Encina Grande, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader who wrote in that the Safeway that is closing in Encina Grande on Ygancio Valley Rd. in Walnut Creek, “this morning at 6:30 am store was packed, lines extended the entire length of the store”. I dropped by later in the afternoon and it was 85% empty. Looks like they’ll be closing sooner rather than later judging by how little stuff is left.
Thanks to a reader for sending in this photo of a blue Chevrolet Apache truck spotted in San Ramon. This looks like the 1950’s to me. Anyone know what year?
Cal Shakes Theater
100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda
Wednesday, August 12th, 2015 – Sunday, September 6th, 2015Cal Shakes’ outgoing artistic director Jonathan Moscone has chosen Charles Ludlam’s uproarious 1984 comedy for his final bow at the Bruns. In an unparalleled theatrical feat, Cal Shakes favorites Danny Scheie and Liam Vincent will make 35 costume changes to play eight different characters, ranging from a nobleman to an Egyptian princess. Taking place at a sinister estate near Hampstead Heath, where Lord Edgar and his nervous new wife Enid find themselves haunted by werewolves, ghosts, a vampire, and Edgar’s mysterious ex-wife, Irma Vep is a hilarious send up of a medley of different styles and sources, specifically, Hitchcock’s thriller, Rebecca, Brontë’s dark romance, Wuthering Heights, and Noël Coward’s otherwordly comedy Blithe Spirit.
A pioneering work in gay, and drag theater, this production will be a gender- (and genre)-bending tour-de-force.
Over the past year I have been posting about the new stores coming to phase one of the Broadway Plaza redevelopment in downtown Walnut Creek. A source has helpfully put together a summary and map of the stores that are coming:
Staged Reading of Latent Image:
Town Hall Theatre Company
3535 School St, Lafayette
Sunday, August 30th, 2015
2:00pm | Free (suggested $10-$15)Town Hall Theatre presents a staged reading of
Latent Image
a new play by David Wilcox
directed by Michael French
a fundraiser for Town Hall EducationReflecting the culture wars of our time with humor and irony, Latent Image exposes the absurdities of language that inhibit communication between warring factions.
Having lost his parents and his wife, Tommy Tremaine feels abandonded and longs for reconnection with his twin sister Dinah after years of estrangement. In trying to maneuver through the emotional baggage that bedevils them, Tommy discovers to his horror that while he was able to cast off the religion of this youth, it’s not so easy to shed the shame that the religion had fostered in him.
The other day I went on a tarantula trek in Mt. Diablo State Park and in addition to seeing tarantulas and scorpions, we also learned about poison oak. I’ve heard a lot about poison oak but never definitively encountered any until our guide helpfully pointed it out. Take a good look at the above photo. That is definitely poison oak.
According to Wikipedia:
The leaves are divided into three (rarely 5, 7, or 9) leaflets, 3.5 to 10 centimeters (1.4 to 3.9 in) long, with scalloped, toothed, or lobed edges. They generally resemble the lobed leaves of a true oak, though tend to be more glossy. Leaves are typically bronze when first unfolding in February to March, bright green in the spring, yellow-green to reddish in the summer, and bright red or pink from late July to October.
Unlike tarantulas, which are harmless to humans, poison oak, “causes itching; then evolves into dermatitis with inflammation, colorless bumps, severe itching, and blistering”. So stay away from poison oak, and remember these photos to remind you what to look out for.
1960 North Main St, Walnut Creek
In April we saw the continuing progress of the new apartment complex Ascent Walnut Creek, located across the street from Target at the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and N. Main St. and they are now leasing. Third and fourth floor apartments are expected to be available in the beginning of September, the second floor apartments towards the end of September and first floor apartments at the beginning of October. Studio/Urban 1 bedrooms begin at $2,200, 1 bedrooms start at $2,550, and 2 bedrooms start at $3,427. I imagine the lower priced apartments will be located near the gas station which you can see in the above photo at left. Check out their website which explains the amenities here.
Star Wars Family Outdoor Movie Night:
Rolling Hills Church
1565 Green Valley Rd, Danville
Friday, August 28th, 2015
8:30pm | FreeJoin us on August 28th as Rolling Hills Court Yard & Parking Lot will transform into a Galaxy Far, Far Away! Family Activities begin at 7pm including Star Wars Jumpy, Star Wars Arts and Crafts and a Meet & Greet with Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers. “A New Hope” will begin at dark ~ 8:30pm on our huge outdoor screen. Kids are encouraged to bring there Sleeping Bags & Adults their Camping Chairs. Admission is Free! Snacks (Candy, Popcorn, Water & Soda) are available for purchase for $1 each. All Procedes/Donations will directly go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Los Angeles-based NYX Cosmetics is opening one its first five locations in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek by the end of the year. According to a source, look for the store directly next to Macy’s.
From their Facebook page:
NYX Cosmetics was named after the Greek goddess who ruled the night, just like many of our fans who rule the night life in this modern techno-savvy world. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from eye shadows to foundation and brushes to eye lashes and glitter to glosses. Everything a professional makeup artist needs for the job or that a goddess needs to create her look for a night on the town.
NYX Cosmetics originated and is headquartered in the heart of sunny Los Angeles. The cosmetics line was founded in 1999 by a young entrepreneur named Toni Ko. Ms. Ko has been involved in color cosmetics since she was a teenager and has always desired to create and share a line of cosmetics that provided quality products at affordable prices.
