walnut creek TEACHERS WEIGH IN ON NEW DISTRICT PROPOSAL
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WHAT ARE THE RULES?
HOSPITALITY MARKET HEATS UP NEW HOTELS ON THE HORIZON winter 2017
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Mind on edge? Need a change of scenery? Slow Down and Find Serenity on a Spa Retreat
plus 2017 Food Trends I Magic Mineral Baths Fermented Skin Care I Farmers' Market Finds
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WELLNESS retreats Start the New Year with a healthy mind and spirit at one these destination spa retreats. Not only will they indulge you in some serious pampering, but the change of scenery may help kick the winter blues, and even impart a new outlook on life.
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in this issue WHERE & WHEN 13 Entertainment Art exhibits, events, dance shows, benefits, musical performances and other notables worthy of your time.
TALK OF THE TOWN 19 cannabis culture It’s legal, now what? New legislation permits the adult use of recreational marijuana. Learn about the rules, social and economic impacts, and what it means in Walnut Creek. 24 books New releases from Bay Area authors.
26 profile Organic spray tan business focuses on health and wellness. 28 public education Community group leads the charge for a new Walnut Creek school district, and local teachers weigh in. 32 on the horizon Business news, hotel growth, new restaurants, apartments in the works, plus plans for a downtown food hall. 36 politics Individuals across the country are marching for humanity the day after the inauguration. Find out why, and where to participate in a Bay Area March.
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43 health Consumers turn their attention to skin, the largest organ on the body, and focus on what to put on it. 45 commentary Sustainable practices for preserving a 100-pound weight loss over a decade. 47 hot springs Mineral water from the earth’s core is one of its greatest gifts, plus it has lots of health benefits. 53 food trends Here’s what to expect in 2017 on restaurant menus and beyond. 57 what's in season Cauliflower is a perennial favorite whether roasted, steamed or eaten raw. Here are a few ways to prepare this cruciferous crop. 60 profile Gail Hayden’s commitment to locally sourced food led to the proliferation of farmers’ markets. 61 dining guide Great places to eat and drink in Walnut Creek and surrounding cities. 60 on stage A Bay Area guide to theatre, concerts and performances.
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The Insider’s Guide to Walnut Creek january / february 2017 Publisher Pam Becker Kessler Editor Lauren Kessler Art Director Carrie Wallahan website Cale Finta
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Photography Guy Ben David Lisa Duncan Jessica Freels Sarah Grunder Kyle Luman Brian Murphy Scott Hein contributing writers Deborah Burstyn Lynn Carey Lou Fancher Sophie Johnson Kathryn McCarty Fran Miller Alison Negrin Martha Ross Anneli Rufus Alix Wall Kessler Communications, Inc. Walnut Creek Magazine Office 1280 Boulevard Way, Suite 108 Walnut Creek, CA 94595 (925)212-5146 Email: info@walnutcreekmagazine.com No material from Walnut Creek Magazine may be reproduced without written consent from the Publisher. walnutcreekmagazine.com
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From the Publisher
COMING UP... SPRING 2017
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Homes Neighborhoods Residential Development Summer Camps & More!
AND IN MAY...
FASHION 2017 Warm Weather Looks Restaurants Chefs Road Trips Youth Sports
LOOK UP! First of all, happy New Year! I am so grateful to be celebrating ten years of Walnut Creek Magazine with you. My dear friend Chris Gardner founded the publication in 1998, and I have had the privilege of guiding our city magazine since 2007. And what a journey it has been—filled with intelligent people, generous business partners and savvy non-profits who care about the community, the environment and the local culture. Today I am honored to be at the helm of a respected and well-regarded print, online and social magazine. My hope for the future is simple—let’s look up and connect. How many times have you walked down a sidewalk and smiled and said hello to someone, only to find he or she is plugged in and doesn’t notice you? If we learned anything from 2016, it’s that we share vast differences. The need for human interaction is greater than ever before. Let’s look up, embrace each other and the future. I love our city! We are one of the top places to live in the Bay Area with diverse and quaint neighborhoods, great public and private schools, and a breathtaking natural landscape. Living here comes with all sorts of perks like year-round outdoor activities, great dining, easy access to public transportation and world class shopping. We are also a growing destination for business and pleasure travelers as evidenced by the multiple developers who circled the city-owned “Corporation Yard” on Lawrence Way to build a new upscale hotel; making it the third new hospitality project in the works over the next couple of years. We are lucky to live in this vibrant place that so many want to visit and call home. This issue is packed with great content. It’s what makes Walnut Creek Magazine stand out. Let’s all resolve to look up this year, embrace our differences and work together for positive change.
Cheers!
FOR EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING INFORMATION publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com or (925) 212-5146
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Pam Becker Kessler publisher @walnutcreekmagazine.com 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. And be sure to post your events on our website, walnutcreekmagazine.com.
10 Years of
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20 07 - 2 0 17 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!
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ASIAN EATERIES
Shibata on Tour with Rihanna Summer Hot List for Kids Secret Sculpture Garden
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 The Insider’s Guide to Walnut Creek
MAY /JUN E 2011
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THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT:
A New Spin on Dance Samantha Abrantes On Tour
Spring
Teens Talk About Future Dishing At The Market
Fashion Plus
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
walnut creek walnut creek LEGACY FOOD MANUFACTURER Moves to Walnut Creek
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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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PUT THINGS TO R ON YOU BUCKET LIST
SUMMER
WOMEN TO WATCH: Meet Six Game Changers Who Make the East Bay a Better Place
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Contributors YOUR
t u C n l a W•••••••••••••••r•e••e••k Fran Endicott Miller is a freelance travel and feature writer who enjoys exploring Northern California and sharing her finds with readers.
deborah burstyn is a Walnut Creek-based freelance journalist who has worked as a staff writer for The Washington Post, Newsweek, the Contra Costa Times and the California wine industry.
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.
Sophie Johnson is a Walnut Creek native who has had a diverse career in food and technology. When not writing, she is walking Bay Area streets and trails, meeting new people, in order to share their compelling stories.
kathryn G. mccarty has been part of the Bay Area theatre scene for over 20 years. Her award-winning plays have been performed in NYC, LA and Chicago. She joins Walnut Creek Magazine as the new theatre columnist.
Lou Fancher is Bay Area writer covering technology, dance, theater, education and sports. She has authored two original children's books and illustrated over 50 picture books.
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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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SHOPPING. DINING. CULTURE. health. TRAVEL. AND THE LATEST BUSINESS SCOOP. WE DO IT ALL IN PRINT AND ONLINE. COMING UP . . . THE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN ISSUE SPRING 2017 For ad rates and more information, phone (925) 212-5146 or email publisher@walnutcreekmagazine.com
CHECK US OUT @ WALNUTCREEKMAGAZINE.COM
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where & when ART
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DANCE
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1 out of the box
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events
Powerama by Pierre Hardy
the rise of sneaker culture
Sneakers are a fashion staple and status symbol. They are worn by millions, regardless of age or income. In the first exhibition of its kind, Out of the Box, The Rise of Sneaker Culture, showcases more than 100 pairs of iconic sneakers, including rare collectibles from Adidas, Nike, and Reebok, and renowned collectors like hip-hop legend Run DMC, sneaker guru Bobbito Garcia, and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. Film, photographs, drawings, and interactive media depict the history, technology, fashion trends, and marketing campaigns behind the shoe’s cultural evolution. Through April 2, Oakland Museum of California, museumca.org.
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where & when
2 COLLEGE NOTES
An Acapella Performance
Performing pop, jazz, and contemporary songs, college students from Harvard, Yale, University of Michigan, Tufts, Claremont Colleges and University of Pennsylvania come to Walnut Creek for an evening of amazing sounds and inspiration. The performance benefits Diablo Regional Arts Association's Arts Access Outreach Program which brings theater to underserved children. March 10, Lesher Center for the Arts, draa.org.
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3 Aloe Love Ruth Bancroft Garden Travel on a tour through the magnificent aloe collection at RBG and discover hybrids not found anywhere else in the world. These winter bloomers put on a stunning show with colorful, dramatic flower stalks. Stay for sweets and hot sips. February 8, 1552 Bancroft Rd., WC, ruthbancroftgarden.org.
4 CARRIE LEIBOWITZ
MUSEUM SHOW
New York-based Leibowitz creates unmistakable artwork with a bold cartoonlike quality exposing raw truths about contemporary society. The Museum Show features 350 of his original artworks from 1987 to present: paintings, fabric works, installations, photography, and ephemera. January 26–June 25, Contemporary Jewish Museum, thecjm.org.
5 CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE SAN FRANCISCO
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at the largest salute to Asian culture in the world, outside of Asia. A tradition since 1958, the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade entertains thousands with gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and a spectacular 268-foot Golden Dragon. February 11, chineseparade.com.
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7 KISS & TAIL
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A WILD VALENTINES CELEBRATION
Spring for Symphony Celebrate classical music and raise funds for California Symphony’s education and outreach programs at this gourmet luncheon. An annual tradition, the event helps bring music to every child. February 25, Crow Canyon Country Club, for tickets go to californiasymphony.org.
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STATE OF THE CITY LUNCHEON Join Mayor Rich Carlston at the Walnut Creek Marriott for an inspiring business luncheon and learn about the issues and developments shaping Walnut Creek in 2017. January 30, walnut-creek.com.
At this fun, adult-only event (age 21+) Lindsay Wildlife Experience tells tales of animal romances while you meet and greet wildlife, sip and savor and groove to live music. Raffles, trivia contest and more. February 10, $30 per couple, lindsaywildlife.org.
8 Come Together The Beatles Concert Experience Never before has there been a tribute to the Fab Four quite like this show. With authentic costumes and soaring harmonies, the West Coast Player’s performance of ‘Come Together' takes audiences on a musical journey through the Beatles' British Invasion to the 60's, 70's, and Sergeant Pepper era. February 18, Lesher Center for the Arts, lesherartscenter.org.
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BODY AND SOUL Diablo Ballet kicks off the New Year and its 23rd season with Body & Soul, a dynamic performance featuring four diverse ballets choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, Sonya Delwaide, Lauren Jonas and Robert Dekkers. An interactive Q&A with the dancers and choreographers follows each show. February 3-4, Del Valle Theatre, Walnut Creek, diabloballet.org.
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where & when
8 CALL FOR ENTRIES!
SWEET N LOW SHOW
Unleash the roly-poly, saccharine-honeyed creatures on the earth and beyond! Bedford Gallery is looking for a team of talented artists to explore the genre of cute— everything from cuddly and precious to creepy and ironic; from kitsch to Margaret Keane’s Big Eyes; from Japanese anime to pop art by Takashi Murakami. Open to artists 18+, all media, submission deadline. March 10, bedfordgallery.org.
Matisse/ Diebenkorn
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Make a Wish
greater bay area Did you know the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish to a seriously ill child every 37 seconds? For the past 19 years, Make-AWish Greater Bay Area has helped make those dreams possible with its annual Wine & Wishes, a fundraising event that gathers local restaurants, wineries, brewers, and mixologists under one roof to celebrate the life-changing wishes that inspire hope, strength, and joy in children battling critical illnesses. February 4, San Francisco Design Center, wineandwishessf.com.
SFMOMA Presenting two of the twentieth century’s most extraordinary painters, Matisse/Diebenkorn is the first major exhibition to explore the profound inspiration Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) found in the work of Henri Matisse (1869–1954). The exhibition brings together 100 paintings and drawings from the two artists revealing connections in subject, style, color, and technique. March 11–May 29, SFMOMA, sfmoma.org.
unleash your potential
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East Bay Women’s Conference This top-notch event features renowned speakers, inspiring workshops, and hundreds of women. In March, the Walnut Creek Chamber & Visitors Bureau’s East Bay Women’s Conference welcomes Actor & Humanitarian Ashley Judd, Former CIA Officer & Author Amaryllis Fox and Lean In Founder Debi Hemmeter as its keynote speakers. March 6, San Ramon Marriott, walnut-creek.com.
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9 WINE AND WISHES
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talk
of the town
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA | PUBLIC EDUCATION | MARCH FOR HUMANITY | LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS
C s i u b l A t ur n n a e C
IT’S LEGAL
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now what? BY SOPHIE JOHNSON
ven before Proposition 64 passed last November, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, the Walnut Creek City Council was one of the first in the East Bay to formally oppose the measure. Now that 61% of Walnut Creek voters gave legalization a green thumbs up, local leaders are challenged with determining what this means for the city. At 62 pages long, Proposition 64 is a detailed and complicated document spelling out how California will regulate and tax the growth, transportation and sale of marijuana for recreational use.
Although Californians are able to possess, smoke and grow marijuana recreationally, many will not have a place to legally purchase it, until retail establishments are licensed. The state has set January 1, 2018, as the date it plans to begin issuing retail licenses. State officials estimate it will take about a year to develop regulations for growing, transporting, testing and selling cannabis. ➤
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talk/marijuana
HEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY In December 2016, the Walnut Creek City Council held a special session to begin defining strategies and policies for managing the new marijuana legislation. Issues for the city range from health, public safety and cultivation to retail establishments, zoning and tax revenue.
NEW RULES IN WEED WORLD Proposition 64 provides very specific guidelines and parameters around using recreational weed.
1. You have to be an adult to legally smoke weed. Dubbed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, the initiative allows people 21 and older to possess, transport and buy up to 28.5 grams of marijuana for recreational use. It also allows adults to grow and use up to six marijuana plants. Medical marijuana patients may still possess the quantities required for medical needs.
2. Don’t plan on lighting up just anywhere. You won’t be able to light up a joint on the sidewalk or in a bar. Under Prop 64, marijuana cannot be smoked in public places, unless it is allowed by a local ordinance. It also cannot be smoked in places where California state law prohibits tobacco smoking.
3. If you want to sell weed, you’re going to have to tell the state. Want to open a pot shop? You will need a state license. Want to grow marijuana for others? You’ll need a license. Anyone who grows, processes, transports or sells marijuana must get a state license, and pay a fee––which has not
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been set––to cover the cost of processing and enforcing the licenses. Local governments could also require operators to obtain a license.
4. Marijuana will be taxed by the state. Proposition 64 allows the state to impose a 15 percent excise tax on the retail sale of marijuana as well as levy a cultivation tax on growers of $9.25 per ounce for flowers and $2.75 per ounce for leaves. It also allows cities and counties to impose their own taxes for additional services, such as law enforcement. Medical marijuana patients are exempt from state sales taxes.
5. California could make lots of money on weed. State analysts estimate taxes could generate up to $1 billion annually. Some of these funds are likely to be used for research by state universities to evaluate the impacts of on health and safety, to develop processes for determining impaired motorists, and to provide grants to local health departments for mental health and drug abuse treatment.
Second-hand smoke is a key concern. With one of the toughest smoking laws in Contra Costa— tobacco smoking is banned downtown, in multi-unit housing, all public spaces, and within 25-feet of doors or windows in Walnut Creek—this ban is likely to extend to smoking weed. Dr. Rachna Patel, a local medical marijuana practitioner, expects much-needed industry regulations under Proposition 64. Many of Dr. Patel’s patients request advice on dosage and drug reactions. She hopes increased research and patient support will become available with less stigma associated with marijuana use. “Ideally regulations related to pesticides, fungicides and packaging transparency would have been in place years ago,” she says. Champions of Proposition 64 point to the expected decrease in marijuana-related arrests and reduced tax payer money spent on enforcing marijuanarelated crimes. California's Department of Finance projects the state could save close to $100 million in criminal justice costs alone. Opponents, like Walnut Creek Police Chief Tom Chaplin, cited statistics from Washington and Colorado to the City Council, stating school resource officers reported an increase in marijuana-related incidents in schools and increased enforcement costs associated with illegal usage by persons under the age of 21. “Traffic and public safety and the potential for increased use among minors are two issues, among others, that are concerns of mine,” says City Council Member Justin Wedel. Other than behavioral sobriety tests, no method currently exists for determining THC or CBD levels in a person.
CULTIVATION Another big concern for city officials is outdoor cultivation. While Walnut Creek isn’t exactly rural, there are plenty of residential gardens, vineyards and community spaces for cultivating cannabis plants. Chief Chaplin expressed concern odors from plants will create a public odor nuisance, but unless the City Council passes restrictions, there will be little the police can do to restrict this practice. ➤
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talk/marijuana
RETAIL In nearby Bay Area cities, you’ll soon be able to walk into high-end shops like Harvest in San Francisco and buy organic blackberry jam laced with cannabis and gourmet edibles. Other boutiques offer waiting lounges, pet edibles and organic chocolate truffles. Dr. Patel doesn’t expect Walnut Creek to welcome conspicuous weed lounges anytime soon and is likely to use its "land use authority" to regulate the booming industry. “There used to be a dispensary in 2010 that was shut-down after nine months. Walnut Creek is a more conservative than other areas in the Bay, though we do have a higher comfort level with marijuana than we did in the past,” she says. The private market research firm, New Frontier Data, estimates California’s marijuana industry will generate over $4 billion a year in direct sales to consumers by 2020, and that’s not including sales by cultivators to processors, and processors to wholesalers. Experts believe it is possible the weed industry will one day match the value of the California wine industry. According to venture capital database CB Insights, cannabis startups raised $212 million in 2015, even before Proposition 64 was seriously considered. Marijuanafocused investment firms such as Gateway, Poseidon Asset Management, and rapper Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital are cropping up, investing in startups related to technologies, testing, processing and highend weed lounges. Depending on how the City Council interprets the measure, Walnut Creek could benefit from investments down the road.
TAX REVENUE Make no mistake, the legalization of cannabis is a revenue driver for state and private enterprise. Proceeds from the industry will be deposited in the California Marijuana
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"I have full confidence that the people of Walnut Creek educated themselves on the proposition and voted for what they believe is in the best interest of the community." — City Council Member, Justin Wedel Tax Fund where money will be used to fund research on health and safety, like the U.C. San Diego Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research Study “to determine the efficacy and adverse effects of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.”
PUBLIC OPINION The legalization of marijuana is complicated, and given the parameters of Proposition 64, it is unclear how it will affect Walnut Creek. When asked what the future holds, City Council Member Wedel said, “I have full confidence that the people of Walnut Creek educated themselves and voted for what they believe is in the best interest of the community. We owe it to everyone
to provide the pubic with information on the possible benefits and risks of the next steps the Council can take on this important topic and collect their input on what actions, if any, the Council should take.” Ethan Bindernagel, Walnut Creek’s Economic Development Manager agrees, “Public outreach efforts could include conversations with interest groups, public meetings, surveys and interviews. There’s a good deal of education outreach that needs to be included, as well as further policy discussions at the Council level.“ That’s an open invitation, folks. Every precinct in Walnut Creek voted in favor of Proposition 64. Now is the time to let your voice be heard and influence how green the city will be.
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good reads
Books by Bay Area Authors by lynn carey
Fatal John Lescroart
(Atria, January 2017) A chance meeting results in a series of horrifying events in Lescroart’s latest thriller. Kate, who has a wonderful husband, two children and a lovely San Francisco home, obsesses over a man she met at a friend’s dinner party. After an explosive, passionate encounter, she assumes life will go on as before. But her erstwhile paramour is not as willing to move on and wreaks havoc and danger upon Kate’s life.
An Unsettling Crime for Samuel Craddock Terry Shames
(Seventh Street Books, January 2017) With a timely nod to the racial issues currently in the news, small town Chief of Police Craddock finds himself at odds with a racist Texas State Trooper during a multiple murder investigation. When a young black man Craddock respects is arrested for the crime, he starts his own investigation, putting himself and his family in danger. In his sixth book in the awardwinning series, the Berkeley author reveals what it means to be upstanding and dedicated to justice.
Dear Friend, From My Life I Write to You in Your Life Yiyun Li
(Random House, February 2017) Oakland author Li is best known for her much-lauded fiction novels. Now in her first non-fiction work, “Dear Friend,” the Beijing native and former biologist shares her story about the two years she battled suicidal depression. The book was “written out of willingness to acknowledge what shapes us…and willfulness to defy any definition imposed by those external terms.” In it Li explores how writing and reading bring solace, and reflects on the writers who shaped her life.
A Train Through Time A Life Real and Imagined Elizabeth Farnsworth (Counterpoint, February 2017)
As a child, filmmaker and journalist Farnsworth struggled with the loss of her mother by searching train stations on a cross-country trip with her father. The Berkeley author addresses how memory shapes our lives by weaving sad recollections from that train trip with memories of reporting from danger zones around the world. Farnsworth is the former chief correspondent of PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
A Really Good Day How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life Ayelet Waldman (Knopf, January 2017) When Berkeley author Waldman’s severe mood storms wreaked havoc on her life, she joined an underground group of scientists and civilians and began experimenting with therapeutic microdoses of LSD. “A Really Good Day” charts her experiences on the drug in an eye-opening, enthralling and often hilarious story.
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All you need is Love... ...and a day at the spa!
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Photography by Jessica Freels
talk/profile
Sun-Kissed Get a Glow Without Wrinkles or Chemicals
S
pray tanning may be the final frontier for natural organic beauty products. And Amy Staubitz, RN has conquered it. Last spring, Staubitz, a registered nurse with an MBA, opened Aurora Organic Spray Tans in Walnut Creek. Her special tanning formula includes a natural, eco-certified pigment from red beets to give your skin a sun-kissed glow. What’s more, Staubitz says Aurora’s spray tanning spritzes are oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, parabenfree, aloe vera-free, gluten-free, vegan, PETA approved and dermatologist approved. And it can be customized into 50 different tones. With her combined background in health care and business, Amy Staubitz seems to be on to something. Coco Chanel, fash-
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walnut creek / winter 2017
ion’s great rebel, was the first to link tanning to beauty in the 1920s. Prior to that, it was considered an undesirable indication of doing outdoor labor. By the 1970s, dermatologists began sounding the alarm about how today’s tans cause tomorrow’s wrinkles and skin cancer. Tanning beds with ultra violet rays were deemed harmful. Some dermatologists even suggested self-tanning lotions could cause unhealthy changes to the skin’s melanin pigment layers. Just when it seemed like there was no hope, spray tans came to the rescue. Staubitz became concerned about the long-term effects of chemicals on the skin from years of working in hospitals. “As a wound care nurse, I treated a lot of skin cancer patients,” she recalls. “I saw the impact it had on their lives.” Her interest in helping patients regain their dignity after severe skin injuries led Staubitz to open a
By Deborah Burstyn
spray tan business. And her concern about the long term effects of chemicals on the skin, led Staubitz to use only organic products in her spray tan solutions. “It takes about 26 seconds for chemicals to enter the body through the skin, and some can be very toxic,” she says. Aurora Organic’s gentle ingredients also cost less––full body tan $45, partial body $25 and just the face $10—allowing many clients to come in every week. The process takes about 15 minutes and disposable accessories, such as thongs and feet protectors, are provided. “People like the natural look of our tans,” says Staubitz. “They won’t turn you orange. You won’t leave looking like an Oompa-Loompa.” 1109 Bont Lane, WC, auroraorganictan.com.
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move.train.play. winter 2017 / walnut creek
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UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER FOR YOUNG ATHLETES
talk/public education
GETTING SCHOOLED COMMUNITY GROUP LEADS CHARGE FOR NEW DISTRICT AND TEACHERS WEIGH IN
A
BY LOU FANCHER
t the heart of the increasing division over school districting in a Walnut Creek community is a common purpose–the parties involved want to provide children a high quality education. The ever-widening gap between them centers on selecting the best path to achieving this goal. Proponents of the Northgate Community Advocacy for our Public Schools (Northgate CAPS) have mounted an all-out effort to create the Northgate Unified School District (NUSD). The new district, separate from Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD), would consist of approximately 4,600 students, 425 employees and five schools: Northgate High, Foothill Middle, and Walnut Acres, Valle Verde and Bancroft elementary schools. CAPS supporters say MDUSD is too large to effectively serve its student population and unresponsive to teachers’ needs and parents’ input.
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Opponents to the plan–MDUSD teachers, staff, parents and local community members–argue that CAPS supporters are campaigning on out-of-date information. While agreeing the district has struggled, they point to a new two-year teacher contract that includes a five percent salary increase and expanded health benefits, as signs of the improvements the current administration has brought to the MDUSD. They credit Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer and her staff with leading a turnaround which includes rehiring school counselors, new teacher development opportunities, improved graduation and college matriculation rates, higher test scores and expanded AP course offerings. “CAPS is reacting to the MDUSD of ten years ago. It’s radically different now,” says Meg Honey, a five-year Northgate High School history teacher and 1997 NHS alumni. ➤
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talk/public education
On her Facebook page, Honey posted a message expressing her views, “Northgate CAPS does not speak for me nor does it accurately represent the experience I have had in our district as a student, coach, or teacher.” Within hours, the post drew 146 likes and 52 comments, all but a few positive. Upon receiving a letter from CAPS inviting Northgate teachers to support the creation of a new school district, Honey says 50 of her colleagues voiced their desire to remain with MDUSD. Jeff Hagerstrand, who leads the Northgate’s theater program and teaches English and Public Speaking says, “It’s a completely out of touch idea. The CAPS parents could be embracing the positive momentum in the district instead of spearheading this divisive issue.” He says it’s not just Northgate teachers who take this position. “I'm good friends with several teachers at College Park and drama teachers at the middle schools. The overwhelming feeling is relief that MDUSD has turned the ship around. No one is pretending that we've achieved perfection, but the responsiveness, the willingness to listen and to work together, is now the norm rather than the exception.”
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But CAPS Co-Founder Alisa MacCormac says that while the group applauds increased pay for teachers, it does not change their position. Nor will they halt efforts to gather the 5,000 signatures needed for a petition proposing the creation of the new district. They plan to file in February with the Contra Costa County School Organization Committee and say they are threequarters of the way to their signature goal. “We want teachers to be in an environment where they can determine what is best for them in their classrooms. Northgate is the only school in our feeder pattern that has that now. We’d like more of our schools to have what teachers think students need,” says MacCormac. Asked if the approximately 30 teachers at other MDUSD schools who support NUSD will provide public comment, MacCormac says, “We don’t recommend they go on record. They’re worried about their jobs. There’s no reason for us to ‘out’ them.” She suggests the signatures on the petition demonstrate widespread community support. An open invitation from Honey to teachers at other district schools to provide comment drew immediate responses.
walnut creek / winter 2017
Mt. Diablo High teacher Dan Reynolds says examples of a MDUSD on the rise includes bringing back counselors, providing professional development for teachers and updating 13 science classrooms to better serve the 21st-century needs of students. “Our district listens and communicates with us. Our district helps to provide students with meaningful curriculum.” College Park’s Jim Keck says, “Teacher morale in the MDUSD is the best I’ve seen in 15 years. Benefits have
diversity to our schools and I feel losing them would be detrimental to NUSD, causing student demographics to be more homogenous than they already are.” Honey and other teachers insist classrooms that reflect the multi-ethnic, multiracial makeup of the world more accurately prepare students for global marketplaces and diverse communities. Concerns on both sides about misinformation has added a layer of mistrust. CAPS supporters suggest people who criticize their financial and educational plans haven’t
“Northgate CAPS does not speak for me nor does it accurately represent the experience I have had in our district as a student, coach, or teacher.” been restored, salaries brought to competitive levels and teachers feel respected.” It’s not only teachers who support staying within the district. Leanne Owen, a counselor at Concord High says that by directing resources to programs recommended by counselors, district leadership is “moving in the right direction” to best serve all students in the widely diverse district. Parent Janine Payne says some children will face moving to new schools if their residence is not included in the new NUSD boundaries. She’s also concerned intra-district transfers will be disrupted. “These students bring a significant amount of
examined them closely or accepted invitations to attend informational meetings. Others, who want MDUSD to stay united, object to false promises about funding, loss of programs and services, and speculation about reduced real estate values. Ultimately, the solution requires education. Ask questions, study the proposals, gather statistics, and do research. In other words, do the things taught to students for academic, social and career achievement in a diverse, global community where respect for opposing positions prevails.
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talk/development
On the Horizon Happenings, announcements and things to know about
EAST BAY HOSPITALITY MARKET HEATS UP D EV ELOP ER S C IR C LE CITY- OW NED SITE F OR NEW HOTEL Hotel development is sizzling after stagnation characterized the sector during the mid to late 2000s. The clearest indicator arrived in December when Illinois-based Tharaldson Hospitality Management LLC won the go-ahead from the Walnut Creek City Council to build a new HILTON GARDEN INN at 490 Lawrence Way. Multiple developers circled the cityowned “Corporation Yard” site to build an upscale hotel, with development of the 2.226 acre property awarded to Tharaldson. Its location adjacent
to Interstate 680 affords the property high visibility and easy access for business travelers. Across the Bay Area, new hotel projects are starting to emerge as occupancy and room rates increase, driven by the Bay Area’s rise as a tourism and business destination. Emeryville opened its first hotel in decades in 2016 and a 16-story, 334-room hotel at 2129 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley seems to be moving forward. But while San
Francisco and the Peninsula have seen a flood of proposals, the East Bay pipeline has remained relatively small. Until now. Tharaldson plans to build a three-story, 127-room Hilton Garden Inn at the Lawrence Way site with ample parking. Once the deal is finalized, the hotel could be completed within 24 months. City officials hope the project will trigger more redevelopment in the surrounding area and diversify the city’s revenue sources.
A staff report estimates an average of $520,000 in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) a year—the 8% levied on overnight guests—from the completed hotel. Over 75 percent of Walnut Creek’s general tax revenues are derived from only two sources: property taxes and sales taxes. Hotels present the city an opportunity for tax revenue diversification with lower impacts to services and traffic. —PK
OTHER HOTEL PROJECTS A 6-story, 160-room MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN near the Walnut Creek BART Station at 2050 and 2047 N. Main Street is under construction. Align Real Estate hopes to develop the former McDonald’s site on California Boulevard into an APARTMENT HOTEL featuring 77 apartment units and 20 fully furnished studios for overnight or extended stay guests.
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DEVELOPMENT SURGES According to a city report, 238,000 square-feet of retail and 1,500 residential units are currently underway in the downtown area. It’s a renaissance in Walnut Creek. Not only are plush apartments, new hotels and an array of shops and restaurants opening all over town, but a food hall, rivaling San Francisco’s Ferry Building and Napa’s Oxbow Market, is on the city’s development table. The brainchild of BH Development’s Brian Hirahara, who brought Va de Vi, Tiffany & Co, Apple, Sasa and the restaurants at 1500 Mt. Diablo to Walnut Creek, THE FOUNDRY is expected to take East Bay foodie culture to the next level. What started in Great Britain, the food hall concept is a return to urban markets of the past— now spreading across America—an eclectic mix of fastcasual, food truck and street food-style concepts along with entertainment in one large venue. A general plan amendment, conditional use permit for reduced parking and other approvals are being requested by BH Development. The firm is acquiring the city-owned land at 1250 Locust Street for $4.1 million to develop The Foundry.
Redevelopment of the ROSSMOOR SHOPPING CENTER in south Walnut Creek is moving forward. Highlights of the 15-acre project include: a new CVS Pharmacy with drive-up service, a new 2,000-squarefoot Starbucks with drive-up service, bocce ball courts, a burger joint, plus a new anchor tenant such as a hardware store. Safeway stays with a new longterm lease. Construction, which has been delayed, is anticipated to begin this year and last twelve months. After a rash of delays, the new pet-friendly residential community on California, Bonanza and Locust streets called LYRIC WALNUT CREEK is expected to open this spring. The multi-use development includes one and two bedroom apartments on the top, a large public plaza, ample tenant and visitor parking below, and an enviable downtown location. Word on ground floor retailers, other than Bank of the West and Dry Bar, has been scarce. ➤
winter 2017 / walnut creek
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talk/development
Just across the street from Lyric, MOMO’S is opening in the former McCovey’s location featuring a bossy brunch menu with bottomless mimosas and Benedicts. Small plates, burgers, rock shrimp scampi and crispy calamari round out the California cuisine style menu. Festive and familial, GOTT’S ROADSIDE is a big draw for Walnut Creek. Famous for juicy burgers, ahi poke tacos and thick milkshakes, foodies travel for miles to eat at their iconic St. Helena and Ferry Building locations. Here is a first look at the makeover planned for the former Fresh Choice restaurant. Last we heard, opening sometime in 2017.
Hot Zips Millennials are turning up the heat in America's hottest housing markets, says a new report from realtor.com®. Ranked number two on the national list in 2016 is PLEASANT HILL, CALIFORNIA (94523). Realtor. com® is a leading online real estate destination operated by News Corp [NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA]; [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. Other zip codes that topped the list: 76148 (Watauga, Texas); 80233 (Northglenn, Colo.); 80916 (Colorado Springs, Colo.); 78247 (San Antonio); 94954 (Petaluma, Calif.); 02176 (Melrose, Mass.); 63126 (Crestwood, Mo.); 97222 (Milwaukie, Ore.) and 92104 (North Park, Calif.) a town in San Diego. Millennials—18 to 35 year olds—are the largest generation in U.S. history. They represent substantial buying power and
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greater share of the population in most of the top 10 hottest zips. Although first time buyers usually have more limited incomes than other buyers, millennials in these areas are more likely to earn in excess of six figures. In the top 10 hottest markets, the share of millennials earning more than $100,000 is 1.8 times higher than the U.S. overall. In Pleasant Hill, the dominant buying group is 35 to 44 year olds, which make up 31 percent of buyers, but millennials are a close second holding 26 percent of mortgages. Fortytwo percent of millennials in this area make over $100,000, which is two times the norm for millennials in the U.S. Homes in Pleasant Hill sell in under 30 days with a median list price of $630,000, up almost 4 percent for the year.
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talk/politics
MARCHING FOR HUMANITY ON JANUARY 21, INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL STAND TOGETHER IN PEACEFUL RESISTANCE BY MARTHA ROSS
EAST BAY TIMES REPORTER AND occasional WALNUT CREEK MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTOR
J
Jordan Spiegel cried the night Donald Trump was elected president. The 14-year-old Walnut Creek high school freshman looked forward to the first female president, and despaired the sexist, racist and xenophobic rhetoric that marked the celebrity mogul’s campaign. Her sadness transformed into jubilant resolve when her aunt offered to fly the two of them to the nation’s capital for the January 21 Women’s March on Washington, the day after Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. “It’s an incredible opportunity,” said the Las Lomas JV Cheerleader with a tae kwon do black belt. Spiegel and her aunt will join an estimated 200,000 people from around the country in a show of unity. While it’s not billed as a protest, organizers want the new administration to know with “numbers too great to ignore” that “women’s rights are human rights.” Augmenting those numbers will be “sister” events in all 50 states. In Northern California, rallies are planned in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. So far, over 60,000 have verified their plans to attend the Northern California rallies, according to the march Facebook pages.
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BAY AREA MARCH LOCATIONS
While it’s not billed as a protest, organizers want the new administration to know with “numbers too great to ignore” that “women’s rights are human rights.” Renee McKenna, a spokeswoman for the volunteer coalition organizing the Bay Area marches, said the events welcome everyone — men, families, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people — who support women’s rights. Whether near or far, these events give people an opportunity to come together in solidarity, support and hope. Shelly Glennon of San Jose will travel with a group of 13, comprised of San Jose’s Presentation High School alumni, their friends and teenage daughters. Amber Evans of Oakland plans to rendezvous with an old friend who lives in San Diego. And Alameda’s Christine Strena will rally in front of the Sacramento Capitol with her mother and best friends, while her daughter, Sophia, a senior at Encinal High School, travels to DC for the Women’s March on Washington as a part of her project for an advanced government class. Girls and women interviewed, all said Trump’s rise to power, has spurred a new political movement of peaceful resistance— beyond voting, signing petitions or contributing to a campaign. “It feels like Caesar crossing the Rubicon,” said Jennifer Morris, who is attending the Women’s Washington March on with her 13-year-old daughter and family members from Seattle and New York. “This feels different and scary.” While organizers of the Women’s March on Washington faced some logistical hurdles — the march won’t take place at the Lincoln Memorial because that area, like other popular stretches of federal property, have been reserved by Trump’s inaugural committee — they’ve confirmed a starting location: 10 a.m. at Independence Avenue and Third Street SW, near the U.S. Capitol. “We’re going no matter what,” said Jordan, who will meet up in Washington with a preschool friend and her mother. She, too, never thought she'd feel passionately enough about a cause to want to take to the streets. “Everything in my life has been pretty smooth. I want to stand up for people’s rights.”
While some details for Bay Area marches are being worked out, here is what has been announced so far for January 21. For updates on each location, visit Women’s March Bay Area at https://womensmarchbayarea.org or Women’s March on America http://womensmarchonamerica.org. San Francisco: Rally at Civic Center 4pm to 6pm, then a march along Market Street ending at Justin Herman Plaza. Oakland: Rally and march are scheduled for 10am to 3pm, starting at 9th and Madison streets and heading to Frank Ogawa Plaza. San Jose: Rally and march are scheduled for 10am to 3pm., starting at San Jose City Hall and heading to Plaza de César Chávez. Walnut Creek: A rally and march in downtown Walnut Creek from 10:30am to 1pm was scheduled to allow participants to hop on BART and join the rally at San Francisco’s Civic Center. The Walnut Creek event begins at Civic Park, with a march through the downtown ending near the BART station. More information is available at the Women’s March-Walnut Creek/Contra Costa Facebook page. Santa Cruz: A rally and march start at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall and end at Louden Nelson Community Center. For more information visit the Women’s March on Washington DC-Santa Cruz County blog at http://www.womenmarchsantacruz.com.
winter 2017 / walnut creek
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wellness retreats
WELLNESS RETREATS BY FRAN MILLER
MIND ON EDGE? SHOULDERS TENSE? NEED A CHANGE OF SCENERY? THESE DESTINATION SPAS WILL INDULGE YOU IN SOME PAMPERING, HELP YOU KICK THE WINTER BLUES, AND MAYBE EVEN IMPART A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE. 38
walnut creek / winter winter 2017 2017
RELAX As if Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge and Spa was not already classy enough, the recent addition of 14 sumptuous suites and villas sends the resort’s luxe quotient soaring. Set on 28 lavendar and vineyard-filled acres, with spectacular views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Bernardus is the definition of relaxed elegance. This private sanctuary comes complete with butler services, complimentary Mercedes-Benz convertibles and alfresco rain showers. At the heart is its serene spa where guests lounge by the private warming pool before body treatments. Signatures include: Tuning Fork Ritual - sound waves created by OM tuning forks travel the meridian channels and acupressure points to dissolve disharmony and tension; Island Lomi Massage – restores harmony and balance to the mind, body and spirit; Japanese Balancing Massage – a mix of shiatsu techniques open energy pathways; Sticks and Stones Massage – smooth birch wood sticks and warm basalt stones induce relaxation and tension release. Despite the price, Bernardus is exceedingly welcoming, which makes it all the more relaxing. Plus, you get what you pay for. bernarduslodge.com
winter 2017 / walnut creek
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wellness retreats
RENEW If you haven’t been to The Claremont Hotel & Spa in Berkeley lately, it’s time to go. The Fairmont Hotel Group has put its swank polish on this iconic landmark, making it a muststop for bridge-to-bridge views, visible from the new restaurant Limewood, many guest rooms, and even from the spa’s whirlpool. One of the larger and more established spas in the East Bay, The Claremont offers dozens of programs and day packages, although true renewal requires an overnight stay. The spa recently unveiled its Honey Bee Ritual, an indulgent experience utilizing honey ginger oil and a beeswax compress in a dual therapeutic treatment to release muscle tension, boost the immune system, hydrate, and relieve inflammation. A facial follows, using the same thermal honeycomb pad and sweet aromas of honey and beeswax to balance and heal the skin. After your treatment, detox in the steam or sauna rooms, or better yet, soak in the whirlpool-with-a-view. fairmont.com
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walnutcreek creek //winter winter2017 2017 walnut
recharge Set in a business park off Hwy 101, the Four Seasons Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto caters primarily to the weekday business crowd, but for those in the “know,” this coveted wellness destination also throws out the red carpet for its weekend R&R guests. Sip champagne upon arrival, savor Italian cuisine at restaurant Quattro, then slip into a thick white robe and recharge at the small, but sumptuous Four Seasons spa, with a rooftop pool and fitness center. You’ll want to book one of the plush guest rooms to relish the spa’s ‘California Dreaming,’ where sleep-induction techniques developed by sleep-guru Robert Michael deStefano will lull you to sleep. Order calming bath soaks, warm almond milk and cookies, and aromatherapy neck wraps to further induce the zzzzs. When you wake up, indulge in one of the best anti-aging facials around, Diamond Bright, infusing luxurious Natura Bisse products into the skin to reduce dark spots and refine skin tones. fourseasons.com
One of San Francisco’s most exclusive hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, recently opened Spa L’OCCITANE by the Bay, where fans of the skincare and natural cosmetic beauty line can experience it as never before. Designed for ultimate relaxation in the heart of the city, this Mediterranean-inspired sanctuary nourishes with lavender and verbena treatments. The Immortelle Divine Secret anti-aging facial leaves skin glowing, and the Shea Nurturing Massage restores inner balance. Enjoy a cocktail in the lobby bar after your treatment, or better yet, book a room. ritzcarlton.com
winter 2017 / walnut creek
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wellness retreats
REjuvenate If a vacation in Tuscany is not in the cards, a rejuvenating splurge at Spa Villagio in Yountville is the next best thing. This 13,000-square-foot sanctuary comes with private spa suites, jetted infinity soaking tubs, wet bars, private patios and flat screen televisions with Bose surround sound systems. Soothing fountains, cascading waterfalls, and reflecting pools add to the soothing aura. Select from a menu of experiences that infuse ancient Mediterranean rituals with elements indigenous to Napa Valley. We love the “Lemon Luxe,” a 100-minute full body exfoliation and massage utilizing Spa Villagio’s own Lemon Juniper line. Enjoy a lazy lunch by the pool, or get cozy with a glass of wine by the outdoor fireplace. You’ll leave spoiled and relaxed. villagio.com
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skin wellness
Eat Yogurt and wear it ! Probiotics and current trends in cosmetics and skin care BY LOU FANCHER
After focusing for years on the healthiest foods and supplements to put in our bodies, women and men are turning their attention to what we put on our bodies. Specifically, consumers are thinking about the body’s largest organ: skin.
Because it’s porous, skin absorbs. Depending on the substance and body part to which a product is applied, dermatology experts say absorption rates vary dramatically. Even so, if you cover your face on a daily basis with lotion or foundation, color your hair, or wear lipstick, wouldn’t you prefer non-toxic ingredients in the products? And if there’s a natural ingredient that won’t harm and might slow the impact of aging, provide chemical-free cleansing or reduce conditions like acne, you’d want to know about it, right? In response to a growing consumer-led movement, cosmetics and skincare manufacturers are shifting their focus to non-toxic ingredients, such as probiotics, the “good-for-your-gut bacteria” that aids digestion and naturally occurs in yogurt, kefir and other fermented foods. ➤
winter 2017 / walnut creek
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skin wellness
Face Food One More Beautiful Reason to Love Chocolate When searching for new skin regimes that give a healthy glow, you may not have to look beyond your pantry. Chocolate has solidified its place in nutritious diets as a food with benefits beyond taste. It’s full of antioxidants to protect your skin from free radical damage. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, calcium and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E. And it reduces stress hormones, which means less collagen breakdown, and supple skin. Beyond all that, cocoa beans, the primary ingredient in chocolate, are high in polyphenols, including flavonoids, procyanidin, and resveratrol. In fact, they are present at such high concentrations that cocoa has a higher antioxidant potential than other heavyweights like green tea or red wine. When applied directly to the skin as a face treatment, it stimulates elastin and collagen production, improves uneven skin tone, minimizes pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces redness. Book a decadent chocolate face treatment with an esthetician or make one at home: Mix 1 tablespoon of melted chocolate with 1 teaspoon of almond oil and 1 teaspoon of rose hip oil. Mix ingredients. Make sure the temperature is lukewarm and comfortable to touch. Apply the mask on your face for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. BY COLETTE KUHNSMAN Lead Esthetician at Encore Medspa, Nutritionist and Body Trainer
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Fermented skincare has been the rage in South Korea for some time. The beauty world is finally catching on and finding out it benefits skin and may slow down conditions of aging like wrinkles and laxity. In the gut, food bacteria feed on sugar and starch, generating lactic acid. This process not only preserves but also creates B-vitamins, probiotics, Omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial enzymes, making food more nutrient-dense in its fermented state. When applied to creams, something similar occurs, making them easier to absorb and fighting bad bacteria. While clinical research is in its early stages, experts like New York City Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe have published studies suggesting that probiotics may be beneficial to the skin, restoring acidic skin pH, alleviating oxidative stress, and playing a role in anti-aging.
"Customers love to touch, feel and smell these products. Body care is sensory." Recognizing the growing consumer demand for natural ingredients, national brands including Clinique, Burt's Bees and Éminence manufacture skin-care products with probiotics. Macy’s in Broadway Plaza and the new Whole Foods Market on Ygnacio Valley Road have devoted considerable floor space to natural cosmetics with hands-on sampling and sales personnel who understand the products. “Customers love to touch, feel and smell these products. Body care is sensory: having a chance to try a little bit of the product beforehand really goes a long way,” says Clare Blunt, a 13-year Whole Body Regional Buyer with Whole Foods. Blunt says consumers are definitely more concerned about toxins on their skin. The questions she hears range from fears of aluminum in deodorants to lead in lipstick. Requests for “chemical-free” are big across cosmetics, body, hair and sun care brands, as well as household cleaning and yard care products. But it’s not just about probiotics, interest in aromatherapy, the use of essential oils in beauty care and micellar water as a cleanser is booming. “Micellar water is a gentle cleansing option that doesn’t remove natural oils from your skin,” says Blunt. Improved practical items for “beautyon-the-go” are new wipes, easy-to-apply sheet masks and single-serve moisturizers that provide quick beauty pick-me-ups. And because everyone wants something that can make dry, puffy eyes go away, Blunt suggests MyChelle’s Magnolia Fresh Eyes for eye care. Ultimately, the best cosmetic and skin care tip for 2017 is to read the labels and try to use natural products on your skin.
DISORDERED EATING PRESERVING A 100-POUND WEIGHT LOSS FOR OVER A DECADE BY SOPHIE JOHNSON
W
A Personal Commentary
hen I have trouble sleeping, I conjure images of foods from my childhood to lull me into a happy state: warm crusty sourdough bread, donuts from Johnny’s in Lafayette, coconut cream pie from The Original Hick’ry Pit. I can describe the food in detail, but the last time I ate any of that, Walnut Creek still had a 510 area code, not 925.
Just a few years after graduating from Acalanes High School, I hovered around 220 pounds. I don’t know the exact weight be-
cause I avoided scales at all cost. I didn’t want to be heavy. I was picked on in school, embarrassed to shop for clothes and never felt like I belonged in our looks-conscious area. I was certain my vegetarian lifestyle was healthy, just not prevailing over my genes or my family’s restaurant routines. At one point in my early 20s, a doctor suggested I read “Protein Power.” I was living away from home for the first time and intent on creating a new identity. I committed to the plan, taught myself to cook and started working as a professional in the food industry where I could think about food all day long, but satiate the hunger ➤
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in my head. It worked. I lost more than 100 pounds. But at some point during that five-year weight loss journey, I became obsessive. When you grow up heavy, you get used to the embarrassment of being labeled ‘undisciplined’ or ‘gluttonous.’ Yet after accomplishing dieting success, that shame should be replaced with pride. But for me, it morphed into fear. I feared gaining weight and eradicating the applause I got from the world. Paradoxically, I was also scared of dishonoring my family—they were still heavy. I feared having to replace the new, smaller clothes I bought on my grad-school budget. I feared never having a romantic relationship (I was 22 when I first kissed a guy, now my husband!) These fears dictate how I have lived for more than a decade. I eat pretty much the same things for breakfast, lunch and dinner: some version of lean chicken, fish, egg whites, salad and nuts. (I am no longer a vegetarian.) I swapped food addiction for a serious diet soda dependence and an obsession with mustard and salty seasonings. But at 40, when family and friends look at me funny, I no longer apologize. I own my compulsions. When people try to compliment me on my self-discipline, I look at them with honesty and ask, “If I had self-discipline, don’t you think I would have eaten bread in the last 15 years?”
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Eat Produce and Protein: Some people can get away with tastes of ‘forbidden’ foods, but for me a little turns into a lot quickly.
Exercise: It wasn’t a component of my initial weight loss, because it made me hungrier. But to stave off the middle-aged middle, I move as much as possible.
ED ANTENUCCI
Log It: I use a notebook and record what I eat every day. Apps are popular, but I go old school.
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Schedule Food: I rely on the clock to tell me when to
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eat, not my hunger. I eat small meals every 4 hours.
Swap: While the current thinking is fake sugars are worse than the real stuff, I’d rather have a diet soda or diet jello to relish than nothing at all, when everyone else orders dessert. Accept: I accept other people can indulge without metabolic repercussions in ways I simply cannot.
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Fountains of Youth One of the Earth’s Gifts Mineral Water from its Core By Deborah Burstyn
Hot Springs Resorts in the West tend to be rustic and earthy. Most offer overnight accommodations, but several are close enough to make it a day trip. After a day of soaking in the mineral rich springs, you’ll be relaxed and rejuvenated. ➣
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hot springs
Wilbur Hot Springs 3375 Wilbur Springs Rd, Williams, 530.473.2306, wilburhotsprings.com
x ;X
A two-hour drive north to the Clear Lake area is all it takes to get to Wilbur Hot Springs. Tucked away off a gravel mountain road, there’s no cell service or Wi-Fi here, so print or jot down directions. This remote property is idyllically eco-rustic and a refuge from the noise of everyday life. Cabins and hotel rooms offer airy overnight accommodations. After check in, head down to the hot springs with caution—some guests dip naked. This refuge of contemplation, is not a place for kids. At its heart is big barn-like building with three long and deep troughs of mineral water in varying degrees. Staff adjusts the 148° F temperature emerging from the earth by managing the flow into 98° F, 105° F, and 109° F tubs. Start in the most temperate and work up to the hottest, then finish the experience with a plunge into the icy cold waters of the resort’s swimming pool. DETAILS: Open 10am-5pm daily. Day use includes hot springs, pool, sauna and nature preserve, $59/per person. Rooms run $125 to $250 per night. Reservations required.
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hot springs
Warning #1 A dip in a real hot spring may spoil you for life. Once you’ve immersed yourself into the silky steamy water from the earth’s core, you may never want to set foot in a chlorinated Jacuzzi again. Even if it’s your own.
Warning #2 If you want to experience hot springs, go to a legit resort with temperatures approved for human use. Do not jump into some random hole in the desert. You could end up the bouquet garni in a simmering soup of geothermal minerals and not live to talk about it. Pay the day use fee and be safe.
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hot springs
Vichy Springs 2605 Vichy Springs Road, Ukiah, 707.462.9515, vichysprings.com
x ;X Enroute to Mendocino and an hour north of Sonoma sits Vichy Springs—a family-friendly resort with sprawling lawns, barbecue pits and woodsy hillside cottages. Vichy Spring’s water is technically not all that hot, in fact it’s rather tepid at 90° F. What makes this resort an international destination are its bubbles, believed to be the only naturally warm and carbonated baths in North America. Its mineralized waters flow from a natural source six miles below the earth’s surface, reminiscent in composition to the fabled champagne waters of France and Madagascar. Within moments of immersion—in the massive cast iron tubs from the 1860s used by Ulysses S. Grant, William Harrison, Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Jack London, and Robert Louis Stevenson—millions of tiny bubbles cover the skin creating a peaceful state of tranquility. Lined in a row, the hillside tubs are sunk deep into the ground situated both outside, and inside private cabanas. Big metal stoppers control the water flow, 100 gallons per minute, and fit into drain holes when the tub is full. Pull out the plunger when done and the tub will drain. If soaking in 104° F is more your speed, cold deep mineral waters are heated in Jacuzzi-style hot pool. Then plunge into the Olympic-size pool for a few cool laps and lounge poolside or take a 30-minute hike to the waterfalls. DETAILS: Open 9am to dusk for day use, $60 per person, bathing suits required. Overnight rates run $225-$375 and include a daily breakfast buffet.
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hot springs
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hot springs
Calistoga Hot Springs 1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, 866.822.5772, calistogaspa.com
x ;X
Calistoga Hot Springs, opens its arms to families with a relaxed vibe and affordable pricing. It’s a great place to bring kids, with contemporary kitchenette-equipped rooms and a 90° F baby pool with a gentle waterfall. Although the resort is closed until March for a massive spa renovation, when they reopen plan to spend time in the famed Calistoga mineral waters in one of the four geothermal pools and indulge in a massage or mud bath. Pool temperatures range from 104° F to 80° F. DETAILS: Complimentary day use of pools with purchase of a spa treatment; $25 day use fee for a guest not getting a spa treatment; mud bath $65. Rooms start at $265 per night.
Indian Springs Resort 1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, 707.942.4913, indianspringscalistoga.com
x ;X
Without traffic or wine-tasting stops, the scenic drive up Highway 29 to Calistoga takes only 90-minutes from Walnut Creek. Although many plush resorts dot the gorgeous landscape, Indian Springs Resort stands out for its rare, substantial natural resources, which have inspired a long tradition of healing and renewal. Built in 1910, the centerpiece is an Olympic-sized, mineral swimming pool fed from four onsite geysers, and kept at 102 degrees in the winter. It also features mud baths fed by onsite mineral waters and pure volcanic ash deposits from the eruption of Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Konocti thousands of years ago. A recent multi-million dollar makeover added plush new guest rooms and bungalows plus the property’s first restaurant, Sam’s Social Club. DETAILS: Pool day use available only with purchase of a spa treatment such as a mud bath for $95. Overnight room rates start at $309 per night.
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eat & drink CULINARY TRENDS | FARMER’S MARKET FOUNDER | WHAT’S IN SEASON | RECIPES | DINING GUIDE
FOOD TRENDS BOWLS, CAULIFLOWER, BREAKFAST SANDWICHES AND A FEW OTHER DELIGHTS FOR 2017 ➤
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eat & drink It’s a tricky business picking top food and beverage trends for the New Year. What’s going to stick? What’s not? For the seasoned hospitality team at AF & Co., led by Andrew Freeman, who you may have seen on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listings San Francisco, making the right predictions means a good year. To assure that outcome, AF & Co. brings together a group of topnotch culinary talent, including people like Carolyn Wente, Tonya Pitts and David Miller, to weigh in on the hottest trends of 2017. Here are few food and beverage trends you can expect to see on menus in 2017.
1 DISH OF THE YEAR: THE BREAKFAST SANDWICH
Eggs are going main stream beyond the breakfast table. They’re showing up on dinner menus at fancy restaurants and on top of burgers, crab cakes and other creative preparations. It’s breakfast all the time with eggs stuffed between waffles, bagels and brioche buns.
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BOWLS AND MORE BOWLS Creative vegetarian, grain and noodle bowls, also delicious with meats, are perfect for customizing. Comforting bowls with lemongrass stir fry and organic wild rice, topped with apples, sweet potatoes, chicken, local goat cheese and toasted almonds. Or carrots, spinach, bean sprouts, zucchini, and mushrooms served over rice with protein and topped with an egg. Buddha Bowls and Poke Bowls. Think True Food Kitchen, Mixed Grain and Tender Greens.
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CRAFT BREW AND BARBECUE Catering to millennials and techies, barbecue is booming in ways we haven’t seen before: layered on fries, tater tots and nachos. New restaurants like Sauced in Walnut Creek, dish it up with a big selection of craft beers on tap. Other local spots for some serious suds are Corner’s Tavern and Calicraft Brewing Company.
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CAULIFLOWER IS THE NEW KALE It’s hard to top the ubiquity of everyone’s favorite leafy green,
but cauliflower is right on its heels. Maybe it’s the mild flavor or its comforting, starchy consistency, but we’re devouring this cruciferous vegetable all over the country.
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INGREDIENT OF THE YEAR: CANNABIS Marijuana edibles, cannabis cooking, infused cocktails, cannabis wine, oh my! We can expect to see cannabis-cured lox, brown butter sage marshmallows, shrimp stew, deviled eggs, brittle bars, chocolate, and of course brownies on restaurant menus in the near future.
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eat & drink
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its freezer case. And Mr. Green Bubble and Chalogy recently opened on Locust Street.
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SPRINKLES TAKE THE CAKE From local bakeries to Pinterest boards, the sweets world is exploding with color. Cakes filled with tiny, bright confections are
flooding our feeds, and recipes are shared in major news sources. Think rainbow bagels, sprinkle-dusted fairy toast and bright colored cupcakes.
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SPICY WILL STILL BE HOT From fast-food restaurants to ramen and everything in between. Spicy food is increasingly popular,
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RISE OF VEGGIE KINGDOM Welcome to the future where veggie burgers taste delicious and look so much like beef that they appear to actually bleed. The popularity of vegetables continues to escalate. Look for Veggie Grill and Mooyah to lead the veggie burger revolution.
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MOCKTAILS
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NEW ICE CREAM AGE Maybe it’s the current climate that’s got us seeking new ways to treat ourselves and to indulge in frozen delights. The new Whole Foods Market on Ygnacio Valley Road is dishing up Mochi ice cream sandwiches from
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Getting a modern makeover with fresh-pressed juices, flavored teas, sipping vinegars and muddled herbs and spices. It’s a new take on the Shirley Temple and the next incarnation of soda. Sip them at Lemonade and Lark Creek.
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particularly in international cuisines. Don’t expect this trend to cool down.
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GLOBAL As we become more educated, more understanding of each other, and more invested in traditional culture, we've begun to demand more authenticity in our food. Genuine Filipino, Korean and Japanese food are the new international flavor trends.
what's in season CAULIFLOWER
Northern California’s winter growing season (December 22–March 19) is a well-deserved respite for many farmers, yet it holds just as much delicious produce. Cruciferous crops such as cauliflower, kohlrabi, broccoli, and collards, thrive in the cool, wet, Californian weather. Like its green cousins, cauliflower can be cooked, boiled, pickled, or eaten raw. Although white is the most recognizable of the bunch, cauliflower also comes in orange, green, and purple varieties.
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eat & drink CURRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH GOLDEN RAISINS AND ALMONDS By Lemonade Founder & Executive Chef Alan Jackson Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into florets ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper 1 cup whole almonds, toasted ¼ cup golden raisins ½ cup Curry Vinaigrette (recipe follows) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. Put cauliflower on baking sheet, drizzle with oil. Toss to coat and spread out in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until slightly charred. Put roasted cauliflower in mixing bowl; add almonds and raisins. Toss with curry vinaigrette to evenly coat. Serve dish warm, cold, or at room temperature. Curry Vinaigrette Makes 1 cup 1 cup plus 2 Tbsps. canola oil 1 Granny smith apple, cored, and coarsely chopped 1 small onion, coarsely chopped 2 Tbsps. turmeric 1 Tbsp. curry powder 1 Tbsp. whole grain Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsps. apple cider vinegar Juice of ½ lemon 1 Tbsp. orange juice Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper To prepare curry oil: Place small pot over medium-low heat and coat with 2 Tbsps. of oil. When oil is hot, add apple and onion. Cook and stir until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric and curry, and cook until spices begin to darken slightly, about 1 minute. Pour in remaining 1 cup of oil and stir together. Increase heat and bring oil 58
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to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Strain oil into a container to discard apple and onion. To prepare vinaigrette: Combine mustard, honey, vinegar, lemon, and orange juices in a mixing bowl. Blend with a whisk; season with salt and pepper. Pour in curry oil and whisk until ingredients come together. Pour vinaigrette into a container and shake it up. Dress vegetables with desired amount; keep any leftover vinaigrette in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
ORECCHIETTE WITH CAULIFLOWER AND FRIED CAPERS By Cuesa Farmers' Market Serves 6 INGREDIENTS 1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds),
cut into florets 6 Tbsps. olive oil Salt and pepper 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 3 cloves garlic, minced Large pinch crushed red pepper flakes 12 oz. dry orecchiette pasta ¼ cup capers, rinsed and patted dry 2 tsps. freshly grated lemon zest 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano DIRECTIONS Preheat an oven to 400 ˚F. Place cauliflower in 13” x 9” baking pan and toss with 3 Tbsps. of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast cauliflower until golden and tender, 30 to 40 minutes. In small frying pan, melt butter and cook until golden brown. Remove pan from heat and add garlic, cauliflower, and red pepper flakes. Toss together. Bring pot of water to a boil, add orecchiette, and cook until al dente, 12 to 14 minutes. Warm remaining 3 Tbsps.
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 4 scallions, finely chopped Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp. smoked paprika ½ tsp. dried thyme Breadcrumbs (optional) Sprinkling of finely chopped fresh basil
olive oil in small frying pan until oil ripples. Add capers and cook until crispy, about 1 minute. To serve, drain and toss pasta with cauliflower, capers, olive oil, and lemon zest. Season with salt. Garnish with the Parmigiano. Serve immediately.
COLORFUL CAULIFLOWER LEEK SOUP By Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market INGREDIENTS 1 medium cauliflower (purple, orange, white or a mixture) 2 medium leeks, trimmed and sliced into discs 2 Tbsps. butter 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups milk or plain soymilk 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese Salt & Pepper to taste
CREAMY CHEESY CAULIFLOWER By WCM Reader Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 2 tsps. salt, plus more to taste 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces 1 Tbsp. butter, plus more for the baking dish 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped ½ tsp. chili flakes 1 bay leaf 1 Tbsp. flour 1 ½ C. milk 6 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cauliflower, then boil for 4 minutes. Butter a baking dish large enough for cauliflower. Drain cauliflower and add to dish. Melt butter in a saucepan, add garlic, chili flakes, bay leaf and cook for about 1 minute. Add flour and stir quickly to create roux. Slowly add milk to pot, stirring to make creamy sauce. Continue cooking, until it comes to a boil, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it bubbles, turn off heat and stir cheese into sauce. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add salt/pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf. Pour creamy, savory sauce over cauliflower, sprinkling top with breadcrumbs. Bake until brown and bubbly, about 40 minutes.
DIRECTIONS Break cauliflower into small chunks & add to pot with broth. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Cook leeks until soft. Add leeks to pot with cauliflower broth & simmer about 12 minutes. Remove about 90% of vegetable mixture & puree. Stir back into pot with milk and heat. Stir in cheddar cheese and add cayenne pepper to taste.
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f the advent and proliferation of California’s farmers’ markets can be traced to one person, that person is Gail Hayden. The Walnut Creek native worked with Governor Jerry Brown nearly forty years ago on the implementation of the first farmers’ market model — a conservation measure during the 1977 energy crisis — and she’s been at the forefront of the movement ever since.
California Queen GAIL HAYDEN’S LEGENDARY LEADERSHIP transformed the LOCALLY-SOURCED MOVEMENT by fran miller
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A 1978 graduate of UC Davis with a degree in agricultural economics, and a masters in food marketing from Sacramento State, Hayden was tapped in the late 70’s by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to oversee the Bureau of Marketing. There she reviewed the state’s first organic legislation and helped grow the farmers’ market system from 12 to 170 markets statewide. Today, as Director of California Farmers Markets Association (CFMA), Hayden operates 14 farmers’ markets across the Bay Area from San Jose, Daly City, Mountain View and San Leandro to Morgan Hill, Saratoga, Walnut Creek, Moraga and San Francisco — serving 26,000 Bay Area households. Morgan Hill, with more than 70 stalls, has consistently been ranked as one of the best in the nation. “Gail has shaped a new way for thousands of families to eat fresh, healthy produce,” says Barbara Ambler-Thomas, former CFMA Director of Marketing. “And, she has supported hundreds of family farmers by giving them viable outlets to sell their homegrown fruits and vegetables.” Hayden’s institutional knowledge of the agriculture business and market processes makes her a sought-after guest speaker at international conferences. Having overseen the opening of 40 markets, she knows the economics and dynamics of successful operations and regularly advises on state, county, and city legislation, fruit/vegetable standards, as well as merchandising and sales workshops for her 280 farmer partners and 100 purveyors. “Gail has changed the face of farmers’ markets with her innovative, community spirit,” says Gail Boyar, Director of Hawaii’s Farm Lovers Farmer’s Market. “She has dedicated her career to the betterment of farmers nationally as a leader in agriculture.”
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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
LETTUCE: A salad emporium that loads farm-fresh produce into generously sized classics and creative new inventions. 1632 Locust St., 933-5600, lettuce1.net.
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.
MOOYAH: It’s a franchise with a load of personality. Take your kids
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.
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE: New Yorks, rib eyes and filets are
BUTTERCUP: At this family- run restaurant, it’s all about
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.
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.
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
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.
DENICA’S: There’s a lot to love at this north Walnut Creek
STADIUM PUB: Around for decades, the place is covered in sports
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: This upscale restaurant specializes in fresh sea-
sonal comfort food. Popular dishes Include roasted chicken, tamale pancake and Steelhead salmon. 1360 Locust St., 256-1234, larkcreek.com.
memorabilia and wall to wall TVs. The menu is stuffed with BLTs, hot dogs, burgers and fish tacos. 1420 Lincoln Ave., 256-7302, stadiumpub.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.
HOME OF CHICKEN AND WAFFLES: Classic fried chicken is served moist and tender. Eat it with waffles or something savory like the house grits, biscuits and collard greens. Open until 4am on weekends. 1653 Mt. Diablo, 280-1653, homeofchickenandwaffles.com.
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AMERICAN 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 ahi tuna. 1699 N. California Blvd., 935-3795, thecounterburger.com. 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.
MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE APPETIZER WITH PURCHASE OF ANY ENTRÉE*
ASIAN Reservations: 925/938-8700 2805 Jones Road Walnut Creek, CA 94597 renaissanceclubsport.com *EXPIRES 2/28/17
CHINESE / VIETNAMESE / JAPANESE / THAI 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; vermicelli salad, ginger crab and lemongrass chicken. 1375 N. Broadway, 9382288, lecheval.com.
KACHA THAI BISTRO: An extensive Thai menu goes beyond the basics with dishes like coconut-milk-roasted duck served in a half-pineapple. A chic setting glamorizes the satay, plar, and larb. 1665 Mt. Diablo Blvd., 988-9877, kachathai.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, ocean 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.
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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.
YAN’S CHINA BISTRO: This spicy-food haven makes its pot stickers to order and vegetables crisp. Bestsellers include Singapore noodles, salt & pepper pork chops and Mongolian beef. 3162 Danville Blvd., Alamo, 837-8298, yanschinabistro.com.
CALIFORNIA
Happy hour AT FUEGO TEQUILA GRILL
authentic MEXICAN FOOD ✶ nfl sunday ticket ✶ FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS DAILY
happy hour Mon-Sat, 2-6pm
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.
1359 Locust Street, Walnut Creek (925) 891-4023 fuegotequilagrill.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.
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. 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.
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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.
763
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
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. 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.
LEGENDARY TEX The way it was meant to be.
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.
925-935-1440
100 Coggins Dr., Pleasant Hill backforty.us facebook.com/backforty
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MI CASA: The owners are from Honduras and the menu may fool you. Mildly spiced cuisine mixes tastes of Mexico and Central America. Weekly specials include $2 Taco Tuesday. 2195 N. Broadway, 937-8800, micasa-wc.com.
MID-TO-FAR-EAST Gyros / Greek Salads / Kabobs
Manufacturers of Fresh Homemade Ravioli, Pasta and Sauces
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.
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. 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 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
Find our gourmet products at your local supermarket Enjoy our Walnut Creek Delicatessens 1105 S. California Blvd. 925.939.3838 2064 Treat Blvd. 925.938.2888 Walnut Creek Factory 925.938.1590
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.
SOUTH AMERICAN Peru / Chile / Spain 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.
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best prices in town Locally-Owned for Over 25 Years
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.
Specializing in Bourbon, Whiskey & Vodka Over 500 Labels of Premium Wine T w o Wa l nu t C r e e k Lo c at i o n s
Newell Liquors 1270 Newell Avenue 925-295-0225
Olympic Liquor & Grocery 2400 Olympic Boulevard 925-934-8450
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 54 MINT FORNI: Italian bakery features pizza, focaccia and pastries created from authentic Roman recipes. A flaky croissant filled with rich pastry cream, is intoxicating.1686 Locust St., 476-5844, 54mint.com.
Enjoy a wonderful day in the wine country
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. 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.
WINE TOURS • SAN FRANCISCO TOURS WEDDINGS • BIRTHDAYS • CONCERTS SPORTING EVENTS • AIRPORT • CORPORATE
925-634-7303 finesselimo.com 19 years experience TCP 9438
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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.
on stage a l i v e ly loo k a t bay ar e a t h e a t r e
by kathryn G. McCarty
comedy
drama
With a tiny speck of pixie dust, and a heart full of faith, Playwright J.M. Barrie ventures to Neverland, where nothing is childhood is eternal. Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story of beloved Peter Pan. DETAILS: January 18–February 12, Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, shnsf.com.
Divorcees Mary and Jo don’t trust their friend’s new dentist boyfriend. When his hygienist disappears, the vigilant duo fear impending danger and trade in their wine glasses for spyglasses. It’s Thelma and Louise meets First Wives Club in a hilarious comedy, WOMEN IN JEOPARDY! performed by Center Rep Company under the direction of Michael Butler. DETAILS: January 27 – February 25, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org.
m u si c al
FBI agent Clarice Starling is hot on the trail of serial killer Hannibal Lector in SILENCE! THE MUSICAL, an unauthorized parody of Silence of the Lambs. This irreverent comedy is narrated by a chorus of floppy-eared lambs at a toe-tapping hoe down. Hunter Bell wrote the book, with music and lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan. DETAILS: January 26 - February 25, Victoria Theatre, SF, silencethemusicalsf.com.
singer actor
Feinstein’s at the Nikko partners with Lesher Center for the Arts to bring film star and Bay Area native, JAMES MONROE IGLEHART, to town for a one-night performance. Best known for his work as Genie in Aladdin, Iglehart was praised by the New York Times for the “strength and resilience of his robust baritone.” DETAILS: February 3, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org.
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on stage comedy
Tony Award-winning actor Bill Irwin’s long performance history of works by Samuel Beckett spans decades, including appearances On Broadway with Robin Williams, Steve Martin and Nathan Lane. Irwin brings his exhilarating solo show ON BECKETT, a blend of the actor’s work with his own unique style of clowning. DETAILS: Through January 22, American Conservatory Theatre, SF, ACT-sf.org.
m u si c al
Begin Valentine’s weekend with GHOST THE MUSICAL, a new play adapted from the legendary film starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. Ghost reaches into your heart with its powerful message of endless love. DETAILS: February 10 - March 12, Lesher Center for the Arts, WC, lesherartscenter.org
m u si c al
drama
Role Players Ensemble performs August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize show, THE PIANO LESSON, a powerful drama about siblings who battle over their father’s heirloom legacy. Set in the 1930’s, this stirring drama sheds light on the struggles of the African-American community, and examines the history which shapes lives. DETAILS: February 2-19, Village Theatre, Danville, villagetheatreshows.com.
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary tour of Jonathan Larson’s RENT, the award-winning rock musical that changed American theatre with its universal message of hope and faith against the shadows of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic. DETAILS: February 7–19, San Francisco, shnsf.com.
t h riller
In this Bay Area premiere, a young American couple, enjoying a seemingly perfect ex-pat life in Paris, must answer questions testing the foundation of their relationship in the tense thriller BELLEVILLE. Directed by Amy Herzog, the play examines the role of privilege and the changing view of America overseas. DETAILS: Through January 28, Custom Made Theatre, SF, custommade.org.
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comedy
An all-too-witty playwright discovers his life is imitating art in Aurora Theatre Company’s THE REAL THING. Directed by Timothy Near, this timeless comedy examines the absolute chaos of love and the passions that blur perceptions. DETAILS: January 27 – February 26, Aurora Theatre, Berkeley, auroratheatre.org.
event scene
ARF stars to the rescue XXV1
Tony La Russa and the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) hosted another fabulous evening of entertainment and music at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the event allow ARF to save dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.
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event scene
celebrate john muir Health ! PHOTOGRAPHY BY akim aginsky
1 2 At its 3rd annual gala, “The Beat Goes On,� the John Muir Health Foundation raised $1.8 million to support cardiovascular services. The sold-out gala was attended by more than 700 guests who enjoyed dinner, dancing and a fabulous live auction.
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1. JMH President Cal Knight 2. The event was held at the Concord Jet Center in a private airplane hangar generously provided by the Hofmann Family 3. Mistress of Ceremonies Ann Notarangelo 4. Sophia and George Counelis, MD 5. John Muir Health cardiology physicians and guests 6. Stacy Woodworth and Kathie Woodman
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7. MC Ann Notarangelo, Gala Co-Chair Margie Murphy, Gala Co-Chair Maureen Knight 8. Vita Sechrist, Lauren Seeno, Elizabeth Westbrook 9. Charles Hanson, MD and Susan Hanson 10. More than 700 attendees helped raise $1.8 million to support John Muir Health's Cardiovascular Services 11. Monica Knight and Michael Dempster 12. 60 John Muir Health employees volunteered to help staff the event
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A last look
PEACE
The late 1960s marks a time when thousands of artists, activists, writers and musicians converged on San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury with hopes of creating a new social paradigm. Local bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead were the sounds, and vibrant colors were expressions of the times. In Walnut Creek, Pete Stark, who was President of Security National Bank before his service in Congress, expressed vehement opposition to the Vietnam War by printing checks with peace signs and placing a giant eight-foot-tall neon pink peace sign on his bank at the corner of Newell Avenue and South Main Street. Walnut Creek’s first “public art” on its loftiest building drew frowns from city’s officials, but garnered the city, Pete Stark and his bank national media attention. Today, it’s home to The Agora residential community. —PK *Sources: WC Historical Society and historical perspectives from longtime local residents
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winter 2017
winter wellness
walnut creek magazine