Humpday Hootch: Downtown Wine Walk

I covered Walnut Creek's last Downtown Wine Walk here, but if you need more information or are too lazy to click on that link, here's a refresher.

First, even if you don't plan on attending it's always good to remember the event is going on, if only to understand that traffic will be slow throughout downtown Walnut Creek as parental-looking types meander in and out of stores with wine glasses in hand.

Secondly, if you've never been, this is how it works: You start at Pro Home Systems, either to pickup or purchase tickets (tip: bring cash to breeze through the line). Organizers will outfit you with a map of participating businesses (this time around there are over 45) and a souvenir wine glass, and then it's up to you to plot a way to hit as many local businesses as possible, all of which are pouring varying varietals from different wineries. Many also offer food, in the form of cheese and crackers spreads, but some places get real fancy with chocolate fountains (the post office store really did it up in spring).

It really is a pretty good time if you don't mind bumping into numerous people from high school and college, feel no obligation to pretend to be interested in whatever the store is selling, and don't lose patience in crowds and lines. For $35 you could do worse than have potentially over 45 tastes of wine. That's 15 businesses an hour, which works out to about 2.7 bottles of wine over the night (assuming 2oz pours). Not too shabby...

6–9pm
$35
Presale is closed, but you can buy tickets at Pro Home Systems before the event
website

Opening: ØL Beercafe & Bottle Shop (Walnut Creek)

I keep feeling like the newest Trappist outpost is pulling a total Prince on me by naming their joint with a symbol I can't get my computer to produce. Luckily, there's copy and paste, and I can properly tell you that ØL Beercafe & Bottle Shop will be open for business in Walnut Creek this Friday, September 16, from 4pm–close.

They'll have 18 taps and hundreds of bottles, with a focus on beers not easily found at nearby BevMo or Whole Foods. Over on their site they've got their opening tap list up, which includes local beers such as Ale Industries Rye'd Piper and Linden Street Black, as well as more obscure offerings, ranging from the smoky Bavarian Aecht Schlenkerla Helles to Glazen Toren Angelique Dubbel, a spicy Belgian ale. According to their facebook page, the interior design will feature re-finished pews, tables and benches from Heritage Salvage, and gorgeous herringbone ceiling from Level 5 Designs.


1541 Giammona Dr., Walnut Creek
website



[all photos from ØL Beercafe & Bottle Shop's facebook page]

101 Best Bites: #20 - The Brooklyn from Eleve

I'm eating my way through Diablo Magazine's 101 Best Bites and giving you my thoughts, protests, and points of agreement. I'm starting cheap and working my way up, because internships don't pay that well and cable is expensive.

I had to yoink this picture from yelp because I am one of the most paranoid people when it comes to taking pictures. Especially when it's 8pm on a Friday night, I'm by myself seated at a dark bar, and the Giants are down by 5 runs. It doesn't foster a friendly atmosphere for making friends with your neighbors, much less the bartender, who assumes you're going to slam them on yelp. So I pretended to seriously consider the menu, which had many drinks that looked more appealing to my sensibilities (gin, elderflower, cream), before convincing the bartender that his powers of persuasion had steered me toward The Brooklyn.

The coolest thing about The Brooklyn (a mix of rye, vermouth, amaro, and orange bitters) is the ice. They hand carve the ice into a giant ball, which reduces the melting time and hence the amount of water that dilutes your drink. The drink itself reminds me of a negroni with rye instead of gin, and less of that sharp, citrus due to the lack of campari. The spiciness of the rye plays well off of the amaro and orange bitters, and overall the cocktail is well-balanced and enjoyable, even for gin-lovers like myself. I can't say it's my favorite cocktail on the menu (I favor the Lonsdale and Clover Leaf), it's a solid choice in a place that's helping elevate Walnut Creek's cocktail scene with fresh-squeezed juices, hand-carved ice, and a careful approach to ingredients.

1677 N. Main St., Walnut Creek
website

Closing: Cafe Delle Stelle

[photo: Patch.com]

Patch has word that Walnut Creek Italian joint Cafe Delle Stelle is packing up and moving out. After 17 years at their current location, at North Main and Lincoln (I seriously had no idea they were here until I looked at the picture), they're looking for a new site in the city with lower rent. And that's all I've got.
[source: Patch]

On an unrelated note, anyone crossing the street at Lincoln and North Broadway (back to the library) should look up at the top floor of the building on the left on Lincoln, above Changes salon. One of my favorite things in Walnut Creek. You'll know what I'm talking about once you see it, and one day I'll snap a picture.

Rep Yo Hood: Dub C Tees

I am creepily obsessed with this shirt. I know nothing about this shirt, only that it popped up on my newsfeed and I want it, to really rep the cougar-baitin, parking-lackin, bro-friendly suburb I call home. They're only $19.99, and you can pre-order one now through the following sites: 

creeplife.storenvy.com 

aftereleven.storenvy.com/collections/5838-creep-life

UPDATE: Spoke with Morgan, who, on top of being one half of the team behind these shirts, is also an excellent bar patron. Her friend Ian came up with the shirt idea and Morgan, who owns clothing company After Eleven Apparel, designed it. They're launching a sub brand called Creep Life, described as a collaboration of ideas from her close group of friends, most of whom rep the Dub C as their hometown. You can check out some of their other designs at: afterelevenapparel.com, and check out Creep Life Clothing on Facebook. And you guys, Morgan was 15 when she first started designing shirts. FIFTEEN! When I was 15 I was too busy trying to grow into my boobs and get a soccer player to like me. Morgan is officially one of the coolest people ever.

101 Best Bites: #6 - Tender Greens Pop-Tart

I'm eating my way through Diablo Magazine's 101 Best Bites and giving you my thoughts, protests, and points of agreement. I'm starting cheap and working my way up, because internships don't pay that well and cable is expensive.

When I first saw that, of all the desserts at the restaurant, Tender Greens' pop-tart made the list, I was indignant. I figured it was just the novelty, because I've had amazing desserts from Tender Greens and refused to believe a pop-tart could top 'em. I went for the orange marmalade flavor (they were also offering almond? maple? something nutty), and didn't eat it at the restaurant, because the speed with which they remove trays alarms me. I took it home, styled it elegantly on the paper bag it came in, and tried (unsuccessfully) to fake the sunlight that never hits my apartment.

The pop-tart's a pretty decent size. I was looking around my desk for comparison purposes, and I can say  it's about the length of one and a half iPhones or a Sigrid Olsen eyeglass case. Bigger than your average pop-tart, thicker, and a whole ton heftier, with a thick crust, generous slathering of frosting, and plenty of filling jammed inside.

 First bite in, it tastes like an amazing, flaky butter cookie/pastry hybrid. Screw the other desserts (even you, delicious salted caramel thing!), I am sold. I usually hate fruit in my desserts, unless it's a processed cherry pop-tart with sprinkles, but the orange jelly flavor isn't offensive. I could have passed on the actual candied strings of orange hidden in the pop-tart, but that crust is so damn good I just kept eating. Aside from the lack of multi-colored sprinkles, which every dessert could use more of, I'm a fan of Diablo's choice, and remain a fan of Tender Greens' desserts. 

Tender Greens

1352 Locust St., Walnut Creek

website

What to Do This Weekend: 8/5–8/7

Look at all this stuff (“isn’t it neat?)! It’s because I love you guys, and also between my job, this blog, and preparing for my interview today I’ve been working close to 11-hour days. Enjoy the fruits of my gradual slip into insanity. I also had coffee today, so there’s that…Oh, and I know that SFChefs is going on, but I can’t afford that shit and neither can you (probably), so go google it on your own time or buy me a ticket already.

Friday, August 5:

Dishcrawl during Art Murmur: Like every First Friday, the galleries in Oakland are open late and throngs of people shuffle in and out, pretending to admire the art. The Dishcrawl sold out, but you can be really creepy (they only give out the locations to people who buy tickets a day or two in advance) and follow around any group of people snapping pictures of food and throwing around the term “foodie” and mentioning how they “tucked in” to a dessert. They’re starting at Uptown Place Homes at 6pm and at least one stop includes steak sandwiches. If you just want to check out the art and try and get full off of wine and cheese, Art Murmur runs from 6-9pm and includes galleries from 22^nd to 26^th street and along the Broadway/Telegraph corridors.  

Dishcrawl

Art Murmur

from girl journalist's Flickr account

Saturday, August 6:

Urban Wine Xperience: You’re in luck! Due to some glitch, tickets that were supposed to have gone up to $60 on Monday are still $40 until tomorrow, when they’ll be $60 at the door. I already did a write-up for this for the job that pays me, so I’m blatantly copying and pasting that for you. 2-6pm

Website

Paddle and Picnic: Dragon boat rides, live music, and an ice sculptor. The boats are solely people-powered, so get ready to paddle and get along with your boat buddies, since getting the boat going is a group effort. Free. 12–4pm.

Website

[Source: Berkeleyside]

ImpactCon: Fantastic Comics (over in Berkeley) invites you to celebrate nerddom with them. You get a sneak peek at Impact Theatre’s upcoming production of Cameron McNary’s D&D (Dungeons & Dragons, yo) play “Of Dice and Men.” I know I’m getting really nerdy on you right now, but I know some of you are into this shit. And maybe into meeting some cosplay celebrities and winning vintage Star Wars and Star Trek shit. 8–11pm.

Facebook Event Page

Martinez Beaver Festival: Aside from the unfortunate connotations of the event name, this event sounds kinda really boring. Something about a civic uprising. There will be live music, wildlife festivities, and something called “paint your own tail” where you get to compete in a fashion show/contest. …I think if you’re a child. Anyway, if you’re into beavers (get it? Get it?), check it out.

11am–4pm.

Website

[Source: Claycord]

Saturday, August 6–Sunday, August 7:

Fenestra Winery 35^th Anniversary: Out in Livermore, Fenestra Winery is throwing a celebration in honor of their 35^th anniversary. They got ghosts! Or “an appearance by ‘the ghost’ of Mrs. True.” If that isn’t enticing (who are you?) they’ll also have live music, tri-tip sandwiches, and a special release of the 2006 Conjugation, which I’m hoping is a wine and not a sex tape. 12–5pm.

Website 

[Source: The Merc]

Sunday, August 7:

Cinnaholic One-Year Anniversary: You guys, Shannon is like, the most adorable thing ever and runs a kick-ass cinnamon roll shop over in Berkeley. They’re celebrating their one-year anniversary (with one of the best flyers I’ve seen in a long time) by offering up $1 Old Skool Rolls from 12–4pm. Get at it! I need to get at it, since she kindly gifted my work (bartending gig) with some rolls and someone (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) left them out in our hot sweaty bar, rendering them inedible. You’re lucky I love you, mystery destroyer of delicious goodies.

Website 

Reviews:

Foodhoe, in addition to running a much classier East Bay blog [foodhoe.com] that probably doesn’t include words like “spunk” and “buttload,” went and checked out the new Home of Chicken and Waffles in Walnut Creek. Check out her review here. I’m going to try and get there this weekend, hopefully around 3am when I get off work and can see the finest specimens Walnut Creek has to offer as they’re released from the bars.

Opening:

The Fig Tree (Pleasant Hill): the website isn’t very helpful, so here’s The Merc’s thoughts. 

Closed:

SR-24 (Oakland). According to Tablehopper (via Chowhound and the restaurant’s Facebook page), they closed last Saturday for good.

Misc.:

Judging from a rundown of local police reports, more people are getting arrested downtown for drunk in publics, and the po po even nabbed a guy on a bike for a BUI. While I don’t think the police are going all Isla Vista Foot Patrol on us, it’s long been assumed that the WCPD are bored and looking for excuses to bring in easy money, so do as I say and not as I do and either checkity check yo selves or call a cab.

Opening: CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!!

from ootkfoodiefan.blogspot.com

According to Ethan over at Diablo Dish, Home of Chicken and Waffles will be holding a soft opening this weekend. I’ve been led on by the promise of that place opening so many times I’m almost afraid to believe and have my heart broken once again, but it sounds like it’s the real thing this time. Either stop by this weekend while they work out the kinks, or wait until Monday when they should be open for regular business. And duh, get the chicken and waffles.

[Source: Diablo Dish] 

1653 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek

website

What To Do This Weekend: 7/15–7/17

Ugh, I am tired. Harry Potter wore me out, as did sleeping diagonally in my bed so kittah could stretch out. Enjoy some fun this weekend while I work a double and continue to get no sleep. Bastards.

Friday, July 15:
Gay Rum Party: Mount Gay, that is. Havana will be hosting a Mount Gay Rum "tasting invitation" tonight, featuring complimentary tapas, tastings of Mount Gay Old Rum, some famous punch by a guy named Chester (not sketchy at all!), and 1/2 off all other rum cocktails until 6pm. The first 20 attendees will also get a tiki mug and a cigar.
1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek
website

Rockridge Summer Jazz and Wine Stroll: I love that everyone rolls out a wine stroll when summer hits. They should really do it during the winter when everyone hates life and I'd get the added pleasure of seeing bedraggled cougars melting in the rain. But I digress. Presumably there is both wine and jazz at the event, judging from the name, but in what capacity is a mystery in their press release. You can expect specials and sales from participating merchants. 5–8pm.
College Ave., Oakland
website

Friday, July 15–Saturday, July 16:

i mean, look at this guy

Inferno: A Fire Circus: Now, normally I hate circuses, because of the whole clown thing, but light that clown on fire and I am there! Or would be, if I wasn't working. There will be dancing skulls, fire sword balancing, and all other kinds of fiery shit that proves that fire makes everything more interesting. Tickets are kinda steep at $45–55, so you may want to wait until they actually promise sacrificial clowns before handing over the dough. 7pm.
1260 7th St., Oakland
website

Saturday, July 16:
Oakland BBQ: 32 teams heat up their grills and put on their game faces to square off in the Bay Area BBQ Championship. They'll be competing in four categories (chicken, brisket, pork, and ribs). It'll also be a showdown between bay area football teams (go Niners!), since each team's tailgate crew (The Bad Boyz of BBQ for the Raiders and Q Masters for the Niners) will be competing against each other and an Iron Chef team during a three-hour live throw down. Get there at 9:30am for the people's choice round, and feel free stay for a live performance from American Idol finalist La Toya London. They woulda had me there had it been La Toya Jackson. 9:30am–3pm.
Oakland Coliseum Creekside Lot, Oakland
website

Saturday, July 16:

i mean, look at this fucking bear

California Beer Festival: Okay, so I know this is in Santa Cruz and nowhere near East Bay suburbia, but I love beer and would feel remiss in not sharing. $40 will get you a souvenir cup and access to over 60 craft brews, such as pours from Deschutes, Lagunitas, Speak Easy, and Ninkasi. You can also enjoy live music, play bocce ball (an admirable drunk pastime), and get sloshed guilt-free knowing proceeds benefit the Gen Giammanco Foundation, which supports student athletes. 12:30–5pm.
Aptos Village Park, Santa Cruz
website

Sunday, July 17:
East Bay Adoptathon: Last week, I was literally two steps away from buying a kitten. My judgement may have been impaired from two bloody marys, but how can you not love cute tiny balls of fur with their sleepy faces and penchant for attacking evil apples? In addition to adorable kittens and equally as adorable pups and dogs, there will also be a turtle and snake at the event for you reptile lovers, and adoptable bunnies from SaveABunny. Don't mind me if I smell like Bloody Mary and am holding three Siamese kittens. 10am–3pm.
Jack London Square, Oakland
facebook event page

Opening: Japanese, Bread, Mexican, and Cupcakes

I haven't exactly made it a secret that I have a full-time job, and I can't blog at work so I do all of this in my off time and schedule things to publish the next day. When I hear about a restaurant opening, I just save the link and when I've had a busy week things tend to pile up QUICK. So here's everything that's opened while you've been working, or nursing your hangover, or doing whatever unemployed people do (not to imply you all are unemployed, but to be inclusive).

Already Open:

photo from SuperCarnitas

Kiraku: Their website is terribly unhelpful, but it looks like they opened July 1 near the UC Berkeley Campus and some early Yelpers have the scoop. The food is described as "Japanese-influenced with a twist," and includes dishes like ramen, roasted pork belly, and something called okonomiyaki. There's also word of a sake menu and Asahi on tap.
[source: Tablehopper]
2655 Telegraph Ave at Parker, Berkeley
website

B-Dama: It's looking like, from early reports on Chowhound, that the upcoming izakaya from the people over at Geta is less "coming soon" and more "newly opened." Right now, it's sounding like a lot of grilled chicken skin and beef tongue, but anyone nearby who wants to go check it out will be my hero, Enrique Iglesias-style.

[source: Chowhound]

4301 Piedmont Ave., Oakland

Panera Bread: They opened another Walnut Creek location back at the end of June, and I just haven't cared enough to write anything. But hey, they have free wi-fi, and are open until 9pm on most days! They also have a drive-thru window, which actually increases my level of caring from none to mildly interested. Check it out in the Countrywood shopping center.
[source: Walnut Creek Patch]

Opening Today: 
Cosecha Cafe: located in Swan's market in Old Oakland. Expect dishes like pork belly tacos, pozole, and torta ahogada. They'll also have a two dollar menu for their opening.
[source: Tablehopper]
907 Washington St., Oakland
website

Coming Soon:

french toast and maple bacon cupcake

James & the Giant Cupcake: Opening next to Actual Cafe this Monday (pending final inspections), this cupcake joint (formerly a delivery-only venture) is starting off with basic cupcakes and will venture into more creative flavors once the shop gets established. They also offer one vegan cupcake and one gluten-free option.

6326 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

website

[source: WTF]

Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar at Stanford's

image from thedapperdude.com

I swear Stanford's keeps on getting better. They're already killing it on their happy hour, but I sadly rarely make it for the drink portion (they run the food happy hour again from 9pm–close) since I usually work until 5:30. So Stanford's went, "Hey, Kristen. Don't be sad! We're going to bring you something awesome on the weekends, when you are usually suffering from a sleep hangover or hangover hangover from closing the bar at 3am." They're rolling out BYOBMB (Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar) this Saturday and Sunday, from 11am–2pm, and continuing for the foreseeable future.

When I called, the girl on the phone said they'll have all the usual Bloody Mary stuff, as well as additional hot sauces and juices to customize yours up how you like, and you know bars/restaurants never make them spicy enough. You can also try making special requests for ingredients (bacon? a small salad's worth of garnish?) and if you're charming enough they just may include it in the future. I'm busy Saturday at a media event (I'm fancy!) but you can probably catch me there on Sunday, especially if they whip out the horseradish.

Stanford's at Walnut Creek
1300 South Main, Walnut Creek
(925) 944-0895
website

Free Jazz! Your Mom Will Like It!

image from ptshows.com

Tonight kicks off the first night of free jazz in Broadway Plaza, this evening featuring Chieli Minucci. You can just follow the sounds of that sweet sweet jazz music or go searching out for it in the Stanford's parking lot. Better yet, enjoy Stanford's AMAZING happy hour and then go listen to some sophisticated jazz, you drunken heathens. 6:30–8:30pm.

website

Special Half-Priced Mojito Night at Havana

I've been gone from here forever. Foreva eva? Fo eva eva? So I'll just load up on the posts today so you'll forward to when I'm not spamming you on facebook to come check out my blog.

On that note, Havana is doing a special half-price mojito Wednesday this week (aka tonight). They usually feature this deal on Monday, but with the holiday and nice weather, I'm sure a cheapo mojito doesn't sound half bad tonight. From 4–6pm, enjoy half-priced mojitos by the glass OR pitcher and $5 taco plates. Havana just recently hired new chef Nick Di Arenzo and started using fresh fruit puree in their mojitos, so it's definitely worth checking out to see what the changes mean for this Cuban joint.

Havana
1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek
website

What to Do This Weekend: 7/1–7/4

Holy crap, you guys. It's July. ALREADY. What a sneaky sneaky month. I get that most of you have fantastic weekend plans already, but I didn't plan anything because a) I didn't realize it was almost the 4th until like...Wednesday and b) I assumed I would actually remember my work meeting and be scheduled to work this Saturday. Keeping checking back, as I'm going to try and update with bars doing something, anything, for the holiday (Spoontonic will be closed on Monday. Don't come!).

bart tree from Oaklandish

Friday, June 1:

Oaklandish Grand Opening Party: According to Oakland Local, Oaklandish is opening its first retail store and community space tonight. They'll be celebrating with beer from local brewers Linden Street Brewery and street food from Fiveten Burger truck and El Taco Bike. Pick up one of their popular hoodies or tees while DJs Spinnerty and Junior, followed by DJ Platurn, liven up the space.

1444 Broadway, Oakland

website

Saturday, July 2:

Breastfest: Do you like boobies? And beer? Get down to Breastfest and help the community by drinking one and raising money for the other. On a rare serious note, many people I know have family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and this is a great opportunity to help raise money for women diagnosed with breast cancer who can't afford treatment. Marin Brewing Co. and Moylan's are sponsoring the event, which will feature pours from local breweries Ale Industries (yay Concord!) and Trumer, as well as Russian River, Stone, Moonlight, Drake's, Allagash, Big Sky, and Maui Brewing Company (and a ton others). 80s hair metal cover band Metal Shop will provide the entertainment. $45 advance/$50 at the door, which includes a complimentary tasting glass and food. 5–9pm, unless you buy VIP ($10 mas) for an hour head start.

Fort Mason, SF

website

from ventvox.com

Sunday, June 3:

Free concert! Neko Case and The Dodos at Stern Grove Festival. I love both these artists/groups and I am ridiculously excited because it's free. FREE. I missed The Dodos playing a free concert over in Berkeley, so I will trek it out to the city. Let me clarify, the boons of the city. THE SUNSET. I said I'd never go back there after I moved out of the fog monster, so that's how badly I want a free concert. Things kick off at 2pm. The Stern Grove Festival has free concerts running through August 21, so if you can't make it this Sunday, check out their website for a list of other performances.

Sigmund Stern Grove Park

in between 19th Avenue and Sloat Blvd., San Francisco

event website

Crusherfest at the Stork Club: Come see 12 bands crush you? I assume that's what crusherfest means. Starting at 3pm, you can see Paul Collins Beat, Nikki Corvette, Grass Widow, Scumby . These band names mean nothing to me because I listen to sleepytime tea indie music, but they may mean something to you.

2330 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

website

Monday, July 4:
Remember Tipsy Tow?: I mentioned it back for Cinco de Mayo, but I think it bears repeating. Call 800-AAA-HELP and tell the operator you need a "tipsy tow." AAA offers a free ten-mile tow home for drivers and their vehicles. You don’t even have to be a member. Tipsy tow starts at 6pm tonight and lasts until 6am. Or call a cab! click for: Walnut Creek, Danville, Lafayette, San Ramon.

Looking for fireworks? The only place you can get 'em is in Dublin and the only legal places to set them off are in Dublin, at Alamo Creek Park, Emerald Glen Park, and Dublin Sports Grounds. The rest of Alameda County and Co Co County frown on all fireworks, including "safe" fireworks like sparklers, but I know you want to do hoodrat stuff with your friends so for God's sake be discreet and don't be an asshole and burn yourself with a GD sparkler.

from sf.funcheap.com

4th of July at Berkeley Marina: If you're not into drinking (like, maybe two people I know), head over to the Berkeley Marina for jugglers, clowns (GROSS), food booths, a dunk tank, massages, free dragon boat rowing, and pony rides (if you can convince them you're small enough to ride).

Berkeley Marina

201 University, Berkeley

website

All You Can Eat Ribs: At Stanfords, $25 will get you all-you-can-eat ribs, plus your choice of two sides, ranging from cole slaw to sweet baked beans to fries or creamy potato salad. I really can't imagine staying inside on the 4th, but the deal is good all weekend so if you feel like being lazy and making someone else do the dishes, have at it.
1300 S. Main St., Walnut Creek
website

4th of July in Moraga: This event has a real name, that I saw while staring at a flyer in Panama Coffee this morning, but I forgot it and the city website doesn't have it, so screw it. There's a dog parade, for those people who like to dress up their dogs (I prefer shoving dog sized costumes on my cat), car show, "jumpies" (wtf?), and David Martin's house party. I don't know what kind of party that is, but this all sounds very family friendly so probably not a very fun one. But hey, there are fireworks around 9:20...

Event starts at 8am with some runs, but I wouldn't bother getting there until the dog parade at 9am.

Moraga Commons Park

1799 Saint Marys Rd., Moraga

website

San Ramon's Star Spangled Spectacular: I almost left this out, but you've gotta rep where you came from, even if it used to mean drinking watermelon vodka out of water bottles and stumbling around drunk on the Iron Horse trail trying to make it to the fireworks. Ah, suburbia. There's a kids area in the parking lot adjacent to Bollinger Canyon Road that features hamster balls! Why can't I fit in a giant hamster ball? The fireworks kick off at 9:30pm in Central Park, synchronized to music on KKIQ Radio 101.7. Don't bother trying to find parking, and instead march from miles away on the Iron Horse and relive those high school years. Your liver may say no, but I say it doth protest too much.
Central Park
12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon
website

Get Out On a Wednesday

just insert some drunk people here and you'll get the picture

Spring Wine Walk: Tonight is Walnut Creek's Wine Walk, which is helpful to know so you aren't confused about all of the middle-aged people stumbling along downtown with wine glasses in their hands. I was all jazzed on going to this event until I spent all my money on a cab ride and extra cocktail tickets at the martini competition this week and realized it was $30/$35 dollars at the door. For those of you who don't blow your money on trivial things, you can try around 45 different wines, which sounded like a dubious claim until I realized Residual Sugar was included. There are an absolute ton of businesses participating as well as live music from local people, so check out their website for the full list as well as starting place (either Residual or Stanfords, depending on how you got your ticket). I'm actually a little sad I'm not going. 6-9pm.
website 

Off the Grid: Despite some minor snafu's concerning some drastic underestimation on the number of people who were going to attend last week, Off the Grid is back in the Gourmet Ghetto, long lines and food shortages be damned. This week both the carts and the organizers should be more prepared. Check out our original coverage here for an idea of some of the carts to expect.
5-9pm
Shattuck and Rose St., Berkeley
website

What to Do This Weekend: 6/17–6/19

Ah! Craziness at work!! But fo serious, you're just getting a list because I am a crazy-faced zombie swamped in events writing. Also, per usual, if I missed your event please leave it in the comments and I will update asap. And if you hate everything here, you can always go into the city for North Beach Festival, which thankfully isn't taking a page from Union Street Festival and keeping its beer and wine gardens a'flowin'.

Friday, June 17th:
Moonlight Movie in Danville: Movie = Akeelah and the Bee. Not gonna lie, kinda sad I missed How to Train Your Dragon, because I like kitty dragons. They'll also be doing it July 1, 15, and August 12. 8-10pm. Free!
400 Front St., Danville
danville.ca.gov

Saturday, June 18th:
Summer Solstice Party at Swarm: 6pm, $5 donation at the door.
560 2nd St., Oakland
event page

Spoontonic '70s Party: Shameless plug, but it's going to be really, REALLY fun with drink specials, '70s tuneage and bell bottoms. No cover.
2580 N. Main St., Walnut Creek
event page

Summer Sailstice: Open House on Lake Merritt: Free boat rentals! 5-7pm (boats off the water by 8pm).
Lake Merritt (inside Lakeside Park), Oakland
website

Saturday, June 18th–Sunday, June 19th:
Danville Fine Arts Faire: 10am-5pm. Free to look, but moniezzz to buy.
Hartz Ave., Danville
website

Update on Home of Chicken and Waffles

We're so close! Oh so close! Maybe pressing my face to the papered glass and crying silent tears paid off, because Home of Chicken and Waffles' Walnut Creek location is hiring! Which means they should be opening soon, right?!? It's all I've got, and it's not much, but they're holding open interviews on Monday, June 20th, which brings them one step closer to serving me maple syrup covered chicken. Also, if you need a job....just sayin'....
[source: Craigslist]

What to Do This Weekend: 6/3–6/5

Is anyone else still hurting from Memorial Day Weekend? I feel like I took years from my life and doing nothing sounds amazing, but I have an uber packed next few days, so I'm making you feel my pain by sharing all of the events that'll make you feel obligated to drag your sorry butt off the couch and into the world.

Saturday, June 4th:

3rd Annual California Extra Virgin Olive Oil Festival: While plain ol' olive oil may sound boring, more than a dozen of the state's best olive oil producers preparing tastings and food pairings spices things up a bit. There will also be samples fo' free and snacks for sale, including olive oil challah, orange olive oil cake, and an ice cream/olive oil hybrid, which you know you have to try to say you did it.

The Pasta Shop on 4th St. 

1786 Fourth St., Berkeley

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Ash Cicada by Tera Levin

Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival: You can watch people create chalk art without any of that guilt the whole "them wanting money for it" gives you, because witnessing chalkwork is free during this day of chalky and chocolatey goodness. If you want to get in on that chocolate action, throwing down ten bones will get you a packet of tickets you can spend on chocolate ganache cupcakes, savory chocolate ricotta pizza, or a chocolate foot massage, if you're into that (you weirdo). There will also be music, but they are advertising CLOWN LAUGHTER filling the air so you can count me out. Braver souls may venture and I wish you godspeed.

North Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

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POSTPONED TO JUNE 11TH DUE TO RAIN

Saturday, June 4th–Sunday, June 5th:

from Walnut Creek Chamber

Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival: The festival is Mardi Gras themed this year, and I could tell you all about the 200 artists and their pottery, paintings, photography, sculpture, and jewelry, but I know most of you are cheap bastards (rightfully so). Instead, go to enjoy free music and try your hand at smushing out your aggression at the Grape Stomp Competition, where you may be able to rub shoulders or purple feet with a celebrity guest (which is a relative term in Walnut Creek). 

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Sunday)

Heather Farms Park

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from event website

Art & Music in the Gardens: This reads and looks like an event your memaw or pepaw would love, if you were a good grandchild, but it looks like a snoozefest to me due to the lack of booze or people under 40. Check it out if you like bonsai clippings and straw hats. To be fair, the gardens do look really beautiful and romantic, so I'll give them that. 10am-6pm.
Gardens at Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park Garden Center
666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland 
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