Beyond the Creek

Judging Restaurants – Nordstrom Cafe in Walnut Creek

December 3, 2012 11:30 am

Nordstrom Cafe is located on the third floor of Nordstrom next to the Children’s section in Walnut Creek. You can check their menu out here. It’s been a while since I’ve been but when I did go I used to get the California Panini or Blue Cheese & Pear Salad. Any new recommended dishes to check out? As you can see by the menu it’s not as pricey or fancy as the Neiman Marcus Cafe.

From the Walnut Creek Nordstrom website:

Our contemporary food marketplace is perfect for a casual meal, offering wonderful menu selections to satisfy a discerning palate. Beer and wine are available.

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Democratic Headquarters Space Available for Lease in Walnut Creek

December 3, 2012 8:30 am

The site of the Contra Costa Democratic Headquarters, formerly the Master Diamond jewelry store is available for lease again on N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek.

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The Art Room in Lafayette under New Ownership offering Holiday Saturday Workshops for Children

November 30, 2012 4:30 pm

The Art Room in downtown Lafayette is under new ownership and while the inside and outside look the same the new owner mentioned that they plan on adding more classes for preschool kids as well as for adults. In addition they plan on adding 3D and scultpure classes using clay and other media. There may even be welding classes off site which sounds cool. Their new website won’t be up until next month but if you stop by you can pick up their Holiday Saturday Workshops pamphlet for children:

On three Saturdays in December, The Art Room will offer an exciting assortment of unique holiday workshops! Pre-registration and payment are required. Ages listed for the classes are guidelines only. We will accommodate drop-ins if possible, but without sufficient pre-registration, the class will not be held.

Some of the classes being offered are Printmaking, Paint a Gift Bag, Holiday Still Life, Holiday Cartoon Cards, Winter Wonderland Watercolor and Create a Winter Moose(!)

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Recently Opened – NorCal Weight Loss Center in Broadway Plaza

November 30, 2012 11:30 am

The eyebrow threading store i bar 2, mentioned back in January comparing it to the cafe e bar a few steps away in Broadway Plaza has been closed for a while now. In its place is the NorCal Weight Loss Center which is sporting a fairly new sign.

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Friday Question of the Day – What’s your Favorite Charlie Brown Holiday Special?

November 30, 2012 8:30 am

Photo by Flickr user haven’t the slightest

A long time ago, before having kids, I bought the Charlie Brown holiday dvd set which contains It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Every year I watch at least one show and now it’s interesting to see the reactions from my kids as they watch it for the first time, or with a new understanding as they get older. There’s really something for all ages including adults that makes it so great.

So which one is your favorite?

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Lafayette Gallery 2012 Holiday “Trunk Show” Dec. 8 & 9th

November 29, 2012 4:30 pm

From the Lafayette Art Gallery:

Looking for a unique gift this Christmas season? Come to the Lafayette Gallery for the special Holiday “Trunk Show,” featuring one-of-a-kind gifts and craft items that are sure to make the recipient smile! In addition to the members of the Lafayette Gallery , there will be selected guest artists and artisans from our local community.

The Trunk Show will feature wonderful holiday gift items including ceramics and glassware, holiday cards, scented beeswax and decorator candles, hand-made soaps, knitted scarves and hats for that upcoming ski trip, jewelry and fashion accessories, great stocking stuffers like coasters and fun magnets, designer accent pillows, handcrafted journals, and of course paintings and prints! And much, much more. . . .

So this Holiday Season, instead of buying from the mall, get an absolutely unique, one-of-a-kind gift hand-made by a local artist or artisan. Exercise your discerning taste and show local community support at the Lafayette Gallery Trunk Show, December 8 & 9!

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Dog Art of the Day

November 29, 2012 11:30 am

Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Moraga School District Sued Third Time for $10 Million

November 29, 2012 8:30 am

The lawsuits keep piling on as the Moraga School District is getting sued left and right over sex abuse that happened at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School in the 90s without being reported to the police by school administrators who knew of the abuse.

Now the Contra Costa Times is reporting that a third “Jane Doe” is suing the district for $10 million:

She claims the district and retired Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School Principal Bill Walters, retired Assistant Principal Paul Simonin and retired Superintendent John Cooley failed to report Witters to the proper authorities after a girl had reported sexual abuse two years earlier, and that they “lied” about their knowledge of past complaints.

This brings the total to $40 million in suits against the Moraga school district so far.

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Progress on Moraga Rd. Houses near Downtown Lafayette

November 28, 2012 11:30 am

In February I pointed out that construction would soon begin of a couple of custom homes near downtown Lafayette on Moraga Rd, and the progress is coming along nicely. Looks like it should be finished soon, and they look great.

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SOFA a la carte Closed in Walnut Creek

November 28, 2012 8:30 am

Back in June I noted the opening of SOFA a la carte in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. and they are now closed. A sign in the window notes that “custom work still available w/ SOFA U LOVE in SF.”

The iconic store Ming Quong is located right next door, and although they renewed their lease in June, I wonder what’s going to happen if another store or restaurant wants to expand, could be tough for Ming Quong.

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