surprising considering it’s a supermarket! This really looks like a cool supermarket, is anyone planning to check it out opening day? Let us know how you like it. Sprouts is located at 1510 Geary Rd. in Walnut Creek.

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Door Knob of the Day

September 4, 2012 8:30 am

Looks like the folks at Herald’s Fine Cleaners on Cypress St. in downtown Walnut Creek have a fine sense of humor. 🙂

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Holotta’s Un-BOYlievable Drag Show at Club 1220 in Walnut Creek Sept. 2nd

August 31, 2012 7:30 pm

Apparently there is a drag show every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at Club 1220, located at 1220 Pine St. in Walnut Creek.

From their website:

I would like to start off by introducing myself to those of you who I have not had the opportunity to meet. My name is Jon Crovo. My brother Steven and I are the owners of Club 1220. We have had the pleasure of owning the club now for 33 years. We opened the bar for the soul purpose of having a place to go and be with our own kind and NOT have to drive all the way over to San Francisco.

Has anyone been to this bar or the show before? How is it?

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Fun Times at Festival of Latin Culture in Downtown Walnut Creek

August 31, 2012 11:30 am

The Festival of Latin Culture, which took place last Saturday in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. right across from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ranks up there as one of the most entertaining street events of all. So many people were dancing and smiling, kids playing, eating local dishes that you couldn’t help but enjoy hanging out there. The person in the above photo would be performing a bit later on stage as part of the dance group Loco Bloco.

Check out the dancers below putting on a great show to music with the audience copying the moves closely:

I can’t believe I forgot to post about this event last week. Don’t miss this next year!

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Friday Question of the Day – Will you Boycott the Bakery Formerly Known as the Walnut Creek Baking Company?

August 31, 2012 8:30 am

The Walnut Creek Baking Company is closing today due to a landlord-tenant lease issue, and this has caused quite an uproar in the community. I myself was completely surprised by this turn of events because it was such a great bakery, won plenty of awards, and the owner of the bakery came out with a recipe book just a few months earlier. Don’t forget there is a customer appreciation event until 11AM today, so drop by to show your support!

Rumor has it that a new bakery owned by the landlord will take over this space. So for the question of the day, do you plan on not shopping at the new bakery or is it business at usual and you’ll give it a chance?

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