ART

Moraga Art Gallery's new show, “Beautiful America,” features the oil paintings of gallery member & local Moraga artist Ginny Ruble, as well as guest artist Linda Hanford whose work reflects her love of the nature, landscapes, and seascapes of California. The show runs through June 2.

The Lafayette Gallery's spring show “Imagine” will run through May 5 and features fresh and inspiring new work: paintings, prints, collages, ceramics, jewelry, and photography. To celebrate the annual re-opening of the Lafayette Gallery's outside Sculpture Garden, the Gallery is hosting a free reception on April 15 with wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music. The Gallery is open 11am-5pm, Tuesday - Saturday, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette (across from Chow). For more information, visit www.lafayettegallery.net or call (925) 284-2788.

The Valley Art Gallery’s new show, "So Many Choices,” will have an opening reception on Sunday, April 1, 3:30-5:30pm with featured artist Ruth Hussey. The gallery is located at 1661 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek. For information go to
www.valleyartgallery.org or call (925) 935-4311.

MUSIC

On March 31 and April 1, the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will present a mix of New York’s 1920s nightclub soundtracks and Europe’s sophisticated classical music scene. The program, Transgenre, will include four such dynamic fusions, including La Creation du Monde by Darius Milhaud, For Aaron by Lukas Foss, An American in Paris by George Gershwin, and Piano Concerto No. 1 in G by Maurice Ravel, featuring internationally-renowned piano soloist Lino Rivera. For show times and tickets call (925) 943-SHOW, or go to www.LesherArtsCenter.org.

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra presents Main Stage Concert: La Bella Musica (Berkeley) on Sunday, April 1, from 3-5pm, at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. Benjamin Simon, conductor. Avi Avital & Brian Thorsett, soloists. Rossini, Paisiello, Mendelssohn. Admission is free but tickets are required. For more info and tickets see www.sfchamberorchestra.org/events/mainstage/ or call (415) 692-5258 or email
tickets@sfchamberorchestra.org.

Contra Costa Performing Arts Society concert, April 10, 8pm, Mt. Diablo Unified Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. The free concert will open with a Schumann Quintet for violins, viola and cello, followed by a trio for violin, cello and piano by Felix Mendelssohn. The same trio will play Cafe Music by Paul Schoenfield. The program concludes with a composition called Mississippi Five by Jim Parker played by the group called Quinta: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon.
For more info, go to www.ccpas.org.

Big Band Ball Room Dance & Show on Friday, April 20, Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Dance and be entertained by the 31-piece band that includes musicians from 10 years old to 92. The dance will start at 8pm. Call (925) 284-7404 for reservations. Tickets $10 at the door or at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

An Afternoon of Jazz - join us for piano standards and originals by members of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society Jazz Piano workshop Friday, April 20, 1:30 – 2:30pm, Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. We will be playing favorites from Hoagy Carmichael, Miles Davis, Oscar Hammerstein and more! Join the fun! Call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 to let us know you are coming. $3 Members/ $5 Non-Members.

THEATER

Screening of award-winning film "Children of the Amazon" at the Moraga Library, Thursday, March 29, 7- 9 pm. Following the screening the Brazilian filmmaker, Denise Zmekhol will lead a discussion about the film. Part road movie, part time travel, her journey tells the story of what happened to life in the largest forest on Earth when a road was built straight through its heart. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration not required, for more information call (925) 376-6852.

"Opening Our Eyes,” a documentary about eleven ordinary people who are making a positive difference in the world will screen on Saturday, April 21, 7pm, Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3490 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. Q&A with one of the filmmakers immediately following. Requested donation of $10 to benefit LLLC. For reservations call (925) 890-1441 or email candace94549@yahoo.com.

A sparkling musical adaptation by Oded Gross and Tracy Young of Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid, featuring clown work, delightful original songs, Broadway-style choreography, stunning costumes and non-stop physical comedy, will be performed in LeFevre Theatre at Saint Mary's College. Dates: April 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 8pm; April 21 and 22 at 2pm. Tickets: General - $15; Seniors - $12; Non-SMC students - $12; SMC community - $8. Info: Sharon Cahill, (925) 631-4670.Tickets are also available online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

The Acalanes High School DramaDons theater group presents Hamlet, William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy! This fast-paced adaptation by Bay Area playwright/director Jon Tracy explores the bonds of youth and the influence that their elders exert on them, May 2-5, 7:30pm. General admission tickets are $10, $7 for students/seniors; tickets may be purchased online at
www.dramadons.org or at the door.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Friends of Orinda Library Book Sale – Thursday, April 5, 10am-1pm. Sorting Room and Book Shop (Book Shop is open until 6 pm.) Books for all interests and ages: Orinda Library, 24 Orinda Way, Orinda. (925) 254-1358.

John Gray: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, 20 Years Later, Monday, April 9, 6:30pm, Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. In his most recent book, Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice, Gray again tackles intimate subject matter with an inside look at the connections between hormone levels and happiness. The program is presented by the Commonwealth Club of California. Time: 5:45pm check-in, 6:30pm program. Cost: $22 standard, $12 members. www.commonwealthclub.org/events.

Emeritus College 2012 Distinguished Lecture Series presents Dr. Joel Parrott, "Past, Present and Future of The Oakland Zoo” Friday, April 13, 3–5pm, Diablo Valley College Forum. Tickets $15 ($10 children). Dr. Parrott will highlight the Zoo’s new animals, the often difficult and humorous events involved in the transportation, relocation and care of exotic animals, and the extensive conservation efforts at the Oakland Zoo. The Zoo is home to 660 native and exotic animals.

Meet the Author, Penny Warner, mystery writer for adults and teens. Conversation, book signing and refreshments sponsored by Holden High School. Thursday, April 19, 7-9 pm, Orinda Community Church. Admission: $25. For info call Holden High: (925) 254-0199 or office@holdenhigh.org.

Discovering Opera: Gounod's Faust Presented by Bradford Wade, opera lover for 35 years, Tuesday, April 24, 10:30-noon, Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center. Many operas have been written based on the story of the aged philosopher who sells his soul to the devil in return for youth and love, but Charles Gounod’s is by far the best known. This lecture is given in conjunction with Opera San Jose's production of Faust, April 21-May 6. $1 Members/$3 Non-Members.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Orinda Idol audition registration will be from April 1-30. Orinda Idol is a singing competition open to young people who either attend school or reside in Orinda, Moraga or Lafayette. The objective of Orinda Idol is to provide an avenue for young people to pursue their love for singing, to bring joy to the community and to have fun. For more information go to www.orindaartscouncil.org. Auditions will be held May 17-19. Up to 10 finalists in each category will be selected to compete for cash prizes and recognition at the Orinda Idol Finals held on Sept. 9 at the Orinda Theatre.

The Acalanes High School Golf Team hosts Junior Golf Clinic, Monday, April 9, 3:30-5:30pm, Contra Costa Country Club, 801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Players ages 7-17 are invited to come and participate in putting, chipping and hitting golf balls with the Acalanes Varsity and JV Golf Teams and coaches. Bring your own clubs. Fee: $30/player – Check-in 3:15pm. For more information and to register contact Lori Brueckner at rwbrueck@aol.com.

2012 Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest, open to all students who reside and/or attend high school in Orinda. Entry Categories are Science Fiction, Essay/Memoir, Poetry and Short Story. Students may submit one entry in any of the four categories for a total of not more than three entries. Submission deadline Friday, April 20, noon. Up to four winners will each be awarded $250 prizes at the close of this school year, underwritten by the Friends of the Orinda Library.

Art & Music Festival at TOPS (Preschool), Saturday, April 21, 9:30am-noon, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. For tickets and further information please call (925) 254-2551. All Welcome!

Bring your whole family to the Seedlings "Wheel Day" on Saturday, April 22, 10am-noon, parking lot of the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Climb inside a giant tractor, sit on a real motorcycle and hear a real fire engine siren! Your child can also enjoy the bounce house, face painting, and even take a train ride around the parking lot. Admission is free and all are welcome! Snacks and refreshments will be available for minimal cost.

OTHER

Taize service at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, last Wednesday of the month, 7pm. “Steal away from barking dogs and honking horns, alarms, clever ring tones and overscheduled calendars — find respite from the pressure in which we all live. Come sit in the calm that is Taizé. Re-center. Refresh.” All are welcome. Childcare is available by reservation only. E-mail kimberley@LOPC.org.

Moraga’s Roads At Risk - A town presentation, Thursday, March 29, 1pm, Sunday, April 15, 4pm, and Tuesday, April 24, 11am, Moraga Library. Topics will include: the condition of our neighborhood streets and possible solutions; the state of our town’s finances and how it may affect the planned repairs; we are all in this together; town leaders want to hear your opinions on the various options for funding. RSVP to ellen.beans@gmail.com or call ( 925) 376-7306.

A savory and celebratory event: Friday, March 30, Community Hall of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center - hosted by Whole Foods' Whole Planet Foundation to support its global outreach to provide micro loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. Tickets are $35 to sample a three-course menu from nationally acclaimed author Ying Compestine and include a hard-cover copy of her new book "Ying's Best One Dish Meals.”

Join a National Park Service ranger for three free early morning wildflower walks on Saturdays in April: April 7, 14 and 28, John Muir National Historic Site. The two-hour walks will begin at 9am with an easy saunter up Mt. Wanda to look for wildflowers. Over 82 species of native plants have been identified on Mt. Wanda. For more information call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.

Golden Gate Audubon Society presents The Grizzlies of Yellowstone featuring Michael Leach on Thursday, April 19, 7-9pm, Northbrae Community Church, 941 the Alameda, Berkeley. Enjoy a spirit-enriching presentation about grizzly bears and Yellowstone National Park. Celebrate the Yellowstone ecosystem - a wild landscape. Cost: $5 donation or free for members. For more info visit www.goldengateaudubon.org/education/speaker-series/ or call (510) 843-2222 or email nweeden@goldengateaudubon.org.

OTHER

Orinda In Action: A Community Service Day, Saturday, April 21, 9am-noon. Registration starts 8:30am at Orinda Library Plaza with coffee & bagels. A Free T-shirt to the first 300! A light lunch and music in the plaza is available to all. Everyone welcome! Volunteers can email with your name/number in your group to orindafoundation@gmail.com to sign-up for the Sleepy Hollow School project. Community Service hours available and certificate awarded.

The annual Moraga Beautiful event will take place on Saturday, April 21, 9am-noon at Rancho Laguna Park. Volunteers who can help with the beautification of the park should wear old clothes. The Town will supply gloves, brushes and stain. Individuals and groups welcome.

Lafayette’s 7th Annual Earth Day Celebration, Sunday, April 22, 11am-3pm, Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Enjoy a great organic lunch, listen to live music, stop by the Arts and Sciences Center for special kids’ crafts, face painting and displays, visit the community garden open house and see other displays and movies. A parent-organized Self-Propelled Parade will depart Stanley Middle School at 11:30am. Bring your bike, skateboard, scooter, wagon, or anything else with wheels. For more information email earthday@sustainablelafayette.org.

Walk MS - a community coming together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future, Sunday, April 22, Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek: 8am Registration/Check-in, 9am start time. For more information call 1-800-344-4867 or email sam.mcilraith@nmss.org.

Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the 4th annual Moraga Classic Car Show, May 12, 11am-4pm as part of the Moraga Community Faire. $25 registration fee includes lunch for two. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 5. To register, go to www.moragachamber.org or call (925) 247-4629.

CLUBS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St. Moraga. Social hour 11am, lunch noon. The April 4 speaker will be Gayle Uilkema, District 2 Supervisor who has had a long history of public service. She has served on the Lafayette City council, been Mayor of Lafayette and is now County Supervisor where she is Chairman of the Board. She also represents Contra Costa County on many state, regional and local agencies. For information regarding SIRs call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Margaret Race, PhD., will discuss her career working with NASA and the SETI Institute at the next AAUW/OML meeting Sunday, April 22, 3pm, Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cultural Center, 1700 School Street in Moraga.

GARDEN

Over 3000 heirloom tomato plants will be on sale at the Contra Costa Master Gardeners First Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale, “Heirlooms of the World” April 4-6, 10am-3pm, Our Garden (adjacent to the Contra Costa Times parking lot, 2640 Shadelands Drive off of Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek). Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer customers advice on how to grow the tomatoes! Each 4-inch tomato plant will cost $2. The proceeds from this sale will help the Contra Costa Master Gardeners continue their educational outreach to the home gardeners in Contra Costa County.

The Montelindo Garden Club will host Robin Stockwell, Friday, April 20, 10:30am, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Robin Stockwell is the owner, grower and manager of Succulent Gardens; a wholesale/retail nursery in Castroville where Robin cultivates over 400 varieties of quality succulent plants. The lecture is preceded by a plant sale and social hour starting at 9am.

The Orinda Garden Club is inviting the community for a Walk-Around at Orinda's Lake Cascade Saturday, April 21, 10am. Enjoy the 50-year-old Cork Oak trees that grace this popular place for runners, walkers and bird watchers and view the work that the Garden Club is doing to restore this historic landmark.

Registration for the 8th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which will take place Sunday, May 6, from 10am-5pm, 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 five Lamorinda gardens. Please register or volunteer at www.bringingbackthenatives.net/.