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Community Corner

Hello Summer!

Walnut Creek heats up to welcome the first day of summer.

As Walnut Creek heats up today, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, residents had to find  ways to keep cool and safe.

Tuesday's high temperatures are fitting for the first day of summer and summer solstice, the day of the year when the sun shines the longest. It is also the first  day of the year issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The heat didn’t keep people in Walnut Creek home, with the parking lot at Broadway Plaza full and shaded spots in high demand.

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Amanda Sossamon, an employee at , said she was called in to work today by her manager because on hot days the store gets busy and more workers are needed.

“I do think it’s gonna be way busier because of the heat,” Sossamon said. “It always gets busier around 2-4 (p.m.) with lines out the door.”

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Yogurt Park customer Shannon Buchholz said she came to Broadway Plaza to get frozen yogurt because it was hot, but that she is enjoying the warm weather.

“Thank gosh it’s hot,” Buchholz said. “I’m actually excited it’s warm, so I’m kind of enjoying this weather.”

People could be heard commenting on how good it felt to enter the movie theater, which was significantly cooler than it was outdoors.

Century employee Marissa Curtis said that this morning was busier than it usual is that time of day.

“A lot of people come to the movies because it is nice and cool in here,” Curtis said.

Standing outside the theater was Aric Biltz, who was drinking a Jamba Juice smoothie. Biltz said he is used to the warm weather and called today a typical summer day in California.

“I’m just going to stay out of the sun and stay hydrated,” he said.

The playground at was completely empty at 1 p.m., but the Larkey Park Swim Center was bustling.

The swim center’s manager, Maddie Buchanan, said that most of the people at the pool are part of swim camps, so they will come whether it is 80 degrees, or 100 degrees.

“It’s like when it’s this hot, no one wants to even go outside,” she said.

Buchanan said she's concerned about the pool’s life guards, who have to stand in the heat.

 To try to keep the life guards comfortable, she sprays them with water, or has them hop in the pool on their breaks. They also spray the pavement where the lifeguards stand to keep the ground cooler.

“We definitely don’t let them sunbathe on breaks,” Buchanan said.

Christine Ellicock said she is very glad she has the pool to go to because she does not have one at home.

“I’m just swimming until they kick me out today,” Ellicock said. “After that, I’m going to get some ice cold beer in a nice air conditioned area.”

Temperatures are expected to cool down as the week progresses. Here is the forecast for the next few days:

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. North wind at 9 mph becoming west southwest. 

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind between 6 and 13 mph. 

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind between 6 and 11 mph. 

Wednesday night: Clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind between 9 and 11 mph. 

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind between 9 and 11 mph. 

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