ART

“Navigating with Color” at Moraga Art Gallery, featuring Art Gallery member Nancy Robinson and Guest Artist Ellen Heathcote, through Oct. 30. The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday, noon-5pm. MAG is tucked in a corner north of CVS in the Rheem Center in Moraga.

Moraga artist and resident, Leslie Swartz, will be displaying a wide selection of her art on Saturday, the 24th of September, at Terzetto's Restaurant. 20% of any sales will be donated to the Moraga Public Schools. Swartz’s art will be available at Terzetto's until the 29th of October.

MUSIC

The very first Orinda Jazz Festival will reverberate at the elegant Orinda Theatre on Sunday, September 18th, from 6:30– 9pm. This one-day event is also a benefit for victims of Hurricane Irene as well as a fundraiser for local arts, and it features an impressive array of acclaimed international, regional, and local musicians and artists. See article page A6

The Mike Vax Big Band, with vocalist Denise Perrier,
will appear at the Rheem Theatre in Moraga October 2, and perform a Sunday afternoon concert and dance 2-5pm. Tickets are $17 in advance by 9/30 (tickets held at door), $20 at the door ($10 students). Purchase them online at www.bigbandjazz.net, or by mail, by sending a check to FBBJ, 3316 Fir Ave., Alameda, 94502.

Pacific Chamber Symphony, Sunday, October 9, 4pm, Community Hall Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Featuring Dvorak/Caliendo, Caliendo World Music Suite #2 (World Premier), Sheridon Stokes - Flute Soloist, Dvorak Serenade for Strings. Concert Tickets: $30 General,$25 seniors (65+), $10 students. Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets on line or call (800) 838-3006.

THEATER

Cal Shakes presents “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare, directed by Shana Cooper, September 21-October 16 . For details and to purchase tickets go to www.calshakes.org or call (510) 548- 9666.

Veteran performer Joe Orrach, a Saint Mary's College LEAP program graduate, brings his autobiographical solo show “In My Corner” to Saint Mary's College on September 22, 8pm in LeFevre Theatre. His coming of age story is one in which he makes his way out of chaos and violence through his discovery of dance. Where: Saint Mary's College LeFevre Theatre, 1928 St. Mary's Rd, Moraga. Tickets: $15 general; $10 seniors (65+) and non-SMC students; $5 SMC community. Reservations: (925) 631-4670.

Orinda Starlight Players present Molière's "The Imaginary Invalid” through Oct 1: Thursdays @ 8pm, Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:30pm and Sundays at 4pm at the Outdoor Theater in Orinda Community Center Park, 26 Orinda Way. Regular admission: $16, seniors $8. Tickets are available at the Box Office, call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org for reservations. Bring a picnic, but dress appropriately/bring blankets.

The Lamorinda Film and Entertainment Foundation September showcase selection presents Autumn Spring September 16-22 at the Orinda Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.lfef.org. See article page B10.

Green film night: Tuesday Sept. 20th, featuring the documentary “End of the Line.” Follow investigative reporter Charles Clover as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, about the damage we are doing to the oceans. Wine tasting and appetizers are available in the lobby starting at 6pm followed by the documentary at 7pm. Tickets are $12 and are available at
http://generationgreen.com.

LECTURES & LITERATURE

The Saint Mary's College of California Fall 2011 Creative Writing Reading Series begins on Wed, Sept 14 at 7:30pm in the Soda Activity Center. All readings are free and open to the public. Tonight's readers will be Saint Mary's graduate students Rebecca Eckland, Lain Hart, Casey McAlduff, Sheila Davies Sumner, and Nora Garcia. The next reading series will take place on Wed, October 5 at 7:30pm with Yiyun Li, whose novel, "The Vagrants", won the California Book Award's gold medal for fiction. Her latest book, "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl" is a collection of short stories.

Tues., Sept 27th 7–8pm. Science Cafe: A World Without Chemistry. Senior Emeritus Research Chemist Attila Pavlath will share chemistry’s contribution to daily life. Cost $5.

Poor and Poorer: The Demise of the American Middle Class. What is happening to the American middle class and the "American Dream"? How has the recession changed the face of poverty? Join us for a lively panel discussion on how our current economic situation is affecting all of us. When: Monday, September 26, at 7pm. Where: Claeys Lounge, Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. For more information, contact Monica Fitzgerald, mdf1@stmarys-ca.edu or call (925) 631-4605.

Book Sales - Friends of the Orinda Library: Thursday Oct. 6, 10am-1pm at the Book Shop and Sorting Room (Bookshop is open until 6pm); Children’s Book Sale, Saturday Oct. 8, 10 am-1pm. at the Book Shop and outside Library entrance.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Join Lafayette Girl Scouts. New parent information meeting is Sept. 14, 6:30-8pm at the St. Perpetua Church Hall. This meeting is for all new girls attending any Lafayette School. We will work to get older girls interested in joining GS placed in existing troops. Not mandatory - but girls are welcome to attend meeting. For additional information go to www.lafayettegirlscouts.org.

Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 15, 10am-1pm. Food, Fun for Kids, Prizes & Games. Free Admission. Diablo Valley Montessori School, 3390 Deer Hill Road Lafayette; (925) 283-6036.

Teens: Volunteer in Latin America Summer 2012: Amigos de las Americas, a program which sends high school students to volunteer for 5-8 weeks in Latin America during the summer, announces its annual informational meetings for students and parents interested in learning more about the program. Meetings will be Sept. 27, 7:30pm at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, and Oct. 5, 7:30pm at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette. For more meeting times and locations, visit
www.eastbayamigos.org. Training begins in November.

"Parenting Teens in Today's Culture” seminar at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Ln, Moraga on October 13, 6:30-9:30pm. Join Mark Gregston, founder of Heartlight, a residential counseling program for teens, for an evening of practical wisdom and insights to help you navigate the teen years. Price: $10/person or $15/couple. Phone: (925) 376-4800. Email: dricketts@mvpctoday.org. For more information and resources: www.parentingtodaysteens.org.

OTHER

Donate Your Old Furniture to Hospice of the East Bay. Are you planning to update the look of your home and looking for a charitable organization that will accept your old furniture? Hospice of the East Bay thrift stores need your contributions and will come to your home to pick them up! For store locations and hours visit www.hospiceeastbay.org. Pick-up service for large items is available by calling (925) 674-9072.

Music, Dance, Conversation at Seniors Social. Music lovers, social fans, all-level dancers, couples and singles invited to join the fun Wednesdays 12:30-2:50pm, Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road. Large dance space, sociable table set-up, smooth new floor. Ballroom lessons first Wednesday of each month. $2 for Lafayette Senior Center members, $4 for non-members. Additional details and map: sites.google.com/site/lafayetteteadance.

Coastal Cleanup Day in Orinda - September 17, 9am-noon. Join the Friends of Orinda Creeks to participate in Coastal Cleanup, the largest cleanup event on the planet. We will have bags and buckets, data cards and pencils, and some latex gloves but if you have work gloves bring them. For safety, wear closed-toed shoes. We will meet in the parking lot behind the shops at 23 Orinda Way at 9am (across from the Library). If you have questions, please call Elizabeth at (925)376-5378.

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society will meet on September 20 from 10am-noon at the library of the LDS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Speaker: Mary Ann Wilkman. Program: Best Practice for Preserving Our Family Photos and Documents. This program will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. For information call Ed O'Donnell (925) 299-0881, or visit our web site at http://srvgensoc.org.

The Lafayette Homeowners Council is having its Annual Meeting starting at 7pm on Sept. 22nd in the Community Center’s the Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary’s Road. All Lafayette residents, land owners and business owners are invited to attend. Mayor Anduri will speak [along with others] and take questions regarding the condition of Lafayette’s roads and the November ballot measure, the proposed pedestrian and bike pathway along the EBMUD right of way through town, and the Downtown Specific Plan.

Friday, September 23rd at 7 pm. Party in the streets of Orinda at Avenida de Orinda & 63 Orinda Way. Purchase tickets at http://www.orindacarshow.com/enjoy-dancing-with-the-cars.

The Orinda Classic Car Show, Saturday, September 24, 10am - 2pm at Orinda Motors, 63 Orinda Way in Orinda. Free event. See article page B3.

Pear & Wine Festival- Saturday, September 24, 10am-4pm at the Moraga Commons Park. Enjoy Wine Tasting, Local Food, Pear Pies, Inflatable “jumpies” as well as an Artist and Business Fair. See article page A5.

The John Muir National Historic Site will dedicate its newly renovated Visitor Center and present day-long special events on Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24th. The John Muir National Historic Site is located at 4202 Alhambra Avenue at Highway 4 in Martinez. For information go to http://www.nps.gov/jomu or call (925) 228-8860 ex.6400.

Car Wash Benefit for Operation Disaster Relief, Saturday, September 24, 10-4pm at Lamorinda Gas and Auto Repair, 1410 Moraga Rd., Moraga, across from the Pear and Wine Festival activities. Hosted by the teens of Be the Star You Are!® charity. Get your car clean and help the hurricane, tornado, and flood victims. www.btsya.com.

The National Fragile X Foundation, located in Walnut Creek, is hosting a “Hat Party” fundraiser on Saturday, September 24, from 7:30pm until 10:30pm at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. There will be catering by Susan Foord, live music by MLCrisis, and a martini bar, wine and beer. For tickets, or to make a donation, please call (925) 938-9300.

Orinda Restaurant Tour, Tuesday, Sep 27, 5:30 - 8:30 pm. The Tour begins at Theatre Square.
Admission: Advance Purchase $30 ($35 at the event) One glass of wine is included for adults. Participants will ride a San Francisco Trolley from restaurant to restaurant. To purchase your advance discount tickets go to www.orindachamber.org.

Cold Stone Creamery in Lafayette and the Make-A-Wish Foundation invite the community to help make wishes come true by attending the 10th Annual "World’s Largest Ice Social" on Sept. 27. The event will be held at the Lafayette Cold Stone Creamery located at 3545 Mount Diablo Blvd. From 5-8pm, enjoy a free 3-ounce portion of Sprinkled with Wishes™ containing Sweet Cream Ice Cream, moist Brownie, Rainbow Sprinkles and rich Fudge.

Expert speaker Jeanne M. West, RN, MHA presents "Compassionate Care Giving: Balancing Skill with Care" on Wed., Sept 28 9-11am at Aegis of Moraga, 950 Country Club Drive. This FREE event is open to the public and is approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences for 2 continuing education hours. RSVP to (925) 377-7900 to reserve your space.

Oktoberfest at The Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga on Sunday, October 16, from 2-6pm.

VOLUNTEER

Do you like working with people? Are you good with numbers? Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Volunteers are trained by Tax-Aide and become IRS Certified tax counselors. Other volunteer positions are available. If interested, call LaVerne Gordon, District Coordinator, at (925) 726-3199 for information and to apply. Orientation is in November 2011 and classes for tax counselors start in January 2012.

Volunteer at Chabot Space & Science. Volunteer Orientation: Saturday, October 1, 10am-2pm. For more information and to RSVP for orientation, visit http://www.chabotspace.org/adult-volunteers.htm or email the Volunteer Department at volunteers@chabotspace.org.

CLUBS

The Moraga Garden Club will host guest speaker Kren Rasmussen of Bloomsters at the first meeting of the year on September 15. He will give a demonstration of floral arranging and one lucky person will go home with one of his arrangements. Social hour with refreshments begins at 9:30am with the meeting at 10am. Interested parties are welcome to attend.