Unity of Walnut Creek PLAY DATES for 2023 / 2024

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Saturday, April 6, 2024

Hosts: David & Louise deLeeuw, Don Shaw & Laurel Patterson

40 Guests @ $25 per person

A great night of bingo with friends, snacks, and soft drinks… and of course our somewhat professional caller, David de Leeuw. Bring your own favorite beverage if desired. Great prizes and lots of fun. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 17, 2023, 7 pm

Hosts: Laurel Patterson & Felicia McBarton

25 Guests @ $25

Bunco is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn dice game. Join Laurel Patterson for a “fun-raising” fundraising event. All abilities welcome. We’ll teach new-comers how to play, then quickly head for tons of fun!! Support Unity, connect with friends, munch yummy snacks, and maybe even win prizes.

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Sunday, October 29, 2023, 3 – 6 pm

Host: Cat Hill

8 Guests @ $35 per person

Join Unity Board member, Cat Hill, on a 3+ mile, 3-ish hour hike to explore the beauty and magic of Shell Ridge in the Walnut Creek Open Space. This loop will be a moderate hike (strenuous for some for the first 1/3 of the hike), with about 700 ft. elevation gain on the ridges. Unless you are in good physical shape, this hike is not recommended for beginners. Varied terrain including gravel, rocks and maybe mud, depending on the weather. We'll start at the Marshall Drive trailhead and begin our climb to the former water tower, (peak 1) then tackle peaks 2, 3 & 4, with an elevation gain of about 700 ft., (there are bypasses for some of the peaks for those not interested in the climb). On the peaks we'll enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Diablo Valley & share in an Earth blessing guided meditation in the spot Cat calls "meditation rock". At this one-third mark the hard part is over & we'll begin our descent down from the peaks and head into the sacred valley of Indian Creek Trail. At about mile 2 we'll stop for a 30-minute light nosh (healthy snacks provided by Cat). Then we'll make our way out of the sacred valley and back to the trailhead, with one final stop to pay homage to the Mighty Oak.Although not a naturalist, Cat will teach about oak galls, acorns and buckeyes, woodpecker "granaries," various birds of the area and some Shell Ridge history and geology.Details about how to dress and what to bring will be provided once you sign up. No dogs allowed.

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Saturday, December 9, 2023, 10:30a - 3:30p

Host: Elizabeth Isles

30 Guests @ $30 per person

Let’s come together and create handmade holiday crafts from recycled and natural materials like pinecones, cedar, oranges, lemons, and apples. You can complete four fragrant and beautiful holiday ornaments to decorate your home or give as gifts.

Stone Soup Lunch: Each participant will be asked to bring one cleaned and chopped vegetable to add to the community meal of “Stone Soup” based on the classic European folktale. Together we will share the soup along with bread and butter, hot cider and some holiday treats. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Hosts: Barbara Gordon & Dana Schmidt

25 Guests @ $30 per person

Do you ever wish there was more time to dance at Unity's fun events? This is the perfect playdate for you! Dance the night away at this fun event. Light refreshments will be provided.

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Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 5:00 pm

Hosts: Lisa & Johnny 'Rocket' Nichols

20 Guests @ $40 per person

Join Lisa and Johnny 'Rocket' Nichols for a mystery wine tasting. Here’s how it works: You bring 2 identical bottles of wine (red, white. or sparkly) but DON’T tell anyone what you brought. One bottle will be put out anonymously for tasting and ranking; the second will be part of the prize for the people who bring the top two ranking bottles. Food will be supplied by hosts.

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Friday, February 9 and Friday, February 10, 2024

Host: Laurel Patterson

25 Guests @ $25 per person

Join Laurel Patterson for a “fun-raising” fundraising event. Support Unity, connect with friends, munch yummy snacks, and maybe even win a prize.

This playdate has 2 parts on consecutive Fridays:

Part 1: First, we will have a training and review session for anyone new to the game or anyone who needs a refresher. If you are a seasoned player you don’t need to attend Part 1. (Or, you can attend and help train newcomers.)

Part 2: We will play 4 rounds (4 hands each) of single deck pinochle with rotating tables. Prizes for high and low scorers, last double pinochle, etc.

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Saturday, April 13, 2024

Host: Tyler Snortum-Phelps

15 Guests @ $35 per person

Join Tyler on Mt. Diablo for a beautiful hike and spring wildflowers! We will start with morning snacks, and then explore a special trail on the mountain. A trained naturalist, Tyler will open your eyes to the complex beauty of our area. This trail is a real gem of Mt. Diablo State Park and passes through many distinct biotic zones. It takes place in mid-April when the wildflowers should be at their peak. We will experience a great deal of beauty, learn an ecological view of the relationship between plants, animals, and geology, as well as explore some of the plant uses of the Native Americans. The approximately three-hour hike features moderate up and downhill portions.

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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Hosts: Susan Angelos & Eileen Housfeld

25 Guests @ $30 per person

Join Susan Angelos, Eileen Housfeld and your Unity friends for a fabulous Super Bowl Party! Tailgating food, good fun, good people! Cheer on your favorite team. Multiple hi-def screens inside and out!

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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Hosts: Carolyn & Carl Janson, Peter & Eileen Weiler and Suzanne Perry-Paige

40 Guests @ $25 per person

Join with friends (new and old) to play your favorite games. Or learn a new, soon to be favorite one! Lots to choose from. Snacks, both sweet and savory, will be served.

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Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm

Hosts: Ben Cabal & Munay Ki

15 Guests @ $33 per person

Give the gift and be more present to your friends, family and loved ones this Holiday Season, without the stress. Treat yourself and loved ones to a wellness retreat and a return to natural healing with host Ben Cabal, CMT, Master of the Healing Arts, and Munay Kit, Shamanic Healer, Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor. There will be guided healing heart meditation, breath work, tai chi and qigong, a wild goose flight, heart opening flow and other surprises. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

* Unity of Walnut Creek (https://www.unityofwalnutcreek.org/) is a vibrant and open community that offers a positive path for spiritual living through teachings that are relevant, practical, inspiring and are drawn from metaphysical interpretations of the Bible, Gnostic Gospels and other sacred scriptures, plus poetry, mysticism, nature and heart-centered stories.

Host or Publisher Unity of Walnut Creek