Spotted in Lafayette. How would you like to live in an apartment with this as your living room window? Pretty cool.
Spotted in Lafayette. How would you like to live in an apartment with this as your living room window? Pretty cool.
The US News & World Report has come out with their latest high school rankings, and Campolindo High School in Moraga has come out on top in Lamorinda and Walnut Creek, just edging out Miramonte High School in Orinda. The rankings for the Acalanes Union district can be viewed here, and for California here.
State Rankings
Northgate received a silver medal while all Acalanes Union high schools received a gold medal. Nearby Dublin High School was ranked #4 in California but that may be an error as it shows a 7:1 student/teacher ratio which seems too low for a public school.
Back in the beginning of April I noted that the Swedish weight loss program itrim was coming to Lafayette, and the remodeling has really taken off lately, with the exterior almost completely shorn off.
Here’s a sneak peek at what it’s going to look like when finished:
As you can see, they’re going to add plenty of windows all around which should really open the space up. Compared to the dark, enclosed space it used to be, this is going to look amazing.
Here are more details on the program itself from an email:
Our ultimate goal is to make sure this is the last time our members lose weight. Along with a nutritional program, our members get group lifestyle/ educational coaching every other week and one-on-one lifestyle coaching about once per month. The coaching insures that members get the support, education and encouragement they need to turn their new habits into a new lifestyle. We also offer outdoor programming that our members can participate in, and special workshops, lectures, and programs that are fun and educational.
Itrim is open 7 days a week, and our members workout at the club two to three times per week on average. We also teach our members to keep track of their everyday exercise, which is a critical component of weight management. I guess the best way to explain Itrim is just telling you that itrim means in shape in Swedish. We offer different types of exercise; from Zumba to kickboxing. It is easy for members to stay in shape for a lifetime when they find the things they love to do, and they enjoy the feeling of support and community!
As you can see our program starts where a lot of other programs end. Itrim has learned that losing weight is the easy part; keeping it off is the challenge. When you have the right tools to get and stay in shape, it is like the Swedish say “Itrim Lattare an du tror” (in shape – it is easier than you think!)”.
According to an itrim employee I spoke with, memberships will be discounted before opening, starting at $155/month + $299 initiation fee (which includes the first month), and will increase every 25 members, until the opening. If this sounds interesting to you they will also be hosting a community walk (2 & 4 mile loop) beginning May 22nd (every Tues) at 6:15pm in front of Clocks etc. (next to itrim) so check it out to learn more. Oh, and one more thing, they will be providing a t-shirt and pedometer to first time walkers and water.
itrim is located at 973 Moraga Road and will open this summer. If you have more questions you may also contact the itrim Lafyayette at 925-385-0605.
Go get your free ice cream cone at Haagen Daz in downtown Walnut Creek next to Macy’s. This is for today only, until 8pm.
Back in March I pointed out the bizarre bathroom situation at the newly remodeled Peet’s Coffee shop in downtown Walnut Creek. I recently had a chance to revisit, and am slightly amused that although the same bathroom lock is in place, the instructions are gone. If you look closely at the photo, there is just a red arrow pointing left. What this means is, to lock, do nothing. To open, turn left. Obvious, right?
I spoke to an employee there who laughed when I asked him about it. He said they’ve had “nothing but complaints” about it, and that “corporate is aware of the situation”. I wonder if anything will be done about this. Note that I think the token usage is reasonable. It’s the door locking mechanism that I find bizarre.
After over 30 years in business, the Lafayette Health Club has closed. from their website:
Our last day of opertation will be May 5th.
Unfortunately we are not relocating. There is nothing in town that can house us that has parking or that we can afford. Starting all over after 31 years is just not in the cards. However, we have made arrangements to transfer your membership to Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness (keep reading below for more informaiton.)I cannot say it enough how sorry I am about all of this. But we had 31 good years and so many great relationships have evolved from the community we have created at LHC. It will live on and on and on!
Thank you all!!
In Good Health,
Deb
It turns out that the gym I go to, Lamorinda Crossfit, has purchased some of their equipment.
From a Walnut Creek Police press release:
On 5/8/12, at 1:53 am, Walnut Creek Police stopped a white van for a vehicle code violation on N. Main Street at Penniman. The officer quickly learned the vehicle had been reported stolen from Mill Valley in an armed robbery on May 4th. Other officers responded and the driver (later identified as Jorge Estrada) was arrested. During the arrest an officer found a loaded firearm on Estrada, narcotics and stolen property related to other robberies and carjacking in Mill Valley.
Estrada was transported to Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Martinez Detention Facility and is being held on $165,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding the Mill Valley cases is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Paul Wrapp at (415)389-4100.
These two stores are located right in downtown Lafayette on Lafayette Circle. Reminds me of what downtown would be like in the 1950s, during a quiet, simpler time. Anyone remember the 50s? Was this what it was like? Or is this closer to the 60s-70s?
I’ve been meaning to switch the header of this blog to something more appropriate for all of Walnut Creek and surrounding areas, and while browsing Flickr I found a great shot of Mt. Diablo taken from Walnut Creek. The photographer, Dave Brinda, graciously gave me permission to use it for the new header. He’s an amazing photographer so check out his other photos if you have a chance.
Since I also began focusing on Lafayette I decided to add that to the tagline as well. I was thinking of using Lamorinda instead since I also focus on Orinda and Moraga, but I feel Lafayette deserves to be represented as a standalone city.
I still love the design of the Neiman Marcus building, check out the previous headers below:
As always, any suggestions for improving the header, tagline or anything else are always appreciated.
Progress at the Sprouts Market Shopping Center, located at Geary Rd. and N. Main St. in Walnut Creek, is coming along nicely and is scheduled to be completed sometime this summer. Sprouts is a supermarket mostly in Southern California with a couple of branches in the Bay Area, the nearest one being in Dublin.
The inaugural stores at the center will be:
Has anyone tried the food at Freebirds? How does it compare to Chipotle? Based on the popularity of the Walnut Creek Habit restaurant, it’s not surprising they decided to open up another one.
On a side note, if anyone has information on new restaurants or stores opening up in Walnut Creek, please send me an email to tips(at)beyondthecreek.com I’m usually downtown, but I’d like to know what else is opening up around town.