Good morning, Walnut Creek! Here's your latest scoop: California Pizza Kitchen in Walnut Creek shuts down permanently. In election news, the filing period for local offices on the November ballot opens soon. Excitingly, for the fifth year running, Ruth Bancroft Garden has been nominated for Best Wedding Venue. Plus, keep an eye out for the grand opening of Wild Child, a charming children's boutique, coming soon to Broadway Plaza.

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• California Pizza Kitchen in Walnut Creek Shuts Down Permanently

• News Release: Filing period opens soon for local offices on the November ballot

• Fifth Year Running: Ruth Bancroft Garden Nominated for Best Wedding Venue

• Children's Boutique Wild Child Opening Soon at Broadway Plaza

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

California Pizza Kitchen in Walnut Creek Shuts Down Permanently

The California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) location in Walnut Creek has officially closed its doors (link). Known for its inventive pizzas, pastas, and salads, the chain restaurant was a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Situated at 1325 S Main Street, CPK served the community with its modern setting and diverse menu offerings. However, despite its popularity and a respectable 4.2-star rating based on over 700 reviews, the restaurant has now permanently ceased operations. Patrons will need to find alternative dining options as this well-loved establishment is no longer in business.

For those seeking new pizza spots in Walnut Creek, several local favorites are worth a visit. Pinky's Pizza, Slice House, Pizza My Heart, Tomatina, PanCoast Pizza, and Extreme Pizza offer a variety of delicious options to satisfy any pizza craving.

Where’s your favorite pizza spot in Walnut Creek? Reply to this email.

News Release: Filing period opens soon for local offices on the November ballot

At the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, the City of Walnut Creek will have three City Council seats up for election, those currently held by Mayor Loella Haskew (completing her 3rd term), Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Darling (completing her 1st term) and Councilmember Kevin Wilk (completing his 2nd term). Mayors in Walnut Creek are not directly elected, but rather serve on a rotational basis as appointed annually by their fellow councilmembers. All councilmembers serve four-year terms.

People interested in running may pull nomination papers and receive all the other necessary forms and information for City candidacy from Walnut Creek’s City Clerk, Suzie Martinez. Forms are available at the opening of the nomination period on July 15, 2024. It takes approximately an hour to review the information with the City Clerk. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance and are being taken now for July 15th. You may make an appointment by calling the City Clerk’s office at 943-5819.

Nomination papers are due back to the Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024. In the event an incumbent does not file, the nomination period will be extended to Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

To be eligible to run for these offices, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and a resident and registered voter in the City of Walnut Creek. Please call the City Clerk’s office if you have any questions about eligibility or the nomination process. (link)

Fifth Year Running: Ruth Bancroft Garden Nominated for Best Wedding Venue

The Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery has received nominations for Best Wedding Venue and Best Landscape Design Services in Diablo Magazine's 2024 Best of the East Bay awards, marking five consecutive years for the former and two for the latter. The garden expresses gratitude for community support and anticipates welcoming visitors.

Children's Boutique Wild Child Opening Soon at Broadway Plaza

A new children's store, Wild Child, is set to open next month at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek (link). The store will offer a variety of children's clothing, toys, books, and gifts.

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)

EVENTS

Food & Drink

Comedy at The Greenery | July 10 | 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | The Greenery Bar & Grill | $20 | Steph Clark and headliner Tom Clark bring an evening of laughs. 21+ only.

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

An Evening with Ali Wentworth | July 10, 2024 | 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA | Tickets (link) | Enjoy humor with actor, comedian, and author Ali Wentworth.

Summer Sounds: Tom Rigney and Flambeau | July 11, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Enjoy a high-energy, uplifting music concert at Rudney Plaza. Featuring Tom Rigney and Flambeau, renowned for their infectious grooves and rich soloing. No ticket required.

La voix humaine - Dido & Aeneas | July 12-14, 2024 | Check event listing for times | Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Check event listing for ticket prices | A double-bill of short operas exploring love and betrayal. Experience "La voix humaine" and "Dido & Aeneas" with powerful performances and emotional depth.

All the World's A Stage (Young Actors Studio) | July 12, 2024 | 6:30 PM - 7:10 PM | Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Check event listing for ticket prices | Enjoy a performance by young actors from The Ballet School Performing Arts, featuring Broadway songs and favorite stories. Approx. 40 minutes, no intermission.

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

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!

Native Plant Growers | July 12, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 | Free | Join the Native Plant Growers at the Native Wildflower Garden in Civic Park. Volunteers who like to garden are welcome. Meets weekly on Fridays.

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.

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

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

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