LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Calendar

	MUSIC AND CONCERTS
	WomenSing, a 50 voice chorus, will perform Sunday, April 5 at 4:00pm, Saint Mary’s Chapel, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga: “Stars” by Dublanc and Randall Thompson, contemporary Norwegian music, music in celebration of Mendelssohn’s 200 birth anniversary, and the mystical Holst's Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda. Ticket prices are: $25 reserved $20 general $18 Seniors/students $10 youth 18 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.womensing.org, at the door, or by calling (925) 974-9169.

	THEATRE
	“Serenity In Central Park”, by Lafayette Residents Leora Lubliner, is an original one-act play about two friends who share an imaginary world where anything is possible. Come remember what it was like when an afternoon walk in the park could become one of your greatest adventures. This is a limited engagement, for one weekend only. Performances will take place March 27-29th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets: (925) 943-SHOW or online at www.LesherARTScenter.org. All proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations in the community. ___________________________ ONSTAGE THEATRE concludes its 31st season with “The Subject was Roses”, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Frank D Gilroy running through March 29 at Diablo Actors Ensemble Theatre: 1345 Locust Street in Walnut Creek.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Matinees; $18 general and $14 seniors. For tickets, call 925 944-9006 or visit the web at onstagetheatre.org. Midsummer Night’s Dream will be presented by the award-winning Diablo Valley College Drama Department; opening March 20th and running every Fri-Sun. thru April 5th. Tickets range from $5-15, with special community-outreach matinees during the week for school-aged children and their classes. (If you are an educator, and would like to arrange to have your students attend, please contact Marsha Fulk at (925) 687-4445 for details and booking.) General Public performances will be held Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling (925) 687-4445 or by emailing- mfulk@dvc.edu. ___________________________ Lafayette Town Hall Theatre Company presents The Odd Couple(Female Version) March 28 – April 25. The Female Version Adds a Twist to Neil Simon’s Superbly Written Comedy (Rating – PG-13) Contact the Town Hall Theatre Company Box Office for exact dates and times. For Tickets: 925-283-1557. Town Hall Theatre Company; 3535 School Street, Lafayette. See story page 5.

	ART
	The Moraga Art Gallery’s new group show “Inner Spirit” opened March 17th and is featuring the work of Nancy Robinson. The public is invited to the Opening Reception on Saturday, March 24, from 3-5 pm at the Moraga Art Gallery, 570 Center St, Rheem Valley Shopping Center- next to Longs Drugs. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 12-5 pm.925.376.5407. ___________________________ The Lafayette Gallery invites you to join us for our new show, “Food, Glorious Food” through May 9th. Gallery artists show work in mediums including printmaking, oil and acrylic paintings, jewelry, collage, ceramics, photography, and more. Lafayette Gallery, 50 Lafayette Circle, 925-284-2788. Gallery Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Bring canned goods to the Gallery and when you make a purchase you will be automatically entered in our raffle. ___________________________ “Faberge Tiffany Lalique” March 25 -2:00pm, Moraga Library A Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco docent lecture based on the current exhibit at the Legion of Honor running through May 31. The exhibit provides first comparative study of three great jewelry and decorative arts designers: Peter Carl Faberge, Louis Comfort tiffany, and Rene Lalique. Martinez Gallery will host an Artists Reception on Friday, April 3, from 6pm to 9pm for a new exhibit of artwork, “Carnevale”, which will run through May 29th. The open hours of the gallery are: 11-3, Wed. Thurs. and Fridays. And 9 to 1 on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. The artwork in the gallery includes watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings; photographs, prints and cards; metal sculpture and clay ceramics, glass work, jewelry, textiles and whimsical items. Martinez Gallery 630 Court Street, Martinez.(925)370-6270.




	KIDS
	The Lafayette Rotary Club’s “Annual Egg Hunt” will take place on Saturday, April 11, at 10:00 am. This event is open to all children ages 2-10 and takes place at Plaza Park (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd) The park lawn will be covered with candy for the kids to put in their baskets. The youngest are always given extra time to get their share! The Bunny will be there to take pictures with the kids. Please arrive on time. We start promptly at 10:00am. Join us for the fun. ___________________________ Moraga’s annual Spring Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 11, at the Moraga Commons Park located at corner of Moraga Road and St. Mary's Road. Two egg hunts will take place: one beginning at 10:00 a.m. and another at 11:00 a.m. The cost for the egg hunt is $5 per child and each participant should bring a basket for collecting the eggs. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at the Moraga Parks and Recreation Department, Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga, (925) 888-7045 or online at www.moragajuniors.org. Tickets will not be sold at the event. Children can also enjoy a toy walk, face painting, arts and crafts, jumpy house fun, and other games. The fun and games begin at 9:00 a.m. Co-sponsored by the Moraga Junior Women's Club and the Moraga Parks and Recreation Department. ___________________________ Chef Lynda Rexroat of Let’s Get Kids Cooking is starting spring cooking classes for preschoolers-13 years at local park and recreation departments and in after school enrichment programs. Children are taught, in hands-on classes, what sustainable foods are and how to make slow foods fast. Her nutritionally balanced cookbooks contain recipes that are easy to follow. You can sign up for spring cooking classes at the Lafayette Parks & Recreation Department, at Orinda’s Wagner Ranch Elementary, Glorietta Elementary and many, more locations. Check our web site www.letsget kidscooking.com. Or email cheflyndak@aol.com, or call (925) 932-1114.


	LECTURES
	On Wednesday, March 18, 2008 at 7 p.m., The Orinda Library invites audiences to a talk by a trained BRT docent on Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s (BRT) new production, “Crime and Punishment.” This version of Dostoevsky’s classic novel welcomes back former artistic director Sharon Ott. Hear how Ott and her team of designers bring to life Raskolnikov and his wretched world on the smaller space of the Thrust Stage with a cast of only three actors. The program will take place in the Gallery Room, Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, in Orinda. For more information, please call (925) 254-2184 or visit the library website at ccclib.org. ___________________________ Mysterious California Book Discussion Series—Kirk Russell’s “Shell Games.” On March 19: 1:00—3:00 p.m. and 7:00—9:00 p.m. Moraga Library. Facilitated book discussion of Russell’s John Marquez novel which takes place along the northern California coast and features a unique sleuth: an ex-DEA who now heads a special investigative unit. ___________________________ The Commonwealth Club -Robert Baer: Inside Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 pm. Considered a leading expert on the Middle East, Baer visited Iran to interview suicide bombers, a grand ayatollah, the hard-line chief of staff of Iran’s military forces and the terrorist chief of Hezbollah. Find out why Baer maintains that America’s hopes in the Gulf lie in peaceful collaboration or even alliance with the fastest growing power in the Middle East. 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, book signing to follow. Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID.) Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. ___________________________ Sister Helen Prejean: Dead Man Walking-The Journey Continues. Monday, March 30, 7:00 PM. Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Sister Helen Prejean is one of the best-known voices speaking against the death penalty in the United States and worldwide. Donation: $20 General, $10 Students with current ID Only Online Tickets available at OR at Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center 925-933-7850. Wheel chair accessible A book sale and signing will follow the presentation. Dr. Catherine Murphy, Associate Professor of New Testament at Santa Clara University, will present a fresh perspective on the Jesus of history. She has traveled frequently to Israel, Greece, Turkey and Europe and written three books the latest being The Historical Jesus for Dummies (2008.) The event is open to the community and takes place Saturday April 4th 7:00 – 9:30. Bring a bottle of wine or a small plate of tapas to share. Book sales will be coordinated by the Lafayette book store and childcare will be provided. Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette (behind the car wash.) www.oslc.net. ___________________________ The Commonwealth Club- Jim Lehrer –Sunday, April 5, 5:30pm. Anchor of one the most respected news programs in America, Lehrer has dedicated his life to reporting informative and unbiased news coverage of the nation’s most pressing issues. Though his journalistic accomplishments are numerous, Lehrer is most proud of his success as a novelist. Join us as he talks writing, reporting and telling America’s story. 5 p.m. check-in, 5:30 p.m. program, 6:30 p.m. book signing. Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members. Premium $30 members, $45 non-members. $7 students (with valid ID). Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. ___________________________ SATURDAY BOOK SALE - Friends of Orinda Library - March 28, 10 a.m. - 1p.m., Sorting Room and Bookshop (Bookshop open until 4 p.m.) Sale offers quality books for all interests and ages. Past monthly book sales have been on Thursday - this sale is scheduled on Saturday to make books available to people who cannot attend weekday events. All funds raised are used for books, computers, other library materials and library programs. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, 925-254-1358.
	OTHER
	___________________________ Need Money For College? Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarships to residents of Contra Costa County that have completed one year of full-time college, completed courses with emphasis on real estate, finance and/or business and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you qualify, scholarship awards can range from $1,500 to $2,500. Further information and applications may be found on line at www.ccarscholarship.com. Deadline is April 24th. ___________________________ Vigil- Iraq War Year Six -March 19th at 7:00pm corner of Deer Hill and Oak Hill Road, across from the Lafayette BART station. Sponsored by: The Crosses of Lafayette, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center Lamorinda Peace & Justice Group, Buddhist Peace Fellowship . The Princess Project is a 100 percent volunteer-run effort that provides free prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who could not otherwise afford them. East Bay Dress Giveaway: Saturday, March 21, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location: 2201 Broadway, Oakland, CA and San Francisco Dress Giveaway: Saturday March 28, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: Embarcadero 4 (Front Street at Sacramento Street) in downtown San Francisco. No proof of financial need is required, just a valid high school I.D. Each girl will be able to shop and choose one accessory and one gown from thousands of gowns of all different colors, sizes, fabrics and designers. They may bring one female companion to help them shop for a dress. ___________________________ Sex After 50: Keep the Fires Burning. Have you ever wondered why your sex drive may change with menopause and aging? Have you wondered if there is anything that can be done about these changes? Join us for a conversation with Risa Kagan, MD to learn more. Thursday, March 26, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Women’s Health Center in Lafayette, 3595 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite 350. RSVP: 510-869-6137. Las Trampas Pool, a club with a main pool, kiddy pool, lawn area, picnic and BBQ areas, swim team and recreational swimming, is now accepting membership applications. Stop by the pool and pick up an application or download an application on the web at www.lastrampaspool.com Contact Membership Director, Krista McGuire at 256-8349 or krista_mcguire@earthlink.net. ___________________________ Earth Hour at Chabot- Saturday, March 28 (8:30pm) Millions around the world will turn off their lights from 8:30pm-9:30pm to demonstrate the power of the people to conserve energy. Chabot will join the world's largest global climate change event and so can you. Visit earthhour.org for more information about getting involved. We will be shutting off most of our lights at 8:30pm. Join us on our observatory deck to watch the Bay Area go dark! Box Office (510) 336-7373, Online tickets www.chabotspace.org . ___________________________ Digital photography - Are your pictures still in your digital camera and you are unsure how to proceed? Do you need to print them? Email them?? Put them on a website to share with others??? Fred Winslow is offering a course through the Lafayette Recreation Department in the upcoming spring term specifically aimed at people who want more information about how to proceed and do basic tasks in the digital environment. Call Lafayette Recreation at 925-284-2232. Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Federated presents its annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 28—11:00 AM - 2:00 PM—at Oakhurst Country Club. Enjoy a delicious luncheon, clothing from Coldwater Creek being modeled by our own Republican Ladies, exciting Boutiques and Keynote Speaker Lynne Leach as well as a special guest speaker from John Muir’s Women’s Health Center speaking on “setting boundaries and handling stress”. $35 RSVP with luncheon your selection—Chicken Picatta; Pasta Primavera; Chicken Caesar Salad or Cobb Salad - Call: Barbara Allen 925/672-5061 or jngcabot@pacbell.net or visit our website: www.yvrwf.org Please help our Hospitality Ladies with check or exact amount whenever possible.
	SENIORS
	The Contra Costa Jewish Community Center (CCJCC) has announced the grand opening of The Millman Respite Center Dementia Caregivers Resource Library. The library is open to the public and free of charge. Visitors will find almost 100 books and DVDs available for checkout, as well as videos, brochures and newsletters. Subjects include early memory loss, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, grief and loss, homecare and therapeutic activities. The Millman Respite Center provides an Adult Day Program and Caregiver Support Group and is located at 2071 Tice Blvd. in Walnut Creek;. (925) 938-7800 ext. 257. ___________________________ The Widowed Persons Support Group meetings: Saturdays, April 18, 25, May 2, 9,16, and 23. 10.a.m. to Noon at St. Stephen’s Church, 66 St.Stephen’s Drive, in Orinda. The meetings are free informal discussions of the emotional and practical needs and concerns of the bereaving widowed person. For information, .please call 925/032-3448.