ART

Orinda Library August and September Art Exhibits.  The art exhibit for August will include CC14 group, Another World.  The September exhibit will include Three-Eight Art Studio, Lucia Tsang.   The library is located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. 

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.

Anticipation is the New Lafayette Exhibition.  Anticipation – one of life's delights – will run through October 7 at the Lafayette Gallery, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.  Works of art are ready for your home or garden and evoke the anticipation of pleasurable things to come.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm, and Sunday 11am to 2pm.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

Cool Breeze is the New Paintings Exhibit at Valley Art Gallery.  New paintings in many different styles and mediums are now featured through September 14, Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm at Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive Suite 110, Walnut Creek.  For more info, call (925) 935-4311.

Painting Exhibits at the Moraga Public Library.  The Moraga Public Library will exhibit the art of Denise Lee and Jonathan Shum, both students of famous local Chinese brush painter, Joan Yao – a well-known Chinese brush painter, calligrapher, and teacher.  Lee and Shum’s exhibits will run through August and September at the library, 1500 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Yao will also have an exhibit in the month of September.  For more info, call (925) 376-6852. 

Moraga Art Gallery Reimagined.   Moraga Art Gallery's new show highlights the collective creativity, commitment and energy of the gallery's members.  The show opened Wednesday, August 22 and runs through Sunday, October 21, Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5pm at the Moraga Art Gallery, The Rheem Valley Shopping Center, 522 Center Street, and will feature the work of the entire gallery artist group, in celebration of this tireless organization that has survived a challenging relocation, coming out stronger, and more creative and successful than ever before.  For more info, call (925) 376-5407 or visit www.moragaartgallery.com.

Shadowfold demonstration presented by Valley Stitchers and Fiber Arts Guild.  Chris Palmer will show his "Shadowfold" technique of geometric designs in fabric using an origami technique at 10am September 10 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Woodsworth Lane, Pleasant Hill.  For more info, contact Sheila Rogstad at (925) 945-1338.

MUSIC

Contra Costa Children's Chorus.  Children who love to sing can join a prestigious children's chorus.  Placement auditions for choir levels of boys and girls ages 6-16 yrs are scheduled for September 4 from 4 to 6pm and September 5 from 4 to 5:30pm, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette.  Rehearsals are on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. For more info, visit www.childrenschorus.org or call (925) 945-7101 x1.

Orinda Idol Finals. The Orinda Arts Council presents the seventh annual Orinda Idol competition for performers from Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga Sunday, September 9 at the Orinda Theatre., More than 200 performers from kindergarten through 12th grade vied for a spot in the finals and 40 made it through to this huge event! Let's fill the theatre and cheer these finalists on to their best performances! Please find more details at www.orindaartscouncil.org.

THEATER

"Blithe Spirit": A novelist hosts a séance 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 through September 2 at the Cal Shakes Theater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way in Orinda.  For more info, call (510) 548-3422 or visit www.calshakes.org. 

The International Film Showcase features 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 movie will be shown August 24-30 at 1:30, 4, and 6:30pm with additional screenings at 8:45pm on Friday and Saturday at the Orinda Theatre, 4 Orinda Theatre Square, Orinda.  For more info, call (925) 254-4284 or visit www.lfef.org or www.lamorindatheatres.com.  (photo)

DVC Drama 2012 - 2013 Season.  The Grapes of Wrath by Frank Galati will be showing at Diablo Valley College October 19 through November 11, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill.  Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 for faculty, staff, and seniors; $10 for students.  For more info, call (925) 687-4445. 

Orinda Starlight Village Players' 2012.  Sherlock Holmes in The Speckled Band by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will be showing September 7- 29, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30pm.   The play will also be showing on Sunday, September 16 and 23 at 4pm, and Thursday, September 27 at 8pm.  Regular admission: $16; $8 for seniors and children.  For tickets or more info, call (925) 528-9225 or visit www.orsvp.org.

Sly Fox.  Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre begins another season with Larry Gelbart’s Sly Fox, an hilarious adaptation of Ben Jonson’s satire Volpone.  Sly Fox runs from September 29 through October 20 with previews on September 27 and 28.  It is rated PG13 and is approximately two hours long.  The show starts at 8pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2pm on Sundays.  Town Hall's Theatre Club will be having free wine and an actor talk back following the performance on Friday, October 5.  The show is at Lafayette's Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.  Tickets: $29 for adults preview or matinee;  $32 for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings; $25 preview or matinee for seniors (60 and older) and youth (under 18) and $29 for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.  For more info, call (925) 283-6673 or visit www.townhalltheatre.com.

Diablo Ballet and The Lafayette Library present classic dance films this summer.  You’re invited to see some of the greatest dance films ever made.  There will be a showing of West Side Story (1961) on Wednesday, September 12 at 6:30 pm in the Arts & Science Discovery Center at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  West Side Story is a classic musical retelling of “Romeo & Juliet” as rival gang members fall in love and face the consequences.  Admission: $5.  For more info, call (925) 283-6513 or visit www.lllcf.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Book Sale by Friends of the Orinda Library.  This book sale offers quality books for all interests and all ages Thursday, September 6 from 10am to 1pm at the in the Book Shop and Sorting Room, Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda.  For more info, call (925) 254-1358.

Addiction and Youth:  Family Resource Night, presented by New Leaf Treatment Center.  Dr. Alex Stalcup and the Clinical Staff from New Leaf Treatment Center will discuss the problem of drug use among youth and other common behavioral addictions such as video-games and gaming  September 8 from 3 to 6pm at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette.  Tickets: $25 per family or group.  For more info, visit www.nltc.com/Family_Resource_Night_Flyer.pdf.

Orinda Library Art Gallery Energy Conservation and Sustainability Workshop. Come see the Orinda Library Art Gallery Lighting Upgrade and attend a workshop on energy conservation in the workplace and home Tuesday, September 11 from 3 to 4pm at the Orinda Library Art Gallery Garden Room. Presented by REACH and hosted by The Orinda Arts Council and the City of Orinda, the event is free and open to the community. For info, visit www.ReachTheFuture.org.

Discovering opera:  Bizet's The Pearl Fishers.  Lecturer Bradford Wade will discuss the background of the story and present a guided tour of the opera, with a description of the plot interspersed with musical examples Tuesday, September 11 from 1:30 to 3pm at the Lafayette Library Arts and Science Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members.  For more info or to register, call (925) 284-5050.

O'neill's Danville.  As part of the Eugene O’Neill Festival in Danville, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Tao House, Beverly Lane will describe “the way we were” when Eugene and Carlotta arrived in town Saturday, September 15 at 10am in the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville.   She will provide background on the O’Neill’s purchase of the Las Trampas property, the building of Tao House, and the couple’s relationship with their Danville neighbors.  Free. 

Lafayette Physical Therapy is having free community lectures.  Nutrition for Healing lecture with registered nurse Cynthia Allen September 25 from 7 to 8pm, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110, Lafayette.  To RSVP, call (925) 284-6150.  For more information please visit www.LafayettePT.com.

ORGANIZATIONS & WORKSHOPS

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.

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. The first meeting will be September 5 with after-lunch speaker Professor Ron Olowin, PhD, of Saint Mary’s College. For details and membership information on SIRs, call Larry at (925) 631-9528. 

The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County. Speaker Jerry Rainey of Neuro-Fit will discuss Neurological Injury Functional Integrated Therapy Monday, September 10 from 7 to 9pm at the John Muir Medical Center Concord Room, 2540 East Avenue, Concord.  After the program, attendees will break up into three coping groups: stroke survivors without aphasia, stroke survivors with aphasia, and caregivers and families of stroke survivors.  Free and open to the public.  For more info, contact Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218.

Common Threads Stitching Group.  Whether you are a seasoned cross-stitcher or newbie beginner, join this ongoing, drop-in group for instruction, guidance, or simply a relaxing afternoon spent with fellow stitchers every Wednesday at the Lafayette Community Center in the Elderberry room from 2 to 3:30pm starting September 12  (except November 21 and December 26), 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  For more info or to register, call (925) 284-5050.

Lafayette Garden Club.  Have you got questions about your garden?  There will be answers with guest speaker Buzz Bertolero, Executive Vice  President of Navlet’s chain of lawn and garden centers, at 9:30am September 13 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. 

ORGANIZATIONS & WORKSHOPS        

Words of Wisdom discussion group led by Paul Fillinger.  Take part in this free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor 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.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting. Kathy Courtright of Orchard Nursery will speak on spring blooming bulbs, deer and gopher resistant, tried and true as well as less popular but wonderful varieties of bulbs September 21 at 9:30am at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda.  For more info, call (925) 254-3906.

Avoiding Falls an Anne Randolph Workshop.  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 Friday, September 28 from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Rd., Lafayette.  For more info or to register, call (925) 284-5050. 

Entertaining Seniors.  Are you a retiree who enjoys singing, dancing, or telling stories? Consider joining Silver Wings Repertory. Members put on variety shows for residents of assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other places seniors gather. They perform twice a month, plus meet monthly at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Wordsworth Lane, Pleasant Hill. The next meeting is October 4 at 10 a.m. For info, call (925) 935-0861.

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 September 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.

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. 

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the TAO House.  The Tao House was built by Eugene O'Neill and his wife, Carlotta, in Las Trampas Hills, just outside of the town in 1937 shortly after his reception of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The 13th annual Eugene O'Neill Festival in Danville runs from September 7-30 at the Tao House which is now a National Park site.  You must take a shuttle from The Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville.   For more info, contact Dan Cawthon at (925) 946-0108.

Hearing Screening by Audiologists from Hearing Science/Diablo Valley Ear, Nose, and Throat September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5 in the Cedar Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road.  An appointment is required and a minimum of two sign ups are required in order for screenings to take place.  Please call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 to sign up for one of the following appointment times: 1, 1:20, 1:40, or 2pm.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. 

The public is invited to a dedication ceremony for the newly replicated and relocated Orinda Historical Mural, Tuesday, September 4, 5:30pm, kinder gym wall at the Orinda Community Park. Bay Area Muralist, Ellen Silva, was commissioned to precisely replicate the original mural which was created by artist Lonnie Bee to depict Orinda's historical sites and was dedicated on the exterior BART wall on July 9, 1978.

Fall into Fashion show featuring the latest styles from Coldwater Creek in Walnut Creek. The fall show features the latest in fall fashions September 8 from 11:30am to 2:30pm at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville.   Attendees can take part in a silent auction, and opportunity tickets will be available.  This event is presented by the Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging.  Cost: $45 and includes lunch and refreshments.  For more info, contact Carmen at (925) 956-9269 or visit www.dv-fa.org.

Lafayette Community Center offers free yoga class.  The Lafayette Community center wants to give people an opportunity to try yoga without having to make a commitment Saturday, September 8 from 11am to 12:15pm at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Reservations required.  For more info and to register, call (925) 284-2232. 

Natural Health Care Open House. Running from Mexico and Canada for Natural Health.  There will be free massage and natural skincare treatments, free handouts and natural product samples, and Naturopathic doctors speaking about treating pain, fatigue, and bio identical hormones September 10 at 4pm, Tara Natural Medicine, 3186 Old Tunnel Road 6536 Telegraph Ave, #C201, Lafayette.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 949-8604 or visit www.taranaturalmedicine.com. (photo)

Volunteers needed to transcribe Braille.  Volunteers interested in learning how to transcribe literary works for the blind or sight impaired are needed by the Contra Costa Braille Transcribers.  A volunteer must complete a 7-month course to be certified by The Library of Congress.   Weekly training classes are every Tuesday in Concord beginning Tuesday, September 11 from 9:30am to noon, 1201 Monument Blvd., Concord (near the 680 Freeway). For more info, call Fran Whipple at (925) 298-2344 or visit www.ccbraille.com.

Walk n' Roll.  Join us for a fun one mile or 5K Walk n' Roll event to support people with developmental disabilities Saturday, September 22 from 9am to noon, starting at Las Trampas, 3460 Lana Lane, Lafayette, continuing towards Olympic Blvd and ending at Las Trampas.   The trail is wheelchair-friendly. Registration: $25 per person and includes: the event, T-shirt, gift, refreshments, prizes, music, and more.  For more info, visit www.active.com/running/lafayette-ca/walk-n-roll-for-las-trampas-2012.

Free memory screening by Caring Solutions September 28 in the Cedar Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  An appointment is required.  Appointments are at 12:30, 12:50, or 1:10 pm.  For more info or to sign up, call (925) 284-5050.

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Board of Trustees, which manages Foundation assets, implements major fundraising plans, oversees non-county library budget operations and staff, and coordinates activities of the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium, is seeking new members.  Applications, which are available at LLLCF.org or available in the LLLCF office on the mezzanine floor of the library, will be accepted until September 30.

NOMINEES REQUESTED

The Contra Costa Philanthropy Awards program recognizes individuals, businesses and service organizations that have made significant contributions of time, leadership and financial support to benefit Contra Costa residents.  This is the 2nd Annual awards program.  Help promote and honor philanthropy in Contra Costa County by submitting your nominations to the Contra Costa Council’s 2nd Annual Contra Costa Philanthropy Awards program by Friday, August 31. Please visit http://www.contracostacouncil.com/

forms/form1.html for your nomination form. A special breakfast honoring award recipients will be held at 7:30am November 8 at the Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord.  For more info, call (925) 246-1880.

Peace and Justice Awards 2012.  The Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center is asking residents of Contra Costa County to nominate local peacemakers for a Peace and Justice Award to be given by the Center at its annual Peace Awards Celebration. Deadline for nominations is September 7. Forms for nominating candidates are available at www.mtdpc.org or by calling the Peace and Justice Center at (925) 933-7850.

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS (see event articles on pages A10-A11)

The Big Band of Rossmoor Show and Dance featuring The Fred Astaire Dance Book Friday, September 14 from 6:30 to 10pm at the Rheem Theater, 350 Park Street, Moraga. 

Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival 10am to 7pm Saturday, September 15 and 10am to 6pm Sunday, September 16 in Downtown Lafayette. 

5th Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour, featuring over 20 restaurants from 5 to 9:30pm Tuesday, September 18 at the Theatre District on Moraga Way.

The Orinda Annual Classic Car Show Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 2pm in Orinda Village at Orinda Motors, 63 Orinda Way.

Moraga Pear & Wine Festival from 10am to 4pm Saturday, September 29 at the Moraga Commons Park.