The album cover of the day is back! Spotted at the Hospice Boutique Thrift Shoppe in Walnut Creek, near Whole Foods. The Leon & Mary Russell Wedding Album, from 1976:
The album cover of the day is back! Spotted at the Hospice Boutique Thrift Shoppe in Walnut Creek, near Whole Foods. The Leon & Mary Russell Wedding Album, from 1976:
3568 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Last month we learned that Learning Express Toys would be opening in downtown Lafayette on Mt. Diablo Blvd. and they are now open. It’s been over two years since Lafayette has had a toy store so this is good news especially with the holidays around the corner.
From their website:
Learning Express Toys of Lafayette will set itself apart from the “big-box” toy stores with educational toys, gifts, and exclusive products—all of which inspire imagination, creativity, and intellectual and physical development. Learning Express Toys provides customized services such as free gift wrapping, complimentary personalization of a variety of items, and an exceptional “birthday box” gift registry.
I stopped by and thought the selection was great; very interesting stuff that I haven’t seen elsewhere at various price points which I appreciated. I’ll definitely be back!
Photo by Flickr user governmentofalberta
Walnut Creek’s Christmas Tree Lighting:
Civic Park
1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, November 29th, 2014
5:00pm – 6:00pm | FreeWhat: Celebrate the return of Walnut Creek’s Christmas Tree Lighting event after a three-year hiatus. Enjoy family fun with tasty treats and festive carolers while ABC-TV’s Dan Ashley emcees the free festivities.
Note: Begin at the Ice Rink where a special guest will greet guests before the Mayor officially “flips the switch” on the gorgeous tree by the gazebo in Civic Park.
When: Saturday, November 29 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Where: Walnut Creek’s Civic Park and Ice Rink; 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Cost: FREE!
Broadway Plaza South Broadway Parking Garage, Walnut Creek
The new Broadway Plaza South Broadway Parking Garage opened over the weekend in downtown Walnut Creek. Considering how hard it is to find parking downtown this opened just in time. This garage has four levels, three above-ground and one below for a total of 2,500 spots. Unfortunately the Macy’s parking garage next to this garage will be closing in January according to this Contra Costa Times article.
Lately I’m finding it extremely difficult to find free parking downtown so I’ve been venturing further away where there is free street parking available within a five minute walk downtown. I hope nobody finds out about this area. 🙂
1657 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
Cycle Scape, downtown Walnut Creek’s first indoor cycling gym that we learned would be opening over the summer is now open. Check out their schedule here and pricing here. (When I stopped by there were postcards inside offering a free pass for a class). The cycling area for the 45 minute classes has plenty of Carbon Blue Schwinn stationary bikes and there is a weighted bar you can use to get a complete workout with the instructor at front. On the opposite wall are two giant video screens that show scenery from around the world, music videos, movies etc. The sound system is incredible. There are two private showers and plenty of locker space available. The copper accents inside are gorgeous; check out the photos below to see what I mean.
From their website:
Cycle Scape, Walnut Creek’s new indoor cycling boutique, helps you get an intense cardio workout on state-of-the-art Schwinn stationary bikes (Carbon Blue) in a luxurious, spa-like setting.
Cycle Scape will be the first boutique indoor cycling studio in Walnut Creek and one of the first to combine a mental component of inspirational coaching, great music, HD video and a full body workout on a bike using weights. Riders will not only burn calories to a one of a kind playlist, get an intense 45 minute cardio workout, but they will also enjoy a party-on-wheels and leave their stress behind.
Each 45-minute class is a complete Workout
More photos of the inside after the jump…
1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
The hotly anticipated ramen-ya Hiroshi Ramen that was expected to open earlier this month will be opening most likely in early December. I had a chance to chat with the owner Hiroshi who it turns out owned Yakitori Hiroshi in Dublin and worked in Tokyo for 10 years. This restaurant will focus on ramen noodle dishes such as pork tonkotsu ramen, miso ramen, tantan-men as well as a clear chicken base ramen. There will also be appetizers such as karaage and gyoza. As for yakitori, they’re considering opening a second restaurant in the area focusing on yakitori. Just writing about this is making me hungry… Yum!
1537 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word that RadioShack has closed in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. This is not the only one in Walnut Creek that has closed as Claycord reports that the RadioShack in the Encina Grande Shopping Center on Ygnacio Valley Rd. has also closed.
What is the last thing you ever bought at a RadioShack? I bought a stereo cable adapter a few years ago and have checked out the Arduino kits they have but that’s about it.
“3 Still Standing” Film Exclusive:
Walnut Creek Library
1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Friday, November 21st, 2014
7:30pm – 10:00pm | $12 (suggested)The Walnut Creek Library Foundation is sponsoring Mountain Shadow Film Society’s presentation of “3 Still Standing: Johnny Steele, Larry “Bubbles” Brown, Will Durst.”
Straight from its premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival, Mountain Shadow is pleased to bring this documentary/comedy exclusively to Walnut Creek!
Description: It’s 1980 in San Francisco. Comic geniuses Robin Williams and Dana Carvey spearhead a new era of stand-up comedy. Next in line for the “big time” are three talented comics: Will Durst, Larry “Bubbles” Brown and Johnny Steele. But then, the comedy “crash” hits. Now, like millions of other downsized Americans, Will, Larry and Johnny scramble to survive, while also staying funny, relevant, and true to the art form they love. – 90 minutes. non-rated.
Filmmakers Robert Campos and Donna LoCicero will present their work and engage the audience at both performances! Plus a LIVE performance by one of the 3 stand-up comics from the film!
Two Shows: Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 | 7:30 PM
55 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
Last month we learned that Daphne’s California Greek in Pleasant Hill would be transforming into Yalla Mediterranean due to new ownership wanting to try out a different concept. It is expected to open next month in December. According to this article from Nation’s Restaurant News, if this initial Pleasant Hill restaurant proves successful they may switch other restaurants to Yalla Mediterranean as well so it looks like Daphne’s in Walnut Creek may be in for a change… From the article:
Yalla Mediterranean will continue Daphne’s healthful emphasis and fast-casual format, tapping what is a growing hunger for flavors of that region.
Check out their menu here.
Open interviews this Saturday:
1385 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
After more than 33 years in business, (they have been at their current location since 1990), R. Brooks Fine Jewelry is closing for good after Christmas. There was a sale last weekend but I imagine there’ll be great deals going on throughout the month.