The housewares and gift shop Entrez! Open House has recently closed in downtown Walnut Creek on Cypress St. Their new location will be at 100 Grand Ave. in Oakland beginning June 24th. Check out their website here. This leaves downtown Walnut Creek without two great housewares and gift shops as Wish also left downtown Walnut Creek for 2333 Boulevard Way in Walnut Creek less than a mile away.
The inaugural Walnut Creek Film Festival took place last weekend beginning Friday night and lasting throughout Sunday evening. I had a chance to see some of the short films being shown and thought the movies were really cool. My favorites were:
It’s refreshing to have access to these independent movies right downtown so I’m thrilled about this film festival coming to Walnut Creek. Being the comedy fan I am I was partial to the comedy shorts although I enjoyed other genres as well. Yes, there were a few that didn’t work for me at all, but it was more than offset by the standouts listed above. I will definitely be back next year to check out the new offerings. Since they offer tickets based on genres in addition to all-day passes the possibilities are huge. I’ll definitely be back for the comedy block next year!
Did anyone go to this festival? What were your favorites?
In order to make room for extra parking for the new restaurant The Cooperage in downtown Lafayette, the building where Twigs Floral & Art called home for over 25 years will be demolished soon. Twigs will still be open for phone and online orders so check out their website for more info here.
Photo by Flickr user Marie Hale
Twilight Hikes With Night Birds:
Mitchell Canyon Visitors Center and Trailhead
Mt. Diablo State Park, Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 22nd, 2013
7:00pm | $6We’ll start at Mitchell Canyon listening to birds of the early evening as we hike to Red Road. As twilight approaches, we will plan to be near the upper part of Red Road, listening for Common Poorwill and local owls. Bring a flashlight, binoculars and water. The retuning hike in the dark may also turn up some interesting wildlife.
Last month I noted that the home decor shop Queen Bee would be closing in Lafayette and according to Diablo Style a new boutique called J. Colleen will be offering “upscale vintage clothing, original artwork” and jewelry beginning September 1st at this location.
Spotted at Lafayette Auto Body on Mt. Diablo Blvd, this is an old Richfield gas pump with a custom paint job. They even have a Blue Chip Stamp sign on the side. Does anyone remember those?
Photo from Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society
Model Railroad Society Summer Show:
Larkey Park
2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek
Saturday, June 29th, 2013
8:00pm – 10:00pm | $3Families can ‘ride’ the Diablo Valley Lines during their three whistle stop summer shows, featuring hundreds of model trains representing the mid 20th century through today, traveling over 4,300 feet of track on one of the world’s most mountainous model railroad layouts. The continuous show, dispatched by two Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society members, includes a dramatic sunset and night scenes with a rainy thunderstorm, a street railway with trolley cars, big freight yards and a large passenger terminal.
The elaborate 34×56 foot layout includes a composite of the mountainous area of the Western United States, bridges, tunnels, terrain from desert to snow covered mountains, towns, train yards, electric street cars, wind turbine, ski lift gondola and more. More than 200 train cars and 50 steam and diesel engines are in operation during the show. A unique summertime experience for the whole family – especially train buffs!
Live music every Fri. @ 8PM – great sign by the Mexican restaurant Barbacoa in downtown Orinda.
Photo by Flickr user Spirit-Fire
Now that summer is right around the corner I’ve been wondering what books people plan on reading this summer. I’m thinking of reading The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and Run or Die by the French ultra distance runner Kilian Jornet. What do you plan on reading this summer? What are some fun books you’ve read that you recommend?
From the Walnut Creek Police Department:
On 5/6/13 at 0824 hours, a taxi cab driver was robbed by a female suspect who was picked up as a fare in Walnut Creek. The suspect is described as a white female adult, approximately 21-25 yearls old, 5’7″ tall, 120 lbs. with long blonde hair. She was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, black stretch pants, and carrying a black backpack. No weapon was used. The suspect fled on foot from the taxi cab northbound on Bancroft from Treat Blvd. with an undisclosed amount of cash. The Victim in this case sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The Investigation is on-going.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844.