Category Archives: Orinda

Government Reopens After 15 Day Shutdown


APphoto_Budget Battle My Vacation

After 15 days of a government shutdown and on the eve of when the country was set to lose its borrowing authority, Congress passed legislation to fund the government and avert a default Wednesday night.  President Obama later signed the bill, officially reopening the government and allowing federal employees to head back to work.

This means that 401 National Parks & attractions  like Yosemite, Muir Woods, Alcatraz & even John Muir’s House in Martinez will be reopened to the public.

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This is sad news for all the illegal lemonade stands that reopened once the closure took place. Obviously this is a joke to poke fun at today’s photo of the day. For those of you who don’t understand the context behind this, you may want to read up on Lemonade Freedom Day.

I wonder if Katie and Sabrina Lewis’ veggie stand, in Clayton was operating during the shutdown since their controversial shutdown by Mayor Gregory Manning in August of 2008.

If you didn’t hear about this, Mayor Manning sent a police officer out the kid’s veggie stand to tell the Lewises that the girls were violating zoning regulations that prohibit commercial activities in a residential area. The parents did fight the shutdown. Parents and kids throughout Clayton and Concord joined forces  and opened at least 3 dozen lemonade and veggies stand in protest of the shutdown. For more information about this story, click here.

What do you think? Did you survive the shutdown? Were you impacted by the shutdown? What do you think of the lemonade/veggie stands? Are they child’s play or law breakers? Tell us what you think! 

Red Flag High Wind Advisory: Thursday – Saturday


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The National Weather has issued a Red Flag Weather Warning due to gusty North winds and low humidity. This advisory is in effect through Saturday morning and covers those in the East Bay above 1000 foot elevation.

If your out on the roads tonight drive safe! If you smell natural gas, see downed power lines, or suspect another emergency situation, leave the area immediately and then call 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

Free Panda Express – Try Honey Sesame Chicken


honeychicken

Don’t forget to try the Honey Sesame Chicken! Grab a free order of Honey Sesame Chicken today at Panda Express, 10/2. No purchase is necessary to get this freebie; just print the coupon below or show it to staff on a mobile phone. The coupon is valid at participating locations only, and there is a limit of one coupon per person per day.

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  • CLAYTON ROAD & YGNACIO VALLEY ROAD – Closes at 10:30pm
    5458 Ygnacio Valley Road
    Concord, CA 94521
  • CITRUS CENTER PANDA EXPRESS – Closes at 10pm
    2280 Oak Grove Rd.
    Walnut Creek, CA 94598
  • MONUMENT BLVD & BUSKIRK AVE PANDA EXPRESS – Closes at 11:30pm
    2380 Monument Boulevard
    Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
  • RAILROAD & HWY 4 PANDA EXPRESS – Closes at 11pm
    2120 Railroad Ave Suite 4
    Pittsburg, CA 94565
  • LAFAYETTE TOWN CENTER PANDA EXPRESS – Closes at 10pm
    3608 Mt. Diablo Blvd Bldg B
    Lafayette, CA 94549

Like freebies? Join us on Facebook, Twitter or bookmark us at DiabloReporter.com to stay informed on all the best local freebies!

Free Organic Produce & Homemade Goods – $10 Credit


I just found out about this great offer from this awesome company! While they are not in our immediate area this is a pretty great opportunity to try some new foods that you may not normally try. They offer a nice choice of fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, breads, desserts, herbs, oils and even local honey!

GoodEgg

Good Eggs is a local grocery delivery service that offers delivery and pick up in the Oakland / Berkeley area. Good Eggs allows those in the SF Bay area to order online from the best local farmers and food makers. You can choose to have the items delivered to your door (Berkeley / Oakland area only) for a small charge or pick them up free at lots of convenient locations.

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For a limited time, new customers can get $10 off their first order! No purchase minimum. This offer is only good for Good Eggs SF. Just visit their page, select San Francisco, create an account and start shopping! Credit will be applied at checkout. Share this offer with your friends and plan a road trip out together to go pick up some cool freebies!

Click here to watch a short video about Good Eggs.

Happy Shopping!

Celebrate National Coffee Day with FREE Coffee!


Public domain image, royalty free stock photo from www.public-domain-image.com

Today is National Coffee Day.  It’s a day to celebrate the brew and the bean!

Stop by one of these favorite Coffee serving establishments to take advantage of their FREE Coffee offers in honor of one of the world’s favorite beverages!

FREE Sample of Green Coffee Bean Formula

FREE Medaglia d’Oro Coffee Sample

FREE Maxwell House International Coffee Coupons 

FREE Gevalia Mocha Latte Sample

FREE ANDROID APP ► Espresso Coffee Recipes

FREE Fall Coffee Recipe eBook

FREE iPhone APP ► Coffee Love

FREE Coffee at Pilot and Flying J Truck Stops with Coupon

FREE Coffee at Krispy Kreme

FREE Small Maple Latte at Peet’s Coffee & Tea with Coupon

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FREE Taste of new Ethiopian Coffee at Starbucks

FREE Coffee at many McDonald’s Locations – Verify with yours.

FREE IKEA Family card members can get a FREE cup coffee in the IKEA Restaurant – all day, Monday to Friday. If you aren’t a Family card member, it’s free to sign up!

FREE Einstein Bros Bagels is offering Buy One, Get One Free Beverages all weekend through Sunday, 9/29. You can even choose from fall favorites like Autumn Roast, Iced Mocha, Pumpkin Latte.

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A Day On The Water – Free Music Festival Coming Up!


A Day On The Water

Come enjoy a day at Cesar Chavez Park, Sunday Oct 6th 11am to 6pm and join A Day On The Water FREE music festival. Come experience great views of the bay in a 90 acre park at the Berkeley Marina. Enjoy 7 good bands, tasty food and cool vendors. Admission is free.

7 Bands include Zulu Spear-played with Grateful Dead, Neville Brothers, Rock Candy- Terry Morton who toured with Sammy Haggar and with Jefferson Starship is in this band, Caesar Myles and the Dreaded Truth- played SF Reggae Festival and Groovin High which is a great acid rock band. Check out Just Chill, a very sweet Reggae band, Plus Damn Near Dead which are classic Rockers and Rob Sesma Band for some good old school guitar picking. Guest speakers include Cindy Sheehan who’s running for Governor of California and there will be a Spokesperson from NORML too.

This event is disabled friendly. Festival seating so bring a blanket. Call 510-677-9425 for info or check out their website at www.tennrlw.wix.com/a-day-on-the-water

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Checkpoint Refusal Video Goes Viral – Citizen’s Right to Refuse


A video compiled of normal everyday citizens refusing to answer questions and obey unlawful orders has gone viral and has created a stir. While none of the videos were recorded in Contra Costa, the county does allow and conduct the  checkpoints regularly.

The cities that allow the controversial checkpoints include Clayton, Concord, Brentwood, El Cerrito, Martinez, Oakley, Richmond, San Pablo & Pittsburg. The City of Concord has even conducted random smog checkpoints on Treat & Cowell Rd back in April.

The wave of upheavel this video has caused is largely from the public that typically complies with such checkpoints and were unaware that they have a legal right to refuse to comply. These legal refusals include refusing to pulling over, following officer’s directions, produce identification and answering basic questions.

DUI Checkpoints are no longer being monitored by just the police, most checkpoints are attracting spectators. Random citizen that are curious about what actually goes on have observed several rights violations including unlawful searches, seizures and detentions. One family at the checkpoints on Treat & Cowell Rd back in April were teaching their younger daughters about the difference between laws and rights as they watch the operation of the checkpoint.

Some citizens are doing more than just watching from the sidelines. This Brentwood man decided to take matters in his own hands and protested the checkpoint activity in August. This protester not only is informing people there is a checkpoint ahead but he’s also showing them the way out.

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Credit for the photo goes to Cameron Lewis.

After the photo above was posted to Facebook and received 444 “likes”.

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See the video that sparked hot debate and has received close to 2 million views!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Ku17CqdZg]

What do you think? Have you ever exercised your right to refuse? What do you think about citizens in the video? the officers? Tell us your thoughts on this very hot topic!