FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: The Pinky’s Pizza Story Pinky’s Pizza opened in 1962 and has been the local hangout for Las Lomas High School and Walnut Creek citizens ever since. As matter of fact people come from all over to have the “Pinky’s Pizza Experience”. Tom Beisheim has worked at Pinky’s since 1970 and became part owner in 1974. He took over ownership in 1992 and has been sole proprietor ever since. An avid motorcyclist, TomPinky as we all know him has helped and supported the community throughout his tenure at Pinky’s Pizza and supported many motorcycle racers with sponsorship and award money though the AFM (http://www.afmracing.org/) and sometimes privately with friends. I’m sorry to say Pinky’s Pizza closed Sunday March 4th 2007 at 10pm. It was not Tom’s intention to close this way but due to circumstances beyond his control this weekend was his last at Pinky’s and Pinky’s Pizza will no longer be. I have been going to Pinky’s Pizza since I moved to Walnut Creek in 1964 and have known TomPinky since the early 70’s. I’ve raced motorcycles with and against him and consider him to be one of my best friends. It’s sad to see a institution like Pinky’s Pizza go but as a owner of one of Walnut Creek’s oldest business’s (Walnut Creek Vacuum and Electric Motor Service @ 57 years) I know how hard it is to make a small business succeed over many years and not many work as hard at it as TomPinky has. The problem started last month when power to Pinky’s Pizza was interrupted by bad wires between the building and the PG&E supply. Now a month later and running on large generators 24 hours a day at great expense and no resolution in sight TomPinky has no option but close his doors. We will all miss the many friends who gather at Pinky’s to reminisce old times and new events but most of all the history that surrounds Pinky’s Pizza. A first date or a after the game celebration, the starting place for a weekend ride, Pinky’s has always been there and it’s a sad day indeed to see this icon close. Tom Heath Walnut Creek, California