The Lafayette Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of our new winter show “Treasures from the Heart,” which focuses on distinctive gifts for the special people in your life. "Treasures from the Heart" will be on display through March 6th. The Gallery is open from 11:00 to 5:00, Tuesday through Saturday. You are warmly invited to a Champagne and Chocolate Reception on Friday, January 29th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Lafayette Gallery, located at 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, phone (925) 284-2788,
www.lafayettegallery.net.

Moraga Art Gallery will present a new group show, "Three Continents," featuring local artists showing watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, ceramics, photography, mixed media, jewelry and glass designs. Opening Reception, 3-5 p.m., January 23, and will run through March 14, 2010. The Gallery is featuring the work of two Moraga artists, Leslie Swartz and Mariann Mortensen. Swartz's subjects range from cats and elephants to garlic and orchids. Photographs often inspire Swartz’s paintings and drawings, as do her extensive travels. Glass Artist/Metalsmith Mortensen's fused glass creations are lit up with copper accents and rich color, as seen in her jewelry, platters, coasters and functional dishware.

The Orinda Arts Council announces the 7th Annual High School Visual Arts Competition featuring 2D, 3D and photographic art. Open to all high school students who live or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette or Moraga. Register online @ www.orindaartscouncil.org starting Feb. 1, 2010. Registration Deadline: Midnight, Thurs. Feb. 18. Artwork to be submitted to Orinda Library--May Room, Sun., Feb 28, 1:00-4:00 pm. Awards Reception, Wed., March 10, 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Exhibit runs March 5-30 at the Orinda Library Gallery. Questions? Contact ccklevan@comcast.net.

Boys Day at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Sunday January 31, 2010 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Julia Morgan Center for the Arts (2640 College Ave.), Berkeley. Cost: FREE. For more information, call Ilona McHugh, Artistic Director (510)-843-4688 ext. 111 or email idance@berkeleyballet.org.

The Saint Mary’s College Performing Arts Department will present a stage adaptation of the ever popular folk tale RIP VAN WINKLE by Washington Irving. This short tale is elaborated and adapted into a full hour of child-focused entertainment. Performances will take place in LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary's College on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, January 28 at 4 p.m. All tickets are $8. For reservations call (925) 631-4670 or email scahill@stmarys-ca.edu.

Town Hall Theatre presents Oscar Wilde’s Victorian satire "The Importance of Being Earnest" – but with a twist. This production is set in the 1920s, when everything “modern” was the height of fashion and women were taking their proper, prominent status. There is no better play to show Oscar Wilde as the true reveler -- and mocker -- of all things modern. It’s directed by Susanah Martin, who returns to Town Hall after her multi-Shellie Award-nominated production of Rabbit Hole. The show runs Feb. 25 – March 27. For tickets, contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557, or purchase online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

Storytelling for Leaders: Join us for this daylong experiential workshop exploring storytelling as a vehicle for change. Stories are as old as humankind and are new each time we tell them. If we wish to preserve something, we must first learn to tell its story. Or, to change direction we must learn to change the stories. What are the stories you and others are telling? Saturday, January 23, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hagerty Lounge, De La Salle Hall, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Registration: http://www.acteva.com/go/smcleadershipcenter or RSVP via return email to lag4@stmarys-ca.edu.

The stimulating evening 2010 lecture series, Dialogues, at the Contra Costa JCC in Walnut Creek will launch on Tuesday, January 26, 2010, with Rabbi Robinson, who will address the timely topic, Jews in the U.S. Military: It's Not Your Grandfather’s Armed Forces. The 2010 line-up for Dialogues includes subjects ranging from jazz, aging in the 21st century, and Israeli cuisine to a Jewish journalist’s prospective on covering Israel. Receptions round out each lecture. The second lecture will be held on Thursday, February 11 with Lillian Rubin, Ph.D., who will discuss "Does Age Count? The Truth About Aging in the 21st Century." To learn more about Dialogues and the different package options, or to register, visit www.ccjcc.org/dialogues or call 925.938.7800, ext. 256 The Contra Costa JCC is located at 2071 Tice Blvd. in Walnut Creek.

Budd McKenzie will be speaking at the World Affairs Council East Bay Chapter on January 27 at the new Lafayette Library. Budd is the Founder of Trust in Education (TIE), a nonprofit organization that provides education, economic development and health care in Afghanistan. TIE was founded in 2003 and today the organization consists of 30 teachers and 850 students, of which over 600 are girls. MacKenzie will provide unique insight into the Afghan-American relationship and will discuss his observations of the interactions and efforts made between the local Afghan population, nonprofit aid organizations, and the US military. Registration: 6:30 p.m., Program: 7:00 p.m. Council Members & Nonmembers: $5; Students: Free. Location: Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.

“What's Next for Global Cinema and Music - The Rise of Bollywood and South Asian Identity” Classically trained tabla (north Indian drums) artist Robin Sukhadia presents a survey of the history of Bollywood cinema through film clips and live performance. Sukhadia’s lecture will present Bollywood as a lens through which to understand India's growing influence on global politics, music and culture; with a special focus on the success of “Slumdog Millionaire” and its relevance to where Indian cinema and India is going. When: Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. Where: Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Free and open to the public.

The Friends of the Lafayette Library present Susan Wels, the author of the new biography of Amelia Earhart for the next Sweet Thursday, January 28, 7:30 p.m. at the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to fly solo across the Pacific. But Amelia Earhart was also a photographer, poet, hospital worker, fashion designer, social worker, and student of chemistry, physics, and medicine—before she vanished over the Pacific Ocean in July 1937.

Silver Voices Presents an Interactive Poetry Reading Event with Gayle Eleanor, Stan Morner, and other member of Silver Voices, a local poets organization established by the Ina Coolbrith Circle. Fri Jan 29, 1:30 – 3:00pm. Lafayette Senior Services, Elderberry Room, 500 Saint Mary’s Road, Lafayette. All event/programs $1 Members/ $3 Non-Members. Please call 284-5050 to reserve a spot.

The Miramonte High School Public Speaking program, ranked in the top 1% of competitive speech programs nationwide, will put on their first annual student showcase on Wednesday, February 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in the Miramonte Theater. Light refreshments will be served after the performance. Tickets are $5 and are available on the Miramonte Web Store (http://miramonte.revtrak.net/tek9.asp) or at the door. (See article)

BOOK SALE -- Friends of the Orinda Library sale on Thurs. Feb. 4th – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The book sale offers gently used books - and many just-like-new ones - for book lovers of all ages and interests. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. 254-1358.

Gold Coast Chamber Players announced this week the first of three concerts this season: Slavic Spirit, 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31st at the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. The program begins with a string trio by Zoltan Kodaly, Intermezzo, continues with Franz Liszt’s solo piano work Un Sospiro, Hungarian Rhapsody for cello and piano by Popper, and the popular Hungarian Dance #5 by Johannes Brahms for violin and piano. The highlight of the program will be the Sextet for Clarinet, French Horn, Piano and String Trio by Erno V. Dohnanyi. The Community Hall is located at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Join us for the other two programs: Bach-Bachianes on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. and Fantasy-Phantasies on May 22 at 8 p.m.

The next Big Band Ball Room Dance featuring the Big Band of Rossmoor will be held on Friday, February 19th at the Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Come swing with your friends and neighbors-or just listen! Doors open at 7:00 pm and the dance runs from 7:30 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. There will be a no-host bar open throughout the evening. Tickets $10 per person available at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Call 284-7404 for reservations
www.lafayettechamber.org.

The Moraga Community Chorus needs sopranos, altos, tenors and basses for their spring program and year around. No audition is required—just the love of singing and the ability to carry a tune. The spring program includes pieces by Vivaldi (“Gloria”), Bart (“Oliver”), Verdi Opera choruses, Rodgers (“Carousel”) and other show and popular tunes. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 7:30 until 9:30 at the Miramonte Gardens club house off of Moraga Road at 1 Miramonte Way in Moraga. The chorus performs in several venues (clubhouses, churches, retirement communities, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, hospice Christmas tree lighting, etc.). For more information call Tom Marnane at (925) 376-6312 or better yet just come to a rehearsal and start singing with us.

Voices of Musica Sacra is holding auditions for all voice parts on Mondays through March 2, 2010, in conjunction with Monday rehearsals from 7:00-9:30 pm. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Avenue, Walnut Creek (basses & tenors are especially needed). Call (925) 680-7089 to schedule an audition. June performances will be The Complete Choral Works of Samuel Barber. John Kendall Bailey, Music Director. See website for information and details, www.vmschorus.org.

January 26, 6:30 p.m., Contra Costa County Library, Martinez. Creative Writing discussion with Lamorinda teen contributors, and author Cynthia Brian, of the book Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS. 740 Court St., Martinez. Free parking . http://ccclib.org/.

Overuse Injuries in the Young Athlete and Diagnosis and Management of Sports Related Concussions: A lecture and discussion with Cindy Chang, MD. Wednesday, January 27, 2010 7:30- 9p.m. Miramonte High School Theatre, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. Dr. Chang served as head team physician for Cal’s 27 athletic teams from 1995-2008 and is recognized as one of the leading primary care sports medicine physicians in the country.

Paws to Read. January 28, 3 p.m. Kids, books and dogs...what a great combination. Paws to Read is for children who would like to read to a certified therapy dog. Call the library to register. Parents do not attend the reading session. Held at the Moraga Library.

LMYA is currently registering for: Coed Kindergarten Teeball, Girls’ 1st Grade Softbaseball, Boys’ 1st Grade Softbaseball, 2nd/3rd Grade Boys Baseball, 2nd/3rd Grade Girls Softball, 4th/5th Grade Girls Softball, 6th/7th/8th Grade Girls Softball, 5th-8th Grade Girls & Coed Volleyball (boys are welcome to join with no more than two boys per team). More information and registration is online at www.lmyasports.com.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum will open its doors the evening of Saturday, January 30, for a special event: Wild Night at the Museum. This fun family fundraiser, running from 6 to 9:30 pm, will feature a show by Peter Gros of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom along with several live wild animals including a Burmese Python, Ring Tail Lemur and African Serval. Ticket price is $50.00 for one adult and one child. Additional children (under 18) are only $10.00 each. Proceeds from the event will support the Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s education and wildlife rehabilitation programs. For ticket information please contact Mary McAfee at (925) 627-2951 or visit the museum’s website at www.wildlife-museum.org.

Parent Education Night: When things go “haywire” even with parent’s best intentions. Wednesday, February 3, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda. Youth and young adult experts Dr. Francis Bartolomeo, Jack Kline and Karen Fitzhugh from CRC Health Group will talk in a panel format on helping our youth manage stress and issues that can result in unhealthy behavior. Free/No cost to attend. No reservations needed. Phone: 254-3770; email: office@ststephensorinda.org; website: www.ststephensorinda.org.

The 2nd Annual “Heart of the Home” Kitchen Tour returns Wednesday, February 10, from 9:30-1:30. See six beautiful, remodeled kitchens. Freshly cooked crepes will be offered, tempting raffle items, craftsmen and designers will be in some homes. Very special cooking classes offered for sign-up. Enjoy lunch at Shelby’s, Theater Square in Orinda, and take home cupcakes from Republic of Cake (show ticket for a donation). Tickets: $25 at McDonnell Nursery, Orinda Books, Elaine’s Nails (Orinda), Lazy K Gifts (Lafayette), Across the Way (Moraga), J. Hettinger (Danville) & Miramonte High School’s webstore. To benefit MHS Grad Night ‘10. Tour hotline 212-4208.

Green Rheem Film Night Series seek student interns (think credit!) and adult volunteers. Support the showing of an educational documentary related to the environment every 2nd Thursday evening of the month. Please contact Susan JunFish at junfish@gmail.com for more info on how just an hour of your time a month can help keep this going and support the Rheem Theater from closing.

Free Tax Preparation for the 2010 tax season will again be offered by Tax Aide’s AARP-sponsored program. The service is available starting February 2010 to low and moderate income taxpayers of any age but special attention will be given to seniors 60 plus. Please call (800) 510-2020 or (925) 335-8749 for Tax Aide locations in your community. To complete your tax return, Tax Aide will need you to bring to the appointment your: Social Security Card or ITIN letter for all individuals to be listed on the return; Copies of all W-2s; 1098s and 1099s; other income and deductions; your 2008 Tax Return; 2009 property tax documentation to claim property tax deduction.

Susan Edgren Williams, founder of the Orinda Academy of Ballet, is offering a new ballet program at the Moraga Hacienda in January, as part of the City of Moraga’s Parks and Recreation program for 2010. The new program at the Hacienda will include classes for young children through adults. Susan will incorporate her extensive training, performance and teaching experience at the Oakland Ballet and around the world. Students may be offered various opportunities to perform around the Bay Area as they progress in their training. Moraga Parks & Recreation, www.moraga.ca.us, (925) 888-7045. (See article page 18)

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time! The Girl Scouts annual Cookie Sale is going on. From January 15 through January 31, local Girl Scout troops will be out and about in your neighborhood taking pre-orders, with deliveries starting February 22. Don’t know any Girl Scouts? No problem. Just call us to get in touch with a troop in your area. 1-800-447-4475 ext. 190. Then, from March 5 through March 21, Girl Scouts will be selling those delicious cookies at various locations throughout Lamorinda, so watch for Girl Scout booths at Starbucks, Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, Diablo Foods and Noah’s Bagels.

Lafayette’s one and only Pub Trivia will be held on Wednesday, January 27th, February 24th, and March 31st. Trivia begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and lasts approximately two-hours. The event will be held at Petar’s, located at 32 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette. Get your friends, family, or co-workers together and form a team of two to five players. It's FREE to participate! Must be 21 years or older. Prizes awarded to winning teams. Pub food and drinks are available. Email questions to pubtrivia@live.com for additional information.

The Orinda Women’s Club announces its acceptance of applicants for its 2010 benefit and fundraising activities. Application forms can be acquired from Orinda Women’s Club Post Office Box 533, Orinda, CA, 94563 or from Adeline Mcclatchie, Beneficiary Chair, at (925) 254-1162.The Beneficiary Chair must receive applications by March 1, 2010, 7p.m. Applicants must meet the following criteria: they must serve women and children in need. They need to be an Alameda and/or Contra Costa based non-profit organization receiving $750,000 and below in annual income. The applications will be reviewed, processed and voted on by club Membership.

Rotary Club of Moraga is staging its 8th Annual "A Nite at the Races" event, with no-host cocktails, wine, and beer, a professionally catered dinner not including crab, video horse races and betting, and silent and live auction. The cost is $40. Some winnings from betting can be applied to pay for silent auction items. It will be held Saturday night, March 13, 2010 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center on School Street in Moraga. For information and reservations, please contact Barbara Bruner at (925) 376-4281 (barbbruner@comcast.net ). All proceeds from this event will fund local youth educational and humanitarian causes. Every dollar donated toward ending polio will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Widowed Persons Support will be offering a series of six Grief Support Meetings on Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to noon. The series begins January 9 and ends February 13. These meetings will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. No charge. These meetings are not church affiliated and are led by trained widowed facilitators. These meetings are primarily for recently widowed persons but anyone who feels the need of additional support is welcome. You need not attend all 6, but just come when you can.

The Moraga Lions Club Crab Feed will be held on Saturday January 23, 2010, at the Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Moraga (1700 School Street). There will be a no host bar starting at 6 pm with dinner starting at 7 pm. The menu will consist of salad, garlic bread, crab, pasta, dessert and complimentry wine. Following dinner there will be a live auction and raffle. Tickets are $40 per adult, $20 per child 6 through 12 and free for children under 6. Order your tickets now before it sells out. Contact: Mike Holland at (925) 377-1861 or jmichaelholland@yahoo.com.

The Knites of Columbus Council #7683 will host their annual Crab Feed on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in St. Monica's Peace Room in Moraga. Appetizers and no-host Cocktails will be served beginning at 6:00pm. Dinner will be served at 7:30pm and will include salad, pasta, french bread, fresh cracked crab and dessert. Chicken is available when ordered in advance. Tickets are $50, must be reserved and paid for in advance and are nonrefundable. For tickets contact Karl Anderson at 283-3679.

Crab Feed & Dance – Saturday, February 7, 6:00 – 11:00 PM. Bring your appetites & dancing shoes. Music provided by popular DJ. Dinner & dance $35; dance only $10. For information and reservations call (925) 672-6799. Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga.

3rd Annual Soroptimist Crab Feed & Silent Auction. All you can eat crab, pasta, salad, bread, dessert & Live Jazz band. Funds raised support programs that improve the lives of women and girls in our community. Saturday, February 20, 2010, 6:00 p.m., Oakwood Athletic Club-Lower Court, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, Tickets $40; advance purchase required. Call (925) 688-1480 or www.soroptimist24-680.org.