Walnut Creek Magazine Summer 17

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50 Years after the cultural revolution

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summer 2017

summer of love A cultural shift began in San Francisco during the late 1960s, reflected in the art, ideas, attitudes, and rock n roll from that time. What caused this crescendo of change and why does it still matter fifty years later? Take a tour of the Haight Ashbury and find out what it was all about.

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in this issue

summer 2017

22 TALK OF THE TOWN

46 URBAN RETREAT Claire and Dan Dudan enjoy the East Bay’s splendor from the comfort of their backyard.

13 GIG ECONOMY Whether its Uber, Etsy or Door Dash, more and more people are working freelance jobs.

EAT DRINK 16 LAKE COUNTY ADVENTURE Travel to this unspoiled region in Northern California for a little luxury, wine tastings, and a voyage on the lake.

49 A SECOND INNING French Chef Phillipe Chevalier takes over the kitchen at Momo’s and elevates the cuisine.

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51 DINING GUIDE Great places to eat and drink in the Walnut Creek area.

20 BOOKS New releases from Bay Area authors.

59 WHAT’S IN SEASON

22 MEET THE RANGER

Local farmers’ market explode with fruit and flavor. Watermelon takes center stage.

Han Barrett-Liu has the enviable job of taking care of one of the Easy Bay’s crown jewels-the Lafayette Reservoir.

22 ON THE HORIZON Meet Walnut Creek’s new City Manager Dan Buckshi; Get the latest city and development scoop; Learn about Walnut Creek’s homelessness dilemma.

44 POT HEAD Read about a local woman’s journey into experimentation with marijuana and mindfulness.

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ART & ENTERTAINMENT 61 WHERE & WHEN A round-up of concerts, festivals, museum exhibits, dance and theater performances to make your summer standout.

Parking Keeps Business Happening

ParkSmart keeps business happening by being an industry leader in parking innovation, technology and services.

Download the FREE Downtown Walnut Creek Parking App See available parking and rates. It's fast and easy.

For more information contact

ParkSmart, Inc. 925-933-8795 | parksmartinc.com

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Connecting the Communities of the East Bay summer 2017 Publisher Pam B. Kessler Editor Lauren Kessler Art Director Carrie Wallahan website Cale Finta Photography Alexxa Grace, Bob Brittain, Jessica Freels, Sarah Grunder, Scott Hein, Josh Isaacs, Kyle Luman, Brian Murphy, Anne Rabe contributing writers Deborah Burstyn, Caroline Cabral, Lynn Carey, Sophie Johnson, Kathryn McCarty, Fran Miller, Alison Negrin, Anneli Rufus, Alix Wall operations intern David Kessler Kessler Communications, Inc. Walnut Creek Magazine Office 1280 Boulevard Way, Suite 108 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (925)212-5146 Email: publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com No print or online material from Walnut Creek Magazine may be reproduced without written consent. walnutcreekmagazine.com MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE APPETIZER WITH PURCHASE OF ANY ENTRÉE*

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PS We love social media! Do you follow Walnut Creek Magazine on Instagram and Facebook? It’s a great way to stay connected and get the latest scoop. Be sure to post your events on our website, walnutcreekmagazine.com.

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From the Publisher YOUR

THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION

t u n l a W•••••••••••••C••r•e••e••k ACGfNcOP North Locust Street, Between Giamona and Lacassie

OPEN YEAR ROUND Market Hours: 9am-1pm

ACGfNcOP

Fifty years have passed since the historic summer of 1967, when 100,000 young people swept into San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, riding a euphoric counter-cultural wave. Why did they come here and why does it matter five decades later?

Resistance to stifling orthodoxy was just one of the things that drew the throngs that summer. They gravitated toward the Haight because of its cheap rents and proximity to Golden Gate Park, gathering at the now infamous Hippy Hill. They came to share new ideas, art, music, and drugs.

The legacy they left behind is a great one: love will always trump hate. It’s an important message especially for today when we must stay vigilant to ensure our community’s policies, promote and embrace cultural diversity, and provide aid to those in need.

The hippies of the Haight may have been smoking a lot of weed, but they were also providing community clinics with free medical services.

From this generation of Americans we also gained new attitudes, new perspectives, and most of all—some great rock n roll. Their life-changing experiences, also changed the nation. Fifty years later, we’re still wearing blue jeans, smoking pot, going to outdoor concerts, eating organically, and expressing concerns about social justice and the environment. Here’s to the Summer of Love. Keep on, keeping on.

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Pam Becker Kessler publisher @walnutcreekmagazine.com

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july august 2017

50 Years after the cultural revolution

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE RABE

Using only an iPhone, Rabe captures striking images in nature and turns them into works of art.

For our summer cover, she transformed the photograph of a Mexican Milkweed found in the landscape at Claire and Dan Dudan’s hillside home. (Page 46)

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Contributors

COMING up...

FALL 2017

TIME TO TRAVEL LOCAL HIKES FASHION ESSENTIALS

Deborah Burstyn lived in the Haight Ashbury during the 80s after moving to San Francisco from Washington DC where she worked for the Washington Post. Her experiences give Burstyn a unique perspective on the stories behind of the Summer of Love and help us understand its historical significance.

Alexxa Grace specializes in Fine Art Photography. From time to time she works on special assignments, like this one, taking captivating images of the Haight Ashbury. A long time Bay Area resident, Grace resides in Walnut Creek.

LUNCH HOT SPOTS NEIGHBORHOODS & SCHOOLS

FOR EDITORIAL &ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Sophie Johnson is a Walnut Creek native with a diverse background in food and technology. When not writing, she can be found walking Bay Area streets and trails, meeting new people, and sharing their stories.

josh isaacs is one of the Bay Area's premier freelance photographers. A wedding specialist, he is also known for corporate, real estate, and private party work.

jessica freels has been taking photographs since she was eight years old. Her passion is sports photography because it gives her a chance to spend time with her son. A long time Bay Area resident, she resides in Walnut Creek.

Fran Endicott Miller is a freelance travel and feature writer who enjoys exploring Northern California destinations, eating great food, and sharing her finds with readers.

publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com or (925) 212-5146

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SHOPPING. DINING. CULTURE. health. TRAVEL. AND THE LATEST BUSINESS SCOOP. WE DO IT ALL IN PRINT AND ONLINE.

COMING UP...THE fall travel issue For advertising and editorial information, phone (925) 212-5146 or email publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com CHECK US OUT @ WALNUTCREEKMAGAZINE.COM

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of the town

HAND-PICKED EMPLOYMENT | LAKE COUNTY CHARM | LAFAYETTE RANGER | CITY SCOOP | HOMELESSNESS DILEMMA

the gig economy

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Whether Uber, Etsy or Door Dash, more and more people are working freelance jobs BY sophie johnson troll into a coffee shop on Locust Street during the week and you’ll see what statistics reveal: less than half of the city's 70,000 plus residents consider themselves ‘employed’ in the traditional sense of the word. Packed with plenty of caffeine, free Wi-Fi, and a sense of connection, local coffeehouses are a mainstay for a sizeable sector of the population who are supporting upscale lifestyles in the gig economy. ➤ summer 2017 / walnut creek

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talk/gig economy Former Secretary of Labor and Professor at UC Berkeley, Robert Reich, says the gig economy is, “The biggest change in the American workforce in over a century and it’s happening at lightning speed. It’s estimated that in five years over 40 percent of the American labor force will have uncertain work; in a decade, most of us.”

Also known as the ‘shared economy,’ or the ‘economy of choice,’ giggers patch freelance work together in a buffet of ‘a little of this, a little of that,’ as opposed to a one-pot corporate casserole. Stories abound of the engineer who gave up the timeclock for the freedom of a sole handyman business. Or the recent immigrant who got a Prius thanks to the leasing programs at Uber. Tim Ferris rose to global fame with his promise of a ‘Four Hour Work Week’ to pursue passions, rather than a handful of PTO days.

And while many grew up in families dependent on the comfort of full-time employment, a steady paycheck, benefits and a cubicle, more and more workers today are choosing to patch together work rather than endure a 9-5 career. In areas where the cost of living is extreme, commute times are prohibitive, and the overall economy is robust, gig work is enticing.

The concept isn’t new. Every era has tapped temporary workers whether it was garment workers or migrant farmers. What’s new is the pervasiveness of the gig market. According to a 2016 study by the Pew Research Center, “Some 24% of American adults have earned money in the ‘platform economy’ over the last year.” This can range from millennials offering services such as computer programming, to stay-at-home parents selling stained glass art on Etsy, or retirees renting out homes on Airbnb.

There’s no doubt that the allure of being your own boss is seductive. You get to pick and choose how to work, and where and when to do it. Yet, like other forms of employment, the gig economy has its pitfalls. A recent article in The New Yorker profiled a TaskRabbit worker who enjoyed a variety of day jobs, everything from putting sheets on Caspar mattresses to decorating offices with Christmas cheer, questioned the sustainability of his career choice in the long run. Traditional government labor protections with employee classifications and laws which shield workers from exploitation are not a function of this new market.

Recently gig giants such as Uber, Instacart, and Door Dash have been challenged. Accusations of unfair pay, excessive hours on the job, and lack of steady, reliable work have tarnished the image of organizations who use pay-per-use labor instead of dedicated employees. After working extra-

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long days, Uber drivers have reported earning less than minimum wage, when gas and expenses are taken into consideration. Fiverr, the online freelance platform, faced complaints when a New York subway ad flaunted their ‘doers’ as sleep deprived. Without employee protections such as collective bargaining for fair labor conditions and overtime, both the companies and the workers are waking up to the darker side of the sharing economy.

Still, it’s tantalizing. For parents, students, energetic retirees, and others on the margins of the conventional economy, making money with gigs feels innovative, cunning, and entrepreneurial.

Here are some things to consider before entering the gig workforce:

• Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy, suggests taking on additional work while making the transition. Use weekends to dabble in gig work and try out a new identity before leaving a full-time role.

• Post your skills on thumbtack.com, fiverr.com or upwork.com to get a good indication of the competitive landscape, how much to charge, and whether the cost benefits work.

• ‘Stay-at-home’ moms are turning to service platforms to max out their days, nights or weekends and taking advantage of professional proficiencies. Sites to check out include cpa-moms.com and apresgroup.com.

• With healthcare a huge factor, another path is combining part-time roles. Starbuck’s offers employees who work 20+ hours a week health insurance coverage, for example.

• Many independent workers bemoan the isolation associated with working solo. To combat this some giggers rent space in co-working environments, or frequent coffee shops and libraries.

• Think beyond financial rewards. Many temporary seasonal retail workers are motivated by employee discounts, complimentary products, and rebates.

• Develop a professional network. Whether starting a service-based business and relying on word-ofmouth referrals, or joining a collective endeavor like Stella & Dot, support from a network can make or break a business.

The professional landscape is changing and only time will tell if the gig economy is as promising as it seems, or if there are unseen consequences. Whether you are a gigger yourself, or you just order dinner from DoorDash, the gig economy has only just begun.

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talk/travel

A Lake County Adventure This unspoiled Northern California enclave delivers with plush accommodations, wine tastings, and voyages on the lake

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BY FRAN MILLER

f ‘the lake’ means Tahoe and ‘wine country’ means Napa to you, then Lake County offers a new travel revelation. The vintners, olive oil pressers, cheese makers, artisans, and hoteliers who live and work in the area are quietly waiting for the world to discover the beauty and bounty that surrounds them. And if it takes time for tourists to catch-on, that’s okay too. The lack of traffic, and verdant, unspoiled valleys are part of Lake County’s charm.

Start your getaway at the beautiful and historic Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, about a 2.5-hour drive from the East Bay and just north of Clear Lake. It can be found on Main Street where things have not changed much since the hotel was first opened in the 1870s by Rufus Tallman. Lovingly restored by proprietors Lynne and Bernie Butcher, who spared no expense in returning the hotel to its full glory, the Tallman Hotel features 17 sumptuous rooms in six buildings; all with custom-designed wallpapers, fabrics, and furnishings. Book one of the Veranda rooms in the Historic Hotel building and enjoy 14-foot high ceilings, Japanese soaking tubs on private patios, and balconies overlooking the garden. Families relish the Farmhouse and the Bungalow suites with separate bedrooms and sofa beds. A lovely continental buffet breakfast, served in the lobby’s elegant dining room, is included in your stay. ➣

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talk/travel Head out on an Eyes of the Wild pontoon boat tour and take in the lake’s stunning views and local bird life: osprey, herons, grebes, pelicans, cormorants and bald eagles. If wine is your pleasure, the area has long been known for supplying grapes to Napa and Sonoma vintners, and home to small family-owned estate wineries.

Sip award-winning varietals at Chacewater or sample their fresh pressed olive oils. Head over to Boatique Winery for a taste and tour proprietor Robert Mount’s collection of restored antique wooden boats. Set at 2266 feet above sea level in a forest, Boatique's 47 acres of rolling vineyards lie in the shadow of majestic Mt. Konocti.

Bring a picnic to Laujor Estate in the

Red Hills Appellation to enjoy while overlooking the scenic vineyard valley below. UC Davis trained winemaker and proprietor Cheryl Lucido is one of only three female winemakers in Lake County; known for her custom and complex blends.

Other adventures abound at Yerba Santa Goat Dairy in Scotts Valley, where Javier Salmon and his brother Daniel have practiced the art of cheese making for decades. Schedule a tour and tasting, pet a baby goat, and see how Peruvian-style Bodega brand goat

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cheeses are made – a favorite at San Francisco Ferry Building’s Farmer’s Market. Tour through the area’s famed walnut and pear farms on a horse drawn wagon with Live Oak Belgians. Susan and Kenn McCarty and their gorgeous horses can be booked for parties large or small. Or hit the Quilt Trail - the first in the state – a series of massive vibrantly colored quilt ‘blocks’ adorning local barns, sheds, tasting rooms, and other historic buildings.

Afterwards, head back to the Tallman for dinner at the Blue Wing Saloon.

Connected to the hotel by a peaceful garden, the Blue Wing serves a Californiacasual menu of oysters, beet salad, rack of lamb, or grilled salmon. Sunday through Tuesday nights talented locals turn the hotel’s expansive veranda into a stage and perform live music. Whether you stay put in the Tallman’s lap of casual luxury, or venture out to get acquainted with all that Lake County has to offer, there’s no denying that this nearby local gem beckons as never before.

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good reads

Books by Bay Area Authors by lynn carey

Another Man’s Ground: A Mystery

Less: A Novel

Andrew Sean Greer

Claire Booth

(Minotaur, July 2017)

(Lee Boudreaux Books, July 2017)

Sheriff Hank Worth is busy. He has to get re-elected to keep his job, which includes deliberately not looking for the undocumented immigrants who have stripped trees of bark meant for harvesting. When a murder victim shows up deep in the backwoods, it sparks old feuds, and forces him to find the culprit before Election Day. This is the second Hank Worth mystery written by former Contra Costa Times journalist Booth, who lives in Sacramento.

The sixth novel by San Francisco’s Greer is both bittersweet and funny, but above all, a love story. When a wedding invitation from an old flame arrives in the mail, Arthur Less doesn’t want to go and show up as the failed novelist about to turn 50.

Instead, he commences on a crazy journey to dicey literary events all over the world— places like Paris, Berlin, Morocco, and India— where he escapes near death in almost every country.

The Marriage Pact: A Novel

Michelle Richmond (Bantam, July 2017)

They are the newlyweds you love to hate. She’s a former rock singer turned successful lawyer. He’s a partner in a psychology practice. They decide to join The Pact, an exclusive group that allegedly keeps happy marriages intact. The rules seem simple: thoughtful gifts, quarterly trips, and no mention of The Pact to anyone. But when someone breaks the rules, the dream becomes a nightmare. This is the sixth book from San Francisco’s Richmond; her “The Year of Fog” was a New York Times bestseller.

Hannibal

Patrick N. Hunt

(Simon & Schuster, July 2017) The army general studied most by other generals, including Napoleon, Patton, and Schwarzkopf, is best known for crossing the Alps with war elephants to attack Rome in 217 BC. Hannibal Barca of Carthage failed to conquer Rome, but not for lack of trying. He led some of the most epic battles of the ancient world, but was forced into exile. Hunt, a professor at Stanford University, has led archeological expeditions in the Alps, following elephant footsteps, to bring Hannibal’s story to life.

A Paris All Your Own: Bestselling Women Writers on the City of Light Eleanor Brown (G.P.Putnam’s Sons, July 2017) This anthology will make you want to hop on a plane to France, or at the very least, savor some foie gras on a baguette. Bay Area authors such as Meg Waite Clayton, Ellen Sussman, and Cara Black join other literary luminaries like Maggie Shipstead, Paula McLain, Susan Vreeland, and J. Courtney Sullivan in recounting their personal memories of Paris. They all succeed in pulling back the curtain on the “snobbish” Parisians to show the genuine kindness of real people.

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Because of them, it is.

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talk/profile

MEET THE PARK RANGER

BY SOPHIE JOHNSON

As a Park Ranger at the Lafayette Reservoir, Han Barrett-Liu has the enviable job of caring for this East Bay gem, but it’s not the wilderness that makes his job wild.

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How do you describe what you do? Many people think that rangers spend their time in forests, or lead nature talks, but our work requires us to fire on all cylinders. We respond to emergencies, fight wildland fires, maintain the turf, trees and trails, pick up trash, and take care of the bathrooms. I have a degree in earth science from Cal Poly, but the work itself is something you have to learn on the job. I love it!

When did you know you wanted to be a ranger? When I was 12 years old I told people I wanted to be a park ranger. I don’t think I knew what it meant, but growing up in Berkeley, a ‘successful’ weekend for me as a kid was going to Tilden. I’ve always loved the outdoors.

What is your superpower? Flexibility is key. This park gets over 1.4 million visitors a year. As a ranger for EBMUD, you can work in very remote areas with no visitors, or you can be responsible for popular areas. The Lafayette Reservoir is exceptional. There’s a certain customer service aspect to working here. Happily, I love being around people and learned that about myself in high school when I worked at Safeway, Jamba Juice, and then Starbucks.

Interactions with the public are my favorite aspects of the job, but some rangers are shyer and prefer more isolated environments. ➤

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talk/ park ranger PRESENTS

What have you learned about human nature in this job? There is so much meaning in seeing our visitors appreciate the beauty of this place. Sure, we field complaints, but for most people coming here is proof of ‘having a good life.’

My favorite time of the year is October when things are calm.

I see people just gazing over the water at sunset and it takes my breath away watching others appreciate this place in the deepest sense.

What is challenging about your role? The reservoir is open 365 days a year and the schedule can be complicated.

The hours are sunup to sundown, and although rangers work a 40 hour week, it literally changes with the seasons. Now in the summer, I’m here at 5:30 am and some days I’ll close at 9:30 pm.

What is something most people don't know about the Reservoir? In 1900, the area was a pear orchard and you can still see some of those trees when exiting the park.

There were plans to build a reservoir, but it wasn’t completed until 1933. It was originally designed to be three times its actual size, but during construction, the ground settled so much that the dam could not be built as high as planned. The water tower is now a landmark, but if you look closely, you can see that the water was meant to reach all the way up to the bottom of the cupola. For the first 30 years, the reservoir was not open to the public, but in 1966, EBMUD opened it up for recreation. The 1.4 billion gallons of water it holds is not part of EBMUD’s standard water supply, but set aside for emergencies.

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What is proper reservoir etiquette? [Laughs] Follow

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the rules! Seriously, there are codes of conduct like using a dog leash no more than 6 feet long and picking up pet waste, but mostly it’s just about being aware of other people and animals. This is mountain lion habitat and the turkeys can be pretty aggressive, but in general this is a very safe place to be, and we’ve never had any wildlife attacks.

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the things that I most love about our visitors: they take pride in this park and take good care of it. The winter before last we had an increase in car break-ins, but for the most part, the very few conflicts we’ve had are over dog poop, or noisy picnickers. That just shows what a special place this is and how awesome it is to work here!

On the Horizon Happenings, announcements and things to know about

NEW CITY MANAGER

meet the future

Soon this robot will be delivering burgers and burritos to your door.

Taking the helm in August, Dan Buckshi gets Walnut Creek’s top job.

Food delivery is about to get smarter in Walnut Creek. As part of a pilot program with Starship Technologies, robots are about to hit city streets. What looks like an ice chest on six wheels is really a self-driving robot delivering food. The autonomous robots by Starship Technologies — a start-up hoping to revolutionize delivery worldwide — move at pedestrian speed, navigate around objects and people, and weigh no more than 40 pounds fully loaded. Initially, Starship is partnering with DoorDash to serve downtown customers within a 3-mile radius.

BETWEEN THE LINES Five years after adopting a new downtown plan, parking is still a problem.

If you wish the city would construct a new public parking garage, you’re not alone. But the possibility of it happening is becoming less and less likely. It’s simple supply and demand—land is limited and too expensive for the city to acquire for a parking facility. As Walnut Creek continues to grow as a regional destination, so do the number of people who want to be here. The city’s three public garages are at 100% capacity during peak times, and meters are at 95% capacity. This means drivers are circling the block endlessly looking for parking spaces, and city officials are trying to come up with creative solutions.

Some ideas being floated by the Transportation Commission include: raising parking rates during high usage hours to balance demand; encouraging parking at underutilized meters a few blocks outside of the downtown by offering unlimited hours; utilizing a shuttle service to transport visitors who parked farther away. It’s a good time to weigh in, email community@walnut-creek.org with your ideas and suggestions.

After an extensive search, the city council selected Dan Buckshi to fill the role of city manager.

Most recently San Luis Obispo’s County Administrative Officer, Buckshi’s compensation package includes a $254,000 annual salary and a loan up to $300,000 for the purchase of a home. “The City of Walnut Creek is a special place and I am extremely excited about becoming a part of the community and the city team,” Buckshi said. “My family and I are looking forward to calling Walnut Creek home.”

Buckshi served as the lead on budget, compensation, and pension reforms in San Luis Obispo.

During his tenure, the county closed budget gaps of over $75 million, without any job losses.

He also helped craft the county’s homeless policies and programs, drought response efforts, groundwater management plans, and a countywide tourism district.

Buckshi and his wife Kristen have two daughters, Sophia and Claire.

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on the horizon

Welcome Home

Wanut Creek’s transit-oriented profile is poised to rise in the next few years.

Several new dense residential developments will transform the downtown. Laconia Development’s 141-unit Lyric apartments are slated to begin leasing this summer with studios, one, and two bedrooms ranging from $2000 to $5500 per month. Over on Lacassie Avenue, Blake|Griggs Properties is constructing Vaya, a 178-unit apartment complex, and just across the street, the future Bart Transit Village will include 600 apartments. On California Boulevard at the former McDonald’s site, Align Real Estate plans to construct an Apartment Hotel with 77 apartment units and 20 fully furnished studios for overnight guests.

Image courtesy of Treasure Island Community Development/AECOM.

a new NEIGHBORHOOD Plans are underway to convert Treasure Island into a place to live.

Over the next twenty years, Treasure Island will transform into a residential landscape housing an estimated 20,000 people. Redevelopment plans for this highly visible feature of the San Francisco Bay include: retail, office and commercial space, 500 hotel rooms, a police/fire station, a school and other community facilities, 300 acres of parks and public open space, a $50 million art plan, and a ferry/bus transit center. Currently owned by the US Navy, development is being executed through a public-private partnership between the City of San Francisco and Treasure Island Community Development LLC (TICD).

RESTAURANT SCENE A look at what’s new

Tossing some twists on the classic, the south bay sweetheart, Pizza My Heart, made its debut at Plaza Escuela. A favorite is the Watsonville Apple loaded with green apple slices, sausage, and blue cheese. Around the block, Take One Pizza, is opening on Locust Street in the former Coco Swirl space. Known for their individual build-your-own pies, get a one topping pizza for $6.95 or load it up with everything from meatballs and jalapenos to arugula, and bacon for $8.45. But the big buzz is about Bounty Hunter, the Napa hot spot opening an East Bay outpost in the former Tommy Bahama store on Mt. Diablo Boulevard in early 2018. Look for hard to find wines, retail bottle sales, courtyard dining, and smokin’ good food.

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BROADWAY PLAZA THURSDAYS IN AUGUST

25 M I L L I O N

Number of people who visit the East Bay Regional Park District each year.

It’s a good time to be a Californian.

State agencies are leading the charge on climate change and preservation of our natural environment. A longtime leader in local conservation efforts, the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), is now the nation’s largest regional park agency controlling 120,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The more than 60 parks overseen

by EBRPD attract 25 million visitors a year; more than Yosemite, the Monterey Peninsula, and Napa Valley combined.

What began as a string of parks in the

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talk/ city revealed

Combating Homelessness From Los Angeles to London, civic leaders are searching for creative ways to deal with their cities’ growing homeless populations.

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BY CAROLINE CABRAL n January of 2016, the Walnut Creek Police Department (WCPD) received 41 calls for service relating to the homeless, mostly in response to quality of life issues such as public urination. Flash forward nine months to September 2016, and the number of service calls increased to 421. Today, Walnut Creek’s homeless population is estimated at roughly 400 individuals. Residents, business owners, and visitors report almost daily interactions with members of the homeless community that often require police response: public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, thefts, disturbances inside businesses, and health hazards associated with encampments. ➣

walnut creek / summer 2017

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talk Lieutenant Sean Connelly of the WCPD is the Lieutenant of Special Operations. He’s been working with the city’s homeless population for the last 15 years and says that homelessness has steadily increased over the last two years. “Every homeless individual has a story, and those stories are impressive,” he says.

Connelly has met many who were business people and college graduates, but fell victim to addiction or circumstance. “We get to hear their stories and treat them as people,” he says. “I live and work in Walnut Creek, it’s my community too. The homeless are an underserved population. Just because you are homeless, it does not mean you are a criminal. But I’m against those who want to commit crimes.”

The department is taking action to combat the problem. They break up and clean up encampments in city ravines and on the trails in Civic Park. “We look at what’s worked for other cities, and see what can work for Walnut Creek,” says Connelly. He believes one of the reasons behind Walnut Creek’s increased homeless population is the lack of affordable housing in the area, as well as the fact that day services which offered support to displaced persons have closed in nearby cities.

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“Everybody has a truth” says Donna Columbo, Executive Director of Trinity Center, a Walnut Creek day care facility providing displaced persons with a place to go for showers, food, laundry, counseling and health care services, plus assistance with housing and employment. “The Center is a safe place off the street.

We give care and hope to people through access to services and resources.” Columbo says the people who use Trinity Center vary: “59 percent are men; 41 percent are women; 20 percent live in cars; 48 percent live outside; 10 percent stay in shelters; two percent stay with family/friends.” She says the Trinity Center serves more than just the homeless population; they serve anyone in need of their services—even if they have a home.

Columbo also leads Walnut Creek’s Homeless Task Force: a group of residents, business owners, and the WCPD who meet monthly at the Trinity Center to discuss issues surrounding homelessness and potential solutions.

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Walnut Creek’s warm weather, parks and trails, programs to help the homeless, as well its affluent community, make the city an ideal place to settle. Jay Hoyer, President of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, has witnessed the acute impact on those affected by homelessness: “There’s a certain amount of vandalism associated with it and a certain amount of discontent. This is a fragile issue, though. We’re certainly compassionate. You want to be compassionate to the people who legitimately need help,” says Hoyer. “There’s a delicate balance between compassion and pragmatism.”

One business owner we spoke to, Mike Baker, who owns Galleria Shades & Shutters with his wife Debbie, says they ➤

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Lesher Center for the Arts Saturday | July 15, 2017 10 am - 4 pm

Ticketed Shows: Artrageous |

11:15 am & 2:30 pm Returns with an all new show featuring an incredible team of artists painting at electric speed right before your eyes. The art is accompanied by amazing vocals, creative choreography, high energy live music and unforgettable audience interaction for the journey of a life time.

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs |

10:30 am, 1:00 & 2:15 pm Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the bravest of you all? Can the Queen’s witch disguise fool Snow White? Will Snow White eat the poison apple? Be one of the brave and see this spellbinding tale.

A Cinderella Tale Happily Ever After |

11:00 am, 1:00 & 3:00 pm This beloved tale continues to tell us about ourselves, our yearnings for transformation and a happily ever after conclusion. The story will take family audiences on that sometimes happy, sometimes sad – but always compelling journey fueled by inner beauty, courage and kindness as they triumph over greed, arrogance and bully behavior.

Alex Ramon Magic |

10:15 am, 12:15 & 2:05 pm Alex toured the globe as the star of Disney Live! “Mickey’s Magic Show” performing on 4 continents in 14 countries. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will wow audiences with illusion, card tricks, and magic.

A non-stop day of world-class family fun with ticketed shows in the Lesher Center’s three theatres and FREE entertainment and activities surrounding the Center. Tickets: $5 for each show. Shows run 30–60 minutes long.

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Photos: Artrageous; Fantasy Forum’s Snow White; Pushcart Players’ Cinderella; Alex Ramon Magic.

TICKETS & INFORMATION lesherartscenter.org | draa.org

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2007 - 2017 Celebrating ten years of our favorite covers, each one with its own special meaning and focus. Forever grateful for our talented team of writers, designers, photographers and community contributors who make each issue of Walnut Creek Magazine happen in print and online. Of course none of it would be possible without our loyal team of advertisers, especially those who have been with us from the beginning. Cheers to the future and many more engaging issues of Walnut Creek Magazine!

walnut creek walnut creek The Insider’s Guide to Walnut Creek

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THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT:

A New Spin on Dance Samantha Abrantes On Tour

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ASIAN EATERIES

Shibata on Tour with Rihanna

Spring

Dishing At The Market

Fashion Plus

Summer Hot List for Kids Secret Sculpture Garden

Teens Talk About Future

Put Your Look Together Romantic Dresses Timeless & Chic Urban Looks

New Books The City Revealed Real Stories Lively Arts Scene

R E S TA U R A N T S | A R T | E N T E R TA I N M E N T | P E O P L E | E V E N T S

R E S TA U R A N T S | A R T | E N T E R TA I N M E N T | P E O P L E | E V E N T S

walnut creek walnut creek LEGACY FOOD MANUFACTURER Moves to Walnut Creek

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LEADER OF THE PACK A Dog-Walking Wonder

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Meet The Morucci’s Serving With Compassion Best Dog Beaches For Escaping The Heat

Dog Days THE

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WOMEN TO WATCH: Meet Six Game Changers Who Make the East Bay a Better Place

have seen a 15 percent drop in walk-in business. “People don’t feel safe,” Baker says. “My wife often works in the store alone and has had homeless people come in and expose themselves or start yelling. It’s spiraled out of control in the last year or two in my opinion,” he says.

Safeway employees share similar stories. Theft at the downtown store by homeless individuals has skyrocketed with booze, batteries, and prepared food among the favorite targets. The situation has gotten so out of hand that the store is considering changing its hours. “Basically the merchandise moved after 2am, is not purchased, and it’s reflected in our numbers,” said one manager who asked to remain unnamed. He also pointed to the “bring your own bag laws” in Walnut Creek which have made it much easier to commit crimes. “They come in one door, fill their bag, and exit at the opposite end of the store. We do not have the staff to guard against this daily threat, happening as often as ten times per day.”

“We need to be empathetic within reason,” says Kathy Hemmenway, Associate Executive Director of Walnut Creek Downtown, “It is a concern for many businesses. They’re affected by the homeless population on a daily basis. It’s a complicated issue, and it gets more complicated as we see more homeless in the downtown and the city."

“There’s no big answer that’s going to solve this. There needs to be education and outreach to the public, and there is room for more involvement from the business community and the residents.”

Walnut Creek’s City Council identified developing a realistic response to homelessness as a top priority for 2017-2018, recently allocating $200,000 for a new Homelessness Action Plan—All of Us Taking Care of All of Us. Actions to be taken include: studying homelessness from an economic, public safety, behavioral health, and social justice perspective to better understand the scope of the problem; working with the community; engaging regional agencies and cities to build partnerships. “Homelessness is not about the person sleeping under the bush in the park,” says Columbo. “We have seniors, young mothers, and others who from no fault of their own are late on their rent and losing their housing…these are also the people we help.” For more information go to walnut-creek.org or trinitycenterwc.org.

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A CULTURAL SHIFT REFLECTED IN ART, IDEAS, AND ROCK N ROLL What was it about and why does it matter 50 years later?

BY

DEBORAH BURSTYN PHOTOGRAPHY BY

ALEXXA GRACE If you remember the 60s, then you weren’t there, the saying goes.

Meaning if you were there, you were probably too stoned to remember anything. For most of the decade, the 60s were a lot like the 50s. Until 1967.

That was when the bubbling underground currents of Berkeley’s student activism and San Francisco’s edgy post-beat generation converged creating a crescendo of cultural change.

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summer of love

Suddenly there was a new way of thinking about other human beings, about the health of the planet, and about oneself, as part of a collective stream of consciousness.

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ll of this new awareness was accompanied by a heady new sense of freedom.

It became visible in the freedom to wear flowing long hair and loose clothes, the freedom to have physical relationships without marriage, the freedom to associate with people of all ethnicities and genders, and the freedom to expand perceptions with drugs.

A new type of electric music also emerged giving a powerful voice to this completely new lifestyle.

San Francisco’s working class Haight Ashbury neighborhood, with its mix of low rents

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in charming Victorian homes, shops, and easy access to Golden Gate Park, became the place to be. The scene reached full force when student anti-war activists joined with psychedelic rock bands to create the first ever outdoor rock concert in a park. The event, “The Human Be-In,” a pun coined from combining “human being” with “sit-ins” of the college protest movement, kick-started the hippie counterculture.

“The Haight scene, in 1966, was low-key and relatively small scale; then 50,000 people showed up at the Be-In on January 14, 1967, and suddenly the cover was blown. The media took the story around the world, and everyone in the Haight, and at City Hall, looked at each other and said, gulp, we’re going to get a lot of kids here when school lets out. And they did,” Dennis McNally told Walnut Creek Magazine.

McNally, an American cultural historian and author of A Long Strange Trip" about the Grateful Dead, created the text for the Summer of Love exhibit at the California Historical Society. “Poetry, politics, and avant-garde art were the elements in the alembic chamber.

LSD and rock n roll were the agents that catalyzed a remarkable transmutation in the minds of the new citizens of the Haight,” writes McNally.

Image Courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Young people across the country were dazzled by a new utopia and descended on the Haight in huge hordes that summer. Some found their bliss. Some had bad trips. All were changed by their experiences which changed the nation. Fifty years later, we’re still wearing jeans, smoking pot, going to outdoor rock concerts, eating organically, and expressing concerns about social justice and the environment.

Here’s to the Summer of Love.

Keep on trucking. ➤

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Connie and Al Loosli Accidental Tourists for the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic. “He had these bands who were becoming famous and he saw a need to look after all the runaway kids who had come there for the music.”

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Connie Loosli at age 21 wasn’t in Kansas anymore. She and her husband Al Loosli had just gotten married in her native Kansas and immediately drove off to California. “It was June 17, 1967; a very nice country club wedding,” she recalls. A week later they moved into their apartment at 848 Ashbury Street in San Francisco where Al was in medical school at UCSF. The Grateful Dead were their neighbors one block down at 710 Ashbury Street. While they didn’t know it then, the Looslis had landed at the epicenter of a cultural revolution.

Soon they discovered that a large commune lived upstairs. “They were very nice,” says Connie, who recently retired as the educational director for the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Al is a Walnut Creek sports medicine doctor who has served as an advisor to many high school, college and U.S. Olympic teams. “One time a man in a robe and long beard coming down the

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stairs asked me if they were too noisy.

They weren’t. Everyone was really good to each other in the Haight Ashbury then.

That’s why it’s called the Summer of Love.”

Although the couple were not part of the swarm of flower children flooding into San Francisco, they were young and open-minded, finding their way to the free rock concerts in nearby Golden Gate Park where they saw their neighbors, the Grateful Dead, perform.

The anti-Vietnam War movement was also a dominant presence in the Haight. “The peace symbol has become an emblem of hippies and the Summer of Love. But it really stood for being against the war back then,” notes Connie.

As City Hall turned a blind eye to the changing Haight Ashbury, the Looslis recount how the neighborhood organized to take care of itself with free food, free clothing, and even free medical care.

Al credits rock concert promoter Bill Graham with organizing benefit concerts

Dr. David Smith, a UCSF resident who Al met while playing basketball at the school gym, opened the Free Clinic on Haight Street with funds from Graham. Al started volunteering at the clinic weekly, treating patients for things like strep throat. “There were no drug overdoses or anything like that,” he recalls. “The hard drugs didn’t come until a few years later. These were mostly young kids, some as young as 13, who didn’t want to tell their parents they were in San Francisco, much less that they were sick.”

That summer the Looslis became accustomed to seeing women in long gypsy skirts, gay men and hetero couples openly expressing affection, young people sleeping in the park, and the scent of marijuana everywhere. Connie started substitute teaching in schools all over the city and discovered her lifelong passion for education. “It was scarier for me to drive those hills with a stick shift than face classrooms full of kids who spoke no English,” she recalls.

Within a year they moved on, carrying with them the cheerful acceptance of other people they had learned from their Haight Ashbury neighbors, and turning it into decades of work with young people.

For the Looslis, who moved to Walnut Creek in 1972, the Summer of Love will always be the one in which they got married and became part of a generation that changed the world.

Harold Banks He Came for the Party and Found a New Life

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arold Banks loved the Summer of Love so much, he never went home. “We’d heard that the pot was cheap and the girls were incredible,” recalls Banks, 71. As a 21-year-old from the Bronx, he came for the pot and free love, but fell for the music.

Banks, who moved to Walnut Creek in 1987 with his wife Hollis, says his kids still get envious when he talks about strolling into Golden Gate Park in 1967 to watch young local musicians perform for free.

Those musicians just happened to be the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. “We’d head to Golden Gate Park for the free concerts at Speedway Meadows, and stop on Haight Street to buy a nickel of pot. That was five dollars’ worth,” says Banks.

Itching to move to San Francisco, Banks waited until his best buddy returned from Vietnam and together they traveled across the country by driving a car for someone who needed it transported. “We just answered an ad in the Yellow Pages, and off we went.” Once there, Banks found the city delivered on its promise.

The Haight Ashbury, with its adjacent Golden Gate Park, proved to be a veritable garden of earthly delights.

Although the police were a presence at the free concerts, they kept a distant

Francisco was a funky little town back then. It turned into a formal city around ‘72 or ‘73.”

watchful eye. “We openly smoked grass, drank wine, people – mostly girls - took off their clothes and danced, and the police left us alone. As long as no one got rowdy – and no one did – the police didn’t care.”

The free concerts in the park ended and so did Banks’s recreational drug use. Like many of that era - most famously the Beatles - hallucinogenic drugs led him to discover Eastern philosophy and meditation as an alternative. The concepts of humility and patience he learned were helpful in raising his children, he says. And he might not have discovered it all, if he had not heeded the call and gone to the Summer of Love.

The psychedelic music led Banks to his career. Wanting others to enjoy it as much as he did, Banks began working at a popular stereo equipment store and became such an expert at putting together top-notch audio packages that rock musicians started seeking him out.

He created custom home stereo systems for Janis Joplin, Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen of Airplane, Owsley Stanley, the famous LSD maker, and an unknown comedian named Robin Williams. “San

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DAY TRIPPING THROUGH HAIGHT ASHBURY

BY DEBORAH BURSTYN

Tour this iconic neighborhood and revel in its past

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Professionally led excursions abound for the minions descending on the Haight-Ashbury in search of stories about its sordid past. There are walking tours, doubledecker bus tours, and even a hippie-style painted bus tour.

But the best way to experience the area is to do it the same way free-spirited flower children did when they arrived in 1967.

Go. Walk. Be there. Look around. Soak in the vibes.

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summer of love

THE NEIGHBORHOOD The Haight-Ashbury is bordered

by Stanyan Street—made famous by hippie poet Rod McKuen—and Golden Gate Park on the west; Oak Street and the Golden Gate Park’s Panhandle on the north; Baker Street and Buena Vista Park to the east; Frederick Street and the Ashbury Heights and Cole Valley neighborhoods to the south.

Haight Street is the colorful commercial hub that runs through the neighborhood. Unlike New York City’s West 8th Street in Greenwich Village which is now mostly a strip mall of T-shirt shops, the Haight’s residents have zealously protected their community’s character. While the shops and restaurants have changed, Haight Street still offers a vibrant glimpse into the alternative universe created by the hippie counterculture.

You won’t find a Forever 21 or Star-

bucks here—although a McDonald’s crept in during the 70s—most of the retailers are eclectic small businesses that contribute to the ambiance. If you want anecdotal details about the rock stars who once lived here, it’s probably best to book a tour.

Start with a dose of history A great way to begin is downtown at the California Historical Society’s exhibit On the Road to the Summer of Love. Expertly curated with compelling historical photographs and artifacts, such as a sheet of authentic blotter acid LSD and rock posters, this dandy little exhibit at 678 Mission Street deftly conveys all you need to know. Take BART, get off at Montgomery, and walk south

on New Montgomery then turn right on Mission Street. ➤

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summer of love

the park After the museum, zip back down into the BART station. Go to the MUNI platform and hop on the N-Judah street car. Exit on Carl Street at Cole Street and stroll a few blocks down to Haight Street. You’ll know when you’re there by the giant Jerry Garcia mural on the side of a building and the hippiethemed gift shop on the corner. From here, make your way down Haight to Stanyan, and pop into Whole Foods Market for some picnic fixings to take into Golden Gate Park.

Once there, loll on the grassy area known as “hippie hill” and listen to the sounds of drum circles and guitar strummers. You may smell the pungent scent of cannabis in the air.

Afterwards, stop by the De Young Museum for The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll exhibit. Then stroll

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Located at the corner of Buchanan and Waller Streets in the Lower Haight—adjacent to Waller Park and just a few-block walk from Maven's—is a 300-unit housing development with a concentration on art and design. Yes, Alchemy by Alta, is home to pricey apartments in typical SF fashion (one-bedrooms start over $3,600), but Alchemy has also added cool factor: the Ground Floor Project, an initiative that aims to discover emerging local talent in music, theater, dance, visual and culinary arts, and gives them a stage to share their crafts on what is literally the ground floor at Alchemy.

200 Buchanan Street.

back to the Haight and shop at any of the popular spots you missed. Opened in 1997, in what was once a bowling alley, Amoeba Music at 1855 Haight Street, is stocked with a huge trove of vinyl albums, as well as music and movies in other formats.

Shops to Love & Places to Eat All of the original stores that once served this working class neighborhood are now gone.

Even the last hold-outs, like the jeweler and the shoe repair, finally disappeared. In their places are all kinds of interesting businesses and some seem to echo the spirit of the Summer of Love. But be forewarned: the free spirit of the hippie era was not without drawbacks.

The huge numbers of runaway kids flocking to the Haight that summer suddenly normalized sleeping on sidewalks and homelessness.

Panhandling became common as did recreational drug use, which sometimes spiraled into serious addiction.

All of this is still evident. You’ll probably see throngs of today’s young hippies clustering on the street, playing music for money, or just begging.

They’re part of the neighborhood’s enduring seedy charm. Welcome to the Haight-Ashbury.

Tony's Slice House Pizza guru Tony Gemignani pays tribute to the neighborhood with a potatotopped pie called Purple Haze.

1535 Haight Street.

Loved to Death Taxidermy, skulls, and goth-style knickknack.

1681 -1685 Haight Street.

Wasteland The Haight is full of terrific vintage clothing stores but this one’s show-stopping façade, in what was a former vaudeville theater, makes it a favorite. 1660 Haight Street.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Cherry Garcia anyone? Perched at the iconic corner of Haight and Ashbury streets, this is a great spot to sample some hippie ice cream. 1480 Haight Street.

Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore No other store captures the spirit of the Summer of Love with such authenticity. Opened in 1976, the shop still stocks a cool selection of social and political books and the staff enjoys discussing them.

1369 Haight Street.

Piedmont Feather boas, neon sequins, and glitter stilettoes. For decades, this is where San Francisco’s drag

queens and strippers get their glam. You can’t miss the giant fishnet-clad legs dangling over the front door.

1452 Haight Street.

Twisted Thistle Apothecary What’s a visit to the Haight without a little hippie magic? Potions, teas, tarot, and holistic health herbs. 1391 Haight Street.

Recycled Records Here since 1978, this is everything a classic used record shop should be – small, musty, and full of famous and obscure records and CDs. 1377 Haight Street.

Love on Haight It’s gimmicky and touristy, but they do it with heart. Tiedyed everything can be had here. Even the ceiling’s covered with it. 1400 Haight Street.

Maven Communal dining tables, delicious duck sliders, and array of craft beers, make this casual, hip eatery a lively addition to the lower Haight’s restaurant scene.

598 Haight Street at Steiner.

Alembec Cool little bar that shakes excellent craft cocktails paired with small plates, like fried chicken and collard green.

1725 Haight Street.

Mad Dog in the Fog Lower Haight's resident English pub lets you pour your own beer while watching the World Cup or entering a trivia contest. 530 Haight Street.

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talk/commentary

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Pot Head

My journey into experimentation with marijuana and mindfulness

BY SOPHIE JOHNSON

tend to be a rule follower, the teacher’s pet, the know-it-all ‘Lucy’ in the Peanuts cartoons. As a product of Nancy Regan’s ‘Just Say No’ campaign, I never considered doing drugs, until now.

At the age of 41, I am a budding pothead.

could have anticipated the instant relief my mom derived from the grassy tasting tinctures and the tingling ointments. Her pain was alleviated and her sleep was deeper from cannabis, despite the complexity of her illnesses. It became a routine treatment, conveniently purchased online, and delivered right to the door.

Even before Prop 64 passed, I began to rethink my assumptions about marijuana. It happened when I saw the relief my mom experienced from chronic pain associated with pinched nerves, arthritis, and a breast cancer battle. After countless trips to Kaiser, online research, and referrals from friends in Rossmoor, we ventured to a cannabis clinic in Oakland. Neither of us

After the passage of Prop 64, I took the plunge and tried a cannabis-laced edible included as a sample in one of the deliveries.

As a rule follower, I appreciated the permission granted from my fellow California voters. On a weekend getaway, I ate a piece of pot-laced chocolate about the size of a quarter and waited for the effect. Thirty minutes passed, nothing happened. An hour later,

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still nothing. The next thing I knew it was dawn and I had slept better than I had in the 9 years since we became parents.

The self-experimentation piqued my curiosity. I delved into the research and the history of pot and wrote an article for Walnut Creek Magazine about how Prop 64 might affect the community. In November 2016, 61% of Walnut Creek voters favored the legalization of recreational marijuana. Despite clear voter support of legalization, the Walnut Creek City Council debated the issue and decided to enact a moratorium and conduct an additional survey. The survey mimicked the November vote; over 1500 respondents generally approved of personal cultivation and even retail sales. Nevertheless, the City Council decided it was prudent to continue the moratorium for 22 months and make commercialization and outdoor cultivation illegal within the city’s jurisdiction, well into 2019. Apparently, I am not going to be able to ‘shop local’ for the new addition to my health regime.

After years of sleep problems from stress and mild anxiety, integrating weed into my nighttime routine has been a source of relief and comfort. Even something as innocuous as a trip to Costco can send my heart racing.

On the drive, I anticipate the race for a parking spot, the navigation of the isles in just the right order to hit the freezer section just before the hot rotisserie chicken, followed by checkout, car loading, and unloading.

When my elderly father passed away in March, after a short two-month health crisis, it only took a few nights of insomnia and midnight weeping, to realize melatonin wasn’t going to cut it. I needed something more formidable. One night I tried a few drops of the marijuana tincture my Mom offered after her cancer treatments were joyfully finished. I slept so soundly, I sang in the shower.

Used to only bedtime lullabies and occasional radio sing-a-longs, my son was amazed. “Mom, I didn’t know you could sing in the morning!” It took my son happily beaming at me to realize how pleasant our morning was going—and how very different from the usual nagging about toothpaste, shoes, and backpacks. I practically skipped to the car.

Since then, I have used that same tincture a handful of times when restful sleep eluded me. Just a few drops. I figure if bestselling author Ayelet Waldman can microdose LSD to get to her happy place, I can be a dabbling pot-head. When I wake up, I feel calm, easy going, and less panicky about the carpool lane. My new definition of pot-head is not the same as the one I had in high school; it’s now synonymous with mindfulness.

local FARMERS’ MARKETS ALAMO Alamo Plaza Every Sunday, 9am-2pm alamoplazashoppingcenter.com BENICIA First Street, Between B&D Thursday, 4pm-8pm beniciamainstreet.org CLAYTON Diablo Street, Main & Center Saturday 9am-1pm pcfma.org MORAGA Moraga Shopping Center Every Sunday 9am-1pm cafarmersmkts.com DANVILLE Railroad & Prospect Saturday 9am-1pm pcfma.org ORINDA Orinda Village Saturday 9am-1pm cccfm.org WALNUT CREEK North Locust Street Sunday 9am-1pm cccfm.org DIABLO VALLEY Shadelands Business Park Saturday 9am-1pm cafarmersmkts.com CONCORD Todos Santos Plaza Willow Pass & Grant Tuesday 10am-2pm Thursday 4pm-8pm pcfma.org

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URBAN RETREAT Claire and Dan Dudan are enjoying the East Bay’s splendor from their backyard.

Photography by Jessica Freels

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igh on a hillside with sweeping views, the evolution of the Dudan’s property into a private paradise, unfolded over a period of thirty years. Their south Walnut Creek abode had a simple green lawn, bordered by ordinary shrubs, but it didn’t give them the indoor-outdoor connection with nature that the couple was looking for. They found horticultural inspiration for a new landscape design on regional garden tours with Bringing Back the Natives, trips to Richmond’s Annie’s Annuals for rare and unusual plants, and visits to the internationally renowned Ruth Bancroft Garden.

After a few initial upgrades, the couple enlisted the help of BuenoLuna Landscape Design and Floradora Garden Design for a project that would transform the sprawling property into a natural nirvana. Native plants and subsurface, low-volume irrigation systems presented an opportunity to update the space in sustainable manner. Native grass varieties were planted to add distinctive texture to the outdoor environment and enhance the succulents, ➤

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urban retreat

salvia, and kangaroo paws. The result is a landscape that looks as natural as the hillside that surrounds it.

“We’re avid cooks, and we wanted to create a place where people can comfortably gather,” says Dan. A central lily pond adds a cooling element, a petanque (French bocce ball) court welcomes activity, and multiple seating areas offer places to read or reflect.

“The landscape design is meant to appeal to people of all ages,” says Claire.

A natural pathway that meanders throughout the entire property makes it easy to reach the lemon orchard and vegetable planters below. Rocks for the garden’s hardscaping were carefully selected and transported from the foothills of California’s Gold Country.

A wide deck off the living room provides a meditative place to take in the surrounding open space and eye-popping views. Remarkably, this hidden gem is less than a mile from Walnut Creek’s bustling downtown. –PK

CLAIRE'S PERENNIAL FAVORITES Salivia Africana-Lutea: Shrubby evergreen with grey-green foliage and copper flowers.

Blue Mist Spirea: Low mounded, deciduous shrub with aromatic foliage and blue-violet flowers.

Geum Magellanicum: Low maintenance perennial with one inch scarlet-orange long stem flowers.

Pieris Japonica: Showy evergreen shrub with pendulous panicles of white blooms.

Aristea Inaequalis: Stunning South African iris with blue flowers on branching two inch spikes.

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eat & drink MOMO'S NEW CHEF | DINING GUIDE | SEASONAL FOOD | FARMERS' MARKET RECIPES

A SECOND INNING CHEF PHILIPPE CHEVALIER TAKES OVER THE KITCHEN AT MOMO’S

BY SOPHIE JOHNSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSH ISAACS

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eat/drink

S

ince bringing Momo’s to Walnut Creek earlier this year, veteran restauranteurs Peter and Janet Osborne have been quietly renovating.

Rather than focusing on finishes and floors, their updates have centered on revamping the menu. Combining the best of their popular San Francisco eateries— original Momos’ and Mission Rock—the Golden Bear Restaurants team kicked it up a notch by adding a distinctive European flare to its American-bistro Walnut Creek menu.

Chef Philippe Chevalier, known for his eponymous French bistro in Lafayette which sold in 2015, has joined the Momo’s team elevating the food offerings with steak frites, duck liver mousse, and apple tarte tatin. In an alluring accent he explains, “I want to create a famous and popular place for friends and families to eat and show people French food is healthy.” The French-born chef doesn’t think much of American food.

“You can quote me: hotdogs and burgers are heavy, they are not healthy. A nice piece of fish with vegetables and a sauce, that is French food. That is healthy.”

Adding to the signature wood-fired pizzas, crispy calamari, and house burgers, Chef Phillippe has also created pre-fixe menus. For $20, his three-course executive lunch recently included a velvety white mushroom soup, trout almandine, and exquisite house-made macaroons.

Each dish was faultlessly prepared and tasty. Other standouts on the seasonal menu are the salads: heirlooms with figs, strawberries with beets, and a nicoise topped with fish so tender, it practically melts in your mouth.

During happy hour, now seven days a week, look for $1 oysters and $5 pizzas.

On the kid’s menu, meals are $10, but on Sundays kids eat for free (while their parents enjoy $20 bottomless mimosas.)

1444 N. California, WC, (925) 935-1545, momoswc.com.

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Dining Guide where to eat now Edited by Anneli Rufus

These listings include advertisers and non-advertisers at the discretion of Walnut Creek Magazine.

We suggest that you phone the restaurants ahead for reservations, current hours, and days of operation.

All listings are in the (925) area code, unless noted otherwise. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Please write to us: Dine, Walnut Creek Magazine PO Box 5550, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or email us at info@walnutcreekmagazine.com.

AMERICAN

BREAKFAST JOINTS / BURGERS / SALADS / BARBECUE BACK FORTY TEXAS BARBECUE: Meat is king here - from steak and sliced brisket to chicken and ribs, much of it cooked according to Austin-style family recipes.100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill, 935-1440, backforty.us.

BUCKHORN GRILL: When it comes to big salads, Buckhorn is

a star. Casual and comfortable, the downtown eatery serves fresh veggies and grilled meats in satisfying combinations.1171 Locust St., 945-7676, buckhorngrill.com.

BUTTERCUP: At this family- run restaurant, it’s all about savory homemade meals. Besides big breakfasts, Buttercup dishes up lunch and dinner. And on Fridays, they serve Matzo Ball soup.

660 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 932-2763, buttercupgrillandbar.com

CORNERS TAVERN: Upscale comfort food served in a spirited atmosphere. Get communal around the 30-seat bar or hang out in the lounge alcoves with mussels, sliders or garlicky shrimp. Great collection of craft beers. 1342 Broadway Plaza, 948-8711, cornerstavern.com.

DENICA’S: There’s a lot to love at this north Walnut Creek

restaurant starting with the mouthwatering pastries lining the bakery’s shelves. Other show stoppers include Benedict four ways and big salads. 2280 Oak Grove Rd., 945-6200, denicascafe.com.

KATY'S KREEK: With 12 kinds of Eggs Benedict, a full bar and brunch served every day, this is the place to satisfy your cravings. If your taste buds prefer the sweet, Katy's is famous for its blintzes and Swedish pancakes. 1680 Locust St., 946-0949, katyskreek.com.

LARK CREEK: A favorite among the business crowd, this upscale restaurant specializes in fresh, seasonal food. Popular dishes include the turkey Cobb, grilled steelhead salmon, and the tamale pancake. Whatever you order, the food is solid. 1360 Locust St., 256-1234, larkcreek.com.

LETTUCE: A salad emporium that loads farm-fresh produce into

generously sized classics and creative new inventions. Locals love the Napa and Pink Lady salads. 1632 Locust St., 933-5600, lettucerestaurant.com.

MOOYAH: It’s a franchise with a load of personality. Take your kids to this colorful burger joint and let them build their own burger and eat it with a side of fries. 1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 280-5555, mooyah.com.

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE: New Yorks, rib eyes and filets are

served on sizzling 500-degree plates cooked to perfection. Round out the meal with spinach au gratin and potatoes Lyonnaise at this swanky steakhouse. 1553 Olympic Blvd., 977-3477, ruthschris.com.

STANFORD’S: Happy hour is hot here with steak bites, flatbreads, and burgers on the menu. This is the place to take a shopping break and sip a signature cocktail. 1330 S. Main St., 944-0895, stanfords.com.

SUNRISE BISTRO: The emphasis here is on fresh, healthy food. For breakfast try the sweet potato hash or yogurt pancakes. At lunch, you can’t go wrong with a chicken salad sandwich or big salad.

1559 Botelho Dr., 930-0122, sunrisebistrocatering.com.

THE COUNTER: Upscale burger joint where they make it the way you want it, from exotic to classic, and top it with your favorites.

Plump patties range from beef, bison, turkey and mahi mahi.

1699 N. California Blvd., 935-3795, thecounterburger.com.

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AMERICAN THE ORIGINAL HICK’RY PIT: This diner is known for its honest American food served all day with a heaping side of hospitality.

House specialties are barbecue ribs and homemade pies. 1495 S. Main St., 935-7450, hickrypit.com.

ASIAN

CHINESE / VIETNAMESE / JAPANESE / THAI / FUSION DRAGON POND: Executive Chef Xiao creates Hunan and Mandarin delicacies. House favorites include Mango Chicken, Honey Walnut Prawns and Salt & Pepper Calamari. 1353 Locust St., 926-0278, dragonpond.com.

LE CHEVAL: Renowned for its classic Vietnamese cuisine, sample the shrimp rolls, vermicelli salads, lemongrass chicken, clay pots or the sweet curry seafood special. 1375 N. Broadway, 938-2288, lecheval.com.

KOJA KITCHEN: This Korean-Japanese fusion fast casual chain gets high marks for barbecue short ribs and Kamikaze fries.

They also do salads and bowls. 1550 Olympic Boulevard, 448-8218, kojakitchen.com.

MIXED GRAIN: Authentic Korean comfort food. Try the bibimbap, a big bowl of fluffy rice, colorful vegetables and creamy egg. Nine condiments accompany every meal, including spicy cucumber and seaweed salad. 1546 Bonanza St., 938-5959, mixedgrain.com.

NAMA SUSHI: This casual sushi spot in a north WC strip mall is

always packed with raw fish fanatics craving the chef’s creative rolls, fresh fish and Japanese fare. 1502 Sunnyvale Avenue, 932-9540.

OI-C BOWL: Delicious Chinese food served in a spacious setting with outdoor patio. Spicy Szechuan cuisine, big noodle bowls and Bento Box lunch specials. 1616 N. Main St., 287-8118, oicbowl.com.

PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO: This large Chinese restaurant manages to feel intimate with an interesting menu that draws on multiple Asian cooking styles. Try the lettuce wraps and Dan Dan noodles.

1205 Broadway Plaza, 979-9070, pfchangs.com.

PLEARN THAI: Regulars pack the tables for the succulent flavors in the barbecue meats, pan-fried eggplant and curry prawns. Save room for the heavenly batter-fried bananas topped with coconut ice cream. 1510 N. Main Street, 937-7999, plearnthaipalace.com.

SASA: Upscale Japanese izakaya with dazzling décor and decadently fresh fish. Melt-in-your-mouth sashimi is served with an array of sake.1432 N. Main St., 210-0188, sasawc.com.

VANESSA'S BISTRO: During happy hour, prices at this popular Viet-

namese spot drop to $6 for most small plates and cocktails including green papaya prawn salad, petrale sole fish tacos and crispy Saigon rolls. 1512 Locust St., 891-4790, vanessasbistro2.com.

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CALIFORNIA

PASTA / FISH / ORGANIC PRODUCE A’TRIO: Lively restaurant-lounge inside the Walnut Creek Marriott turns out delicious California cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.

Flatbreads, salads, tasty burgers and salmon. Live music on weekends. 2355 N. Main St., 934-2000, marriottwalnutcreek.com.

1515 RESTAURANT LOUNGE: Always bustling for cocktails, flavorful pastas and fresh fish, the heated outdoor patio is a good place to people watch. 1515 N. Main Street, 939-1515, 1515wc.com.

CITRUS: This hip restaurant inside Renaissance Club Sport, fea-

tures Pacific Rim dishes and California classics. Sunday brunch is a weekend ritual with Bloody Mary’s on the patio. 2805 N. Jones Rd., 938-8700, renaissanceclubsport.com.

(925) 932-2763

CHOW: Always packed with locals, the menu offers plenty of comfortable choices from sandwiches to brunch fare. An adjoining market sells organic greens, and fresh meats. 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, 962-2469, chowfoodbar.com.

MAIN STREET KITCHEN: Farm-fresh ingredients grace the menu here. Standouts include fish and chips with house cabbage slaw.

Burgers are made from grass-fed beef and fried green pickles come with a lemon aioli. 1358 N. Main St., 933-1001, mainstkitchen.com.

METRO: In a seriously chic space with a huge outdoor patio, the

kitchen turns out international fare from diverse organic ingredients. 3524 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 284-4422, metrolafayette.com.

SAVORY

HOME COOKING Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Daily • Full Bar 660 YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD WALNUT CREEK

(925) 932-2763 MDine-in MCarry-out MCatering MBanquets MSaloon

THE PEASANT'S COURTYARD: A casual spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a charming outdoor courtyard. Pancakes, ribs, burgers and calamari. 3195 Danville Blvd, Alamo, 362-0088, thepeasantscourtyard.com.

VA DE VI BISTRO: With its sophisticated vibe and al fresco dining under an old oak tree, the restaurant's sips are accompanied by a sampling of small plates--bite size burgers, pasta, risotto, and seafood. 1511 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 979-0100, vadevi.com.

LEGENDARY TEX The way it was meant to be.

ITALIAN / pizza IL FORNAIO: Italian food so innovative, you’ll forget it’s a chain.

Lovely dining room with outdoor seating in the heart of downtown shopping. 1430 Mount Diablo Blvd., 296-0100, ilfornaio.com.

MONTECATINI RISTORANTE: An Italian restaurant with staying power; it opened the day of the big earthquake in 1989. The traditional menu features excellent seafood, pastas and veal.

1528 Civic Drive, 943-6608, montecatiniristorante.com.

PINKY’S: Perfect for birthday parties and post-game feasts, Pinky’s is a Walnut Creek tradition. Simple, affordable and comfortable, the pizzeria has remained true to its vision since opening in the 1960’s.

2085 N. Broadway, 939-5000, pinkyspizzawc.com.

925-935-1440

100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill backforty.us facebook.com/backforty

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SPA PACKAGES AND GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!

Call R Spa to book your appointment: (925) 942-6379 2805 JONES RD. WALNUT CREEK

R Spa is located in Renaissance ClubSport and is open to the public. Enjoy complimentary parking and use of our luxurious amenities including whirlpools, steam rooms, and saunas.

sweet Savory salty spicy

the johnny cash burger

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BURGERS, FRIES & COMFORT FOOD SCRATCH COOKING • CRAFT BEER & COCKTAILS LU N C H • D I N N E R • W E E K E N D B RU N C H

1548 Bonanza Street, Walnut Creek, (925) 945-6960 BRODERICKROADHOUSE.COM 54

walnut creek / summer 2017

POSTINO: In a romantic, fireplace-studded, brick building, executive chef Stewart Beatty and his team create elegant dishes from fresh seasonal ingredients. 3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 299-8700, postinorestaurant.com.

PRIMA: Everything’s made fresh on the premises at Chef Peter

Chastain’s acclaimed contemporary Italian restaurant. His flavorful risottos and light gnocchi will have you coming back for more.

1522 N. Main St., 935-7780, primaristorante.com.

ROCCO’S: This is the place for pizza aficionados. The meaty Dominator and vegetarian Dante’s Inferno are house specialties, along with heaping pastas and salads. 2909 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 947-6105, roccospizzeria.com.

SKIPOLINI’S: Fans flock here for the family vibe and can't- miss pies.

The Martinelli, white sauce topped with red peppers, cayenne chicken and fresh spinach, is a house favorite. Legend has it the Prego pizza brings on labor quicker than you can say "more pepperoni, please." 1535 Giammona Dr., 280-1100, skipolinispizza.com.

54 MINT FORNO: Burrata cheese is showcased here in a delicious

appetizer with roasted peppers and on the Campana pizza with arugula. They also make a mind-blowing lasagna from fresh pasta layered with ragu, béchamel and mozzarella. 1686 Locust Street, 476-5844, 54mintforno.com.

MEXICAN EL CHARRO: A Lafayette favorite, the margaritas are magic accompanied with chips, salsa and “cheese dip.” From fish tacos to burritos, this restaurant has served generations of locals. 3339 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-2345, elcharro1947.com.

MARIA MARIA: This beautiful Mexican restaurant is known for its creative dishes like creamy duck tacos, mole short ribs and spicy sweet chile rellenos. Start your meal with guacamole and margaritas.

1470 N. Broadway, 946-1010, mariamariarestaurants.com.

CINCO DE MAYO: This authentic downtown taqueria, popular for its seafood and good prices, attracts an eclectic mix of diners. They also serve up some seriously good fish tacos. Grilled or fried they come on a plate with refried beans and rice. Chicken, beef, pork, and veggie tacos are only $2. 1372 Locust St, WC, (925)954-1050, cincodemayorestaurant.com.

MID-TO-FAR-EAST Gyros / Greek Salads / Kabobs

BABALOU'S: Great food at great prices. The Middle Eastern menu is seductive for vegetarians and carnivores alike—with aromatic meats and a tempting display of salads served in a brightly muraled room.

1645 Bonanza St., 930-8000, babalous.com.

SILK ROAD: Good food served in a sunny patio setting. House

favorites are kabobs, gyros and falafels, but save room, you can make a meal from the appetizer plate served with piping hot pita bread.

1440 N. Main St., 932-9090, silkroadwalnutcreek.com.

SEAFOOD

A B E T T ER B R E E D

O F B U R G E R.

©2017 MOOYAH FRANCHISE, LLC.

JACK’S: This restaurant has a warm vibe and big bar. Souvlaki and spanakopita honor the owners' Greek heritage; an eclectic international menu featuring pasta, steak and breakfasts.

60 Crescent Dr., Pleasant Hill, 849-6195, jacksrestaurants.com.

SCOTT'S: Elegant surroundings, attentive service and good food.

They also do a lavish Sunday brunch, catering and social events.

1333 N California Blvd., 934-1300, scottsrestaurants.com.

WALNUT CREEK YACHT CLUB: For over 15 years, WCYC has been cultivating customers with its lobster and crab feasts, fresh oysters, and fresh fish. The restaurant’s specialties — killer cocktails and phenomenal fish —attract barflies and foodies alike. 1555 Bonanza St., 944-3474, walnutcreekyachtclub.com.

YANKEE PIER: Bustling seafood house has an East Coast vibe and a

menu featuring fresh-shucked oysters, an array of grilled fish, popcorn shrimp, and beer-battered clams. House-made desserts and full bar. 3593 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-4100, yankeepier.com.

1815 Ygnacio Valley Road, Ste D • Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Across from Heather Farms 925.280.5555 • Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

SOUTH AMERICAN Peruvian / Spanish / Brazilian PARADA: While the menu offers a diverse selection, the ceviche is a must. Fresh fish is marinated in lemon juice and chilies and served with toasted corn nuts and spiced sweet potato. Rotisserie chickens are also a big seller, along with mac n cheese. 7001 Sunne Lane, 448-8118, paradakitchen.com.

SABORES DEL SUR: Chilean cuisine reigns at this north Walnut Creek eatery. You can't go wrong the robust empanadas stuffed with meat or vegetarian fillings inside fresh, flaky pastry dough.

3003 Oak Rd., 954-8300, saboresdelsursf.com.

TELEFERIC BARCELONA: Walnut Creek's newest Spanish hot spot serves tasty bites known as pinxtos, ahi tuna swabbed in wasabi sauce, along with fresh paella and steak in a stunning atmosphere.

1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 451-9576, telefericbarcelona.com.

LIMON: Famous for their rotisserie chicken, ceviche, and paella, the food here takes diners on a delicious journey of Latin discovery.

1524 Locust Street, limonrotisserie.com.

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Happy hour AT FUEGO TEQUILA GRILL

authentic MEXICAN FOOD ✶ nfl sunday ticket ✶ FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS DAILY

happy hour Mon-Sat, 2-6pm

1359 Locust Street, Walnut Creek (925) 891-4023 fuegotequilagrill.com

DELIs / cafés

salads / soups / sandwiches CREPES OOH LA LA: Thin pancakes made the Parisian way, poured on a hot griddle and spread to thinness. Range of toppings for sweet and savory palates. 1548 Locust St., 944-5790.

GENOVA: Italian meats, fresh ravioli and sauces. Take a number;

fans line-up for the fresh sandwiches at lunch. Two WC locations: 1105 S. California Blvd., 939-3838 and 2064 Treat Blvd., 938-2888. genovadeli.net.

KINDER'S MEATS: Specialties at this family-run favorite include marinated ball tip, tequila-lime ribs, and barbecue chicken doused in signature sauce. 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road and 1293 Parkside Drive, kindersmeats.com.

MORUCCI'S: Fans travel from several towns away for these savory sandwiches. Try the 6 3/4: turkey, tomato and fresh mozzarella on ciabatta, pastrami or the popular chicken Caesar sandwich.

1218 Boulevard Way, 939-2426.

MR. PICKLES: This little sandwich shop serves up flavor-packed sandwiches at great prices. Big enough to split, bread is baked fresh and packed with your favorite fillings. 1991 N. Broadway, 280-5510, mrpicklesinc.com.

sweets, treaTs and bakeries CREAM: The winning combination of ice cream sandwiched between two warm cookies can't be beat. Neither can its superfriendly price of $3 or creative combos like double chocolate chip with peanut butter. 1372 N Main St., 891-4041, creamnation.com.

GUANTOS: Unique ice cream flavors are made from fresh fruits and ingredients. Cones are stuffed with scoops of avocado, banana, pistachio, Nutella and tequila ice cream. 704 Bancroft Road, 9371350, guanatosicecream.com.

LOTTIE'S CREAMERY: Scoops are packed with fresh ingredients at this ice cream parlor, where everything, including the cones, is made in-house. 1414 Main Street, 472-0723, lottiescreamery.com.

NOAH'S BAGELS: Neighborhood deli serves fresh-baked bagels, sandwiches and home-style soups. Two Walnut Creek locations: 1930 Mt. Diablo Boulevard and 730 Bancroft Road, noahs.com.

SAN FRANCISCO CREAMERY: Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, serving up ice cream and toppings the old fashioned way.

1370 Locust St., 926-0228, sanfranciscocreameryco.com.

SWEET AFFAIR BAKERY: Sandwiches are legendary here, so are

the morning buns, cream cheese croissants and array of muffins, cakes and cookies that make this a mainstay for over 30 years.

1815 Ygnacio Valley Rd., 944-1910, asweetaffairbakery.com.

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Instagram Follow us on Instagram @ walnutcreekmagazine and travel on an incredible food odyssey as we sip and sample our way through Northern Calfornia. Find out where to eat and what to order in the exciting food world we are lucky enough to call home.

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What’s in Season

watermelon

a 58

symbol of summer, August is the best time to enjoy the juiciest fruit of all. Perfect for a hot day, watermelons are mostly water — about 92 percent — but this refreshing fruit is also soaked with nutrients.

Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. Plus, America’s favorite melon is fat-free, low in sodium, and only 40 calories per cup. Here are some tips and recipes from local farmers’ markets and chefs for preparing this delicious crop. ➤

walnut creek / summer 2017

SAVORY MELON SALAD

By Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association

THE LOWDOWN A ripe melon should be heavy for its size. Choose one that has a solid sound when thumped. There are many hybrids—some oblong, some dark green, some striped—and flesh ranging from bright fuchsia to pale pink or even yellow. Choose one with a yellow patch on one side of it. This indicates it was left on the vine to ripen, so it will be the sweetest. Wash the whole melon before cutting, and once cut, keep the fruit refrigerated in a sealed container for up to three days. Use in salads, make fruit skewers, place wedges on the grill, or just eat a big juicy wedge.

Ingredients 1 cup watermelon, cubes or balls 1 cup cantaloupe, cubes or balls 1 cup sliced cucumber 1/4 cup of olives, pitted, and sliced 6 ounces feta, hand crumbled Olive oil to taste Champagne vinegar or lemon juice to taste Balsamic to taste 1 shallot, thinly sliced Salt and pepper to taste Mint leaves to taste Directions Combine watermelon and cantaloupe cubes, olives, cucumber, feta and shallots in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar and balsamic. Season with salt and pepper; mix gently. Garnish with mint leaves.

WATERMELON & SHRIMP GAZPACHO Walnut Creek Yacht Club Ingredients 1 med. seedless watermelon, cut in chunks 3 celery stalks, 1dice fine & reserve, 2 cut in chunks 3 cucumbers peeled, 1 dice fine & reserve, 2 cut in chunks 2 green bell pepper, dice ½ of one, cut rest in chunks 2 red bell pepper, dice ½ of one, cut rest in chunks 2 red onion, dice ½ of one,

cut rest in chunks 8 cloves garlic, smashed 1 piece torn up bread, size of a sandwich roll 1cup whole almonds, toasted, reserve ¼ cup for garnish 1 Tbsp. salt 1tsp. black pepper ½ cup sherry vinegar ½ cup olive oil 1 lb. bay shrimp Directions Put all the chunky stuff together in a blender. Blend it well to desired consistency. Taste, season & adjust with vinegar, salt & pepper. Refrigerate overnight, season before serving. Fine dice all the rest, mix it all together with shrimp, and mix in to soup. Garnish w/ almonds.

MELON & MINT SALAD

By Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market Ingredients ½ large watermelon or one small, cut into 1 inch cubes Juice of 2-3 limes ½ bunch of mint, chopped into ribbons, plus whole sprigs for garnish 2 Tbsp. olive oil Pinch of salt 1 tsp. sugar or honey ½ cup crumbled feta cheese Directions Whisk together lime juice, salt, and honey or sugar. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Toss remaining ingredients together, pour over dressing, and season to taste. Garnish with mint sprigs. Serve immediately.

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eat & drink

GRILLED WATERMELON SALAD

By Contra Costa Certified Farmers’ Market Ingredients 1 small watermelon, about 6 pounds 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided Salt & pepper 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese Salad greens Balsamic Reduction

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Directions Cut watermelon into one inch slices, remove seeds, and rind. Use a basting brush to coat slices with olive oil. Place on a hot grill for two minutes per side or until grill marks form. Top salad greens with grilled melon, mozzarella, salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction to taste.

where & when festivals | movies | art | concerts | MUSEUMS | theater

outside lands

This huge music and art extravaganza has upped the ante for festivals by going green and gourmet. San Francisco’s food, wine, beer, technology, and activism cultures meet at this magical three-day musical event. This year’s line-up includes: The Who, Metallica, Queens of Stone Age, and Empire of the Sun. August 11-13, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, sfoutsidelands.com.

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where & when STERN GROVE Celebrating its 80th season of free-admission concerts in San Francisco, this season’s performances include WAR, famous for creating hits such as "Spill The Wine," and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?"

(August 13), followed by powerhouse vocalist Mavis Staples known for her gospel, soul, and rock music. (August 27) Shows begin at 2:00pm, admission is first come, first serve, sterngrove.org.

TREASURE ISLAND FLEA Coined the “Festival of the Bay” for its huge crowds, Treasure Island Flea has become northern California’s largest monthly gathering of artists, collectors, designers, crafters and food trucks. Plus you can’t beat the views of San Francisco. Upcoming dates: August 26 & 27, September 23 & 24, treasureislandflea.com.

LINDSAY WILDLIFE Kids going crazy? Adults on edge? Go on an animal adventure at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Meet Penelope the Porcupine, stop by the outdoor Rapture Redwood Grove, go behind the scenes at the wildlife rescue hospital, and check out an American eagle named Topaz. Go to lindsaywildlife.org to plan your visit.

Broadway Plaza August heats up with a free outdoor concert series at Walnut Creek’s premier shopping destination. This season’s cover bands are: Super Huey (August 3), The Purple Ones (August 10), Fleetwood Mask (August 17). All concerts will take place in the new Event Plaza from 6:30 - 8:30pm, broadwayplaza.com.

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THE GREEK Set in a tree-enclosed canyon, Berkeley’s Greek Theatre provides panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. Performances this season include Willie Nelson with Kacey Musgraves (August 19) and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (8/22-8/23.) For tickets, or go to anotherplanetentertainment.com.

where & when LESHER JAZZ SERIES Famed trumpeter Terell Stafford (August 5) kicks-off this year’s lineup followed by French-Dominican vocalist Cyrille Aimée and Romani jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt (August 12). Bringing their blend of bebop, gospel and blues are the Monty Alexander Trio (August 19) and closing out the jazz series is vibraphonist Warren Wolf (August 26). Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org.

FRIDAY NIGHTS @ OMCA The East Bay parties with live music, dancing, and Off the Grid food trucks at this event designed for the whole family. Oakland Museum of CA, Friday nights, 5–10 pm, half-price gallery admission, omca.org.

EAT DRINK SF DIGITAL DRIVE-IN Harken back to the 1950s and catch a double feature at Concord’s West Wind Drive-In. It makes for an adorable vintage date night or adventure for the kids. Dolby sound replaces the ‘squawk’ boxes of yesteryear and digital technology projects clear images. Go to westwinddi.com for showtimes.

Chefs, wine and spirits are celebrated at this urban food and wine festival featuring the best local talent and regional ingredients in a series of tastings, classes, dinners and events.

August 24-27, Fort Mason Center, eatdrink-sf.com.

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS Walnut Creek’s free summer movies under the stars is back. Grab your kids and picnic and head out to a local park for an evening of family fun. Finding Dory shows on August 4 at Heather Farm Park and Grease is on the Civic Park screen August 25. For details, go to walnutcreekdowntown.com.

summer 2017 / walnut creek

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where & when

ART & CULTURE

POLITICS OF SEEING Through the lens of her camera, Dorothy Lange documented American life with riveting photographs showcasing the major issues of the times. View the emotional and political impact of her works at Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing. From the plight of Dust Bowl migrants during the Great Depression to the grim conditions of incarcerated Japanese Americans during World War II, Lange’s photographs illustrate the power of photography as a form of social activism. Through August 13, Oakland Museum of California, museumca.org.

Archie Rand: The 613 Project A notable painter and muralist from Brooklyn, Archie Rand spent five years creating The 613, a monumental installation of 613 small canvas (20 x 16) paintings arranged in a 1700 square foot grid. The massive work reflects on the laws governing traditional Jewish behavior. San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum is the first in the world to debut Rand’s completed 613 work. July 20–October 22, thecjm.org.

SUMMER OF LOVE At the de Young’s celebration of San Francisco’s colorful counterculture, The Summer of Love Experience: Art, Fashion, and Rock & Roll, you’ll see iconic rock posters, photographs, interactive music and light shows, costumes, and avant-garde films. The exhibition explores the culture of a generation searching for fulfillment through social change.

Through August 20, Golden Gate Park, SF, deyoungmuseum.org.

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I, DANIEL BLAKE Winner of the Cannes’ Palme d’Or Award, Mountain Shadow Film Society presents the screening of a powerful and touching film, I, Daniel Blake, which depicts the story of a 59-year-old British carpenter who fights the British bureaucracy for benefits after suffering from a heart attack. (Rated-R, 100 minutes.) June 9, 10, 17, Walnut Creek Library, mountainshadow.org.

where & when DEGAS Best known for his depictions of Parisian dancers and laundresses, master impressionist Edgar Degas was enthralled with high-fashion hats and the women who created them. This remarkable exhibition features key works by Degas, along with Renoir, Manet, Cassatt, and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Through September 24, Legion of Honor, SF, famsf.org.

Edgar Degas, "The Conversation," 1895 Photo credit: Marc von Borstel

DANCE SERIES 01 Smuin Ballet kicks off its new season with the premiere of acclaimed choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Requiem for a Rose, set to Schubert’s romantic string adagio. Also on the program is Michael Smuin’s tribute to Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon blending the dance company’s inspiring style of ballet with popular dance. September 22-23, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, smuinballet.org.

SWEET N LOW In a show that extends the genre of cute from cuddly to preciously creepy, view the works of 130 local, national, and international artists selected for Sweet n Low: An International Show of Cute. Get ready to meet some rolypoly, goofily-gamboling, saccharine-honeyed creatures.

Through September 3, Bedford Gallery, WC, bedfordgallery.org.

Mark Nixon, Pink Teddy

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where & when

on stage

bay area theater scene

BY KATHYRN G. McCARTEY

There’s SOMETHING ROTTEN! when two brothers, stuck in the shadow of Renaissance rock star William Shakespeare, consult with a clairvoyant who predicts the theatre’s next big hit will be the world’s first musical! Gut-busting laughter abounds in this extraordinary performance directed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin.) August 15-September 10, San Francisco, shnsf.com.

“Teach ‘em how to say goodbye” to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON leaving San Francisco after a successful 5 month run.

Bay Area audiences have one more shot to catch the winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama before the cast travels to Los Angeles for the next leg of the tour. Through August 5, Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, shnsf.com.

Enjoy A NIGHT AT THE PALACE where the cabaret is swinging and the casino tables are sizzling. Don your cocktail attire and immerse yourself in a prohibition-era night club. In keeping with the speakeasies of the 1920s, Boxcar Theatre provides the address to its secret venue near Chinatown and North Beach on event day. Open-ended run, San Francisco, thespeakeasysf.com.

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Tennessee Williams’ characters are as fragile as THE GLASS MENAGERIE. An emotionally devastating portrait of hope, the play was Williams’ first Broadway success, putting the playwright on the map. In this beautiful story of family, fantasy, and disappointment, acclaimed Chicago director Lisa Portes helms Cal Shakes first staging of a Williams’ play. Through July 30, California Shakespeare Theatre, Orinda, calshakes.org.

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Kicking off a 20-city tour, MIKE BIRBIGLIA: THE NEW ONE brings the comic’s unique style to Berkeley Rep for a limited engagement of his solo show. Birbiglia has starred in three Comedy Central specials, and his most recent shows were filmed for Netflix. August 2-13, Peet’s Theatre, Berkeley, berkeleyrep.org.

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Set sail to the SOUTH PACIFIC, in Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Amanda Johnson stars as Nellie Forbush, a nurse stationed on an island during WW2 who falls in love with a Frenchman in this heartwarming tale of love and romance, war and racial tolerance. August 3-25, Woodminster Amphitheatre, Oakland, woodminster.com.

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where & when

Acclaimed National Theatre continues its US tour of the Tony Award winning production THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. Exceptionally intelligent, but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life, 15-year-old Christopher is accused of killing his neighbor’s dog and sets out to find the true culprit, changing his life forever. Through July 23, Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, shnsf.com.

Oakland-native Marcus Gardley reimagines Homer’s Greek masterpiece in BLACK ODYSSEY a vivid theatrical tale of a homecoming set in the East Bay. Eric Ting directs the West Coast premiere of this thrilling, music-infused play which mashes up Greek mythology and African-American folklore.

August 9 –September 3, calshakes.org.

Follow the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz with Dorothy and her little dog Toto and be enchanted by the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion in Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of the beloved, THE WIZARD OF OZ, set to an original musical score by Ray Christensen and Chris Kula. July 21 – August 12, Orinda Community Center Amphitheater, orsvp.org.

THE (CURIOUS CASE OF) WATSON INTELLIGENCE explores the ambitious quest for technology against the combustible minefield of human emotions.

Does technology advance civilization or complicate it? Playwright Madeleine George explores innovations from different eras ranging from the telephone to artificial intelligence in this drama directed by Nancy Carlin. August 3- September 3, Ashby Stage, Berkeley, shotgunplayers.org.

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event scene

DIABLO BALLET'S PAWS DE TUTU PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bilha Sperling

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A dog costume competition and parade, Paws de Tutu, benefits Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Program (Performing Arts Education & Enrichment for Kids), which brings the arts to youth in underserved communities. Since 1995, PEEK has reached over 65,000 school children in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

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1. Peggy Bradley as Snow White and the Seven Dogs 2. Cowboy Dog 3. Diablo Ballet PEEK Associate Director Edward Stegge with Sandy, Tess, Zina 4. Mollly Fox demonstrating Doga 5. Diablo Ballet Board President Laurie Miller Ian McNeill and Rory 6. Diablo Ballet dancer Amanda Farris and her husband Josh Farris

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event scene

31st annual walnut creek all city swim meet PHOTOGRAPHY BY jessica freels

Thousands of Walnut Creek swimmers from ten recreational teams competed for their best times in races this summer at Clarke Memorial Swim Center at Heather Farm Park.

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E C N E I R E P X E

Don’t miss out on this sizzling series.

Hot Jazz delivered very, very cool.

TERELL STAFFORD QUINTET August 5 @ 5 PM and 8 PM

Trumpeter extraordinaire TERELL STAFFORD returns. He has performed with such luminaries as Kenny Baron, Diana Krall, and the Carnegie Hall and Vanguard Jazz Orchestras, and graced our stage with Cyrus Chestnut and the Clayton Brothers. Now he comes leading his own quintet, featuring saxophonist

CYRILLE AIMÉE August 12 @ 5 PM and 8 PM

The unique sound of the FrenchDominican jazz vocalist CYRILLE AIMÉE concentrates elements of Latin American, American, and Brazilian jazz. “But really, I just like good jazz.

I don’t care what people want to call it—traditional jazz, modern jazz, Latin jazz, whatever—I just like music that makes people feel something.”

Tim Warfield and pianist Bruce Barth.

MONTY ALEXANDER TRIO August 19 @ 5 PM and 8 PM

Jamaican-born, American jazz circuittrained pianist MONTY ALEXANDER has heard his music described as hard-swinging jazz, bebop, reggae.

But after sixty years of performing and eighty albums, he has earned the right to call his music simply his own. His natural exuberance pushes his trio’s already rich harmonies to pulsating rhythms.

WARREN WOLF/ EDWARD SIMON QUINTET August 26 @ 5 PM and 8 PM

With his exquisite mastery of the vibraphone, is Baltimore’s WARREN WOLF, whose form and technique continue the lineage of great vibe players. Native Venezuelan, jazz pianistcomposer-arranger EDWARD SIMON creates interpretations of Latin America’s rhythms that transcend genre. The quintet features musically fearless, alto saxophonist-composer Tia Fuller.

Single tickets only $42 or the entire series for $130 lesherjazz.org summer 2017 / walnut creek

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A look back

Walnut Creek’s Equestrian Past In 1921, a wealthy gambling hall owner, John W. Marchbanks, converted the 255-acre Sulphur Springs Ranch on Ygnacio Valley Road into a thoroughbred horse training facility, and named it Heather Farm after his champion stallion, Heather King. Marchbanks spent $1 million to build a Spanish-style mansion, a half-mile track, a 48-stall stable, and a barn on the land.

Heather Farm soon became the most important horse-breeding ranch west of the Mississippi, raising dozens of champions.

In fact, movie stars Clark Gable and Madge Evans came to Walnut Creek in 1931 to film scenes for MGM’s, Sporting Blood, at Heather Farm.

It remained a ranch until 1965, when Walnut Creek voters approved bond measures to fund community parks, which allowed the city to acquire 50-acres of the historic Heather Farm. Phil and Ruth Bancroft had previously donated five acres of their land adjoining Heather Farm, for use as a future park, and on the combined properties a park and swimming complex were developed. In 1970, Heather Farm Park officially opened and became the city’s largest park at 100-acres. Today the last vestiges of the park’s storied horseracing past can be found at the Equestrian Center, tucked quietly in the back, and enjoyed by many for its horse-riding events and miniature horse shows. –PK * Source: Walnut Creek An Illustrated History by Brad Rovanpera

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summer 2017

summer of love

walnut creek magazine