Sometimes parking at the Moraga Commons Park was a hassle due to overcrowding so these extra 30 odd spaces should help out. I like how they put boulders on the park side rather than a fence as a barrier. Very nice!
Sometimes parking at the Moraga Commons Park was a hassle due to overcrowding so these extra 30 odd spaces should help out. I like how they put boulders on the park side rather than a fence as a barrier. Very nice!
This photo of the Pleasant Hill Dome Theater was taken the last Sunday, its very last day in existence. 2001 Space Odyssey was aptly playing. Now it is no more. Eventually to be replaced by a Dick’s Sporting Goods store according to a Crazy in Suburbia post. It’s been around for 46 years, and watching a movie there is one of the few memories I have of this area back in the early nineties while visiting a friend.
There is however an appeal happening against the SyWest Development plans for the Shopping Center. From Crazy in Suburbia’s post:
The appeal basically says that SyWest Development’s proposal to replace the Dome Theater with a Dick’s Sporting Goods is inconsistent with the city’s own laws, policies and goals on historical and cultural preservation, promoting the arts and quality of life in Pleasant Hill, providing services for seniors, and creating an economically vibrant community.
So today’s question of the day is, should the Pleasant Hill Dome should be saved?
Lafayette, CA
Saturday, May 18th, 2013
10:00am – 3:00pm | $40Tickets are on sale now for the Lafayette Juniors 14th Annual Kitchen Tour. The Tour will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 10am to 3pm and will feature six beautiful kitchens in Lafayette homes ranging in style from farmhouse rustic to Mediterranean. Attendees will receive a Kitchen Tour program detailing all the special design elements of the kitchens as well as information on the architects, designers and contractors who created these inspired kitchens.
Proceeds from this year’s Tour benefit the work of five local non-profit organizations including New Day for Children, CoachArt, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, and We Care. These organizations were selected by the Lafayette Juniors for the support they provide to children and families in need in Contra Costa and neighboring East Bay counties.
Tickets are $40 ($30 tax deductible), with a box lunch available for $12. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lafayettejuniors.org or from Douglah Designs (3586 Mt. Diablo Blvd) and Premier Kitchens (3373 Mt. Diablo Blvd) in Lafayette.
For more information on the Lafayette Juniors Kitchen Tour and beneficiaries, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.
If you’re strolling down N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek past the Apple store you may notice beautiful pots of flowers. They’re actually hiding tree trunks from trees that were cut down. It turns out that year-round Christmas lights hanging on the trees caused the trees to burn necessitating their removal according to people working nearby I spoke with. I hope new ones can be planted soon.
Back in January I noted that Pier 1 Imports was moving down the block to where Golfsmith used to be on Mt. Diablo Blvd in Walnut Creek, and they will be opening in a week or so now that construction has finished on a huge new building. Take a peek inside one of their windows. Compared to their old, smaller location this space will allow them to display way more stock.
Wildflower Hike:
Mangini Ranch, Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 11th, 2013
9:30am – 12:00pm | $10/carJoin Julie Seelen on a spring hike through spectacular Mangini Ranch, which will be budding with wildflowers. Closed to the public, Save Mount Diablo’s 208-acre property includes the headwaters of Galindo Creek with rolling grasslands, oaks, buckeyes, and a rare desert olive grove. Visit a secret spring and keep your eyes out for bobcats and coyotes looking for breakfast, plus burrowing owls, quail, and many other feathered friends. This is a two hour, four mile hike with one moderately strenuous hill. The length and course may be altered based on weather. Mangini Ranch is home to our Heritage Tree program . If you have considered commemorating your Mom with a unique and beautiful tree please join us on the hike to see the trees available. Please RSVP to Julie . Leader: Julie Seelen jseelen@savemou
ntdiablo.org Meet at SMD’s Mangini Ranch. From Ygnacio Valley Rd head south on Crystyl Ranch Dr. in Concord. We’ll meet at the hiker gate on Crystyl Ranch Dr between Autumn Oak Cir and Rolling Woods Way.
Although the downtown Walnut Creek ice cream shop Lottie’s Creamery has been open for a while now, in celebration of what would have been Lottie’s 107th birthday yesterday, Lottie’s Creamery had their grand opening with an official ribbon cutting and plenty of ice cream and smiles to go around.
To find out more about this ice creamery with their own pasteurizer, check out their homepage. “With a full commercial kitchen on site, Phillips [co-owner] makes 100% from scratch all ice cream and fold-ins, including marshmallows, brittles, and cookies, as well as the fresh waffle cones, brownies, and sauces.”
Of particular interest (considering the impending arrival of CREAM a block away) was a sampling of a new roasted banana ice cream brownie sandwich. It tasted amazing. Different flavors will be rotated in over time. Sundaes with homemade whip cream and floats (root beer, orange cream and black cherry) will be coming within the next couple of weeks as well. I am now ready for summer!
Co-owner Deb Phillips offers yummy roasted banana brownie ice cream sandwiches:
People of all ages enjoyed Lottie’s ice cream up and down N. Main St:
Check out the vanilla salted almond toffee ice cream and more photos after the jump…
The sandwich shop Ike’s, slated to open this Friday is now open in downtown Walnut Creek! I dropped by last night and tried the “Joe Starkey” made with halal chicken, BBQ sauce and cheddar. I chose Dutch crunch bread (French, sourdough, whole wheat, and gluten free bread are also available) and tomatoes and lettuce. Next time I’ll ask for pickles and red onions which are free add-ons. I also tried Zapp’s voodoo chips and a caramel apple lollipop was included in the order which is a nice touch. Overall it was quite tasty and really hits the spot. Ike’s is destined to become quite a popular addition to the area no doubt.
Ike’s is located at 1159 Locust St. a few stores down from The Cheesecake factory and is open from 10:00am – 7:00pm daily. It may stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out the menu here. Who has tried Ike’s so far? What else are the must-try sandwiches?
Check out the inside:
More photos including the menu, the Joe Starkey and more after the jump…
The Ruth Bancroft Garden
552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek
Sunday, May 12th, 2013
10:00am – 3:00pm | $20Garden tours, free admission for Mom, family photos, tea and crafts – Sunday, May 12
The Ruth Bancroft Garden makes Mother’s Day magical with a pampering day in the garden blooming with family fun:
- · Complimentary family portrait by Rochellez Photography
- · Free admission for Moms and children under 12
- · Hands-on crafts: succulent wine cork magnet making and make-your-own-dish-garden
- · Docent tours at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.
- · Special Mother’s Day Tea Party at 12 p.m. includes individual tea boxes with sandwiches, salad and sweet treats from A Sweet Affair Bakery plus freshly brewed tea.
In March I noted that See’s Candies was opening a new location in the Lafayette Plaza shopping center where Whole Foods is located and the signage is now up.