The Hearst Art Gallery at Saint Mary's College presents Pam Glover: A Life in Art through September 11. The retrospective exhibition showcases the remarkable life and work of Pam Glover, influential en plein air landscape artist and teacher. More than 60 colorful California landscape paintings are on view, plus rarely seen student work from China and Australia, 1950s fashion illustrations, bold mixed-media abstractions and European landscape paintings. The Hearst Art Gallery is open from Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am-4:30pm. Admission is $4 for adults; free for groups, K-12th graders. For more information, please call (925) 631-4379.

Enjoy an opportunity to watch artists create and chat with them about their work at Lafayette Gallery's last Artist's Market on August 20, 11am-5pm. Outside at 100 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette. For more info go toe www.lafayettegallery.net or call (925) 284-2788.

"Navigating with Color" opens at Moraga Art Gallery featuring Art Gallery member Nancy Robinson and Guest Artist Ellen Heathcote through Oct. 30. The public is invited to view their art along with gallery members' work at the show's opening reception, August 20, 3-5 p.m. "I have always been fascinated with the human form, in all its shapes and sizes," said Nancy. Ellen Heathcote has worked in fabric crafting for many years, making wearable art, home decor, clothing and quilts. The gallery is open Tuesday -Sunday, noon - 5pm. MAG is tucked in a corner north of CVS in the Rheem Center in Moraga.

The Epperson Gallery will be hosting the mixed medium Plein Air Paint Out held in the Valona District in Crockett. The Valona District covers a wide range of options from open space, to river views, bridges, C&H Sugar factory, rustic marina, hillside vistas and quaint neighborhoods. It is a great place to paint and a fun event. This is a juried and judged exhibition and competition. To be selected into the competition artists will submit three digital images for review by the Jurors. 30 artists will be chosen to participate in the paint out. To enter go to www.onlinejuriedshows.com .

Celebrate the lazy days of summer with music, family and fun! Rock the Plaza, August 19 & 26, 6pm, Plaza Park in Lafayette. August 19: The Floorshakers ; August 26:Tall Shadows. Bring the family and a picnic supper.

Continuing the theme of the Contra Costa County Library Summer Reading Festival of One World, Many Stories, the Orinda Library presents the quartet, Yolo Mambo, on Wednesday, August 31 at 6:30pm with their distinctive blend of salsa, Latin, blues and pop.The Orinda Library is at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda and the Summer Music Series is free and open to all. For more info visit www.ccclib.org or telephone (925) 254-2184.

Watch for Orinda Idol participants at these Fall events:
September 11, 2011: Finals.
September 24, 2011: Orinda Car Show performance for Finals winners.
September 27, 2011: EFO/Chamber of Commerce Dine Around Town performance for Finals winners.

Cal Shakes presents Candida by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Jonathan Moscone, August 10-September 4. For details and to purchase tickets go to www.calshakes.org. (See article)

August 26th thru October 1st (dark on September 2nd & 3rd) Orinda Starlight Players present MoliŠre's "The Imaginary Invalid" Thursdays @ 8 pm, Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:30pm and Sundays at 4pm at the Outdoor Theater in Orinda Community Center Park, 26 Orinda Way. Regular admission: $16, Seniosr $8. Tickets are available at the Box Office, call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org for reservations. Be aware that this is an outdoor theatre and dress appropriately/bring blankets. Bring a picnic and enjoy the show! See www.orsvp.org for more information.

Hummingwords Writing Workshop at Orinda Books with Cynthia Leslie-Bole Thursday, September 8th, 1- 3pm. No writing experience is necessary! The group will use the Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) Method, which creates a safe, supportive context to spark your creativity, develop your unique voice, and cultivate your powers of expression. A $20 donation to the bookstore is suggested to help defray costs. To register, email lesliebole@att.net. The workshop is limited to 8 participants so sign up now to reserve a spot.

Free public history lecture at Moraga Library on September 14 at 2 pm,"Triangle Fire of 1911: A Disaster that Transformed Industrial America." Join Professor Gerald Henig, a dynamic public speaker who will present an illustrated lecture to describe circumstances leading to this horrific tragedy, and explain why it happened, who was responsible, and its consequences.
Free and open to the public, preregistration not required. www.ccclib.org or call (925) 376-6825.

Henna artist, Rachel-Anne Palacios, will present a free workshop for teens 12-18 at the Moraga Library on Thursday, August 18, from 4-6pm. Rachel will give a talk on the history and tradition of henna art. Teen participants will have a chance to practice working with henna and receive a design from Rachel-Anne herself. Teens will also receive a henna kit to take home with them. Space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Parental permission slip is required. To register or for more information call or visit the Moraga Library, (925) 376-6852.

Daffy Dave to entertain kids at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center on Thursday, August 18, 10:30 am. Enjoy magic, goofy juggling, funny songs, and much more. The LLLC is located at 3491 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. This free event is open to all ages. Contact: Jenna Skinner (925) 385-2280.

Norcal Kids Triathlon will take place on Saturday, August 27, from 9 am - 1pm at Miramonte High School, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. The competition will be divided by age divisions: 6 & under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15+ in HS; as well as into girls and boys categories. Each participant swims, bikes and runs the triathlon course and courses are adjusted for age appropriateness. Register at NorCalKidsTri.org but sign up early, as there is a max of 500 participants.

A Course in Miracles, Mystic and Teacher, David Hoffmeister, will be presenting 7-9:30pm Fri, Aug 19, in the Community Room of Lafayette Library and Learning Center ($25) To RSVP or for further information contact cdembe1@comcast.net or (925) 284-8812.

Moraga's Community Visioning Workshops to Help Create the Future of the Rheem Shopping Center. Saturday, August 27, 9- 10:30am and Monday, August 29, 7-8:30pm. Sign up at www.moraga.ca.us. (preferred) or by phone at (925) 888-7038. (See article)

Join Las Trampas for a fun 1 mile or 5K " Walk n' Roll Event" from 9am-noon on the Lafayette-Moraga Trail on Saturday September 10. Everyone is welcome. The trail is wheelchair friendly. The walk starts at Las Trampas, 3460 Lana Ln., Lafayette., continues towards Olympic Blvd. and ends at Las Trampas. Registration is $25 per person and includes: event, T-shirt, gift, refreshments, prizes, music and more! Proceeds support people with developmental disabilities. Register online at www.active.com or call (925) 284-1462 ext. 239 for a registration form.

9/11 Ten Year Anniversary Commemoration - "One World, One Community" .When: Sunday, September 11, 2-5 pm. Where: at Frank Salfingere Park (Gazebo area next to Pleasant Hill Community Center on Taylor Blvd.) The event will mark the tenth anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93. Everyone is invited to participate in this event, especially families and children. A formal ceremony begins at 2:15pm followed by music, food and activities for children. Information is available at www.hillcrestucc.org/9-11.

Nana (Taemi Westernoff) a skilled teacher of Japanese cooking, will conduct a fun, easy and healthy method of making Japanese Tempura. This is a hands-on demonstration and traditional Japanese dishes will be served to compliment the tempura. You will learn the difference between fried and tempered. Sunday, September 11, 2pm, St. Mark's Methodist Church, 451, Moraga Way, Orinda. Cost: $20 (includes all materials). To reserve call (925) 254-5965 or (925 0324-4718.

The Stroke Support Group Of Contra Costa County will hold its monthly meeting in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center- Walnut Creek Campus, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek on Monday, September 12, 7-9pm. Harvey Brosler, a member and caregiver, will speak on "Being Partially Paralyzed- An Analogy For Stroke Survivors". For further information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Sign up now for the new Lamorinda and Friends Senior Bowling League. The 2011 season begins on Tuesday September 13th at 1pm at Diablo Lanes in Concord, 1500 Monument Blvd. The cost per week is $11. Individuals are welcome or join as a team with a couple of friends. The league is for bowlers 55 and older. No average score or bowling experience is needed. It is designed to be low key yet fun for individuals and friends who enjoy a weekly activity, a little socializing and want some exercise. To sign up call Eric Hattrup at (925) 671-0913 or email Erich at erich@diablolanes.com.

16th Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, September 17 & 18 in downtown Lafayette. Over 270 Arts, Crafts, Food, Beer, Wine & Commercial Vendor Booths. Kidzone ~ 4 Music Stages ~ Premium Wine Pavilion. Avoid the hassle of finding parking...Park free at any BART station and take BART to the event!

Friday, September 23rd at 7 pm. Party in the streets of Orinda at Avenida de Orinda & 63 Orinda Way. A Friday night of dining and dancing with car owners and fans - set among the classic cars themselves. Stroll with your cocktail and view an all new version of the exhibit, "Orinda Through the Years" - an incredible display of vintage cars with historical memorabilia in a museum-like setting. Purchase tickets at http://www.orindacarshow.com/enjoy-dancing-with-the-cars.

Campolindo freshman Sam Larson is collecting men's, women's, boys, and girls clothes, shoes, and accessories, sizes infant through adult. The items will be used for a free clothing shop Sam is running with San Pablo Rotary for disadvantaged families in San Pablo on October 8th. Drop off your items at 243 Paseo del Rio, Moraga, or call 284-8142 for pick up. Thank you for your support.

Contra Costa Rose Society meeting on Monday, August 22 will feature a free presentation "Roses as Potted Plants" by Jolene Adams, Vice President, American Rose Society; public is invited. Please call Cyndi at (925) 408-1256 or email her at cjreading50@yahoo.com for information, or visit our website www.ccrose.org. Monthly meetings are usually held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7pm at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek.

The Contra Costa Master Gardeners are holding a Fall Event on Saturday, September 10 from 9am-2pm at the Garden of Learning at St. Perpetua's School at 3445 Hamlin Rd. Lafayette (off Moraga Road). You'll find low water use plants, an exotic collection of succulents, delicious winter vegetable plants, annual and perennial color, herbs and much more. There will be MGs available to talk to you about which plants will fit your specific needs. Tours, free demonstrations on composting, irrigation techniques, raising chickens, garden winterization and plant propagation. Further details can be found at: http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu.

Montelindo Garden Club program on Friday, September 16: Carole Austin, who is the retired curator of the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco, will discuss "In a Chinese Garden" at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. A plant sale and refreshments will start at 9am, followed by the lecture at 10:30am. The event is free and the public is cordially invited.