Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: New Shop Opening In Walnut Creek Is Piercing: Reports
And on the Walnut Creek Patch calendar - The Prediabetes Wake Up Call

Greetings Walnut Creek! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Nurse-run ear-piercing studio coming soon to Broadway Plaza
- Will Walnut Creek approve 104 new homes over a downtown parking lot?
- Fire forces longtime downtown Walnut Creek favorite Lettuce to close indefinitely
Also on today's calendar: The Prediabetes Wake Up Call and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 81 and low of 56 degrees.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 80, low: 57.
- Monday: Partly sunny, brisk and cool, with a high of 73 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. New Shop Opening In Walnut Creek Is Piercing: Reports (patch.com) — Walnut Creek shoppers will soon have a new ear-piercing option as Rowan prepares to open at Broadway Plaza in the former Aveda space on Broadway Lane. The nurse-staffed studio will offer lobe and cartilage piercings for all ages, using clinical standards and hypoallergenic jewelry. An exact opening date for the Walnut Creek location has not yet been announced.
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2. Walnut Creek's 8-Story Housing Plan Sparking Intense Attention Tonight (patch.com) — Downtown Walnut Creek's Planning Commission is set to weigh a major mixed-use project tonight that would replace a Mt. Diablo Boulevard parking lot with 104 homes, retail space, and underground parking. Housing advocates are mobilizing supporters, while commissioners will also decide on permits for a new alterations shop and day spa on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
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3. A Berkeley restaurant closes after 6 months, a fire shuts down Walnut Creek lunch spot, and Jerusalem Coffee House breaks to prep legal defense (richmondside.org) — A recent fire has forced popular downtown Walnut Creek lunch spot Lettuce on Locust Street to close indefinitely, though no injuries were reported. The roundup also notes other East Bay restaurant changes, but the biggest impact for locals is losing a longtime go-to for sandwiches, salads, and pasta while owners assess the damage and future plans.
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4. Gas Prices Remain Elevated as August Approaches Record Highs (yubanet.com) — Gas prices in California, including Walnut Creek, remain painfully high as August heads toward record territory, with the state average at $5.63 per gallon. The piece breaks down how California compares with other states, explains crude oil trends, and notes current EV charging costs, giving local drivers context for what they're paying at the pump.
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5. Mental Health Workers Say Algorithmic Triage Is Hurting Patients (prospect.org) — A Kaiser triage clinician at Walnut Creek Medical Center says staffing cuts and growing reliance on AI-driven triage are leaving more local patients frustrated and sometimes waiting weeks for appropriate mental health care. The wider investigation tracks similar concerns across California and Wisconsin, as unions and lawmakers push for stricter rules on how hospitals use algorithms in clinical decisions.
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📸 Around Walnut Creek
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Walnut Creek
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- The Prediabetes Wake Up Call →
FREE LIVE WEBINAR on ZOOM,
10:00 am - Pianist Mira Armij Gill Performs with Violinist Francisco Salazar at St. Paul's in Walnut Creek →
St Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek
7:00 pm - Viva Las Vegas Spectacular Swim Show! →
1750 Heather Dr, Walnut Creek
8:00 pm - Soft Pretzel Making Workshop →
Five Suns Brewing, 626 Main St, Martinez
6:30 pm - Martini Shake Off →
525 Henrietta St, Martinez
6:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Thursday September 3
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Rightsizing for Comfort and Safety →
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Ln, Walnut Creek
11:30 am - Senior Health & Wellness in Our Community: A John Muir Health Overview →
Lafayette Library - Contra Costa County Library, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
10:30 am - Autos of Alamo →
Alamo Plaza Shopping Center, 200 Alamo Plaza, Alamo
4:00 pm - Intro to Creative Dance! →
The Ballet School Performing Arts, 1131 Locust St, Walnut Creek
9:15 am - Bike Family Fest 2026 →
DVC Overflow Parking Lot, 440 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill
10:00 am - Contra Costa Vintage Market Lafayette CA September 2026 →
Vintage Vida, 3581 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
10:00 am - Walnut Creek Garden Club Free Monthly Meeting →
Walnut Creek Elks Lodge #1811, 1475 Creekside Dr, Walnut Creek
9:00 am
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Friday September 11
Sunday September 13
Monday September 14
📣 Walnut Creek Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Walnut Creek PatchAM possible:
- DN Gifts for Life — (925) 775-9337
- Diablo Escapes — (925) 393-7171
- The Dorris-Eaton School — (925) 930-9000
- Downtown Walnut Creek Ace Hardware — (925) 705-7500
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Chewy is the Best!
I ordered some toys for my dog from Chewy using an account I hadn't used in a long time. So long, in fact, I had to correct my profile saying we had… (Nextdoor Foothill) - Stray(?
) cat in Rudgear Estates/Whitecliff Way: Does anyone own this cat? It looks healthy other than the constant squinting which may be a very painful… (Nextdoor Rudgear Estates)
- Sephora posted a job opening for Licensed Beauty Advisor - Part Time in Walnut Creek. Apply here.
- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. posted a job opening for AE - Merchandising Team Leader (Assistant Manager) in Walnut Creek. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Walnut Creek here.
Ok Walnut Creek! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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