ART

The Town Hall Theater in conjunction with the Lamorinda Arts Alliance
is pleased to announce the opening of a new group show featuring the work of The Lafayette Printmaking Group. The six featured members of the Lafayette Printmaking Workshop (LPW) have been working together for several years under the direction of Print Master Sherry Smith Bell. The artists are hosting a free reception at Town Hall Theater on Saturday, March 3, 6:30-7:30pm.

The NEW Saint Mary's College Museum of Art presents: The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces, through Mar. 25. For more information visit the museum website at stmarys-ca.edu/museum or call (925) 631-4379. Museum Hours: Wednesdays - Sundays, 11am-4:30pm. Admission: $5 adults; K-12 graders and members free.

Moraga Art Gallery's new show, "Kaleidioscope" features the work of Gallery Member & local artist Angelica Samame, painter, as well as guest artist Karin Lechner, jewelry designer, through March 17. The Gallery is now located at #522 Center St in the Rheem Center, Moraga.

The Dorothy Davis group will be on display at the Orinda Library Gallery through the month of February. A reception will be held on Sunday, Feb 26 from 3-5pm.

Lafayette Gallery's winter show "Heartfelt" will run through March 3. The exhibition features unique sculpture, ceramics, paintings, prints, glasswork, jewelry and photography, created by local artists. The Gallery is located at 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette (across from Chow). Hours: Tues-Sat, 11am-5pm; www.lafayettegallery.net; (925) 284-2788.

MUSIC

Fondettes at Aegis of Moraga. On Saturday February 18th, the retirement community celebrates the 40's and invites the community to join in the free event that will feature The Fondettes, a vocal trio with rich three part harmony and jazzy tone quality, sing almost solely Andrews Sisters' repertoire. The event will start at 6pm with wine, cheese and hors d'ouvres, The Fondettes will perform 7-7:45pm. RSVP required by calling 377-7900 or email Candice.Moses@AegisLiving.com.

Campolindo Orchestra - Concierto de Aranjuez -Thursday, February 23, 7:30pm, Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. Admission Complimentary. Maestro Benstein has announced his retirement from Campolindo High School effective in June; join him and the musicians at Campolindo for one of the final performances of his tenure.

Piano and Chamber music played by members of the Performing Arts Society, Friday February 24, 10:30am, Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. This free morning concert kicks off with Pastorale by Rick Sowash featuring flute, violin, viola and cello. The Schostakovich Piano Trio, Op 67 for violin, cello and piano will be played next. This classical concert concludes with Suite for Two Pianos, Op 17 by Rachmaninov. For more info go to www.ccpas.org.

Feb. 25 and 26 the CCCO will perform four of Mozart's greatest compositions, including Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, the memorable theme of the movie Amadeus. The program also includes the overtures to Don Giovanni and Idomeneo, and the lilting Concerto for Flute and Harp. As always, Timothy Smith, CCCO conductor and musical director, will introduce each piece with educational stories and insights into the composer's life and work. Sunday, 2/26, 7:30 pm, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, Tickets: $10 - $30 at the door, by phone ((925) 943-SHOW), or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra presents Main Stage Concert: The Goldberg Variations (Berkeley) on Sunday, Feb 26, from 3 to 5pm, at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. Admission-free! Reserve online or by phone. Cost: $0 (Admission free, but tickets required for non-members--available online or at door.) For more info see http://www.sfchamberorchestra.org/concerts/mainstage/ or call (415) 692-5258 or email
tickets@sfchamberorchestra.org.

Don your dancing shoes for the Campolindo High School Jazz Dinner Dance, March 3, at the Holy Trinity Church in Moraga. The jazz bands will make you want to dance the night away. Good food, great entertainment and close to home. Tickets are $55 and are on sale now. Contact Diane Haley at (925) 631-1439 for reservations by Monday, February 27.

The annual Welsh American Society of Northern California 'hymn-sing' festival (Gymanfa Ganu in Welsh) is being held March 4, 2-4pm, at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. It is not a concert for listeners but rather a 'hymn-sing' with the congregation singing in parts. It is an unique experience followed by tea and Welsh cakes! For further information call Idris Evans (925) 283-0912.

The Virginia Glee Club will perform at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St Stephen's Drive, Orinda, on Tuesday March 6 at 8pm. The Glee Club, recognized as a leader among American men's choruses, will present a wide range of pieces, from sacred music, Glee Club classics, folk songs and spirituals, to songs of the University of Virginia. Featured composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Biebl, G. F. Handel, P.D.Q. Bach, Leonard Cohen and George Harrison. A freewill offering will be collected. For more information, contact Robert Adams at (925) 254-3770.

THEATER

The French Film Festival at Saint Mary's College, a month long festival, opens on Thursday, March 1, 7pm with Coco Avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel). Anne Fontaine's thoughtful exploration of the pre-fame life of the world's greatest fashion designer focuses on Coco Chanel during the Belle Epoque. The film opens in 1893 with a powerfully grim scene of 10-year-old Coco and her sister unceremoniously dumped at an orphanage and ends around World War I, a few years before the Chanel empire is launched. Free admission for students, $3 general public. All films subtitled in English.

Town Hall Theatre presents "Distracted" from February 25 to March 17; with previews on February 23 and 24. After the matinee performance of Distracted on March 4, Dr. Brian Blaisch, M.D. will lead a talk and Q&A regarding ADHD, autism, and other learning and behavioral problems. Contact Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557, or purchase online at www.TownHallTheatre.com. See article page B4.

With the words "See a Film, See the World," the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival comes to the Orinda Theatre for a three day-run beginning on March 16. For the complete line-up or to purchase tickets, go to www.eastbayjewishfilm.org or phone (510) 318- 6456.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

"Are We There Yet? Process vs. Productivity in Writing the Novel" A Craft Conversation with Author Judith Claire Mitchell, Wednesday, February 15, 2:30pm, Hagerty Lounge.Saint Mary's College. What is it about the novel that takes so darned long? Drawing from personal experience as well as the experiences of other writers, Judith Claire Mitchell, author of the novel The Last Day of the War, will discuss common stumbling blocks encountered in completing this often unwieldy form and various practical ways to overcome them. Judith Claire Mitchell will also do a reading in the evening, 7:30pm at the Soda Center. All Readings and Craft Conversations are free and open to the public.

William Tillman: The Union's First Black Hero. History Lecture at Moraga Library, Wednesday, February 29, 2pm. Free and open to the public, paid for by the Friends of the Moraga Library. For more information, contact Beth Girshman, bgirshma@ccclib.org, (925) 376-6825, ext. 200. Preregistration is not required.

Friends of Orinda Library Book Sale, Thurs. March 1, 10am to 1pm, Sorting Room and Book Shop (Book Shop is open until 6 p.m.) Inexpensive good-quality books for all ages and interests. Orinda Library, 24 Orinda Way, Orinda, (925) 254-1358.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Please join SPSK (Special Parents for Special Kids) and SEED (Special Education Enrichment Development Foundation) of Lafayette for a free screening of the award winning documentary, "Including Samuel." Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 pm, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Art & Science Room. Photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of children with disabilities before he had his son Samuel eight years ago. Now he thinks about inclusion every day. The film documents the social and educational inclusion of youth with disabilities. Habib documented his family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives, a journey that transforms each of them. For more information, please visit www.spsklaf.org or www.includingsamuel.com.

The East Bay Eclipse Soccer Club will be holding tryouts for the 2012 season on the weekend of March 3 and 4. The club is open to kids ages 5-18. For more information about the times and locations of tryouts, or to pre-register for the tryouts, visit http://eastbayeclipsesoccer.com/home/tryouts. If you have questions, email Director Shane Carney at director@eastbayeclipsesoccer.com.

Need Money for College? Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarships to residents of Central Contra Costa County that have completed one year of full-time college, completed courses with emphasis on real estate, finance and/or business and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you qualify, scholarship awards can range from $1,500 to $2,500. Further information and applications may be found on line at www.ccarscholarship.com. Deadline is April 15th.

Girl Scouts 100th Birthday Dance at the Veterans Memorial Building -- Monday, March 12, 5:45-7:30pm; Lafayette GirlScouts K-12 and Lafayette Girl Scout Alumnae. Enjoy an evening of dancing, pizza, cupcake decorating, singing. Witness the proclamations from City of Lafayette and Contra Costa County Supervisors. Countdown to 7:12pm with a candle ceremony commemorating when Juliette Low started her first troop. $5 by February 9th. Hair care products will be collected to benefit the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Go to www.lafayettegirlscouts.org for registration.

OTHER

You are invited to attend the February 21 meeting of the San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society from 10am-12noon at the library of the LOS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. Program: Born Irish. Speaker: Cath Madden Trindle. The program will be of interest to both beginners and the more advanced genealogist. For information call Ed O'Donnell (925) 299-0881, or visit http://srvgensoc.orgf.

State Senator Mark DeSaulnier invites you to a Town Hall Meeting on The State Budget, Thursday, February 23, 7-9pm, Manzanita Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St Mary's Rd., Lafayette. Free of charge. Share your concerns and ideas for improving state government budgeting, programs and tax systems.For more information or to RSVP please call (925) 942-6082 or visit http://sd07.senate.ca.gov.

On February 25 from 7-9 pm Our Saviors Lutheran Church 1035 Carol Lane Lafayette will host a panel of LGBT people sharing their Coming Out stories. There will be breakout sessions that will give attendees opportunity to ask questions and share experiences. Adults and teens from the community are welcome to come and gain a better understanding of these segments of our population. There will be beverages and finger food to share. For more information: www.oslc.net or call (925) 283-3722.

Orinda Community Foundation celebrates its 2nd birthday with a party on Wednesday, February 29 at 5 pm in Orinda Library Gallery. We are pleased to announce that over $30,000 were given out in community grants this past year. All grant recipients and community are invited to attend event.

SMC Guild's Bridge & Bunco, Thursday, Feb 23, 9:30am-2pm, Saint Mary's College, Soda Center. Fundraiser for student scholarships. $32 per person-includes luncheon. Please call (925) 376-4339 for info and reservations.

St. Mary's College Guild's Irish Cultural Night - Friday, March 2, 6-10pm at the Soda Center on St. Mary's College Campus. An evening of food, music, singing and dancing in the Irish Style. Reservations accepted until February 28. The evening is $40/per person. Please make checks out to St. Mary's College Guild and mail to Pat Wiegmann, 39 Carr Drive, Moraga, CA 94556. For more information, please contact Pat at (925) 376-6088.

Lovers of laughter will have the opportunity to enjoy a champagne-filled night of comedy at the landmark Orinda Theatre on Friday, March 2nd. See article page B3.

Casino Night Fundraiser at the Hacienda, 2100 Donald Dr.; Saturday, March 3; 6 to 10 pm. See article page A5.

Protect yourself from identity theft by safely destroying your unwanted documents containing personal data and receive a free complimentary guide on record retention requirements, "How long do I have to keep what records?" The "Shred Fest" event is on Saturday, March 3rd, 10am-1pm at 455 Moraga Rd Suite F in Moraga. Sponsored by 5A Rent A Space & Hall of Taxes. All net proceeds will go to Rescue One Moraga which supports the Moraga/Orinda FireDistrict. $5 per standard letter size box. You will receive a certificate of destruction. For more information call Peggy Hall at (925) 388-1040.

Mother-Daughter Aternoon Tea to benefit the mothers and children of Zimbabwe. Hosted by the JF Kapnek Trust. Saturday, March 10, 2-4pm at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Bring your mom, grandma, aunt, neighbor, or a friend and enjoy a scrumptious Afternoon Tea. Includes a wide selection of sandwiches (including PBJ), desserts, fruit, photo booth, and more. Suggested Donation of $25 per person. Proceeds benefit the Kapnek Trust's programs supporting orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. To make a reservation or for more information, contact Kathi@JFKapnekTrust.org. Event suitable for children aged 5 & up.

Rotary Club of Moraga is presenting its 10th annual "A Nite at the Races" on Saturday, March 10, at the Holy Trinity Hall in Moraga. Enjoy a catered dinner (not involving crab) and a no-host bar. Listen or dance to a Dixieland band. Wager on video horse races, and double your money if your sponsored horse wins. Bid on many wonderful auction items, and enter the raffle for a big screen TV. All proceeds from this event will fund Rotary's local youth, educational, and humanitarian causes. For information and reservations, contact Rotarian Frank May at (925) 376-8195 or mayfrl@comcast.net.

February Meeting to Focus on State Budget. Deana Davidson, President of the American Association of University Women, Orinda- Moraga- Lafayette Branch (AAUW/OML), invites the public to the Tuesday, February 21st meeting at 9:30am to experience the California Budget Challenge. Assemblyperson Nancy Skinner will host the program developed by Next10 org. Attendees will be provided with response clickers that will tally the groups' "votes" about how much to spend on schools, prisons, the environment and other state programs, as well as make choices to reduce state expenses. The meeting begins with coffee and socializing from 9-9:45am followed by the Next Ten budget presentation and discussion. The meeting will be held at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga.

LAFCO Seeks Public Member: The Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is currently accepting applications for the Regular and Alternate Public Member seats. LAFCO is an independent agency created by the State of California charged with encouraging orderly governmental boundaries and efficient services, discouraging urban sprawl, and preserving agricultural and open space resources. The Commission regulates the boundaries of cities and special districts and conducts municipal service reviews and other special studies. The term of office for the open public member seats is four years expiring in May 2016. Applications are due by 5:00 pm, Friday, March 9, 2012.To download an application form, and for more information about Contra Costa LAFCO, please visit
www.contracostalafco.org, or contact the LAFCO office at (925) 335-1094.

GARDEN

The Moraga Garden Club, on Feb. 16, will host Barbara Tuffli who will speak on camellias. She is a horticultural judge, landscape consultant, designer, photographer, and passionate collector and expert on camellias, Members will learn about species, flower form, pruning, disbudding, fertilizing and how to have the perfect camellias. Barbara is a former President of the American Camellia Society. The program will be part slides and lecture followed by a gorgeous array of named camellias displayed as if for judging. The meeting starts at 10am at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center preceded by a social hour at 9:30am. Guests are welcome.

The Urban Farmers are organizing this year's community-wide purchase of fruit trees.
If you'd like to plant a fruit tree in your back yard, receive free help and advice on planting and caring for it, and then donate any excess fruit to the needy, contact the Urban Farmers at (415) 806-7005 or www.theurbanfarmers.org. The next free workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25.
On Friday, February 17, the Montelindo Garden Club will hear Garth Jacober, owner of Mt. Diablo Nursery in Lafayette, speaking on Camellias. Mr. Jacober is a Master Gardner and Camellia expert. He has worked in gardening and landscaping for over thirty years. The program is held at 10:30am with a social hour before. The event is held at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda and the public is cordially invited.

Registration for the Eighth Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which will take place on Sunday, May 6, 2012, 10-5, is now open. This free, award-winning tour features 45 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens that are pesticide-free, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 60% or more native plants. Included in the Tour are 5 Lamorinda garden, two of them new additions. This self-drive tour showcases a variety of gardens, from large parcels in the hills to small lots in the flats. Native plant sales and talks are offered at select gardens. Volunteers are needed. Please register or volunteer at http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/.