Wenda Pyman, photographer, and Terry Hunt, potter and sculptor, are currently featured at Moraga Art Gallery, 570 Center St, Rheem Center. Wenda Pyman is a landscape, travel and nature photographer; her body of work shows a heavy emphasis on Mount Diablo and images of other East Bay environs. Terry is attached to Japanese potter ideals, especially shino and temoku glazes, but also embraces a larger palette that includes ash-glazes and copper-reds. Wenda Pyman, photographer, and Terry Hunt, potter and sculptor, will be featured in a new show at the Moraga Art Gallery, 570 Center St, Rheem Center. Gallery hours are 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Andy Warhol's Quick Pix and Pop Icons will be on display April 11 - June 20, 2010 at the Hearst Art Gallery. A large selection of the College’s collection of 152 Polaroid photographs and 8” x 10” black and white gelatin silver prints, awarded through the Warhol Foundation’s Photography Legacy Project, forms the exhibition’s core, including portraits of Warhol's friends, runway shots, Studio 54 scenes, nudes, New York streets and bridges, as well as 1970s and 80s celebrities Dolly Parton, Dorothy Hamill, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, R. C. Gorman, Arman, Denise Hale, Pia Zadora, Vitus Gerulaitus and Steve Rubell. Hearst Art Gallery, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Gallery Hours: Wed. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Main Telephone: (925) 631-4379. Website: www.hearstartgallery.org.

Nationally recognized California artist Andrew Denman is hosting his first ever studio show. A Public Reception will be held on Saturday, May 1st, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Denman Studios, 20 Parkway Court, Orinda. Call (925) 258-9342 to arrange a viewing by appointment.

Orinda resident Jenifer Peake Kolkhorst will be exhibiting her paintings at Fastframe of Lafayette during the month of May. Jenifer, a lifelong gardener, started painting 22 years ago when she wanted to translate the beauty found in the garden into another dimension. Fastframe is located at 3571 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Call (925) 283-7620 for more information.

Watercolor Artist T Susan McHardy Lenoir will display at Panache Caffe located at 3653 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. The exhibit includes 13 paintings of local landscapes, including San Pablo Reservoir, Briones Regional Park and St. Mary’s College Hills. Lenior will donate 10% of all sales from this exhibit to the Lafayette Arts and Science Foundation to support arts programs in the local schools. For more information call (925) 284-7232 or visit www.susanlenoir.com.

During the ProArts East Bay Open Studios, 37 local artists from Bay Area will be showcasing their art at Jack London Square in the Pavilion Building (formerly Barnes & Noble). The artists will feature acrylic and oil paintings, watercolors, jewelry, photography, mixed media, sculpture, woodwork, glass arts, gourds and pottery. This spectacular event will be open two weekends: June 5 & 6, and June 12 & 13, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 98 Broadway, Oakland, CA. The public is invited to view the original art and make a day or weekend of it! Dates: June 5 & 6, June 12 & 13th. Location: 98 Broadway, Pavilion Building, Jack London Square.

Local musicians to play jazz in Berkeley, Saturday, May 8th at 8pm, Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison St. Flutist Carol Alban will open the show and will be joined by Orinda's Marc Levine on bass, Dylan Bard on piano and some surprise guests. George Cole and his swingin' Gypsy Jazz Quintet will play Django Reinhardt music on the centennial of his birthday. Tickets: $18.50 adv./$19.50 door, www.thefreight.org or 510.644.2020.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, hear the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra’s Music that Dances, presenting works by Offenbach, Bartok, Martinu and Dvorak on May 8 & 9. Highlighting the program will be the orchestral premiere of a work by Bay Area composer and cellist Gianna Abondolo. Sunday, 5/9, 2:00 p.m. Lesher Center for the Arts, Tickets: $15 - $18, at the door,
by phone (925-943-SHOW), or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org

The Cantare Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of David Morales, concludes it season with “Go Lovely Rose”, a compilation of twenty-one choral works. Composers include Britten, Whitacre, and the premiere of Bay Area composer Stephen Richards’ Three Madrigals. Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, on Sunday, May 16th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets $10 - $25. (510) 836-0789. Visit the website for tickets or more information: www.cantareconvivo.org.

Saint Mary's College Dance Company presents works by critically acclaimed guest choreographer Janice Garrett, internationally-known choreographer Jia Wu, nationally recognized choreographers Catherine Marie Davalos, Dana Lawton, Rosana Barragan and esteemed faculty members Shuanna Vella and Pope Flynn. Thursday May 6, Friday May 7, and Saturday May 8 in Le Fevre Theater, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. All shows at 8:00 p.m. Admission: $10 general admission, $8 seniors/non-SMC students, $5 SMC Community. Tickets and information available at (925) 631-4670.

Free screening of the Disney-Pixar movie “Up” at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, April 30th at the Moraga Commons Park. All ages welcome. Concessions will be available for purchase and include snacks, drinks, and pizza. Sales will benefit the Moraga Youth Involvement Committee and future events for the town and youth of Moraga. In addition, a raffle will be held to give away prizes including a DVD copy of the movie “Up.” Raffle tickets will be available at the start of the movie. MYIC looks forward to seeing everyone in the community come out for a night of fun, laughs, and entertainment.
Questions? call Melanie Giedlin at (925) 878-1457.

The Fabulous Follies, a revue with 50 singers, dancers and performers, will open at 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 7, at El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. Presented by The Vagabond Players, the show will continue on Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and the following weekend, Saturday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. “It epitomizes classic, Vegas-style entertainment with lavish costumes and dazzling choreography,” said Sharon Redman, the troupe’s artistic director. Reserved seating tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors (62 and up), and $10 for youths under 17. Group rates are available. Visit
www.elcampaniltheatre.com or call (925) 757-9500. The Fabulous Follies will showcase the talents of performers from ages 25 to 75, and the cast includes local residents Marilyn Cataldo, Moraga, and Irene Van Sickle, Orinda.

Acalanes High School Drama Dons Present: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. Thurs April 29, Sat May 1, Thurs May 6 and, Fri May 7. Acalanes Mainstage. Doors Open 7:00pm, Curtain 7:30pm, $7.00 Students, $10.00 General Tickets available at the door or at the Acalanes HS Webstore. (See article page S4)

The Bay Area Storytelling Festival brings the finest storytelling to the San Francisco area. On May 22nd and 23rd in the East Bay hills at the Kennedy Grove Recreational Park, stories with personal drama, folk and fairy tales, epics and song come alive. Besides enjoying the performances, enjoy music, buy ticket for a storytelling quilt, tell a story at a swap, attend the Kids’ Concert, buy storytelling books, come to the 25 year anniversary party, and join the family picnic supper. Go to: www.bayareastorytelling.org, or call (510) 869-4946 for prices and directions. Kid's Concert (Sunday, May 23 at 1:00 pm)... $2 (at door only).

Book Sales: The Friends of the Orinda Library offers two book sales in May: Sat. May 1, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Thurs. May 6, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Both will be in the Book Shop and Sorting Room. The monthly sales offer quality books for all interests and ages. Funds raised are used for books, computers and other library materials and library programs. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda (925) 254-1358.

Lafayette Historical Society’s Annual Pot Luck Dinner, May 12, 6:00–8:30 p.m., Lafayette Library Community Hall. Did you know that the Pony Express stopped in Lafayette 20 times during its 19 months of operation? Celebrate the Pony Express’ 150th anniversary and learn about Lafayette’s place in its history from speaker Tom Crews of the National Pony Express Association. $10 donation requested. Please bring a salad or casserole with serving utensils. Dessert and coffee will be provided. RSVP and questions: 283-1848.

John Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven Inside Scoop on Monday, May 17, 6:30pm at Santa Maria Church, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda. You know the season is on its way when the first Inside Scoop comes along! These popular, free events feature a panel of cast members, designers, director, and dramaturg, providing context and off-the-cuff insight halfway through their rehearsal process. Seating is limited; please arrive early. Free tickets are handed out at the door beginning at 6:30pm and the event itself begins at 7:00 p.m. Complimentary ice cream and Peet’s coffee and tea will be served.

Science Day of Discovery at the Lafayette Nursery School, Sat, May 1, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Make volcanoes explode, blast rockets into space and get your hands in some gooey flubber! Become an archeologist for the day and dig for dinosaur bones or learn how to blow huge bubbles! This hands-on science fair features exhibits and experiments designed for children preschool age through third grade. It’s fun for the whole family! Cost: Children aged 2-8 are $4.00 each. Lafayette Nursery School, 979 First Street, Lafayette. For more info call (925) 284-2448 or visit our website
www.lafayettenurseryschool.com.

Come join the teen Sea Scout crew of the 46 foot S.S.S. (Sea Scout Ship) Sea Witch and sail the seas to Redwood City April 30th - May 2nd. We'll be attending the 62nd Old Salts' Regatta on Saturday May 1st. See maritime competative events such as sailing skills, first aid, rope climb, heaving line, compass & relative bearings, knots, ring buoy, bosun's chair, scuttlebutt, dinghy race, and more. The Sea Witch ship departs Friday April 30th at 6:00 p.m. from the Martinez marina and returns to the dock in Martinez on Sunday May 2nd at approx. 2:00 p.m. Advanced registration required. Cost for cruise, event and all meals is $45. Contact Rolf Lindenhayn at 917-0573 or
lindenhayn@sbcglobal.net to reserve your spot!

City of Orinda, Walk to School Day, Thursday, May 13. Sponsored by the City of Orinda and the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee in support of similar national programs.

Begin Your Grief Recovery--we will bring together a small group of those who have been hit unexpectedly by the death or loss of a loved one. You are invited to speak the truth about what happened which provides the occasion for you to attend this grief workshop. No one is forced to talk as many people are simply helped by listening to others report their experience, strength and hope. Grief Recovery Workshop. Sign up on-line at
www.AnneCourtneyMFT.com
DATE: To Be Announced (it will be a Sunday). TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (one hour lunch break) PLACE: Orinda RSVP: (925) 210-9226. COST: No charge.

Children's Hospital & Research Center located at 774 52nd St. in Oakland will be having a Family Science Festival on Thursday May 13 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come and join us at the Outpatient Center for hands-on activities for children and families to explore health and science. Admission is free! For more information, please call (510) 428-3367 or check out the hospital's events link: http://www.childrenshospitaloakland.org/upcoming_events.asp.

See also:

read online: May - June Community Events in Lafayette
read online: May - June Community Events in Moraga
read online: May - June Community Events in Orinda

Moraga Junior Women’s Club’s 7th Annual Garden Tour, Sat, May 1, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Moraga Celebrates the Gaels, May 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Moraga Commons
Cinco De Mayo, Tues, May 5, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga.
Big Band Ball Room Dance, Friday, May 7, Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.
2010 Moraga Community Faire, Sat May 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Rheem Shopping Center.
“Gardens for Gardeners Tour” Sat, May 13, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
11th Annual Tour of Lafayette’s Kitchens, Sat, May 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Concert at the Lafayette Reservoir, Sat, May 15th, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
8th Annual "Taste of Lafayette”,Tues, May 18, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Gold Coast Chamber Players’ present Fantasy Phantasies, Sat, May 22, 8:00 p.m, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Widowed Persons Support of Alameda/Contra Costa Counties will be offering a series of six Grief Support Meetings on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to noon. The series begins April 17 and ends May 22. 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.You need not attend all 6, but just come when you can. Questions? Contact Jan (925) 210-0333.

Senior Picnic with music and softball, Friday, May 7 11:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m. Join us for an old fashion outdoor picnic at our Community Park, just down the road from the Community Center. Light Hearts Trio will perform songs for your enjoyment. Bring your softball equipment for a fun, friendly game (optional). Cost: $3 members /$5 non-members includes picnic food and beverages. For more information or to sign up, call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050.

Orinda Baseball Association Car Wash: On Sat May 8th and Sat May 15th Orinda Motors will host over 300 players from Orinda Baseball Association. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. players from all levels will be cleaning cars to raise money for the Ricksen Fund benefitting Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland.

Seniors - come be our guest for lunch on May 20. May is Older Americans Month—a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. In celebration of YOU, please join us for a delicious, festive lunch at your local C.C. Café. Reservations are required no later than 24 hours in advance. For a C.C. Café location near you, call (888) 379-2346.

DETREAT, June 4- 6 a program for Young Adults ages 18 -25 With Type 1 Diabetes. Cost: $25. The purpose of this program is to connect young adults, between the ages of 18-25, with type 1 diabetes. While at D-TREAT, young adults will have the opportunity to partake in a series of discussion style support groups, workshops, and sessions geared toward life-affecting topics such as: Health insurance and finances, Exercise, Time management with diabetes in your life, Stress management, Partying, Sexuality, How to handle your parents' fears, Cooking and grocery shopping. Go to wwvv.diabetescamps.org for more information.

On Saturday May 1, the Orinda Farmers Market opens for the 2010 season. Located on Orinda Way in Orinda Village, the Market hours are 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., May 1- November 20. See story on page A7.

On Thursday May 6, the first Farmers’ Market in Lafayette debuts for the 2010 season at Lafayette Park Plaza at Moraga Road and Mt. Diablo Blvd and will be open from 4:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. every Thursday through Sept 30th. Opening day will feature a cooking demonstration by Guest Chef Barbara Passino. Barbara Passino, owner and Chef of Oak Knoll Inn in Napa Valley and author of Chocolate for Breakfast, will be preparing Chocolate Tacos.

Wine Pairing and Tasting at the Hacienda de las Flores, Thursday April 29, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Join Winemaker Dave Parker, from Moraga’s own Parkmon Vineyards, and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Clayton from Nibblers Eatery & Wine Bar. Emphasis will be placed on the process of tasting, evaluating, and enjoying fine wines, and how to pair them with the flavors and ingredients of small-plate dishes so that they optimally complement each other. Call (925) 888-7045 - Cost $30 - Limited to first 30.

Come hear essential info on foreclosures and short sales as well as important tax saving measures. Sponsored by the Chinese American Political Association, "Legal Issues Facing Homeowners" features guest speaker Gus. S. Kramer, Contra Costa County Assessor and Joan M. Grimes, Bankruptcy Attorney and is open to all. Sunday, May 2, 3:00 -5:00 p.m., Moraga Public Library, 1500 St. Mary's Road, Moraga, Please R.S.V.P. to DrHui@aol.com by April

The 16th Annual Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk will take place at Golden Gate Park (Speedway Meadow), 299 Transverse Drive, San Francisco on Saturday, May 1. The Brain Tumor Walk is an inspirational, all-ages fundraising walk and community day to support the brain tumor cause. Form a team of family, friends or co-workers. Optional 5K walk (wheelchair & stroller accessible) with food, music, prizes and more! For information and to register online, visit www.BayAreaWalk.org or call toll-free at 1.866.455.3214. Registration 9:00-10:00 a.m.; program & activities 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Fees: $50 for adults; $25 for ages 6-17; free for ages 5 & under.

"India and China; New Heavyweights in the Ring" is the subject to be presented by Ambassador James Rosenthal at First Friday Forum, May 7, 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Ambassador Rosenthal has visited both India and China within the last year and he says "These countries have risen rapidly to become major players on the world scene. Their relations with each other, their neighbors and the United States carry increasingly important implications for international relations generally." This is a free event beginning with refreshments at 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For further information phone (925) 283-8722 or click on lopc.org/media/news and information.

Get your tennis shoes and dog leashes ready! On May 23rd, Contra Costa Humane Society, an animal-welfare organization that aims to improve the quality of life for animals, will hold its 2nd annual Paws for a Cause Walk-a-thon from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. This year’s 1.5 mile walk-a-thon will also feature booths, vendors and wine tasting, as well as an opportunity to take your picture with former Oakland Raider Jarrod Cooper, a long time animal activist. You may pre-register or create an online fund-raising team by going to our website www.cchumane.org or by calling the CCHS office at (925) 279-2247, ext.306. All friendly leashed dogs are welcome to attend!

A seminar "How Does Health Care Reform Impact My Business?" will be presented by The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Colleen Callahan, CLU, CASL, LUTCF with Kosich & Callahan Insurance Services on Thursday, May 20 from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. LOCATION: La Finestra Restaurant, 100 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, (Next to Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Offices.) COST: $5 per person (continental breakfast served)- reservations required. Call: 284-7404.

Learn how to compost your yard waste and food scraps and spend only 15 minutes a week doing it! Registration is required, (925) 906-1801. May 8, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Mt Diablo Nursery, Lafayette.

Parents for a Safer Environment needs volunteers with a passion for protecting the environment and public health, particularly from pesticides. Currently we need folks who can do research via the internet to help us with a state legislation. Second, we need folks to attend county pesticide meetings. We have been very effective locally and now trying to get a state wide school pesticide law passed. Attorneys, scientists, and anyone who has great follow up is welcome to join us. Contact Susan at junfish(at)gmail.com or 283-4609.

Contra Costa County Fair Seeks Volunteers to help during our Exhibit Judging days. We will need people to assist the judges and clerks on May 19th and May 26th. Volunteers will be handling and organizing the exhibits for the judges. By helping on a judging day, you will get a sneak peak at all of the exhibits entered in the Fair! It’s the perfect volunteer experience for those interested in crafts, quilts, painting, school projects, etc. For more information, please contact Karen Howe at (925)757-4400 or e-mail khowe@ccfair.org.