ART

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.

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.

Orinda Library Art Gallery January exhibitors: Debi Cooper, travel photos; Aphra Pia, travel photos; Barbara Lee, photography; Vivien Hart, glass; and Anthony Brigancook, sculpture. For more information visit www.orindaartscouncil.org.

Photography Show—The Camera Cabal Feb. 4-27 at City of San Ramon’s Lindsay Dirkx Brown Art Gallery inside San Ramon Community Center. The Camera Cabal, a collective of 11 Bay Area fine art photographers (including Orinda and Lafayette photographers), exhibit their stunning and evocative images of landscapes, abstracts, portraits, and street life. Show hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; call (925) 973-3200 for evening/weekend hours.

Town Hall Theatre is pleased to announce the opening of a free art exhibit in their gallery at 3535 School Street, Lafayette. "Greeting the New Year," which runs through March 8, is a colorful and energetic exhibit showcasing the work of eight members of the Lamorinda Arts Alliance. Gallery hours are from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday and for one hour before performances. For more info, contact curator JoAnn Lieberman at olabambola@sbcglobal.net.

“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.

MUSIC

Concert: Songs for Kids of All Ages featuring Carol Alban at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Moraga Library. Performing with her will be Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling from Denmark and other surprise guest performers. Fun for everyone!

Treat yourself to an hour of classical and theatre music from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Soda Center at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. The free program will feature Saint Mary’s student instrumentalists and singers performing works from a range of styles and traditions. For more info, call the Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department at (925) 631-4670.

THEATER

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.

The International Film Showcase presents the Saudi Arabian film, “Wadjda,” by writer/director Haifaa al-Mansour about a headstrong 10-year-old girl named Wadjda (Waad Mohammed) who's determined to challenge a neighborhood boy to a bike race despite the potentially dire repercussions. The film, which runs Feb. 7-13 at the Orinda Theatre, is the first Saudi Arabian film directed by a woman and is the country's submission to the Motion Picture Academy for Oscar consideration. For info, visit lamorindatheatres.com.

DVC Drama presents William Shakespeare's “Hamlet” from Jan. 31 though Feb. 16. For tickets, call (925) 969-2358 or visit www.dvcdrama.net. Check website for exact times and ticket prices. DVC Drama is located at 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, with free parking for all performances.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Longtime Moraga resident Mary Mark, author of “Mary’s Moments: Tales of a Young Widow” will be discussing and signing her book at Orinda Books at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. “Mary’s Moments” is a funny, poignant, wry and deeply affectionate story of a woman’s journey through life. Vignettes of college, romance, road trips, marriage, children, widowhood at 35, and single parenting pepper Mark’s tale with a rich appreciation of love, friendship, family and human nature. For info, visit www.orindabooks.com.

Talking to Our Children: How We Repeat Our Parents' Patterns (Even When We Don't Want To) – Dharma College hosts a Saturday conversation about communicating between generations from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Dharma College, 2222 Harold Way, Berkeley. The discussion leaders, both parents, will talk about why and how mind repeats patterns, creating a link to the past that sometimes undermines our intentions. Admission: $10. For more info, call (510) 809-2010 or visit the website at www.dharma-college.com.

"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. He 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.

Dr. Margaret Liu, named by Discover Magazine as one of the 50 most important female scientists, is the speaker at the Feb. 7 First Friday Forum Lecture Series at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Her topic is “New Technologies for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapies.” Refreshments will be served at 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For info, call (925) 283-8722.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Teen Networking and Career Day at 2 p.m. 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.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation's Camp ARF! Elementary and middle school students will enjoy a two hour party from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 filled with critter crafts, games, and a Therapy Animal visit. Register online at www.youth.arf.net. Cost: $20; $5 off if registering with a sibling or friend.

The Contra Costa Camp and School Fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at Acalanes High School. The second annual free event with booths for camps, schools, preschool, daycare, sports, martial arts, gymnastics, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and family vacations. Activities and exhibitions. Free. For info, visit www.ContraCostaCampFair.com.

Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie’s Education Foundation is now accepting nominations for outstanding public school teachers for their 2014 grant program. Every year, Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate awards cash grants to outstanding public school teachers in an effort to acknowledge their priceless contributions to our children’s future. It is their way of giving back to the communities in which their realtors, owners, managers and staff work and live. To nominate a favorite teacher for 2014, visit www.bhghome.com/educationfoundation. The deadline is March 31.

OTHER

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.

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.

The 2014 Creating a Peaceful School Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek. The Keynote speaker will be Victor Rios, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology, UC Santa Barbara, motivational speaker and author of "Poverty, Gangs and a Ph.D." and "Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys.” Registration: $45. Full descriptions of presenters, topics and registration information:www.creatingpeacefulschools.weebly.com. For info, contact Margli Auclair at margli@mtdpc.org or (925) 933-7850.

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will present “To Be a Jew in the Free World: Jewish Identity Through the Lens of Modern History,” the institute’s new six-session Winter 2014 course that will begin during the week of Feb. 2 . Like all JLI programs, the session is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship. Interested students may call (925) 269-9554, email JLI@JewishContraCosta.com or visit www.myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information.

Keep your New Year’s resolutions by joining Valley Stitches and Fiber Arts Guild for a presentation by the internationally best-selling author and author of the memoir, “A Life in Stitches: Rachael Herron,” who will be discussing 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 and 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.

Saint Mary's College Guild presents Game Day and Luncheon. Join Friends for a day of Bridge and Bunco from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Saint Mary's Soda Center. A delicious buffet luncheon served at noon, wine will be available. Table prizes for winners; bring your luckiest cards. Cost: $35 per person. Make check payable to Saint Mary's College Scholarship Fund, and mail to: Dolores Mc Gonigle, 828 Crossbrook Ct., Moraga, CA 94556. Questions? Call Shirley Holloway at (925) 376-6588.

The Rescue 1 Foundation, an organization dedicated to support the paramedic program of MOFD, is seeking a new director from the Moraga community. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month except July, August, and December. Letters of interest should be sent no later than Feb. 15 to Julie Fisher, 815 Camino Ricardo, Moraga, CA 94556 or email her at juliefisher1@comcast.net.

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 Geeks, 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.

Another year of classic films is schedule for Moraga's New Rheem Theatre. A time-honored movie is slated for the third Wednesday of each month. New for 2014: 1 p.m. starting time. Each film program is introduced by Larry Swindell. Feb. 19: Knute Rockne, All-American (1940)

John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) is conducting a public workshop to develop management alternatives for the Muir/Strentzel gravesite in Martinez, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 22. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the multipurpose room in John Swett Elementary School, 4955 Alhambra Valley Road, Martinez. Following the workshop, NPS staff will conduct an environmental impact analysis for each of the alternatives and will select a preferred alternative based on this analysis. These alternatives will comprise the Environmental Assessment, which will be available for public review and comment later in the year.

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 info 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.

SENIORS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga; social hour 11 a.m., lunch at noon. The after-lunch speaker will be Dick Callehan who is currently the stadium announcer for the Oakland Athletics. Callehan has had an incredible history announcing Bay Area sports including the Saint Mary's Gaels, the Golden State Warriors and the California Golden Bears. He is an entertaining speaker with his personal comments and views. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Discovering Opera: Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” - presented by Bradford Wade. Lecturer Bradford Wade will give a guided tour of the opera, with a description of the plot interspersed with musical examples, and will discuss some of the opera's literary background. This lecture is given in conjunction with Opera San Jose's production of “Madama Butterfly,” Feb. 15-March 2 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Feb. 6 in the Lafayette Library, Arts and Science Room. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members.

Saving Endangered Species, Presented by Linda Riebel. Have you met a golden lion tamarin? Ever heard of a pangolin? What about a snow leopard? These are just a few of Earth’s wonderful creatures that are now endangered. Conservationists work worldwide to preserve them and their habitats. Discover some fascinating, beautiful animals, the ingenious ways they are being protected, and how you can help save them from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members.