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Talk of the Town

Coming Attractions

In with the New

Walnut Creek continues to attract luxury retailers—Neiman Marcus, Apple, Tiffany & Co.—to name a few. Looking for a pulse on the retail market in 2010, we turned to John Cumbelich, principal, John Cumbelich & Associates, the man who has done many of the top deals in town. “The worst is behind us,” says Cumbelich, “Nothing was leasing or selling in early 2009; the market was at a complete stand still. As the year progressed, activity increased and in the fourth quarter of 2009, a pent-up level of activity is letting loose with new deals and offers on the table for many vacant spaces in downtown Walnut Creek.”
“Recent transactions through our firm include a new Tender Greens restaurant opening next spring in the former Forward Motion space on Locust Street; an International House of Pancakes (IHOP) opening on North Main Street(by BevMo) and a portion of the Blockbuster Video will soon open as All Star Medical Supply.”

“We have several other deals on the table for spaces on Main Street, Mt. Diablo and at the Mercer that should be finalized in early 2010. Walnut Creek remains an ‘A’ market,” continues Cumbelich. “While other cities in the County are experiencing severe drops in rent values, ultimately Walnut Creek is holding rents and preserving values. We are starting to see the market normalize.”
Cautious optimism seems to be the position guiding many firms into the new decade.

This and That

Fans of The Gap can soon shop for the whole family in one place when The Gap takes over the entire Pottery Barn Kids store this year. If designer denim is more your thing, True Religion has you covered at their new store in Broadway Plaza. And if trying on all those jeans has you looking for a new gym, check out Snap Fitness. The new 24/7 facility near Lunardi’s in Palos Verdes Mall gives members key card access for late night workouts.

Fly with Me
Here’s one to add to your Valentine’s Day gift list—a luxury flight on the world’s largest airship over the San Francisco Bay. One of only three Zeppelins in the world, Airship Ventures’ Eureka operates out of Moffett Field and Oakland taking up to 12 passengers at a time on smooth graceful flights. The airship’s 180-degree rear observation window and “love seat” span the aft of the cabin. True to its name, this seat is a favorite spot for romantics and has been the site of several mid-air proposals!
Details: Flights start at $199/person. For reservations and schedules, call 650-969-8100 x 111 or go to www.airshipventures.com.

Predictions

If color is any guide, we’re feeling more optimistic in 2010! The Pantone Color Institute, a company that supplies and tracks color for the fashion and home décor industries, selected turquoise as the color of 2010. The shade is inviting and fresh after a tough year and decade. Local fashionistas agree telling us turquoise is coming in for spring.

Speaking of spring, fitness experts say the winter months are the best time to tighten up and take off extra weight before skimpy

clothing season and warm weather returns. According to the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal 2009; 13 (6): 9-16(“Worldwide Survey Reveals Fitness Trends for 2010”) top worldwide fitness trends for 2010 include: Group Personal Training, Pilates, Yoga, Core Training, Spinning, Boot Camp among others.

Looking for a new workout?
This one can save your life. In Krav Magda classes, students throw punches, kick and knee each other in response to an instructor’s quick commands. The Israeli martial art system, Krav Maga (pronounced (Krov Mah-gaw), is a self defense technique based on instinct and hand to hand combat. Students get an intense workout while learning how to incapacitate an opponent during an unexpected attack.
Krav Maga is not a traditional martial art. No katas. No rituals. It is a simple, effective way to teach self-defense in the shortest possible time. And it’s tough. Expect some bumps and bruises along the way. Unlike

other self defense classes that teach ‘three basic moves’ to flee an attacker, Krav Maga teaches you to fight hard and fast so your attacker can’t get up again. Tested on the streets and battlefield, Krav Maga teaches you to take control of the situation and be the aggressor once you are attacked. Plus, it’s an incredible workout. —Erin Lumley
Details: Martial Arts
America/Krav Maga TC,
2262 Oak Grove Rd.,
Walnut Creek (925)932-
9000.

Madame Mayor

Mayor Sue & Dick Rainey - Photography by Tiffany Fong

Eva Leech was the first woman to serve on the Walnut Creek City Council from 1931-1934. (Pictured below with her husband, Dr. Claude Leech, who was the town doctor.) In December, Walnut Creek welcomed Sue Rainey back to the office of Mayor (pictured here with her husband Dick) taking over the helm from Gary Skrel. Rainey is one of the few people in the state to have served as Mayor of two cities—Moraga and Walnut Creek. Her legacy in public service spans over 25 years.
Walnut Creek follows the council-manager form of government, under which the elected City Council establishes policy, develops an overall vision for the city, passes local ordinances, approves the budget and represents the citizens. The City Council hires a City Manager to oversee the daily operations of the city and implement the policies established by the Council. The Mayor performs primarily ceremonial duties, and changes each year at the first Council meeting in December.

Fashion and food inspired hundreds of women at The Blackhawk Museum who gathered for the annual Orinda Women’s Club Festival of Trees benefit luncheon. Sophisticated and fun fashions from Helen Lyall of Vallejo and Bartlett Baron of Walnut Creek highlighted the event which raised funds for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and California Youth Connection.

DiPietro Todd Salon has a reputation for creating hip hot hair. Last year at the Collective V2 salon stylists and educators presented their latest inspirations in shape, color, styling, and technique at Ruby Skye in San Francisco.

Turkey Trot

Hundreds of runners took to the streets last November for the 17th annual Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Turkey Trot. The city-wide fitness event promoting health and wellness raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.