Good news for people looking for walk-in options and same-day medical care. Dr. Tanvi Raman, board certified in internal medicine with a specialty in geriatrics, has opened an outpatient, same-day care office with BASS Medical Group.

Joining Dr. Raman as part of her private practice health care team is Ella Morden, PhD, NP-C, a nationally certified nurse practitioner with 14 years of experience.

“I appreciate that BASS respects physicians’ independence,” said Dr. Raman, who has been a part of the Walnut Creek medical community for 15 years. “I am allowed to practice the way I want to, and part of that is the amount of time I spend with my patients. To help them, I need the time to hear them.

“And, when someone really needs to see their doctor, that day, they should be able to do so," said Dr. Raman, who was influenced by her mother, an OB/GYN, to become a doctor. "That’s why I’ve gone from inpatient to outpatient care: to be available to my patients on my terms."

While her specialty is geriatrics, Dr. Raman sees a full spectrum of patients ages 18 and above coming in with a host of medical reasons—chronic, acute, and routine.

Viewing primary care as the front door for all health care, Dr. Raman sees patients for common illnesses and injuries, sports and annual physicals, family planning, and family histories, among other health concerns.

BASS MEDICAL GROUP

2637 Shadelands Drive

Walnut Creek

925.872.5807

Tanvi Raman, MD, has joined BASS Medical Group as a primary care internist with a specialty in geriatrics.

Dr. Raman's practice is an open practice with same-day appointments and treatment.

“I enjoy working with my very senior patients, 85 and above, who have a variety of health problems, and multiple doctors and medications," said Dr Raman. "And I value the trust they put in me to help them navigate the complexities of their health and the health care system."

Food Truck Thursdays is located in the parking lot of Kaiser Permanente Park Shadelands Medical Offices at 370 Lennon Lane.

Open to the public Thursdays, 11:30am–2pm, Food Truck Thursdays is presented by Taste of the World Market, whose motto is Taste International. Support Local.

In April, look for:

• April 4 | Loretta's Kitchen BBQ

• April 11 | Sabor a Mi Cocina

• April 18 | Mozzeria

• April 25 | King Gyro & Kabob

Bring your appetite, family & friends!

Food truck line-up and food truck appearance are subject to change.

Food Truck Thursdays

11:30am–2pm

Kaiser Permanente

Park Shadelands Medical Offices

370 Lennon Lane

Walnut Creek

Loretta's Kitchen bbq food truck, April 4

In February, Bay Area Retina Associates (BARA) announced the opening of its state-of-the-art, ultra hi-tech Clinical Research Department located at 365 Lennon Lane, which serves as a hub for groundbreaking research and clinical trials focused on retinal conditions.

In March, BARA held a festive ribbon cutting, hosted by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and attended by chamber members, city officials, business leaders, patients, staff, and colleagues, to mark the beginning of a new chapter in its commitment to advancing retinal healthcare.

In Suite 270, BARA's highly trained physicians provide retina-specific medical and surgical services, seeing patients after an ophthalmologist has referred them to a retina specialist.

Directly across the hall, in Suite 250, is BARA’s Clinical Research Department where transitional research is conducted—an approach to research that seeks to produce more meaningful, applicable results that directly benefit human health.

“There are new, innovative therapies on the market to treat blinding retinal diseases, and that can't happen without the FDA-mandated clinical trials to get the drugs approved and available to patients,” said Roger Goldberg, MD, a member of the BARA team of nine, soon to be ten, doctors.

“That research and those trials are going on right here. In fact, we run the largest retinal clinical research program in the Bay Area, larger than Stanford and UCSF," said Dr. Goldberg, who credits the 85 patient-centered employees who support the doctors and drive success.

Bay Area Retina Associates

365 Lennon Lane, Suite 250

Walnut Creek

925.943.6800

Bay Area Retina Associates ribbon cutting, (l-r) Clinical Research Manager Luis Monsalve Barrios, Dr. Yingna Snowy Liu, Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew, and Dr. Roger Goldberg.

BARA Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Dement (l) next to Walnut Creek Chamber CEO Bob Linschield (r), who shared congratulatory remarks at BARA's Clinical Research Department ribbon cutting.

“This is a remarkable time in medicine and technology,” said Dr. Goldberg. “The next two decades are going to be incredibly exciting for retinal research and advancements.”

Read the full press release.

Since 1963, the Contra Costa Crisis Center has been helping people in crisis and in desperate need of a helping hand as they face emotional, physical, or psychological distress.

Originally established as a crisis and suicide help line, the Crisis Center has grown the past 60 years to include programs and access to resources that help individuals and families cope with the complexities of life and unbearable loss.

In February of this year, the Crisis Center welcomed a new executive director, Elaine Cortez Schroth, highly experienced in nonprofit and governmental leadership.

“Throughout my career, I’ve gravitated toward work that helps others, especially as it concerns mental health. I was honored to work with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, who authored legislation that transforms how California responds to mental health crises,” said Elaine.

“When this opportunity at the Contra Costa Crisis Center came up, where I could work directly with people and programs and serve the community in profound ways, I knew this is exactly where I wanted to be.”

At its core, the Crisis Center is here to help people in crisis in the moment with two local and national help line call centers: 211 referral and information; and 988 state-wide, nation-wide suicide prevention and mental health help—life altering and life-saving services provided free by highly trained confidential crisis counselors.

In California, there are 13 211 call centers and 12 988 call centers. The Crisis Center is designated one of only two in the state that handles both 211 and 988 calls.

Elaine Cortez Schroth, the new executive director of Contra Costa Crisis Center, oversees a highly trained team of 75 staff members and volunteers.

Contra Costa Crisis Center

Serving Contra Costa County

Call or text:

Crisis & Suicide Helpline 

988

Information & Referral

211

24-hour access to resources and emotional support

Visit 211cc.org

Available 24/7, the Crisis Center handled 70,000 calls in 2023, helping callers access local social services to meet their basic needs, and helping others through acute, immediate crises of the mind and spirit.

"I’ll be speaking with nonprofit agencies and alliances throughout the county," said Elaine, "raising awareness about mental health issues that affect the entire county and the amazing resources available for free here at Contra Costa Crisis Center and throughout the region."

Tickets are on sale for the Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (CoCoSPA) Spring Dance Showcase that will delight with a compelling blend of classical ballet and contemporary musical theater.

Under the direction of CoCoSPA's Dance Director Anna Gemma, a classically trained ballerina, the school's talented high school and middle school dancers will perform high energy numbers from the hit Broadway musical Chicago and delicate, bold pieces from the legendary Swan Lake.

First, theater goers will be taken to the roaring, jazz-hot streets of 1920s Chicago—then, with a shift in tone and tempo, to the ethereal realm of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

Contra Costa School

of Performing Arts

Spring Dance Showcase

Friday, May 7 | 7pm

Del Valle Theater

1963 Tice Valley Blvd

Walnut Creek

Careers and clean dogs are the aim of the Engelstad Grooming Academy and Salon, which broke ground on March 4, on the campus of Joybound People & Pets (formerly ARF).

Joybound hosted members of the Engelstad Foundation, community leaders, and Joybound board members, staff, and supporters in the space that will open its doors to human students and animal clients this spring.

The Engelstad Grooming Academy & Salon at Joybound will provide vocational training to people facing barriers to employment, including Veterans, survivors of domestic violence, formerly incarcerated individuals, and others, preparing them for well-paying, in-demand jobs in the growing pet-related sector. Academy students will learn by doing as they bathe and groom Joybound’s shelter guests.

Leading the new program as Director of Grooming Academy and Salon Services is Bernie Machado, who comes to Joybound with more than 30 years of experience in animal grooming and handling, as well as staff training and development.

Read the full announcement from Joybound.

Joybound

People & Pets

2890 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.256.1273

Joybound broke ground for the Engelstad Grooming Academy & Salon on March 4.

Director of Grooming Academy and Salon Services Bernie Machado (r) and her daughter, Barbara (l)

Devil & Angel Desserts, which specializes in innovative dessert combinations, has opened in The Orchards, serving its first eager customers on Saturday, March 23.

With 16 locations in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, Devil & Angel offers, among other delights, handcrafted soft serve ice cream in cones, cups, and waffles; boba drinks, refreshers, and smoothies; and a variety of distinctive mochi doughnuts and croffles you have to taste to believe.

A mochi donut is a chewy Asian donut, smaller and denser than traditional American donuts. And what’s a croffle? Check out the menu to find out.

Open 7 days a week, from 11am to 9pm, Devil & Angel Desserts offers refreshing taste treats just in time for the region's hot spring, summer, and early fall days.

“We’re here for families and friends who need something cool and satisfying to drink or eat after school and work; after sporting events; and after long walks or hikes around Mount Diablo," said the shop's owner, Ty. “Our mochi doughnuts are made fresh daily, right here, in the shop, and you can taste that freshness!"

Congratulations, Devil & Angel Desserts! Welcome to Shadelands!

Devil & Angel Desserts

The Orchards at Walnut Creek

2357 Oak Grove Road

Walnut Creek

Devil & Angel Desserts owner Ty offers a colorful menu of sweets, cool and refreshing drinks, soft serve ice cream, and freshly baked treats.

Devil & Angel Desserts opened its doors in The Orchards next to The Kebab Shop.

On Tuesday, March 26, the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau held a very special public event, The Future of Walnut Creek, presented by Pacific Gas & Electric Company, in the Oak View Room at the downtown Walnut Creek Library.

The WCTV YouTube video is recommended viewing for everyone living or working in Walnut Creek—everyone with a personal or professional investment in our city and its communities.

Moderated by Matt Guichard, chair of the Chamber's Civic Affairs Committee, the forum featured city and business leaders who discussed Walnut Creek's economic strength, public safety, the health of our downtown, planned commercial and residential development, housing and transportation, and rebranding activities going on in Shadelands.

Mayor Loella Haskew and City Manager Dan Buckshi kicked off the presentations, followed by WCPD Chief Jamie Knox, Shadelands PBID Chair Angela De La Housaye-Ashley, Walnut Creek Downtown Executive Director Kathy Hemmenway, and Walnut Creek Downtown Board President Brian Hiraraha.

Live streamed and recorded for later viewing, the forum was a blend of the Walnut Creek Chamber's monthly Civic Affairs and annual State of the City events.

The Future of Walnut Creek forum was held March 26 and is available for viewing on WCTV.

WCPD Chief Jamie Knox presented public safety updates and data, and took Q&A.

Walnut Creek Downtown Board President Brian Hirahara shared who's moving in and where in downtown Walnut Creek.