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I recently had the opportunity to join the City Council for a behind the scenes tour of the new BART parking garage, which just opened last week. We have been able to watch the progress of this new project closely from nearby City Hall, and appreciate the community's patience during the construction phase. There's more development to come at that site, with the garage serving as the first project of a mixed-use Walnut Creek Transit Village adjacent to the BART station. It will bring apartments, shops, restaurants and more, part of our commitment to enable more housing near our transit center.
Creating new housing is always a priority in the Bay Area; please see the information below about the City Council's update on Tuesday about new housing legislation, and how it will impact Walnut Creek.
Questions, comments about this Update or anything else? Email me at CMUpdates@walnut-creek.org.
 New restaurant to move into the Lark Creek space
A new German-style pub and beer garden is coming to downtown Walnut Creek, as the City Council has approved a ten year lease that will bring Bierhaus to the location previously occupied by Lark Creek Cafe. The agreement also includes planned facility improvements. Bierhaus currently operates a restaurant in Oakland. The Walnut Creek site is on the first floor of the South Locust Street Garage at 1360 Locust Street. It is expected to open before the end of the year.
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#WalnutCreekWorks: disaster preparedness for small businesses
If you're a small business owner, mark your calendar for April 10, when the City and Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce join forces to host a lunch-and-learn workshop on disaster preparedness for your business.
An emergency or large scale disaster can impact your business by taking a toll on owners, employees, and profits. The good news, however, is that your business can rebound quickly.
To help raise awareness and build resiliency in times of crisis, the cities and chambers of commerce of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Walnut Creek have partnered with the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center to host a lunch-and-learn about how to protect the well-being of your business and employees. The event will take place in Martinez on April 10 from 12-2pm. Speakers include a representative from the Paradise Chamber of Commerce, which has done extensive work to help its business community in the wake of the tragic fires last year; a representative from Lafayette’s Chamber of Commerce; and a representative from the US SBA.
The deadline to register is April 3, and space is limited; RSVP here online.
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2020 Census just around the corner
You'll soon be seeing information encouraging participation in the 2020 Census, the nation's effort every ten years to get a complete count of citizens. This year, there will be a difference, as many households will have an opportunity to respond to the questionnaires online. The importance of an accurate head count can't be understated; federal funding is tied to our population, and the data generated determines redistricting for state legislatures, county boards of supervisors and many city councils. Cities throughout the County will be partnering to support the effort. Find out more about the local process and impacts of the 2020 Census online.
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City Council discusses new state housing legislation
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments created the Committee to House the Bay Area, known as CASA, to tackle the region’s housing crisis. That resulted in the CASA Compact, a 15-year emergency policy package. Twenty of the more than 2,500 new bills introduced at the State Capitol this year are connected to the CASA Compact. At its meeting on April 2, the City Council will hear an update on the new bills and their potential impact on the community. Many of the bills would restrict the City’s ability to control zoning regulations to fit the needs of our community. The City remains strongly in support of increasing affordability and availability of housing, but with local control retained to help respond to the unique needs in Walnut Creek. You can view the Council agenda and specific reports for Tuesday’s meeting online at the public meetings and agendas webpage.
 Creek Cleanup Day: May 11
Save the date as the City and Friends of the Creek are making plans for the 30th Annual Creek Cleanup Day. This year's event will take place on Saturday, May 11. Last year, more than 140 volunteers removed 16 cubic yards of debris and vegetation out of the creek channels in downtown Walnut Creek. Get more details and find out when registration will begin at the Friends of the Creek website.
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Open Your Home
Walnut Creek and Japan's Kita City continue our partnership this summer with an exchange program in August. Twenty Kita City students and local students ages 14-18 will participate Digital Media and Photography classes through the City’s Center for Community Arts. The program is this summer August 5-9. Sign ups are available here. Kita City is looking for host families for the 20 students. Those interested in hosting a Kita City student should contact Ai Takashima, itakashima@iesnet.co.jp. Host families will receive a voucher that can be used towards a class at Center for Community Arts during the Summer 2019 or Fall 2019 quarter (up to $200) for each student they host. Families are welcome to host multiple students.
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 City recognizes 2018 Employees of the Year
Walnut Creek annually recognizes outstanding achievements by our dedicated staff, and this year surprised two team members named "Employees of the Year" for 2018. Code enforcement officer Nancy Templeton and personnel analyst Selena Franklin were nominated by their peers for outstanding work throughout the year. I am proud of the work our City employees do to provide programs and services for Walnut Creek residents, and these two individuals are excellent examples of those who go the extra mile to improve our community and organization. Congratulations Nancy and Selena!
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City to receive national solar energy award
The City of Walnut Creek is receiving a "gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Walnut Creek is the first city in Contra Costa County to achieve the program's highest designation. To receive that recognition, the City made innovative changes to internal processes to reduce the time and money that it takes to install a solar energy system. The City will receive the award at the Council meeting on Tuesday, April 4.
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Broadway comes to Walnut Creek: The Unreachable Stars, Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
Broadway talent Jeremy Stolle (The Phantom of the Opera) arrives at the Lesher Center to perform in The Unreachable Stars on April 4. Presented by the Diablo Regional Arts Association, this show features Jeremy and his friends singing and playing hit Broadway pop and adult contemporary songs, while switching between many different instruments throughout the show. You won't want to miss the incredibly talented team. Budding performers from high school and middle school will enjoy it as well. Tickets available at www.lesherartscenter.org or call 925-943-7469.
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2nd Saturday Spotlight: Shell Ridge Open Space, April 13, 9:00 a.m.
Come explore the beautiful trails and wildlife in Shell Ridge as April's "2nd Saturday Spotlight" goes outdoors to explore open space in Walnut Creek. The 90 minute walking tour will be followed by a visit to the Lakewood neighborhood where the effort to preserve open space in Walnut Creek gained traction decades ago. Visit the 2nd Saturday Spotlight webpage to register and get all the details.
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Youth Art Show: April 9 - May 15
Center for Community Arts will celebrate its youth artists in an upcoming Youth Art Show at Shadelands Art Center. Youth artists include students from our preschool classes all the way up through our teen classes, featuring over 100 artists and over 150 artworks including a “pop up” exhibition of additional student pieces. Join us for the opening reception on Friday, April 12, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Shadelands Art Center.
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Up next at the Bedford Gallery: Tradition Interrupted
Opening reception, April 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Tradition Interrupted explores the methods used by artists to conflate contemporary ideas with traditional art and craft in a range of media, from rugs and quilts to metal and ceramic. After hundreds--and sometimes thousands—of years of crafting and creating, many traditional practices continue to visually define a culture. Merging age-old customs with innovation, the artists in this show redefine or reclaim culturally historic ideas to create hybrid works for our contemporary world. The exhibit runs through June 23.
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Family Yoga at Shadelands, Saturday, April 13
Dance, stretch, breathe and play with your children in a special family yoga class with Ms. Lauren! Families are welcome to stick around after to play and eat lunch together in the backyard. Onsite registration begins at 10:00 a.m., class from 10:30 to 11:15. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring yoga mats for each participant. Suggested $20 donation per family, or pay what you can.
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Celebrate Easter at Boundary Oak Golf Course
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 20, 1:00 – 3:00 pm Bring the family to this free community event featuring a jump house, face painting and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
For more information, please call 925-934-3600 x12
Champagne Brunch Sunday, April 21, 10:30 am – 2 pm
Enjoy a delicious Easter brunch including a carving station and an omelet station, salads, desserts and much more. Prices: $40 Adults, $20 Kids, plus tax and gratuity. Free for children 5 and under with paying adult. Please call 925-934-4775 x20 for reservations.
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