Lafayette artist Marsha Ramp will display her paintings at Town Hall Theater through May 6. Ramp's love of nature is evident is her elegant still life paintings which include a variety of stunning floral arrangements. Her portraits reveal a respect for human nature. Visitors are welcome to view Ramp's paintings before Town Hall performances or most afternoons after 3pm. Admission is free. For more information email marsharamp@comcast.net.

Painter Suzanne D'Arcy is presenting dual art shows in Moraga
for the month of April. At the Moraga Library, 18 plein aire paintings representing the "Edges of Our Rural Lands" will be displayed until April 30th. "Kitchen Companions" will be displayed in Terzetto's lobby. Suzanne teaches Fine Art painting at the Academy of Art University, and maintains her studio in Moraga. The reception for both of these shows will be held in the lobby of Terzetto's Restaurant on Saturday evening, April 16th, from 5-7pm. All are welcome.

Moraga Art Gallery's show, Chiaroscuro: Light and Shadow runs through June 4.The gallery is located at 570 Center St in Moraga. For more information, go to www.moragaartgallery.com or (925)376-5407.

Helen Ann Licht's latest paintings will be at the Orinda Bookstore, 276 Village Square, Orinda during the month of April.

Smyers Glass Open Studio with Glassblowing Demonstrations on April 28, 29, 30, May 1 from 10am to 5pm, 675 East H Street, Benicia. Visitors to the Smyers Glass studio can view hot glass artists at work creating vases, bowl, goblets and more using the same glassmaking techniques that date back to ancient times. Long metal blowpipes are dipped into hot molten glass drawn from the studio's fiery furnace and shaped into objects of beauty. Plenty of free parking available This is a free event that is open to the public.

Hear up-tempo numbers and ballads, swing and salsa, instrumental and vocal soloists at the SMC Jazz Band's free spring concert. Under the direction of John Maltester. Thursday, April 14th at 8pm in the Soda Center and Wednesday, May 4th at 1pm in Ferraggiaro Quad. Cost: Free.

An Afternoon of Dance from China and Korea Performed in Elaborate Costumes by Members of the Culture to Culture Foundation Friday, April 15th from 1:30-3:00 in the Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd., Lafayette. Audience members will be encouraged to learn and follow along with Tai Chi and Luk Tung Kwen steps to join in the fun. Bring friends and enjoy light refreshments provided by BrightStar Lifecare Services. $3Members/$5 Non-Members.

"It Might As Well Be Spring"- Talented keyboard musicians from the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society will be highlighting romantic songs and the gaiety of the spring season. Join us at our splendid Lafayette Library and Learning Center and bring friends. Light refreshments will be served. Friday, April 22 from 1:30-2:30 at Community Hall, Lafayette Library & Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.

Generations In Jazz presents The Big Band Of Rossmoor May 6 for a big band dance and concert at The Veterans Memorial Building. Tickets are on sale at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for $10. Reserve tickets at 284-7404 or purchase at the door. Free dance lessons are available from 7-8pm with instructor Gail Enright. Then the dance and concert begins at 8pm.

The Lafayette Rotary Club's 18th Annual Concert at the Res. will be held on Saturday May 14 from 11am-2pm. The FREE event showcases our local school music programs that play live music at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir. Performing will be the Stanley Symphonic Band led by Bob Athayde; the highly acclaimed Acalanes Wind Ensemble led by Norm Dea, the Big Band of Rossmoor led by Mo Levich, and the Bentley School Jazz combo led by Brian Pardo. This year's concert will be held for the last time at the meadow just above the Boat House. Shuttles are available to take you from the main parking lot up to the concert.

International Film Showcase Series April Film: FlUGTEN, The Escape, screens at the Orinda Theatre Friday, April 22-Thursday, April 28. Directed by Kathrine Windfield, this Danish thriller is set in 2009. The movie starts with a heart-pounding-kidnapping on the war torn streets of Afghanistan and what follows is anything but predictable. Orinda Theatre Box Office Ticket Pricing: (cash only). General admission: $10.00 (Online purchase price $11.00) Senior: $8.00, age 60 and up.

Get ready for some funk, junk and to shake your trunk! The Bulldog Theater Company is excited to announce the opening of its 2011 musical, The Wiz, at the Orinda Intermediate School. Preview shows are April 20 (Wed) and 21 (Thu) at 4:30pm. Two casts perform two shows on April 22 (5pm, 8pm) and April 23 (3pm, 7pm). Tickets are available online or at the door. Advance purchase is recommended for the April 22-23 shows which have reserved seating. The Wiz is a funky, upbeat version of the perennial Wizard of Oz. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 11th. Visit the OIS website at orindaschools.org/ois for more information.

Come to Performers for Progress, a student run variety show featuring many talented local high school students on April 21st and 22nd at 7:30 in the Miramonte High School Theater. Tickets are $6 for students and $12 for adults. This spring, we will be raising money for By Any Dreams Necessary, an organization that brings arts education to under-served public middle schools. The proceeds will fund a semester-long art program at Urban Promise Academy in Oakland. To learn more visit www.performersforprogress.com.

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 at 7:00pm, Lafayette Physical Therapy, Inc. is hosting an informative talk for the Lamorinda Community. Lisa Gibson, Physical Therapist, DPT, and Certified Active Release Techniques(r) (ART) Specialist will speak on "Optimizing Sports Performance and Injury Prevention". No cost. Seating is limited, please RSVP to (925) 284-6150 to hold your seat. 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Suite B110, Lafayette.

Orinda Idol Auditions: May 19-21. Registration materials are available at www.orindaartscouncil.org. Orinda Idol Performance: Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, 11am-7 pm.

Tri-City Dance FAN FEST at the new Rheem Theater, 350 Park St., Moraga on Friday, April 22, 7:30 -10:30pm. Open to current Acalanes, Campolindo & Maramonte students. Purchase tickets at the theater or the Lafayette Community Center for $20. Wear your favorite sports team's gear. (Theme mandatory, no hats) $2 cash donation at the door will support Lamorinda high school athletic programs. Full details and rules on Facebook & on the tickets.

JF Kapnek 8th Annual 5K/1K Family Fun Run, May 1st, 9am. Bring your friends and family to celebrate our accomplishments in Zimbabwe with the J.F. Kapnek Trust's 8th Annual 5K/1K Family Fun Run on May 1st at Miramonte High School in Orinda. There will be races for children as well as adults along with music of Zimbabwe, children's crafts and activities and a delicious brunch. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trust's efforts to diminish the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the children and families of Zimbabwe. Registration fee includes brunch and a T-shirt. Register online at www.active.com(keyword: Kapnek) or go to the Trust's website at www.jfkapnektrust.org for more information.

On Saturday, May 7th, Diablo High School in Concord will host a Contra Costa Countywide summit called "Come to the Table: Change the Food, Change the Future". The goal of this summit is to raise awareness, educate the community and mobilize action to ultimately create a nationwide transformation in the way we feed our children in our schools. Visit www.wellnescitychallenge.com to learn more. Cost for the full day is $35/person which includes a healthy breakfast and lunch served by students from local culinary academies. Tickets available at
www.cometothetable.eventbrite.com.

10th Annual Wildlife/Earth Day Festival on Sunday April 17th 1- 4pm, Wagner Ranch Nature Area, 350 Camino Pablo Rd., Orinda. The free festive program to celebrate and support environmental education programs in the Nature Area will offer an electric Volt to test drive, a Raptor Show, ARF dogs, Eagle Shield's trailer of energy efficient systems, a giant solar balloon, native plants for your garden, Arts and crafts, delicious food, music and games, and more - see www.fwrna.org.

Lafayette Earth Day celebration, Saturday, April 23rd: (9am - 11:30am) children K-5th grade can learn practice bike safety on the outdoor course at Stanley Middle Schoo with a festive parade to Lafayette Plaza Park; (11:30am - 1:30pm) enjoy a local, organic, sustainable lunch at the downtown Plaza Park with live music and activities; (11:00am - 3pm) Plaza Way will be turned into "Eco-Way" featuring the "Backyard of Tomorrow" that demonstrates the latest green gardening techniques and materials. Also visit with a number of local environmental groups including Sustainable Lafayette, The Urban Farmers, Lafayette Farmers' Market, Trust in Education, CCC Solid Waste Authority, and more. For info see
www.sustainablelafayette.org.

The Cultural Nights at Saint Mary's College take place every spring semester. LU'AU: Celebrating the Polynesian Cultural and Community, Saturday, April 30. Registration 5:30-6pm, doors open at 6 pm. Asian Cultural Night , Thursday, May 5. Registration 5:30-6p.m., doors open at 6pm. Both events will be at the Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga.

The Moraga TreeLine Triathlon will take place on Saturday, April 30, 7:30 am at the Soda Aquatic Center, Campolindo High School, 300 Moraga Road. The event is ideal for the beginning triathlete as well as the more advanced competitor. The swim is a challenging 400 meter sprint, followed by a 22 K bike ride out to Canyon, and culminating with a 5 K run. New youth divisions have been added this year. For more information and route details go to www.moragatri.com, or call (925) 888-7035.

Cinco de Mayo celebration on Thursday, May 5, 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. Live Mariachi Band, Tortilla making, Pinatas, Games for Children, Authentic Mexican Food, Margaritas, Beer and Soft Drinks, available for a nominal charge. Free parking and shuttle from Rheem. Shopping Center. Sponsored by the Hacienda Foundation and the Town of Moraga Parks and Recreation Department.

Moraga Community Faire, Saturday, May 14, Rheem Shopping Center.
Fun for all ages.: classic car show, 26' climbing wall, big bounces, food, local wines, cold beer. Listen to a Campolindo chorus and some local jazz bands. For details, visit www.moragachamber.org.

The first annual "With help comes hope walkathon" will be Saturday, May 14 at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Registration for the 5K event will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. All funds that are raised will support our life-affirming services-24-hour crisis lines, grief counseling program, youth services, homeless services, and 211 information and referral. To find out more, call our business office at (925) 939-1916 or go to www.crisis-center.org.

The Lafayette Rotary Club's Annual Egg Hunt is open to all children ages 2-through 3rd grade. The event takes place at Lafayette Plaza (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd) in Lafayette, at 9:30am, Saturday, April 23. 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 9:30am.

The Lafayette Community Center Foundation presents: Bunny Brunch and family fun on Sat. April 23 from 11-12:30 at the Lafayette Community Center $7. Advance sale $9/person the day of the event Pancake Brunch and Egg hunt. Buy tickets at Lafayette Community Center by April 22 for discount. For more info call (925) 284-2232.

Orinda Rotary Club's Annual Egg Hunt, Sat. April 23, at the Orinda Community Center Play Field will feature over 1000 eggs and 40 prizes as well as pictures with the White Bunny. Ages: Toddlers through Kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2 only. The Hunt begins at 11am sharp, so plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before and park on the street or at the Rite Aid lot. Be sure to bring a basket..

On Saturday, April 23 from 1-3:30pm, The Stratford at Countrywood will be hosting an Easter Basket Eggstravaganza event that will feature entertainment and activities for the very young to seniors and all ages in between. There will be a performance by the award winning Contra Costa Children's Chorus, the East Bay's largest youth choir. Light hors d'ourves, champagne, and dessert buffet will be served. For children, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt, activities and photos with Peter Rabbit. An Easter Basket Auction wil benefit Hospice of the East Bay.The Stratford at Countrywood is located at 1545 Pleasant Hill Blvd .in Lafayette. Please RSVP at (925) 932-9910. Free event.

Take a photo with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 23rd 11am to 2pm at the Rheem Shopping Center in Moraga. Bring your camera! The photo is free with your Rheem Valley Shopping Center receipts totaling $25 or more OR go online to www.rheemvalley.net to print out the coupon for a FREE photo session with the Easter Bunny.

Easter Brunch served in Gregersen Hall from 8:30-11am on Sunday April 24 at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 433 Moraga Way, Orinda. (Suggested donations of Singles $6 / Children 3-11 $3 / Families $15 - will benefit the Lamorinda Adult Respite Center). Please Contact Lisa (925) 254-3422 or Lisaverley@Holyshepherd.org so we can prepare enough food.

The Moraga Certified Farmers' Market Easter Egg Hunt will begin on Sunday April 24 at the information booth at 11am and will end at 12pm. Children will see locally grown food, meet the farmers, and enjoy the excitement of the Easter Egg Hunt and prizes. Every child will receive Easter eggs at the information booth and will have the opportunity to find additional Easter Eggs hidden in the farmers' booths. The Moraga Certified Farmers' Market is open year around on Sunday, from 9am to 1pm at the Moraga Center at the corner of Moraga Road & Moraga Way. For more info see www.CAFarmersMkts.com.

Freecycle, Thursday, April 28th 9am-12:15pm at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane. We will be in the breezeway up the first stairwell off of the parking lot Freecycle of gently used children's clothing and equipment. Bring items and take items, or just come and take! This is for everyone in the community!

Lafayette Service League's Annual TOSSED TREASURES SALE will be held on Sat. April 30th (from 9 to 3) and Sun., May 1st (from 11 to 2) at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road. Plenty of free parking. Proceeds will benefit Hospice Foundation of the East Bay and the Community Center. If you have items to donate, please call: Judy 284-9266, Diane 283-8790 or Jackie 284-4131.

Electronic Ewaste Collection/Fundraiser for Feed The Children Disaster Relief Fund on Saturday April 30th from 9am to 4pm. Free to recycle televisions, monitors, laptops, cell phones, flatscreens and wires. $5.00 per item fee to recycle: stereos, telephones, printers, DVD players, radios, fax machines, small appliances etc. Secured Document Destruction also provided at $10.00 per Banker Box. Contact: (925)-890-1324.

A Community Treasure Sale. (a.k.a. Garage Sale) willl take place on April 30th, 8am-2pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen's Drive. Orinda. www.ststephensorinda.org. Furniture, baby gear, vintage clothes, art, kitchen gems, games, etc. The funds raised will be used by the youth for volunteer service activities.

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Sunday May 1, 10am-5pm. This is a free self-guided tour of 50 fabulous gardens that provide habitat for wildlife, are pesticide-free, conserve water, and contain 50% or more native plants. For more information go to
www.bringingbackthenatives.net. See article in Our Homes section.

"Life in the Lafayette Garden" garden tour, Saturday May 14. Tickets are $25 each and include an outdoor cooking demonstration, urban farming demonstration, light refreshments, live music, and tours of 5 Lafayette home gardens. The tour will be held from 11 am until 4 pm. Tour maps and garden descriptions will be provided with tickets. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the AAUW-OML Tech Trek scholarship program. For ticket information, please call AAUW member Pat Lopker at (925) 376-5155.

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity culture Center 1700 School St,. Moraga. Social hour 1 am, lunch 12pm. On Wed, May 4, the after lunch speaker will be Dr. Michael Merzenich, professor emeritus of neuroscience at U.C. San Francisco. He will speak on his research and his company, Posit Science Corp. which develops software programs for improving cognitive, perceptual and motor performance in older adults. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

The Moraga Women's Society will meet on Monday, April 18th at 9:30am at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. The speaker will be Patti Reising, a reporter on station KCBS. Patti will describe a day-in-the-life of the KCBS newsroom, and describe how the afternoon newscast gets on the air. She will also discuss the changing landscape of the news business in the Internet era. Guests are welcome. Contact Jean Glaser (925) 376-7961.

An Afternoon of Dance from China and Korea Performed in Elaborate Costumes by Members of the Culture to Culture Foundation Friday, April 15th from 1:30-3:00 in the Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd., Lafayette. Audience members will be encouraged to learn and follow along with Tai Chi and Luk Tung Kwen steps to join in the fun. $3Members/$5 Non-Members.

A free symposium will be offered to our community's older adults and their care-givers on 6 May at theTemple Isaiah in Lafayette from 8:30am-12:30pm. The symposium will address the Secrets of Dynamic Aging, transportation issues and services, and how to stay safe inside and outside our homes. The final speaker will speak on "Happiness, if not now, when?" For those interested in attending this symposium, please call and make a reservation at (925) 330-0060. Refreshments will be served, and seniors of all ages, their children, friends, and care-givers are invited to attend.