TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Walnut Creek! Happy Monday! As we start this new week, let's embrace the fresh opportunities it brings. Focus on progress, celebrate small victories, and keep moving forward with determination. Let's make this week amazing!

In today’s Walnut Creek Spotlight:

• Motivational Monday

• Walnut Creek Projects Among $35 Million Advanced by DeSaulnier for Federal Funding

• Walnut Creek Announces Public Hearing on 2024-2025 Action Plan

- Walnut Creek Spotlight Team

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Walnut Creek Projects Among $35 Million Advanced by DeSaulnier for Federal Funding

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier has advanced 15 community projects in CA-10, totaling over $35 million, for consideration by the House Committee on Appropriations. These projects focus on enhancing public safety, transportation, education, and sustainability in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.

In Walnut Creek, $1.624 million is allocated to install lights at Tice Field and make safety upgrades to its facilities, ensuring safe access for children, their families, and community organizations during all operating hours. Additionally, $1.5 million is designated for constructing bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Treat Boulevard to close a critical gap along the Iron Horse Regional Trail, enhancing safety for non-motorized road users and improving connectivity to public transit and local commercial establishments.

These projects have garnered strong local support. Various city officials, educational leaders, and community organizations have expressed gratitude for Congressman DeSaulnier’s efforts. For example, Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew emphasized the importance of the lighting project at Tice Field for community safety, and Warren Lai, Public Works Director, highlighted the significance of the Treat Boulevard improvements for local connectivity.

See Full Press Release

Walnut Creek Announces Public Hearing on 2024-2025 Action Plan

The Walnut Creek City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber, 1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek. The hearing will discuss the adoption of the proposed Program Year 2024-25 Annual Action Plan (AAP).

A 30-day public comment period for the AAP runs from May 18, 2024, to June 17, 2024, as part of the City’s Citizen Participation Plan requirements. This ensures public involvement in the Annual Action Plan before its adoption.

The Annual Action Plan details Walnut Creek’s funding strategy for the fifth year of the Contra Costa Consortium’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan. This federally mandated document assesses the needs of lower-income residents, prioritizes these needs, and outlines strategies and action plans for addressing them. The Contra Costa Consortium includes Walnut Creek, Concord, Pittsburg, and Antioch. Each jurisdiction must adopt and get federal approval for an annual Action Plan to secure funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

The City’s goal is to use funds to benefit lower-income individuals by supporting high-priority needs such as expanding economic opportunities, increasing affordable housing, ensuring fair housing, and providing services to vulnerable populations including seniors, persons with disabilities, and the homeless. For the PY2024-25, Walnut Creek plans to use $377,135 in CDBG funds for housing programs, public infrastructure and community facilities projects, public services, and program planning and administration.

The draft AAP is available for review at the Walnut Creek Community Development Department and online. The public is encouraged to submit comments by June 17, 2024, via email or phone. Oral comments can be made at the June 18, 2024, City Council meeting.

EVENTS

Food & Drink

Trivia + Karaoke Night | Retro Junkie | Wednesdays at 6 PM

Trivia | Mike Hess Brewing - Wednesdays at 6 PM

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 of the Arts - 2/24 - 8/31 on Saturdays. Tickets

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 each month. 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.

Bridge Drop-In (Seniors) | Civic Park Community Center - Wednesdays at 12:30 PM

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

Native Plant Growers | Civic Park Community Center - Fridays at 11 AM

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. Held on Tuesdays from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM. Learn More

Baby Storytime | Walnut Creek Library - Tuesdays at 12 PM | The Walnut Creek Library hosts Baby Storytime every Tuesday from April 9 to April 30, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. 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. Learn More

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

Toddler Storytime & Play | Walnut Creek Library - Thursdays at 10:15 AM Learn More

Arts & Crafts

Know an event for arts & craft? Email us [email protected]

👉 CLICK TO SEE OUR FULL CALENDAR 👈

LIVE MUSIC & DANCE

Salsa Tuesdays | Retro Junkie - Tuesdays at 6 PM. Watch Video

Line Dancing Lessons | Bourbon Highway - Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM. 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 3,800 Walnut Creek locals.