July 2008

07/31/08

Comedy Night benefit, August 2

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 06:48 PM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink | Comments

07/30/08

Earthquake Preparedness Update

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

Taste of Terroir winners

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

New Pleasanton Golfsmith has indoor tennis court, driving range

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

Chevron Family Theatre Festival

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

Last Broadway Plaza Jazz concert of the season is this Thursday

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

Diablo visits Anthropologie in Blackhawk

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...

Posted at 07:16 PM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink | Comments

07/21/08

Storytime and tour at Forest Hill Farm in San Ramon

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

Diablo and Sarah Jessica Parker in Pleasanton

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...

Posted at 01:28 PM in Best Of Editor Picks | Permalink | Comments

07/17/08

Ice Cream Social in San Ramon

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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