ART

Orinda Library Art Gallery July Exhibit. The art exhibit for July will include Teresa Onoda plein-air and water colors; Debby Koonce plein-air paintings; Gail Ruvalcaba baskets and ceramics; Susan Heller fiber dimensions, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda.

Keep it Simple. The Lafayette Gallery's new exhibition runs from and reflects the warmth and relaxation that summer brings June 5 through August 4, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. The Lafayette Sculpture Garden is now open for the summer. The Gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11am to 5pm and Sunday, 11am to 2pm. Free. For more info, call (925)284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.


The Orinda Arts Council (OAC) Arts in Bloom . . . In the Park 2012. An OAC celebration of the visual and performing arts featuring Lamorinda Arts Alliance artists and others Tuesday, July 17 from 5 to 8pm at the Orinda Community Park, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. The event includes artist exhibits, art sales, visual and performing arts, food-lovers silent auctions, as well as kids' arts, crafts, and activities. Free. For more info, visit www.orindaartsconcil.org/
events_fundraiser.php.

Town Hall Theatre is pleased to display the work of Walnut Creek artist Joanne Taeuffer through August 4 most weekdays from 3 to 5pm, and after 10am on Saturdays. The combination of storytelling and expressive creativity make Taeuffer's work unique. Free. For more information and to confirm times call (925) 283-6673.
The Nature of Collecting:
The Early 20th Century Fine Art Collection of Roger Epperson, an East Bay Regional Parks ranger who had a passion for California's environment and a deep love of art. Additional exhibits include One Square Mile and Recent Watercolors by Richard Gayton, and Out of California by William Keith. The exhibits open Sunday, July 8 and run through September 16 at Saint Mary's College Museum of Art, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. Admission: $5 for adults and free for youths. Opening day events are free. For more info, call (925) 631-4379 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

Valley Art Gallery is planning a visit to the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento on July 19. The day will include docent-led tours of the Museum and two exhibits. The Art Gallery is located on 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110 in Walnut Creek. They will be carpooling. Cost: $8 per person. Stop by the Gallery to sign up. For more info, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call (925) 935-4311.

Lafayette Gallery Artists' Market. The Lafayette Gallery is hosting an Artists' Market in the picnic area and parking lot in front of the Gallery, which will be transformed into an enticing outdoor market place where our local artists will exhibit their recent works from 11am to 5pm July 21, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Free. For more info, visit www.lafayettegallery.net or call (925) 284-2788.

MUSIC

Orinda's Summer Music Series. East Bay residents will be making new memories with friends, families, and neighbors while enjoying some of the best-loved melodies from America's musical heritage as the Summer Music Series kicks off this month inside the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. The Amethyst Trio will be playing Wednesday, July 18. Berkeley's Pocket trio will be playing August 22. Free. For more info, call (925) 254-2184 or visit www.ccclib.org.

2012 Summer Concert Series at the Moraga Commons. Free concerts provided by the Moraga Park Foundation. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. Schedule: Wednesday July 4 Livin' in the USA Rock (7pm concert & show); Thursday, July 12 Bell Bros. Country; Thursday, July 19 Lady K & the Kings of Swing Big band swing; Thursday, July 26 Because Beatles tribute band. For more info, visit www.moragaparks.

Orinda Summer Concerts in the Park. Orinda Community Center is having free concerts on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30pm, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. The schedule is: July 3, Cal Alumni Big Band, Big Band Jazz.

Concert in the Park. Orinda Rotary is sponsoring the 4th annual Free Opera Concert in the Park Sunday, July 29 at 4pm, Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. Hear Opera's greatest ensembles and arias. Food and drinks will be sold. For more info, contact Open Opera at (510) 547-2471 or visit
www.openopera.net/contact.html.

THEATER

Orinda Starlight Village Players. The play Room Service by John Murray and Allen Boretz will be showing at the Outdoor Theater at the Orinda Community Center Park, 26 Orinda Way, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30pm starting July 20 through August 11. There will also be a show on Sunday, August 5 at 4pm and Thursday, August 9 at 8pm. Regular Admission: $16 and $8 for seniors and children. For tickets or more info, call (925) 528-9225 or visit www.orsvp.org.

Summer Series presented by Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette. Movies in July will be playing at the Lafayette Plaza Park (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd.) on Friday evenings starting at approximately 8pm. Schedule: Field of Dreams, July 6; Jaws, July 13; The Muppets, July 20; and Ironman, July 27. For more info, visit www.lafayettechamber.org or call (925) 284-7404.

Summer Film Series hosted by Sustainable Lafayette include films Switch on July 17 and Bag It on July 31 at 7pm in the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Free coffee and cookies. Suggested donation: $5. For more info, visit www.sustainablelafayette.org/?page_id=3086.

Screening of the film Twilight. Watch the film Twilight at twilight and eat popcorn from 6 to 8pm July 11 in the Lafayette Library Arts and Science Discovery Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Children under 13 need a permission slip. Free. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

The Healthcare Movie and panel discussion. Explore questions this documentary raises about how California can make healthcare affordable to everyone in light of the Supreme Court's decision, Sunday, July 15 from 3 to 5pm, Lafayette Public Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. For more info, visit www.lafayettelib.org/calendar/eventDetail.html?eventId=53179.

Diablo Ballet and The Lafayette Library present classic dance films. The first show for the dance films series will be The Red Shoes, a legendary film about a young ballet dancer who is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina, Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30pm in the Arts & Science Discovery Center at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Admission: $5. For more info, call (925) 283-6513 or visit www.lllcf.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Belva Davis: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism presented by the Commonwealth Club. The Emmy award-winning journalist recounts her harrowing journey as a black female media figure July 10 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Cost: $12 for members, $22 for non-members, and $7 for students. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

Orinda Books Event. The World Affair Book Group will read and discuss Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa by Jason K. Stearns at 3pm Tuesday, July 17 at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda. For more info, visit www.orindabooks.com or contact Janet Boreta (925) 254-7606.

Lafayette Historical Society. Nevada's Famous Virginia & Truckee Railroad: 140-plus years old and coming back to life. This lecture is on Wednesday July 18 from 3 to 4pm in the Lafayette Library Arts and Science Discovery Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Cost: $10 for members; $15 for non-members. For reservations, call (925) 283-1848. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Snoopy Fest. Kids ages 5-11 will learn about local icon Charles Schulz and Peanuts and how to draw Snoopy from noon to 1:15pm Saturday, July 21, Homework Center, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Free. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

OTHER

Lamorinda Dance Social. Enjoy afternoon dancing from 12:30pm to 3pm every Wednesday (except July 4) and learn some great new dance moves in the Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road. Professional dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, playing your favorites and taking requests. Cost: $2 for members, $4 for non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Contra Costa Master Gardeners 2013 class. In order to apply to the training program attendance at one of the following free Orientation sessions is required: Tuesday, July 17 from 1 to 3pm at 75 Santa Barbara Rd, 2nd Floor, Pleasant Hill; Thursday, July 19 from 10am to noon at 151 Linus Pauling Drive, Hercules. To register for Orientation visit the Contra Costa Master Gardener website at ccmg.ucdavis.edu and click join us.

Senior Nature Walk and Bird-Watching led by Ben Pettersson. Experience nature at its finest along our trails. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend and learn to identify birds. Trail maps will be distributed. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them. The walks are every Wednesday starting June 20 (except July 4) from 10am to noon, Lafayette Senior Services Room outside the Alder Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road. Free. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Bi-Monthly Caregiver Support Group with Carol Shenson. If you are a family member helping to care for an elder, join our support group to find balance and joy as you manage your responsibilities. The meetings are from 1:30 to 2:30pm in the Toyon Room, July 16, and in the Sequoia Room July 30 at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Drop-ins are welcome. Free for members; $1 for non-members. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050.

Self-Discovery and Aging, Creative Writing Workshop with Judith Rathbone. Write to explore issues around aging, emotion and perception-or get support to write on any topic. Workshop includes writing prompts, feedback, encouragement, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing July 9, July 23, and August 6, the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info or to sign up call (925) 284-5050.

Words of Wisdom discussion group led by Paul Fillinger. Take part in this free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor from 10:30am to noon July 17 in the Toyon Room, and August 21 and September 18 in the Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050.


Capture the Aloha Spirit at Concord Hospice Thrift Shoppe's Hawaiian Days Sale. You'll find a huge selection of must have Hawaiian products that will bring a little bit of aloha into your life Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm July 13, 14, and 15 at the Hospice Thrift Shoppe, 5350 Clayton Road, Concord. For more info, call (925) 674-9072.

Lafayette Firefighters visit the Library. Some of our city's finest will be coming with their sirens and lights flashing from 1 to 2pm July 5, Lafayette Library amphitheater, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Come and learn about fire safety and see a fire truck up close. Free. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

Stroke Support Group Picnic held by The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa from 5 to 7:30pm Monday, July 9, Larkey Park, 1949 1st Avenue, Walnut Creek. Last names A-L, bring side dish/salad to share; last names M-Z bring an appetizer to share. Bring your own meat to grill, toppings, and own utensils. Desserts and drinks provided. For more info, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218.

GNON (Girls Night Out Networking) Mixer Night Wants You! Come for the fun of meeting other businesswomen Thursday, July 12 from 5:30 to 8:30pm at Comerica Bank, 318 Diablo Road, #100, Danville. This event is sponsored by Comerica Bank and catered by Aurora Catering. Cost: $10 for GNON members; $15 for non-members. RSVP by July 10. For more info, visit www.gnontrivalley.com

Positive Living Forum, ("Happiness Club"), with Dr. Bob Nozik. Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers on a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants toward a more ideal and positive life experience from 10:30am to noon, July 12, the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. Drop-ins are welcome. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050

Discovering Your Inner Gifts presented by George Kraus, Ph.D., ABPP. Taken from the wisdom of the ages, this experiential workshop is designed to help you examine undiscovered aspects of yourself - especially your hidden talents - and examine ways you may be unintentionally keeping those talents hidden from yourself and others. The workshop is from 10:30am to noon July 19 in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050.

Commemoration Event for the 68th Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion. Join the National Park Service and the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial to honor the 320 men who lost their lives in the biggest military disaster on the home front during WWII at 10am Saturday, July 21 at the site of the explosion, which occurred on the night of July 17, 1944, at Port Chicago Naval Magazine, Port Chicago Highway, Concord. Because the event will be held on an active military base, all visitors must have reservations and a security check. For more info, call (925) 228-8860 ext. 6520.

Toastmasters Open House. Discover how the fear of public speaking can be overcome with supportive, time-tested methods. The focus will be on humor during a one-hour version of a typical meeting at 7:30am Thursday, July 26 at the Stratford at Countrywood, 1545 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette. For more info, call (925) 457-5808.

Anne Randolph Workshop, Art of Balance. Learn how to improve your balance and avoid the risk of falling from 11:30am to 12:30pm July 27 in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. Call (925) 284-5050 to register.

A Taste of Place: Eating Your Way Around the East Bay presented by The Commonwealth Club. A panel of locally-minded chefs shares what makes the Bay Area such a great place to grow, cook and eat Monday July 30, Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Cost: $12 for members, $22 for non-members, and $7 for students. For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

Lafayette Physical Therapy is having free community lectures. Shoulder Injuries and Prevention in Athletes lecture with Carrie Haraburda, PT, from 7 to 8pm July 31, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite B110, Lafayette. To RSVP or for info call (925) 284-6150 or visit www.LafayettePT.com.

Elder Law: Planning, Benefits, and Asset Preservation presented by Julie Fiedler, Attorney at Law. Equip yourself and face the future with the peace of mind you will gain from learning about asset preservation, public benefits such as Medi-Cal and VA, planning for future health care issues, crisis prevention and management, and what to do when care is needed from 10:30am to noon Thursday, August 2 in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050.

Digital Camera How-to's: Archiving Photos and Choosing a Digital Camera. Learn how to back up your photos for posterity and what to look for in a digital camera when purchasing one August 14 from 11am to 12:30pm in the Lafayette Community Center Elderberry Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info or to sign up please call (925) 284-5050.

VOLUNTEER

The Rescue One Foundation is looking for applicants to fill a vacancy on its Board of Directors. Residents living within the Moraga-Orinda Fire District's coverage area are eligible to apply. The Rescue One Foundation serves as the support group for the paramedic program of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. Letters of Interest should be sent no later than July 31 and addressed to Rescue One Foundation 1280 Moraga Way, Moraga, CA 94556. For further information about this position please call (925) 254-6754.