3422 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Folks are counting down the days until Bonehead’s Texas BBQ opens in Lafayette which replaces Bo’s Barbecue that closed last year. I recently spoke with the owner who indicates they are planning for an early June opening. Check out the latest updates on their Facebook page here. Learn more about their smoked meats, sauces and rubs here. I’m looking forward to trying this place out!
350 Park St, Moraga
Back in March the Rheem Theatre in Moraga was voted best cinema in the Bay Area. Although I prefer stadium seating, the art deco styling of the Rheem and Orinda Theatre is incredible and help bring a certain substance to these otherwise staid suburban towns.
The US News & World has issued their latest Best High Schools report and as you can see in the above graphic Campolindo High School (#28) in Moraga has edged out Miramonte High School (#39) in Orinda, although Miramonte has a slightly higher “Academic Performance Index”. Coming in at #130 is Las Lomas in Walnut Creek, #177 Monte Vista in Danville, and #316 College Park High in Pleasant Hill. For some reason, Northgate High in Walnut Creek was not ranked despite having a higher “Academic Performance Index” and “College Readiness” score than College Park High.
I thought Danville would be on par with Lamorinda schools but it looks like that’s San Ramon instead. What do you think of these high school ratings? Note I didn’t check every city in Contra Costa so if I missed one please let me know.
Since yesterday was Bike to Work Day, I’ve been wondering how many people use a bike to commute or for fun and exercise. As a kid I loved riding my bike; it gave me more freedom to explore. These days I don’t have as much opportunity to ride and I prefer running but given downtown Walnut Creek’s difficult parking environment I’m tempted to bring my bike, park far away, and ride to downtown instead.
Does anyone ride a bike to BART to commute? How many times a week do you ride? How far do you go?
Hope Walk – Cancer Support Community:
Heather Farms Park, Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
9:00am | $25Hope Walk is a new, exciting fundraising event raising community awareness about our presence and supporting the life changing programs and services that we offer at the Cancer Support Community. We provide comprehensive care – including counseling, support groups, nutrition, exercise and education – for cancer patients and their loved ones. By fundraising and joining us at the Cancer Support Community’s Hope Walk you are making lives better by helping provide vital services right here in the Bay Area.
This 5K (3.1miles) walk around scenic Heather Farms Park is for friends and families to celebrate and honor the lives of those living or passed, who have been touched by cancer. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Cancer Support Community to provide support, education and hope free of charge to anyone facing any type of cancer.
Hope walk is for everyone. Gather your friends, family, co-workers, and loved ones to form a team, join an already existing team, or walk as an individual. However you decide to participate, your passion and dedication to raise funds will create a successful event. Visit www.hopewalkbayarea.net to register!
7001 Sunne Ln, Walnut Creek
Last year we learned that a new Peruvian restaurant, Parada would be opening near the Pleasant Hill BART station in Walnut Creek. Check out the rendering from the press release followed by more info below:
Chef Carlos Altamirano, owner of Mochica, Piqueos, Sanguchon food trucks, and two-time Michelin Star winner La Costanera, will open Parada, a casual, welcoming restaurant and rotisseria showcasing vibrant and creative Peruvian flavors, in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek in late June 2015.
Parada is the first East Bay venture for veteran
Chef Carlos Altamirano, who currently owns and operates San Francisco restaurants Mochica in Potrero Hill and Piqueos in Bernal Heights, the Michelin-starred La Costanera just north of Half Moon Bay in Montara, Calif., and Sanguchon food trucks that serve the Bay Area. Known for flavorful and contemporary interpretations of traditional Peruvian fare, Chef Altamirano brings the vibrant flavors of the traditional market in Lima, Peru to downtown Walnut Creek. Taking its name and inspiration from the Peruvian outdoor produce market, Parada will serve dishes such as fresh fish cebiches, organic salads, grilled anticuchos and flavorful tapas and entrees such as Pollo a la Brasa, traditional Peruvian rotisserie chicken. With both a la carte and family style meals available for dine-in or take out, the restaurant is a welcome addition to downtown Walnut Creek, and is the only full service restaurant within two blocks of the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station.
Walking around I’ve noticed most fountains been turned off, even the world-renowned Fountain Head in downtown Walnut Creek. These days the cool weather doesn’t pose problems to lawns but as summer rolls around I’m wondering how people will cope with their gardens and conserve water in general. With twice a week watering rules in place, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more brown lawns this summer. I’ve also noticed plenty of lawns being converted to drought tolerant gardens. What do you plan to do with your garden and lawn this summer?
Benefit Concert Featuring Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and Paynbirds:
Cal Shakes Theater
100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda
Saturday, May 16th, 2015
7:00pm | $95Big Head Todd and the Monsters headlines, with paynbirds VIP Experience starts at 4:30 with band meet and greet, followed by organic gourmet dinner. GA Doors at 5:30. Show begins at 7:00. This will sell out and proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Fund, breast cancer prevention. HUGE THANK YOU to our generous sponsors, DC SOLAR and WHOLE FOODS!
Alamo Plaza
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the restaurant/bakery Panera Bread is coming to Alamo Plaza next to Katrina Rozelle Pastries.
2073 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
Back in March we learned that a salon would be opening a few stores down from the soon-to-open organic fabric shop Monaluna and indeed, Infinity Salon is moving from their Lafayette location to this downtown Walnut Creek spot. According to the owner, this may possibly the first, “solar panel powered hair salon” in all of California. Look for an early June opening.