ART

Valley Art Gallery 52nd “Artful Giving” Holiday Exhibition Opens Nov. 18, with a reception from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. From objects found to impressions visualized, our artists have been busy creating our Fall 2017 show of more than 300 works of art for sale or for rent. The show will run through Dec. 23. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. www.valleyartgallery.org

Small Things Holiday Pop-Up Gift Shop at Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery Nov. 16 through Dec. 23, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov 16. Imagine stepping into a local gallery and finding the perfect gift. Then discovering that your purchase supports local artists! It’s all possible at “Small Things” - The Holiday Pop-Up Gift Shop. Discerning shoppers will find an array of unique handcrafted items from original art to jewelry, porcelain, wood sculptures and even mixed media shadow boxes.

Lafayette artist Suzy Elsworth-Heithcock will be featured together with artist Linda Huffman in a new two-man show at the Boundary Oaks Golf Course located at 3800 Valley Vista Road in Walnut Creek Nov.16 through Jan.14. There will be about 30 paintings on exhibit, with many very detailed local nature scenes as well as other subjects ranging from Italian door knockers to Hawaiian Banyan trees.
 
MUSIC

Saint Mary’s Jazz Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Soda Activity Center, Claeys Lounge, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road. Treat yourself to a lively concert of up-tempo numbers, dance tunes, and instrumental jazz soloists under the direction of maestro John Maltester. Tickets: $5.

Amici Lyric Opera presents Russian Romances, a concert featuring soprano Elena Yakoubovsky at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Beloved songs by Russian composers will be included in the program, including Rachmaninoff’s Spring Waters, In the Silence of the Night, and It is  Fine Here, Rubinstein’s Night, Tchaikovsky’s None But the Lonely Know, and Pimpinella, among others. Tickets: $30 general; $25 Seniors/students; children under 12 free. www.brownpapertickets.com/events/3121354

The Diablo Women’s Chorale invites you to join them in celebrating 75 years in the community with their fall concert “Season of Light,” to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. at Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Road, in Lafayette. From classic to contemporary, reverent to joyful, DWC’s music will warm the heart, uplift the spirit, and soothe the soul. Advance purchase tickets are $18 General admission, $10 Student, and $24 Premium seating. Purchase at the door for $25. Call 1-800-838-3006, or go online at www.DiabloWomensChorale.org

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble will present “Rejoice! Rejoice!” – three performances of stunning sacred renaissance and baroque masterworks, featuring the Jubilate Baroque Orchestra and soprano MacKenzie Covington, and showcasing works by Bach, Porpora, Hasse, Charpentier, Cozzolani, Vivaldi and Victoria. Voci’s Artistic Director, Mitchell Covington brings particular expertise in the Baroque style. Voci will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Avenue, Oakland and at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley. Tickets: $30 at the door, $25 advance, $15 students, free for children between 6 and 12. Available at the door or online at www.vocisings.org.

THEATER

Orinda Intermediate School Bulldog Theater stages Monty Python’s Spamalot Young@part Edition Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at Orinda Intermediate School, 80 Ivy Drive. This version of the 2005 Tony Award winning musical, “Spamalot,” is designed for youth theaters. Tickets are $3-$10. Visit www.showtix4u.com for show times and tickets. Tickets are also available at the door.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Saint Mary’s College MFA presents An Evening with Gabrielle Selz, distinguished visiting writer in creative nonfiction at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Hagerty Lounge, SMC Campus.

The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center announces a talk entitled Movement for a New Society: A Vision for the Trump Era by author and activist, George Lakey. It will take place beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Lakey is the author of “Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got it Right – and How We Can, Too.”  Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, free for students. For more information please contact the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center office at (925) 933-7850. To pre-register online go to at www.ourpeacecenter.org.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Bring your family, bring your friends and enjoy the start of your Thanksgiving Day with the First Annual MCC Turkey Trot Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 23. As you are running/walking the 1.5 miles of road and paths of the beautiful Moraga Country Club you will be working up an appetite for turkey and the fixings, you will know that you are helping others less fortunate. Your race contributions go to the Food Banks of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Registration: $20 before Nov. 20; $30 after. https://runsignup.com/moragaturkeytrot

It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. The fun includes a visit from Santa, photo ops, live musical entertainment, a tree lighting ceremony and a holiday sing-along. Hot chocolate and other goodies will be available and there will also be crafts for the kids. For the full entertainment schedule, visit www.lafayettechamber.org.

Saklan Middle School Open House from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at 1678 School Street, Moraga. Get an inside look at the advantages of Saklan’s middle school program, including project-based, hands-on learning curriculum and an active social and emotional educational program. Please RSVP to admissions@ saklan.org.

North Shattuck Association presents Snow? In Berkeley? from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Gourmet Ghetto, Shattuck Ave., 1451-1495 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. Bring boots and mittens. Snow Queen, Pony Rides, DIY Crafts, Holiday Craft Vendors. Cost: Free.  For more info see http://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/holiday-berkeley/holiday-gourmet-ghetto.html or call (510) 334-6523 or email Lisa@AnotherBullwinkelShow.com.

OTHER

KPFA Radio 94.1 FM presents Alice Waters: Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. Alice Waters will discuss with Steve Wasserman, “Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Countercultural Cook,” answer questions and sign books. Host Kris Welch. Cost: $15 advance, $18 door. For more info see http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3094009 or call (510) 967-4495.

Celebrate the completion of the Rheem Boulevard Sinkhole and Storm Drain Replacement Project scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 at Rheem Boulevard/Center Street. Public parking will be available behind the Rheem Theatre. Event sponsors will provide activities for all including a mini-sinkhole photo opportunity, informational booths, project timeline displays, giveaways, and more! The Chamber of Commerce will host a booth to accept nonperishable food, cash or check donations
for the North Bay fire victims and the Food Bank.

The 39th Annual Lafayette Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center. Keynote speaker will be Deanne Pearn, MPP Executive Director of Contra Costa Interfaith Housing. The event will be catered by Jeff Assadi of La Finestra! Music provided by Wendy Tamis, harpist. Please make your reservations by Nov. 15 at www.LafayetteChamber.org.

Holiday Boutique to benefit A New Day for Children - providing restorative care to American girls rescued from human trafficking from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at St. Mary’s College, Dryden Hall. Free admission; free parking. For more boutique info email HolidayBoutiqueforNewDay@gmail.com. www.NewDayForChildren.com

An Artistic Masterpiece Comes to Walnut Creek –  “Loving Vincent” is the first film made using oil paints. Altogether there are 66,000 frames that took 10 years to paint. The film is a biopic of Vincent Van Gogh, the tortured Dutch artist, and focuses primarily of his last days. It is a bit of a mystery as to how, exactly, he died and the narrator seeks to solve it. The film will be show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 in the Oak View Room at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $12 General Admission tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. http://mountainshadow.org

Adopt a beautiful black cat or kitten from Community Concern for Cats from 1 to 4 p.m. on Black Friday weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25 and 26. Locations are Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Herbal Gift Making for the Holidays at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Elana O’Losky will help us make herbal vinegar and mini wreaths using fresh herbs and greens. Materials and handouts provided. Space is limited. Register online, by phone or in person at the Orinda Library.

Contra Costa Tale Spinners at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 in the Orinda Library Garden Room. Join a story swap with featured teller, Suz Shampanier, who will share “Theodosia and Burr,” inspired by the musical “Hamilton,” by Lin Manuel Miranda. Share, listen, expand your universe.

Recycle Those Bicycles! For the 20th year, through the month of November, Bobbie and Tom Preston will collect bikes for Cycle Recycle to be refurbished and given to charitable groups to distribute for the holidays. New and/or used bikes and trikes in working or repairable order, or useable bike parts (no skateboards or plastic bikes please), may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga. No need to call before drop off, but for more information contact the Prestons at (925) 376-8474.

Hacienda Holiday Faire - Find all your handcrafted holiday gifts and support local artisans at the annual holiday faire from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec 2 at the historic Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. Hand-crafted gifts, décor and specialty foods by over 45 local artisans. Complimentary wine tasting with Captain Vineyards. For more information email HaciendaHolidayFaire@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/HaciendaHolidayFaire/

Budd MacKenzie of Lafayette will speak at Commonwealth Club in San Francisco about his work with women, children and the needy in war-torn Afghanistan at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 at the Commonwealth Club, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. Tickets available online or at the door. www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2017-12-04/couch-war-hearts-and-minds

Coping with the Holidays from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill. A class that presents ideas and strategies to help those experiencing grief during the holiday season as this time of year can be difficult for those who have lost a loved one. hospiceeastbay.org

The Saint Mary’s College Guild will present its annual festive Christmas luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6 at Saint Mary’s College, Dryden Hall 1928 St. Mary’s Road. The festive affair will have music, provided by the SMC award-winning choir, a bake sale, and raffle baskets galore, including the infamous Christmas Money Tree. Cost: $45 per person. Make checks payable to: SMC Guild, Send to: Susan Hooks - 120 Ardith Drive - Orinda, CA 94563. For further information, call Pat Mc Enaney at (925) 376 – 3306.

SENIORS

Eldercare presents The Elusive Thing Called Sleep by Linda Fodrini-Johnson MA, MFT, CMC from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at 1808 Tice Valley Blvd. Walnut Creek. Good Night, Sleep Tight! Learn ways to help achieve that deeply desired REM sleep! No fee. Advanced registration required. Classes are intended for family caregivers or those dealing with the challenges of aging. Questions? Call 866-760-1808 or email info@eldercareanswers.com.

Branch 116 Sons in Retirement, for retired or semi-retired men, will be holding its 11:30 a.m. lunch meeting Nov. 20 at the Clubhouse at Boundary Oak, 3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek. The guest speaker will be Jim Darby. He will discuss his book “Right Off The Bat” which deals with his experience selling, marketing and dealing with a myriad of sports entities. The cost of lunch is $25. For reservations or information call (925) 322-1160 or email branch116@gmail.com. www.branch116.org.

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides free and objective counseling and advocacy services to Contra Costa Medicare beneficiaries and their families who need assistance with Medicare enrollment and issues involving Medicare and associated insurance programs, including prescription drug coverage at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon on the first Wednesday or third Tuesday monthly in the Lafayette Community Center. HICAP does not endorse or sell insurance products. For an appointment, call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050.

GARDEN

The Moraga Garden Club will hold their next meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. The guest speaker will be Ann Leyhe, co-owner of Mrs. Dalloway’s Books in Berkeley. The store features an extensive collection of garden books, which will be the topic of her discussion. Interested parties are welcome to attend the 9:30 a.m. social hour, 10 a.m. meeting, and the presentation by Ann Leyhe immediately following the meeting.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting (third Friday of every month, September through May) will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. Everyone welcome. Presentation: Floral Design: A Demonstration by David Mulkey. www.montelindogarden.com.