Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : What's Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek This Month?

Friday, March 8, 2024

What's Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek This Month?

The Broadway Plaza

I moved from Fair Oaks, Ca to The Heritage Downtown (THD), Walnut Creek, Ca ( 8 months ago). THD is an Independent living Senior Community a few blocks from the heart of Downtown Walnut Creek. For those of you who are not familiar with Downtown Walnut Creek: Here's from their website:

"Experience the thrill of living in a city that moves to a beat that is uniquely its own-both suburban and urban. Want to spend the afternoon at a local tap room? You can. Want to enjoy a mid-afternoon coffee? Go for it. Want to stroll through an art museum? Bedford Gallery awaits. Grab a quick bite or enjoy a live theatre performance? You can do all of that too. With over 120 restaurants, a host of outdoor festivals, a downtown library and a 16.7 acre park, Walnut Creek Downtown has a unique vibe all its own."

The website features three places: The Broadway Plaza (1), the Civic Park and Library (2) and the Lesher Center for the Arts (3).

1. Broadway Plaza’s open-air shopping center boasts 80 specialty shops and restaurants including Nordstrom, Macy's, Apple, and lululemon plus True Food Kitchen, Boudin, and P.F. Chang's. It’s also home to co-working space Industrious.

2. Civic Park- 1375 Civic Dr. This 16.7 acre park in the middle of downtown is open dawn to dusk and includes two playgrounds, picnic area, a Community Center with seniors’ programs, a library, ice rink (seasonal), Civic Arts Studios and connection to the Iron Horse Trail.

Library-1644 N. Broadway/Lincoln Avenue- The two-story facility, which opened in July 2010, has a large children’s wing and garden, a Teen Zone, a Business and Career Center, a Technology Center, a 16-seat conference room, and four group study rooms. This 42,000 square-foot building includes 600 visitor seats and 94 public computers.

3. The Lesher Center for the Arts is the premier destination for an exceptional arts and entertainment experience in downtown Walnut Creek. First opened in October 1990, the Center now presents more than 900 productions and events each year. More than 350,000 patrons walk through the Center's front doors each year. The Center is owned and operated by the City of Walnut Creek. The mission of the Lesher Center for the Arts is to drive excellence, innovation, and diversity in the arts through performances, exhibitions and educational programming that establish the Lesher Center as the artistic destination for everyone in Walnut Creek and the region.

For Details visit:

https://walnutcreekdowntown.com/about-the-downtown/

So what's coming to Downtown Walnut Creek? The Taste and Toast Wednesday, March 20, 2024

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Walnut Creek as you sample mouthwatering treats from local eateries, sip on refreshing beverages, and explore the charming shops lining the streets.

SPRING FLING FEATURES:

Spring Fling Celebration
30+ Food & Beverage Tastings
Live Music & Entertainment
Starting Location Booths
Fun Activities for Students
Support for Local Schools
Here's a map of THD near the downtown shops and restaurants:

Note: The Downtown neighborhood had about numerous ethnic restaurants, but no FILIPINO restaurant. My daughter Dinah has to drive me to Concord ( Seafood City) for Filipino Food and Delicacies.

Lastly, here's the Walnut Creek Demographics Summary as of 2022.

Population

With 69,809 people, Walnut Creek is the 130th most populated city in the state of California out of 1,573 cities. But watch out, Walnut Creek, because Eastvale with 69,594 people and Yuba City with 69,535 people are right behind you.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest Walnut Creek racial/ethnic groups are White (64.1%) followed by Asian (16.3%), Hispanic (10.4%) and Black( 2.5%).

Median Income

In 2022, the median household income of Walnut Creek households was $129,971. Walnut Creek households made slightly more than Alameda households ($129,917), Knightsen households ($128,750), Somis households ($128,750), and Guinda households ($128,750) . However, 3.9% of Walnut Creek families live in poverty.

Median Age

The median age for Walnut Creek residents is 47.2 years young.

Here's a list of the top ten Ethnic Restaurants in Walnut Creek

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Ethnic+Restaurants&find_loc=Walnut+Creek%2C+CA

Personal Note: Please return the activity survey to the front desk ASAP. Let THD management know what kind of activities you like. I suggest the Philippines for our Travel Series in June to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month.

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.