For 32 years, Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) has been rescuing dogs and cats who were running out of time. Since its founding, the nonprofit has helped close to 50,000 animals find new and loving homes.



And over those years, the award-winning ARF has expanded its services and programs to speak to a wide variety of communities and concerns.

Last year, ARF decided it was time to fully recognize its growth and future paths.

In a festive Valentine's Day celebration, attended by elected officials, invited guests, volunteers, supporters, and the general public, ARF unleashed its new name and brand, Joybound People & Pets, with the promise to carry on its legacy of compassion and mission to create and support pet families.

"If you’ve ever seen a dog give a happy wag or a cat lovingly nuzzle up to its person, you’ve seen Joybound in action," said CEO Susan Lee Vick.

"The name Joybound reflects our longstanding commitment to forming and supporting strong human-animal bonds to bring greater health and happiness to dogs, cats, and their human families.

"The genius of our new name and brand captures the bond between people and pets and the emotion that we and our pets share and treasure."

The elongated loop and slightly widened tail of the "y" represent "the road we are traveling together bound in joy, and bound for joy," said Susan. "And we chose purple because we love purple!"

Watch the brand rollout video, and read Susan's Joybound blog.

Joybound

People & Pets

2890 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.256.1273

Joybound CEO Susan Lee Vick shared the story behind the nonprofit's new name and brand to an enthusiastic audience.

Sean McGinnis, Director of Rescue, Care, and Adoptions and Snuggle were joined by (l) Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew; (back) State Senator Tim Grayson; (r) Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; and (far r) Walnut Creek City Council member Kevin Wilk.

ARF is now Joybound!

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 March, look for:

• Mar. 7 | Los Rockeros

• Mar. 14 | Hella Mas

• Mar. 21 | Bombzies BBQ

• Mar. 28 | Cousins Maine Lobster

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

Cousins Maine Lobster, March 28, 2024

511 Contra Costa has installed two new BikeLink e-lockers in the Del Monte Foods, Inc., parking lot at 205 N. Wiget Lane in Shadelands. Available for public use, the e-lockers provide secure bike parking for up to four bicycles.

To access the lockers, simply download the free BikeLink app and park your bike for 5¢ cents an hour.

With Canal Trail access close by, biking to the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market, Kaiser Permanente, the Shadelands SportsMall, and other popular business and recreational destinations in Shadelands is easier than ever. 

Visit BikeLink, and get rolling.

BikeLink e-lockers in the Del Monte Foods, Inc., parking lot on N. Wiget Lane at Mitchell Drive, are available for public use.

Del Monte Foods, Inc.

205 N. Wiget Lane

Walnut Creek

N. Wiget Lane at Mitchell Drive

BASS Cancer Center held its long awaited official ribbon cutting last month during a festive early evening celebration.

Opened and operating since March 2022, BASS Cancer Center leadership, physicians, and staff were happy to mark the special occasion with city officials, invited guests, community groups, patients, and the public.

The 100,000-SF comprehensive cancer center and supporting clinics combine advanced, personalized care and state-of-the-art technology in a comfortable, easy-to-navigate setting for patients and their families.

Patients now have access to a complete suite of cancer-related care in one location, including medical oncology and infusion services, advanced radiation treatment options, PET and CT imaging, and patient support services.

Congratulations BASS Cancer Center!

BASS Cancer Center

575 Lennon Lane

Walnut Creek

925.433.8786

Joining in the ribbon cutting were (c-left) Inez Wonder, CEO, BASS Medical Center; (c-right) Jesse Kaestner, Director, BASS Cancer Center; (far right) Dr. Kenneth Chao, Medical Director, Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging; and several BASS Cancer Center physicians and team members.

Under the guidance of Vocal Program Director Alivia Logan, Contra Costa School of Performing Arts (CoCoSPA), two highly anticipated student vocal performances are coming to the school's stages.

Beatles Showcase

Tuesday, March 5 | 6pm

Multi-use Room

$5 | Tickets online

A musical celebration of the legendary Fab Four.



Gilbert & Sullivan’s

H.M.S. Pinafore, Act I

Friday, April 26 | 7pm

Sunday, April 28 | 5pm

Black Box Theater

Tickets online

In April, vocal majors 9th through 12th grades will perform the first act of H.M.S. Pinafore, with 8th graders and a few musically inclined staff members making up the ensemble.

“This is a fun way to get everybody involved in this big and joyful production,” said Alivia. “And that’s what the audience can expect—joy and laughter.”

Contra Costa School

of Performing Arts

2730 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.235.1130



Teens are invited to join Center for Community Arts on Fridays, after school, for Teen Art Lab, a monthly drop-in creative space for teens to make art together.

Participants can bring their own art supplies, and use the Center's tools, to make art and make friends.

Teen Art Lab | Fridays

March 22, April 12, May 17

4–6pm

Shadelands Art Center

Ages 13–18

Center for Community Arts

Shadelands Art Center

111 N. Wiget lane

Walnut Creek

925.195.1490

The dust has barely settled from Joybound's big February celebration, announcing its new name and brand, and it's already unleashing happiness into the community in many ways.

Formerly ARF, Joybound People & Pets is hosting the Walnut Creek Chamber's March BASH (Business and Social Hour) on Thursday, March 28, 5:30–7pm.

The BASH is free to Chamber members, and $20 for all others at the check-in table. Registration is requested.

Join two-legged and four-legged friends at the March Chamber BASH.

Joybound

People & Pets

2890 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek

925.256.1273

Walnut Creek Chamber BASH

Thursday, March 28

5:30–7pm

Located at the corner of Ygnacio Valley & Oak Grove roads, The Orchards at Walnut Creek is a busy, bustling lifestyle center with a large, ultra-modern Safeway and a refreshing mix of retail, banking, personal care and health & fitness services, indoor and outdoor dining, and recreational spaces for all ages.

In addition to free surface level parking, the center has prime upper level parking, with easy entry and access to more than 300 parking spots, including several EV charging stations, that extend from the far west side above Safeway to the far east side above Crunch Fitness. And the view of Mount Diablo is stunning.

The next time you head to The Orchards, look up and park with ease on the upper level. Two entry points: 1) on the east side of Safeway, and 2) across from Primrose School. See you up there!

The view of Mount Diablo from the upper level parking deck at The Orchards.

The Orchards

at Walnut Creek

2800 Ygnacio Valley Road

Walnut Creek

Upper level parking access located on the east side of Safeway

Upper level parking access located across from the new Primrose School construction, on the Shadelands Drive side of The Orchards.

The Shadelands Drive & N. Wiget Lane Pedestrian Improvement Project begins next month and is expected to be completed in early summer.

Currently, the southwest corner of that intersection lacks a sidewalk for a length of more than 400’ at the frontage of the Master Gardener's Our Garden along both streets.

The project calls for the installation of new sidewalks to close this gap, and for the existing sidewalk to be widened to 10'. Additionally, curbs and gutters, curb ramps, sidewalk drains, and a new streetlight will be installed along the frontage and at the corner, and the asphalt roadway adjacent to the new curb and gutter will be repaired.

Pedestrian improvements are planned at SW corner of Shadelands Drive & N. Wiget Lane.

Look for construction updates in future issues of The Shadelands Scene.