ART

The Saint Mary's College William Keith (1838 -1911) Collection will welcome visitors into the expanded galleries of the new Museum of Art thru December 18. 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.

Join the Hacienda Foundation of Moraga on Thursday, November 10 from 4-7pm for a Local Wine Tasting and Art Exhibit at the Hacienda de las Flores. Parkmon Vineyards and Vincenza Ranch Vineyard will pour their wines, and Moraga artists will exhibit their work. $8 entry buys 2 tickets. Additional tickets are $3. 1 ticket = half glass of wine; 2 tickets = full glass of wine. Appetizers are provided courtesy of Terzetto Cuisine.

Moraga Art Gallery will feature the work of guest artist Susan Heller thru Dec. 24. The public is invited to view Heller's fabric art along with gallery members' work at the show's opening reception, Nov 12, 3-5pm. Heller's work falls outside the traditional function of quilts as each piece is intended to hang as a work of art. She enjoys using applique for its added dimension and embellishes with hand-embroidery, beading or both. Moraga Art Gallery is open Tues.-Sun from noon-5pm. MAG is tucked in a corner north of CVS in the Rheem Center in Moraga (until the end of this show).

The walls of Lafayette's Town Hall Theater are filled with colorful abstract canvases painted by internationally acclaimed painter and teacher Tesia Blackburn and ten of her students from Lafayette Studio and Walnut Creek Civic Arts. Please celebrate with the artists on Thursday, November 17 from 6-8 pm at Town Hall Theater, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.

"Oh,Wow! Watercolors" by Moraga artist George Ehrenhaft will grace the Moraga Library's art corner throughout November. Fully half of Ehrenhaft's fresh landscapes lovingly portray sites familiar to Lamorinda residents: the trail to Valle Vista, the Lafayette Reservoir, Briones Regional Park, an EBMUD barn on watershed property. Open during library hours. For details, call 376-6852.

MUSIC

SMC Jazz Band: Thursday November 17 at 8pm and Friday, November 18 at 5pm. Up-tempo numbers, tender ballads, blues, swing and salsa - they all create the energy of the jazz band concert experience. John Maltester, recently inducted into the California Alliance for Jazz Hall of Fame, directs the ensemble. Where: Soda Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Admission: $5 SMC Community, $10 General Admission, $8 Seniors and non-SMC Students.

Music in the Life of William Keith: Piano, Organ, Pipes, Japanese Gong, and Voices song recital performed by faculty, students and staff at Saint Mary's Colllege. Free admission; Wednesday, November 9, 1 pm at the Saint Mary's College Chapel.

The public is invited to "A Harvest Festival of Music" on a new Rodgers Digital Organ, November 13 at 3:30pm, St. Monica Church, Moraga. Organist William Vaughan will play both religious and secular selections from Handel, Bach and Andrew Lloyd Webber, including Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Sleepers Awake and Pie Jesu. The organ was a gift to the church from the Tom Murray estate. Vaughan is organist at St Paschal Church in Oakland and assistant organist at Oakland's Cathedral of Christ the Light. St. Monica is located at 1001 Camino Pablo, Moraga, between Larch and Camino Pablo. The concert is free.

Cellist Eric Sung, heard by millions in movie theaters around the world, joins the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme. If you've seen Pirates of the Caribbean, King Kong, or Inside Man, you've already heard the sound of his rare 200-year-old cello. Also on the program: prime selections from Bizet's voluptuous Carmen, including the unforgettable classic, "Les Toreadors." Sunday, 11/20, 2pm Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, Tickets: $10 - $30 at the door, by phone (925) 943-SHOW), or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.

A community sing of Handel's Messiah will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St Stephens Drive, Orinda, on Friday, December 2 at 7:30pm. The Messiah Sing will be directed by Minister of Music Robert Train Adams, with Festival Choir, professional soloists and chamber orchestra with harpsichord and organ. This event is an annual fundraiser for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Childcare is available by reservation. A free-will offering will be taken. For more information contact Brenda Free, office@ststephensorinda.org or (925) 254-3770 x10.

THEATER

Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department presents June in a Box at LeFevre Theatre, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga on Nov. 10, 11, 12, & 18 at 8pm. Sunday, Nov 20 at 2pm. Meet Octavio Solis at 7pm Friday, Nov. 11 before the show. Admission: General: $15, Seniors and Non-SMC Students: $12. Tickets available by phone (925) 631-4670) or at the door. See article

Red Carpet World Premiere of "Hercules Saves Christmas", November 17th at the Orinda Theatre. Red Carpet arrivals start at 6:30. Movie and Q & A at 7pm. See article

Mills College Repertory Dance Company presents State of Change on Nov 18, 1pm & 8pm; Nov 19, 8pm, at Mills College - Lisser Theater, 5000 Mac Arthur Blvd., Oakland. Mills Repertory Dance Company presents State of Change, a night of work by faculty and guest artists is an invitation to examine and celebrate change. Cost: $15 General, $12 Students and Seniors w/ ID, Free for Mills Community w/ ID - Tickets Available at the Door. For more info see http://www.mills.edu/dance or call (510) 430-2175 or email dance@mills.edu.

Town Hall Theatre presents "Scrooge!" directed by Jessica Richards, December 1-18. Tickets: (925) 283 1557 or www.townhalltheatre.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District is hosting a FREE Child Safety Seat Inspection event on Thursday, November 10, from 10am-1pm, at Station 41, 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga.

Get crafty and create a special Thanksgiving keepsake for your family. Tree of Thanks Craft, Saturday, Nov. 19 2-3pm in the Children's Room, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. (925) 385-2280.

Nutcracker Storytime with Diablo Ballet, Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-2pm in the Community Hall. Enjoy a sweet holiday treat with this special retelling of the classic fairytale featuring dancers from the Diablo Ballet. Don't forget to wear your favorite dancing finery! Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. (925) 385-2280.

HOLIDAY

Saint Mary's College Guild's Annual Harvest Luncheon and Faire will take place on Thursday, November 10th, 10am-3pm in the Soda Center. It's a great time to browse and purchase true treasures at nominal prices. A Traditional Thanksgiving Menu will be served on Thursday at noon. $25 per person. Mail your check to Dolores McConigle, 828 Crossbrook Cir., Moraga, CA 94556 by Nov. 7. A preview of the "treasures" on Wed, Nov. 9, 4-7pm. Questions? Call Dolores at (925) 376-4339.

Hospice of the East Bay invites the public to participate in its 25th annual Tree of Lights ceremonies to be held in 14 locations throughout Contra Costa in November and December. Each light on every tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in honor or memory of a beloved friend or family member. Please join any of the commemorative ceremonies to enjoy music, poetry, remembrances by family members and friends of Hospice, and the special moment when the tree lights up: MORAGA, Sunday, November 13, 5:30pm, Moraga Commons. ORINDA, Saturday, December 3, 4:30pm, Orinda Village by Bank of America. LAFAYETTE, Sunday, December 4, 5:30pm, Corner of Mt. Diablo & Lafayette Circle East.

Lafayette Gallery Trunk Show, December 10 & 11; featuring unique gifts hand crafted by local artisans. The Gallery is located at 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette (across from Chow). Free event. www.lafayettegallery.net. (925) 284-2788.

OTHER

There are now $11,000 in rebates available for Contra Costa homeowners to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient through the Energy Upgrade CA (EUC) Program. Find out how to take advantage of the program, and meet the local contractors who are certified to do this work at a free workshop on Thursday, November 10, at the Moraga Public Library, Community Room, 1500 St. Mary's Road Moraga. Doors open at 6pm, event at 6:30pm. To register, go to http://moraga-euc.eventbrite.com. Also, find out about the 3% 15-year loan and additional $1250 grant available from CHF. Sponsored by Ecology Action & Sustainable Moraga.

Cycle Recycle, 'til the end of November. Every year, Bobbie and Tom Preston collect repairable bikes for refurbishing by Trips for Kids, the Bicycle Hut, and by the inmates at Marsh Canyon Detention Facility. The repaired bikes are given at Christmas to under-privileged children. Most needed are tricycles and junior bikes; please no skateboards. The Prestons have been doing the Cycle Recycle for 14 years, and over 1500 bikes have been gifted to kids. New and/or used, repairable bikes may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston's home, only through the month of November, at 1307 Larch Avenue, Moraga.

Muir Heritage Land Trust Autumn Celebration 2011-Thursday, November 10, 7-9 pm at the Walnut Creek Library, Oak View Room,1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to Gunther@muirheritagelandtrust.org or call (925) 228-5460. For more info visit www.muirheritagelandtrust.org.

Join us at sewnow! studio on Friday November 11th from 9-11am. We are hosting a free morning of sewing to sew and embellish school totes for Japanese kids impacted by last year's earthquake and tsunami. sewnow! will provide all the supplies and set-up, a hand embroidery lesson, as well as refreshments and a take home gift for all participants. Basic sewing machine skills are required - ages 8 to 100 are welcome. RSVP to: sewnow! on facebook or info@sewnow.com.

Fundraiser for New Day for Children. On November 11 at 7pm, Willow Spring Church of Moraga will present a benefit concert for "New Day For Children", a non-profit facility that houses and rehabilitates young girls escaping the sex slave industry in the Bay Area. Please come out to listen to the music of some wonderful local musicians, learn more about this real issue of modern-day slave trade from law enforcement and representatives from New Day, and help support this cause. Tickets are $20 if purchased online, $30 at the door. Go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/203484. Willow Spring Church is located at 1689 School Street, Moraga; phone (925) 376-3550.

Celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, Nov 11, 11am-noon at the Moraga Commons Park next to the Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will begin with the Advancement of the Color Guard followed by speakers and refreshments. Please come and show your support for our local veterans. Hosted by the Town of Moraga and Moraga Boy Scout Troops 212, 234, and 246.

The community is invited to celebrate the 100th birthday of Lafayette's oldest community service organization, the Lafayette Improvement Association on November 11 at 7pm at the Town Hall, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. We'll have cake and cider, learn a bit about the LIA and the history of Lafayette, then we'll all blow out the birthday candles together. Parking at the Lafayette School playground.

Grief and the Holidays is a special meeting of Widowed Persons Support on Saturday, November 12, from 10am to noon. We will meet at Saint Stephens Church at 66 Saint Stephens Drive, Orinda. This workshop is designed for newly, and not-so-newly bereaved persons, although it is open to other interested adults. Holidays can still have their joy if we plan for them. We help show you how to take charge of your holiday experience. For more information, please call Jan at (925) 210-0333.

Clothes Swap For A Cause: Miramonte High School Environmental Club will hold a Clothes Swap on Saturday, Nov. 12, 11am-3pm on the lower field of Glorietta Elementary School in Orinda. Families are encourage to bring and exchange gently-used children's clothing. $5 donation fee at the entrance; procees will go towards a hydration station - a water fountain that dispenses chilled, filtered water - to reduce the use of bottled water among students.

Arab Spring Teach-in presents Building Solidarity with the Arab Spring on Saturday November 12th, 10am-6pm, at UC Berkeley - Dwinelle Hall and Multicultural Center, UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley. Join us for a full-day teach-in on the popular rebellions across the Middle East and North Africa, and discuss how we can provide real solidarity! Cost: Free; donations requested. For more info see http://arabspringteachin.org or call 415-320-7476 or email info@arabspringteachin.org.

Come and experience the Many Faces of Ovarian Cancer, an event focusing on one of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers in women. Join an engaging panel of medical experts, as they offer insight into the latest information on treatment options, family history, early detection, and explore the unique needs and issues of ovarian cancer survivors. Cancer specific nutrition will be discussed with an emphasis on holiday cooking. November 15, 2011 from 6-8pm. Lafayette Library and Learning Center - Art and Science Room. No charge, refreshments and healthy snacks will be served. To register, please call (925) 677-5041. Co-sponsored by Clocks Etc, Oakwood Athletic Club and Diablo Valley Oncology.

Hospice of the East Bay is offering a workshop for people who have experienced the death of a loved one, and find the holiday season to be a sad and stressful time of the year. It will be offered at Hospice's administrative offices: 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill on Tuesday, November 15, 6- 8pm. For further information and/or to register, please call Bereavement Services at Hospice of the East Bay: (925) 887-5681. Pre-registration is required.

Berkeley Center for New Media/Art Technology & Culture Colloquium [ATC] presents ATC Lecture: Marc Horowitz, Performance and Humor in New Media on Monday, Nov 21, 7:30-9pm, at Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Dai Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley. Marc Horowitz will discuss how contemporary technologies, i.e. youtube, social media, are changing the way we make and consume art and entertainment. Cost: Admission is free and open to the public. For more info see http://bcnm.berkeley.edu or call (510) 495-3505 or email info.bcnm@berkeley.edu.

Moraga Women's Society is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Moraga schools on Wednesday, November 30. Treat yourself to a fun-filled day before the holiday rush. Join us for "Brunch, Bridge and Bunko" at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga, at 10:30am. Tickets are $25. Please call Jean @376-7961 for ticket information

MEETINGS

Meeting to Discuss Images of Women Used in Advertising. The public is invited to the Tuesday, November 15 meeting of the American Association of University Women, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch (AAUW, OML). Diane Bell-Rettger, AAUW member, will present Jean Kilbourne's 50 minute film, Killing Us Softly 4, and lead a timely discussion about how advertising images affect girls and women today. Meetings start with a social get-together at 9am, followed by the film, discussion, and adjournment at 11:30am. The meeting will be at the Serbian Orthodox Cultural Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga. Email questions to dianebell@rettger.com.

San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society's next meeting will take place on November 15 from 10am-noon at the library of the LOS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. The program will be of interest to both beginner and the more advanced genealogist. For information call Ed O'Donnell (925) 299-0881, or visit http://srvgensoc.org.

Lafayette Garden Club meeting, Thursday November 10, 9:30am; Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Program: "Re-use and Recycle in the Garden" with Matthew Levesque teaching garden design with re-cycled materials. Contact: annward@annward.com.

Moraga Garden Club November Meeting: Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet, authors of "Garden Up!: vertical gardening for small and large spaces," will offer members and guests "how to" information for enhancing any outdoor space. Rebecca is a designer and owner of Harmony in the Garden and a contributor Horticulture magazine and Susan is also a landscape designer and garden magazine writer. The meeting will be held on November 17 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center on School St. in Moraga. The meeting starts at 10am proceeded by social hour at 9:30am. Interested parties are cordially invited to attend.

The Montelindo Garden Club meeting, Friday, November 18; plant sale and refreshments are at 9am, lecture is at 10:30am. The event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. The event is held at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Ria Sim, who is the founder of Twigs Studio and owner of Ria Sim Designs in Danville will speak on planning events that coordinate floral decorations which are planned down to the last leaf giving focused attention to each project from food, table linens and to party favors.