Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, Walnut Creek! Today’s agenda is hot! The Planning Commission meets on July 25th to shape our city's future. California's proposing a five-foot buffer zone for wildfire areas—will it be a game-changer? And don’t miss the Young REP Festival of Showcases, celebrating local talent and creativity. 🌟

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• Walnut Creek Planning Commission Meeting - July 25, 2024

• California Proposes Five-Foot Buffer Zone for Homes in Wildfire Areas

• Join the Celebration: Young REP Festival of Showcases in Walnut Creek

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Walnut Creek Planning Commission Meeting - July 25, 2024

Date: July 25, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Council Chamber, 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek

The Walnut Creek Planning Commission will hold a meeting to discuss several important community projects. Key items on the agenda include:

• The Plaza Master Sign Program Appeal: Review of an appeal concerning a new sign program for an office/commercial development at 1331 and 1333 N. California Blvd.

• Chaudry New Single-Family Residence: Discussion on the construction of a new two-story home at 2109 Overlook Drive, continued to August 22, 2024.

• General Plan Conformity Analysis: Evaluation of the city's potential acquisition of property at 4008 and 4016 Walnut Boulevard for a right-of-way.

Public participation is encouraged. Comments can be made in-person, by mail, or via email. The meeting will be broadcast live on local TV channels and the city's YouTube channel.

For more details and to participate, visit the City of Walnut Creek's website.

California Proposes Five-Foot Buffer Zone for Homes in Wildfire Areas

California plans to ban combustible materials within five feet of homes in wildfire-prone areas to reduce fire risks. The regulation, mandated by Senate Bill 3074, is still in draft form and expected by year-end. A similar law in South Lake Tahoe, effective this Thursday, bans flammable items within this zone. This five-foot buffer is crucial for preventing wildfire spread to homes. Implementation details and timelines are yet to be finalized.

Join the Celebration: Young REP Festival of Showcases in Walnut Creek

The Center Repertory's Young REP program is set to present a week-long celebration of creativity and theatrical skills at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. From July 22 to July 25, the Young REP Festival of Showcases will highlight the talents of young performers trained through the renowned Young Repertory Theatre Workshop, now in its 51st year.

The festival will feature a series of evening performances, each designed to showcase the diverse skills and creative achievements of the students. The event kicks off on Monday, July 22, with the Musical Theatre Showcase at 7:30 PM, followed by another performance on Tuesday, July 23. This showcase promises approximately 70 minutes of engaging musical theater, performed without an intermission.

On Wednesday, July 24, the Directing Showcase will take the stage at 7:30 PM. This 1 hour and 45-minute presentation, which includes one intermission, will feature various directing projects by the students, demonstrating their vision and leadership in theater production.

The festival concludes on Thursday, July 25, with the Works in Progress Acting Showcase, starting at 7:30 PM. This final performance, running approximately 2 hours with one intermission, will present a variety of acting pieces that highlight the students' developing talents.

Tickets for the Young REP Festival of Showcases are available for purchase, offering audiences the chance to support and enjoy the emerging talents of these young performers. (link)

EVENTS

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.

Spontaneous Soap: An Improvised Daytime Drama | July 18-28, 2024 | Various times | Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA | Price varies | Hilarious improvised soap opera with passion, drama, and audience suggestions.

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

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.

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

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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