2150 Pleasant Hill Rd, Pleasant Hill
A reader asks:
Do you have any information if Molino’s Ravioli Factory shut down?
I dropped by recently and the gates are locked. Anyone know what’s going on?
2150 Pleasant Hill Rd, Pleasant Hill
A reader asks:
Do you have any information if Molino’s Ravioli Factory shut down?
I dropped by recently and the gates are locked. Anyone know what’s going on?
250 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill
Office Depot is closing in Pleasant Hill a couple of stores down from Best Buy and they are having a closing sale with the entire store “up to 50% off”. That may sound good but please note the “UP TO” part. There were some things 5% off and other items 20-30% off that are priced higher than Amazon.
Photo from Moraga PD
Rheem Blvd. & Center St, Moraga
Check out the photo above from the Moraga police showing the massive sinkhole that appeared across the street from Nation’s Giant Hamburgers in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga. When I dropped by later in the day there was a huge PG&E presence with mobile command center in the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot.
From the Moraga PD:
The Town of Moraga and PG&E are continuing to work to repair the damage caused by recent sinkhole at Rheem Blvd. and Center Street. Beginning at around 1:00 PM today PG&E will be venting the small amounts of natural gas as the broken line is repressurized. There are approximately 25 vent sites in the Rheem Valley area that will be staffed with PG&E personnel. Residents may smell the odor of natural gas between 1:00 and 3:00 PM today. The natural gas odor will quickly dissipate and will not be harmful.
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA
Saturday, March 19th, 2016
11:00am – 4:00pmHuman exploration of Mars isn’t only about learning to live on the Red Planet…. it is about surviving the trip there! What does it take to travel to Mars? Join us to learn more about the journey to the Red Planet. Watch science demonstrations that highlight the challenges, participate in hands-on activities related to space travel and listen to engaging scientists speak about the next steps in our journey to Mars.
1932 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Last month we learned that a new Italian restaurant called Wisegirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails would be opening in Oak Park Center in Pleasant Hill where Dallimonti’s Italian Restaurant used to be and they have now opened. Check out their menu here.
From their website:
WiseGirl Ristorante Italiano & Cocktails is an up and coming bar and restaurant where the décor and ambiance resemble a meeting place between Jay Gatsby and Al Capone. Nestled in the neighbor-friendly center off Oak Park Blvd., WiseGirl is part roaring twenties, part prohibition, two parts Good Fellas in a skirt, shaken-up with a whole lot of Italian roots. Music from your favorite local musicians fills the air. The menu takes a page from comfortable eating in old Sicily. The wine and cocktails embody an era reminiscent of warm cheeks, boisterous cheer and timeless memories.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last June we learned that the Spanish clothing retailer Zara would be coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and later in the year we learned that the Macy’s Men’s store would be demolished to make room for the new Zara store. Recently the massive Macy’s Men’s building has been demolished. Click here to see what the new Zara store may look like. Looks like there will be way bigger windows to allow plenty of natural light in which is going to look great.
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Sunday, March 13th, 2016
2:00pmOne of the most remarkable violin prodigies of any generation, Sarah Chang has matured into a young artist of astonishing virtuosity, musical insight, and emotional range. She performs with the world’s top orchestras with such conductors as Kurt Masur, Valery Gergiev, Gustavo Dudamel and Mariss Jansons, and plays chamber music with such artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Pinchas Zukerman, Martha Argerich, Lynn Harrell, Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma.
Ms Chang’s special relationship with Walnut Creek began many years ago, when as a jaw-dropping prodigy she was invited by conductor Barry Jekowsky to perform with his orchestra, the California Symphony. These performances kindled a love affair between Ms Chang and Contra Costa County audiences that still burns brightly.
We presented her in recital in 2013 in the Hofmann theatre, and sold every one of its 785 seats. Sarah Chang performed stunningly – it was a truly memorable event – so it is with special pride that we are bringing her back in 2016.
We are also pricing the tickets at affordable levels – the top price is $66, the middle price is $51 and the lowest price is only $36 – because we want to fill the theatre and make it another very special event for as many patrons as possible.
Do not miss Sarah Chang’s triumphant return!
Pier 45 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
It’s been years since I’ve been to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, but when someone left a comment on the Playland Not-at-the-Beach post from last month about another old time arcade center with a Laffing Sal, I knew I had to check it out. The Musée Mécanique is located in San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf, and has a huge selection of mechanical musical instruments as well as really old arcade games. Check out the fascinating story behind the museum here. Interestingly, out back there is a World War II submarine and warship you can check out (separate from the arcade).
Compared to Playland Not-at-the-Beach, the pinball selection is not as large, but it has a bigger video game selection including Pong and other black and white games as well as games from the 80’s that I grew up playing. The mechanical musical instruments and older games (that you can see from the photos below) are astounding. I’ve never seen anything like this and highly recommend checking this place out if you’re looking for something to do.
Unlike Playland Not-at-the-Beach, admission to Musée Mécanique is free, but it costs about 50 cents to play each game. Initially I preferred paying a one time entrance fee with free-to-play games, but it turns out I spent less than I did in El Cerrito.
From their website:
We will take you on a journey from turn of the century hand cranked music boxes to modern video arcade games. This is a trip down memory lane. It is a chance to show your children or grandchildren what you did for fun when you were their age. Before video games at home, perhaps before television, perhaps what you remember sitting in your grandparent’s parlor
For those of you who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is a chance to remember Playland at the Beach, Sutro Baths and the Cliff House. There is our own “Laffing Sal”, “Susie the Can-Can Dancer” and the fascinating “Carnival.” Other things have been brought in from around the world for your amusement.
Check out plenty more photos of the inside after the jump…
Yesterday we learned that a Wetzel’s Pretzels kiosk would be coming to Broadway Plaza which got me wondering what kind of snacks people enjoy the most. Lately I’ve been enjoying kettlecorn and getting back into dried shredded squid which I used to snack on when I lived in Japan. What is your favorite snack?
Heather Farm Park
301 N. San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek
March – May, 2016
Wednesdays at 6:45 & 7:35 pm | $75WAKA kickball is a 21+ co-ed kickball league designed to bring people together via the game of kickball and other social activities.
http://www.kickball.com/season/cavikingspring2016
A few details are below:
Registration for Spring 2016•Registration includes: 7 weeks of regular season games + playoffs, T-Shirt, awesome parties & social events, prizes for the champions and weekly discounts at our sponsor bar, Blu42!
•Games Wednesdays at 6:45 & 7:35 pm starting March 11, 2016
•7 week regular season + playoffs tournament (every team makes the playoffs)!
•Don’t have a full team? No worries. You can sign up as team, a small friend group, or a free agent. We will place you or your group on an existing team that needs players. WAKA Kickball is a great way to get your friends and co-workers together or to just meet new people!Spring 2016 Schedule of Events
•PRESEASON PARTY: TBD
•FIRST WEEK OF GAMES: March 11
•MIDSEASON PARTY: April 6th
•Playoffs: May 4th & 11th
•End of Season Party: TBD
