Beyond the Creek

Judging Stores – Entrez! Open House in Walnut Creek

April 5, 2012 11:30 am

Entrez! Open House is a housewares and gift boutique located at 1507 Cypress St. in downtown Walnut Creek. From their website:

Entrez! Open House is an independent boutique specializing in European contemporary housewares, gifts, and furniture.

We carry over 30 different brands to make sure you find diversity in our items and prices range: Alessi, Iittala, Marimekko, Menu, Esteban, Pacifica, Galison, Sigg, and many more!

We also carry many locally designed and produced items: Elbow Grease Designs and punk rawk purl are the most popular.

Contemporary, Eclectic and European
are the main traits of the stores style.From stationery to dining set, we pick our products with extra care, and that’s what makes Entrez! such a unique destination.

They also have a store in Oakland. Check out the inside of the showroom:

I think this is a great addition to Cypress St. with a colorful and eclectic sense of style. Currently they are not open every day but they plan on expanding their open hours in the near future.

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Ming Quong Owner to Publish Book, “Bamboo Women” in June

April 5, 2012 8:30 am

Nona Mock Wyman, one of the owners of Ming Quong, the jewelry and gift shop located in downtown Walnut Creek will be publishing a book titled, “Bamboo Women“.

From her website:

Mock Wyman’s first memoir was Chopstick Childhood, her story of growing up at the Ming Quong orphanage in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1940s.

For the Spring 2012 season, China Books in San Francisco will publish Nona’s long-awaited sequel, Bamboo Women, an inspirational portrait of her Ming Quong “sisters” and their bonds of friendship which have spanned more than 70 years.

Has anyone read her first book, “Chopstick Childhood”? Sounds like an interesting read.

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Pianist Olga Kern to Play at Lesher Center April 14th

April 4, 2012 4:30 pm

photo by Flickr user me5otron

The Lesher Center in Walnut Creek will be hosting a performance by the pianist Olga Kern on April 14th at 2:30pm.

From the Lesher website:

In 2001 the glamorous young Russian pianist Olga Kern became the first woman in thirty years to win the Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn Competition. Her next triumph came in New York City in 2004 with a highly acclaimed recital debut at Carnegie Hall. Then, in an unprecedented turn of events, eleven days later Ms. Kern was invited back by Carnegie for a second recital.

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Judging New Restaurants – Patxi’s in Lafayette

April 4, 2012 11:30 am

Pronounced, “Pah-Cheese”, Patxi’s is a chain pizza restaurant known for their Chicago style deep-dish pizzas, although they also offer thin crust. They opened in June, 2011 at 3577 Mt Diablo Blvd in the Clocktower, and you can check out their menu here.

From their website:

Our specialty is authentic Chicago style deep-dish pizza, which comes in two styles, and we also offer two styles of thin crust pizza. Our guests enjoy choosing from a myriad of fresh toppings and ingredients to make totally personalized pies. We offer two styles of dough, four styles of mozzarella and over 30 different meat and veggie toppings. We also offer fresh salads, appetizers, and beverages including beer and wine.

I now realize I’ve been mispronouncing the name all this time. Originally being from New York, I’ll be honest and admit that I don’t get Chicago style pizza. Glad they also offer a thin crust style. Anyone tried their thin crust? Or is deep dish the way to go?

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Coming Soon – Itrim Swedish Weight Loss Program to Lafayette

April 4, 2012 8:30 am

Itrim, the Swedish weight loss program, is coming to Lafayette, in the former Design within Reach Store at La Fiesta Square, 973 Moraga Road. According to their Facebook page, they will begin accepting registrations April 16th with the center opening in June. Lamorinda Weekly reported that Itrim has partnered with the founders of the fitness club Club One which has 15 Bay Area locations.

From their website:

Itrim is a network of conveniently located centers that offer a one-stop solution for one of the world’s biggest challenges. Founded in Sweden in 2003, Itrim has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off. The combination of well designed and personalized weight loss plans, coaching and a combined approach of eating and exercise routines, makes the Itrim program truly unique. Members join for 1-2 years. The first phase is a rapid weight loss program, followed by lifestyle coaching and exercise training to make lasting, healthy changes to the way you live. Scientific studies have shown Itrim members lose an average of 25 lbs in 10 weeks and 74% keep it off. More importantly, Itrim members say they enjoy the process. Over 80% of members recommend Itrim to their friends and many choose to continue their membership long after they have lost weight and changed their lifestyle habits. Itrim is a community, a fitness center, a personal coaching resource and a remarkable new solution to a growing problem in America.

Sounds intriguing, has anyone ever heard of this?

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The 5pm Post – Ruth Bancroft Spring Plant Sale April 14th

April 3, 2012 5:00 pm

The Ruth Bancroft Garden, located at 1552 Bancroft Rd. in Walnut Creek will be closed until April 13th for the removal of the winter covers, but they will reopen in grand fashion by hosting a Spring plant sale on opening day, Saturday, April 14th. From their website:

The Spring Plant Sale is Saturday, April 14

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Garden!

Members-Only Sale and Silent Auction: 9am – 10am

Purchase the finest plants first by becoming a Member at the Entrance

Win a Brian Kemble hybrid at the Silent Auction

Public Sale: 10am – 3pm

Free Opening Day Admission (all winter covers will be removed)

Enjoy Docent led tours of the Garden

Choose drought tolerant plants displayed next to mature Garden specimens

Receive personalized advice from our knowledgeable Nursery Propagators

Sounds like a great event to check out especially if it’s sunny out.

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Judging Eyebrow Bars – Benefit Brow Bar

April 3, 2012 11:30 am

I was passing by Macy’s in downtown Walnut Creek when I noticed a Benefit Brow Bar right inside Macy’s on the first floor. They offer a free brow arch on your birthday which sounds like a great deal.

Nearby eyebrow salons include 2 i Bar stores within walking distance in Broadway Plaza, and as well as Lashfully, which recently opened in the older part of downtown Walnut Creek.

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Sandy’s Unique Boutique Closing in Lafayette

April 3, 2012 8:30 am

Sandy’s Unique Boutique, the women’s clothing boutique in Lafayette is closing by the end of the month. They are having a huge sale at 50 – 70% off to get rid of inventory so drop by 3569 Mt Diablo Blvd (in the back) to check them out before they close.

Apparently they used to have a store in Walnut Creek which closed years ago.

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House of the Day

April 2, 2012 4:30 pm

Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek on Bonanza St. note the huge office buildings in the background. I love the styling of this house, the details are amazing.

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Mt. Diablo Blvd. Sidewalk Construction in Lafayette Almost Completed

April 2, 2012 11:30 am

The sign notes that, “Mt. Diablo Blvd Business Open during Construction”, but as you can see from the photo it looks almost finished to me. I like the cobblestone look, it makes downtown Lafayette seem more quaint.

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