Beyond the Creek

A Gun Tattoo Story

December 13, 2011 11:30 am

Recently one evening I was picking up tickets at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, and while waiting for the light to turn green at the corner, a man approached me with an Irish or English accent asking where Tiki Tom’s was. Although I now know it’s located at 1535 Olympic Blvd (across from Urban Outfitters), at the time I didn’t know and told him so. The light was still red, and he mentioned he was from New York. I asked him where he was from originally, trying to figure out the accent. He again said New York. Assuming he was joking, I asked again, and added, “Do you have an Irish accent? You’re from Ireland right?” He was adamant that he was from New York, this time mentioning upstate New York. At this time I noticed he had a gun tattoo on his neck, pointed at me. I thought to myself, I should probably move on, apologized that I couldn’t help him find Tiki Tom’s, and quickly crossed the street.

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A Christmas Carol Playing at Lesher Center through Dec. 18

December 13, 2011 8:30 am

From the Lesher Center Christmas Carol info page:

December 8, 2011, curtain 8pm
December 9, 2011, curtains 11am & 7:30pm
December 10, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7:30pm
December 11, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7pm
December 13, 2011, curtains 9am & Noon
December 14, 2011, curtain 9:30am
December 15, 2011, curtains 9:30am & 7:30pm
December 16, 2011, curtain 7:30pm
December 17, 2011, curtains 2pm & 7:30pm
December 18, 2011, curtain 2pm

Brimming with music and dance, love and laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts, it’s no wonder the critics have called it “THE Christmas Carol to see in the Bay Area.” Join the thousands who makethis theatrical event part of their annual holiday traditions.

It will be performed at the Hofmann Theatre, one of three theatres located at the Lesher Center at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. Has anyone been to this performance before? If so, how was it?

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Peak Inside Dirito Brothers New Showroom

December 12, 2011 4:30 pm

Previously I reported that the Dirito Brothers Volkswagen Walnut Creek showroom would be opening by Thanksgiving. Looks like it’s been slightly delayed, but when I took a look inside of the showroom I was blown away. It looks stunning. I’m not a betting man but if I were I’d bet that Dirito Brothers Volkswagen sales will be increasing signficantly in 2012.

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Car of the Day

December 12, 2011 11:30 am

Spotted on Locust St. in Walnut Creek right near Target. Check out the hood ornament:

Anyone know what kind of car this is?

UPDATE: According to a commenter below, it’s a Chevrolet ’56 Bel Air, thanks!

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Judging Restaurants – Kevin’s Noodle House

December 12, 2011 8:30 am

Located at the old Entenmann’s Bakery at 2034 N. Main St. in Walnut Creek at the end of Pringle Ave, the Vietnamese restaurant Kevin’s Noodle House had their grand opening on Saturday. Although the photo above, taken around noontime on Saturday shows some open tables, shortly thereafter it became absolutely jam-packed with quite a few people waiting for an open spot.

Commenters have mentioned previously that Walnut Creek already has plenty of Vietnamese restaurants, but I don’t consider Kevin’s Noodle House to be really comparable to the French-influenced Vietnamese restaurants like Le Cheval and Vanessa’s Bistro 2. If you’re after fine dining, look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for a quick and cheap bowl of Pho and spring rolls in a clean setting, look no further.

Amazingly, they offer a child size bowl of noodles and chicken, steak or beef balls for only $3.25, and they didn’t skimp on the chicken either. To celebrate their grand opening in Walnut Creek, they are offering a free soda or coffee until December 24. So anyone else been here yet? Any fans?

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Walnut Creek Half Marathon – 2 Lanes of Ygnacio Valley Road to be Closed 12/10

December 9, 2011 4:35 pm

From a Walnut Creek Police bulletin:

A number of streets, including Ygnacio Valley Road, will have lane closures on Dec. 10 for the first Walnut Creek Half Marathon. The half marathon starts at 7 a.m. on South Broadway near Whole Foods. Runners will run east on Ygnacio Valley Road to Ayers Road in Concord, then reverse direct to finish at Civic Park.

Street closures include:
· Two east-bound lanes on Ygnacio Valley Road will be closed between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m.
· Broadway between Rudgear Road and Civic Dr. will be closed from 4 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
· Civic Drive between Broadway and Ygnacio Valley Road will be closed to northbound traffic between 4 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

There will be police at Ygnacio Valley Rd. intersections to allow for cross traffic, but drivers should plan for delays.

There will also be 10K and 5K races that morning. More than 2,500 runners are expected to participate in one of three races.

For more information, visit http://www.runwalnutcreek.com

After the event, there will be a post-race runner’s festival in Civic Park East from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

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The Corners Tavern Coming to Walnut Creek

December 9, 2011 11:30 am

Thanks to a commenter on the La Boulange post pointing out that the place next door will be called The Corners Tavern, which is rather appropriate considering Walnut Creek used to be known as “The Corners”. According to a press release it’s supposed to open this month (opening in March, see update below) but I find that hard to believe with all the construction going on the other day. It goes on to note:

The Corners Tavern is a partnership between Moana Restaurant Group (a successful restaurant management company that operates 18 restaurants throughout the West Coast and Mexico including Piatti in Danville and Paragon in Berkeley and San Francisco) and The Stock & Bones Company (Mitchell & Steven Rosenthal and Doug Washington, owners and operators of the critically acclaimed Town Hall, Salt House and Anchor and Hope in San Francisco as well as Irving Street Kitchen in Portland).
The Corners Tavern will be a contemporary gastropub featuring approachable and soulful American fare with a menu developed by the Rosenthal’s. The menu will be complemented by a thoughtful beverage program designed by Nicole Burke (Wine Director for Stock & Bones Company and named one of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bay Area’s “Up and Coming Sommeliers”) that will boast 30 craft beers on tap, hand‐crafted artisan cocktails and a selective list of 20 small producer wines on tap. Heading up daily operations will be David O’Malley (former proprietor of Bacar restaurant in San Francisco and Operations Director of Kimpton and W Hotels).

This will be another great culinary addition for this end of Broadway Plaza. I look forward to seeing what it’s like.

Update: The Corners Tavern will open in March according to one commenter involved with the restaurant:

Corners Tavern will open at the beginning of March. Our opening got pushed back because the changes we’re making to the space became much more extensive than originally thought. We’re looking forward to getting open and joining the neighborhood…

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Foster Families for Homeless Kittens Needed

December 9, 2011 8:30 am

Photo by CC4C

The non-profit organization Community Concern for Cats is looking for foster families for homeless kittens. This looks like a great community service opportunity for younger people and families in Walnut Creek. From their website:

Community Concern for Cats is an all-volunteer cat rescue organization that strives to make a positive difference in the lives of homeless and abandoned cats in Contra Costa County. This is your local community resource and information center for homeless and free-roaming cats. We rescue, spay/neuter, medically rehabilitate, and help to find them safe and loving homes. You can make a difference by fostering, adopting, and donating to CC4C.

They will be at the Walnut Creek Petco and Lafayette & Pleasant Hill Petfood Express Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 every weekend except holidays.

Photo by CC4C

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Walking Tour with Walnut Creek Mayor Dec. 10th

December 8, 2011 4:30 pm

From the Walnut Creek Walks page:

December 10, 2011 “Shopper’s Special: Off the Beaten Path”
Meander through the alleys and passageways of downtown Walnut Creek, and discover hidden treasures and historical tidbits. The walk starts at 10 a.m. in front of the Lesher Center for the Arts, and will end at the Broadway Plaza fountain. From there, can catch up on holiday shopping, meet a friend for lunch, or ride the Free Trolley back to the Lesher Center. Plenty of parking is available at the North Locust Street garage, next to the Lesher Center for the Arts.

There will be different walking tours on Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 as well.

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Sculpture of the Day

December 8, 2011 11:30 am

Titled “Concrete Totem”, this sculpture is located next to Yogurt Park in Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek.

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