The holidays are hectic enough without searching for that elusive parking place. If you’re headed to downtown Walnut Creek, however, relax—help is on the way. City and business leaders are taming the holiday traffic Grinch with a multi-faceted program they’re calling “Stress Free Holiday Parking.”
The idea is to make it easier for people to get out of their cars as quickly as possible so they can enjoy all the area has to offer. Want to know where the parking is before you leave home? Check out the colorful Holiday Parking Guide at www.walnut-creek.org.
New easy-to-read signs point the way to parking, and extra valets are being hired to ferry cars to nearby lots. There will even be special “crossing guards” during peak shopping hours at the intersection between Il Fornaio and PF Chang on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
Once the car is parked, hop onto the Free Downtown Trolley (Route 4) that circles past shops and restaurants, the Lesher Center for the Arts and Walnut Creek BART (hint: the Trolley’s route is on the Holiday Parking Guide.) To make it easier for evening outings, the Free Trolley’s hours are being extended until 10 p.m. Nov. 27 – Dec. 12; until 11 p.m. Dec. 14 – Dec. 23, and until 10 p.m. Dec. 26 – Dec. 31. Sunday service ends around 7 p.m. And don’t forget! Many shops and restaurants offer free validation for City-owned garages.
To plan where to go and what to do before hitting the road, check out www.thinkcontracosta.com. In addition to Walnut Creek, the jazzy new website highlights amenities and activities throughout the San Ramon Valley and central Contra Costa.
For those who dream of Winter Wonderland, “Walnut Creek on Ice” returns to Civic Park through Jan. 18. Back for its fifth year, the ice rink offers a bevy of special programs and classes, as well as everyday fun for all ages. It will remain open through Jan. 18. For hours and other information, go to at www.iceskatewalnutcreek.com or call (915) 935-7669.
And what holiday season would be complete without the Tiny Tim reminding us of the importance of appreciating every day? Tiny Tim, along with Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future, return to Walnut Creek when Center REPertory Co. presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” at the Lesher Center for the Arts Dec. 10-20. Call (925) 943-7469 or go to www.centerREP.org.
Here’s to a “Stress Free” season!
Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: 925-943-SHOW (7469)
Thru 11/21: Witness for the Prosecution Center REPertory Company
11/20 – 11/21: Apollo, Fete for Three, Coppelia Diablo Ballet
11/27 – 11/28: The Christmas Ballet, 2009 Edition Smuin Ballet
Thru 11/28: Bad Girls of Broadway Nile Company, Inc.
11/15: All-Russian Delights Diablo Symphony
11/15: East-West Musical Bonanza Bay Area Performing Arts
11/17: Rethinking Wellness: Sleep Heals, Health Medicine Forum
11/29: Michael Essington’s Broadway: A Tribute to the Superstars of Broadway Broadway Dreams Productions
12/01: Celebrate the Holidays with the Walnut Creek Concert Band
12/03 – 12/05: Story of the Nutcracker Contra Costa Ballet
12/05: Suhaila Belly Dance Certification Performance Level 4 Suhaila International
12/10 – 12/20: A Christmas Carol Center REPertory Company
12/11 – 12/19: Whiskers! Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre
12/12 – 12/20: Singalong Down Memory Lane, Hero Theatrical Productions
12/18 – 12/20: The Biggest Gift Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble
12/20: Voices of the Season…A Multi-Ethnic Celebration VoenaWalnut Creek Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 8 AM to 1 PM on Civic Dr. by Civic Park.Walnut Creek Tennis Club (WCTC) for Adult Singles:
Tue/Thur nights. Sat/Sun AM. Free club and “drop-in” tennis.
2.5 – 3.5 level players. Rusty OK. Coed. All ages. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wctc/Bay Area Single Christians (BASC)
Free online social group for Christian singles, all ages. Many events (social, spiritual, sports) throughout the Bay area.
Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bascsingles/11/12 – 01/18, 11 am – 10pm: Walnut Creek on Ice will return to historic Civic Park. Info: (925)935.SNOW (7669) www.iceskatewalnutcreek.com
11/21, Saturday, & 11/22, Sunday 10am -6pm: Semi-Annual Sidewalk Sale in downtown Walnut Creek (925)933-6778
11/27, Friday 6pm: Holiday Tree Lighting at Civic Park Sing carols and meet Santa Claus! Info: (925) 933-6778.
12/13, Sunday, 3pm: Sierra Chamber Society’s Concert featuring members of the San Francisco Symphony (C.P.E Bach: Trio Sonata in G Major, Ravel: Rhapsodie Espagnole, Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 18, No.6). Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. Info: 925-930-8880 www.sierrachamber.com
ALIVE IN WALNUT CREEK
GAYLE VASSAR, Community Relations Manager