ART

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art is presenting “Points of View” with en plein air painters Mary Lou Correia and Paul Kratter through Sept. 29. Two new exhibits opened Aug. 4: “Afterglow” features installation, video, painting, sculpture, and photography by the next generation of light and space artists Michelle Blade, Gina Borg, Claude Collins-Stracensky, Michael Damm, Kathryn Van Dyke, Chris Fraser, Evan Holloway, Ruth Laskey, Laurie Reid, Jonathan Runcio, and Dean Smith. Also opening was a new body of work by photographer Lee Saloutos. “Surface: Transformative Photography from Nevada and the Great Basin” features vividly colored and abstracted desert detritus and desolate but eerily beautiful abandoned mine interiors. Admission: $5 adults, K-12 free. Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For info, call (925) 631-3379 or visit www.stmarys -ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art.

Local artist Marianne Brown, who has taught watercolor in Lamorinda for 40 years, will be honored by two student artists, Orinda artist Jenifer Kolkhorst, who studied with Brown for 25 years, and San Francisco artist Diane Goldstein who also studied with Brown, at a special exhibit featuring the three artists’ non-objective and abstract watercolor paintings, and acrylics through Sept. 30 at the Orinda Library Art Gallery.  Emanuel Rosenheim, a lifelong painter/ceramicist who has taught for many decades in the area, will also show his works in cases at the gallery. 

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new show entitled “Indian Summer,” highlighting ceramics by resident artist Donna Arganbright, and jewelry by guest artist Terri Durkovic. The show runs through Oct. 26 at 522 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, Moraga. Free. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, email moragaartgallery@gmail.com or call (925) 376-5407.

The America’s Cup challenge is coming soon, and to help the Bay Area celebrate, the Lafayette Gallery is hosting a new exhibition titled “Making Waves” running through October. Themed around water and sailing, the new show links to the “Impressionists on the Water” exhibition currently at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, as well as to the magnificent sight of the AC-72 catamarans foiling across the Bay at 50 knots! The exhibit features not only art in oil, acrylic, watercolor, monotypes and mixed media, but also a wide variety of photographs, jewelry, ceramics and prints for every style of décor and budget. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. from 5 p.m.; Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MUSIC

Gold Coast Chamber Players 2013-14 Season. What better way to open the 15th Anniversary Season than to feature a locally grown talent, the daughter of Bob Athayde (music teacher at Stanley Middle School), violinist Juliana Athayde. Juliana has skyrocketed to the top of her field and holds prestigious positions in New York and around the U.S. She returns to her hometown to help open GCCP’s 2013-14 season: Violinist Juliana Athayde, Cellist Amos Yang and Pianist Yana Reznik; String Duos by Bartok and Kodaly, Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody for solo piano, Dohnanyi Piano Quintet at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. (See story page B2)

Saint Mary’s College of California presents Organist Carol Williams in Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16. Internationally known organist Carol Williams will perform in the SMC Chapel. Cost: $20 suggested donation. For more information, visit “stmarys-ca.edu/carol-williams-in-concert”; or contact Brother Martin Yribarren at myribarr@stmarys-ca.edu.

Violinist Juliana Athayde, a Lafayette native and the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (New York), will perform Mozart’s spectacular Sinfonia Concertante (for violin and viola) with Pamela Freund-Striplen, violist and artistic director of the Gold Coast Chamber Players at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek (tickets: $10 - $30).  Order tickets by phone at (925) 943-SHOW) or online at www.LesherArtsCenter.org.

The Big Band of Rossmoor – Dance and Show – from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at The New Rheem Theatre main auditorium. Swing with the sounds of the 1940s, as Generations In Jazz Foundation presents The Big Band of Rossmoor. The show features Rossmoor’s seniors and Lamorinda’s most musical middle and high school student associates. Tickets: $10, available from the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce or at the door. For info, call (925) 284-7404.

The 3rd Annual Orinda Jazz Festival, a benefit for the Orinda Arts Council, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Orinda Library Auditorium and Courtyard. The star-studded event will include Jason Marsalis from New Orleans, Claudia Villela from Brazil, Mads Tolling from Denmark, the Los Angeles-based Brian Kinler Band, and local favorites Carol Alban, Bob Athayde, Rhonda Burnett Benin, and others. Free music workshops for the community. For details, visit www.orindajazzfestival.org.

Free music in Downtown Pleasant Hill at the Pleasant Hill Chamber’s 11th Annual Art, Jazz & Wine Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Fun for the entire family.  Music both days with a variety of bands. Stroll down Crescent Drive and visit many fine arts and crafts booths, restaurants, food vendors, wineries, and microbreweries. Bring the kids for activities and entertainment for the entire family! For more info, visit www.pleasanthillchamber.com.

Lamorinda Community Drumming for Seniors - 11 a.m. to noon on the 2nd Monday of each month at Lamorinda Music, 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Drumming has been used for centuries to improve health, create community and provide opportunity for creative expression. If you want to improve your brain health while having fun, come and participate. No prior musical experience necessary. Instruments will be provided or bring your own drum or personal percussion instrument. Wheelchair accessible, all are welcome.  Cost: optional donation, no one turned away. For more info, email community.drumming.seniors@gmail.com or call Colleen at Lamorinda Music: (925) 385-0963.

THEATER

Improv Master Lisa Safran Presents “Improv(e) Communications.” The workshop luncheon mixes fun with self-improvement. Open to the public, the event takes place from 11:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Registration: $25 for LCC graduates or Walnut Creek Chamber members; $30 for the general public. Seating is limited and registration is required at www.lccalumni.net.

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation will sponsor “Modern Audiences/Classic Plays” beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Old Barn at Tao House, part of the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in the Danville hills. Reservations for “Modern Audiences/Classic Plays” are available at www.eugeneoneill.org. Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended. Tickets: $10 donation. Access to Tao House is by National Park Service shuttle from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville. Contact Gary Schaub, gschaaub1@gmail.com or (925) 938-5454, or Barbara Grant at grant1220@comcast.net or (925) 820-8409.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center will be hosting its first ever Battle of the Bands! Teen musicians aged 12-18 can submit online video auditions via email to pbrogan@ccclib.org until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. These videos can be from a video sharing service such as YouTube or Vimeo or even a camera-recorded audition. Videos will be judged by online survey and the top four finalists will compete from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in the Community Hall.

Be the Star You Are!® booth sponsored by The Lamorinda Weekly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Pear and Wine Festival in Moraga. Enjoy writing activities with the young writers of Teen Scene, pick up potpourri and books from Digging Deep columnist, Cynthia Brian. Fun for the whole family. For info, visit http://starstyleradio.com/Events/Entries/2013/9/28_Pear_Festival_2013.html.

OTHER

The Lafayette Flag Brigade’s 12th Annual 9/11 Remembrance and Candlelight Vigil from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at El Curtola Bridge, Hwy 24 overcrossing @ 680 Freeway in Lafayette. Never forgetting 9/11, with the largest overpass flag display in the state, the United States volunteers and their flag folding ceremony, the local Blue Star Moms, and the Lafayette Boy Scouts Color Guard. The event also includes the special 12th anniversary music program, VIP speakers, local singers, and the 9/11 Memorial Theatre as well as the candlelight vigil at dusk. This is a family-oriented, educational, and non-political event. All are welcome. Free commemorative flags for children. For more information, visit www.nevereverforget911.com or contact Jim Minder at (925)262-3307 or Patty O’Day at (925) 209-5250.  (See story page A14)

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Orinda Community Library (Founders Auditorium), 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. Your donation can save lives, and it’s easy! Stop by on your lunch break or your way to work. To schedule your appointment or for more information, visit: www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: ORINDA), or call 1-800-RED-CROS (1-800-733-2767.)

Interested in Investing? The East Bay Discussion and Special Interest Group, San Francisco Chapter of American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) will meet from 7 to 8:40 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Orinda Library, 24 Orinda Way, in either the Garden/Gallery/May Rooms. Attendees are primarily AAII Members but guests are welcome. There is no charge to attend. The agenda varies between open forum topics suggested by attendees at the meeting, and/or speakers and presentations on topics suggested in advance. This is an opportunity to discuss current investment issues, share questions, and concerns in an open forum, and interact in a small group setting with presenters and other attendees. For more information, contact Mike Skinner, group leader at (510) 526-1154 or michaelskinner984@yahoo.com.

There’s a unique opportunity for all those attending the Diablo Valley Quilt Show in Walnut Creek from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15 at the Tice Valley Community Gym, 2055 Tice Valley Blvd: In addition to showcasing over 250 quilts made by DVQ members, there will be a special exhibit of quilts made by Nancy S. Brown from Oakland. There will also be quilts made by guild members on display, more than 20 vendors, a guild sponsored boutique, and free demonstrations. Admission: $10 (good for both days). For info, visit www.diablovalleyquilters.com.

Celebration of Life in Honor of World War II and Life Magazine Photographer, Wayne F. Miller at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. Members of the public are invited by family of the late Wayne F. Miller to a celebration of his life and work. A photographer with Edward Steichen’s famed U.S. Navy photography unit, Miller captured the humanity of American sailors as they prepared for their naval and air battles, and also documented the early aftermath of Hiroshima. Location: Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. (See story page B5)

Car buffs will have three great events to attend in Orinda. The weekend kicks off with a pre-show party at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, followed by the free 9th Annual Orinda Classic Car Show presented by Orinda Motors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 in Orinda Village, 63 Orinda Way. Car enthusiasts can then enjoy a ‘Speed on the Screen’ special-feature movie night with two showings of “Gone in 60 Seconds” at 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 at the classic art deco Orinda Theatre. For more info, visit www.OrindaCarShow.com. Those interested in entering a vehicle, subscribing to email updates, or attending the Pre-Show Party may do so online.

Friends of Orinda Creeks takes part in Coastal Cleanup Day 2013. Join Friends of Orinda Creeks in the annual beach and inland watershed cleanup right here in Orinda. Trash accumulates along San Pablo creek in downtown Orinda and flows downstream all the way to San Pablo Reservoir and beyond to San Francisco Bay. Help take care of the fragile marine environment by volunteering your time. Join Friends of Orinda Creeks at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 in the parking lot next to Vintage House (25 Orinda Way). Bring sunscreen, gloves (if you have them) and wear long pants and sturdy shoes. All other equipment will be provided. For further info, contact Jim Luini at (925) 254-6208.

Don’t miss the “Best of the East Bay” Lafayette Art & Wine Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 in downtown Lafayette. The award-winning Art, Wine and Music Festival includes four Stages, 20 live bands, 250-plus artists, kid-zone, great food – and the largest selection of wine, beer and ale of any SF Bay Area festival. Free admission. For complete Lafayette Art & Wine Festival details, visit http://lafayettefestival.com.

The San Ramon Valley Genealogical Society will be meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the library of the LOS Church, 2949 Stone Valley Road, Alamo. The program (of interest to both beginner and more advanced genealogists): Let us help you find long lost Aunt Millie. For info, call Ed O’Donnell at (925) 310-4691, or visit the website http://srvgensot.org, or e-mail SRVGS@SRVGenSoc.org.

San Francisco’s East Bay Area food lovers will again have the opportunity to join a fun, culinary gathering to savor and sample their way through Orinda restaurants at the Sixth Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour conducted by the Orinda Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24.  Guests will ride a San Francisco Trolley to sample fine restaurants throughout Orinda, with each restaurant providing a small portion that best represents the establishment at no cost to ticket holders. The event will start at Orinda’s Theatre Square. Cost: $40 advanced; $45 at the door. Reservations will be limited, so attendees are encouraged to reserve early.  For tickets and more info, visit www.orindachamber.org/OrindaRestaurantTour2013.htm.

Moraga Pear & Wine Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Moraga Commons. This family event includes music, artists’ booths, a pear cooking contest, and children’s activities. Entertainment at the festival will consist of local bands during the afternoon. A limited quantity of fabulous pear pies will be sold; whole or by the slice!

Explore an intimate view of John Muir and celebrate National Public Lands Day during a special presentation by Robert Hanna, John Muir’s great-great-grandson, at the John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Hanna will describe and uncover the many sides of Muir through family stories and never before seen photographs and writings. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. For more info and to make a reservation, call the John Muir NHS at (925) 228-8860.

To mark a decade of volunteer service to the people of Contra Costa County, Parents for a Safer Environment, and co-sponsor, The Town of Moraga, will be presenting the community with a series of the most practical, cost-effective and least toxic pest control alternative demonstrations on the gorgeous grounds of the historical Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1. Cost: $10 for each of the six, one-hour demos or $50 for the entire day. (Half-off for additional registrants from public agencies, non-profits, or businesses with six or fewer staff.)  Organic, gourmet lunch available with pre-orders.  For info, contact: Susan JunFish, Parents for a Safer Environment, (925) 283-4609; susan@pfse.net, Lysle Buchbinder, Parents for a Safer Environment, (510) 526-7541, lysle@pfse.net.

Unlocking the Key to Cures for ALS, Parkinson, and Alzheimer’s Diseases – Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D.  will update audience members on this exciting research, current human trials, and the background that led the way to this innovative approach at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Orinda Country Club. For more info, visit www.ethnomedicine.org.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Healthcare Reform discussion presented by: James A. Holt, RHU, REBC. Free information seminars at the Lafayette Library in October. Topics include: What is Covered California? Grandfathered vs. Non-grandfathered plans; Tax Credits – Individual and Small Business; Changes Starting Jan. 1, 2014; and How Will My Health Plan Be Affected? from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 and from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. For reservations, call (925) 280-8700.

SENIORS

“Hearing Aids: Fact vs. False Advertising” presented by Diablo Valley ENT audiologists. Have you noticed the recent spike in hearing aid advertisements that seem too good to be true? Consumers are often lured in with ‘bait’ such as highly-discounted products and false promises, only to be sold more expensive items. Discover the truth about hearing aids, acceptable price ranges, and what your rights are as a consumer from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, Arts & Science Room. Plenty of time will be allowed for questions and answers. Cost: $1 Senior Services members; $3 non-members.

GARDEN

Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center - Winter Gardens from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Nanette Heffernan returns to the Community Garden for a lively discussion on how to prepare your garden for winter to ensure that you have a healthy spring. She will also discuss winter edibles that do well in Contra Costa such as Swiss chard, broccoli, and collard greens. Take home great knowledge of caring for your garden this winter and maybe even some cool season seedlings to plant! Classes are free but $5 donation is appreciated to help support our education programs. Register for classes at lafayettecommunitygarden.org.

Moraga Garden Club first meeting this year features speaker Nancy Bauer, Bay Area writer and garden instructor, who will discuss “The California Wildlife Habitat Garden” at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, School St., Moraga.  (Social hour starts at 9:30 a.m.) Guests are welcome. For information call Elaine Frazel at (925) 376-6452; for membership call Jane Grant at (925) 376-2584.