For kids age 5 – 11, from the Lafayette Library webpage:
Start Time: 6:30 PM
End Time: 7:30 PM
Description:Join us October 16 at 6:30 for a Frightfully Fun evening of Ghost Stories! “Teller of a Thousand Tales” Storyteller Michael Katz will be here, so come if you Dare!!!
Library: Lafayette Library and Learning Center
Location: Homework Center
Wolf Camera & Video is bankrupt and the remaining stores will close including the one located in the Lafayette shopping center where Diablo Foods and Trader Joe’s is on Mt. Diablo Blvd. It’s expected to close by next week. However, an imaging company from San Diego is apparently taking over the Lafayette and Dublin locations to handle print processing only. So drop by if you want to pick up a camera or accessory at up to 60% off.
Take a close look at the above photo. What time time does it say? 6:12 PM? Wonderful, after 6 o’clock, free parking, woo-hoo! Except it wasn’t 6:12 PM, it was 5:12 PM, and technically I was responsible for paying for 48 minutes on the meter. The only problem is that it wouldn’t accept credit cards. Of course I remember Crazy in Suburbia’s parking debacle on President’s Day a few years back, so I stood at the meter contemplating what to do. I had some coins so I put one in. Nothing gets registered. So I pondered whether to just take a chance, after all it’s not my fault that it won’t accept money right? Yeah sure, tell that to the judge is what I was thinking in the back of my mind.
As I stood there wondering what to do, two women walked by and told me it’s not accepting any money. Turns out they tried to put money in as well. So it’s free to park? Yes they replied, and I went happily on my way.
The city should really fix the time on the meters, (daylight savings adjustment probably), if only to not confuse people. If not, does anyone know whether it’s legally ok to park there for free if the time is not correct and it won’t accept money?
From the Lafayette Library and Learning Center webpage:
Have you heard about minimally invasive robotic surgery? Do you wonder what all the fuss is about? You have a chance to actually see the daVinci® robot for yourself! The robot offers unique surgical solutions to specific health concerns and a panel of experts including Surgeon Steven Stanten, MD, will give an overview of the applications that may be relevant to you. Come early to get some “hands on” time before the presentation.
3:00 – 6:30 Interactive Exhibit
6:30 – 8:00 Lecture
Driving by Shadelands Ranch recently, home to the Walnut Creek Historical Society at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, I noticed a pumpkin patch will be open now through October 31st. From their Facebook page:
Petting zoo with pigs, goats, rabbits and chicks
Pumpkin Painting. A quick lesson about pumpkins from our Pumpkin Guide. A small pumpkin to take home. Photo stations to take your adorable Halloween pictures
Snacks: including popcorn
Bring the entire family. While at the pumpkin patch you will have free
access to Shadelands Ranch and use of its picnic tables and parking.
Please call soon to schedule your field trip to the pumpkin patch.
Friday[Saturday] nights are MOVIE NIGHT. We show a different movie each week.
According to the owner a different movie will play every Saturday night at 7pm, like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.The petting zoo and pumpkin painting area are free to use, with pumpkins priced at 50 cents for the smallest size to $15 for the largest ones. They are open 9am – 9pm every day and approximately 10% of what they make will go to the Walnut Creek Historical Society. This looks like a convenient place to take the kids especially now before it gets too crowded.
What do you think of the panorama photo at top? That’s the first time I used the panorama feature on the iPhone (iOS 6) and think it’s pretty slick!
Sample pumpkins will be displayed to show the price:
Various pumpkins are available, including plenty of the traditional orange ones:
See photos of jack-o’-lanterns after the jump:
Back in May I noted that Betsey Johnson was closing in Broadway Plaza, located in a prime Walnut Creek spot across from Nordstrom, and next to Neiman Marcus. On October 10th the fashion jewelry store Bracchiale will be opening up. From the Broadway Plaza website:
Embrace the experience at Bracchaile and shop great fashion accessories including jewelry, scarves, hair accessories, brooches, bags and wallets!
I wish Bracchiale all the best, although given its prime location, I do wonder why better known chains have not opened up instead. My guess would be that the retail space is not large enough to accommodate most stores. Anyone know why?
From the Orinda Jazz Festival website:
Second Annual Orinda Jazz Festival
Sept 30th, 2012, 4PM- 7PM
Orinda Library Auditorium and Adjacent Courtyard
26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563Benefit for Orinda Arts Council – Community Programs
FEATURING
Grammy Nominee Alex De Grassi(guitar)
Alex De Grassi Plays “Blue Trout”Grammy Awardee Mads Tolling(violin)
Mads Tolling Plays “Lila’s Dance”Carnegie Hall Performer Carol Alban(flute/vocals)
Carol Alban Plays “Harvest”OTHER PERFORMERS
Groovality Band featuring Simon Russell
Stephanie Bruce (vocals)Ben Flint (piano, JazzSchool Faculty)
Deszon Claiborne (drums)
Previously I posted about a Russian grocery, and last month an Indian grocery, now I present to you a Japanese grocery, Diablo Oriental Foods in Walnut Creek (2590 N. Main St.). Note this is a different grocery than Diablo Foods in Lafayette. If you’re looking for Japanese staples such as natto, Calpis or senbei crackers and don’t want to leave Walnut Creek, this is the place to head to. Driving by looks straight out of the 1970s if not earlier, but they pack an enormous amount of items within.
Note the high quality rice at bottom right:
Check out more photos after the jump including natto…
A
Time Capsule
was buried here
October 16, 1989
in celebration of
Walnut Creek’s
75th anniversary of cityhood
to be opened in 2089
plaque donated by Dean and Margaret Lesher
Does anyone know what’s inside this time capsule?
From the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce website:
The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette are co-sponsors of the Run which is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October. Beneficiaries of the event are the local schools and the services and programs of the Chamber.
The Lafayette Reservoir Run is the city’s most popular “family affair”, involving kids, parents, grandparents, and hundreds of serious runners from throughout the Bay Area. 2200-2500 participants compete in a 10k or 5k Certified Runs and a 2 mile run/walk for fun through the heart of the downtown, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents share the streets on that festive Sunday morning.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Presented By: Lafayette Chamber of Commerce & City of Lafayette
Event Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Start Location: Mt. Diablo Blvd. between First St. & Moraga Rd.
Registration Opens: 6:30am
Staggered Start Times: 2mi run/walk 8:00am, 5k Certified Run 8:30am , 10k Certified Run 8:45 am
Race Descriptions:
- 5k Certified Race – flat, “chip” timed course, runners only (NO Dogs or Baby Strollers).
- 10k Certified Race – hilly, “chip” timed course around the reservoir, Dogs on Leash & Baby Strollers OK.
- 2 Miles Run/Walk for Fun – No Timing – Fun Run ONLY, Dogs on Leash & Baby Strollers OK
Race Course: 10k Moraga Road west to El Nido Ranch Road, around the Lafayette Reservoir and back to Moraga Road. 5k or 2 mile DO NOT go around the Lafayette Reservoir.
Race Certified By: The Athletic Council/Road Runners of America (TAC/RRCA)
Registration:
- Adult registration fee – $30; Day of Race fee – $35
- Elementary school fee – $22; Day of Race fee – $27