LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Calendar | Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda Event Listings

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art exhibition – Carnaval. There will be a slide show and discussion about the Carnaval and Mardi Gras exhibition at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. Other exhibits include In Search of the Source: the Nile and Beyond by Lockwood de Forest; Ryan Reynolds: Landscape Assembled; Keith and the California Alps: paintings from the 1870s, ‘80s, and ‘90s — through April 14, Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Mary’s Rd., Moraga. Cost: $5 for adults; free for kids K-12. For more info, call (925) 631-4379 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

The Moraga Art Gallery announces a new show entitled “The Unbearable Lightness of Seeing,” highlighting the photography of Dave E Dondero and Erik Wilson, featuring the unique combination of Dondero’s hyper-realistic California landscapes and Wilson’s thought-provoking and often ironic urban scenes. Moraga Art Gallery is a collective of 14 established, local artists and artisans and is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center, 522 Center St, Moraga. For info, call (925) 376-5407. The exhibit runs through March 23. (See story)

The Table of Tears is a six foot diameter stained glass mosaic and acrylic art piece by disabled minister and artist Donna Fado Ivery. The table consists of seven teardrops representing people who at some point in history have been oppressed by the church. The Table of Tears is on exhibit and is being utilized as part of a series of sermons on “Healing the Tears that Bind Us” at 10:30 a.m. Sundays through Easter at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 451 Moraga Way, Orinda. The public is invited. Teardrops honoring those who suffered Japanese Internment will be interpreted March 3 and LGBT persons March 10. For additional information about future Table of Tears presentations, call (925) 254-5965 or visit www.stmarksorinda.org.

The Orinda Arts Council is pleased to announce its 10th Annual Visual Arts Exhibit. Artists and awards reception from 4 to 6 p.m. March 6; Exhibit March 1-27, Orinda Library Art Gallery.For more info and to register visit www.OrindaArtsCouncil.org.

The Lafayette Gallery’s new show “Tokens of Affection” will run through March 9 at 50 Lafayette Circle (across from Chow). For more info, visit www.lafayettegallery.net or call the gallery at (925) 284-2788.

MUSIC

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 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Cost: $5. For more info, contact Laura Zucker by email at zuckers@aol.com or visit www.westcoastsongwriters.org/become-a-member.

The Campolindo Winter Band Concert with special guest artist Diane Maltester playing the concertino for Clarinet and Band by Frank Bencriscutto as well as a full program by the Concert and Symphonic Bands will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. Free.

The Campolindo High School Music Program is hosting its annual Jazz Dinner Dance from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. There will be a sit-down dinner with salad, main entrée, dessert and beverages. The Campolindo Jazz Bands will play throughout the night for guests to enjoy during dinner or to dance along to afterward. Tickets: $40 for students. All proceeds benefit the Campolindo Music Program. For more information, contact Donia Gousios at doniagousios@yahoo.com.

Gold Coast Concerts: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Orinda Library Auditorium, 22 Orinda Way in Orinda; and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Grand Sesteto Sinfonia Concertante (arranged for sextet) Franz Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante (arranged for sextet) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Viola Quintet, K. 174. Tickets: $35 general; $30 senior; $10 student. Purchase tickets online at www.gcplayers.org or by phone: (925) 283-3728.

University of California Alumni Chorus presents Handel’s Oratorio, Samson in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of its West Coast Premiere at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus. Tickets: $20 - $15 - $6. To purchase tickets, call (510) 642-3880 (phone sales end at 12:30 pm Friday for weekend performances) or go online to tickets.berkeley.edu, or at http://www.ucac.net.

The Pacific Chamber Symphony concert “From Baroque to Jazz” will feature Mandolin virtuoso Mike Marshall, Lafayette Mayor Michael Andersen, and a world premiere by composer Christopher Caliendo. The Pacific Chamber Symphony is conducted by Maestro Lawrence Kohl. The concert will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Tickets can be purchased online at www.PacificChamberSymphony.com or by phoning Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006. Tickets: $30 seniors; $35 adults; $10 students with ID and free for children with a paid adult. (See story)

All About Poulenc! Benefit Concert in Walnut Creek at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3. It will feature both vocal and instrumental music including solo piano, art songs, motets, flute sonata, Suite Francaise, and more by French composer Francis Poulenc. Proceeds will support the youth programs of CC Performing Arts Society, as well as The Young People's Symphony Orchestra (YPSO), and Diablo Valley College's Chamber Chorale. The Concert will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. Suggested donation: $20 adults, $10 seniors and students. For more info, visit www.ccpas.org.

Go green with the Contra Costa Wind Symphony as it performs Irish music and dance with a Riverdance flare. Liam Tiernan, founder of the legendary Belfast group Barleycorn, will sing favorites from his latest CD, and international competitive Irish dancers Cortney Millitello and Lauren Edberg step fast and lively with wind symphony accompaniment at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $25 adult; $18 senior; $10 Child/Youth, available at www.lesherartscenter.org or call (925)943-7463.

THEATER

Looking for a tasty musical theatre experience? Treat the whole family to Miramonte's production of the “Little Shop of Horrors.” Directed by Heather Cousins, showtimes are at 7 p.m. March 7, 8, 15 and 16 and 2 p.m. March 9-10. Tickets are available online at Miramonte's webstore: miramonte.revtrak.net/tek9.asp. Thanks for supporting our kids and local theatre!

Due to popular demand, an additional film presentation has been added to the Film Noir series. Join County Librarian and film noir buff Barbara Flynn for a screening of “Act of Violence” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at the Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Free. There will be time for discussion following the screening. Preregistration is not required. For more information, please visit ccclib.org or call Diane McDonnell at (925) 376-6852, ext. 200.

4th Annual “Live at the Orinda” Champagne Comedy Event returns with Will Durst headlining the evening at 7 p.m. March 8 at the Orinda Theatre. Advance discounted and VIP tickets may be reserved until March 7 using credit cards at the Chamber website – www.OrindaChamber.org – or at First Republic Bank, 224 Brookwood Road. Tickets at the door (if available) will be $40 per person. (See story)

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Lamorinda Reads: Programs celebrating “A Hologram for the King” will be held through the month of February. There will be a free book reading with the author at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Veterans Memorial building, 3780 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. There will also be discussions held at each local library, check website for details. For more info, call (925) 385-2280 or visit guides.ccclib.org.

Ted W. Fuller will sign his new book, “Prison Reform Catalysts,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8, in the Sequoia Room at Lafayette’s Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road. The book contains profiles of 21 men and 16 women who helped bring about improvements in mainly U.S. penitentiaries, jails, and juvenile detention facilities. Sponsored by the Lafayette Senior Center’s Creative Writing Workshop. The regular workshop takes place in the same room from 3 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Join us at the Hacienda de las Flores for a sneak preview of the best summer camps in Moraga. Meet the counselors; participate in sports and activities, enjoy a free hot dog lunch. Summer Camp Expo: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. For more info, call Kim at (925) 888-7036 or visit the town’s website at www.moraga.ca.us.

Bentley School is proud to host its first Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 2 at Bentley’s Upper School campus in Lafayette. The Festival will feature dozens of activities designed to encourage collaboration and creative problem solving and will appeal to a range of students - from fourth grade on up. Snacks and raffle prizes will be available to all participants. For more info or to register, please contact cta@bentleyschool.net.

All middle school girls are invited to “Find Your Spark!” – a one-day summit from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at Bentley School. Presented by the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette branch of AAUW and hosted by high school girls, it will be an amazing day of fun & games, learning about healthy boundaries, and discussion on topics that affect all girls. Summit registration is now open. Applications must be received by March 9. Cost: $45 all-inclusive. Applications and more details are available at sister2sister.info. For more information contact Valarie Burgess, (925) 997-0118 or email vvvburgess@gmail.com.

OTHER

Sleep expert, Dr. Matthew Walker, will speak on “Secrets of the Sleeping Brain: Overnight Improvements in Memory and Emotion,” at First Friday Forum at 1:30 p.m. March 1 in the Sanctuary of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Walker is an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley and directs the Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory. Free. For more info, call (925) 283-8722 or visit lopc.org.

How to Raise Your Own Chickens. Papa John Kiefer will offer workshops on How to Raise Your Own Chickens, including information about raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays during February and March. Reservations required. For more info, email jhkiefer@comcast.net.

SEED (Special Education Enrichment Development) Foundation of Lafayette is co-funding a 12-week behavior management course for Lafayette parents Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. through March 27 in the Maggie Mae Lounge at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Rd. By teaching positive behavioral strategies, parents will gain tools and strategies to support their child in home and community settings. For info or to register, call (925) 788-0451 or email Robin Hauge at robinhaugeclinic@gmail.com.

Lamorinda Adult Respite Center (LARC) is looking for caring, fun, enthusiastic volunteers to assist once or twice a month. Activities include: games, crafts, daily live musical entertainment, lunch and exercise. Come join the fun and help enhance the lives of our local seniors. For more information, or to schedule a visit, please call Beth Montgomery at (925) 254-3465.

Bridal Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Lafayette Park Hotel. Admission: $15 advance; $20 at the door. To purchase tickets and for more info, visit www.URLocalBride.com.

The West Coast Conference Colleges are collecting new and gently used T-shirts at local drop off points. The Saint Mary’s local drop off point is 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Rd., Suite F in the front office lobby from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The drive ends Feb. 28. For more info about Clothes 4 Souls™ visit www.clothes4souls.org, telephone Erin at (208) 340-8235 or contact Gilbert at ggm4@stmarys-ca.edu.

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. Please call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 to find out weekly meeting location.

The Northern California Welsh Community invites you to join them at their musical celebration of St. David’s Day for traditional hymn singing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road. For further information, contact Idris Evans at (925) 283-0912 or email loriteassociates@comcast.net

Master Juggler Daniel DaVinci will perform a show full of unique stunts, audience participation, and an endless stream of hilarious comedy patter at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at the Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. For more info, visit ccclib.org or call Diane McDonnell at (925)376-6852, ext. 200.

March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Rancho Laguna Park in Moraga. The event is sponsored by the Campolindo Business Club and all proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization March of Dimes, which works to improve the health of mothers and babies by trying to prevent birth defects and child mortality. Cost: $5 to participate. For pledge sheets please email campobusinessclub@gmail.com or visit

facebook.com/CampoBusiness.

The Lafayette School District invites parents and community members to hear Michael Josephson, Ethicist and Founder of Character Counts® speak about his life experience and the development of The Six Pillars of Character from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Tickets: $10 for one; $15 for two. Tickets can be purchased at: michaeljosephson.eventbrite.com. Please bring your receipt with you.

Free Tax Preparation for the 2013 tax season is available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s EKS programs. Both programs serve taxpayers of all ages with a focus on those with low to moderate incomes. For more information or to make an appointment, call Tax-Aide (925) 726-3199 or EKS 2-1-1.

An old-fashioned quilting bee will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive. The end results will be auctioned off for the benefit of Habitat’s Pleasant Creek development of ten homes in Walnut Creek. All the quilting bee participants need is the ability to sew a straight line. Anyone with a portable sewing machine and good quality quilt fabrics is invited to bring them along, otherwise, visitors can use ours. The bee will take place in Marion Hall behind the church sanctuary. For more information, call (925) 283-8304.

Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, working with American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at MVPC, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Everyone is welcome. Drop by, and bring your friends! Sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org (enter the Sponsor Code: Moraga925). Walk-ins are welcome! For more info, call Les Deane at (925) 283-5648.

Red Cross Blood Drive for the Lafayette Community will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Sponsored by the Lafayette Chamber and Titan Real Estate Investments with juices and snacks donated by Whole Foods. For all donors, a raffled gift will be given after the Blood Drive. Remember: The need for blood is constant. The gratification is instant.

English Tutors needed - volunteer with the Diablo Valley Literacy Council. English need not be your first language-no teaching experience is required-we will teach you to be a tutor! You must attend three workshops on March 9, March 12 and March 16 and there is a nominal fee to cover the training & material costs. For more information visit our website at dvlc.tripod.com. To register call our hotline and leave a message at (925) 685-3881 or e-mail us at DVLC4ESL@gmail.com.

Electronic Ewaste Collection/Fundraiser Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa County. Free to recycle televisions, monitors, laptops, CPS's, cell phones, flatscreens and wires; $5 per item fee to recycle stereos, telephones, printers, DVD players, radios, fax machines, small appliances, etc. Personal and secured document destruction also provided at $8 per banker box. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette. For more info contact: (510)-890-1324.

Persian Center presents Persian New Year Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at 2029 Durant Ave., Berkeley. Jump over the bonfires. Shake off the darkness of winter; welcome the lightness of spring. Persian music, dancing, food, crafts, kid activities. Free. For more info, visit www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/persian-fest, call (510)548-5335 or email Lisa@AnotherBullwinkelShow.com.

Green Sangha presents Plastics 360: Impacts & Possibilities Conference from 9:30a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday, March 16 at Lafayette Public Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Local leaders in health, conservation, and resource recovery will describe issues and solutions to the plague of plastic pollution. Cost: $30 pre-registration by Mar 1; $40 at the door ($10 discount for Green Sangha members & students with current ID. For more info, visit greensangha.org/plastics360/ or call (510) 532-6574 or email info@greensangha.org.

Saint Mary's College Guild Scholarship Fund Raiser. Game day and luncheon. Come and join friends for a day of bridge and bunco from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at Saint Mary's Soda Center. A delicious buffet luncheon will be served at noon, wine will be available, table prizes for winners, bring your luckiest cards. Call Shirley Holloway with any questions at (925) 376-6588. Make check payable to Saint Mary's College Guild $35 per person and send to: Dolores McGonigle, 828 Crossbrok Ct., Moraga, 94556 or call (925) 376-4339 by March 14.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will present a forum addressing the safety net for Contra Costa children and their families 10 a.m.to noon Saturday, March 2 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, in the Humanities Building, Room H-109. Free parking is available in Parking Lot 7, adjacent to the building. The public is welcome to attend this free educational program.

Saint Mary's College of California Forum to Explore Political and Civic Engagement of Generation X and Millennials at 6 p.m. Monday, March 4 at the Soda Center, 1928 St. Mary’s Road. The average age for Bay Area members of Congress is 62, and for all of California, it's 58. Who are the new young leaders who will shape the future of the Golden State? Saint Mary's College of California presents this forum that features a dynamic group of young liberal and conservative political and community leaders who are forging 21st century agendas and solutions to address the challenges facing their California communities. This program features a diverse panel of politicians, activists and educators. Free. For more info, contact Linda Saulsby, director of Saint Mary's Liberal & Civic Studies Program, at (925) 631-4744 or email lsaulsby@stmarys-ca.edu.

SENIORS

The Orinda Senior Village Association will present an exhibit and silent auction from noon to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 3. Members of the public are welcome to attend this unique opportunity to bid on photographs, jewelry, and paintings in oil, acrylic, and watercolor created by talented OSV and fellow East Bay artists from the Mt. Diablo Adult education program. Proceeds will benefit programs which help OSV residents to age gracefully. Location: Orinda Senior Village, 4th Floor (dining hall), 20 Irwin Way, Orinda (above and to the right of the Orinda Community Church). For details, contact Lupe Jimeno: (925) 212-7300. (See story)

Join Lafayette Senior Services for this upcoming event from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 14 at the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center. Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speaker Dr. Bob Nozik, professor emeritus at UCSF, author of “Happy 4 Life: Here’s How to Do It” who will discuss a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants towards a more ideal and positive life experience. Drop-ins welcome. Cost: $1 members/$3 non-members. Call (925) 284-5050 to reserve a spot.

Join Lafayette Senior Services for this upcoming event! Free Telephone Access Program presented by Crystal Lin, Public Utilities Commission. California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) is a state-mandated program that provides free, specialized phones to help eligible consumers who have difficulty with hearing, vision, mobility, speech and/or memory from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 21 at the Cedar Room. On display will be the various phones for different applications. Ms. Lin will explain the procedure for applying for the phones and program. Free. Call (925) 284-5050 for reservations.

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School St. Moraga. Lunch at noon. The after lunch speaker will be Jim Cole, who at age 72 sailed from New York to Ireland as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which ended July 22, 2012. He will be showing action movies of this adventure. For details and membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528 or Tom at (925) 376-7724.

GARDEN

Montelindo Garden Club monthly meeting (every third Friday of the month) will be at 9 a.m. Friday, March 15 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Topic: "Incorporating Australian Plants into a New Existing Landscape” with speaker Troy McGregor, owner of Gondwana Flora, a nursery specializing in Australian plants.

Once again, The City of Walnut Creek and The Gardens at Heather Farm are teaming up to present a free workshop for our community. Discovering a Sense of Place (Part II) with Patrice Hanlon, GHF garden manager and Susan Handjian, garden consultant and coach builds on a successful session in 2012. March 9: Our Gardens and Watersheds; March 23 Everything is Connected -Integrated Pest Management ; April 27 Explore Walnut Creek’s “Creek Walk.” Each session includes activities or walks to explore watersheds, plants, animals and insects that live in our area. Workshops can be taken individually or as a series. Pre-registration required. The Gardens at Heather Farm is located at 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek.

Registration for the Ninth Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 5. This free, award-winning tour features 40 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens that are pesticide-free, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 60 percent or more native plants. This self-drive tour showcases a variety of gardens, from large parcels in the hills to small lots in the flats. Native plant sales and talks are offered at select gardens. Space is limited and registration is required. This tour will fill; register early to ensure a place. Volunteers are needed. Please register or volunteer at www.bringingbackthenatives.net. For more info, contact Kathy@KathyKramerConsulting.net or call (510) 236-9558 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Need money for college? The Contra Costa Association of Realtors Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarships to residents of Central Contra Costa County that have completed one year of full-time college, completed courses with emphasis on real estate, finance and/or business and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you qualify, scholarship awards can range from $1,500 to $2,500. For info and applications visit www.ccarscholarship.com. Deadline is April 15.

High school student artists in the 11th District are invited to submit an original painting, drawing or other art form for the Annual Congressional Art Competition. One student’s work will be selected by a judging panel of local artists to hang in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year along with student artwork from across the country. The winning student will also be flown to Washington, D.C. in June for the Annual Congressional Art Competition reception. Artwork is due the week of April 15. Artwork must be accompanied by a Student Release Form. For more information, please contact Adrienne Ursino at (925) 602-1880.