Good morning, Walnut Creek! Governor Newsom will soon address Californians in his delayed State of the State speech. Sadly, Shoes on Solano is closing its Walnut Creek shop due to post-pandemic challenges. On a brighter note, the Walnut Creek CDBG has new funding available and is requesting proposals. Also, check out the beautifully painted pianos downtown, adding creativity to our streets. Let’s dive in!

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• Newsom to Address Californians in Delayed State of the State Speech

• Post-Pandemic Challenges Force Shoes on Solano to Close Walnut Creek Shop

• Walnut Creek CDBG: Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals

• Painted Pianos Downtown

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

P.S. Happy Birthday, Eliza River Kellam 🥳

P.P.S. We are almost at 5k subscribers. Who should we team up with next to do another gift card giveaway?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Newsom to Address Californians in Delayed State of the State Speech

California Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver his delayed State of the State address on Tuesday, following a recent budget agreement that closed a $47 billion shortfall. The speech, available for streaming at 10 a.m., comes after the narrow passage of Proposition 1, aimed at transforming the mental health system and addressing homelessness. The address, required annually by the California Constitution, marks Newsom's efforts to modernize the traditional format.

How do you feel about the current state of California?

Post-Pandemic Challenges Force Shoes on Solano to Close Walnut Creek Shop

Shoes on Solano in downtown Walnut Creek has closed due to post-pandemic challenges. Customers are thanked for their support and are directed to other locations in North Berkeley and Rockridge, Oakland, as well as the online store.

Visit Their Online Store (link)

Walnut Creek CDBG: Notice of Funding Availability and Request for Proposals

The City of Walnut Creek is seeking proposals/applications through a Request for Proposals (RFP) from non-profit organizations, public agencies, and others serving the Walnut Creek community who are interested in applying for FY 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. An estimated $221,888 in funding is available. These funds must primarily benefit low-income residents of Walnut Creek. Through this RFP, the City seeks qualified respondents for consideration of CDBG funding award as a subrecipient to the City.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding beyond the available amount in the event that additional funding becomes available. Applications not funded by a City CDBG award in FY 2024-25 may also be considered for funding in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27. For this RFP, the City is seeking proposals for eligible activities for infrastructure/public facilities and economic development projects, including but not limited to the activities below:

• Acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public facilities or infrastructure that primarily benefit low-income residents or neighborhoods

• Affordable housing

• Senior, youth and community centers

• Childcare/preschool

• Parks and recreation facilities, including libraries

• Removal of barriers that restrict the mobility of handicapped persons

• Job training with placement services

• Technical assistance and training for small businesses

• Job development and creation

• Banking/lending and small business loans

• Retail development and storefront improvements

• Pollution/blight improvements

Please note the foregoing list is not exhaustive; other qualifying activities may be considered and selected for award pursuant to the RFP process.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the City Data Services (CDS) system by Friday, July 26 at 5pm. The notice of funding availability/application guidelines are available on the City’s website at https://www.walnutcreekca.gov/government/departments/housing-programs/housing-and-community-service-grants/community-development-block-grants/apply-for-a-community-development-block-grant.

Please contact Stefanie Brynen, Housing Manager, at [email protected] with questions.

GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms

The Walnut Creek Farmers' Market has launched a GoFundMe for Lemongrass Farms to support medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost income for two members critically injured in a DUI accident on June 2nd on Locust Street. (link)

NEW EVENTS ADDED

Viognier & Vinyasa | Wednesdays | 5:30 PM | Shadowbrook Winery | $39 per person | Join Shadowbrook Winery's Viognier & Vinyasa Series every Wine Wednesday at 5:30 PM for a rejuvenating yoga session led by certified instructor Carlie, followed by a complimentary glass of Viognier, all for $39 per person; early booking is recommended via email to [email protected].

Pachanga Thursday | Thursday at 8 PM | Retro Junkie | Join Pachanga Thursdays at Retro Junkie on June 27th from 8 PM to 1 AM for an evening of salsa, bachata, timba, merengue, and Latin rhythms featuring Julio Bravo & Orquesta Salsabor, with DJ Tony O spinning hits all night long.

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

Become A Walnut Creek Spotlight Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to reach people in Walnut Creek? We are looking for locally owned businesses that would like to become a Walnut Creek Spotlight sponsor. Contact our sales team today about our powerful ad options to reach over 4,900 Walnut Creek locals.

We Could Use Your Help

We have big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Walnut Creek East Bay and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Walnut Creek Spotlight with them! It’s simple!

👇👇👇

Thank you for reading Walnut Creek Spotlight today! If you enjoyed it, please share it with someone who might appreciate it too.

Don't forget to check us out on Instagram and Facebook for more updates and community highlights.

I love hearing from you! If there's anything you'd like to see more or less of, please reply to this email and let me know.

Was this email shared with you? Sign up here

Want to advertise to over 4,800 locals? Reply to this email.