ART

The Orinda Library Art Gallery Exhibit.  The exhibit for December will include George Wahbeh's oil paintings, Roland Nunn's hooked rugs, Alexander Walcheck's drawings, and Alex Meckes' Origami.  The Gallery is located adjacent to the library at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda.  For more info, visit www.orindaartscouncil.org/community_library.

Valley Art Gallery's 47th annual Holiday Crafts show and sale featuring many well known Bay Area craftspeople runs through Dec. 22 at 1662 Botelho Drive, Walnut Creek. The fine crafts available include decorative as well as functional ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, and fabric items.  In addition, there are over 300 paintings available for sale and for rent.  Valley Art is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and support of visual and tactile artists of the greater Bay Area. For info, contact Julie Armstrong, (925) 935-4311.

MUSIC

The Acalanes Music Department presents the 2012 Winter Choral Concerts; "Old and New" on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd. These two programs will feature Chorale, Concert Choir, Bella Voce, Chamber Singers, Contemporary A Cappella Project, The Innuendos, Women's Octet and on the 18th, special guests, the Chanticleer LAB 7 Choir. Please join us for one or both concerts that will showcase older repertoire, newer takes on old repertoire and completely new songs. Suggested Donation: $5 for adults; $3 for seniors; students 18 and under free.

WCSA Lafayette Songwriters' Competition.  Come join the Lauras for the inaugural Lafayette WCSA Songwriters' Competition! You do not have to be a songwriter to attend this event.  The meetings are at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Lamorinda Music, 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette.  Cost: $5.  For more info, email Laura Zucker at zuckers@aol.com or visit www.westcoasts...ongwriters.org/become-a-member. 

THEATER

Join host Tony La Russa and featured performers Mark Pitta and Friends for a memorable start to 2013. Comedy Night is on Friday, Jan. 4 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets available early December at (925) 943-SHOW; all proceeds benefit  ARF.

The Princess and The Pea, fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen.  The Princess and The Pea is a much adored traditional fairy tale of honesty and love.  The show is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 and at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the LeFevre Theatre, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Cost: $8.  For more info, call (925) 631-4670 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers make their return to Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette this holiday season at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. For info, visit www.townhalltheatre.com/music-comedy-series.  Tickets are available through Ticket Master.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Science Quest.  Children ages 6-9 can explore and experiment through the different branches of science from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 26-28 at Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. Teacher's helpers positions are available for ages 11-14. Cost: $30; $20 for members.  For more info, call (925) 627-2930 or visit www.wildlife-museum.org/education/kids.

The annual HO Scale model train exhibition, featuring a unique, modular display of model trains traveling through an “Old World” countryside, will be open at the Blackhawk Museum through Jan. 6.  Exhibition is included with regular museum admission: $10 for adults; $7 for students and seniors; and free for children under 6 (must be accompanied by a paid adult).  Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and special holiday hours on Monday, Dec. 24 and 31.  For more info, visit www.blackhawkmuseum.org  or call (925) 736-2277.

Fairy Tales.  Children ages 4-6 can have fun exploring the roles animals play in the classic fairy tales and fables and meet some of the live animals in these stories from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek.  Teacher's helpers positions are available for ages 9-14.  Cost: $20; $10 for members.  For more info, call (925) 627-2930 or visit   www.//wildlife-museum.org/education/kids.

Circuit Cities.  It’s electrifying! Children ages 7-10 experiment with circuits, learn how electricity works and explore alternative forms of generating energy in this hands-on class from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek.  Teacher's helpers positions are for ages 12-15.  Cost: $30; $20 for members.  For more info, call (925) 627-2930 or visit www.//wildlife-museum.org/education/kids. 

OTHER

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. The group meets from 2 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Lafayette Community Center Elderberry Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. There is no meeting Dec. 19 and Dec. 26.   For more info, call (925) 284-5050. 

Self-Discovery and Aging, Creative Writing Workshop.  Workshop sessions include writing prompts, feedback and encouragement, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing and meet from 10 a.m. to noon the second and fourth Thursday each month in the Cedar Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members.  For more info, call (925) 284-5050.    

Come Play MahJongg!   MahJongg is a game of skill, strategy, and certain degree of chance.  Bring your card, a mahjongg set and a snack to share (optional) every Tuesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members.  For more info, call (925)284-5050.

Nature Walk and Bird-Watching.  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 nature walks are every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. except Dec. 19 and Dec. 26.  Please call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 to find out weekly meeting location. 

Lamorinda Dance Social.  Enjoy afternoon dancing every Wednesday and learn some great new dance moves from 12:30 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at the Lafayette Community Center Live Oak Room, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette.  Cost: $2 for members; $4 for non-members.  For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Hospice of the East Bay Support Groups for Adults. Drop-In Bereavement Support Group meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Campus, 3470 Buskirk Ave.  For more info, call (925) 887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Hospice of the East Bay Support Group for Adults.  The Pet Loss Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information or to pre-register please call (925) 887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org. 

Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church Taize Service.  Come for a respite from the holiday rush to refresh your spirit at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of the month, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette.  For more info, email            Nancy@lopc.org.

Hospice of the East Bay Support Groups for Adults.  The Widow and Widowers' Support group meets on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 3 through Feb. 21 at the Pleasant Hill campus, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill.  Pre-registration is required.  For more info, or to pre-register please call (925) 887-5681 or visit

www.hospiceeastbay.org.

SEED (Special Education Enrichment Development) Foundation of Lafayette is co-funding a 12-week Behavior Management course for Lafayette parents Wednesday nights, 6:30 to 9 p.m. starting Jan. 9 through Mar. 27 in Lafayette. By teaching positive behavioral strategies, parents will gain tools and strategies to support their child in home and community settings.  For more info, or to register please call (925) 788-0451 or email Robin Hauge at  

robinhaugeclinic@gmail.com.

Lamorinda Dogs is looking for your support.  Lamorinda Dogs is building a pet recovery network in Lamorinda and helping pet owners document and prepare for disasters. To donate:  send your check to Lamorinda Dogs, 101 Alta Mesa Court, Moraga, CA 94556 or go to          

www.lamorindadogs.org. 

Community Christmas Celebration. During the candlelight celebration, hear the Christmas story anew and songs of the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Refuge Community Church, 155 Moraga Road, Moraga. Free. For more info, call (925) 942-1000 or visit www.refugecommunity.org.

4th Annual Sweaty Eddy & Santa Pub Crawl presented by Norm's Place.  Come dressed in your Ugliest Holiday Sweaters, Holiday Costume or as the big guy himself, Santa! Most fun to have right before Xmas!  This event is on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Norm's Place, 356 Hartz Ave., Danville.  Cost: $30.  For more info, call (925) 552-6676 or visit www.normsgrill.com.  

Jan Term Speaker Series.  Changing the World 101.  Jason Connell, the executive director of Ignited Leadership, a dynamic Washington, D.C.-based human service organization that is dedicated to building a better world, will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the Saint Mary's College Soda Activity Center, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 631-4771 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu.

DAR Orientation and Genealogy Workshop.  A workshop and orientation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 for women over 18 interested in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution and learning more about genealogy at the Montego Heights Lodge, 1400 Montego Way, Walnut Creek.  Suggested donation: $5.  For more info, call Brenna Shafizadeh at (925) 287-0438.

Jan Term Speaker Series. Soulful  and Sacred: Celebrating the Black Catholic Experience.  Father Edward Branch will speak about the distinctive experience and journey of Black Catholics in America from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Saint Mary's College Soda Activity Center, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 631-4771 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Montelindo Garden Club.  The club will meet at 9 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way.  The speaker, Don Dillon, Jr. from Four Winds Growers, will discuss growing citrus in the Bay Area.  For more info, call (925) 254-3906.

Jan Term Speaker Series. Unlikely Inspiration.  Kaya Oakes, author of Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Saint Mary's College Soda Activity Center, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 631-4771 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu.

Jan Term Speaker Series.  Shining a Light on Modern-Day Slavery.  Lisa Kristine, an acclaimed humanitarian photographer who specializes in images of remote indigenous cultures in more than 100 countries on six continents, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Saint Mary's College Soda Activity Center, 1928 St. Mary's Road, Moraga.  Free.  For more info, call (925) 631-4771 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu. 

Stars to the rescue presented by ARF.   Adopt two kitten kindergarteners for the price of one, or a ‘purrfect’ cat two years or older for half-off the adoption fee! Standard adoption criteria apply.  Join Tony La Russa and ARF on Saturday, Jan. 5 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek.  For more info, call (925) 296-3153 or visit www.arf.net.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Inauguration Celebration Breakfast and Watch Party.  The breakfast, which will be held Monday, Jan. 21 from 8 to 8:45 a.m. at the Lafayette Library's Community Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., will be hosted by the Lamorinda Democratic Club to honor President Barack Obama as he is inaugurated for his second term in office.  You must RSVP to guarantee a seat by contacting John Hall at jdhall@mac.com.

Main Street meets Wall Street.  Make Wall Street pay.  These actions mold public opinion which is the ultimate determining factor in a democracy.  This event is from 4 p.m. until dark Wednesdays at Main Street and Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek.  For more info, contact KathyRKlein@hotmail.com or visit http://www.trivalleydems.com/.