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August 2022
Vol 6: Issue 8
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The Shadelands Scene
Your place for community news, updates, and insights
Visit Shadelands.org
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WALNUT CREEK EXECUTIVE PARK UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP |
The 27-acre Walnut Creek Executive Park (WCEP), spanning several addresses along Shadelands Drive, Mitchell Drive, and Oak Grove Road, is now under new ownership having been purchased by California Capital & Investment Group (CCIG), a Bay Area full-service commercial real estate firm.
The 12-building campus features landscaped grounds with paths and bridges connecting well water ponds, streams, and fountains set among its two- and three-story office buildings, built in the 1970s and 80s.
The 450,000-SF property is home to large tenants such as Kaiser Permanente, Republic Services, Sherwin-Williams, and Easterseals Northern California, as well as more than 70 small- to mid-size businesses, including Z's Cafe, a Shadelands favorite.
Longtime Senior Property Manager Amy Callaghan and her team are staying in place and looking forward to working with CCIG on exciting—and much needed—property and infrastructure upgrades, and tenancy enhancements.
Some building renovations, the installation of low- and high-speed EV charging stations, and greening the property by transitioning turf to more drought-tolerant landscaping are just a few of the items on that list.
WCEP already offers a fitness center and conference facilities for use by tenants for free. Additionally, the ample free parking, high-speed fiber, abundance of power available to tenants, nearby medical and sports facilities, and shopping and dining at The Orchards, just steps away, make WCEP a smart place to locate or expand a business.
"Owners Len Epstein and Phil Tagami have been working closely with the City of Walnut Creek, the Chamber of Commerce, and local community leadership to learn what their goals are for the Shadelands area—the ultimate goal being to more fully utilize our buildings and property and to attract the tenants that will help CCIG advance its vision," says Amy.
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Walnut Creek Executive Park's signature fountain as seen from Oak Grove Road. |
Walnut Creek Executive Park
Management Office
2820 Shadelands Drive
Suite 120
925.938.8171
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Landscaping is a major feature of WCEP. |
With the recent purchase by CCIG, the management team is now focused solely on the WCEP property, "and the tenants will benefit from that single focus," says Amy, who enjoys a close working relationship with her tenants.
"Our maintenance staff is beloved by our tenants, which helps to make this place a joy to come to every day," says Amy. "We're all fortunate to be working with each other and to be working with the people and businesses who make up this campus. This is a great group of people and businesses to come to work for—and with."
Look for rebranding throughout WCEP as the CCIG logo makes its appearance.
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KAISER PERMANENTE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN SHADELANDS |
Kaiser Permanente Diablo recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Park Shadelands Medical Offices with a lively employee scavenger hunt and lunch.
“This anniversary gave us an opportunity to shine a light on what makes Park Shadelands really special, which is our people and their dedication and commitment to each other and our members,” says Julie Sher, assistant medical group administrator. “We are fortunate to work in such a beautiful setting and to have such wonderful people who work together to support each other.”
When Park Shadelands opened its doors in April 1992, there were fewer than ten physicians practicing at the site. Now there are 80 physicians and about 350 staff members spread across four buildings.
“Here in Walnut Creek, even with so many people, Park Shadelands feels more like a small town,” says Site Director Mike Maddox. “People really get to know each other, and there’s a lot of interaction and cooperation between the departments.”
Over the years, Park Shadelands has grown to feature 22 departments including adult and family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, occupational health, rehabilitation services, allergy and dermatology clinics, and Kaiser Permanente Diablo service area’s largest eye care center, which offers ophthalmology, optometry, and optical sales.
Many physicians and staff have spent long career years at Park Shadelands, including a few 30-year veterans, who shared stories at the celebration.
“What you hear over and over from those who work at Park Shadelands is how much they value the family-like atmosphere,” says Pei Casas, MD, physician site lead and adult and family medicine chief for Park Shadelands. “People step up and help each other whenever they need it.”
“Park Shadelands is where I receive my care," says Chris Boyd, senior vice president and area manager of the Kaiser Permanente Diablo service area.
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Park Shadelands Medical Offices
320 Lennon Lane
Walnut Creek
925.906.2000
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Kaiser Permanente Park Shadelands Medical Offices celebrates 30 years at 320 Lennon Lane in Shadelands. |
Healing hands artist Cat Vanbergen (l), an esthetician with 20 years of service at Kaiser Permanente Park Shadelands, poses with her daughter. |
Sequoia joins Yosemite, Lassen, and Shasta as one of four Kaiser Permanente buildings on the Park Shadelands campus. |
"With every visit, the upbeat attitude from the physicians and staff are a strong indication of the pride they all have in this medical complex. It’s a special place, and we are all deeply grateful for the commitment to service and quality care that’s delivered every day.” |
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A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS AT VIAMONTE |
Viamonte at Walnut Creek opened its doors to residents in December 2020, welcoming them to their new homes at the state-of-the-art development of Sequoia Living, the first life plan community in Contra Costa County.
Two of Viamonte's showcase amenities are its courtyards and robust gardens, designed and built in raised beds by landscape architects and now lovingly tended to in great part by a group of Viamonte residents who enjoy getting their hands dirty.
The Viamonte Garden Group, led by resident Lon Shapiro, who owned a landscape company for 50 years, is responsible for the gardens and raised beds of Harmony, a roomy, peaceful, and meditative courtyard with tables, chairs, and umbrella—areas for relaxing with family, friends, and nature.
The second courtyard, The Commons, is the main social area with dining, bocce ball, bbqs, and fire pits among gardens tended to in general by Viamonte's groundskeepers.
Harmony, however, is the playground of the twelve members of the garden group, with planting opportunities to do as they please.
Starting with five raised beds of fill and little else, the group has created a garden of delights for all to enjoy, mixing and matching fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs throughout the courtyard—planting, watering, pruning, and harvesting.
Residents will find blueberries, zucchini, eggplants, artichokes, tomatoes, peppers, chives, and herbs of all kinds.
Pointing to one corner of a raised bed, Garden Group member Laurie Reich says, "What was all artichokes a short while ago is now all zucchini. Last year we planted fruit trees—peaches, nectarines, plums, quince, fig, lime, and Meyer lemons. And this year's harvest has been amazing."
In addition to fruits and vegetables, the group has added roses and giam to the mums, marigolds, dahlias, aeoniums, and lavender, all of which bring the welcomed bees, butterflies, and humming birds.
"This is an evolving garden, as gardens are," says Laurie. "We’re so proud of what the whole group has accomplished and what we continue to do as we tend to more beds in Harmony, adding variety to the garden, and creating places of beauty for all our residents to enjoy.”
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The Commons courtyard and garden is the main social area with dining, bocce ball, bbqs, fire pits, and big screen TV. |
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2801 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek
925.231.8718
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Viamonte Garden Group members (l-r) Lon Shapiro, Sally Doherty, and Laurie Reich |
Fruit trees planted among vegetables and flowers add variety, color, and pop to Harmony Courtyard. |
The Viamonte Garden Group started with five beds of fill and no fixed irrigation. |
With green thumbs, enthusiasm, and a sense of adventure, the Viamonte Garden Group brings the Harmony gardens to life. |
Lush gardens grow in Harmony offering beauty and bounty for the residents of Viamonte. |
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DEL MONTE CEO NAMED SOMEONE TO KNOW
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In the June 30, 2022, issue of San Francisco Business Times, five people in Walnut Creek were named "people to know." Recognized as one of those people to know is Greg Longstreet, President & CEO of Del Monte Foods, Inc., located on North Wiget Lane in Shadelands for more than 50 years.
The SF Business Times spotlights Greg's storied career in the packaged food industry, having been tapped as Del Monte CEO in September 2017 after serving in executive roles at Dole and Hormel, among other companies.
Greg has led climate initiatives to reduce water usage at Del Monte farms and launched a line of upcycled products, which helps prevent food waste by canning excess produce. He also led Del Monte into new sales channels such as food service and convenience, along with new markets in Latin America.
Congratulations Greg Longstreet, President & CEO, Del Monte Foods.
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205 North Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek
925.949.2772
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Del Monte Foods, Inc., President & CEO Greg Longstreet |
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Joozi Juicery is ready to quench your thirst and energize your body.
Located at the Shadelands SportsMall opposite the entrance to American Swim Academy, Joozi is a gathering place for children and adults, offering healthy and refreshing all natural pure juices, blended juices, and smoothies in a variety of combinations of flavors and ingredients.
Tamara Gerlach, co-owner of Encore Gymnastics with Virginia Kelley, is co-owner of Joozi Juicery with her husband and business partner Mark Hall.
Being a part of the sports industry, Tamara knows the importance of fresh, nutritious, and delicious choices, particularly when people are looking for easy, on-the-go options.
In addition to juices and smoothies, Joozie offers healthy snack alternatives sourced locally from nearby farms and agricultural vendors.
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Shadelands SportsMall
2640 Shadelands Drive
Walnut Creek
925.357.8155
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A Joozi associate serves a fresh orange juice blend to a thirsty customer.
Summer hours
Noon-7pm
Monday-Saturday
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SHADELANDS POST ACUTE OPENS FOR PATIENTS & TOURS |
With the opening of Shadelands Post Acute, 2765 Mitchell Drive, just east of the John Muir Health Ultimate Fieldhouse, Shadelands has strengthened its position as a destination for innovative and exceptional medical services and technology.
The purpose-built, hi-tech, 59-bed, all private room facility provides 24-hour skilled nursing and short-term transitional care and rehabilitation to individuals who are recovering from surgery or trauma and who need time to heal and recuperate before heading home.
The facility provides clinical care and rehabilitation for common conditions such as joint replacements, to more complex conditions such as stroke, illness recovery, head injuries, heart surgery, and severe fractures with a focus on getting patients home as soon as possible. There will be no long-term care or custodial patients.
In addition to all private rooms, Shadelands Post Acute offers a state-of-the-art therapy gym and an open floor plan with wide hallways to accommodate patient activity and interaction with family, staff, and visitors.
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Large spaces for ease of patient activity. |
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2765 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.448.3782
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All rooms are private, designed for patient comfort and accessibility for medical professionals. |
State-of-the-art therapy gym. |
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THE KEBAB SHOP GRAND OPENING AUGUST 9 |
The Kebab Shop, a modern, family-owned Mediterranean fast casual restaurant is now open and serving up its signature kebabs, salads, and fries to eager customers.
Join The Kebab Shop on Tuesday, August 9, 11am, for its official Ribbon Cutting and get in on the grand opening fun.
The Kebab Shop is open for lunch and dinner, 10:30am to 9pm, seven days a week.
In addition to indoor seating for 40+ diners, the restaurant offers take-out, delivery, and catering.
Check out The Kebab Shop's menu here.
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The Orchards at Walnut Creek
2359 Oak Grove Road
Walnut Creek
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SUMMER ARTS SERIES UNDER THE STARS |
Enjoy a glass of wine and the company of fellow participants while learning new artistic disciplines in one-off workshops for adults led by Community Arts teaching artists.
From the novice to the experienced artist, all levels of ability are welcome and experimentation is encouraged. Register online for each workshop.
August 3 | 6–8 pm
Water Light Public Plaza
August 10 | 6–7:30 pm
Water Light Public Plaza
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Shadelands Art Center
111 N. Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek
925.943.5486
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HAVE A PAWS-ITIVELY GREAT TIME AT YAPPY HOUR, AUG 18 |
Tony La Russa's
Animal Rescue Foundation
Thursday, August 18 | 6–8 pm
Proceeds benefit ARF's lifesaving programs.
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2890 Mitchell Drive
Walnut Creek
925.256.1ARF
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LUCKY WINNER OF THE MADE IN THE SHADE FREE PRIZE DRAW |
Congratulations to Steve Monson of Concord, the lucky winner of the Made in the Shade free prize draw. While enjoying the June 26 festival with his wife, Angie, Steve signed on as a subscriber to the monthly newsletter, The Shadelands Scene, and entered his name in the draw for a chance to win the prize.
Steve's a double winner: Not only did he win a copy of the stunning Mount Diablo, A Story of Place and Inspiration, fine art photography book, but he now gets The Shadelands Scene delivered to his e-mailbox every month, so he'll know what's happening up the street, down the block, and around the corner at Shadelands.
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Congratulations
Steve & Angie Monson!
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ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS:
LENNON LANE, N. VIA MONTE
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This summer, the City of Walnut Creek will be repaving Lennon Lane and a portion of N. Via Monte in Shadelands.
The funding for the project will come from reserves established by Shadelands property owners and which can only be spent within the business center.
Along with the asphalt work slated to begin in early August, additional changes will be made to Lennon Lane, including a pilot project of one-way protected bike lanes.
Watch for updates from the City of Walnut Creek and in future issues of The Shadelands Scene.
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Example of a one-way separated bikeway. |
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