Hearst Gallery presents Ralph Borge: A Symbolic Realist and His Circle, through March 14. A retrospective exhibition by California College of the Arts beloved master professor of painting and drawing, Ralph Borge (1921 - 2009), including a selection of works by some of his most noted former students. The Hearst Gallery is located at Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. The building is directly behind the Chapel. Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Suggested admission donation: $3.
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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 6.The Gallery is open from 11 to 5 from Tuesday through Saturday. Lafayette Gallery, located at 50 Lafayette Circle. Gallery hours Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Phone (925) 284-2788; www.lafayettegallery.net.
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Moraga Art Gallery is presenting "Three Continents" featuring local artists showing watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, ceramics, photography, mixed media, jewelry and glass designs through March 14. 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. Moraga Art Gallery is located at 570 Center St, Rheem Valley Shopping Center/next to CVS Drugs in Moraga. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., (925) 376-5407.
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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. Deadline: Midnight, Thu Feb 18. Expanded categories for awards and prizes! All entries will be exhibited at the Orinda Library Gallery, March 5th-30th. Artists' Reception and Awards Presentation on Wed., March 10, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please join us for light refreshments and announcement of winners, Questions? Contact ccklevan@comcast.net.
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Artist Paula Boas will be exhibiting her abstract paintings at Fastframe of Lafayette during the month of February. A former petrochemical industry engineer, Paula embraced abstract paintings rooted in architectural and natural landscapes. Starting with an idea, her process takes over and the paintings move in new and sometimes unexpected directions, revealing layers of paint, script, graphite, and paper to create subtle yet complex surfaces. Fastframe is located at 3571 Mt. Diablo Blvd next to Postino’s. Call owner Anthony Ruiz at 283-7620 for more information, and check out Paula’s website at www.paulaboas.com.

Green Rheem Film Night, Thursday, February 11th. Join us for this funny, entertaining, yet educational film, "No Impact Man" about an urban man who attempts to negate his impact on earth for one year at the demise of his retail loving wife and young daughter. The doors open for wine and appetizers in the lobby at 6:00 p.m. and then the movie starts around 7pm. Location - Rheem Theater, 350 Park Street, Moraga. Movie, wine tasting, and appetizers - $10 online, $12 at theater; Movie only - $8 online, $10 at theater, Student - $5 online or at theater. For more info, google "Green Rheem."
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The California Independent Film Festival will screen “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Orinda Theatre, Feb 13, 4 pm & 7:30 pm. Special Guest Star, Oscar nominee Mary Badham (Scout) will do Q&A after each screening. Gen. Admission: $15, Seniors & Students: $10. Tickets available at Orinda Theatre Box Office or www.caiff.org.
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Town Hall Theatre is presenting 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. 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.

Mammograms: What’s the Debate & Where Are We Now? Dr. Vivian Wing, Diagnostic Radiology, John Muir Health, will put in perspective the myths, fears, & contradictions on where we are and what diverse options are available. Wednesday, Feb 3, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation. Register for reserved seating at consortium@lafayettelib.com or call (925) 283-6513.
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First Friday Forum speaker, Kitty Calavita, will present "Thinking Outside the Box on Immigration Policy" on February 5 at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall at 1:00 p.m. The public is invited to this free event. For further information call (925) 283-8722 or check lopc.org.
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Two of a Kind: Couples Creating Art, a Docent Lecture on February 10, 2:00 p.m. The Friends of the Moraga Library present this fine arts docent lecture. Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudet, Gilbert and George, Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keefe were couples that all shared a passion for life and their work. This talk examines eight different artist couples, their lives, and their art together and separately. Moraga Public Library, 1500 Saint Mary’s Road, (925) 376-6852.
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All Contra Costa County Library locations will be closed from Friday, Feb 12 through Monday, Feb 15 due to County budget cuts and the Presidents Day holiday. During the closure, all library book drops will be closed and no items will be due for return. The Library will use this time to upgrade the automated system and prepare the launch of a redesigned website, featuring an enhanced version of the classic catalog and a new visual catalog, to allow users to more easily find and make use of library materials and services.
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“The Dream Shall Never Die: Hope and Action for Today,” a public lecture by former Lt. Governor of Maryland and Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow Kathleen Kennedy Townsend on Tuesday, February 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Free and open to the public.
Lafayette Historical Society's Speaker Series: Indigenous Peoples of Lafayette - The Saklan. Speaker: John Nutley, President Rossmoor Historical Society. Thursday, Feb 18, 3:00 p.m. in the Art and Science Room (Mezzanine Level) Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Limited seating - $10 donation requested.
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Thu, Feb 18 at 7:00 p.m., Blake Taylor will discuss and sign copies of his memoir, “ADHD and Me: What I Learned From Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table.” This is a benefit for POISE (Parents of Orinda Individuals in Special Education). Orinda Books: 276 Village Square, Orinda; (925) 254-7606.
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Thursday, February 25 at 4:00 p.m., local author Margaret Wood Little will discuss and sign copies of her new novel, The Fiery Furnace: Has Teheran Changed Much in 100 Years? Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda; (925) 254-7606.
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Emeritus College, a program of Diablo Valley College, will offer a variety of spring 2010 classes starting this February. “Shakespeare’s Assertive Women” will be offered Tues. Feb. 23, and March 2, 9, 16 at Rossmoor, Hillside Clubhouse, from 10:00 a.m.-noon. Instructor Bill Harlan, EdD., has taught Shakespeare for 40 years and will show movies of assertive women and discuss how they survive their patriarchal society. To register, call 906-9105 or go to the website at www.dvc.edu/emeritus.

Four Hands, Two Pianos, One Brain: The Dreaded Sequel. The Dynamic Duo of David Auerbach and Martin Morley return to terrify audience members on Saturday, Feb 6, 7:00p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. David and Martin present classical music in an entertaining way, and entertaining music in a classical way. Featuring works of Mozart, Hahn, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, and other composers. Free admission, offering taken. Details at church website, www.oslc.net.
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On Feb 13th & 14th, treat your valentine to Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra’s “Music that Paints a Picture,” featuring the grand zoological fantasy “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens. Come enjoy the world premiere performance of bay area guitarist, Larry Cooperman’s “Oceanographic.” Also on the program are two colorful miniatures by Frederick Delius, Aaron Copland’s evocative “Quiet City,” and Dvorak’s powerful and patriotic “Czech Suite.” Saturday 2/13, 7:30 p.m., Los Medanos College Recital Hall, Pittsburg. Tickets: $5 - $10 Sunday, 2/14, 7:30 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts. Tickets: $15 - $18, at the door, by phone (925) 943-SHOW), or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.
Young People’s Symphony Orchestra 2010 Concerto
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at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Sat., February 6, 8:00 p.m. and Sun., February 7, 2:00 p.m. For tickets and information, visit www.ypsomusic.net, call (510) 849-9776 or email ypsomusic@yahoo.com. See article page S4.
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The next Big Band Ball Room Dance featuring the Big Band of Rossmoor will be held on Friday, February 19 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 p.m. 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 .
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Popular Campolindo Jazz Dinner Dance is coming Saturday, Feb 20 at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette. Features the Campolindo High School Jazz Band under the direction of Harvey Benstein, and proceeds go towards the Campolindo Music Program. This is a fun and festive evening for dancers and non-dancers alike with a gourmet sit-down dinner and beer and wine available for purchase. Tickets $50 adults/$40 students. Check out the Campolindo High School website (Instrumental Music Program) for details or contact Randi Pines, Chair, 283-5770.
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The Cantare Chamber Ensemble
joins the acclaimed Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir to present “Let Freedom Ring,” a powerful concert recounting the heroic journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom. Saturday, February 20th, 7:30 p.m. at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Tickets are $25, $20 and $10. For tickets call (510) 836-0789 or go online to
www.cantareconvivo.org/BuyTickets.asp.
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The Orinda Arts Council and the Pacific Chamber Symphony present a benefit concert on Sunday, March 7, 4:30-6:30 p.m., featuring Maestro Lawrence Kohl and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra's first violinist, VIctor Romasevich. The distinguished trio of piano, violin and clarinet will perform for one night only at a private residence in Orinda. The concert is the first joint event sponsored by the Orinda Arts Council and PCS to promote their advocacy of the performing arts in our community, particularly in our local schools. This special event is limited to 50 guests. For ticket and event information, please contact Gwen McNeilus at (925) 519-3858 or gwenburnes1@hotmail.com.
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The Moraga Community Chorus needs sopranos, altos, tenors and basses for their spring program and year-round. No audition is required—just the love of singing and the ability to carry a tune. 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. For more information call Tom Marnane at (925) 376-6312 or better yet just come to a rehearsal and start singing with us.
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Voices of Musica Sacra is holding auditions for all voice parts on Mondays through March 1 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.

A Superintendents' Forum, Feb 4 at 7:00 p.m., is being hosted by the Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs, at Acalanes High School, in the small theater, 1212 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Our local superintendents from the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda and Walnut Creek School Districts, and the Acalanes Union High School District, will discuss the budget crisis and its effect on their school districts. Bring your questions.
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Teen Leadership Weekend on Sat. Feb 6th & Sun. Feb 7. Subjects covered include: What it takes to teach a class, The History and Customs of the US Flag, Customs and Courtesies of the Sea, The Sea Scout Emblem, Duties of a Sea Scout Youth Officer, How to Run a Meeting, Management by Objective, Backwards Planning, Teaching a Group Skill, Supervision, Delegation, and Dealing with Conflict. Cost for the weekend is $30 (includes registration fee, Sat. lunch & dinner, Sun. breakfast & lunch, snacks). Checks made payable to S.S.S. Sea Witch. The location of this training is the Sea Scout base building, 225 N. Court St. in Waterfront Park, Martinez. Space is limited so contact Communications Officer Mr. Lindenhayn at lindenhayn@sbcglobal.net or 917-0573 to reserve a spot. Open to all interested teens.
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Water Wonders, ages 5-8 years (limit 15 children). Find out where water comes from, discover the journey this "ordinary" treasure takes as you do experiments, test bubble science and meet water animals. Presented by The Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Thursday, February 4, 3:30-5:00 pm, Arts & Science Discovery Center (Mezzanine Level) Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation. Reserve by calling (925) 283-6513.

Living in the World of Texting, Video Games, and Facebook: Are They a Modern Means of Essential Connection or Tools of Addiction and Exploitation? Monday, Feb 22, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Miramonte High School Theatre. Steven Freemire, MFT, will discuss the many issues parents and teens face navigating the exciting and ever-changing, yet potentially harmful world of communication technologies. For flyer see http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/parents/. Click on “High School Information Nights.”
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Paws to Read, grades 1-6, February 4, and 18 at 3:30 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. Please call the library to register. Parents do not attend the reading session. Moraga Public Library, 1500 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga, (925) 376-6852. For additional children’s activities see www.co.contra-costa.ca.us.
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The 11th Annual Sister-to-Sister summit, open to all middle-school girls, will take place on Sat, Mar 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bentley High School, 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road in Lafayette. Sister-to-Sister brings middle and high school girls together in an energizing and supportive environment to address the challenging issues of being a girl. The cost is $30.00. It includes a lunch, beverages, and a T-shirt. Parents are invited to drop-off their girls and stay for an hour-long parenting workshop on raising middle-school girls. Registration is required and should be completed before March 10. For more information or to register, go to www.aauwoml.org or call (925) 942-0102.

3rd Annual Soroptimist Crab Feed & Silent Auction. All you can eat crab, pasta, salad, bread, dessert and live jazz band. Funds raised support programs that improve the lives of women and girls in our community. Sat, Feb 20, 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.
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Registration is Open for the Diablo Trails Challenge 50K/Half Marathon/10K/5K race on Mar 20. Event benefits Save Mount Diablo’s land preservation programs. The 50K race showcases the Diablo Trail which stretches through six public parks crossing more than 50,000 acres of Open Space. Registration includes an event shirt, custom medal for all finishers, awards by race distance and age and BBQ lunch. A portion of all registration fees will go to benefit Save Mount Diablo’s efforts to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks and surrounding foothills. Online registration at http://www.active.com/running/walnut-creek-ca/diablo-trails-challenge-2010.
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On Sat, Feb 27, at 10 am, tree pruning experts will be at McDonnell Nursery to discuss Fruit Tree Pruning. Please call or email to reserve a seat, (925) 254-3713 or info@mcdonnellnursery.com. McDonnell Nursery, 196 Moraga Way in Orinda; www.mcdonnellnursery.com.
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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, 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 .
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The 2nd Annual “Heart of the Home” Kitchen Tour returns on Wed, Feb 10, from 9:30-1:30. See six beautiful, remodeled kitchens. Tour hotline 212-4208. See article on front page of Our Homes section.
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Emeritus College, a program of Diablo Valley College, will offer a variety of spring Fitness and Health Classes starting this February: Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Duan,“Improve Your Balance” and “Back Problems and Care.” To register, call 685-1230 ext. 2388 or go to the Web site at www.dvc.edu/emeritus. Emeritus College offers not-for-credit, short-term, affordable classes. There are no tests and no homework.
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Presentation: How Do We Create a Sustainable Downtown? Thursday, Feb 18, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. This educational presentation will feature Thomas Chastain, of STUDIO URBIS, who is an expert in sustainable architecture and urban design. Tom will give a brief history of how small downtowns, like Lafayette, have evolved and what makes them more or less sustainable going forward. Free cookies and coffee. For more information please contact bart@sustainablelafayette.net. See article in Our Homes section page 11.
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Wine & Chocolate Pairing - Friday, Feb 19, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center; register on-line www.lafayetterec.org. The classes include wine tasting & chocolate, take home materials and 2-1/2 hours of instruction. The on-line registration fee is $25 and in- class supply fee is $15.
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Orinda Mandarin Chinese Program New Year Celebration, Wednesday, February 17 from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Holy Shepherd Church, 433 Moraga Way in Orinda. We will welcome the Year of Tiger with lots of activities. There will be class performances, students will sing Chinese songs and recite Chinese poems. Everyone is welcome! Refreshments will be served.
If you have any questions please contact Cristi Chow at (925)876-0352.
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Chinese New Year Celebration on February 16, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy the White Crane Lion Dancers in a performance of the traditional lion dance. After the performance, there will be crafts and treats. All ages. Moraga Public Library, 1500 Saint Mary’s Road, (925) 376-6852.
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Registration for the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour (which takes place on Sunday, May 2) is now open! Register now at www.BringingBacktheNatives.net to receive your garden guide in the first mailing. This event is expected to fill; registering at this time will reserve your place on the tour. The tour is free of charge. Volunteers are needed to spend a morning or afternoon greeting tour participants and answering questions about natives.
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The Princess Project will be collecting new and nearly new formal gowns and accessories as part of its 2010 dress drive. Dresses and accessories will be collected at The Bentley School in Lafayette and the following retail locations between Feb 8 –19: Tootsies in Oakland (5525 College Avenue), Tootsies in Danville (175 E Prospect Ave), Labels (1367 N Main Street, Walnut Creek). For details about drop-off times, please visit: http://www.princessproject.org/princess/donate/dresses-accessories/
All donations are tax deductible. The dresses will be distributed, free-of-charge, to high school girls at fun-filled dress giveaway events in San Francisco and Oakland in March 2010. Dresses should be current fashionable formal gowns, party or cocktail dresses in excellent condition, dry-cleaned and on hangers.
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St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, located at 451 Moraga Way in Orinda, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The highlight of the celebrations will be held on Sunday, March 7, starting with the worship celebration at 10:30 am, the Reverend Dr. Jim Current (pastor from 1976-1984) preaching, followed by a gala reception. All members of the community are invited to join the congregation on this festive occasion. If you have stories to tell or pictures to share, please pass them along! We will be compiling a booklet and slide show of submissions. For more information, contact Pastor Mark Zier, (925) 324-8130.
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Salsa Dance classes at the Orinda Community Center on Monday nights are on-going and open to join! No partner or experience necessary! It's just $15/class to drop-in. Beginning 7-8 pm, Intermediate 8-9 pm, Open Dancing 9-9:30. Register: (925) 254-2445.
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Acalanes High School's annual International Night is coming up March 18. We are currently looking for food donations, performers, and cultural clothing. Any of these would be much appreciated! Please email us at
ahsdiversityboard@gmail.com.

The Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Federated meet at the Oakhurst Country Club, located at 1001 Peacock Creek Road, Clayton, Wed, Feb 17, beginning at 10:15 a.m. The guest speaker for the luncheon is retired Air Force pilot and candidate for the 7th Congressional District Rick Tubbs. Luncheon is $22, payable at the door--call for reservations: Barbara Allen at 925/672-5061 or e-mail jngcabot@pacbell.net.
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10th Congressional District Representative John Garamendi will hold a town hall meeting on Wed, Feb 17, at 6:00 p.m. at Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd. in Moraga. Open and free to the public. Congressman Garamendi, Northern California's only representative on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, will be available for a dialogue on job creation, economic development, health care, transportation, and other topics of interest.