Last week I noted that San Francisco based Roam Artisan Burgers would be opening its first location outside San Francisco in Lafayette and according to the owner they’re planning on an early October opening. Stay tuned for updates…
Last week I noted that San Francisco based Roam Artisan Burgers would be opening its first location outside San Francisco in Lafayette and according to the owner they’re planning on an early October opening. Stay tuned for updates…
Check out the mulch which recently replaced sand at the Civic Park playground in downtown Walnut Creek. According to the City of Walnut Creek web page, the sand was replace with mulch to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other Walnut Creek playgrounds will be replaced as well:
To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), sand is being replaced with mulch at several City park playgrounds. The playgrounds will be closed during the replacement project for about 3 days each. Civic Park playground will be closed beginning May 6, followed by the playgrounds at Tice Valley park on May 10 and Rudgear park beginning May 10 or 13. Signs will be posted several days in advance of the work.
The area where there is a water component still has sand though. My kid loved playing in the sand so this was disappointing to him although I appreciate not getting sand stuck in my shoes. I think it would still be difficult to maneuver in a wheelchair though.
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
Friday, May 17th – Saturday, June 22nd, 2013It started with Fellini, was made world famous by Fosse, and now this multi-Tony Award winner bursts onto the Lesher stage with all the singing and dancing you could hope for! Meet Charity Hope Valentine, the girl who wants to be loved so much that she sings, dances, laughs and cries her way through romances with the “animal magnetism” hero, the “ultra-chic continental” hero and the “impossible-to-believe but he’s better-than-nothing” type hero. This delightful musical features fabulous dancing and great tunes such as “Hey Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now!”
Spotted outside a store in Lafayette, the sign says, “No Yogurt allowed in store”. Does this means ice cream and smoothies are ok? 🙂
Back in April I noted that Sherman Clay Pianos would be closing in Walnut Creek and it turns out that Steinway & Sons has purchased Sherman Clay Bay Area locations and will transition the Walnut Creek and San Francisco stores to Steinway & Sons stores according to this press release. According to a Steinway & Sons employee I contacted plans are for the store to reopen under Steinway & Sons in June. Great news for piano lovers!
Gold Coast Chamber Players Presents Transcendent:
Lafayette Library and Learning Center
3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette
Saturday, May 11th, 2013
7:30pm – 9:00pm | $35Through the bleakness of World War II comes Olivier Messiaen’s sublime Quartet for the End of Time. Keynote speaker Rebecca Rischin reveals the circumstances under which the Quartet was created.
Quartet for the End of Time for clarinet, violin, cello, piano – Olivier Messiaen
Musicians
Kay Stern, violin (Concertmaster, San Francisco Opera)
Tony Striplen, clarinet (San Francisco Opera)
Christopher Costanza, cello (St. Lawrence String Quartet)
http://slsq.com/bio/christopher-costanza
Yana Reznik, piano, www.yanareznik.comGeneral Admission $35.00, Senior $30.00, Student $10.00
Order tickets by calling (925)283-3728 or online at: www. gcplayers.tix.com
Back in September I noted that a new cafe would be opening and now Fraedo’s Cafe has finally opened in downtown Walnut Creek at Growers Square, across the street from the Lesher Center.
Walnut Creek City Council
The Contra Costa Times recently reported that five former Walnut Creek mayors criticized, “council members’ handling of an investigation into employee knowledge of alleged child sex abuse at the Lesher Center.”
From the article:
In a letter sent to the City Council, city manager, city attorney and the Contra Costa Times, former mayors Gwen Regalia, Sue Rainey, Kathy Hicks, Charlie Abrams and Gary Skrel say they are “dismayed” that information has leaked to the press from City Hall. They question why the council hasn’t investigated the leaks and say they were “astonished” to read in this newspaper negative comments about the city manager following a closed session council meeting.
The article goes on to mention that the Contra Costa Times obtained a police memo detailing the “alleged failure of employees to report suspicions of child abuse.” and the former mayors are “shocked” that an investigation has not been called to find out who leaked it.
Having followed national news I know there are leaks all the time by Congressional staff, Presidential staff and other governmental entities to national newspapers such as the New York Times and Washington Post. I remember that when leaks affect national security the President and others start taking things more seriously but I didn’t realize people care about leaks at the city level.
While other cities publish police reports publicly for all to see, both Walnut Creek and Lafayette keep reports private while at the same time allowing certain entities such as the Contra Costa Times access to information. Given this insider access and relationships between police staff and reporters, is it any wonder that a police memo would also be be passed to them as well? Not surprising at all.
What do you make of this standoff between former Walnut Creek mayors and the city council? Should Walnut Creek and Lafayette follow the lead of cities like Seattle by making most police reports publicly available?
Walnut Creek Yacht Club
1555 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
Sunday, May 12th, 2013
11:30am – 3:00pm & 5:00pm – 8:00pm | $30Join us Sunday May 12th for Mother’s Day. Although normally closed on Sundays we’re going to be open especially for you moms!
Lunch: 11:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Dinner: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering a special 3 course $30.00 Mother’s Day menu
Sunday May 12, 2013Mother’s Day Menu
$30.00
Bonfire Pizzeria in the Orinda Theatre Square has closed according to a sign in the window (see below). When they first opened I was a big fan of their pizzas although I think their ingredients changed over time. Word on the street is that a new pizzeria will be opening in this location over the summer. Stay tuned…
