ART

The Saint Mary's College William Keith (1838 -1911) Collection will welcome visitors into the expanded galleries of the new Museum of Art. Among never before seen recent acquisitions and newly restored paintings are magnificent early views of the Columbia River Valley, Pacific Northwest, Mt. Tamalpais and Russian River. 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.

The Lamorinda Arts Alliance is pleased to announce the return of Open Studios on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 11am-4pm. Open Studios will showcase 29 artists in a variety of media including watercolor, pottery, jewelry, acrylic and oil paintings, garden sculpture and glass. Maps are available at www.laa4arts, Lafayette Gallery, Moraga Gallery or Lafayette Studio and at the Opening Reception. The public is invited to meet the artists and preview the art at our Open Studios Reception on October 21 from 5 - 7pm at the Lafayette Studio, 3506A Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette.

“Textures, Layers and Lines” is a small group show featuring the works of four artists: Dalia Alekna, pastel artist and jewelry maker; Paula Boas, abstract painter; Linda Yoshizawa, printmaker; and potter Martha Kean. The show uses process and imagery to suggest a history or story beyond just a beautiful piece of art. Join us for a free reception to meet and talk with the artists on October 14, 5pm-8pm, at the Lafayette Gallery, 50 Lafayette Circle (across from Chow). Refreshments will be served. The show is open through October 29.

The exhibit at the Orinda Library art gallery for November will feature the following artists: Kim Wong, painting; Terry Riggins, Photos; Thomas Tanneyhill, Block prints.

MUSIC

Big band dance and concert with the Big Band Of Rossmoor at The Veterans Memorial Building presented by Generations In Jazz on Friday Oct 14. 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 Doris Burgman. Then the dance and concert begins at 8pm.

The Auerbach/Morley Organ/Piano Duo (organist David Auerbach and pianist Martin Morley) presents Eighty-Eight and Swell and Great, a program of piano/organ duets. On the program are classical selections by Bach, Handel, Saint-Saëns and others. Sunday, October 16, 4pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Free admission; freewill offering. Contact: Martin Morley, (925) 283-3722, martin@oslc.net.

Directed by David Morales, the Cantare Chorale presents Sit Down! You’re Rockin’ the Boat a family concert featuring a Duke Ellington medley, Broadway tunes, American folk, popular and patriotic songs. An après-concert ice cream social will cap off Cantare’s Silver Anniversary Season opening event. Sunday, October 16th, 4pm at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, 94549 Tickets: $10-$60 (510) 836-0789. For more info and tickets: www.cantareconvivo.org.

AUHSD Fall Choral Classic Concerts. October 18 and 20 at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr. beginning at 7:30pm. All Seats General Admission. Suggested Donation $5 for Adults and $3 for Seniors 60 and older, Students Free. Mixed Choirs with Guest Conductor, Lori Marie Rios 10/18/11. Women's Choirs with Guest Conductor, Morna Edmundson 10/20/11. Miramonte, Campolindo, Acalanes, and Las Lomas High Schools participating.

Afternoon Jazz Piano at the Library Featuring Members of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society Presented by Lafayette Senior Services. Open to All Ages. Enjoy the music of these talented musicians as they bring out the best of the library’s beautiful Steinway piano. Light refreshments will be served thanks. Please call Lafayette Senior Services at 284-5050 to reserve a seat. Fri: 10/21, 1:30 – 2:30pm, Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. $3 Members / $5 Non-Members.

Voices of Musica Sacra presents a centenary celebration of the choral, organ and chamber works of visionary French composer, Jehan Alain, featuring John R.S. Walko, organist and young local musicians. John Kendall Bailey, Music Director. October 22, 2pm, St. Mary’s College Chapel, Moraga, and October 23, 2 pm, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1101 Keaveny Ct., Walnut Creek. www.vmschorus.org, (925) 944-5239

To commemorate the October birthday of journalist/musician Daniel Pearl, who was abducted and killed by extremists in Pakistan in 2002, Temple Isaiah will host a special concert to be held Sunday afternoon, October 23 at 2pm at its hilltop sanctuary in Lafayette, California. Admission is free and open to the public. Temple Isaiah is located at 3800 Mount Diablo Blvd., with its entrance on Risa Road. For further information please contact Michael Gill (mg@maxjas.com) or the Temple Isaiah office at (925) 283-8575.

Carol Alban and Friends in Concert, Tuesday, October 25, 7pm Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Carol Alban (flute/vocals) recently founded the Moraga and Orinda Jazz Festivals and teaches privately in Moraga. Her guest artists perform and tour widely. This free pre-Halloween concert is open to all. Preregistration is recommended at either www.ccclib.org or (925) 376-6852, ext 200.

Saint Mary's Music Recital Series. Enjoy listening to students sing opera arias, perform piano sonatas and play Baroque trios and other chamber music on Wednesday October 26, 1 pm. Where: Soda Center, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Admission: Free.

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.

Town Hall Theatre presents "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin, directed by Lisa Anne Porter, September 22-October 15. For tickets and show times call the box office at (925) 283 1557 or go to www.thtc.org.

The Fratello Marionettes present "Vaudeville Follies" on Saturday, October 15, 2 pm, Moraga Libraray, 1500 St. Mary's Rd.
A 30 minute marionette variety show performed in the spirit of the old time music hall by a cast of singers, dancers, clowns, classical trick marionettes, and a trained dog, Puddles. Puppeteers perform in full view of the audience, with sophisticated marionettes that range from one to three feet tall! Free and open to all ages.

DVC Drama presents Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, directed by Nicole Hess-Diestler, Oct 14th - Nov 6th; Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm; Diablo Valley College Performing Arts Center. Order tickets at (925) 687-4445 or www.dvcdrama.net.

The International Film Showcase will screen The Man Who Will Come, L'Uomo che verrà, beginning October 21, at the Orinda Theatre, as part of a UC Berkeley Law School symposium on the civilian massacres committed by the Nazis in Italy during World War II. On Saturday, October 22, the sponsors will host a special event, "The Man Who Will Come: A Conversation about Remembering the Monte Sole massacre of 1944," starting at 6:30 pm followed by the screening of the film and a Q&A session. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.lfef.org.

Please join Futures Explored and Joey Travolta at a Red Carpet event that will feature a screening of short films created by campers who attended the 2011 Inclusion Film Camp. The event will include an award presentation and refreshments. Location: St. Mary's College, Moraga Room at the Soda Center, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. When: Sunday, October 23, 4-6:30pm. Ticket price is $15 per person. Purchase tickets at http://www.futures-explored.org/film_camp_red_carpet_2011.html.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

The Saint Mary's College of California Creative Writing Reading Series presents: a Reading and Craft Conversation with Ryan Van Meter whose essay collection "If You Knew Then What I Know Now" was published in 2011 by Sarabande Books. Reading: Wednesday, October 12, 7:30pm, Soda Center. Craft Conversation: Wednesday, October 12, 2:30 pm, Hagerty Lounge. How does one write honestly and compellingly about the experiences of childhood and adolescence without repeating what's already been done? Literary nonfiction writer Ryan Van Meter will demonstrate how figurative language can fold a child's sensibility into an adult narrator's voice. Free and open to the public.

The centennial of California women winning the right to vote in October, 1911, is being marked by the Contra Costa County and Martinez Historical Societies with a series of five talks on various aspects of the historic campaign here in Contra Costa County as well as across the State of California. The series will be held on five consecutive Thursday evenings beginning at 7pm at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Martinez starting October 13 and continuing through November 10. For further information call (925) 229-1042. Suggested donation: $5.

The Friends of the Moraga Library will celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week October 16-22. We will have a table in the library staffed to explain our organization during day opening hours and have a display in the foyer of the library as well.

On October 25th at 6:30pm the Commonwealth Club of California is hosting an exclusive event with University of California President Mark Yudof at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. With budgets being slashed, tuitions on the rise and more students than ever seeking limited UC acceptance, California’s public higher education system is in troubled waters. What does the future of the renowned University of California hold and what does it say about the state of higher education in America? Join us for an exclusive conversation with UC President Yudof and get your questions answered. Time: 5:45pm check-in, 6:30pm program. Cost: $22 standard, $12 members, $7 students.

Join an informative and entertaining Berkeley Rep docent to hear all about award winning playwright Bill Cain's newest work, "How to Write a New Book for the Bible". In this poignant new play a man moves in with his mother when she becomes too frail to care for herself. Their reunion heals old wounds, opening a humorous and heartfelt chapter in their relationship. Respected director Kent Nicholson returns to the Bay Area for this world premiere . Free and open to the public, and preregistration is not required. Moraga Library, 1500 Moraga Rd., Moraga.

The cathedral of Notre Dame is the topic of Orinda Library’s next Fireside Chat on Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30pm. George Hammond from Humanities West returns to discuss the iconic structure and the place it held at the center of Paris during the Middle Ages. This program is free, open to everyone. The Orinda Library is located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda, for more information please call (925) 254-2184 or visit the library’s website at ccclib.org.

KIDS

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.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District is hosting their Fall Open House and Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, October 15th, from 8am-12pm (breakfast begins at 9am), at Station 41 – 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga. Bring the family to meet your local firefighters, representatives from local community groups, Smokey the Bear and take a tour of the fire engines and trucks. Come learn about fire prevention and emergency/disaster preparedness, Firewise and the CPR Anytime programs. Schedule a car seat check-up appointment, learn how to use a fire extinguisher and how to perform animal CPR. There will be a fire truck bounce house/slide, free popcorn, raffles and prizes for the kids!

Lamorinda Moms 14th Annual Preschool Fair, Thursday, November 3, 6:30-8:30pm at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. Representatives from more than 35 Lamorinda preschools will be available to discuss their programs and answer questions. Children are welcome! This FREE event is open to Lamorinda Moms members as well as the general community.

HALLOWEEN

It’s time again for Sleepy Hollow Elementary School’s Annual Pumpkin Patch – and you won’t want to miss it! Head over to the school’s grounds, located at 20 Washington Lane in Orinda, Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10am-3pm and enjoy a day of old-fashioned fun and games with family and friends.

Dark Dreams Haunted house returns to the Rheem Theater raising money for the California Independent Film Festival. Creepy movie sets and live monsters leave you shaking. Open 4-6pm Halloween with lights on, no monsters for curious little kids.(Or scared big kids). October 21 & 23, 28-31, 7-11pm 'til midnight on Halloween. $8.00 admission (sold at door) www.Hauntworld.com. (See sidebar, page A4)

Lafayette Youth Commission’s Annual Haunted House Fri., 10/28 & Sun., 10/30. Time: 5:00–7:00pm. (Not Too Scary; Parents accompany children 7 & under) and 7:30–9:30pm (Very Scary; for children 8 & over.) Lafayette Community Center, Live Oak Room, Ages 7 & Under: $3 • Ages 8 & over: $5.

BREAST CANCER MONTH

Get Your Pink On! Team Lafayette is selling wristbands for $5 – 100% of profits go to the American Cancer Society. On sale at the following four locations: Lafayette Health Club, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Parks and Rec Center, and Lafayette City Offices.

On October 15th, “The Many Faces of Breast Cancer” will take place at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, from 10am-12pm. This educational community event focuses on the unique needs and issues of survivors, providing the latest information on breast cancer. Heather Quarterman from KKDV 92.1 FM will be the moderator and medical experts will speak on issues effecting survivors and offer insight into treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help with rehabilitation. The event is sponsored by Diablo Valley Oncology, the American Cancer Society, and the Cancer Support Community. There is no charge for the event, however reservations are required as seating is limited. RSVP at (925) 677-5041, xtn 231.

A special Breast Cancer Awareness event entitled “Pink Up The Mall” will be taking place throughout the month of October at the Sunvalley Shopping Center. Merchants of the mall will feature “Pink” themed merchandise and special discount offers. The highlight of the event will take place on October 16th at 1pm in the Grand Court. Breast Cancer survivors will be recognized by their oncologists and surgeons and featured in a Surviving in Style Fashion Show. Open to the public.

Spooky Sweets on Sale at the Lafayette Parks and Rec Haunted House Friday, Oct. 28th & Sunday, Oct. 30th - Fortify your nerves and shore up your sweet tooth with an Edible Eyeball or Creep Crawly Cupcake before heading into the Youth Commission’s House of Haunts – Thirsty? Try a tumbler full of swamp juice. The Lafayette Youth Commission will donate all proceeds of this bake sale to American Cancer Society and they’ll be selling some pretty cool Community United T-Shirts, too!

OTHER

Bath Simple & Canyon Construction presents "A Night of Wine & Bathroom Design" on Wednesday, October 12 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Bath Simple's Founder and Lead Product Designer will discuss how new systems and products are streamlining the workflow for contractors and improving the customer experience for homeowners remodeling their bathrooms; several Bay Area bathrooms will be featured as case studies. Link to event details and RSVP: http://paperless.ly/olCSKh. Cost: Free and open to the public.

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.

Serbian Food Festival, Saturday, October 15, noon-9pm. Featuring authentic Serbian cuisine, music and dancing. Free admission. Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. For info. (925) 376-6850.

Oktoberfest at the Hacienda de Las Flores, Sunday, October 16, from 2-6pm. Big Lou and her German band will offer live music, the Golden Gate Bavarian Dancers will entertain with authentic Oktoberfest dances. Draught beer, bratwurst, weisswurst, strudel and pretzels are available for a nominal charge. Jumpy houses, pumpkin painting, and other activities will be available to entertain children. All proceeds used for improvements to the Hacienda de Las Flores. (See article)

WomenSing presents WomenSing's Annual Gala on Sunday, Oct 16, from 4 to 7pm, at Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. WomenSing's Annual Gala kick-off. Win a $500 cash door prize and let SoVoSo, a premiere a cappella ensemble, entertain you. Great food and wine. Cost: General Admission $45.00, Reserved Seating $75.00. For more info see http://www.womensing.org or call (925) 974-9169 or email info@womensing.org.

Saint Mary's Guild Italian Night: Thursday, October 20, 5-9pm at the Soda Center, Saint Mary's College; featuring Italian cuisine & music by Gene Falcone. $32.00 per person. Contact Pat Wiegmann, Saint Mary's College Guild, P.O.Box 3002, Saint Mary's College, 94575. Proceeds to benefit SMC scholarship fund.

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.

Widowed Persons Support Group sessions are on-going at 10am Saturday mornings at Saint Stephen’s Church, 66 St. Stephen’s Drive, Orinda. For more detailed information, please call Janice With at (925) 210-0333.

A Journey with Mercy Ships October 23, 11:30am, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. All are welcome to attend a presentation and slide show by our member John Creech on his latest tour with Mercy Ships to Sierra Leone, Africa. Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, and serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion.

Who's Who in the Lafayette Cemetery? Join one or two of the Lafayette Historical Society’s events in October and find out! Wednesday, October 26 at 3pm in the Arts & Science Room in the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, hear about the history of the Cemetery. Sunday, October 30 at 1:30 pm Mary McCosker takes us on our first ever walking tour of the cemetery. She will point out the gravesites of the well known settlers of our area. Please send an email with your reservation or questions to lafayette.history@comcast.net or call the History Room, or call (925) 283-1848.

19th Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run October 30. Over 2,500 participants compete in a 10K, 5K or 2 mile race through the heart of downtown Lafayette, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents. Race times begin at 8am and “day of” registration begins at 6:30am. Pre-registration can be done by visiting the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce website, www.lafayettechamber.org. or www.active.com.

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.

Step into the world of amateur radio! Communicate wirelessly across town, across country, internationally or out into space. Learn about Amateur (ham) Radio and earn a Technician Class license through classes taught by Lamorinda area ham radio operators. Classes start, November 2, at 7pm in the Sarge Littlehale Room of Orinda City Hall and run for two hours each Wednesday night through the month. The class is free, but participants will use Gordon West’s book Technician Class 2010-2014. The book, normally $20, will be available at a reduced price at the first meeting. For details, call Keith at 925.376.3269 or Leasa at 925.631.6650, or e-mail K6KWR@arrl.ORG.

Special Event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Sunday November 6, 8:30am, Lafayette Moraga Trail; Stanley Middle School to Olympic Blvd. and return. Come participate in Lafayette in a Walkathon to benefit St. Jude and join us in reaching our goal of $10,000.00 to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fight pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. You can register on line at St.Jude.org/special events.com or contact Andria at StJudewalkathon@yahoo.com.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley and the Social Justice Council of the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church present a Celebration of 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote in California. The party and opportunity to meet your Electeds will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2-5 pm at the new Bortin Fellowship Hall at the church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Wine, cheese, finger food, pink tea, and singing. Wear suffragist colors of white, yellow and/or purple if you can. All are welcome to attend. Wheel Chair Accessible. $10 donation.

CLUBS

Moraga Women' Society program, Monday, October 17: Stevie Mann will speak about her work in Oakland and Richmond as a crime and violence prevention consultant. She has written four national crime prevention books and is a nationally recognized expert in the field. At Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Meeting 9:30am; speaker 10:45am. All are welcome.

Lamorinda Toastmasters will be hosting Ed Alter of SpeechSkills LLC in an evening dedicated to the nurturing and development of public speaking and leadership skills. The event will be held at the Social Hall of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, 7:30-9pm on Tuesday, October 18. Anyone Interested in improving public speaking and leadership skills is invited. Please contact the club at (925) 385-8793, or e-mail to membership@lamorinda.freetoasthost.net.

The American Association of University Women, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch (AAUW, OML) invites the general public to our October 18, 2011 meeting. Helen Hutchison, President of the League of Women Voters, Oakland, will be speaking about the Initiative and Referendum Process. Ms. Hutchison will discuss the history of the process and focus on California. Is California’s process different than other states? She will also review issues identified with the CURRENT initiative and referendum process in California. The meeting will be held from 9:30-11:30am at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cultural Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga.

The Moraga Garden Club will see a demonstration in container gardening by Susanne Frey at their general meeting on October 20th It will be held at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center on School St. in Moraga at 10am. Ms. Frey is the owner of Seasons Landscape Design and will discuss the choice of containers, plants and techniques. Interested parties are welcome to attend.

Montelindo Garden Club meeting Friday, October 21, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Gary Gragg, who is the President of Golden Gate Palms and Exotics in Richmond, California, will discuss subtropical gardening for Northern California. Gary's design work can been seen throughout the Bay Area, including residential communities, avenues, public buildings and the Oakland Zoo. He is also the host of HGTV's "Superscapes". The lecture is at 10:30am and a plant sale and refreshments are at 9am. The event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

"Family Quilts" was the theme of the October meeting of the Acalanes Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, (DAR). Members displayed their family quilts and shared stories about their quilt's history. If you are interested in joining DAR and can prove a direct ancestral link to a Revolutionary War patriot, please call Pat Peterson at (925) 284-9590 or email her at pat_p94549@yahoo.com.