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.  

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 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.

MUSIC

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.

The 2nd Annual Orinda Jazz Festival is Underway.  The Jazz Festival scheduled September 30 from 4 to 7pm at the Orinda Auditorium and Courtyard located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda benefits the Orinda Arts Council Community Programs.  There will be free music workshops, a Gala Reception with live music, wine, and appetizers, concerts on two stages, and a chance to meet the artists.  Tickets: $20 for general admission; $15 for students and seniors.  For more info, call (925)255-5164 or visit www.OrindaJazzFestival.org.

THEATER

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 through September 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.

LECTURES, WORKSHOPS & ORGANIZATIONS

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.

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.

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.  


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.  

Lafayette Physical Therapy is having free community lectures.  Nutrition for Healing lecture with guest speaker, Cynthia Allen, Registered Nurse, will be on September 25 from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  The lecture will be at 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110 in Lafayette.  To RSVP please call (925) 284-6150.  For more information please visit www.LafayettePT.com.

OTHER

Moraga Barn Celebration.  Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Moraga Barn Saturday, September 15 at 7pm and enjoy an evening of live entertainment, storytelling, drinks and community congregation at Canyon Construction (Moraga Barn) – 925 Country Club Drive, Moraga. Tickets: $15 per person ($5 off for participating in the living history project). Proceeds benefit the Moraga Historical Society.  

Annual Lafayette Art & Wine Festival. Enjoy continuous live music while strolling among the 250 fine arts and crafts booths. Sample foods from top local restaurants and enjoy quality wines and microbrews from 10am to 7pm Saturday, September 15 and 10am to 6pm Sunday, September 16.  Free Admission.  Drink Tickets: $6 for individual ticket.  Individual wine or beer glass: $6.  Combination packages are available.  Kids Zone Tickets: $1-$5 for different activities.

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.

5th Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour, Featuring over 20 restaurants, wine tasting, live music and more from 5 to 9:30pm Tuesday, September 18 at the Theatre District on Moraga Way. Tickets: $40 purchased in advance; $45 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.orindachamber.org. For more info, call the Orinda Chamber at (925) 254-3909.

The Orinda Annual Classic Car Show will feature an outstanding exhibit of Ford Model As, Shelby Mustangs and Cobras as well as more than 180 American and European cars ranging from the 1920s, to the classics of the ‘50s and ‘60s to modern exotics Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 2pm in Orinda Village at Orinda Motors, 63 Orinda Way.  Free. For more event information, visit the website at www.OrindaCarShow.com. Those interested in entering a vehicle, subscribing to email updates, or attending the Pre-Show Party may do so online. Car entry fee: $60 for cars; $35 for motorcycles. Entry fees are a tax-deductible donation.

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 14th Annual Moraga Pear & Wine Festival.  A family-friendly event celebrating Moraga’s Pear history from 10am to 4pm Saturday, September 29 at the Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Entertainment and activities at the bandshell include DJ RyanO, Town Hall Theatre performers, an afternoon concert by littledog2, Arbor Day tree planting, wine tasting with Lamorinda Winegrowers Association, grape stomping, pear pies, jumpies, pie eating contest, food, local artist booths, community and business booths, and the ARF Mobile Adoption Van.  For more info, call the Parks and Recreation Department (925) 888-7045 or visit www.moraga.ca.us.

20th Annual Reservoir Run.  The Lafayette Reservoir Run is the city’s most popular “family affair,” involving kids, parents, grandparents, and hundreds of serious runners from throughout the Bay Area. The event will be on Sunday, October 28 beginning at 6:30am in Downtown Lafayette starting at Mt. Diablo Blvd. between First St. and Moraga Road.  The adult registration: $30; race day fee $35; elementary school fee $22.  For more info, visit www.http://lafayettechamber.org/events/reservoir-run/.

Hearing Screening by Audiologists from Hearing Science/Diablo Valley Ear, Nose, and Throat 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.  

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.

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.