Beyond the Creek

Heritage Day at Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek June 16th

June 15, 2012 4:30 pm

photo by Flickr user biggreymare

From the City of Walnut Creek webpage:

Walnut Creek history comes alive this weeked at Heritage Day at Old Borges Ranch. The free event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16. There will be music, dancing and free pony rides for children, plus demonstrations of everything from beekeeping to spinning, plus silent movies in the barn. The 1901 Borges Ranch house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Food will be available for purchase, or bring a picnic. Park at Northgate High School; $5 per family for the shuttle. No parking on site except for vehicles with a placard.

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Sculpture of the Day

June 15, 2012 11:30 am

Spotted next to Nordstrom in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Friday Question of the Day – What is your Favorite Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt Shop?

June 15, 2012 8:30 am

Since summer is right around the corner, and nothing is better to help handle the hot summer days than ice cream. I recently noted the opening of Guanatos ice cream in Walnut Creek, and in downtown Walnut Creek there is also the San Francisco Creamery, Haagen Daz, and Gelateria Naia (where you may see me eating my favorite TCHO chocolate flavor) while in Lafayette there is Cold Stone Creamery and in Moraga there is Loard’s.

Now that summer is coming, and with so many options to choose from, what is your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt shop?

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13th Annual Best Martini in the East Bay Contest June 18th at Lafayette Park Hotel

June 14, 2012 4:30 pm

photo by Flickr user ginsnob

From the Contra Costa County Library website:

The 13th Annual Best Martini in the East Bay Contest will be held on Monday, June 18, 2012 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Lafayette Park Hotel. Sample martinis as bartenders from 14 local restaurants compete for the grand prize. And here’s your chance to judge the People’s Choice Award! Tickets are $25 at the door, and include two drink tickets, appetizers, and music by Generations in Jazz. Call (925) 927-3250 for more information.
This year’s event is sponsored by Russian Standard Vodka, the Lafayette Park Hotel, and Diablo Magazine, and all proceeds benefit Project Second Chance, the Contra Costa County Library’s adult literacy program.

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AZM Jewelers Opens in Broadway Plaza

June 14, 2012 11:30 am

Back in March I noted the closing of Super Silver Jewelry in the back of Broadway Plaza, and now a new jewelry store has opened in its place, AZM Jewelers. They offer gold, diamond and tungsten rings, necklaces, earrings, and will carry watches in the future. In addition to selling jewelry, they also buy gold.

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Attempted Rape Near Iron Horse Trail in Walnut Creek

June 14, 2012 8:30 am

From a Walnut Creek Police advisory:

On 6/09/12 at approx. 0054 hours, FRANCISCO HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA attacked an adult female victim, unknown to HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA, as she walked home through a secluded city park adjacent to the Iron Horse Trail. HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA grabbed the VICTIM from behind, placing his hand over the VICTIM’s mouth. He took her to the ground, where he rolled her over onto her back. HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA straddled and restrained the VICTIM while groping her. HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA tried to silence the VICTIM by placing his hand in her mouth. The VICTIM then bit HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA’s hand and punched him several times in the face. HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA fled on foot on the Iron Horse Trail. He was intercepted by a WCPD officer responding to the victim’s call to 911. HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA was arrested for assault and is currently in-custody at County Jail. The Contra Costa County District Attorney reviewed the investigation and has since filed two felony counts against HERNANDEZ-MURRIETA for violating PC 220(a), Assault to Commit Rape and PC 237(a), False Imprisonment by Violence.

If anyone has information regarding this attack or other incidents potentially involving the same suspect, please contact DET. GREG LEONARD at (925) 256-3518 orleonard@walnutcreekpd.com, with any information.

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Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Ruth Bancroft Garden June 15th – July 14th

June 13, 2012 4:30 pm

From the Ruth Bancroft Garden website:

June 15 – July 14: 7 days a week 10am – 4pm

The Ruth Bancroft Garden’s famous collection of rare and beautiful succulents features sculptures by artists from all over the West Coast. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the region’s largest juried outdoor sculpture exhibit! The show opens June 15, and the art remains on display through July 14.

Event Highlights

Preview Party – Friday June 15

5:30 – 8pm
Participate in the unveiling of the exhibition and mingle with the artists in the golden light of sunset. This is the first chance for visitors to purchase sculptures! Musical performance by the Joseph Hébert Trio and refreshments by Willowstone Catering and Shadowbrook Winery.

Tickets are $75 (includes food, beverage, and admission during Opening Weekend)

Kickoff Weekend – Saturday & Sunday June 16 – 17

10am – 4pm

This fun and busy weekend is the first chance for the general public to view the sculptures.

General Admission rates apply ($7 for students and seniors, $10 general, free for members and children under 12)

Free admission for dads on Father’s Day!

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Wed. Afternoon Rental Option – Lafayette Duplex

June 13, 2012 1:30 pm

This rental duplex (2 br/2 ba) is located near Bo’s BBQ in downtown Lafayette.

View Larger Map

Check out the kitchen:

From the Craigslist ad:

The home is close to BART, great school district, shopping, fine dining and more!
This unit is a true find and is tucked away at the end of a quiet cul de sac.
– Designer paint scheme
– Refinished bathrooms with granite countertops and new cabinetry (stand up shower in master, shower/tub in 2nd bathroom
– Wood burning fireplace
– Pass through kitchen
– All new stainless steel appliances: dishwasher, fridge, garbage disposal, microwave, & oven
– Central heat and AC
– Tons of closet space with wall to wall closet in master bedroom
– Extra storage outside
– 2 covered parking spots
– 2 closets in master bedroom
– Spacious floor plans
– Private patio with low maintenance landscaping

This duplex is being offered for $1995/month. Is this a decent deal given the 2 covered spots + refinished bathrooms and location?

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Closed – Pure Beauty in Lafayette

June 13, 2012 8:30 am

I noted back in February that Pure Beauty was closing in Walnut Creek, and noticed that Pure Beauty in downtown Lafayette has closed as well. Turns out that the company that owns Pure Beauty, Trade Secrets, filed for bankruptcy two times over the past couple of years.

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Brian Moran Jazz Trio Performing at Orinda Summer Concert this Evening

June 12, 2012 4:30 pm

photo by Flickr user Steve Snodgrass

The Brian Moran Jazz Trio, with vocalist Rebecca Faiola will be performing at the first Orinda Summer concert of the season this evening, June 12th from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the Orinda Community Center Park. More music to follow each Tuesday evening during the summer as well. The other bands that will be performing in future concerts are listed here.

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