As I exited off highway 24 to get to Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek recently, I noticed my favorite gas station, now a Shell station, has been closed and the gas pumps are gone. A closer look shows some major demolition taking place. Anyone know what’s going on here? Is it gone for good or was there some kind of structural problem that forced them to do this? They had really good gas prices so I hope they’ll be back.
To those opposed to the new Walnut Creek fountain ‘head’ sculpture on N. Main St., your prayers have been answered. It’s gone. For a couple of weeks that is. It being restored to have a new sealant applied acording to the Walnut Creek director of Arts, recreation and community services, Barry Gordon:
Shortly after the installation of Seyed Alavi’s “Fountain Head”, the gold surface color of the fiberglass sculpture began to fade from contact with the water. When the water flow shut down every night, the color returned. After discussion and research by the artist, fabricator Academy Studios and City staff, it was determined that water was wicking into fibers in the Gelcoat finish causing “blushing,” which clouded the color.
The dance music group, Night Fever will be performing at the final Lafayette Summer Series at Lafayette Plaza this Friday, August 24th at 6pm.
From their website:
Hailing from Northern California, Night Fever is a versatile, high-energy party band, specializing in dance music of all genres. This award-winning group of musicians is renowned for getting hips shaking, feet moving, fists pumping, and most of all, keeping that booty movin’! Whether it be Motown, Funk, Disco, R& B, 80′s Pop, Big Hair Rock, or today’s Top 40 smash hits, this supergroup of party starters knows how to thrill and delight fans of all ages.
From the Walnut Creek Police Department:
ARRESTED:
Cervantes, Mauricio Eric, HMA, 20 years old, resident of Walnut Creek.
INVESTIGATION:
On Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at approximately 3:51pm officers responded to Wendy’s restaurant located at 2955 N. Main Street in Walnut Creek for a report of a man with a gun inside of the restaurant. For the public’s safety officers temporarily closed N. Main Street between Treat and Sunnyvale during the incident. Cevantes was arrested for the above charges. Cervantes was booked into the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department Martinez Detention Facility on a $120,000 bail. No one was injured during the incident..
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925)943-5844.
I’m assuming he didn’t have a concealed permit to carry…
Lottie’s Creamery, the new artisan ice cream parlor coming to downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. at the old Erawan Thai restaurant, is looking to raise money via a Kickstarter campaign:
Not only will everything be made in-house—we have a full commercial kitchen where Deb will make all the ice cream ingredients such as candies, sauces, and cookies from scratch—but we’ve actually purchased our own pasteurizer to make our own ice cream base, something unique among Bay Area ice creameries. This allows us incredible control over texture and balance of each flavor.
Check out their Kickstarter video for more info:
Here are some of the pledge options available:
$18 – Voucher for a scoop of ice cream.
$75 – Lottie’s Creamery t-shirt plus two pints of ice cream.
$100 – One ticket to the pre-opening party, Lottie’s t-shirt plus a pint of ice cream.
$2500 – Create and name an original ice cream flavor for the shop, four VIP tickets to the pre-opening party in our retail space, plus two free pints of your custom flavor!
For updates you can also check out their Facebook page here. As a fan of Ici in Berkeley where the owner used to work, I can’t wait to try this out!
Way back last year I noted that Anthropologie was coming to Walnut Creek to the old Mark Morris Tire Shop at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Locust St., and progress has been slow-going until recently. Now however it seems like they’re moving at breakneck pace to get it open. As you can see from the above photo the windows are in, the exterior looks almost finished, and the inside even has the cash registers installed. I predict a Fall opening for sure.
Check out the nice looking sign (not yet with the name) below:
Looks like they are hiring, the handwritten note that’s not legible in the photo says to check their website and Craigslist for the locations and times available.
The Bay Area rock tribute group City Rocks Revue will be playing at the Moraga Commons Park this Wednesday, August 23rd from 6:30 – 8:30pm.
From the City Rocks website:
City Rocks is a music revue that highlights the legendary rock songs and groups of the San Francisco Bay Area, 1965-1985. The show covers all the milestones in San Francisco rock history, starting with the “Summer of Love” and continuing through the next two decades of music from the artists that called the San Francisco Bay Area home.
Yesterday I noted that the Teacake Bake Shop had closed in Lafayette, but soon there will be a new bakery called simply, “Cake” opening in early September according to a comment left on yesterday’s post.
The post goes on to say:
The pastry chef, Andrea Quinn, has worked at some of the best restaurants in the bay area (like Rivoli and Bay Wolf) and had her own very successful bakery in Kauai for years. I have drooled over her creations for years and am thrilled that she is opening up so close to home.
Check out the photo updates at their Facebook page here. I’m going to definitely drop by when this place opens. They will be located in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette.
Check out this black Lamborghini, spotted this weekend in front of where else but Nordstrom, in downtown Walnut Creek.
I posted about Shimmy Dreams belly dancing classes earlier this month, and now they are offering a monthly Ladies Night Out event with the first one being held August 24th.
From their website:
Your evening begins with light appetizers, wine, and sparkling beverages. While you mingle with your friends or make new ones, fabulous prizes will be raffled off. Be sure to bring your camera for our fun photo opportunity: dress up in hats, sunglasses, and belly dancing accessories that bring out your “inner dream girl” and lets “strike a pose”.
Then the real fun begins with a sassy, silly, and sexy belly dance lesson. Learn the shimmies, shakes, isolation’s, and moves that make belly dancing so popular with stars like Shakira. Including some sensual moves with a beautiful veil, group dancing, and balancing.
Finish the evening relaxing, enjoying more appetizers and drinks, and dancing to the latest music with your friends.
Samira Dawn has been hosting belly dance parties for 14 years. She is charming, entertaining, and brings tons of fun to the party. No belly dance experience is needed for this fabulous monthly party. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. And come find “Your inner dream dancer”.
Ladies Night Outs are approximately 2 hours long
Schedule:
1st hour-appetizers,drinks,social time,raffle, and pictures
1/2 hour belly dance lesson
1/2 hour-more social time appetizers, drinks, etc.
Price: $20
Date: August 24 -8:00-10:00