ART

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 opened 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.

Moraga's Art Gallery will feature the work of gallery member and photographer Lucy Beck as well as guest artist David Lindsay through August 18, 522 Center St., Moraga.  For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

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. 

The Lafayette Gallery's new exhibition reflects the warmth and

relaxation that summer brings 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.

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 info and to confirm times, call (925) 283-6673.

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 at the Orinda Library this month.  The Amethyst Trio will be playing tonight, July 18 starting at 6:30pm.  August 22, Berkeley's Pocket trio will be playing.  The performances are free and will be inside the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way.  For more info, call (925) 254-2184 or visit www.ccclib.org.

Auditions for Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble.  The 20- to 24-voice ensemble performs primarily classical music from a wide variety of historical periods.  The audition consists of ear-training, sight-singing and the performance of a prepared solo piece.  Auditions will be held through mid-September.  Voci rehearses Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 10pm. For more info or to schedule an audition, contact Jude Navari at judenavari@comcast.net.

2012 Summer Concert Series at the Moraga Commons.  The Moraga Park Foundation is providing free concerts Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  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.  The concert schedule (7pm concert & show):  Thursday, July 19, Lady K & the Kings of Swing big band; Thursday, July 26 Because Beatles tribute band. 

Concert in the Park.  Orinda Rotary is sponsoring the 4th annual Free Opera Concert in the Park.  Hear Opera's greatest ensembles and arias Sunday, July 29 at 4pm, the Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda.  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 July 20 through August 11 Friday's and Saturday's at 8:30pm, Sunday, August 5 at 4pm and Thursday August 9 at 8pm at the Outdoor Theater, the Orinda Community Center Park, 26 Orinda Way.  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 Friday evenings starting at approximately 8pm at Lafayette Plaza Park (located on the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd.) with 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.  The films playing will be Switch on July 17 and Bag It on July 31 starting at 7pm in the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  There will be free coffee and cookies.  Cost:  $5 suggested donation.  For more info, visit http://www.sustainablelafayette.org/?page_id=3086.

Spunk.  Bluesy, poetic tales from an icon of the Harlem Renaissance.  A trio of vignettes of African-American life in the first half of the 20th century, Spunk is a raucous, charming, blues-infused look at love, revenge, jealousy, and the fine art of the hustle.  This performance runs through July 29 at the Cal Shakes Theater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda.  For more info, call (510) 548-3422 or visit www.calshakes.org. 

Kenn Adams Space Adventure Theater!  You create the story, sound effects and star in the play August 11 from 11am to noon in the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  Free.  For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Snoopy Fest.  Learn about local icon Charles Schulz and Peanuts by learning to draw Snoopy Saturday July 21 from noon to 1:15pm in the Lafayette Library Homework Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  This is for kids ages 5-11.  Free.  For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513.

NewSpring College Planning offers a free educational class about the value of college planning Thursday, July 26 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, Arts & Science Discovery Center. Learn how students prepare and position themselves as top candidates for selected colleges, how to use college selection and manage the enrollment process to your benefit, and how families pay for college without depleting savings. To register call (415) 322-4501 or email aid@NewSpringCollegePlanning.com.  Note: Seating is limited and reservations are confirmed in registration order.

Dinosaurs Rock.  Kids ages 5-11 can see an amazing display of dino bones and other fossils dating back to over 500 million years ago August 14 from 6 to 7pm at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  Free.  For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513. 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Join National Park Service rangers for a free evening full-moon walk Wednesday, August 1 at John Muir National Historic Site's Mt. Wanda. The two-hour walk begins at 7:30pm with a gentle saunter up Mt. Wanda to watch the full moon rise. Visitors may see the big beautiful moon rise over Mt. Diablo, and may spot the nocturnal native grey fox. Meet at the CalTrans Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road, Martinez (at the Alhambra Ave. exit off Highway 4). Wear good walking shoes and bring water, binoculars, a light jacket, and a flashlight. For reservations, call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.

Senior Nature Walk and Bird-Watching led by Ben Pettersson.  Experience nature at its finest along our trails from 10am until noon every Wednesday. Meet in the Lafayette Senior Services Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road outside the Alder Room.  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. Free.  For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Join the National Park Service for a free campfire program from 7 to 8:30pm Saturday, August 4, at John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. Rangers will lead the group in songs, skits and stories. Meet at the front gate of the John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez (at the Alhambra Ave. exit off Highway 4).  Bring the whole family, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and a desire to have a good time.  Rangers will direct you from the gate to the fire ring, which will be under a small grove of redwood trees. If you have any questions, call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.

OTHER

Campolindo sophomore Sam Larson is collecting new and gently used items for a fall Back to School

Give-away shop benefitting disadvantaged families of neighboring San Pablo. Clothing, shoes, accessories, jump ropes, soccer and other sports balls, toys, and sports equipment for ages pre-school to adult are welcomed. Drop off on the porch at 243 Paseo del Rio, Moraga before Sept. 15, or call (925) 284-8142 for pick up. Thank you for your support!

Lamorinda Dance Social.  Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday and learn some great new dance moves.  Professional dancers Karen and Michael will provide a dance lesson and live DJ services, playing your favorites and taking requests every Wednesday from 12:30 to 3pm, Lafayette Community Center Live Oak Room, 500 St. Mary's Road.  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 the free Orientation session is required Thursday, July  19 from 10am to noon, 151 Linus Pauling Drive, Hercules.  To register for Orientation visit the Contra Costa Master Gardener website at ccmg.ucdavis.edu and click join us.

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) 254-6756.

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 in the Toyon Room July 16 and in the Sequoia Room July 30 from 1:30 to 2:30pm 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 in the Sequoia Room, the 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.

Lamorinda Dance Social.  Enjoy afternoon dancing from 12:30 to 3pm every Wednesday (except July 25) and learn some great new dance moves in the Lafayette Community Center Live Oak Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost: $2 for members; $4 for non-members.  For more info, or to sign up please 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 August 21 and September 18 from 10:30 am to noon 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, call (925) 284-5050.

Lafayette Historical Society.  Nevada's Famous Virginia & Truckee Railroad:  140-plus years old and coming back to life.  The lecture is from 3 to 4pm Wednesday, July 18 in the Arts and Science Discovery Center, Lafayette Library, 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. 

Discovering Your Inner Gifts presented by George Kraus, Ph.D., ABPP, from 10:30am to noon July 19 in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary's Rd., Lafayette.  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.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members.  For more info or to sign up, call (925) 284-5050.

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 Thursday, July 26 starting at 7:30am at the Stratford at Countrywood, 1545 Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette.  For more info, call (925) 457-5808.

Anne Randolph Workshop, Art of Balance.  If you are worried about falling or are at risk of falling, you should know about activities that improve 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.  Please 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 at 6:30pm Monday, July 30 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.

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 please call (925) 284-6150.  For more info, visit www.LafayettePT.com

Roll up your sleeve.  Interfaith Community Blood Drive.  Please consider donating blood to the Red Cross Interfaith Blood Drive, a very good cause that saves lives at critical times when supplies are low, July 31 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3776 Via Granada, Moraga.  For more info, contact Dr. Marily Wright at (925) 482-5695 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

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.  This presentation is 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, call (925) 284-5050.   

Preparing for Winter Gardens presented by Contra Costa Master Gardeners.  Hear from a master and learn the steps necessary now to keep your soil at its peak and reap a bountiful winter harvest from 6:30 to 8pm August 2 in the Arts and Science Discovery Center at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513. 

Native Trees presented by Greenbelt Alliance.  Join Ken Lavin as he shares interesting tidbits and stories about our trees Sunday, August 12 from 1 to 2:30pm in the Arts and Science Discovery Center at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  Free.  For more info, visit www.lllcf.org or call (925) 283-6513. 

Eighth Annual Summer Wine Festival.  Saint Mary's College and the Alumni Association invite you to campus for an afternoon of wine tasting, delicious appetizers and fun Sunday, August 12 from 2 to 5pm at the Saint Mary's College Soda Activity Center, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga. Tickets: $45 per person which includes SMC logo wine glass, appetizers and wine tastings; $15 for designated drivers.  For more info, visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/wine.

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

FunFest 2012.  This all-day, family-friendly event will have several great live performances, special screenings and games, and activities for all to enjoy from 10am until 11pm August 25 at The New Rheem Theatre, 350 Park St., Moraga. The fun spills over outside of the theatre with loads of carnival-style games, kid-friendly activities, a t-shirt decorating contest, more crafts and famous food-trucks.  For more info, visit www.moragafun