ART

The Moraga Art Gallery announces its 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.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art exhibition Carnaval!  Exhibits also 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.

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.

Members of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society will be performing a free concert at 10:30 a.m. March 22 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. This morning concert will open with a trio for clarinet, cello and piano composed by Nino Rota, followed by Ravel and Faure songs for soprano and piano. For more info go to www.ccpas.org.

Irina Shachneva will conduct the Slavyanka Chorus in performances of Theodore DuBois’ sacred cantata, The Seven Last Words of Christ. This rarely heard work is built around texts from the Passion story, together with meditations and prayers from the Roman Catholic liturgies of Holy Week that deepen the impact of the Biblical verses. The program will also include sacred music from the Russian Orthodox Church at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, at the Church of Santa Maria, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda. Tickets: $15 students; $12 seniors; children under 12 free. Tickets available online at www.slavyanka.org. For more info/group discounts, please contact: Paul Andrews, (415)332-3255, paulandrews@earthlink.net.

World renowned pianist Soheil Nasseri joins the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra for a magnificent performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major. Also on the program is Mozart’s Overture to Costi Fan Tutte, and Robert Schumann’s “Rhenish” Symphony No. 3 in E flat major at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek.  Tickets: $10-$30 at the door, or by phone (925) 943-SHOW or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.  For more info visit moreinfo@contracostachamberorchestra.org or www.ContraCostaChamberOrchestra.org.

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 15 and 16. Tickets are available online at Miramonte’s webstore: miramonte.revtrak.net/tek9.asp. Thanks for supporting our kids and local theatre! (See story page B7)

Campolindo Presents the Spring Musical “Legally Blonde” March 15, 16,17, 21, 22, 23. Please visit the Campochoir website at www.campochoir.com and click on Spring Musical for ticket ordering instructions. (See story page B7)

“Puzzled,” an original musical written and directed by Bentley School Seniors, will be performed on at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 15 and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 17; Bentley School Student Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Lafayette, California.  Free. (See story page B4)

DVC Drama presents Shakespeare’s Classic Richard III, directed by Beth McBrien, March 15-April 7. For show times and tickets call the Box Office at (925) 687-4445 or go to www.dvcdrama.net. DVC Drama is located at 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill; free parking for all performances.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Annual Art & Writing Challenge, sponsored by the Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center in Walnut Creek, is currently open to Contra Costa County high school and middle school students. Students are invited to enter any of four categories: Essay, Creative Writing, Art (any medium) or Video. The deadline for submitting entries is Monday, March 18. Cash prizes range from $50 to $250. For details download flyer at www.creatingpeacefulschools.weebly.com.

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.

The 2013 Lafayette Partners in Education Science Expo is coming to Stanley Middle School from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. The LPIE Expo, held bi-annually, offers community members, parents, and students of all ages the opportunity to learn about the wonders of science, engineering, and technology through interactive exhibits from both exhibitors and students. For an updated list of exhibits, visit www.stanleypta.org/lpie-science-expo.

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.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum presents: Creepy Crawlers (designed for preschoolers) from noon to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall. There are over 900,000 different types of insects! They may be creepy, but they are so important to our planet. After Miss Ginny reads books about bugs during storytime, Lindsay Wildlife Museum will introduce a few local and not-so-local species. Free. For reservations, call (925) 283-6513 x103 or email reserve@LLLCF.org.

Moraga Junior’s annual Spring Egg Hunt from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23, Moraga Commons. Admission for children 8 and under includes an egg hunt, games, crafts, bounce houses, face painting and pictures with the Bunny! Each child should bring a basket for collecting eggs and parents are encouraged to arrive with camera in hand for photo opportunities with the Bunny. Bring canned or dried foods for the Contra Costa Food Bank and earn raffle tickets for your donations. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at www.moragajuniors.org, or in person at the Moraga Parks and Recreation office, located at 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga.

Orinda Rotary’s Annual Spring Egg Hunt will take place at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 30 in the Orinda Community Center Park. This free event – a favorite for parents of toddlers, kindergartners and young children up to age 7 only – will feature over 1,000 eggs, 40-plus prizes and photos with “Big Bunny.” Light refreshments will be available for the kids, along with coffee and pastries for the grown-ups. Plan to arrive early and be sure to bring a basket!

The Friends of the Orinda Library is excited to announce the commencement of 2013’s Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest, open to all students who reside and/or attend high school in Orinda. Entry categories are: science fiction, essay/memoir, poetry and short story. Students may submit one entry in any of the four categories for a total of not more than three entries. Submission deadline is at noon Friday, April 18. Up to four winners will each be awarded $250 prizes. Entries should be submitted to individual school representatives. For additional info, visit www.friendsoftheorindalibrary.org or email Julie Rossiter at jjrossiter@me.com.

Seedling’s Preschool 15th Annual Wheel Day! For kids who love anything to do with wheels! The event is free and open to the public and promises numerous vehicles including construction, public safety, public transport vehicles and local businesses. They will all be there for your viewing, climbing and a horn honking good time from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20 at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr., Lafayette. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to be donated to Monument Crisis Center.

OTHER

Shredding Party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at Behymer Chiropractic, 3676 Mt. Diablo Blvd. (across from Diamond K) to benefit Las Trampas Inc. which supports adults with developmental disabilities.  Shred Defense will have their trucks standing by to not only shred but also mulch the paper. Donation: $5 per box (equivalent to a banker’s box and the container will be put back into your car). For more information, please call the Lafayette Chamber at (925) 284-7404.

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.

Join Diablo Ballet’s artistic director and dancers for “Ballet 101” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at the Orinda Library (26 Orinda Way). The special presentation will include discussions about ballet history, dance steps, stories behind your favorite ballets, and what it’s like to be a professional ballet dancer. You can also enter a free drawing to win tickets to the May Diablo Ballet performances. For more information, please visit Diablo Ballet here or call (925) 943-1775.

Green Sangha presents Plastics 360: Impacts & Possibilities Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 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 March 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.

OTHER ... continued

Commonwealth Club event commemorating Michael Krasny, who has been the host of KQED Radio’s “Forum” for 20 years: 5:45 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, Thursday, March 21 at Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, Lafayette. For more info visit, https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2013-03-21/michael-krasny-twenty-years-and-counting-kqed. Cost: $22 standard; $12 members; $7 students (with valid ID). Premium (seating in first few rows): $45 standard; $30 members.

Join the Moraga Movers for Casino Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga.  Games will include craps, blackjack, roulette, poker and more. All players are eligible to win raffle prizes. Pre-sale tickets: $40 per person or $75 per couple (available for purchase at the Moraga Recreation office, 2100 Donald Drive, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Stations of the Cross. The public is invited to self-guided tours of “Jesus’ Journey to the Cross,” a time of reflection and meditation for Easter from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. March 29 at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Rd., Lafayette. Children are welcome. Free. Additional information: (925) 284-4765, and office@thelumc.org.

Spend a day with friends celebrating the Heart of the Home at the Miramonte Kitchen & Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Six unique and gorgeous kitchens and gardens will be open for a self-guided tour. Tickets: $35. Space is limited so sign up early! Proceeds from the events will have an immediate impact on the quality of programs available to all Miramonte students. Tickets are available at Orinda Books, Orinda Florist, McDonnell’s Nursery and Lazy K at Orchard Nursery.

Step into nature and history and enjoy the 12th Annual Wildlife/Earth Day Festival in support of the unique outdoor environmental education programs for Orinda children. Bring the family from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21 for delightful adventures including: pond explorations, live raptors shown by Jenny Papka, electric Volt and Leaf car test drives, delicious food, music, crafts, games, nature walks, and much more. There will be an Earth Day tribute by Chester. Miner, Elder of the Cherokee Nation and the Guest of the Day will be Gary Bogue. The Friends of the Wagner Ranch will conduct this free festive program to celebrate and support environmental education and biodiversity programs in the Nature Area. Please visit www.fwrna.org for more information.

Run, Walk, Jog ... Eat, Dance, Play ... Help support children and families affected by AIDS in Zimbabwe! Get your family and friends together for the 10th Annual JF Kapnek Trust Family Fun 5k/1k Run at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 21 at Miramonte High School. There will be an African band, face painting, crafts for kids, goodie bags for kids, prizes, brunch, and a super cool T-shirt! Go to Active.Com to register. Keyword is: KAPNEK.

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.

Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the 5th annual Moraga Classic Car Show, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 (as part of the 2013 Moraga Community Faire). The $30 registration fee includes an entry ribbon, lunch for two, a commemorative photo, and a chance for owners to display their restoration work to the public. Prizes will be awarded. The registration deadline is May 1. The car show is sponsored by 5A Rent a Space and CVS Pharmacy. To register, visit          www.moragachamber.org/faire or call (925) 247-4629.

Hospice of the East Bay is seeking volunteers to assist Hospice patients and their caregivers. Opportunities include: licensed hair stylists to offer haircuts and styling, certified massage therapists to provide massage therapy, mobile notaries to witness the signing of important documents, bereavement support volunteers to provide support to family members after their loved one has died, and patient support volunteers to provide companionship and practical assistance. To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at (925) 887-5678, and ask for the Volunteer Department, or email volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

The Lamorinda Democratic Club’s Thursday, March 14, meeting will feature a discussion about the impact of climate change on Bay Area ecosystems and communities, with Dr. Andrew Gunther, who will address what the vast majority of researchers say about the status of climate change.  Learn what the United States is doing about it, what the key obstacles are to taking action, and what individuals can do to make the most difference at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at the Lafayette Library and Community Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. Club meeting at 7:15 p.m. Cost: $5; students free. For more info, call (925) 567-3367 or visit www.lamorindademoclub.org.

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated welcomes luncheon speaker Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen at noon March 21 at the Orinda Country Club. For luncheon information and reservations contact Elsie Euing at (925) 254-8617 by no later than March 15. Cost: $25. Men are always welcome.

Assembly Member Joan Buchanan invites you to attend a free pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16 at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way. Come enjoy the morning with neighbors, and join together in discussing legislative and community issues with your representative. RSVP or find another date better suited to your schedule by calling (925) 328-1515, or online at: 222.asmdc.org/kt.

Meet One-On-One with State Senator Mark DeSaulnier in Orinda. Do you have an idea, or need help with a problem involving a state agency? Do you want to give your opinion on legislation that affects your community? Here’s an opportunity for a personal meeting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at Orinda Intermediate School 80 Ivy Drive, Orinda. No appointment necessary. For more info, call (925) 942-6082.

Mayor Amy Worth will give the annual “State of the City” address at a luncheon sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orinda from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Orinda Country Club. Issues to be discussed will include updates on: road repairs and other infrastructure issues since the passage of Measure L last fall (the half-cent sales tax measure); progress on the Caldecott 4th bore, the Wilder, Orinda Grove and Senior Housing projects; the city’s biennial budget. The mayor will also present the Orinda Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Year Award” to Allen Pennebaker, owner of the Flying A Gas Station. The luncheon is open to the public and advance reservations are required. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.orindachamber.org.

CLUBS

What’s Going on with Orinda’s Old Yellow House? Come to the Orinda Historical Society’s general membership meeting to have your questions answered, and find out what owner-architect James P. Wright, AIA is doing to save this 1890s-era gem. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; program starts at 7 p.m. March 20 at the Orinda Community Church (Fellowship Hall), 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Refreshments will be served. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event. For details, call: (925) 254-1353.

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.

SENIORS

Join Lafayette Senior Services for the Positive Living Forum (“Happiness Club”) from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 14 at the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center. 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.

GARDEN

Lafayette Garden Club monthly meeting (every second Thursday of the month) will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Topic: “Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers”with speaker Shawna Anderson, who is often called the “Container Diva,” to inspire you with her creative container designs. She is a certified nursery professional and horticulturist. For more info, contact sa613and@aol.com.

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.” The speaker will be Troy McGregor, owner of Gondwana Flora, a nursery specializing in Australian plants.

Patrick Lannan a Garden Designer for the Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco will present Container Gardens, Indoor and Outdoor Works of Art at the March meeting of the Moraga Garden Club at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 21 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center at 1700 School St., Moraga. A social hour begins at 9:30 a.m. Interested parties are invited to attend. For more info, call Linda Foley at (925) 376 2809.

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 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.