Thanks to organizers, participants, exhibitors, and attendees, the 3nd annual all-community Made in the Shade summer festival was a huge hit, drawing thousands of people from around the region for an afternoon of fun in the sun and shade.

The Shadelands SportsMall, 2640 Shadelands Drive, was the place to be on Sunday, June 25, as families and friends enjoyed multiple exhibitor booths showcasing Shadelands businesses and nonprofits, sports activities and demonstrations, food trucks, local favorite Calicraft microbrews, and crowd-pleasing live music.

Food trucks, live music, and plenty of sun and shade greeted visitors to Made in the Shade.

Made in the Shade was sponsored by the Shadelands Steering Committee in association with the Shadelands SportsMall.

Contra Costa County Fire's Project Pink Wheels, a decommissioned firetruck designed to show support for all those touched by cancer, was a hit with young and old alike.

Visitors lined up for their sports activity wristbands at the registration table.

Rohan Murphy Irish Dance Academy joined more than 25 businesses and nonprofits showcasing their products and services at Made in the Shade, although Mackenzie, in pink, was the only exhibitor in Irish dance shoes.

A bright blue sky and a cool summer breeze were the order of the day.

Thirty members of EncoreGym’s Performance Teams, ages 8 to 26, are in for a once (or twice)-in-a-lifetime experience. They're traveling to Amsterdam this month for the 2023 World Gymnaestrada, a performance-only, non-competitive event held every four years, the largest global gymnastic event in terms of attendance.

Accompanied by more than 40 family members and Encore staff, Encore's Performance Teams will be joining 40,000+ gymnasts representing more than 50 countries, which adds an Olympics feel to the event, without the competition or medals.

“EncoreGym is a gymnastics and performance organization only, with no competition component," says Melodee Terry, Encore's Performance Team Director. "And our performance teams are designed to entertain and to showcase our gymnasts' talents and skills. Every athlete—no matter age, size, shape, height, or ability—is invited to be a part of our teams."

The Encore teams attending Gymnaestrada are a mix of skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Melodee and the other three coaches—Caroline Allore, Virginia Kelley, and Mary Anne Isenbarger—developed a 9:30 routine that allows all athletes to participate in the performance, an artistic and athletic blend of dance, acrobatics, climbing, tumbling, and “kids flipping and flying about” set to music.

"Some kids who would not be chosen to be on a competitive team are amazing athletes," says Melodee. "We watch these kids perform, working so hard, fine tuning their performances, taking it to the next level. We're all thrilled to take this routine to the international stage!”

Encore Gym

2636 Shadelands Drive

Walnut Creek

925.932.1033

Encore's Performance Teams work together, demonstrating trust, as well as balance.

2023 World Gymnaestrada

Amsterdam | July 27–August 6



One of the gymnasts' signature moves is the human tree wall.

Ages 8 through 26 participate in Encore's Performance Team routines.

The Bank of America Shadelands branch officially opened its doors on Monday, June 5, having moved from its previous location across the street in the Citrus Center shopping center. Sharing space with Bank of America is Merrill Lynch.

The Shadelands Scene has been following the construction of the new BofA branch since October 2020, when we reported on the demolition of the abandoned HMS Endeavor restaurant in preparation for the construction of a professional services business.

Bank of America

2153 Oak Grove Road

Walnut Creek

925.948.2096

As the property was cleared and
improved, and as construction on the one-story, 8,014-SF, purpose-built building continued, we brought you updates and photos of its progress.

Happy to welcome Bank of America to the Shadelands community!

The love was flowing for Calicraft Brewing Co. at the June 8 Walnut Creek Planning Commission meeting. Calicraft and developers for the proposed SecureSpace self-storage facility were making their second appearance before the commission, seeking approval of Calicraft's expansion plans and SecureSpace's new construction project. [The Shadelands Scene, June 2023]

The Council Chamber in City Hall was near capacity with avid fans and supporters of Calicraft, known for its California-inspired microbrews; food trucks; and family-friendly events.



After more than an hour of reports and enthusiastic public comment in support of Calicraft and SecureSpace, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the project.

Cheers, applause, handshakes, and hugs ensued.

A few steps remain through the County, the City's Design Review Commission, and public service agencies before the long-awaited redevelopment can begin, but this was a major step forward.

The Shadelands Scene will continue to follow construction of Calicraft's re-imagined brewery and community meeting place.

Watch the June 8 Planning Commission meeting with staff reports, public comment, and vote.

Calicraft Brewing Co.

2700 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.478.8103

Claudia Wentworth, current co-owner of the 2700 Mitchell Drive property, spoke in support of the project and prospective buyers.

Calicraft owner Blaine Landberg called in from out of the country at 3am his time to thank the City and his staff and fans for their support of his life's work to create a place that has meaning to the community.

The former QuickMount PV building standing on the 7.8-acre property site at 2700 Mitchell Drive, adjoining Calicraft on the east side and vacant since 2019, will be coming down to make way for a SecureSpace Self Storage facility, which will include a new three-story self-storage building and a one-story detached leasing office for the storage facility.

The developer, InSite Property Group, is also responsible for redeveloping

Calicraft brewery, taproom, and beer garden. Both components of this project were part of the Planning Commission's June 8 public hearing and vote to approve.

The Shadelands SecureSpace project also includes development of a dog park, enhancements to the existing community garden, and a revamp of the parking area to provide sufficient on-site parking for storage and microbrewery users.

As with the Calicraft component, a few steps remain through the County, the City's Design Review Commission, and public service agencies before construction begins.

Artist's rendering of the planned three-story SecureSpace Self Storage facility on Mitchell Dr.

Shadelands SecureSpace

Self Storage

2700 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

Artist's rendering of the planned one-story SecureSpace Self Storage leasing office.

The final vacant parcel of land in The Orchards, 43,264 square feet in size and adjacent to Mike Hess Brewing, is slated to be the home of Primrose Preschool, providing early education and care for children and families.

The 12,836-SF preschool will operate M–F, 6:30am–6:30pm, and will offer childcare services for children ages six months to four years. The project also includes landscaping, lighting, and outdoor play areas.

The school's entrance will face The Orchards' interior parking lot, west, toward the stairs leading to the shopping center's second level. The rear of the school property will be play areas, fronting Oak Grove Road, with secured fencing all around.

The project has been approved by the Design Review and Planning commissions, and is moving forward with all entitlements in place. After additional steps, including a review of construction plans for compliance, the building permit is expected to be issued.

As construction activity begins on this project, The Shadelands Scene will be there to share news and updates.

Find more information about the Primrose Preschool project on the Development Projects page.

Primrose Preschool

at The Orchards

Coming to

2291 Oak Grove Road

The Orchards at Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek

Artist's rendering of the front entrance of Primrose Preschool, coming to The Orchards.

Adjacent to Mike Hess Brewing, the last vacant parcel in The Orchards is the future site of Primrose Preschool.

From basic manners for a range of canine ages to specialty classes, Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) has a variety of fun, transformative group training classes that enhance the bond between people and their dogs while teaching dogs how to behave when around others.

"Dog training is important in the development of a well-rounded and confident dog," says Alex Mikesell, ARF's public dog trainer. "By training with your dog, you are building a bond with your pup that will last a lifetime, as well as creating a dog who can relax and be well-mannered both in the house and outside."

ARF offers a wide variety of classes, including:

Puppy Socials allow pups 45 minutes of supervised fun with other puppies 8–18 weeks old, teaching young, impressionable pups valuable play skills and bite inhibition.

Reactive Rover is for dogs who bark and lunge when they come across people or other dogs when out in public. Training focuses on calmly dealing with triggers, maintaining control, and keeping everyone safe.

Rally is an AKC dog sport that focuses on the dog and handler as a bonded team, navigating through a course of signs and commands while sharpening the dog's obedience skills.

Animal Rescue Foundation

2890 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.256.1273

Visit ARF Training & Workshops to learn about all group training classes and private consultations.

Downtown History

Walking Tour

Saturday, July 8 | 9am

The Walnut Creek Historical Society offers docent-led downtown history tours on the 2nd Saturday of each month, March–October., $5/person, which includes a free informational tour booklet with photos of historic buildings. This easy, 60–90-minute walking tour on city sidewalks brings to life the early times and growth of what has become a San Francisco Bay Area destination city. Tickets.

________

A Night of History & Wine at Shadelands Ranch Museum

Thursday, July 13 | 5–7pm

Enjoy an evening touring the Shadelands Ranch Museum while sipping wine and listening to a presentation, The Timeline of the Valley:1834–1955. Entry price includes wine tasting and light appetizers. Tickets.

________

Shadelands Summer Market

Sunday, July 30 | 10am–3pm

Set among the groomed gardens of the historic Shadelands Ranch Museum, the annual Shadelands Summer Market is a free, family-friendly, open-air market featuring more than 80 vendors offering locally produced arts and crafts and artisanal foods, as well as vintage and one-of-a-kind treasures from the Ranch Museum's antique and historical collections. 

Walnut Creek

Historical Society

Shadelands Ranch Museum

2660 Ygnacio Valley Road

Walnut Creek

925.935.7871

Shadelands leadership would like to know what you think and how you feel about Shadelands.

Please visit ShadelandsSurvey.com and complete a brief survey about Shadelands and how the business and lifestyle center can better serve your needs and expectations.

For your participation, your name will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a $500 gift card!

Thank you for your participation!

To enter the drawing for a chance to win the gift card without completing the survey, mail your name, phone number, and mailing address to:



EMC Research Surveys

720 3rd Avenue, Suite 1110

Seattle, WA 98104