Spotted at an unnamed downtown Walnut Creek restaurant.
Golfsmith, the golf and tennis store located at 1902 Mt. Diable Blvd in downtown Walnut Creek, is moving to Pleasant Hill and getting rid of their entire tennis section according to an employee I spoke with recently. There will be more tech gadgets featured and a large virtual putting green which sounds great for golfers out there. Now what do tennis players like yours truly do? This is a bit disappointing, anyone know of tennis stores that sells and strings racquets in Walnut Creek?
Back last December, this sign, owned by Clean Dog Healthy Dog, a dog washing and grooming salon, was featured on this blog highlighting the whimsical marketing method that welcomed many drivers entering downtown Walnut Creek from Highway 24.
However, I’m saddened to report that the dog head, which came from a dog costume, was stolen about one month ago. This really bothers me because this is a small, friendly, locally owned business that had a really great idea that many people enjoyed seeing as they drove down Mt. Diablo Blvd. into downtown.
I’m going to feature Clean Dog Healthy Dog in a future post but for now I would like to offer a $25 reward for information leading to the safe return of the dog head. Email me if you have information.
Walnut Creek Police reported that three people from around Los Angeles purchased mutliple gift cards using fraudulent credit cards at the Walnut Creek Nordstrom, and after searching their vehicle found over $10,000 worth of fraudulently purchased gift cards and credit cards belonging to other people. All three were arrested and are being held on $70,000 bail each.
On February 25, 2012 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to Nordstrom, located at 1200 Broadway Plaza for a report of multiple suspects using fraudulent credit cards to purchase gift cards. The suspects had left Nordstrom prior to officer’s arrivals. Officers spotted the three subjects in a van parked in the Nordstrom parking lot and detained them. Nordstrom Loss Prevention Agents responded and identified the three suspects as the persons responsible for the frauds that had just occurred in the store. They also informed the officers that these subjects have been identified in numerous frauds at several Nordstrom’s’ throughout the state. Officers identified the subjects as Xianglong Cao, Jarmar Bethea and Joseph Quinney and they were arrested (see above). Officers searched the subjects and the van and located over $10,000 worth of fraudulently purchased gift cards and credit cards belonging to other people. Officers confirmed the suspects were all from the Los Angeles area and had committed similar crimes in other city’s throughout California. The suspects were planning on heading to Portland, Oregon from Walnut Creek.
Anyone with additional information are asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925)943-5844.
I wonder if Neiman Marcus will encounter the same types of crime that Nordstrom has to deal with. And what about Macy’s, why don’t I ever read reports about similar incidents at Macy’s?
I was able to snap a quick shot of a Neiman Marcus window display in downtown Walnut Creek being setup for the grand opening on March 9. Upon a closer look through the window, it appears there’s going to be a huge shoe section on the first floor near that area.
Kristina Lawson, council member from Walnut Creek since 2010 has been in the news quite a lot recently. In the Contra Costa Times she had an op-ed titled, Your Turn: Must end crime and violence in downtown Walnut Creek, and was also featured in the San Francisco Business Times in its Forty Under Forty where she said:
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up: As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer and be involved in shaping public policy.
Looks like a lot more is in store for Kristina Lawson. My prediction, future mayor of Walnut Creek, or maybe even a higher office? What do you think?
The Habit Burger Grill, a fast food burger restaurant located at at 1255 S. California Blvd. in Walnut Creek, across the street from AAA, is always jam-packed every time I go. No wonder why they’re opening a new store in Pleasanton. My usual order is a hamburger with cheese, bacon, avocado on a lettuce wrap, no mayo, and I have to admit to enjoying it. Although switching from a bun to lettuce is a pain, I’m trying to get used to it for dietary reasons. You can check out their menu here. Any other fans of this place?
Over the past few months Walnut Creek has experienced a fair amount of alcohol-related incidents late at night and in response, the Walnut Creek city council has taken steps to address the issue like cutting hours that bars can serve alcohol and beefing up weekend patrols. Meanwhile local bar owners say they are committed to safety and and security improvements.
Take a look at this recent notice put up at Redux Lounge in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. It says:
Redux Lounge
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE
Dress code strictly enforced
No flat brim hats
No bandanas
No oversized clothes
No baggy clothes
No jerseys
No sports gear
Do you feel the bar owners have taken heed and will be stricter in enforcing drinking rule limits? Or is not enough being done about this problem?
Back in December I noted that Erawan Thai restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek was closing down according to a reputable source, but weeks later they were open and now unfortunately, as can be seen in the photo, they have closed for good. I spoke with one of the workers helping to move out and she thought that the owner might have been having a hard time handling operations. So it turns out the source was right after all!
Diabo Magazine, host of the Best of the East Bay voting competition, now has the 2012 ballot up and running. There are a ton of choices but you don’t need to fill everything out, just what you can to make it as complete as possible. If you’re so inclined, help this up and coming blog by spreading the word and voting for Beyond the Creek as best “local blog”, thanks!
http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/Best-of-the-East-Bay-2012/