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May 14th is the big day, and you'll be in good shape for it because you're biking to work on May 12, right? It's Mother's Day as we prepare this issue for the presses, so we're taking a mom's perspective for a little planning exercise in advance of a very busy Saturday.
We suggest starting out in Lafayette, at promptly 10:00 a.m., by bringing the tots to the Lafayette Nursery School for Science Discovery Day. At 11:00, drop in on the Concert at the Res for some great music and to check out the model of the new stage, then have your spouse or a friend pick up the kids for lunch and naps while you tour kitchens and gardens for an hour or so before getting educated at the Car Care Clinic for Women in Orinda at 1:00 (while you're there, please ask why the car always stops making that funny noise as soon as you bring it into the shop - let us know the answer). When the little nappers awake, head to the Moraga Community Faire - you may miss the Chalk Contest but you should be able to get there in time check out the classic cars; then stash the kids in the bounce house, and the car at the Star station for the charity car wash, while you wander around the Faire for a while. When your car is more presentable and the kids are asking for more snacks, it's back to Orinda for the party at Theater Square. Did someone say free cupcakes? Bring the kids home for dinner at 5:00 and have the babysitter come a little early so you have time for a quick shower. Then grab your favorite date and return to Theater Square at 8:00 for the Grand Reopening of the Orinda Theatre - after a day like this, side-splitting laughter courtesy of the one and only Rich Little will be just the ticket.
Add in free outdoor movie nights on May 13th and 19th, and the Taste of Lafayette on the 17th, and you will have enjoyed some of the best of Lamorinda's late spring festivities. Or maybe it would be better to pick just one or two of your favorite things to do on Saturday...
Thursday, May 12 is the 17th annual Bike to Work Day - get ready to roll, Lamorinda!
The Lafayette community will host two morning and one afternoon Energizer Stations to support and encourage bicyclists pedaling to and/or from work that day. The City of Lafayette's Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) will have a station in Plaza Park (Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Rd.) from 6-8:30am to catch the riders heading to work. In the afternoon, the Chamber of Commerce's Green Committee will host a station at that same location to support the ride home. Also in the morning, there will be an Energizer Station at Lafayette BART from 7-9am hosted by Hank and Frank Bikes. All stations will offer refreshments, commute information and great giveaways. According to Bart Carr, BPAC member and one of Lafayette's Bike to Work Day organizers, "the progression over the years to three stations indicates Lafayette's growing interest in bicycling."
Orinda is hosting an energizing station in the BevMo parking lot, 6-8am. The station will provide snacks, fruit and juice for those biking to work. The public is encouraged to try biking to work and to stop by for some goodies.
For more Bike to Work Day information go to
http://511contracosta.org/bike-to-work-day-2011
Party in Orinda's Theatre Square: 2:00-5:00 pm
Live music, food, free cupcakes, pizza, face painting, bounce house. Sponsored by Bonfire Pizzeria, Entourage, Lava Pit, Republic of Cake, Table 24, and Shelby's.
Science Discovery Day:
10:00 am-1:00 pm
Play with huge bubbles, visit with animals, and dig for dinosaur bones. Make a volcano explode, blast a rocket into space, or explore the gooey texture of slime. This science fair is designed for children preschool age through third grade and features over 20 exciting hands-on experiments. Lafayette Nursery School, 979 First Street, Lafayette. $4.00 per child preschool age through Grade 3 (parents and infants are free). For more information contact Nancy Turtle at (925) 253-7985 or visit www.lafayettenurseryschool.com.
5th Annual Moraga Community Faire at the Rheem Shopping Center: 11:00 am- 5:00 pm
Whether it's classic cars, arts and crafts, children's activities, music or a chance to sample Lamorinda wines and local restaurant cuisine, there is something planned for people of all ages. Highlights include musical performances by local favorites, including the East Bay Banjo Club, the Oak Grove Bluegrass Family, Littledog2, the Campolindo Chorus and JM Ensemble; the opportunity to purchase arts, crafts and jewelry from a wide variety of artists; and wine tasting by Moraga's own Parkmon Vineyards and Captain Family Vineyards. This year's Classic Car Show, which takes place 11am-4pm, will highlight trophy cars owned by area residents and introduce attendees to the owners who have so carefully restored them. Young artists can enter a Chalk Contest, 11am-2pm. In addition there will be a free climbing wall, two bounce houses and plenty of other activities for children. Many local retail and businesspeople, as well as nonprofit organizations, will showcase the wealth of resources in Moraga. The Moraga Community Faire is organized and sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Town of Moraga. For more information, visit www.moragachamber.org/faire.
Charity Car Wash:
9:30 am-4:30 pm
STAR Service Station, corner of Rheem Blvd. and Moraga Rd. in Moraga. Presented by teen volunteers of Be the Star You Are!(r).
Tickets $10 at event, $8 at their Moraga Faire booth or online.
Questions? See www.bethestaryouare.org or call (925) 376-7126.
Lafayette Kitchen Tour:
10:00 am-3:00 pm
The Lafayette Juniors' 12th annual tour features six brand new and remodeled kitchens with an interesting variety; ranging from California Arts and Crafts style to East Coast Traditional. Also showcased are two homes with outdoor kitchens, and another spectacular home with a wine cellar built underneath. Tickets are $35 and are available at www.lafayettejuniors.org.
Orinda Theatre
Grand Re-Opening: 8:00 pm
The evening of celebration promises to be full of extravaganza and will highlight a legendary comedian who has been called "the last great impressionist of our time", Rich Little as well as well-known San Francisco Bay Area Film Critic, Jan Wahl as host of the evening. It will also feature past Orinda Idol winners who will perform song renditions live. Come to see, to be seen, and most importantly to enjoy the company of friends and relatives. It will be a night to remember for all. Ticket admissions are $35, and it will include the comedy show. There is a $125 dinner package for a limited seating for twenty-five people, first come-first-served basis, with Rich Little. A Reception Ticket, $45, which includes light refreshments and limited to 100 people, first come-first-served basis, is also available. Tickets may be purchased at the Orinda Theatre's Box Office, or at the theatre's website (www.theorindatheatre.com ). For more details, e-mail OrindaTheatre@att.net or call 925.254.9065.
Free Car Care Clinic
for Women: 1:00 pm
Held at Orinda Motors, 63 Orinda Way, Orinda, this event offers women a chance to learn about vehicle maintenance and operation from experts in the auto repair industry. The event is free but a donation or a gas gift card to the Senior Helpline Services is requested. Sign up at www.orindamotors.com or call (925) 254-2012.
Concert at the Res: 11:00 am -2:00 pm
Performing at this year's Concert at the Res, held at the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir, will be the Stanley Symphonic Band led by Bob Athayde, honored as the 2007 Outstanding Music Educator of the Year; the highly acclaimed Acalanes Wind Ensemble led by Norm Dea, the Big Band of Rossmoor led by Mo Levich, honored as Lafayette's 2007 Business Person of the year, and the Bentley School Jazz combo led by Brian Pardo. This special event showcases the Lafayette school music programs and raises money to support them as well as helping to fund many other local charities and organizations that Rotary supports. 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. Next year "Concert at the Res" will be performed on the new permanent stage that is being built just to the left of the dam, across from the children's play structure. A model of the stage and information will be available at this year's concert.
Life in the Lafayette Garden Tour: 11:00 am- 4:00 pm
Tickets are $25 each and include an outdoor cooking demonstration, urban farming demonstration, light refreshments, live music, and tours of five Lafayette home gardens. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the AAUW-OML Tech Trek scholarship program. For ticket information, please call Pat Lopker at (925) 376-5155.
Free Movie Nights
Friday, May 13, at the Moraga
Commons Park - Despicable Me: 8:30 pm
Enjoy the free movie under the stars-presented by The Moraga Youth Involvement Committee. Bundle up with blankets and friends, enter the raffle, and enjoy delicious concessions sold by the MYIC.
Movies in the Park
at Lafayette Plaza - E.T. (G)
at dusk
Invite your friends, family, and neighbors, bring a blanket or two, shop at the farmers market for a fresh and delicious picnic or pick-up a meal to go at the nearby restaurants, and stake out your spot on the Lafayette Plaza greens for the free family entertainment. Sweets and drinks will be available for purchase. There will also be a raffle with prizes awarded that evening, and donations collected at each event. All proceeds will go towards maintaining this event as a recurring summer series next year and beyond. Presented by the City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday, May 17, 9th Annual
"Taste of Lafayette":
5:30 pm
This is your chance to sample the signature cuisine of as many of Lafayette's finest eateries as you can squeeze into two hours. Taste of Lafayette begins in Lafayette Plaza at 5:30pm where you will check in and enjoy a glass of wine and nosh on appetizers. Next you can 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. At each stop, comes another "taste." Finally, back to the park to enjoy coffee and dessert. Proceeds from the event benefit the Lafayette Community Foundation and the Services and Programs of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. View Taste of Lafayette on You Tube, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r74ISEvnQsI. Tickets for the event will be available through the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, located at 100 Lafayette Circle, Suite 103. Visit our website at www.lafayettechamber.org or call 284-7404.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA