ART

Fall Exhibitions at the Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art through Dec. 16. “Graphicanos: Contemporary Latino Prints” from the Serie Project and “Stanley Koppel: Artist as Activist.” https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum

In the spirit of the season, the Moraga Art Gallery presents “Holiday Magic in Porcelain and Paint,” a colorful new show featuring the works by two of Lamorinda’s most celebrated artists: Lafayette’s Donna Arganbright and Orinda’s Maria SantaStefano. The show, which includes paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photographs, and many other gifts of art by the gallery’s 14 members and guest artists, runs through Jan. 5. For more information, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

MUSIC

The SMC Jazz Band will present the last two concerts of the semester at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 and 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 in the Soda Center’s Claeys Lounge. The SMC Jazz Combo will also perform and vocalists Gianna D’Arrigo and Leah Dobson will also be featured.  Tickets available at the door: General $5 / Seniors; Students $2.   

Cantare Con Vivo Chamber Ensemble presents Sing We and Chant It at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. Tickets: General $22, Student $10. Website: https://www.cantareconvivo.org/upcoming-events

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre “Lost & Found” Season 2018-19 continues with the holiday offering: the West Coast Premiere of “Great Expectations,” an adventure-packed adaptation of the classic Dickens’ coming-of-age story by Gale Childs Daly. “Great Expectations” will have 12 performances, including two previews, Nov. 29 through Dec. 16 at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette. Tickets are $18 - $30, and are available through the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

Solo Opera and award-winning Bay Area composer, David Conte, bring to life the timeless turn of the century short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” by O. Henry. Set in the original 1905 time period, the opera will contain a cast of seven singers, accompanied by a seven-piece chamber orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Katsman. The opera will be performed at 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Tickets: $25-$40, call (925) 943-7469.

The Saint Mary’s College Dance Company presents Limbo at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nov. 15, 16, and 17 at the LeFevre Theatre, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. There will be one matinee show on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. The sensational dance show choreographed by the senior class at Saint Mary’s College showcases pieces that reflect their fears, excitements, and questions accompanying their journey through and beyond Saint Mary’s. This show explores the past and present, here and there, reality and imagination, and everything that lies in between. Join the senior choreographers as they explore the unknown and struggle to survive in a state of limbo. Tickets: $5 for General Admission and Free for SMC students with student ID.

OTHER

Saint Mary’s College Guild’s Thanksgiving luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Soda Center on the Saint Mary’s College campus. All are invited to attend. A traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings will be available. The speaker will be Dr. Mary Volmer, SMC faculty member and author of two books. Reservations should be sent to Carmen Hughes, 26 Inverleith Terrace, Moraga, CA 94556. Tickets are $35. Questions may be directed to her at (925) 376-7365. All proceeds benefit Students seeking financial aid scholarships.

40th Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Everyone is invited to come together to share in a breakfast. Donna Wright Sommerville, co-founder of Grateful Gatherings will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $25 per person and are available online at LafayetteChamber.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Mountain Shadow Film Society presents “Pick of the Litter,” a documentary about the training of service dogs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 Broadway St. It follows a class of pups for two years, the amount of time it takes to train a guide dog. We will also show “Rouff,” a creative, animated short film. In addition to the adorable puppies on film, we will have a special visit from a Guide Dogs for the Blind canine trainee and its handler. General admission $12. http://mountainshadow.org

Let’s give thanks for the wonder of cats and kittens! Community Concern for Cats invites you to meet adorable adoptables at this weekend’s adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 18 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Women of Spirit is a monthly gathering of inclusive, curious women seeking connection, shared learning and growth with other women of diverse faith traditions. First half hour is social time, followed by a gathering to include a warm welcome, inspiring speakers, discussion at table groups, and warm group closing. The next meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3776 Vía Granada, Moraga. We are not affiliated with any religious institution, and are open to all. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/womenofspiritlamorinda/

For the 21st year, Bobbie and Tom Preston will be holding the Cycle Recycle, collecting repairable bikes to be refurbished and given to charitable groups to distribute at Christmas. This year the recipient organizations include Oakland International High School’s Earn-A-Bike program, Marsh Creek Detention Center, and Trips for Kids in Marin. New and/or used bikes and trikes—in working order or repairable, or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga, throughout the month of November only. No skateboards or plastic bikes please; no need to call beforehand, but for more information contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at (925) 376-8474.

Hospice East Bay Presents Tree of Lights 2018 at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 at the Roundup Saloon parking lot, Mt. Diablo Blvd and Lafayette Circle East, Lafayette, Dec. 1 in Orinda Village by Bank of America, and at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Drive. https://hospiceeastbay.org

Saint Mary’s College Guild’s Christmas Luncheon fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Soda Center, Moraga Room. It will feature The Award Winning St. Mary’s Choir directed by Dr. Julie Ford and accompanied by Sharon Kim, pianist. We will have a raffle for the infamous Christmas money tree along with 6 other fabulous gift baskets. We will also have the delicious annual Bake Sale! All proceeds benefit students applying for financial aid scholarships. Cost is $45. Send a check made out to SMC Guild addressed to Karen Kinsey, 135 Longfield Place, Moraga, CA 94556 - Direct all questions to Karen (925) 376-2225

The Lamorinda Wine Growers Association is hosting its 1st Annual Holiday Celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Join us for local wine, food and dancing to the music of Diamond Dave. Seating is limited and must be 21 to attend. For more information and to register: https://lamorindawinegrowers.com/event-calendar/#!event/register/2018/12/6/lamorinda-wine-growers-association-holiday-party

All women are invited to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” Presbyterian Women’s annual Christmas tea to be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. There will be musical entertainment as well as a traditional tea. Call (925) 288-9990 for reservations.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated’s meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Orinda Country Club. Please join us to hear Allison Johnson discussing water conservation and the importance of Central Valley Farmers.  Johnson is the co-president of the Saint Mary’s College Republican Club. Cost: luncheon and speaker $36; speaker only $15; speaker only student discount price $5. Reservations needed; please contact Elsie Euing at ejeuing@comcast.net or (925) 254-8614. For more information, go to http://www.lamorindarepublicanwomen.org/.

GARDEN

Moraga Garden Club presents Live Birds, Taxidermy, Artifacts and Fun with Jenny Papka at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 Center St, Moraga. Jenny Papka graduated with honors from UC Davis in Environmental Interpretation. She has been involved with native wildlife since 1988. Her working experience includes working with more than 30 species of raptors. Join us to learn how these birds of prey see their world, their place in the wild, and how they adjust to captive life. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments. For more information go to moragagardenclub.com.

The Montelindo Garden Club’s November meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Saving the Monarch Butterfly. Victoria “Tora” Roche, the former Park Supervisor for the City of Oakland until her retirement, is a champion of Monarch butterflies. She will speak about the alarming decline in their population and resulting local efforts to foster the development of Monarch caterpillars and to create habitat for Monarchs.