The Walking Company is closing in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek next Saturday, October 26th. According to an employee I spoke with there are no plans to relocate in Broadway Plaza while that area undergoes renovation.
The Walking Company is closing in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek next Saturday, October 26th. According to an employee I spoke with there are no plans to relocate in Broadway Plaza while that area undergoes renovation.
Bedford Gallery
1601 Civic Dr. Walnut Creek
Sunday, November 3rd, 2013
11:00am – 5:00pm | FreeOn November 3, 2013 the Bedford Gallery will host its Sixth Annual Bg Craft Fest, a celebration of handmade gifts. Featuring everything from jewelry to home goods, this curated festival brings together the best of Bay Area crafters and artists. Held inside the gallery, this event is a twofer; visitors can shop the Craft Fest and see art – all free.
The Bg Craft Fest is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping. Visitors can find one of a kind gifts for everyone on their list at this popular event. Craft Fest regulars including Shimmer Jewels, MODify/d, and Multiflasking are back and plenty of new surprises have been added too.
This year features an expanded selection of food vendors; Mollie Rose Baking Company is new this year with vegan baked goods, candies, chocolates, and jams. Sprouted Minds, started by Cal senior Michael Assayag, will offer food bars made from organic, raw, and sprouted ingredients. If you’re looking for snacks to share with family and friends, check out PopMomaPop’s line of hand-shaken kettle corn and heirloom kernels.
Saturdays from 11am – 3pm the Off the Grid mobile food market comes to the parking lot of the Willows Shopping Center in Concord where 10 food trucks are stationed offering various cuisines with live music playing in the background. As you can see in the photo below, a KoJa Kitchen food truck which has been featured on the Food Network was extremely popular. Get in line early though as it fills up quickly. As I took this photo a really long line wrapped behind me for KoJa. Anyone been here? Besides KoJa Kitchen what other food trucks do you like?
Back in March I noted that a new dry cleaners was coming to the Lafayette Shopping Center a few stores down from Trader Joe’s and they (Green Cleaners) have now closed.
Photo from Lindsay Wildlife Museum
Not-So-Scary Animals for Halloween:
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
1931 First Ave, Walnut Creek
Saturday, October 26th, 27th & Wednesday, October 30th, 31st, 2013
12:00pm – 4:00pm | $8.50What: As part of the ten-day Bay Area Science Festival Lindsay Wildlife Museum presents ‘Not-So-Scary Animals for Halloween,’ four days of fall fun featuring some of the world’s most frightening creatures – bats, owls, spiders, snakes, vultures and more – in a not-so-scary way. Each family friendly presentation includes meeting live animal ambassadors, learning about their special adaptations, and talking with their keepers.
Lindsay Wildlife Museum is the first-ever Bay Area Science Festival partner in Contra Costa County.
This collaborative public education initiative brings together leading academic, scientific, corporate, and non-profit institutions to showcase the region as an international leader in innovation. Based on similar festivals throughout the world, the 50+ festival events are expected to attract over 50,000 active participants, many of whom traditionally do not have access to quality scientific resources.
- While You Were Sleeping – Meet live nocturnal animals and learn why they stay up all night and how they find their way in the dark.
- Creepy Crawlies – Get up close to spiders, cockroaches and snakes and learn how these ‘creepy’ animals help the environment.
- Animal Myths – Are bats blind? Can a toad give you warts? Are all snakes poisonous?
Where: Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek, adjacent to Larkey Park.
When: October 26 & 27, October 30 & 31, 12-4pm.
For more information: Please call 925-627-2913 or visit www.wildlife-museum.org.
100 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
Back in July I noted that The Melt truck was spotted in downtown Lafayette and now according to Diablo Dish The Melt may be coming to Pleasant Hill to Crescent Dr, right next to Zachary’s Pizza and across from the Cinemark movie theater. According to the latest city council agenda The Melt is requesting a total of 31 outdoor seats. Check out The Melt’s menu here.
From their website:
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, THE MELT is simply “Grilled Cheese Happiness.” Currently operating 15+ locations throughout California, this fast casual eatery combines chef inspired, all natural, wholesome food with innovative online ordering technology in an eco friendly environment. The growth of THE MELT is fueled by a solid management team led by Flip Video founder Jonathan Kaplan and a top-tier board of directors including Ron Johnson, former head of retail operations at Apple; Mike Moritz and Bruce Dunlevie, two prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalists; and Michael Mina, a James Beard award winning chef and restaurateur. Visit melt.com for more information.
Thanks to a tip from a reader about Life Coach of Lafayette opening up on Oak Hill Rd. next to Millie’s Kitchen in downtown Lafayette.
Mt. Diablo Blvd. between First St. & Moraga Rd.
Sunday, October 27th, 2013
8:00am | $30The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette are co-sponsors of the Run which is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October. Beneficiaries of the event are the local schools and the services and programs of the Chamber.
The Lafayette Reservoir Run is the city’s most popular “family affair”, involving kids, parents, grandparents, and hundreds of serious runners from throughout the Bay Area. 2200-2500 participants compete in a 10k or 5k Certified Runs and a 2 mile run/walk for fun through the heart of the downtown, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents share the streets on that festive Sunday morning.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Presented By: Lafayette Chamber of Commerce & City of Lafayette
Event Date: Sunday, October 27, 2013
Start Location: Mt. Diablo Blvd. between First St. & Moraga Rd.
Registration Opens: 6:30am
Staggered Start Times: 2mi run/walk 8:00am, 5k Certified Run 8:30am , 10k Certified Run 8:45 am
Race Descriptions:
- 5k Certified Race – flat, “chip” timed course, runners only (NO Dogs or Baby Strollers).
- 10k Certified Race – hilly, “chip” timed course around the reservoir, Dogs on Leash & Baby Strollers OK.
- 2 Miles Run/Walk for Fun – No Timing – Fun Run ONLY, Dogs on Leash & Baby Strollers OK
Race Course: 10k Moraga Road west to El Nido Ranch Road, around the Lafayette Reservoir and back to Moraga Road. 5k or 2 mile DO NOT go around the Lafayette Reservoir.
Race Certified By: The Athletic Council/Road Runners of America (TAC/RRCA)
Registration:
- Adult registration fee – $30; Day of Race fee – $35
- Elementary school fee – $22; Day of Race fee – $27
1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
Last week I noted that Cafecitos Cafe would be opening on Thursday and so I dropped by to try check them out and try some South American cuisine which I don’t believe is available anywhere else downtown. The inside is nicely decorated with cool posters from the 1915 San Francisco’s World’s Fair and a giant print designed especially for the cafe in keeping with their purpose, “about celebrating life moments through good food, music, and friendships”.
Check out their menu here. There are so many things I wanted to to try but I settled on the Lomo Saltado sandwich, “a popular Peruvian dish with Asian influences served on a fresh bread roll. Marinated beef, tomato, red onion, and cilantro served with papas fritas and Rocoto chili ketchup”.
Check out the inside of the cafe:
Photos of the sandwich and prints after the jump…
1280 Willow Pass Rd, Concord
Thanks to a tip from a reader I was alerted to the possibility of Hobby Lobby opening a new location in Concord and have confirmed this is indeed happening and the new store at 1280 Willow Pass Rd. will open in late February or March, 2014. This location used to be Tower Records and Sport Chalet but Guitar Center will remain open next door.
Hobby Lobby’s nearest location is in Antioch so this Concord location will be a lot more convenient for those in the East Bay. Note they are closed on Sundays by, “honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles.” Check out their website here. How does Hobby Lobby compare to Michael’s Arts & Crafts in Pleasant Hill? I imagine it’s way bigger?