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Best Of Editor Picks
January 2008
06/02/08Lakers vs. Celtics at the Stadium Pub
I'm lying in bed in a hotel in Memphis, TN, watching an ESPN classic game from the 1980s, Lakers vs. Celtics. It's not hard to be excited about the upcoming NBA championship matchup between these two teams. The series starts this Thursday, and I thought I should throw a shout out to the Stadium Pub in Walnut Creek as a great place to watch a game or two. The Stadium Pub has been an institution in downtown WC for many years—they have a nice menu of pub food, tons of great beers, and big screen TVs on every wall. It's a really fun sports bar. Posted at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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05/29/08Green-friendly activites this Sunday!
The Green Thing is here to stay, as more cities and communities are making an effort to highlight environmentally friendly programs and initiatives. This Sunday, June 1, there are two interesting green-themed events. The first is athe East Bay Green Home tour, focusing on Alameda and Contra Costa homes that have eco-conscious designs, solar paneling etc. Find more information at: www.builditgreen.org/green-home-tours/eastbay08 Posted at 05:33 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/27/08Harden vs. Halladay this WednesdayThe Oakland A's are off to an amazing start this season, and are coming off a three game sweep over the world champion Boston Red Sox. If you haven't been to a game this season, Wednesday night's match-up against Toronto is a good one. First thing to notice is the pitching match-up. The A's will send Rich Harden—who, when he's healthy, has great stuff— to the mound against the Blue Jay's former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. Second, this is the first series in which A's slugger Frank Thomas faces his former Jays teammates, since leaving the team earlier this season in an ugly fallout with management. The A's signed Thomas for a steal, and it would be extra sweet to see him do some damage against his former team. Third, every Wednesday at the Coliseum is Double Play Wednesday, meaning... Posted at 05:31 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/19/08Hawaiian Airlines now flies out of Oakland
I was surprised—and a little sad—when Aloha Airlines closed for business on March 31. Just a few years ago, I flew on Aloha's first flight out of Oakland International Airport, and had a lovely stay on Oahu's spectacular North Shore. While stuck in 680 traffic, I often dream of hopping on another such flight, catching some waves and basking in the lush, tropical air. Posted at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/16/08Animal lovers convene at Broadway Plaza this Sunday!
Meteorologists are predicting the current heat wave will break by Sunday, May 18—which is perfect, because that's the day of the annual pooch parade in Broadway Plaza. Here's the 4-1-1 about Animal Rescue Foundation's annual Animals on Broadway event, from www.arf.net: Posted at 05:10 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
05/13/08Golf with the A's for a good cause
I'm a huge Oakland A's fan, and it's looking like this is a great season to be able to say that. The A's are surprising all of baseball with a hot start through the first quarter of the season. But win or lose, it's nice having the A's in the East Bay—as a family-friendly entertainment option, and because the team contributes to the community in lots of interesting ways. Posted at 06:32 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/12/08May is the month for teachers to eat at Lark Creek, Yankee Pier
Governor Schwarzenegger's budget cut has hit California classrooms the hardest, leaving teachers's careers hanging by a pink slip. Well, the Lark Creek Restaurant Group wants to ease some of that hardship for local teachers, who, lets face it, get treated worse than 13-year old babysitters. Posted at 05:52 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/08/08Dog lovers! Check out this book signing at George
File this one under too cute to be true. San Francisco author Vivienne Flesher's new book, Alfred's Nose, introduces dog lovers to Alfred the Bulldog, a good looking pooch with a penchant for wearing costumes. See, Alfred is self-conscious about his nose, so he tries on a variety of fake noses, masks, and other accoutrement to change his look. The color photography is gorgeous and the book's message is very sweet—a great gift for a little one, or, any bulldog owner. Posted at 04:12 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
05/03/08SPCA Dog-Friendly Bay Cruise
I'm a huge animal lover, like so many Diablo readers. I love the events that ARF offers, and try to cover them in the magazine as often as possible. Another amazing animal rescue and pet friendly organization is th San Francisco SPCA. From their Bark and Whine Ball to myriad other events, there's a commitment to fun, education, and animal rescue here that deserves some attention. They're having another cool party tomorrow on a Hornblower Cruise. Check it out: Posted at 02:30 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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05/01/08Changes Salon and Day Spa supports the Wellness Community
Changes Salon and Day Spa is putting on a fabulous event this Friday, May 2 from 6–9 p.m. to support the Wellness Community. Looks like there will be some great food and wine—and with Changes recent remodeling, this is a great place for a party! Information is as follows: Posted at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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04/23/08Dining at The PatioDespite an error in Diablo's May print edition, the Patio restaurant in Lafayette is still up and running. In fact, with our days getting longer, outdoor dining—one of the big pluses of this deck-centered restaurant—is just getting underway. Kick off your al fresco season with a feast of Peruvian chili–spiked seafood paella and bold, delicious Latin American wines. The owners clearly took the time to select interesting vintages that are also a great value. They put the same care into their cuisine. The mixed green salad, for instance, comes with tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, parmesan, and a lively cilantro-based dressing. And don't even consider leaving the premises without dessert: the dulce de leche mousse, a melt-in-your-mouth creamy pudding on a delicate crunchy crust,... Posted at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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04/14/08Dining Out For Life
In hard economic times, it’s often those with the least who struggle the most. In the East Bay, many people living with AIDS are also low-income or even homeless. On Thursday April 24, you can help these neighbors by dining out. Just make sure it’s at one of the more than 70 restaurants participating in Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser for Vital Life Services, an Oakland-based non-profit organization that assists AIDS patients. Posted at 06:28 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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04/11/08Port Costa's Warehouse Cafe
Whenever I have friends from far away visiting the East bay, a place I love to take them for a drink is the Warehouse Cafe in Port Costa. I've written about it in the magazine a few times over the years, but thought I would mention it as as an Editor Pick here on the Web, because the weather's getting nice, and this really is a fantastic bar. Posted at 09:47 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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04/04/08Secret Show on Cal Campus Today!
I just got a hot tip that there's going to be a very cool free concert on the UC Berkeley campus today. I'm not allowed to say which band is playing but I can offer three hints: They got their start in the East Bay. They have sold millions of records. They have recently been on the cover of Diablo magazine. Posted at 05:27 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/28/08Midsummer Night's Dream in Walnut Creek
A romantic Shakespearean frolic comes to Walnut Creek as Center Repertory Company re-invents A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Posted at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
03/25/08Oakland A's Opening Day/Night Fever Dream Blog3:00: Good morning, all. Coming to you live from the Goldman Dome in Walnut Creek, here’s my running diary of the 2008 Major League Baseball season opener, pitting our hometown Oakland A’s against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. I figured that, with this game airing live at 3:00 a.m. Pacific time, most of you A’s fans are too smart to actually stay up and watch this game. Well, not me. I’ll be recording my thoughts tonight (this morning?) in this running dairy. Is this a good idea? Well, my dog looked at me like I was crazy when I got out of bed a few minutes ago, but anyway, I’ve got the game fired up on the tube, an Irish Coffee in hand (is it still an Irish Coffee if you use American bourbon?) and I’m ready to go. As an A’s fan, I know I’m supposed... Posted at 04:07 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/24/08Play Ball! A's vs. Red Sox in Tokyo, 3 a.m.
The 2008 baseball season gets started early for the Oakland A’s. Really early. Like, 3 a.m. early. Posted at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/17/08Diablo Ballet’s new ballroom dance classic
Ballet companies may win fans and critical acclaim for presenting short, one-act-play-like dance pieces, but they truly earn their professional cred when they mount a Swan Lake or Giselle—the equivalent of a three-act play. Aiming higher than ever before, Diablo Ballet is presenting its first ever feature-length ballet this Friday and Saturday night at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Posted at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/11/08Canetti’s Bookshop opens in Orinda
For everyone who’s still grieving the impending loss of Bonanza Street Books (the Walnut Creek institution is due to close the weekend of the March 23), the spirit of the store is not totally lost. Jeff Koren, a former manager at Bonanza, recently opened his own store, on Moraga Way in Orinda, just down the block from the Orinda Theater. Canetti’s Bookshop (named after Nobel Prize–winning author Elias Canetti) is a small store that offers a nice selection, particularly for those who lean toward biography and literary fiction. So next time you head over to catch a movie at the wonderful old Art Deco Orinda Theater, give yourself a few extra minutes before showtime to browse Canetti’s. Posted at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/09/08Monday, March 10: Author Fritjof Capra in Lafayette
One thing I love about the East Bay community is the enthusiasm for literary events. (The annual Bookies event at the Lafayette Park Hotel is on Thursday, March 13, and I'll blog about that later in the week.) One of the real treasures of the area is Dave Simpson, of the Lafayette Bookstore, who is constantly bringing authors to readers at events in his bookstore and newarby venues. Dave left me a voicemail about, 1.) his excitement that No Country for Old Men, one of the truly perfect book-to-film adaptations of all time, wone the Oscar for Best Picture, and 2.) local author Frijtof Capra would be appearing at an event this Monday, March 10. The info below is from the Lafayette Bookstore website. Posted at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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03/04/08Dog Lovers Alert: The Bark and Whine Ball is a blast
Hey, dog lovers, you're in for a treat! This event requires a bridge toll, but its well worth it. The Bark and Whine Ball is always a blast, as pet lovers dress up their doggies and dance to a full orchestra. I've been going for the past two years, and I look forward to the event in a big way. So does my girlfriend, and her coonhound Henry—our first date was the 2006 Bark and Whine Ball. Info below: Posted at 07:46 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/27/08Top local author offers reading at Pleasanton Library
Author readings are always a treat, a great way to hear firsthand what inspired a new novel, memoir, peom, etc. The Pleasanton Public Library is hosting Peggy Orenstein this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Orensteing will discuss her new book, Waiting For Daisy, which has been receiving great reviews and should be of interest to Diablo readers. Info below: Posted at 04:10 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
02/21/08Mills College oral history project
Diablo's edit team is excited about this Editor's Pick blog because it offers us a chance to promote timely events that come to our attention after we've gone to press in any given month. Here's a great example: Mills College in Oakand has just announced that it is providing a fascinating oral history project called In Our Own Words. The project will record and reference negro spirituals, a vital part of African American musical history. Posted at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/20/08Lunar Eclipse Viewing at Chabot Space and Science Center
Last minute tip for watching tonight's lunar eclipse. The amazing Chabot Space and Science Center in the Oakland Hills is having an awesome guided hike and viewing...space is limited, so give them a call to see if they are still spots. Posted at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/15/08Misto Lino opens in Lafayette
Ever since Diablo reported Misto Lino was providing sheets for HBO's Sex & the City, this bedding and homestyle boutique has been a local favorite. That was way back in 2001—seven years later, a Sex & the City movie is heading to theaters, and Misto Lino has moved its second location in Walnut Creek to a great corner space in Lafayette's new Mercantile Building. Stop by, and you might find Carrie Bradshaw shopping for silk sheets—or at least find some beautiful bedding for your boudoir. Posted at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/12/08Romantic horse-drawn carriage rides in Livermore
Valentine’s Day is here! And if you’re still looking for great date ideas, consider taking your sweetie on a classically romantic horse-drawn carriage ride. Posted at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/11/08V-Day Classic: Singer Etta James in San Ramon
Here's a can't-miss Valentine's Day dinner and concert. Blues legend Etta James is coming to San Ramon, to debut the new Patrick David's Event Center at 2460 Old Crow Canyon Road. I saw Etta perform at Wente Vineyards two summers ago, and she was fantastic, rolling through saucy blues numbers like "I Just Want To Make Love To You," as well as her signature love ballad, "At Last." If you haven't ever heard Etta James' music, check out her Live From San Francisco disc. It's one of my favorite live albums, ever! Posted at 05:21 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
02/08/08Great Teen Fun in Lafayette and Danville
There's some great kids and teens activities happening in Diabloland this weekend. Posted at 03:43 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/06/08Truffles, Tidbits, and Wine Tasting in Pleasanton
It's still a week until Valentine's day—but that doesn't mean you can't have some chocolate and bubbly this week. The Pleasanton Downtown Association is sponsoring the Truffles, Tidbits, and Wine Tasting downtown stroll. Posted at 06:07 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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02/04/08The Federalists Album Release PartyAttention fans of the rock 'n' roll music: Keep your eyes out for the March issue of Diablo magazine. We're just putting the finishing touches on an amazing feature story about the biggest rock bands to come from our backyard. We've got a major celebrity interview, profiles on some genuine rock legends, and we're keeping an eye on the next generation of top local artists. One of the great local bands we've come across in researching this story is The Federalists, an indie rock outfit based out of Concord. My pal Jason Jurgens, publisher of the outstanding local music magazine Theowlmag.com, likens the band to indie-darlings Spoon with vocals by Elvis Costello.... Posted at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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02/04/08Mimosa Mondays at M Clothing
The newish Danville clothes boutique, M Clothing, is serving free mimosas in the store from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Browse the spring lines and sip some bubbly—sounds like a fun way to start the week! Posted at 02:16 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
01/31/08Oakland Art Murmur
It’s time to flip the pages on your calendars, which means one thing for East Bay art lovers: First Friday. Kick off your evening at the Oakland Museum of California, which will be hosting an event to celebrate Black History Month. The Many Cultures, One Night, Your Museum festivities start at 5 p.m. and include live music from the Zydeco Flames and appearances by spoken word artists Sistahs Wid’ Gaps and memoirist Adam David Miller. Admission is included with the museum entrance fee. Posted at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/30/08Animal Rescue Foundation Canine Fashion Show
I'm a big fan of anything and everything Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation does—from the rock star-studded concerts in January to various celebrity golf tournaments to the Animals on Parade day in downtown Walnut Creek, this organization's events are always fun and first-class. Even more important is the amazing work ARF does finding good homes for rescue animals, educating children about caring for animals, etc. Posted at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/25/08Nunsense II
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01/24/08Bye-Bye to Bonanza Street Books
I love hanging out at bookstores. I don’t mean trying to keep from spilling a Starbucks mocha latte in the antiseptic aisles at Barnes & Noble, and I don’t mean surfing the bestsellers list on Amazon.com. I mean flipping through a book of beat poetry at City Lights in San Francisco; staring in awe at the huge stacks at Powell’s in Portland; squeezing through the overstocked shelves at Bonanza Street Books in Walnut Creek. Posted at 05:07 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/18/08Champagne artist reception in Lafayette 1/18/08
The Lesa Johnson Fine Art Gallery is having a Champagne reception to meet artist Sam Nejati on Friday, January 18th, from 7-9pm. Nejati's exhibition, called "Sharing the Moment," showcases his abstract expressionist paintings and runs until February 16th. Posted at 05:36 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/16/08An Evening with Khaled Hosseini
If you read The Kite Runner, the blockbuster debut novel by Khaled Hosseini, or his best-selling follow-up A Thousand Splendid Suns, this is an event you won't want to miss. Hosseini's appearance is a benefit for the Trust In Education (T.I.E.) non-profit, dedicated to providing health care, education and economic development programs in Afghanistan, and to educating Americans about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, past, present and future. Posted at 09:14 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/14/08Walnut Creek Yacht Club is bigger than ever
On the first Friday of 2008, I went down to the Walnut Creek Yacht Club on Locust and Bonanza, to order an appetizer. WCYC's Monterey Bay Calamari, rolled in cornmeal, is my favorite calamari dish in the Bay Area. To my horror, the restaurant was not just closed, but EMPTY. Posted at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
01/14/08Metropolitan Opera at a Multiplex Near You
Who says the East Bay suburbs don’t have culture? We have opera, regarded by those who decide such things as the queen of all performance art forms. First, of course, there is Walnut Creek’s Festival Opera, which presents two live shows each summer at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Posted at 03:05 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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01/10/08A sneak peek of Yankee Pier in Lafayette
From the minute I grabbed the lobster door handle to get a sneak peak at Lafayette’s new Yankee Pier last night, I knew I was in for a New England treat. Posted at 05:21 AM | Permalink | Comments: 6 |
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01/07/08Great Sales at Twenty Two Shoes and Hush
Everyone knows the only things more blissful than fine champagne and great sex are fabulous shoes at fantastic prices. That's why we have to let you know about the sale that Twenty Two Shoes in Oakland is having from January 11–13. Samples will be on sale from $25–$100 per pair, and regular inventory, normally priced from $200-$550, will be discounted from 40%–90% off. So, obviously, get there early! Posted at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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