Beyond the Creek

Sculpture of the Day (Bufano Edition)

June 23, 2014 8:30 am

A couple of years ago I noted that the Hand of Peace sculpture by California-based artist Beniamino Bufano would be displayed in Civic Park in downtown Walnut Creek for the next 25 years and the sculpture is now being displayed right next to the Walnut Creek library. It’s a lot bigger than I anticipated!

The co-owner of the Walnut Creek jewelry and gift shop Ming Quong, Nona Mock Wyman, composed a haiku to celebrate its return:

as today’s children
behold Bufano’s vision
they too shall stand tall

Backside view:

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Birthday Celebration for Lord Richard, the Turkey Vulture at Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek this Weekend

June 20, 2014 4:30 pm

Photo by Paul Hara

Birthday Celebration for Lord Richard, the Turkey Vulture:

Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 1st Ave, Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 21st & SUnday, June 22nd, 2014
11:00am – 4:00pm | $8.50

Lindsay Wildlife Museum hosts two days of celebrations honoring the 40^th birthday of Lord Richard, the turkey vulture who greets and delights museum visitors from her al fresco aviary at the Walnut Creek Museum’s entrance. The parties include birthday cake specially baked for Richard, arts and crafts, learning the turkey vulture dance, storytelling and animal keeper talks about these magnificent birds. Guests will even learn to smell like a turkey vulture. The Museum’s longest resident, Richard was first raised by a San Francisco family after she was orphaned. When she came to the Museum in 1974, she was assumed to be male because, without more intimate examination, female and male turkey vultures look identical. Then, in late 1980, Richard laid an egg.

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Mural of the Day

June 20, 2014 11:30 am

Spotted in downtown Concord near Brendan Theatres and Todos Santos Plaza on Salvio St. This is a great mural for the Fourth of July.

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Janie and Jack Reopens in Broadway Plaza

June 19, 2014 11:30 am

Back last December I noted that Swarovski was closing in January to make room for the children’s clothing store Janie and Jack which had to close due to the Broadway Plaza redevelopment across the street and Janie and Jack has now reopened in this spot next to the fountain, between Sunglass Hut and True Religion Jeans.

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Sign of the Day

June 19, 2014 8:30 am

I noticed these signs around Walnut Creek “celebrating 100 years” aka the Walnut Creek Centennial. I think they look great but the back side is empty so when you’re leaving Walnut Creek going onto Highway 24 you’re greeted with a giant empty purple sign. I think a message on the back would have been a nice touch. Something like, “thanks for stopping by” or “you’re leaving Walnut Creek”. Any other suggestions for a backside message?

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Locust Street Deli Closes in Walnut Creek

June 18, 2014 11:30 am

1552 Locust St, Wanut Creek

Last month I noted that Locust Street Deli & Cafe would be closing in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now closed. I wonder how soon the replacement Japanese restaurant will take before it opens in this location…

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Moraga School District Settles 2 More Sex Abuse Lawsuits for $14 MIllion

June 18, 2014 10:30 am

Last May I noted that the Moraga School District settled a sex abuse lawsuit for $2.85 million and now 2 more sex abuse lawsuits have been settled for $14 million. More details in the Contra Costa Times article here. The article notes that it’s “the nation’s largest molestation settlement per student.”

From the Moraga School District statement:

Two lawsuits against the Moraga School District alleging that sexual abuse of students in the 1990s could have been prevented have been settled. The settlements were reached following discussions between the district’s insurer and attorneys for the two victims. The district did not determine the amount of the settlement payment, which will be made by the insurer and will not impact the district’s general fund.

Under the terms of the agreement, the district’s insurer will pay each of the two women $7 million for the suffering they and their families experienced as a result of the abuse. In exchange, the women have agreed to drop their lawsuits and release all claims against the district and its former staff.

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The Spotted Cow Opens in Walnut Creek

June 18, 2014 8:30 am

2631 N. Main St, Walnut Creek

Earlier this month I noted that a new vintage antiques and collectibles store called The Spotted Cow would be opening in Walnut Creek and they have now opened and are having a grand opening celebration this Sunday, June 22nd. Check out their website here. (Above photo courtesy The Spotted Cow).

From an email:

You’re invited to join us this Sunday, June 22 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm to shop for a cause as we celebrate our Grand Opening. We’ll have food, live music, product demonstrations, giveaways, and of course, great shopping. Come check out our new showroom, get to know our incredible vendors, and enter to win free workshops, products, and more. There will also be gifts with purchase.

Best of all, a portion of the entire day’s proceeds will be donated to Arts Access, a program of the Diablo Regional Arts Association that annually brings 6000+ underserved students in Contra Costa County to experience high-quality live performances and visual arts exhibits at the Lesher Center for the Arts.

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Ice Monster Opening July 1st in Walnut Creek

June 17, 2014 11:30 am

2230 Oak Grove Rd. Walnut Creek

Yesterday I noted that a new dessert shop called Ice Monster is planning to open in the Nob Hill Shopping Center in Walnut Creek and I have some more information from the owner on what will be offered and a planned opening day of July 1st. The main offering will be shaved ice which is very exciting. I love snow cones so I’m sure I’m going to love this. Just in time for summer!

Email from the owner:

We are selling many kinds of desserts such as: ice cream, Belgian waffles, crepes, ice cream bread house (special), and shaved snow. Shave snow is our main product and it’s a new dessert that has been trending, but there are none in Walnut Creek. We are making flavored blocks of ice and we have a machine that will shave the block of ice into thin layers that drops down into a bowl. The layers become a snowy texture and we add toppings on it such as: condensed milk, fresh fruits, etc. It is much more healthier compared to ice cream and has a unique smooth texture. We are also selling many kinds of beverages such as: milk shakes, smoothies, and milk tea.

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Progress on BRIO Apartment Complex in Walnut Creek

June 17, 2014 8:30 am

141 North Civic Dr, Walnut Creek

A couple of years ago I noted how the Paragon Apartments project was approved by Walnut Creek and progress is coming along nicely at the corner of CIvic Dr. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. Now this apartment complex has been renamed BRIO, and 300 market-rate one and two bedroom apartments will be available. Check out the complete home features and community amenities at the developer website here.

BRIO Rendering:

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