The Shadelands Scene
Your place for community news, updates, and insights
BIG NEWS COMING FROM MUIR ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS!
Muir Orthopaedic Specialists (MOS), OrthoNorCal, and Webster Orthopedics—three leading Bay Area physician-owned orthopedic groups—are uniting to create Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (GSOS). The name change becomes effective January 1, 2022.

Headquartered in Shadelands, MOS "will go from a group of 30 plus orthopedic doctors to more than 60 as a part of GSOS,” says Tomi Barton, Marketing & Communications Manager for Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

“As Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, we’ll go from MOS having facilities in five East Bay cities to GSOS having 19 service locations in 11 cities around the Bay Area, leveraging our collective expertise as physicians, managers, and business executives.

"This is good news for patients, who will benefit from greater accessibility to exceptional orthopedic care, medical services, and technologies.”

Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, which will remain 100% physician-owned, will be the third largest orthopedic group in the Western United States, with a staff of about 550 employees.

“This uniting ushers in a new era for the three orthopedic practices and the patients we serve," says Tomi.

"Golden State Orthopedics & Spine gives us the scale and resources to be a leader in the industry and to stay at the forefront of orthopedic services and patient care.”

Click here for the Becoming Golden State Orthopedics & Spine video. Click here for the full press release.

Visit the announcement landing page here; the company website goes live January 1, 2022.
Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, OrthoNorCal, and Webster Orthopedics are uniting to create the Bay Area super group:
Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, Redwood Building. A bright future awaits MOS when it becomes Golden State Orthopedics & Spine.
2625 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek
925.939.8585
Tomi Barton, MOS Marketing & Communications Manager. The GSOS team will use video to help educate patients and referring doctors about the change of name.
Congratulations to Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, OrthoNorCal, and Webster Orthopedics!
'TIS THE SEASON AND THE ORCHARDS IS CELEBRATING!
The Orchards at Walnut Creek is partnering with Valle Verde Elementary School in Walnut Creek to support the school’s Art Docent Program—and you can join the fun. The Orchards is currently hosting a Celebration of Art with a Children’s Art Walk leading up to the big one-day Holiday Shop, Dine & Donate on Tuesday, December 7, featuring professional chalk artists, a 2D interactive photo backdrop for holiday selfies, merchant drawings for gift certificates, and more.

Come to The Orchards on Tuesday, December 7, to shop and dine. Mention “Valle Verde” during your purchases at participating merchants, and a percentage of those sales will be donated to Valle Verde PTA to support arts education benefiting every student TK—5th grade.

Art is essential to the elementary school experience, helping children develop creativity, motor skills, confidence, discipline, decision making, risk-taking, and open mindedness, says Sarah Foster, Valle Verde PTA. "With the vital donation and arts event, our art program will be fully funded this year. We are incredibly grateful for The Orchards/TRC's commitment to giving back to youth in the community."

“We want the community to get back out and enjoy the holidays," says Audrey Rhoads, head of marketing for The Orchards. “Children have so much talent and imagination, and that creativity is sparked through arts education. We're thrilled to host this very special event!”
Displayed by classroom, artwork on the Children's Art Walk reflects each student's interpretation of artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, and Keith Haring.

Holiday Shop, Dine & Donate
December 7 | All day

Children's Art Walk
Now–December 7

At the corner of
Ygnacio Valley & Oak Grove Roads
Walnut Creek
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SAVING LIVES
The 30th anniversary is a milestone for any nonprofit. For Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)—with one of the greatest origin stories in the history of nonprofits—it’s more than that, according to Erin Thompson, ARF Marketing Manager.

“More than the number of years, for us it’s about the number of animals we’ve saved since our founding in 1991. We hit another milestone this year: We’ve rescued 45,000 dogs and cats who have been given a second chance in life and who have found homes through ARF.”

Tony and Elaine La Russa, longtime animal lovers, founded ARF with a core mission to help at-risk dogs and cats languishing in public and municipal shelters who had nowhere else to go. From this central purpose, ARF has expanded its operations over the past 30 years to include a host of animal advocacy and health & welfare services including humane education, training and workshops, veterinary care, foster programs, Pet Hug Pack®, and the Pets and Vets Program.

“Our programs are geared toward helping people discover the benefits of the unconditional love and companionship of a pet,” says Erin. “Pets give us purpose, balance, and a reminder to live in the moment. There is great joy in the human-animal bond. That's why our message is People Rescuing Animals . . . Animals Rescuing People®."

With humble beginnings run by volunteers in a donated storefront, ARF has grown to a staff of 80 employees, with 600 volunteers and 300 foster volunteers. In 2003, ARF moved into its national headquarters, a 37,700-SF facility in Shadelands at the corner of Mitchell Drive and Oak Grove Road.

In 2021, ARF completed an expansion of its campus, including the 7,893-SF Engelstad Pets and Vets Training Center, a new 4,917-SF animal care wing, an expanded veterinary clinic dedicated to veterans and their pets, and a solar array.

"We’ve grown so much the past 30 years, but we know there’s still so much good to be done," says Erin. "We're excited for the future because the possibilities for helping animals and helping people are endless.”

Click here to watch ARF's terrific anniversary timeline video.

Happy 30th, ARF!
2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.256.1273
Saving animals since 1991.
Erin Thompson, ARF Marketing Manager, with Cranberry.
Learn the story behind this iconic photo.
HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAY SALE, CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ARTS
The Center for Community Arts will host its annual two-day Handcrafted Holiday Sale showcasing handmade ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, prints, and much more, all created by Community Arts students and teaching artists.

A portion of the sales will benefit Center for Community Arts, the Clay Arts Guild, and the Community Arts Foundation.

Shadelands Art Center
111 N. Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek

Saturday, December 4
10am–5pm

Sunday, December 5
10am–3pm
FOOD DRIVE DECEMBER 16, KAIPERM CREDIT UNION
Kaiperm Credit Union is hosting a Drive-Thru Food Drive on Thursday, December 16, 2–4pm, at its Shadelands branch, 325 N. Wiget Lane. You'll find the big Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa truck in the parking lot with plenty of volunteers ready to grab donations of non-perishables from trunks and back seats to keep everyone safe.

The gift-giving season is a good time to remember those in need of something as basic as food.

Please consider picking up a few extra non-perishables the next time you make a grocery run, and then visit Kaiperm on December 16 to help keep the food pantry shelves stocked and our hungry neighbors fed.

Suggested items:

• Tuna
• Rice, Beans
• Peanut Butter
• Bottled Water
• Mac & Cheese
• Snack Cups, Snack Bars
• Pasta, Pasta Sauce (no glass)
• Canned Proteins, Fruits, Veggies
325 N. Wiget Lane, Suite 130
Walnut Creek
925.939.5626
Drive-Thru Food Drive
Thursday, December 16
2–4pm
To benefit
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa
HOLIDAYS AT SHADELANDS
The Holiday Craft Faire, hosted by the Walnut Creek Historical Society, has been a seasonal tradition at the Shadelands Ranch Museum since 1983. During this two-week event, the historic 1903 ranch house overflows with handcrafted items and gifts offered by dozens of artisans and vendors. Admission and parking are free.


2660 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek

Daily | Now–December 12
10am–4pm
TOYS FOR TOTS DROP-OFF,
COPA STC
This holiday season, COPA Soccer Training Center (STC) is participating in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program through the local Marine Corps Reserve Center in Concord.

Collecting and distributing toys to children in need since 1947, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children annually.

Want to put a smile on a child's face?
Drop off new, unwrapped toys for youth up to age 16 at COPA STC in Shadelands. There are two donation boxes located in the lobby.

The Toys for Tots Program is running now through December 10.
Toys for Tots
Now–December 10

2640 Shadelands Drive
Shadelands SportsMall
Walnut Creek
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ARTS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO!
Join Center for Community Arts back in the studio for Winter 2022 classes. Registration opens online Wednesday, December 1, 9am, and classes begin Monday, January 10, 2022.

Explore ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, glass, jewelry, weaving, sewing, music, yoga, theater, dance, culinary arts, and more.

Check out all upcoming classes here.

Scholarships are available for those who qualify. Learn more about financial aid and apply here.
Shadelands Art Center
111 N. Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek
925.943.5846
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Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.*

The Shadelands Scene Team is grateful for your readership and help in sharing the good news of Shadelands this past year. We look forward to continuing to bring you meaningful stories, profiles, and updates that showcase the diversity, vitality, and innovative spirit of the Shadelands community. Best wishes for joyful holidays, however you celebrate!


*William Arthur Ward
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