Wenda Pyman, photographer, and Terry Hunt, potter and sculptor, are currently featured at Moraga Art Gallery. 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. Moraga Art Gallery, 570 Center St, Rheem Center. Gallery hours are 12-5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Andy Warhol's Quick Pix and Pop Icons will be on display through 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. Hearst Art Gallery, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Gallery Hours: Wed. – Sun., 11am – 4:30pm. Phone: (925) 631-4379. Website: www.hearstartgallery.org.

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 10am-5pm at 98 Broadway, Oakland, CA. The public is invited to view the original art and make a day or weekend of it. Location: 98 Broadway, Pavilion Building, Jack London Square.

A Walk in the Art: June 19, 11am to 5pm, Theater Square, Orinda. The works of several local artists will be on display. The walk will include food, wine, and a chance to interact with the artists directly. Artists interested in displaying their work should email allisonmccrady@yahoo.com by May 15th.

A colorful and upbeat two person art exhibit through June 1 at Orinda Books, Village View Court, Orinda. Showing Ruth Kolman Brophy and Pamela Miller, two experienced artists, working in a variety of media, including watercolor and oils. www.veryfineart.com or (925) 254-7606 or www.orindabooks.com.

Please join The Art Room for our 2nd Teen and Adult Student Art Show on Friday, May 21, 6:30-8:30pm. We’re very proud of the work our students have been doing and would love for you to help us celebrate their accomplishments. You’ll enjoy the art of our students as well as the professional art work of our teachers and artists of Lafayette Gallery. Snacks, great art, and the ambience of our beautiful yard and the gallery’s Sculpture Garden all provided for one beautiful spring evening. The show will be held at The Art Room, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) in Oakland invites children in grades K-12 to share their visions for a better world. MOCHA seeks innovative thought-provoking art, and “out of the box” answers that respond to the question: What does the world need now? A jury will award prizes to entries that display extreme creativity, clarity of thought, and excellence in visual and written presentation. Download details and an entry form at www.mocha.org. Entries may be dropped off at MOCHA (538 Ninth St., Suite 210, Oakland) between May 10-24, 2010. For more information, visit www.mocha.org or call (510) 465-8770.

17th Annual Rotary of Lafayette’ Free Concert at the Res will be on Sat., May 15 from 11am-2pm. The event showcases our local school music programs that play live music under the trees at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir. Shuttle bus available from the parking lot to the staging area. Food and drink will be available for purchase, or bring your own picnic. Questions? Contact Jay Lifson, (925) 284-7404.

Moraga Community Chorus cordially invites you to attend our spring concert , "Music Interlude," on Saturday, May 15, 3pm, Miramonte Clubhouse, 1 Miramonte Drive, Moraga. Featuring selections from Oliver and Carousel, John Rutter, Verdi, and Vivaldi. Donations accepted.

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 3pm. Tickets $10 - $25. (510) 836-0789. Visit the website for tickets or more information: www.cantareconvivo.org.

The Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) will host an outdoor Concert in the Park held at the Moraga Commons Bandshell, on Thursday, May 20 from 6-7:30pm. The MEF Showcase is a free concert to thank our generous community of donors who support public education through private donations. The evening will showcase the musical, vocal and artistic talents of Moraga school children, kindergarten through high school. In addition to the stage performances, the community will also have an opportunity to view student artwork and woodshop creations that will be on display. Snacks will also be available for purchase.

Campolindo High School Year End Spring Concert, Friday, May 21, 7:30pm at the CPAC presenting the year end performances of Campolindo's Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra. Featuring CHS Concerto Winner Elise Becker performing the Haydn Oboe Concerto in C. Also on the program are Ticheli's Cajun Folk Songs, Yosemite Autumn by Mark Camphouse and a Suite from Leonard Bernstein's Mass. The concert is free and open to the public.

British Invasion Hits Lafayette! The Sun Kings' all-Beatles concert on Saturday, May 22, 7:30pm, will Benefit Town Hall Theatre. Tickets are $50 for general admission. Concert begins at 7:30pm. For tickets or more information, please contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at boxoffice@townhalltheatre.com or (925) 283-1557. You can also get tickets at the chamber office. Call (925) 284-7404. (See article)

A fantastic evening awaits you with the Gold Coast Chamber Players’ season finale: Fantasy Phantasies, on Saturday, May 22 at 8pm at the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. This candlelight performance features San Francisco Symphony oboist Russ deLuna and cellist Amos Yang, from the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, concertmaster Robin Sharp and violist Pamela Freund-Striplen as well as pianist Roxanne Michaelian, violinist Julie Kim, and violist Jenny Douglass. For tickets ($10-30) call the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce at (925) 284-7404 or get them online at
www.gcplayers.org.

Chabad of Contra Costa is sponsoring Jewish Blues & BBQ featuring blues artist Saul Kaye on Sunday, May 23 at 6pm as a benefit for the Camp Gan Israel Scholarship Fund. The evening includes Saul Kaye in concert, a Chef designed menu, cocktails & hors d’oeurves. $36 tickets may be purchased at www.jewishcontracosta.com or by calling Chabad at (925) 937-4101.

WomenSing's two Spring concerts entitled Songs from the New World, will feature music from North America, including works by Copland and Bernstein, as well as world premieres of our Youth Inspiring Youth compositions and Libby Larsen's "Jack's Valentine." Come early to hear our pre-concert talks and stay late for the reception on Sunday. Sunday, May 23rd, 4pm, pre-concert talk, 3:30pm. First Congregational Church, Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Wednesday, May 26th, 8pm, pre-concert talk, 7:30pm. St. Mary's Chapel, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. Tickets: $20 General; $18 Senior; $10 Student/Youth (18 and under). Available online at www.womensing.org or by phone at (925) 974-9169.

Orinda Summer Concerts in the Park. Come out and enjoy the series of free concerts held in the Community Park throughout the spring and summer sponsored by the Orinda Community Center Auxiliary, the City of Orinda, and the Rotary Club of Orinda sponsors. Sunday, June 6th, 3-5:30pm, The Mike Vax Jazz orchestra. Tuesday Night Series, 6:30-8:30pm: June 22nd, Pacific Coast (classic rock and pop); June 29th The Crises (blues and rock).

Moraga Summer Concert Series begins on June 17th with the country & Western Band, Big Rain. The concerts are from 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell at the Moraga Commons Park. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park. The volunteers of the Moraga Park and Recreation Foundation will even cook dinner for you; the Snack Bar opens at 6pm.

The Fabulous Follies, a revue with 50 singers, dancers and performers, will run Saturday, May 15 at 2pm and 8:00pm, and Sunday, May 16 at 2pm. “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.

Berkeley Ballet Theater's Spring Showcase featuring The Sleeping Beauty plus choreography by Julia Adam, Brandon Freeman, and Sally Streets. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts (2640 College Ave. Berkeley, CA) Friday, May 21 to Sunday, May 23. For tickets and showtimes please call (510) 830-9524. $21/Orchestra and $15 Mezzanine.

California Shakespeare Theater Cal Shakes, now celebrating its 20th year in the Bruns Amphitheater, kicks off the 2010 season with a World Premiere: John Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven, adapted by Octavio Solis and developed in collaboration with Word for Word Performing Arts Company. Directed by Jonathan Moscone. A brand new play adapted by one of our country’s most talented and prolific playwrights. This richly theatrical play—commissioned especially for Cal Shakes—celebrates the art of storytelling as it depicts comic and heartbreaking characters in search of happiness in the seemingly idyllic landscape of Steinbeck’s own Salinas Valley. June 2–27.

The Lafayette School Drama Club will be taking the stage this year with an adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, Annie. The cast, made up of 4th and 5th graders from Lafayette School, is directed by Karen Noel, a 2nd grade teacher and drama director extraordinaire. Fellow 5th grade teacher Scott Moe is the Assistant Director, and choral specialist Susan Comber is the Musical Director. Come join in the fun at any of their four performances - June 3 and 4, 1pm and 7pm. All performances are held at Lafayette School, 950 Moraga Road. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for students, and can be pre-purchased at the school office. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door on performance days.

Get ready for Summer Reading! Attend a Book Swap benefitting the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Join Homegrown at Starbucks in Lafayette from 8:30-10:30am on Tuesday mornings, May 18, 25 and June 1st to swap gently used books. Enjoy a complimentary Tall coffee or tea for participating. Starbucks, 3343 Mt. Diablo Blvd., (east end near El Charro.) www.lamorindahomegrown.com. All unclaimed books will be donated to Friends Corner Bookshop whose proceeds support the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Orinda Historical Society presents "A Step Back in Time" by Kay Norman on Wednesday, May 19, 6:30pm Social, 7pm Program, Fellowship Hall, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way. Free and open to the public. Call 254-1353 for more information.

“In the Wake” is the last show of Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s 2009-2010 season and the docent talk at the Orinda Library will take place on Wednesday, May 19 at 7pm in the Gallery Room. Written by Obie Award winner Lisa Kron, “In the Wake” takes place after Thanksgiving not too long ago when Ellen discovers that an emotional step into the unknown can call into question everything she believed in: love, her country, and herself. The company’s docents, theatre fans themselves, are familiar with all aspects of their subject, from casting, to the playwright’s resume to the themes and issues of the play. The program is free of charge and will last about an hour with time for questions and answers. The Orinda Library is located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. For more information, please call (925) 254-2184 or visit the library website at ccclib.org.

Newbery medal winner Karen Cushman, author of “The Midwife’s Apprentice” and “Catherine, Called Birdy,” will introduce her latest historical novel, “Alchemy and Meggy Swann”on Wed May 19 at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. at 7:30pm. This heartwarming tale allows readers to experience the colors, smells, and noises of life in England at this particular time. Books will be available for signing and are sold by our co-sponsor, The Storyteller Bookstore. Questions? Call (925) 283-3872.

UC Berkeley law professor and former U.S. Department of Justice attorney John Yoo is the featured speaker at the Thursday, May 20th luncheon meeting of the Lamorinda Republican Women’s club. Yoo will discuss his new book, “Crisis and Command: A History of Executive Power from George Washington to George W. Bush.” This program is open to the public with advance reservations available through Monday, May 17th by calling (925) 682-3727; program details are available at the club’s website at:
lamorindarepublicanwomen.org.

The Commonwealth Club of California presents: Walter M. Bortz II, M.D. "Roadmap To 100: The Breakthrough Science of Living a Long and Healthy Life". Sure, you can't live forever, but renowned doctor and aging expert Bortz contends that we can live far longer - and happier - than most people can even dream of. Join us Thursday, May 20, at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall. Register at www.commonwealthclub.org.

Cynthia Brian and Local Teen Writers at Orinda Books Saturday, May 22, 3pm at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda. Cynthia Brian, a bestselling teen empowerment expert and life success coach and a Moraga resident, will discuss her "Be The Star You Are! For Teens: Simple Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning, and Leading." With her will be some of the local teen contributors featured in her book for a panel discussion called WRITE ON! Buy books, plus an autograph session. www.bethestaryouare.com.

Martinis on the Plaza: Friday, May 14, 2010 6:30-10:00pm. Partake of specialty martinis, epicurean delights from 13 of Diablo Valley’s finest restaurants, vintage cars, live big band/jazz music by Bay Area acclaimed Swing Fever, and professional dance demonstrations by Cheryl Burke Studios (of Dancing with the Stars fame) as we celebrate Martinez's heritage as the birthplace of the Martini. Hosted by the Martinez Chamber & benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Diablo Valley. Location: Plaza Ygnacio Fountain at City Hall, 525 Henrietta St., Martinez. More info see www.TheMartiniFestival.como or call (925) 228-2345.

Meeting the Needs of Older Adults Who Wish to Remain at Home. Symposium Sponsored by the Lafayette Comunity Foundation Together with the Lafayette Senior Services Commission. Friday, May 14, 9am-noon, registration at 8:45. Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, at the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard and First Street. Lafayette older adults, their families and caregivers as well as health and service providers are invited. Experts will cover in-home services/caregiving, new monitoring technologies, fall prevention and elder law issues. No charge. Note: space is limited. Call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to reserve a spot. Light refreshments will be served.

Widowed Persons Support of Alameda/Contra Costa Counties will be offering a series of 6 Grief Support Meetings on Saturdays, 10am-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.

You are invited to a panel discussion on the principles, practice and performance of Islamic Finance around the world. In this panel we will explore: Principles on which Islamic finance is based, historical evolution of Islamic finance, economic performance of Islamic banks, and approaches to Islamic finance taken in different Muslim and non-Muslim countries. Date: Saturday, May 15. Time: 10am-1pm, Brunch included. Place: Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. Claeys Lounge in the Soda Center. Attendance is free, but RSVP is required: www.stmarys-ca.edu/alumni-and-friends/alumni-events/rsvp/index.html?event=518.

8th Annual "Taste of Lafayette,”Tuesday, May 18, from 5:30-8:30pm. Taste of Lafayette is a tour of Lafayette’s finest eateries that lets you sample the signature cuisine of each restaurant. Check in begins at Lafayette Plaza at 5:30pm. Listen to music, enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers and then stroll down Lafayette’s Restaurant Row on Mt Diablo Blvd. or board the shuttle bus that will take you up and down the boulevard. 15-20 local restaurants and catering companies will be participating. Tickets for the event will be available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit www.lafayettechamber.org or call 284-7404.

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.

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.

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 7:30-8:30am. 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.

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 11am-1pm 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.

Are you ready for some fun? On Sunday, May 23rd, you are invited to attend Friends and Family Sunday at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church. The church is located at 682 Michael Lane (off Glenside Drive) in the Burton Valley area of Lafayette. Please join us for the 10am service, where the church will be gaily decorated with colorful balloons. Stay from 11:30am-1pm and enjoy our jump castle and face painting. Make your own Mexican tacos for lunch. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome, especially families with children ages 3-12.

2nd Annual Senior Faire. A free event for you, your family & friends on Tuesday, May 25, 2-4pm, Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. Free food & refreshments by Sweet Tomatoes and Aegis of Moraga. Free Massages by Sarah Wald of Natural Balance; Brain Gym Exercises by Pam Whitman M.A.; Estate Planning & Advance Directives Workshop by Stefanie West, Esq.; Investing for Retirement by Pat Vitucci, KNEW Radio Personality; Healthy Cooking by Chef Dan Leff.

Eden Housing will be holding two community meetings at the Orinda Community Church on June 3rd at 7pm and June 17th at 7pm to introduce the community to its proposed plan to build an affordable senior housing rental development at 2 Irwin Way – former site of the Orinda Library.

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.

Motorama World of Wheels car show will be on Father’s Day, June 20, 2010 from 9am-4pm in Lafayette. See classic cars, boats, motorcycles, and bicycles which enjoying food, beverages, wine tasting, a raffle, car swag, venders and a live band. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lamorinda Sunrise. The show will be held at 3565 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette, in the parking lot behind Postino’s Restaurant, the Clock Tower Building, and Bank of the West. There will be awards for the entrants. Admission is free but families can purchase a VIP ticket for $50.

Celebrity Golf Tournament and Social, July 25-25, Orinda Country Club. Includes an elegant dinner and entertaining auction (non-golfers welcome). Benefits Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Bay Area, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and the Oriinda Community Foundation. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, Hororary Chair. Register at
www.CelebrateEverydayheroes.org.

Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies: Undergraduate Commencement will begin on Saturday, May 22, 9:30am and the Graduate Commencement will be held on Sunday, May 23, at 2pm. Traffic will be heavy on St. Mary's Rd before and after these events.

Gael wine lovers and friends are invited to campus August 15, 2010 for a fun afternoon of wine tasting and socializing. The event will help to raise support for the Lasallian scholarship fund. Please contact the office of alumni relations at alumni@stmarys-ca.edu if you work in the wine industry and would like to be a part of the Summer Wine Festival.

Royal Doulton Collectors' Club Meeting and Sale. All Doulton collectors are welcome, and admission is free. Club members swap and sell a great selection of Doulton collectibles. Bring your questions about Royal Doulton to the meeting. Lunch will be available. Saturday, May 22, 10am-2pm at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, Davies Room, 49 Knox Drive. Contact Ed or Roxana (925) 376-2221 or
royaldoultonwest@yahoo.com.

The Contra Costa Tale Spinners Swap meets at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way in the Gallery Room from 7-9pm. Come hear, be delighted. We welcome anyone to share a story, be it funny or sad, true or not. Contact Sally at (925) 372-7036 or Bobbie at (510) 655-5608.

The Moraga Women's Society will meet on Monday, May 17 at 9:30am at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. The speaker will be Judge Joyce Cram, who will be talking about the newly established Elder Abuse Court. Visitors are welcome. Contact Roberta Klaproth, 376-0708.

Homeopathy Everyday Study Group. Thursday, May 20, 6-7pm. 43 Quail Court, Suite 215, Walnut Creek.
www.homepathyeveryday.com, ph. 826-3858.

Lamorinda Toastmasters offers a mutually supportive environment to practice public speaking skills, which fosters self confidence and enhances communication skills. Meetings every Tuesday at 7:30pm, Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Entrance to temple is on Risa Road. Visit us on the web at
http://lamorinda.freetoasthost.net.