Beyond the Creek

Concert at the Res at Lafayette Reservoir on May 11th

May 6, 2013 4:30 pm

Photo by Flickr user kbakar

Concert at the Res:

Lafayette Reservoir
3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Saturday, May 11th, 2013
11:00am – 3:00pm | Free

Concert At The Res Lafayette Rotary’s Annual FREE Concert at the Res will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 11am-3pm at the Lafayette Reservoir. You can pack a picnic and don’t forget your beach chairs and blankets. The stage is adjacent to a shady picnic area, public restrooms and the children’s playground. Once you have parked walk East (to your left) towards the reservoir trail. The Stage is about 150 feet from the parking lot. A shuttle van will be used to pick up guests in the parking lot and drop them off at the trail entrance. A golf cart will be available to take those guests that need help up the hill to the new stage.

Musicians and artists for this year’s concert include Big Band of Rossmoor, Stanley Symphonic Band, Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Bentley Jass Ensemble, Lamorinda Theatre Academy, Stevie Coyle Strings and special guests Oakland Westlake Midde School and Town Hall Troupe. There will be food & raffle tickets available to support Lafayette Schools & Rotary Projects.

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Harvest Market Closes in Walnut Creek

May 6, 2013 11:30 am

Back last April I noted that Harvest Market was opening in Walnut Creek and they have now closed approximately one year later. They focused on healthy cuisine including gluten free selections.

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Swan’s Fine Books Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

May 6, 2013 8:30 am

A couple of weeks ago I noted that Swan’s Fine Books would be opening in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust. St. behind The Kitchen Table Store and they are now open for business. This is no ordinary bookstore as they focus on collectible books such as a first edition Huckleberry Finn and a one-of-a-kind San Francisco guidebook from the 19th Century. They even have a page from a 15th Century bible.

The inside of the store has wooden bookshelves and sitting areas throughout with the walls decorated with old movie posters from John Steinbeck novels such as Cannery Row. It’s a cool store to browse around. In addition to collectible books they have more affordable editions starting at around $15.

The inside is warmly decorated:

Check out more photos after the jump…

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Moraga Community Faire & Classic Car Show May 11th at Rheem Shopping Center

May 3, 2013 4:30 pm

Moraga Community Faire:

Rheem Valley Shopping Center
580 Rheem Blvd, Moraga
Saturday, May 11th, 2013
11:00am – 4:00pm | Free

This annual event is planned and organized by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce. The core of this community gathering is its businesses, coming out to meet and greet the public. Other attractions will include a classic car show, wine tasting from our local vineyards, cool music from our schools’s bands on our stage, and oodles of activities for the kids (crafts, bounce houses, contests, etc.)

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Queen Bee Closes in Lafayette

May 3, 2013 11:30 am

Queen Bee, a home decor and gift shop will be closing in downtown Lafayette after 8 years in business. There is a “20% off” sign on the window and according to Diablo Style it will remain open until June or inventory runs out. Diablo Style also has an interview with the owners here.

One part of the interview with the Queen Bee owner mentions Walnut Creek:

In fact, we’ve told everyone we’re going out of business, and I swear to God, they all say, “Oh my God, where am I going to go now? I have to go into Walnut Creek? That’s awful!“

Walnut Creek has been dissed in the past, see this Friday Question of the Day for more.

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Album Cover of the Week

May 3, 2013 10:00 am

Ed Ames – My Cup Runneth Over (1967). Spotted at Rainbow’s End thrift store in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Preview of 1500 N. California Blvd. Downtown Walnut Creek Development

May 3, 2013 8:30 am

The apartment and retail complex at 1500 N. California Blvd. and Bonanza St. in downtown Walnut Creek is expected to be finished in 2015 and I had a chance to check out some renderings and learn more about the development. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was published in March and can be accessed here.

There will be 18,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and 141 apartment rentals (not condos) on the upper floors. One interesting aspect of the complex is the addition of a public park on the Locust St. side right across from Hubcaps Diner. Although it’s not exactly huge at under 2,000 square feet, anyone is free to use it, not just people living there which should be nice. It will include a seating area, water features and bamboo. The architecture will include brick, stone, steel, and glass.

Plans are underway to bring in restaurants and a cafe to the Bonanza side of the development with service businesses on the N. California side. The corner of Locust and Bonanza will be a great spot for whoever ends up there. Which cafe would you most like to see open up in this new complex? (Please not another Starbucks, there are so many within walking distance already).

Current view down Bonanza Street:

Check out more renderings after the jump…

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Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux May 3rd & 4th at Diablo Ballet

May 2, 2013 4:30 pm

Photo by Aris Bernales

Diablo Ballet Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux:

Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium
111 N Wiget Ln, Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 3rd & Sunday, May 4th, 2013
8:00pm (Sat) 2:00pm & 8:00pm (Sun) | $29 – $38

Diablo Ballet continues its 2012-13 season at the Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium in Walnut Creek, with the Company’s popular Inside the Dancer’s Studio series, featuring the Bay Area return of George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Pas de Deux, Friday, May 3^rd at 8:00 pm and Saturday, May 4^th at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

The performance will begin with the Pas de Deux from Stars and Stripes by George Balanchine, set to the rousing, patriotic music of John Philip Sousa.

The program continues with the duet from They’ve Lost Their Footing by KT Nelson, Co-Artistic Director of ODC San Francisco. Set to the music of Hoven Droven, this electric dance displays the power and control of Nelson’s contemporary style.

Continued after the jump…

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Sleep Number Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

May 2, 2013 11:30 am

Back last December I noted that the mattress store Sleep Number would be opening on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now opened. This is right next to the Vitamin Shoppe where Eco Shoppe used to be. Sleep Number offers mattresses where you can adjust the firmness and temperature of each side with a remote control. Check out the inside of the store below.

Sleep Number is located at 1601 Mt Diablo Blvd.

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A.G. Ferrari Foods Closes in Lafayette

May 2, 2013 8:30 am

Thanks to a reader for sending word that the gourmet Italian deli A.G. Ferrari Foods has closed in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette. I was recently there so this came as a big surprise to me. I dropped by and sure enough it’s completely bare. Take a look at the photo below to see inside.

Apparently their lease was up and their rent was going to be raised so they closed up shop. I wonder if this is related to Whole Foods opening up nearby? There is also the market part of Chow on the other side of the square which has expanded over time.

If you want to shop at A.G. Ferrari you’ll need to to head to Piedmont Avenue in Oakland or one of their other locations here.

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