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

Lamorinda Arts Alliance Open Studios. Once a year, the works of this diverse group of artistic talent can be seen concentrated in a few locations: at the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Open Studios, which will be held this year at nine locations in the Lamorinda area. The work of 29 artists will be available for viewing and for sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 - 20. The 2013 Open Studios event will kick-off with a reception and showing of selected artwork at the Orinda Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Come and sample some delicious wines and cheeses, meet and talk to the artists, and decide where to go to see more of their work over the weekend. Website: www.laa4art.org/openstudios. (See story page B12)

Barbara Hudler Cella is delighted to announce a new exhibit of her paintings at the Moraga Library. The exhibit will run through the month of October. The library and exhibit are open Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hudler Cella highlights the Moraga Library show with her brilliant new paintings of sardine boats in Italy and paintings of Saint Mary’s College. For more info about the show and the artist, visit www.barbaracella.com, or call (925) 878-9723.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art’s Schedule of Exhibitions Oct. 20 – Dec. 15: “Judy Dater: Edo Redux” (in the new Studio Gallery). One of the country’s most influential living photographers, Judy Dater will give a slide-talk about her career at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. A public reception will follow in the Art Museum Patio. “The Artist Revealed: Artist Portraits and Self-Portraits” (in the Hearst Gallery). Fifty portraits and self-portraits are on loan from the Syracuse University Art Collection. “Malcolm Lubliner: The Automotive Landscape” (in the new Armistead Gallery). Oakland artist Malcolm Lubliner will give an exhibition walk-through of the 25 photographs at 3:15 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20. “Nature's Placid Splendor” (In the Keith Gallery). Landscape paintings with three private collection paintings never before on public view. Open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For info, call (925)-631-4379 or visit stmarys-ca.edu/museum. Admission: free to K-12 graders; $5 adults. Free parking.

A sale of Guatemalan jewelry and hand-woven items coordinated by Maya Works – a nonprofit social venture that empowers indigenous women of Guatemala (Mayan Artisans)to achieve economic security by providing markets for their handcrafted products and expanded educational opportunities – will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Orinda Community Church. For info, call (925) 254-4906.

Unusual and mundane recyclable materials, dynamically re-imagined and creatively blended with fresh and dried floral materials, will comprise a large indoor/outdoor exhibition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-28 at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way. Titled “Dynamic Ikebana Flower Show,” this event also includes live demonstrations by Ikebana teachers throughout both days. Cost: $10 general (includes all day exhibits and two teachers’ demonstrations); $20 feature admission (adds the featured demonstration with Gail “Koho” Emmons, Riji, or Yayoi “Soho” Sakai, Riji). Tickets are available at the door. The event is presented by the Soho Study Group, a member group of over 200 contemporary Ikebana artists located in the Bay Area.

After 14 years on LaFiesta Lane, the Lafayette Art Gallery opened its doors Oct. 8 at its new and greatly expanded location, in the historic Forge complex of Lafayette (3420 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, next to Bo's Barbecue, and adjacent to The Artisan Bistro). The new space was formerly occupied by the Pacific Wildlife Galleries, and has been designed expressly for displaying art, photography, ceramics and jewelry. A new exhibit titled "The Heart of Art" will inaugurate the opening, and will feature warm and emotional works by both current and new members. It will run through the holiday season, ending Dec. 28. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

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.

Saint Mary's College Guild Italian Night will feature accordion music by Gene Falcone starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 in the Soda Center. The fundraiser will help raise money for financial aid scholarships. Cost: $35 per person. Checks should be made payable to the St. Mary's College Guild. For info, contact Pat Wiegmann at (935) 376-6088.

Role Players Ensemble presents Peter Shaffer’s “Lettice and Lovage,” a funny look at the value of friendship and storytelling. Shows start at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays from Oct. 18 to Nov. 9 at the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville. Tickets: $20-28; online at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com; at Danville Community Center, 420 Front St, Danville; or call (925) 312-3400.

“The Man Who Came To Dinner” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, acknowledged as one of the funniest comedies ever written, is coming to the Acalanes High School theatre, Nov. 13-16 with a 7 p.m. curtain (house opens at 6:30 p.m.), directed by Ed Meehan. Tickets: $10 general; $7 students. Tickets are available at the door or online at ahsperformingarts.org. All proceeds benefit the Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters-Drama.

Campolindo High School Girls' Lacrosse program is holding an after-school open field for all interested players in the community. Open field runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Campolindo Girls' Lacrosse program is also looking for a junior varsity coach for the spring season. Please contact Jessica Hoffschneider if interested at jessicahoff@gmail.com.

Lisa Miller, co-director of Classroom Matters, will discuss “Surviving Homework: Organization, Planning and Time Management” at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Oct. 9 in the Lafayette Library, Community Hall. A parent social will begin at 7 p.m. There is a lot of energy being spent on rethinking homework - its purpose and usefulness. This presentation will focus on strategies to help manage homework and will explore how to create a productive environment at home. This event is co-sponsored by SPSK (Special Parents and Special Kids) and POISE (Parents of Orinda Individuals in Special Education). If you wish to attend, please RSVP to info@orindapoise.org.

Lafayette Safety Fair and CERT Exercise from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Stanley Middle School. Fire, Police, EMS, Red Cross, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD), and CERT will be there. Helicopters will be landing on the field. A bike rodeo with an obstacle course to teach kids how to ride safely to school will be offered by police. Child car seat installation check will be offered by police. There will be hands-on fire extinguisher training with fire department personnel. The Red Cross will be there to demonstrate a simulated sheltering of residents and pets a large emergency. This free event is planned for the Lamorinda community. Come early and enjoy free donuts and coffee between 8 and 9 a.m.

AAUW has partnered with the Princeton Review Assessment (PRA) to conduct a four-hour test that will combine SAT/ACT from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 20 in the upstairs level of the Moraga Country Club. Students and parents will review the individual assessments on Nov. 3. Cost: $35 per student, registration online at http://sat-act.aauwoml.org/. The test is for all high school students thinking about college. Arrive on time and bring a #2 pencil, a calculator, water and snack. (See story page A10)

How can Naturopathic Medicine help you? Come learn about attaining better health and stimulating the body’s inherent self-healing ability whether you have weight challenges, allergies or a debilitating chronic illness like diabetes at 7 p.m. tonight, Oct 9 at Tara Natural Medicine, 3186 Old Tunnel Rd, Lafayette. Free. For info, contact Autumn Drouin, ND, at (925) 949-8604.

The inauguration mass for James A. Donahue as Saint Mary’s College’s 29th president, conducted by the Most Rev. Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, Presiding Rev. Leo O’Donovan, SJ, President Emeritus of Georgetown University, Homilist, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11 in the Chapel. The Lunch for the Community will be served at noon in the De La Salle Quad; then at 3 p.m. on the Chapel Lawn, the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony: Leading for the Future, will start. This event will also be streamed live online and available for viewing online after the event. Reception to follow.

The Lamorinda Democratic Club will feature a conversation about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in California with Assemblymember Susan Bonilla and Craig Cheslog, principal advisor to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at the Lafayette Library and Community Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard. Bonilla and Cheslog will discuss the report produced by the task force and consider how implementation of this report will improve the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education and knowledge in California. Cost: $5; students free. For info, call (925) 567-3367 or visit www.lamorindademoclub.org.

Creative Writing Workshop series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, 17, 24, and Nov. 7 and 14 in the Orinda Library Gallery Room. This six-week series led by author and writing instructor, Jessica Barksdale Inclan, is free and open to the public. Pre-registration required by visiting ccclib.org or register at the Orinda Library information desk, (925) 254-2184.

Katie Hafner will sign and discuss her memoir “Mother, Daughter, Me” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square in Orinda. The book chronicles Katie's multigenerational living experiment with her elderly mother and teenage daughter that went awry after years of pent-up emotion regarding Katie's mother's alcoholism. For more info, call (925) 254-7606 or go to www.orindabooks.com.

Serbian Food Festival will feature authentic Serbian cuisine and pastries from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 with a special feature of barbecued ox, music and dancing at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. For info, call (925) 376-6850.

Lamorinda Dogs will be providing free Emergency Pet Preparedness photography from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Rancho Laguna Park. Participants will get pictures and an electronic copy of disaster preparedness photos and documents to print out when you may need it. Please bring a leash for photography session. For more information contact Bill Carman at (925) 594-1907, e-mail yocarman@yahoo.com, or Jeanne Moreau at (925) 377-0136.

Lafayette Hiking Group - Tilden Park & Botanical Gardens Saturday, Oct. 12. Starting at the Brook Picnic Grounds at the end of Brook Road we will take the Wildcat Gorge Trail, the Meadow Canyon Trail and eventually arrive at Lake Anza and the Botanical Gardens. The 4.5-mile loop has some ups and downs. Leader George Denney will meet in the parking lot outside Lafayette BART’s main entrance at 8:30 a.m. to form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas, bridge tolls and parking. Cost: $3 local.

Join the Oktoberfest celebration from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. An “oompah” band and authentic German food and beverages will liven up the action at this fundraiser for the Hacienda Foundation. There will be pumpkin painting and games for children. Cost: $5 per adult; children 12 and under free. Free parking and shuttle from AAAAA Storage on Moraga Road. For info, contact Claire Roth at (925) 376-1686.

The 16th Annual California Independent Film Festival will be held once again at the Orinda Theatre and the New Rheem Theatre in Moraga Nov. 7-10, with the biggest lineup of films to date for this festival. For more info, visit CAIFFA at www.caiff.org. (See story page B7)

Wildlife in Contra Costa County! Learn about the wildlife in Contra Costa County from well-known zoologist, Doc Hale, at this free public lecture sponsored by Friends of Orinda Creeks from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in The Garden Room at the Orinda Library. Hale will give a presentation on the Wildlife of Contra Costa County and link it to his research and to his involvement with the various organizations. He will talk about how the area is a unique bio-geographical region and begin his presentation with a brief prehistoric Native American cultural perspective of the region.

Screening of “Speaking in Tongues,” an award-winning film about bilingual education follows four diverse kids on a journey to become bilingual, will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at the New Rheem Theatre, Moraga. This charming story will challenge you to rethink the skills that Americans need to succeed in the 21st century. Panel discussion follows the film. Tickets: $12 in advance at www.casabilingue.org/events; $15 at door, space permitting. Event sponsored by Casa Bilingüe Spanish Immersion School. Questions? Email info@casabilingue.org.

Performers for Progress: BuildOn. Miramonte High School’s fall show at 7 p.m. Oct. 17-18 will benefit BuildOn, an organization aimed at enhancing education and empowering youth in the U.S. to make a positive difference in their communities, while helping people in developing countries increase their self reliance through education. BuildOn is breaking the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education. (See story page B2)

AAUW Hands-On iPhone Workshop for 'technologically challenged’ people who want to make the most of the advanced functions of an iPhone. The workshops will be conducted from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (basic) and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (advanced) on Friday, Oct. 18 in Orinda. Bring your iPhone fully charged, your apple ID number, a bag lunch and your checkbook. Cost: $35 per workshop, registration via email at xenija@aol.com or by phone at (925) 708-0770.

The Moraga Historical Society will hold its 48th Anniversary Banquet Friday, Oct. 18 at Saint Mary's College. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served in Dryden Hall followed by dinner. "Celebrating Saint Mary's 150 Years" will be the topic of featured speaker Brother Ronald Gallagher, Saint Mary's 28th president. For more info about the banquet, contact either Colleen Lund at (925) 376-3520 or Susan Sperry at (925) 376-3053. For membership info, visit the History Center at 1500 St. Mary's Road Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. or online at www.moragahistory.org.

Help “Punch out Breast Cancer” in October with Curves of Moraga and the American Cancer Society. Individuals can purchase a “10-Workout Punch Card” for themselves or a friend for a $10 donation. Silent Auction and Potluck Luncheon to be held Saturday, Oct. 19 at Curves in Moraga. Other special events and speakers will be featured throughout the month. For more information contact Curves of Moraga at (925) 376-0110, 594A Moraga Rd., Moraga. All Punch Card and Auction proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

On Monday, Oct. 21 the Moraga Women's Society members and guests will have the opportunity to hear about and preview some of this year's California Independent Film Festival films, and learn about independent film and how it’s different from major studio film. Led by Edy Schwartz, representing CAIFF, the screening will begin at 11 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Free. For more info, call Susan Sperry at (925) 376-3053. More information on CAIFF is available at caiff.org.

Daughters of the Goddess welcomes women and girls of all ages to join their Annual Spiral Dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Orinda Masonic Temple, 9 Altarinda Rd., Orinda. Opening is a spectacular marketplace filled with beautiful crafts and services from women all over the Bay Area. The ritual, led by Daughters of the Goddess Kahuna and High Priestess Leilani, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 advanced before Oct. 22; $29 at the door. Student and Crone discounts are available. Daughters of the Goddess asks that you please bring your drums and rattles, as well as pictures of your loved ones that have passed to be placed on the Ancestor Altar. For info, contact Leilani at (925) 787-9247.

Lafayette Hiking Group - Lafayette Reservoir - rim and side trails. Discover new areas of this favorite strenuous 5-6 mile Lafayette walk with leader Alison Hill on Saturday, Oct. 26, following part of the rim trail, then hiking down into a valley on one trail and back up to the rim on another. There is a possibility of seeing some interesting birds - bring binoculars. There are steep hills so bring hiking sticks if you use them. The hike will be modified if the ground is very muddy. Meet in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s main entrance at 8:30 a.m. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas, bridge tolls and parking. Cost: $3 local.

Fall Festival at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26! Boutique items, jewelry, crafts, plants, food items, note cards, doll clothes, plush animal puppets, and more! Lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

21st Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run – Sunday, Oct. 27, co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette to benefit local schools and the services and programs of the chamber. Approximately 2,500 participants compete in a 10k or 5k Certified Runs and a 2-mile run/walk for fun through the heart of downtown, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents share the streets. Starting location is Mt. Diablo Boulevard between First Street and Moraga Road. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m., staggered start times: 2mi run/walk 8 a.m., 5k Certified Run 8:30 a.m., 10k Certified Run 8:45 a.m. Race Course: 10k Moraga Road west to El Nido Ranch Road, around the Lafayette Reservoir and back to Moraga Road. 5k or 2 mile DO NOT go around the Lafayette Reservoir. Adult registration fee: $30; or $35 (day of race). Elementary school fee: $22; or $27 (day of race).

"Security - Living without Fear." The Christian Science Church in Orinda is presenting this special program in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at 7:30 p.m. Oct 29 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Hear from international speaker, Suzanne Riedel, a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science who says, "No one needs to feel their lives are controlled by fear of health-issues, safety concerns, or financial disaster. For more information call: (925) 254-4212, or visit: www.christianscienceorinda.org.

Town Hall meeting on The Future of Transportation in California: Challenges and Opportunities 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Hear from a panel of experts: Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Google, Inc., California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology. For more info, call (925) 942-6082 or rsvp at sen.ca.gov/1565/transportationtownhall.

The Orinda Community Foundation (OCF) invites community organizations to apply for grants for projects that enhance the quality of life in Orinda. To be considered in the current cycle, grant applications must be received by Nov. 8. The application can be downloaded from www.orindafoundation.org. Questions can be emailed to orindafoundation@gmail.com.

Lunch n’ Learn: Skype. Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga are pleased to present technology classes taught by Ed Zeidan, owner and CEO of Nerd4Rent, to discuss how to stay in touch with people who matter in your life from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Orinda Parks and Recreation. Learn how simple it is to stay connected using tools like Skype. Call Lafayette Senior Services to reserve your spot: (925) 284-5050. Senior Services Members: $10/class; non-members $11/class. Fee includes lunch.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its October general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Rd., Walnut Creek. The program will be presented by Leslie Bennett and Stephani Bittner, owners of Star Apple: Edible and Fine Gardening, who create aesthetically-designed organic edible gardens, and authors of “The Beautiful Edible Garden” www.starappleediblegardens.com. The meeting is open to the public. Guests and those interested in membership are welcome.

Moraga Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. The guest speaker will be Matthew Levesque, author and program director at Building Resources, who will discuss “Reuse and Recycle in the Garden.” Guests are welcome. For more info, call Elaine Frazel at (925) 376-6452, membership Janet Grant (925) 376-2584.

The Orinda Garden Club invites you to enjoy “A Feast from the Forests & Fields,” featuring Kevin Feinstein, author, teacher and foraging expert at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Kevin’s presentation will focus on Contra Cost County. Coffee will be served at 10 a.m. prior to the program.