ART

“Love at First Sight,” the new show at the Lafayette Art Gallery, celebrates the love of the visual and tactile world, and the multitude of ways artists express that love through the mediums of our art. A champagne and chocolate reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; all are welcome. If you haven't yet visited the new location at 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette (at the corner of Brown Avenue), come by and view the over 100 works of original art by local members. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

Orinda Library Art Gallery January exhibitors:  Debi Cooper,  travel photos; Aphra Pia, travel photos; Barbara Lee, photography;  Vivien Hart, glass; and Anthony Brigancook, sculpture. Reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. For more info, visit www.orindaartscouncil.org.  (See related story page A7)

Please join us for Moraga Country Club’s Third Art and Wine Event from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. Discover the beautiful florals of artists Hilary Mills and Kiyomi Kubo while tasting wines from Jaume Serra Cristalino and Brandt Rossi Family Vineyards, including both still and sparkling wines from California and imported fruits. Cost: $15 for members; $25 for non-members (special offer: two for $40). Appetizers and wine tasting Included. No host bar. For reservations, call (925) 376-2200 or email frontdesk@moragacc.com.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art - Three New Exhibitions Open Sunday, Feb. 2.  From Swords to Plowshares: Metal Trench Art from World War One; Songs of the Patriot: How Music Helped Win World War One - through original chromolithographic cover illustrations of popular songs, sheet music and lyrics, this exhibition explores how music publishers, songwriters, cover artists, and singers generated support for troops overseas; and Power Point Lecture: The War Within the War: 1914 – 1918 by Adam Hochschild at 2 p.m. on opening day, Sunday, Feb. 2 at LeFevre Theatre (free). 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.    (See related story page B1)

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art - Two Exhibitions re-open Feb. 2. Malcolm Lubliner: The Automotive Landscape - The noted Bay Area photographer and Los Angeles native received an MFA in photography from Otis Art Institute. This gorgeous and sometimes humorous display reveals his life-long love affair with the car. William Keith: Nature’s Tranquil Splendor - A rotating selection of oil paintings from the College collection is always on 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.

The Moraga Art Gallery’s new show “Good Looking: California Revealed” highlighting the beauty and wonder of California through watercolor paintings by resident artist George Ehrenhaft and oil paintings by guest artist Loreta Landucci will run through March 15. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit the gallery’s website: www.moragaartgallery.com, call (925) 376-5407 or email moragaartgallery@gmail.com.

MUSIC

Fingerstyle guitarists Peter Janson, from Boston, Mass., and Larry Pattis, from Eugene, Ore., make their Lafayette debut at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 in a concert entitled "American Guitar Masters: Celtic to Contemporary."  This performance will take place at Mighty Fine Guitars in Lafayette as part of their 11-date California Winter Tour. Tickets: $15-20 per person suggested donation.  You can find more information about American Guitar Masters Peter Janson and Larry Pattis at www.americanguitarmasters.com.

Gold Coast Chamber Players concert “Horn and Plenty” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Community Hall, Lafayette Library. Chamber music for French horn, oboe, strings and piano by Mozart, Brahms and Herzogenberg. Principals from SF Opera orchestra are featured. Tickets: $10-35 Call (925) 283-3728 or at www.gcplayers.org.

Faculty Chamber Music Concert from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 at the Chapel, Saint Mary’s College of California 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. The free concert opens with guitar trio Mori Achen, Michael Williams, and Martin Rokeach, performing Turina's delightful Rafaga. Donna Olson, Diane Maltester, and Wendy Tamis showcase music for mezzo-soprano, carinet, and harp. A set of jazz improvisations, with vocalist Julie Ford and pianist Bob Athayde, rounds out the performance. For more info, call (925) 631-4670.

Warm up in the New Year with beautiful music at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Orinda Library. The Orinda Library continues the Winter Music Series with Brenda Lin, a Lamorinda vocalist who performs a wide repertoire of songs. Standards, jazz, show tunes, classic rock, R&B, country and bossa nova. The performance is free and takes place inside the library. For more information on the upcoming concert, please visit the library website at ccclib.org or call (925) 254-2184.

Auerbach on Broadway! A concert of Broadway hits featuring baritone David Auerbach with instrumental ensemble at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Free admission, freewill offering. For more info, contact Martin Morley at (925) 283-3722 or martin@oslc.net.

Ninety Stanley Middle School musicians will present a free winter jazz concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the school’s multi-use room. The 60-member Jazz Crusaders and 30-member Jazz Messengers perform music and improvised solos from composers Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Cole Porter, Count Basie, Weather Report and Steely Dan. For details, visit www.stanleymusic.org.

The Campolindo High School Music Program is hosting its annual Jazz Dinner Dance from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Dr., Moraga. 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. Tickets: $40 for students.  All proceeds benefit the Campolindo Music Program. For more information, contact Donia Gousios at doniagousios@yahoo.com.

THEATER

Role Players Ensemble presents Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker.” The crafty scheming of widow Dolly Levi turns the world of Horace Vandergelder upside down in this frantic farce. The play opens Friday, Jan. 17 and runs until Feb. 8 at the Danville Community Center. For exact times and tickets, visit www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com

The Saint Mary’s College Performing Arts Department will present a charming and fun-filled stage adaptation of the classic Charles Perrault fairytale “Puss in Boots.” The long awaited annual production offers children a wonderful experience with live theatre – something they get far too little of. The story, running the last week of January, is a much adored traditional fairy tale of trickery and deceit; power and wealth; and villains and heroes. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 and at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30. Tickets: $8. Please call for reservations at (925) 631-4670 or go to brownpapertickets.com for online purchases.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

"Juvenile In Justice: Art, Journalism, Sociology and Criminal Justice."  Richard Ross, photographer, researcher, professor and activist, will present on "Juvenile In Justice," his current multidimensional project examining the US juvenile justice system at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center as part of its “Jan Term” Speakers Series.  Seven years in the making, the project includes more than 1,000 kids in detention in 31 states and sits at the nexus of art, journalism, sociology and criminal justice. Ross introduces us to kids with the least voice, from families with the least resources in neighborhoods with the least power. Ross uses his artistic work to effect social change, advocate for public policy changes and has presented his work before U.S. Senate Committees and the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Gender, race, and the metamorphosis of the news industry."  Moriiba is an Emmy award-winning executive producer of CNN's "In America" unit and vice president for diversity and inclusion at CNN Worldwide. Her talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center as part of the “Jan Term” Speakers Series will address gender and race in the newsroom and how those factors contribute to the way news is covered in world of journalism.

The American Association of University Women presents a free film/panel discussion about sexual assault at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Speakers include members of the county DA’s office, rape crisis center, Martinez police and a recent college graduate. For details, email dbellrettger@gmail.com.  (See related story page B3)

"Thinking About Ovid in the 21st Century: Metamorphosis, Myth, and the Carbon Cycle."  Robert Hass is a world-renowned poet, environmental activist, educator, alumnus of Saint Mary's and former U.S. poet laureate. Hass will speak on concepts of metamorphosis in nature, society, and art at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 as part of the “Jan Term” Speakers Series at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center. On the subject of his talk, entitled "Thinking about Ovid in the 21st Century: Metamorphosis, Myth, and the Carbon Cycle," Hass writes "Nature is about change; both literature and science try to understand it, so it is interesting to hold up Ovid's magical stories of mythic transformation to modern literature, the development of ecology, and 21st-century imperatives. We can't speak about community anymore, nor community service, without talking about all of life."

As a continuation of the well-received Leadership Series taught by the Saint Mary’s College Leadership Center, the Town of Moraga, Moraga Citizens Network, SMC, and Lamorinda Presents are hosting a second series of five classes to allow us all to focus on small, short-term wins that build momentum and refine team and individual skills. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, in the Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. A $20 donation for the series would be appreciated.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Orion Academy Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. Orion Academy, located in Moraga, is 100 percent focused on educating students with Asperger’s or NLD. The school provides a strong academic curriculum and innovative social programs to help students successfully move on to college and adulthood. Meet the faculty and learn about Orion’s unique programs, such as the use of dogs to teach non-verbal learning cues, winter abroad and more. For information and to RSVP, visit www.orionacademy.org.

Madeline Levine, clinical psychologist, author of “Teach Your Children Well,” and co-founder of Challenge Success at Stanford University will discuss parenting for authentic success – why values and coping skills matter more than grades, trophies, or "fat envelopes" from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $10 for one; $15 for two. Purchase tickets at http://madelinelevine.eventbrite.com. (See related story page B6)

Lindsay Wildlife Museum "Mini Mondays." At 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, children from 2-5 years old become naturalists as they experience live animal encounters. The two-hour program allows little ones to explore different animal species through arts, crafts, activities and more. Nut-free refreshments are provided. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration is not required. Cost: $8 members; $15 non-members; $5 each additional child age 2 and older. For more info, call Kelly Hughes, registrar, (925) 627-2913 or visit Lindsay Wildlife Museum.

Teen Networking and Career Day at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 in the Community Hall, Lafayette Library and Learning Center. A group of professionals will gather at the library for two hours to talk about their careers and how to get started in them. The professionals include a photographer, graphic designer, a NASA scientist, a director of photography for lighting at Pixar and more. For more info, contact Patrick at pbrogan@ccclib.org.

Oakland Museum of California presents Lunar New Year Celebration and Other Asian Traditions from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Bring the whole family to OMCA to welcome the Year of the Horse. Enjoy a daylong festival with dance, music, crafts, food, and more for all ages. Cost: $15 adults; $10 students and seniors with valid ID; $6 youth ages 9-17; free ages 8 and under. OMCA Members always get in free. For more info see http://museumca.org/event/lunar-new-year-celebration-2014 or call (510) 318-8400.

The Orinda Junior Women’s Club (Orinda Juniors) is pleased to announce details for Youth Ink 2014, the annual creative writing contest open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students who live or attend school in Orinda. The Youth Ink 2014 prompt is “Listen.” Submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis but must be hand-delivered to a designated school representative or postmarked by Friday, Feb. 18 and mailed to Orinda Junior Women’s Club, P.O. Box 40, Orinda, CA 94563 in order to be considered for an award. Check online for submission form locations at www.orindajuniors.org. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Apr. 24 at Orinda Library.

OTHER

The Rotary Club of Orinda will host its annual all-you-can-eat crab feast from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Orinda Masonic Lodge, located at 9 Altarinda Road. Come for fresh-off-the-boat crab accompanied by delectable pasta, salad, sourdough (courtesy of La Piazza), wine, beer and live entertainment. Cost: $50 per person. Advance reservations required by calling Barbara Bontemps at (925) 219-0082.

The Friends Corner Book Shop is planning its first sale of the year from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Lafayette Library. Everything will be half price.

Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration at noon Monday, Jan. 20 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1924 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek. Keynote Speaker: Rev. Kamal Hassan, Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church, Richmond will provide inspiration, speaking on "An Inconvenient Hero."  Joyous Music: Gospel Choir from St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Oakland. Refreshments provided during social time. Free –  donations accepted.

LUNAFEST, the fundraising film festival dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues, highlighting women filmmakers, and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted by the Women's Resource Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the SMC Hagerty Lounge. The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, sexuality, cultural diversity, and breaking barriers.

Have you been diagnosed with gallbladder disease or do you have heartburn that is not responding to medication? Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is holding a free Gallbladder and Heartburn Informational event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22  at the Sonoma Room of the Claremont Hotel,  41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley.  Presented by surgeon Steve Stanten, MD, and Corilee Watters, PhD, RD, come learn about treatment options as well as information about the connection of each of these conditions to nutrition. There is no charge to attend this event, but reservations are required by calling (510) 869-6737 to reserve your seat.

The annual Kiwanis crab feed will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center. Tickets are $50 a person and can be obtained from Ed Balsdon, (925) 631-0205. Every ticket holder is automatically eligible for a stay at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley. Attendees will bid on many contributed items in a silent auction. Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted.

Workshops on “How to Raise Your Own Chickens” in Lafayette. Topics will include raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction. Workshops are free and will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays during February and March. Reservations are required. Contact: jhkiefer@comcast.net.

Keep your New Year’s resolutions by joining Valley Stitches and Fiber Arts Guild for a presentation by the internationally bestselling author and author of the memoir, “A Life in Stitches: Rachael Herron.”  She will be discuss her books about knitting. The event is at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3 at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Woodsworth Lane, in Pleasant Hill. Contact Sheila at (925) 945-1338 with questions.

Crab Feed & Dance from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Bring your appetites and dancing shoes. Dinner and Dance: $45; Dance only: $10. For non-crab lovers: Chicken available by special advance order. Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance. For tickets and reservations, call (925) 672-6799.

East Bay Comic-Con comes to Concord Sunday, Feb. 16, making for an amazing day of Comic Books, Art, Anime, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Cosplay FUN! Most of California’s best vendors of all things cool and collectible will tempt you with the perfect gifts for Geek, Nerds, Fans and True Collectors, everywhere! Admission at the door: $5 for adults; children under 8 are free.  For more info, visit http://eastbaycomiccon.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.

com/pages/East-Bay-Comic-Con.

Free Tax Preparation for the 2014 tax season is available starting February 2014 from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s Earn It, Keep It, Save It (EKS) programs. All tax preparers are trained and certified by the IRS. While both programs serve taxpayers of any age, Tax-Aide does not have an income limit for those they can serve but EKS can only serve individuals whose incomes do not exceed $50,000. For information or to make an appointment for the Tax-Aide sites serving the Walnut Creek area, please call: (925) 943-5851, Walnut Creek Senior Club site; (925) 405-6278, Walnut Creek Grace Presbyterian Church site; (925) 979-5013, Walnut Creek St. Paul’s Episcopal Church site. For general information and other site locations, call: (925) 726-3199. For information on EKS sites call 2-1-1 or visit www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org.

The Rescue 1 Foundation, an organization dedicated to support the paramedic program of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, is seeking a new director from the Moraga community. Letters of interest should be sent to Julie Fisher, 815 Camino Ricardo, Moraga 94556 or email her at juliefisher1@comcast.net.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

Democratic Candidates Forum for California State Assembly District 16 at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Lafayette Library, moderated by KTVU Reporter John Sasaki with candidates Tim Sbranti, Dublin mayor, Steven Glazer, Orinda city councilman, and Newell Arnerich, Danville mayor. Attendees may submit written questions for the candidates upon arrival at the Lafayette Library. Candidates will remain after the forum to mingle with the audience. Public and press invited. Refreshments.

SENIORS

Document Your Life Story - If you have wanted to write the stories, memories, and experiences of your life but haven’t known where to start, wait no longer. Yuska Lutfi will guide you through the process of leaving a living history for future generations from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the second and fourthThursdays of the month in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center.  Included will be optional outings to Saint Mary’s College for their creative writing reading series, “Afternoon Craft Conversations.”  Cost: $1 member; $3 non-member per session.

Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentation: Parkinson’s. Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be challenging, but there are things you can do to maintain your quality of life and live well. Learn about the stages of PD and how to optimize your physical ability as long as possible from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 in the Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members.

GARDEN

Moraga Garden Club will meet Thursday, Jan. 16; social time 9:30 to 10 a.m., meeting starts at 10 a.m., featuring speaker Garth Jacober of Mt. Diablo Nursery and Garden. His topic is “How to Prune Trees, Shrubs and Perennials”, a very timely subject as the effects of our frosty nights are evident in gardens and landscape around town. Non-members are welcome.

McDonnell Nursery’s Winter Rose Pruning Workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 is a must for rose lovers. Rejuvenate your rose bushes and encourage beautiful new canes to produce the best blooms. Workshops are held in a covered outdoor area. Dress warmly and be prepared to learn a lot! Please call (925) 254-3713 or email info@mcdonnellnursery.com to reserve a seat.