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07/31/08
Cancer is never funny—but then again, laughter is the best medicine. Clichés aside, this annual ovarian cancer benefit is a great show, especially because the headliner is the wildly talented Carlos Alazraqui of Reno: 911! (and Taco Bell chihuahua) fame. Emcee Charlie B. Earley hosts the evening of yuks, with comics Michael Capozzola and Gayla Johnson warming up the room beforeAlazraqui takes the stage.
Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek, reserved seats in $35, call 925.943-7469, or go to www.dlrca.org for tickets. More information about the event and foundation here.
Posted at 10:48 AM | Permalink |
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07/30/08
A 5.4 earthquake hit Southern California yesterday at 11:42am. It was centered near Chino Hills and was felt as far south as San Diego and as far northeast as Las Vegas. (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-la-quake30-2008jul30,0,6284507.story- the story in the LA Times.)
Even though we couldn’t feel the quake up here in the East Bay, we did feel the immediate concern for our loved ones in the LA area. I sent a mass text to all my friends in LA immediately after I heard about the disaster to make sure they were ok.
Let’s not wait until an earthquake sneaks up on the San Andreas or Hayward fault to get prepared. Visit Your Safety Place in Dublin today to get your home ready. They sell all kinds of...
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07/28/08
Last Thursday, Tri-Valley winemakers and restaurants participated in the annual Taste of Terroir event at the Palm events center. Here are the winning pairings and wines: Most Innovative Pairing: La Rochelle Winery <http://lrwine.com/> & Campo di Bocce <http://www.campodibocce.com/>
2006 Pinot Noir, Classic Clones, Arroyo Seco paired with Squash Blossom Tamale
Chef: Michael Wogen, Campo di Bocce
Winemakers: Steven Mirassou and Tom Statz, La Rochelle Winery
Best Expression of Local Ingredients: Livermore Valley Cellars <http://www.lvcwines.com/> & Faz Restaurant <http://www.fazrestaurants.com/>
2006 “Caboose” Zinfandel, Livermore Valley paired with Honey Mustard Rubbed Pork...
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07/24/08
Country clubs seeking missing patrons might want to visit the new Golfsmith Golf & Tennis in Pleasanton, which is giving golf and tennis enthusiasts plenty of reasons to celebrate. Like kids in a candy shop, customers attending the grand opening can feast on $20,000 worth of giveaways, including gift cards and free rounds of golf, and play on the largest golf and tennis “playground” in the Bay Area. The massive space allows golfers to demo the latest gear on a 900-square-foot putting green and tennis players to test their serve on a rare indoor tennis court. Not only are these features rare in golf and tennis retailers, but they are also innovative for Golfsmith—the Pleasanton location is a model for the new direction for the Golfsmith company.
Where:...
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07/24/08
Last year, thousands of families came out to enjoy a day of theater, music, and food at the Lesher Center’s Chevron Family Theatre Festival. This year’s festival on Saturday should continue what the city hopes will become an annual summer event in downtown Walnut Creek.
The festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature more than two dozen performances and family activities taking place outside the Lesher Center and inside the building’s three theaters and lobbies. Kids and their parents can enjoy storytelling, puppet shows, puppet making, live music, and sword-fighting demonstrations. The entertainers include the Sippy Cups, a kid-friendly rock group, and the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, a Walnut Creek-based ensemble that performs fun, musical...
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07/23/08
Mark your calendar-this Thursday is the last time you’ll be able to enjoy a free summer concert at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek this year.
The smooth jazz concert will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Stanford Parking Lot (located near Broadway Plaza’s five-level parking structure.) Additionally, special displays, including a beer and wine booth, will be set up for the event. This is the third and final night of the three concerts planned this summer.
So if you’re craving a night out in beautiful downtown Walnut Creek, head out to Broadway Plaza on Thursday night and enjoy some great jazz, scenery, and of course, shopping.
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07/21/08
First Impression: There’s something about Anthropologie. As soon as I walk in, I know I'm there to stay. I’d actually be OK with them locking me in. The store reminds
me of an art gallery, with it’s meticulously styled displays of eclectic clothing, lingerie, housewares, and bedding. Even the scent of the store has
me hooked. It’s that addictive Anthropologie smell, or maybe it’s the bath products in the back. Whatever it is, it has the Danville community buzzing.
Anthropologie has opened at Blackhawk Plaza, and based on the pre-opening party and fundraiser I attended, it’s already a
big hit. Shoppers filled the store and dressing rooms to get their Anthropologie fix. Wine and hors d’ouevres from Draeger’s made...
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07/21/08
Give your children a taste of country life this week with a visit to Forest Home Farms in San Ramon. The historic open space, a 16-acre farm donated to the city by the late Ruth Quayle Boone in 1997, is opening its doors to get children excited about farm life and history. Anyone between the ages of three and five is invited to come down for a farm-themed story time on Tuesday, July 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. The Farmer will lead the group with songs, crafts, and stories about a farm and its animals. Refreshments are included.
Come back on Saturday for a tour of the farm—if only for the chance to taste your own handmade orangeade or lemonade or learn how our ancestors made it without a washer and dryer. The program will vary throughout the summer, but it will only cost...
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07/18/08
Pleasanton got it’s dose of Sex in the City yesterday, when Sarah Jessica
Parker stopped by to promote her new perfumes, Lovely and Covet. The first
300 people who purchased the $167 set of Lovely perfume, were allowed to
meet and greet the celebrity face to face. Hundreds of others watched, with
cameras and iPhones in hand, awaiting the perfect shot.
Sarah Jessica Parker came down the escalator and paraded through the crowd,
like a princess in her Peter Sorenen dress. But it was the shoes that got
all the attention. Her sequined Miu Miu pumps sparkled from beneath her
chair as she signed bottles. I constantly overheard “She’s so cute.” And
really, she was. Not just cute, but nice. Everyone who bought the...
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07/17/08
Calling all Big Daddies, Hipsters, and Greasers- perfect your Duck Tail, Flat Top, or Nest hairdo and dust off your 50s threads.
Have a blast this Friday, July 18 at the City of San Ramon and the San Ramon Historic Foundation’s annual 1950s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social and Classic Car Show. There’ll be plenty of crafts and games for your ankle-biters. The Hot Rods will play rocking 50s hits during their headlining bit. You’ll flip when you see the souped up rockets on display. The Tri-Valley Chevy Classic Car Club presents restored 1955-1957 Chevys. Relive the magic of the 50s with sheep dog demonstrations, tractor rides, tours of the Forest Home Farm, and free ice cream. Leave all the squares and wet rags at home and haul ass to the Ice Cream Social...
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07/16/08
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The shopping event of the year has finally arrived.
And trust me, Nordstrom employees have been busy getting everything ready for you. I’m picking up some extra hours at the Pleasanton store as a stock person for the Men’s Sportswear department (to fuel my new Mini Cooper, which only takes premium gasoline- how rude!). Nordstrom has been receiving new Anniversary merchandise every day for over two weeks and the stock rooms are practically overflowing. I’ve been swimming in hangers five days a week making sure everything will be in order when doors open at 7am and the crowd rushes in this Friday, July 18.
The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is absolutely my favorite time of year to shop. When...
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07/16/08
She was at the All Star Game in New York last night, but on Thursday, Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker is making an appearance at Stoneridge Shopping Center to promote her fragrances, Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker and Covet Pure Bloom. The first 300 people to purchase an exclusive Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker fragrance gift collection will have the opportunity to meet the actress and get her autograph at the event.
Reserve your chance to meet Sarah Jessica Parker by calling (925) 463-3333, ext. 4121 or by visiting the Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker fragrance counter at Macy's in the Stoneridge Shopping Center.
Cost: $167 (for the Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker fragrance gift collection)
Where: Stoneridge Shopping Center (Pleasanton), Women's...
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07/15/08
This week, enjoy some friendly competition at the 42nd annual U.S. Youth Games, coming to Oakland from July 16-19. The Games, which will feature everything from basketball and swimming to chess and an Academic Bowl, have a rich history of engaging young athletes. Former New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay started the Games in 1966 to highlight the abilities of inner-city youth. Those first events brought together teams from New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Now, athletes ages 13-15 from across the nation compete.
The opening ceremonies will be held on Wednesday at 6:00 pm at Woodminster Amphitheater and include keynote addresses by Olympians Eddie Hart and Marilyn King.
According to a press release, U.S. Youth Games competitions will take place at various...
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07/11/08
I had so much fun on KGO’s View from the Bay on Thursday. I was invited on the live talk show to tell about our Best of the East Bay competition and to show off some of the winners. That included modeling a super cute dress from the Best Boutique, Duchess in Lafayette; jewelry from the Best Designer, Geoffrey Scott in Danville; and Manolo Blahnik shoes from the Best Shoe Store, Footcandy in Walnut Creek.
The edgy black shoes with a silver buckle made the outfit—owner Teresa Vella picked them out, and they gave just the right Sex and the City touch to that darling pink dress by Tracy Reese.
Everyone at...
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07/10/08
It’s time for a mid-summer treat: Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza will be the setting for three free jazz concerts this month. First up is Danish-born saxophonist Michael Lington, whose latest album features jazz interpretations of popular songs such as Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years.” Lington will perform on July 10. Jesse Cook, whose formal instruction in both classical and jazz guitar is accented with the musical influences of the Camargue region in southern France, will appear on July 17. The annual Summer Jazz Concert Series will wrap up with Chris Standring playing his own brand of soul-infused jazz guitar on July 24. The Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association will sponsor a beer and wine booth for the series.
Each...
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07/10/08
Get some fresh air and learn a little Oakland history this weekend at two unique walking tours presented by the Oakland Heritage Alliance. On Saturday, tour director Ray Rainieri will be guiding visitors through Oakland’s historic Temescal neighborhood, a hub of restaurants, shops, and historic homes. The group will be meeting in front of the Genova Delicatessen, located inside the Temescal Shopping Plaza at 5095 Telegraph Avenue.
On Sunday, visit Oakland’s famous Mountain View cemetery, home to many notable Easy Bay figures, including Anthony Chabot, benefactor of Chabot Space & Science Center and Samuel Merritt, former mayor of Oakland. Tour leaders will be giving background on these and other historical leaders laid to rest here, as well as information...
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07/09/08
I bet your kids and the 440 native and exotic animals at the Oakland Zoo have more in common than you think. Both your little mammal and those at the Zoo love to munch messily on snacks (okay, maybe your tot hates vegetables, but the kids at the zoo are vegetarians and love that stuff), imagine endless possibilities for plain old cardboard boxes, and play with others of their kind.
Get your little animal out of the house this Saturday for a once-a-year event at the Oakland Zoo. Bring your kid (small person, not baby goat) to the Oakland Zoo this Saturday at 9am to experience the Feast for the Beasts Event.
Feed your little beast and those inside the Zoo. Humans eat first. The main gate opens early at 9am, at which time a hot breakfast of French toast sticks,...
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07/09/08
Seven months ago, Julian Zaragoza’s Christmas tree caught fire at his Richmond home and burned over 70 percent of his body. The five-year-old’s twin brother, Francisco, was killed in the flames and the boy’s North Richmond home was demolished. Julian spent about five months in the burn center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. He reunited with his family in their new south Richmond home in May.
Get out of the heat this evening and enjoy an air-conditioned fundraiser dinner at 1515 Restaurant & Lounge in Walnut Creek to benefit the Zaragoza family. Tony Dudum, 1515 owner, is donating all proceeds from the dinner and auction to the Zaragoza’s mounting medical costs. Show up and show your support for Julian and his family. Enter a...
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07/07/08
Stevie Wonder had us out of our seats half a minute into his show at the Shoreline on Saturday night. One friend was going so wild dancing up and down the aisles that she almost won the distinction of being that rare 46-year-old who gets herself thrown the heck out.
Stevie played just one song from his new album, spending most of his two and a half hours on stage driving a crowd of all colors and ages into a frenzy with his huge repertoire of classics.
“Little Stevie” may be 58 years old, but he has not slowed down, musically or otherwise (he’s the father of a 3-year-old). If you’re headed to his show this Tuesday at the Pavilion, you had better rest...
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07/07/08
Looking for some culturally sound fun in the Livermore Wine Country? The Livermore Shakespeare Festival kicks off this Thursday and runs throughout the summer. Complete Works Family/Preview Night: July 10
The Livermore Shakespeare Festival performance of The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) by Adam long, Daniel Singer,
and Jess Winfield will have its preview and family night on Thursday
July 10 at Concannon Vineyard in Livermore with the performance starting
at 7:30 pm. All tickets are $20 with students 18 and under free with
adult ticket purchase. For more information on the show please visit
LivermoreShakes.org. Tickets at...
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07/03/08
Why settle for going to a plain old barbeque this Fourth of July when you can listen to live music, jump in a bounce house, ride a flight simulator, and explore a vital piece of American history?
From noon until 9:30 p.m. on America’s Independence Day, the USS Hornet museum, located in Alameda, will be providing all this and more.
Admission is $25 for adults ($22 in advance) and $12 for children, visitors can explore the legendary WWII aircraft carrier while taking in panorama views of the San Francisco Bay.
Tours of the USS Hornet’s flight decks, hangar bays, engine room, flight operations, captain’s bridge, sick bay, ready rooms, combat information center and torpedo shop will be taking place throughout the day. A bounce house,...
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07/03/08
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, the city of Dublin exercises its freedom as the only East Bay city to allow the sale and use of fireworks.
Drive down Dublin and Amador Valley boulevards, and you’ll see a dozen colorful booths selling sparklers and spinners deemed “safe and sane” by the California fire marshal. Staffed by volunteers from local nonprofit groups, the booths offer everything from single “fountains” to 100-piece variety packs.
Understandably, the debate over personal fireworks use is about as hot as the pyrotechnics themselves. This year, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged Californians to not use them, citing the strain on firefighting resources due to the ongoing wildfires. Fireworks also carry...
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07/02/08
Got a pair of shoes that never fit quite right or are taking up space in the closet? Well, here’s a great opportunity to put them to use—and for a good cause! Dust off those flip-flops, heels, boots, and sneakers and head over to Twenty Two shoes, located at 5856 College Avenue in Oakland.
Starting July 3rd and continuing through the month, the upscale shoe store will be accepting any pair of gently worn shoes on behalf of the charity Soles4Souls, and in exchange, the giver gets 50% off any new pair of Twenty Two shoes! Keep in mind that most pairs of Twenty Two shoes cost well over a hundred dollars and you’ll begin to see the potential here. There will be a reception to launch the event from 6-9 p.m. on opening day.
All shoes will be...
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07/02/08
Just got this news from the city of Concord: Concord breaks Guinness Book world record!
CONCORD, CA - (July 2, 2008) Concord broke the Guinness Book World Record last night for largest guitar ensemble when musicians from all over the Bay Area converged on Todos Santos Plaza for the evening festivities. The event drew 2,052 registered guitarists plus families and friends who joined Country Joe McDonald in playing their way into the record book with a rousing rendition of the Woody Guthrie classic "This Land is Your Land."
The city and the Todos Santos Business Association coordinated the event to celebrate 20 years of summer music concerts in downtown Concord.
The previous record was set on June 23, 2007 in Leinfelden, Germany (near Stuttgart) when 1,802...
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07/01/08
Last week, I was sitting in the Walnut Creek Baking Company, sipping coffee while waiting for a meeting at the Lesher Center for the Arts. A man with blond hair burst in. For the most part he casually dressed—faded jeans, white button-down shirt—except for his silky, brightly colored vest, which signaled that he was in a celebratory mood.
“I’m here to pick up my wedding cake!” he exclaimed. He hurried to the counter, talking excitedly. “We just got married at the courthouse 45 minutes ago, and we’re having our party at Stanford’s!” One of the employees beamed him a smile and hurried back into the kitchen to get the cake. Owner Denise Vickers and another employee joined in...
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07/01/08
California’s “hands free” and “hands off” laws go into effect today, July 1st. It's now illegal to drive a vehicle in the state of California while using a hand held cellular phone. Drivers under the age of 18 must comply with the “hands off” law, stating that drivers 17 and younger may not use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle. The two laws were the result of SB 1613 and SB 33, authored by Senator Joe Simitian and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2006.
What are the fines?
First offenses earn a base fine of $20 and $50 for each subsequent offense. The violation will appear on your driving record, but a point will not be added to your license. What are my...
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