In partnership with
Hi {{ first_name | default: neighbor }},
Mt. Diablo BBQ is marking its grand opening Sunday, and I stopped by during its soft opening to get an early taste. The Hitmen bring funk, soul, disco, Latin and pop to Moraga Commons Thursday, while ZenBrosBreaks welcomes collectors for its grand opening Saturday. There’s also an outdoor comedy in Orinda and a new Spider-Man movie at Rheem Theatre, so the first weekend of August has plenty of ways to stay local.
The #1 Roth Conversion Mistake That Costs Retirees
Most people missed the first Roth conversion window. History is offering a rare second chance — but not a long one.
With today's tax rates extended, IRA Millionaires have a brief stretch of historically low brackets left. When it closes, the math changes: higher rates, bigger required distributions, and fewer conversion opportunities each year you wait.
Craig Wear, CFP®, has spent 15+ years helping more than 3,000 families with $1M+ in IRAs plan Roth conversions — helping them avoid a projected $10B+ in lifetime taxes. His new book, Roth Conversion Reset, is the step-by-step playbook:
Lock in today's low rates
Avoid RMD surprises at 73
Protect your spouse from survivor taxes
Keep more for your heirs
The book is free — no credit card, no shipping. The full PDF lands in your inbox in minutes.
LOCAL NEWS
CreekHaus offers a new look inside its plans for Orinda – A new website features photo and video renderings of the indoor and outdoor gathering spaces planned around Equator Coffees, PizzaHacker, a beer garden and community programming
Moraga seeks input on the future of Moraga Road – The Livable Moraga Road survey on proposed changes between Donald and Corliss drives closes August 16, followed by a virtual community meeting September 16
Orinda water plant adds ultraviolet disinfection – EBMUD expects the new system to begin operating this winter, reducing chlorine use and disinfection byproducts
Late-night Yellow Line work scheduled for August 4–6 – BART riders may see delays of 20 to 25 minutes while crews perform overnight rail work between North Concord and Pittsburg/Bay Point
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Mt. Diablo BBQ is now serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at 3422 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. The restaurant comes from the Ingram family’s Northern California barbecue group, with a menu that moves from breakfast tacos and biscuit sandwiches in the morning to brisket, ribs, burnt ends, tri-tip, chicken and family packs later in the day. The restaurant uses Harris Ranch beef and California oak for its smoking, and its official grand opening is August 2.
I stopped in during the soft opening and tried the chicken with potato salad, mac and cheese and cornbread. I especially appreciated the pickled vegetables and spicy barbecue sauce, which added a nice kick to the plate. Everything was so tasty, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
NEXT DINNER CLUB: MORAGA
Our next Lamorinda Dinner Club is heading to Moraga on Thursday, August 20. For this dinner, we’re moving from Wednesday to Thursday and starting at 5:30pm instead of 6:30pm in an effort to make the experience work for more people.
Take a quick quiz, get matched with five other locals, and show up for dinner at a Moraga restaurant revealed that morning. We handle the planning, and after dinner everyone is invited to continue the evening at a nearby surprise location.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Thursday, July 30
Showtimes vary | Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Rheem Theatre) — Tom Holland’s latest Spider-Man movie opens locally on the big screen.
5:30pm | Hello Lafayette (Lafayette Library) — Welcome new residents and connect with the community.
6:30pm | Moraga Summer Concert: The Hitmen (Moraga Commons Park) — Bring a blanket or chair for an evening of funk, soul, disco, Latin, and pop.
Friday, July 31
6pm | The Live Oakes (Canyon Club Brewery) — Enjoy live music alongside craft beer and food in a welcoming community setting.
8:30pm | Present Laughter (Orinda Community Center) — Catch an outdoor comedy about a famous actor whose personal and professional lives descend into chaos.
Saturday, August 1
8:30am | Lafayette Litterati — Join an adults-only outdoor litter cleanup that helps improve local public spaces.
11am | Zen Bros Grand Opening (ZenBrosBreaks Sports Cards & TCG) — Celebrate the opening of Moraga’s new sports card and trading card game shop.
1pm | Disney Restoration Series - Planet of the Apes (Orinda Theatre) — Catch a restored screening of the 1968 classic in the historic auditorium.
3pm | Lamorinda Chess Club (Europa Hofbrau) — Drop in for friendly chess games with players of all ages and skill levels.
Sunday, August 2
8am | Le Pit Club - Lafayette Pit Stop — Browse interesting vehicles, enjoy coffee and pastries, and meet fellow car enthusiasts.
10am | Four Steps for Manifesting Your Dream Life (Recharge Health) — Explore a four-step approach to pursuing your goals.
10am | Le Pit Club - Moraga Pit Stop — Enjoy a relaxed cars-and-coffee gathering with a variety of local vehicles.
5:30pm | Brad Edelman (Canyon Club Brewery) — Enjoy live music with craft beer and food in a relaxed community setting.
Tuesday, August 4
5pm | Hacienda Nights (Hacienda de las Flores Park) — Bring a blanket for food trucks, beverages, lawn games, and a picnic on the lawn.
Wednesday, August 5
5pm | Second Line Pleasure Club Presents: The Boil (Canyon Club Brewery) — Enjoy a New Orleans-inspired crawfish feast and communal music celebration.
5pm | Live Music on the Patio (RÊVE Bistro) — Dine outdoors while listening to harp music from Wendy Tamis.
6:30pm | Trivia Wednesdays (Headlands Brewing) — Form a team, grab a drink, and compete in a lively pub-trivia night.
HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Set on a quiet Reliez Valley court, this updated single-story Lafayette home combines an easy everyday floor plan with flexible space for guests, work, or multigenerational living. The main home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, while an additional unit with its own full bathroom brings the property to five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and 2,927 square feet in total. French doors connect the primary suite to a resort-like backyard with a swimming pool, automatic cover, mature landscaping, and peaceful garden areas. Open houses are scheduled Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4pm.
WEATHER
Temperatures climb through the weekend, with Sunday bringing the warmest afternoon before a slight cooldown.
Thu: Mostly sunny. High ~80° / Low ~54°. A pleasant day for plans around town.
Fri: Sunny. High ~84° / Low ~55°. Expect a warmer afternoon and a cool evening.
Sat: Mostly sunny and warm. High ~88° / Low ~56°. Plan outdoor activities earlier if you prefer milder temperatures.
Sun: Mostly sunny and very warm. High ~91° / Low ~55°. The hottest day of the stretch.
Mon: Mostly sunny and warm. High ~88° / Low ~54°. The heat eases slightly, but the afternoon stays warm.
Tue: Mostly sunny. High ~84° / Low ~56°. More comfortable for outdoor plans.
Wed: Mostly sunny. High ~85° / Low ~57°. Another warm, dry summer day.
Whether you’re dancing at Moraga Commons or checking out Lafayette’s newest barbecue spot, I hope you find something worth adding to the calendar. Enjoy the weekend.
— Rajiv