Beyond the Creek

Spring Awakening Musical April 19th – May 13th at Lesher Center

April 19, 2012 4:30 pm

The musical Spring Awakening will have shows beginning tonight through May 13th at the Lesher Center. From their website:

Spring Awakening is the winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007 including Best Musical. The groundbreaking musical with its bold rock score is a universal coming of age story that tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.

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Barbacoa Opening Soon in Orinda

April 19, 2012 11:30 am

Opening soon in Orinda Theatre Square is the wood-fired Mexican grill Barbacoa. Diablo Dish reports it should be open by June, and that chef Jason Moniz will remain at nearby Table 24 as well. I look forward to the ‘six-foot “barbacoa” wood fired grill’. Stay tuned…

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title nine Opens in New Location on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek

April 19, 2012 10:30 am

Last month I noted how the women’s sportswear store title 9 is moving to Mt. Diablo Blvd, and yesterday saw that they are now open in their new location at 1637 Mt. DIablo Blvd, previously the Le Creuset store.

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Anahid Designs Florist Opening April 20th in Orinda Theatre Square

April 19, 2012 8:30 am

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Orinda Theatre Square and I have to say it’s really coming alive with new stores and restaurants. A new florist is having a soft opening on Friday called Anahid Designs. They were originally located in Santa Monica, then San Lorenzo and the owner has been doing floral designs the past 12 years. They are available for weddings and special events.

Check out an example of their work:

The grand opening will be held on May 5th. Just in time for Mother’s Day.

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An Evening with Howie Mandel at Lesher Center April 20th

April 18, 2012 4:30 pm

HomeAid is presenting, “An Evening with Howie Mandel” this Friday, April 20th at the Lesher Center in downtown Walnut Creek. Tickets are still available here.

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Man Driving White Lexus Killed in Crash on Highway 24 in Orinda

April 18, 2012 4:15 pm

photo by Flickr user kaylacasey

The Contra Costa Times reported that a Pleasant Hill man died in a crash on Highway 24 earlier today after hitting a tree. It was reported that the driver was driving erratically. A pit bull in the car survived.

I happened to drive past the accident, well after it happened but before the car was removed and couldn’t believe what happened to the car. I’ve never seen a car so smashed up before.

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Judging Restaurants – Metro Lafayette

April 18, 2012 11:30 am

Metro, located in a parking lot across from Whole Foods is not in the prettiest area in Lafayette, but the California-French food and ambiance is upscale. You can see their lunch menu here, and dinner menu here. From their website:

The menu features an eclectic mix of California-French dishes including Tiradito of Hamachi with papaya, carrots, blood orange, chili & ponzu; Roasted Butternut Squash Tortelloni with sage-brown butter; Spicy raw Tuna Poke with sesame rice crackers; Gnocchi Parisienne with winter vegetables & Reggiano cream sauce; and Misoyaki Black Cod with cilantro steamed rice, sauteed spinach & yuzu-ginger sauce.

Metro Lafayette is located ta 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Any must order items?

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Recently Opened – Traction Bikes in Lafayette

April 18, 2012 8:30 am

A few months ago Traction Bikes moved from Pleasant Hill to downtown Lafayette, at 3568 Mt. Diablo Blvd, right next to the Milosport snowboarding store. They are an independent bike shop run by owner Mike Brain who ran the first mobile bike repair business in Contra Costa County way back in 1982.

Check out the inside:

They offer bikes for both serious and casual riders, as well as children. Their Facebook page is here. Lafayette now has downtown 3 bike shops, Traction Bikes, Sharp Bicycle and Hank & Frank Bicycles.

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Earth Day Celebration at Lafayette Library & Learning Center in Lafayette

April 17, 2012 4:30 pm

Lafayette’s 7th annual Earth Day celebration will be held at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center in Lafayette this Sunday, April 22nd. From their website:

Sustainable Lafayette, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, the City of Lafayette, and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce invite you to Lafayette’s 7th annual Earth Day Picnic & Celebration! For over 40 years, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrated their commitment to environment protection and sustainability. In Lafayette we will be celebrating our efforts to protect our environment with a community celebration at the beautiful Lafayette Library.

Fresh, Organic Food

Enjoy a great organic lunch el fresco from a variety of wonderful food providers and food trucks: Whole Foods, Fist of Flour, Nature’s Bounty, and Bookmark Cafe.

Family Entertainment

Listen to live music from local musical bands at the outside library ampitheater (near the book statue). The Gypsy Chix will perform 11am – 12:30pm. Dream Posse will perform 1pm-3pm.

Stop by the Arts and Sciences Center for special kids crafts, face painting and interactive activities by Lindsay Wildlife Museum and Lawrence Hall of Science.

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Tues. Afternoon Rental Option – Cypress Creek Apartments in Walnut Creek

April 17, 2012 3:30 pm

A 2 br rental is available at the Cypress Creek Apartments near downtown Walnut Creek for $1613/month.

View Larger Map

From the Craigslist ad:

Cypress Creek Apartments comprehensive amenities cater to almost every need like our heated sparking pool and a cardio fitness room– all surrounded by beautiful courtyards with winding sidewalks and lush landscaping. We are conveniently located on Ygnacio Valley Road.

This is the kitchen:

All floorplans are listed here. It looks like you get more bang for your buck but you’ll need a car or bus to get to downtown or Bart as it’s a bit too far to walk judging from the map.

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