Beyond the Creek

Walnut Creek Homicide Investigation

December 14, 2011 4:30 pm

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office is looking for information about a homicide in unincorporated Walnut Creek where 48-year-old Jeffrey Mead Patterson of Hayward died of blunt trauma to his body. The cause of death is pending. They reported that:

While at the scene, Deputy Sheriffs arrested 48-year-old Shannon Mitchell Alexander Sr. of Walnut Creek. Alexander was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for homicide.
He is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at
(925) 313-2600.

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Neiman Marcus Gala to be Held March 8th

December 14, 2011 11:30 am

According to this press release, Neiman Marcus will be holding a grand opening store gala on March 8th to benefit 4 local charities:

Also noted is that this is the 7th Neiman Marcus store to open in California, tying Texas and Florida for most stores in a state.

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Ace Hardware Christmas Decorations

December 14, 2011 8:30 am

Who knew that a boring shopping trip to Ace Hardware in Walnut Creek could be so fun? First we’re greeted by two giant toy soldiers guarding the entrance. Then upon entering, there is a huge train set ABOVE the store that wraps all the way around. Note that even the Golden Gate Bridge is included. I think every single kid in that store was mesmerized by it, not to mention quite a few adults as well, yours included. Props to Walnut Creek Ace for putting together such a great display for the winter holidays.

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Winter Ice Gala Jan. 14th

December 13, 2011 4:30 pm

From the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce:

Please join us for this very special evening as we celebrate a wonderful season with the new Ice Rink and our 7th year in operation at this first Winter Ice Gala.

Formal cocktail attire – 21 and over, please.

The event will be fully tented and heated.

Valet Parking

Reservations are required on a first-come, first served basis as seating is limited.

6:30pm: Wine, beer and champagne

Enjoy our jazz ensemble featuring Jack Pollard’s Party of Two, Ice Sculpting and Silent Auction

7:45pm: Welcome, Seating for dinner

Dinner is catered by Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar

8:45pm: Ice Dancing performance by Award Winning U.S. Skaters

Brittany Gray: ISI Freestyle 6 / USFS Gold Medalist

Kayla de Groot: USFS Junior Ladies / USFS Gold Medalist

Sonja Chen: ISI Freestyle 4 / USFS Pre-Preliminary

Belize Combs: ISI Freestyle 4 / USFS Pre-Preliminary

9:00pm: Featured Skaters

Dance and Adagio Pairs Laura Carreon & Luke Munana

Ice Dancing Performance by ABC Channel 7 newscaster, Dan Ashley and his skating partner, Paulette Bleam

9:30pm: Performance by the band Push

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A Gun Tattoo Story

December 13, 2011 11:30 am

Photo by Photog*Phillip

Recently one evening I was picking up tickets at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, and while waiting for the light to turn green at the corner, a man approached me with an Irish or English accent asking where Tiki Tom’s was. Although I now know it’s located at 1535 Olympic Blvd (across from Urban Outfitters), at the time I didn’t know and told him so. The light was still red, and he mentioned he was from New York. I asked him where he was from originally, trying to figure out the accent. He again said New York. Assuming he was joking, I asked again, and added, “Do you have an Irish accent? You’re from Ireland right?” He was adamant that he was from New York, this time mentioning upstate New York. At this time I noticed he had a gun tattoo on his neck, pointed at me. I thought to myself, I should probably move on, apologized that I couldn’t help him find Tiki Tom’s, and quickly crossed the street.

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A Christmas Carol Playing at Lesher Center through Dec. 18

December 13, 2011 8:30 am

From the Lesher Center Christmas Carol info page:

December 8, 2011, curtain 8pm
December 9, 2011, curtains 11am & 7:30pm
December 10, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7:30pm
December 11, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7pm
December 13, 2011, curtains 9am & Noon
December 14, 2011, curtain 9:30am
December 15, 2011, curtains 9:30am & 7:30pm
December 16, 2011, curtain 7:30pm
December 17, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7:30pm
December 18, 2011, curtain 2pm

Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts, it’s no wonder the critics have called it “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area.” Join the thousands who makethis theatrical event part of their annual holiday traditions.

It will be performed at the Hofmann Theatre, one of three theatres located at the Lesher Center at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Has anyone been to this performance before? If so, how was it?

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Peak Inside Dirito Brothers New Showroom

December 12, 2011 4:30 pm

Previously I reported that the Dirito Brothers Volkswagen Walnut Creek showroom would be opening by Thanksgiving. Looks like it’s been slightly delayed, but when I took a look inside of the showroom I was blown away. It looks stunning. I’m not a betting man but if I were I’d bet that Dirito Brothers Volkswagen sales will be increasing signficantly in 2012.

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Car of the Day

December 12, 2011 11:30 am

Spotted on Locust St. in Walnut Creek right near Target. Check out the hood ornament:

Anyone know what kind of car this is?

UPDATE: According to a commenter below, it’s a Chevrolet ’56 Bel Air, thanks!

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Judging Restaurants – Kevin’s Noodle House

December 12, 2011 8:30 am

Located at the old Entenmann’s Bakery at 2034 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek at the end of Pringle Ave, the Vietnamese restaurant Kevin’s Noodle House had their grand opening on Saturday. Although the photo above, taken around noontime on Saturday shows some open tables, shortly thereafter it became absolutely jam-packed with quite a few people waiting for an open spot.

Commenters have mentioned previously that Walnut Creek already has plenty of Vietnamese restaurants, but I don’t consider Kevin’s Noodle House to be really comparable to the French-influenced Vietnamese restaurants like Le Cheval and Vanessa’s Bistro 2. If you’re after fine dining, look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a quick and cheap bowl of Pho and spring rolls in a clean setting, look no further.

Amazingly, they offer a child size bowl of noodles and chicken, steak or beef balls for only $3.25, and they didn’t skimp on the chicken either. To celebrate their grand opening in Walnut Creek, they are offering a free soda or coffee until December 24. So anyone else been here yet? Any fans?

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Walnut Creek Half Marathon – 2 Lanes of Ygnacio Valley Road to be Closed 12/10

December 9, 2011 4:35 pm

From a Walnut Creek Police bulletin:

A number of streets, including Ygnacio Valley Road, will have lane closures on Dec. 10 for the first Walnut Creek Half Marathon. The half marathon starts at 7 a.m. on South Broadway near Whole Foods. Runners will run east on Ygnacio Valley Road to Ayers Road in Concord, then reverse direct to finish at Civic Park.

Street closures include:
· Two east-bound lanes on Ygnacio Valley Road will be closed between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m.
· Broadway between Rudgear Road and Civic Dr. will be closed from 4 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
· Civic Drive between Broadway and Ygnacio Valley Road will be closed to northbound traffic between 4 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

There will be police at Ygnacio Valley Rd. intersections to allow for cross traffic, but drivers should plan for delays.

There will also be 10K and 5K races that morning. More than 2,500 runners are expected to participate in one of three races.

For more information, visit http://www.runwalnutcreek.com

After the event, there will be a post-race runner’s festival in Civic Park East from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

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