Good morning, Walnut Creek! Exciting updates are coming your way: the City Council has released new Design Review Standards & Guidelines, and "The Sandlot 30th Anniversary Tour" is hitting town on August 24. Walnut Creek is prioritizing major recreational upgrades, scrapping the Flow Trail Plan in favor of bigger projects. The Contra Costa Crisis Center received a $25K grant from the Matthew Perry Foundation, bolstering their vital support services. Plus, don’t forget to support the GoFundMe campaign for Lemongrass Farms. Stay tuned for more events to fill your calendar. Let’s dive in!

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• Design Review Standards & Guidelines Update

• The Sandlot 30th Anniversary Tour Hits Walnut Creek August 24

• Flow Trail Plan Scrapped as Walnut Creek Prioritizes Major Recreational Upgrades

• Contra Costa Crisis Center Secures $25K Grant from Matthew Perry Foundation

• GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

P.S. Remember our birthday shoutouts when you refer one person to our newsletter! 🥳

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Design Review Standards & Guidelines Update

Thank you for your interest in the Design Review Guidelines Update process! We are excited to share the release of the recently adopted Residential and Residential Mixed-Use Design Review Standards + Guidelines! This document was adopted by City Council on 6/4/24 and goes into effect on 7/5/24.

View Final Residential and Mixed-Use Document (link)

We have also reached another project milestone. The adoption draft of the Non-Residential Design Review Standards + Guidelines document is now available!

View Non-Residential Adoption Draft (link)

We invite you to attend and provide public comment at two upcoming meetings where the Non-Residential Adoption Draft will be reviewed:

Design Review Commission on Wednesday, 7/17/24, at 6:00 PM.

Planning Commission on Thursday, 8/22/24, at 6:00 PM.

The meeting agendas will be available online no later than 72 hours prior to each meeting on the City’s Public Meeting Agendas and Videos webpage. If you are unable to attend the meeting, a video will be available on the same webpage one week after the meeting.

The Sandlot 30th Anniversary Tour Hits Walnut Creek August 24

The Sandlot 30th Anniversary Tour is coming to Walnut Creek on August 24, 2024, featuring cast members from the iconic 1993 baseball movie. Fans will have the opportunity to see the film, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and participate in a Q&A session with actors Tom "Smalls" Guiry, Chauncey "Squints" Leopardi, Marty "Yeah Yeah" York, and possibly others. VIP ticket holders will enjoy exclusive access to meet the cast, take photos, and get autographs.

The event is produced by Andrew Lenz of NuWorlds Productions, a Walnut Creek native and former Antioch resident. Lenz's personal connection to the area and his past performances at the Lesher Center for the Arts add a nostalgic and significant touch to the tour. The anniversary celebration will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts, and tickets go on sale to the public on July 26. Special presale access is available for those who sign up in advance.

Learn More (link)

Flow Trail Plan Scrapped as Walnut Creek Prioritizes Major Recreational Upgrades

Walnut Creek has canceled plans for a controversial flow trail at Lime Ridge Open Space, prioritizing larger ongoing recreational projects. Public Works Manager Mike Vickers cited resource constraints and improved conditions at Lime Ridge as reasons for the decision. The move has pleased local residents who opposed the trail, citing environmental and neighborhood impact concerns. The city will continue to focus on other open space management recommendations.

Learn More (link)

Contra Costa Crisis Center Secures $25K Grant from Matthew Perry Foundation

The Contra Costa Crisis Center in Walnut Creek received a $25,000 grant from the Matthew Perry Foundation to support its 24-hour crisis counseling services. The funds will aid the center in assisting individuals dealing with substance abuse, mental health issues, and other crises. The grant honors the late actor Matthew Perry's legacy and his mission to help those struggling with addiction. Executive Director Elaine Schroth Cortez expressed gratitude, emphasizing the center's dedication to providing hope and recovery through collaborative efforts with similar organizations.

Learn More (link)

GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms

The Walnut Creek Farmers' Market is rallying to support Lemongrass Farms after two members were critically injured in an accident. On June 2nd, they were struck by a vehicle on Locust Street. The driver has been arrested for DUI and other offenses.

The victims are in intensive care, and their family is staying nearby. A fundraiser has been set up to help with medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost income. Your contribution can make a difference. Thank you for your support. (link)

EVENTS

Food & Drink

Trivia + Karaoke Night | Wednesdays at 6 PM | Retro Junkie | Join us for a fun-filled night with free admission, starting at 6 PM with happy hour, followed by pop culture trivia at 7 PM, and karaoke from 8 PM to 1 AM—no RSVP needed!

Trivia | Wednesdays at 6 PM | Mike Hess Brewing | Free to play! Test your knowledge and bring out some loved ones.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia | @ Rotator Taproom - Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

Karaoke Wednesday | @ Bourbon Highway - Wednesdays at 8 PM. Watch Video

Theatre

Best of San Francisco Stand Up Comedy | Lesher Center for the Arts | 6/15 - 8/31 on Saturdays | New generation of comedic talent with the "Best of San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy" tour, featuring some of the hottest up-and-coming acts in the Bay Area.

Community

Tai Chi | Mondays at 10:15 AM | Walnut Creek Library | Participants will learn the basic Tai chi movements, a series of sequential postures resembling a slow-motion dance.

Hooked on Books | Civic Park Community Center | 1st Tuesday of each month at 12:30 PM | A different book is discussed monthly. 1st Tuesday of the month, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Qi Gong Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center | Wednesdays at 12 PM | Slow meditative stretching. No experience is needed. Weekly, Wednesdays from 11:50 - 12:10 PM. Civic Park, Assembly Hall.

Mah Jong Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center - Wednesdays at 1 PM

Bingo Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center | Thursdays at 12 PM | 50+ Drop-in activity. Try your luck and have fun!

Farmer’s Market Walnut Creek | Locust St | Sundays at 9 AM | The Walnut Creek Market, open Sundays 9 am-1 pm year-round on Locust Street, offers local produce, supports sustainability, and provides free first-hour parking at Grower’s Square; only certified service animals are allowed.

Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market | Shadelands | Saturdays at 9 AM | Located in Walnut Creek's Shadelands Business Park, the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market, open Saturdays 9 AM to 1 PM with over 40 vendors, features fresh Brentwood produce, a Kid’s Craft Corner, and is a family favorite, having been voted #1 in America’s Favorite Farmers’ Market contest.

Meditation hosted by the Divya Babaji Sushumna Kriya Yoga Foundation | Fridays at 10:30 AM | Walnut Creek Library | The meditation will be simple, effective, and designed for contemporary times to suit the needs of our community’s Holistic health – Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social health and Spiritual well-being. Meditation will take place seated in chairs and there will be time for questions after the session. No registration is required and beginners are always welcome.

Kids

Peek-A-Book Storytime | Ygnacio Valley Library | Tuesdays at 10:15 AM | Peek-A-Book Storytime is a playful event for ages 0-2 at Ygnacio Valley Library in Walnut Creek, CA, featuring books, songs, and activities to enhance early literacy skills.

Baby Storytime | Walnut Creek Library | Tuesdays at 12 PM | The Walnut Creek Library hosts Baby Storytime. Parents and caregivers with babies aged 0-1 are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and interactive activities. No registration is required for this engaging and nurturing experience designed for the youngest attendees.

Family Storytime | Thursdays at 10:15 AM | Ygnacio Valley Library

Toddler Storytime & Play | Thursdays at 10:15 AM | Walnut Creek Library | Join us for songs, stories, and movement! Stay after the stories to play! Most appropriate for ages 0-3, but all ages are welcome.

👉 CLICK TO SEE OUR FULL CALENDAR 👈

LIVE MUSIC & DANCE

Salsa Tuesdays | Tuesdays at 6 PM | Retro Junkie | Join Salsa Tuesdays at Retro Junkie for $10, featuring salsa lessons, DJ, and open dancing. Watch Video

Line Dancing Lessons | Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM | Bourbon Highway | Watch Video

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