ART

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 August Art Exhibit.  The art exhibit for August will include CC14 group, Another World.  The library is located at 26 Orinda Way in 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.

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 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. 

MUSIC

2012 Summer Concert Series at the Moraga Commons.  The Moraga Park Foundation is providing the free concerts.  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 concerts are on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, 1425 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  The concert schedule is:   Thursday, August 2, Houserockers- Rock & Roll; Thursday, August 9, Mixed Nuts- all decades of rock; Thursday, August 16, Motor Dude Zydeco -Cajun Zydeco; Thursday, August 23, City Rocks Revue Bay Area -rock tribute & show.

ROCK THE PLAZA, Free Friday evening concerts at 6pm in the Lafayette Plaza Park (located on the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd.) Lineup includes: Friday, August 10, The Floorshakers, thefloorshakers.com; Friday, August 17, Mixed Nuts, mixednutsband.com; Friday, August 24, Night Fever, nightfeverband.com.  The Summer Series is presented by Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette. For more info, visit www.lafayettechamber.org or call (925) 284-7404.

Golden Gate Boys Choir Concert in Lafayette.  The 60-member GGBC was founded in 1988 and is part of the International Boy Choir Federation known as Pueri Cantores.  The Golden Gate Boys Choir will host a free concert on August 11 at 2pm at their summer music camp location behind Lafayette's Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1977 Reliez Valley Road.  For more info, visit www.ggbc.org. 

The Big Band of Rossmoor Show and Dance featuring The Fred Astaire Dance Book.  Put on your dancing shoes and prepare for a night of sheer entertainment with The Big Band of Rossmoor.  Fans, dancers and/or big band listeners are invited to join The Big Band of Rossmoor Friday, September 14 from 6:30 to 10pm at the Rheem Theater, 350 Park Street, Moraga.  Tickets: $10.  For more info, call (925) 284-7404 or visit www.lafayettechamber.org.

THEATER

"Blithe Spirit." A novelist hosts a s‚ance as research for his next book, unwittingly summoning the spirit of his first wife-making his current spouse none-too-pleased. Associate Artistic Director Mark Rucker brings Coward's romantic shenanigans and barbed-wire bon mots to the Cal Shakes stage for a second time. This performance runs August 8 - September 2 at the Cal Shakes Theater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda.  For more info, call (510) 548-3422 or visit www.calshakes.org. 

Orinda Starlight Village Players.  The play Room Service by John Murray and Allen Boretz will be showing  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. 

Late Bloomers.  Four older ladies from a small village in the Emmental region turn a corner store into a chic lingerie shop which throws the whole community into disarray.  The International Film Showcase returns to the Orinda Theatre August 24-30.  The show times are at 1:30, 4, and 6:30pm with additional screenings at 8:45pm on Friday and Saturday.  The show is playing the Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square.  For more info, call (925) 254-4284 or visit www.lfef.org or www.lamorindatheatres.com. 

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.

Diablo Ballet and The Lafayette Library present classic dance films.  There will be a showing of An American in Paris (1951) on Wednesday August 15 at 6:30pm.  The film is a thrilling MGM musical with a Gershwin score starring Gene Kelly as an American caught up in a love triangle with Parisian Leslie Caron.  The series takes place in the Lafayette Library Arts & Science Discovery Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.  Admission: $5.  For more info, call (925) 283-6513 or visit www.lllcf.org.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

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. 


FUND RAISERS

East Bay Living Home Tours 2012.  The American Institute of Architects, East Bay announces the second annual architectural Home Tours of the East Bay Saturday, August 11 from 10am to 4:30pm.  Members of the public are invited to sneak a peek behind the normally closed doors of seven architect-designed houses.  The tour promises to be an enjoyable and memorable review of East Bay living.    Tickets: $40 and $50 the day of the tour.  For more info, visit www.aiaeb.org.  

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.

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 to 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.moragafunfest.com. 

Wine & Whiskers a dazzling night of specialty wines, delectable hors d'oeuvres, and an irresistible silent auction.  Choice vintners and restaurateurs will be serving up their best to benefit ARF's lifesaving programs Saturday, September 22 at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.  For more info, call 925-296-3153 or visit www.arf.net.

SENIORS

Driver's Safety Refresher Class offered through A.A.R.P. Saturday, August 4 from 9am to 1pm in the Lafayette Community Center Elderberry Room, 500 Saint Mary's Road, Lafayette.    Refine your driving skills, develop safe, defensive techniques, and possibly lower your insurance premium.  Class includes tips on avoiding stress and preventing accidents.  Cost: $12 for A.A.R.P members and $14 for non-members.

Elder Law:  Planning, Benefits, and Asset Preservation presented by Julie Fiedler, Attorney at Law from 10:30am to noon Thursday, August 2 in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room.  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.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members.  For more info or to sign up, call (925) 284-5050.

Positive Living Forum "Happiness Club" by Dr. Bob Nozik, MD, Prof. Emeritus UCSF.  Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers on a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants towards a more ideal and positive life experience Thursday, August 9 from 10:30am to noon in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room, 500 Saint Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost: $1 for members and $3 for non-members.  To register, call (925) 284-5050.

Arthritis an Anne Randolph Workshop.  Learn about living your best life with arthritis. Understand the challenges and changes arthritis brings on, and find practical solutions to make daily activities easier August 24 from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the Lafayette Community Center Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost:  $1 for members and $3 for non members.  To register, 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  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 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.

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 10:30am 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.

Senior Nature Walk and Bird-Watching led by Ben Pettersson.  Experience nature at its finest along our local trails.  Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while learning to identify a variety of birds.   Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them.  The walks are every Wednesday from 9 to 11am.  Please call (925) 284-5050 to find out the weekly meeting place. 

OTHER

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. 

OMPA Championship.  Our Championship Swim Meet is one of the largest recreational swim meets in the country.  The 56th Annual OMPA Swim Championship meet will be held August 3-5 at the Soda Aquatic Center in Moraga.  For more info, visit www.ompaswim.com. 

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.

Pet Loss Support Group.  Grief Support Group Helps People Cope with the Death of a Pet.  When you lose your pet you often feel like a part of you is lost.  This is a support group where participants can share memories and feelings and talk to others who truly understand and care.  The group will meet every first Tuesday of the month beginning September 4 from noon to 1:30pm at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.  For more info and to pre-register, call (925) 887-5681.  Pre-registration is required.


OTHER

Returning Veterans of America, a freshly founded Bay Area veterans group organized by recently returning combat veterans, is honored to announce a two-part series of Welcome Home events held on from 10am to 5pm Saturday August 11 and 25 at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way.  The all-day transition social and lunch is open to all returning veterans and their families.  For more info, call (415) 852-1642.
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. 

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.

Internet Security & Password Protection Workshop.  The workshop will be on August 15 starting at 8am at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette.
Lafayette Physical Therapy is having free community lectures.  Running Injuries and Prevention lecture with Lisa Gibson, PT, August 28 from 7 to 8 pm, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110, Lafayette.  For more info or to make reservations call (925) 284-6150 or visit www.lafayettePT.com.

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!