ART

Bedford Gallery’s next exhibition, “The Object and the Void: West Coast Metal Sculpture,” will run through April 12. This show gathers works from renowned artists Bella Feldman, Linda Fleming, Yoshitomo Saito and Clay Jensen. The exhibition will feature both large and small scale works, made using techniques from cast bronze to cut steel, demonstrating the artists’ masterful command of their media.

The exhibit “Lamorinda Under Glass,” featuring watercolor landscapes by Moraga resident George Ehrenhaft, depicts local sites including Saint Mary’s College, Mt. Diablo, the Lafayette Reservoir, Orinda’s Lake Cascade, scenes along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail and several surprising lesser-known local places. The exhibit will be open during library hours through March 31. For details, call (925) 376-6852.

MUSIC

The Contra Costa Performing Arts Society will present an evening concert featuring music by Mozart, Liszt, Barber, Debussy and modern classical Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu starting at 7:30 on April 14. The program of classical music will be performed by solo pianists Virginia Bigelow and Charles Lee as well as violinist Christiana Carr, violist Julie Athayde, and cellist Arlene Lee who comprise the string trio delivering the Trio a Cordes by Martinu. The concert will be held at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek. Admission is free and donations to support young musician scholarships are appreciated.

THEATER

DVC Drama presents the Steve Martin comedy, “Picasso,” at the Lapin Agile through March 29. On an October evening in 1904, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso end up at the same small bar in Paris—the Lapin Agile. The two young geniuses, joined by an eccentric cast of characters, spar over art and science, their respective libidos, where inspiration comes from, and the promise and dreams of the 20th century. For tickets and show times call (925) 969-2358 or visit www.dvcdrama.net. Free parking for all performances.

Crosslight Theater will kick off its first production since being formed in January 2015 by the merger of Contra Costa Christian Theater and Center Stage of Diablo Valley with “Seussical the Musical”. This imaginative, energetic, engaging production features the singing, dancing and acting talents of 30 local actors and is sure to delight adults and children alike. Crosslight Theater will showcase its 2015 production of “Seussical” for seven shows over two weekends in April at Walnut Creek’s Del Valle Theater, located at 1630 Tice Valley Blvd. For tickets and showtimes visit www.crosslighttheater.org or www.lesherartscenter.org.

The University of California Alumni Chorus and Smuin Ballet will present Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” for one evening only at the Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston Way (one block west of Downtown Berkeley BART), at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Bawdy, irreverent and satirical, Orff’s “Carmina Burana” is a piece for all the senses. Based on 24 poems from the medieval collection of the same name, it is among the most often programmed and popular choral works of our time. Tickets are priced at $50, $40 and $30, and are available at brownpapertickets.com. For more information, go to the U.C. Alumni Chorus website, www.ucac.net or the Smuin Ballet website at www.smuinballet.org.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Mac Barnett has written a new book, “The Terrible Two,” with his friend Jory John.  The authors will discuss their work be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at the Lafayette Library.

Nutrition-Revitalize Your Menu – a free community lecture with Cynthia Allen, RN, from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Lafayette Physical Therapy, 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite B110, Lafayette. Seating is limited so please call (925) 284-6150 to RSVP and reserve your seat. For info, visit www.LafayettePT.com.

Prostate Cancer: MRI Fusion Changes the Game from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Ave., Piedmont. Join a panel of prostate cancer specialists as they explain the emerging and important role of multi-parametric MRI for prostate cancer patients. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Space is limited and advanced registration is recommended. Free admission and refreshments. To register, call Diablo Valley Oncology (925) 677-5041 x272 or visit www.dvohmg.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Friends of the Lafayette Library Bookmark Contest is happening again! The contest is open to all Lafayette students, grades K-8. Entry forms will be available at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, at Friends Corner Book Shop, and at school libraries for Lafayette School District and St. Perpetua School students. The entry deadline is Friday, March 27. Winners will receive a gift certificate from The Storyteller Bookstore and complimentary framing of their bookmarks at Fastframe of Lafayette. For more info, contact Mary Ransdell at mbransdell@comcast.net.

Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center is holding its 18th Annual Art and Writing Challenge for Contra Costa County middle and high school students and is encouraging all students to participate. This year’s topic: “We Who Believe In Freedom Cannot Rest Until It Comes.”  Submission deadline is April 3. Monetary awards will be presented to the winners and their families at an awards dinner on Saturday, May 9 at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church in Walnut Creek. For detailed information on the topic, contest rules and award amounts, please go to www.creatingpeacefulschools.weebly.com or call the Center office (925) 933-7850.

Bunny Brunch from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4 at the Lafayette Community Center, Live Oak Room located at 480 St Mary’s Rd. in Lafayette. Enjoy a complete pancake brunch, live show, egg hunt and more. Tickets: $8 per person by April 3; $10 per person on day of event (unless sold out). Online ticket sales accepted until April 3 at www.LafayetteRec.org. For more info, call (925) 284-2232.

The Community Egg Scramble at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4 at Lafayette Plaza Park (near the Park Theater) is open to all kids up through second grade. Presented by the Rotary Club of Lafayette and E. Bunny.

Orinda Spring Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4 at the Orinda Community Center.

Take a photo with the Easter Bunny between noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at Moraga’s Rheem Valley Shopping Center. Bring your own camera.  The session is free with coupon available to print at www.rheemvalley.net.

2015 Poul Anderson 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 noon on Friday, April 17. If you have any questions about the contest, email contest@friendsoftheorindalibrary.com.

Wildlife/Earth Day Festival from noon to 4:30 p.m. on April 19 at the Nature Area of Wagner Ranch Elementary School, 350 Camino Pablo in Orinda. Entertainment by an Earth Tribute Band and student musicians, photo contest (info at fwrna.org), participate in arts and crafts, live raptors for viewing and education, bee display, student recycling projects, solar project displays and more.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase. This is a free event, but donations are gladly accepted and benefit the educational programs of the Orinda Union School District.

OTHER

Orinda Rotary Club supports Hospice Thrift Shoppes Donation Drive through April 1. Support Rotary Club of Orinda and Hospice Thrift Shoppes by donating new or gently used items. No electronics please. Items can be dropped off in Orinda at Mechanics Bank, 77 Moraga Way or Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante Road. For info, call Sue Breedlove at (925) 254-6262 or Steve Paddock (925) 254-0393.

The Elfenworks Center for Responsible Business at Saint Mary’s College of California is hosting a half-day conference on Business and the Challenges of Inequality from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 to bring together people in academe, business, government and the general public to engage in a thoughtful dialog on this topic. Tickets: $20 for general public; $10 Saint Mary’s alumni; free for current faculty and students. For more details and to RSVP, visit http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/business-and-the-challenges-of-inequality.

Lafayette Hiking Group will hike Bear Valley to Arch Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore.  Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s main entrance on Saturday, March 28. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas, bridge tolls and parking ($5). Distance: 8 miles, moderate. Leaders: Chester and Liz Jung.  For info, email LafayetteHiking@comcast.net.

Community Concern for Cats weekend adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.communityconcernforcats.org.

USA Synchro will host the 2015 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Championships April 1-4 at SODA Aquatic Center in Moraga. Around 30 teams from all over the country, including two international teams, Canada and Puerto Rico, will travel to Moraga to compete. The championship will consist of solo, duet, team and combination events. The championship will also feature the 2015 U.S. Senior National Team. Find out more, including a schedule, at www.usasynchro.org.

Lamorinda Village launch event celebrating the opening of Lamorinda Village from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6 at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments will be served. For info, visit www.LamorindaVillage.org.

Second annual Dogtown Downtown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Dog Parade at 10 a.m. from the Lafayette Plaza Park to the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. In addition to the parade there will be demonstrations, exhibits and contests.

The Orinda Starlight Village Players (ORSVP) is holding season auditions at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater and at 7 p.m. Monday, April 13 in the Orinda Community Center carpentry room. You will be asked to read from scripts provided. For more information call Jill at (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.

Remember, Renew and Refill – a Journey Through Grief. This workshop and luncheon to honor lost loved ones will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Opening and Closing Speakers will be Dianne West, executive director of Moraga Royale, and author Diane Shore; breakout sessions will be led by Jeffrey Ismael, bereavement services manager for Vitas Hospice, and Marilyn Hunt, LMFT. No charge, but reservations are requested: (925) 376-4800 x285 or www.mvpctoday.org.

Annual Moraga Beautiful event will be held rain or shine Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at Moraga Commons Park.  Volunteers should meet at the park and wear old clothes for weeding and the beautification of the park picnic benches. The Town will supply gloves, brushes and stain. Individuals and groups welcome!  Call (925) 888-7045 for more information.
Registrations are being accepted for the Moraga Classic Car Show. Area residents who own classic cars are invited to participate in the 7th annual Moraga Classic Car Show, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9 as part of the 2015 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. To register, go to www.moragachamber.org/faire or call Gloria at (925) 247-4473 or Jason at (925) 788-3889.

SENIORS

Sons In Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School St., Moraga. Social hour 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. The after-lunch speaker on April 1 will be John Brisco, distinguished lawyer, author and noted raconteur who will talk about the law of the sea, and some land and water use highlights in California and nationally. He will also have some comments about good food (he wrote a book on Tadish Restaurant) and wine. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Sons In Retirement - Branch 116 welcomes guests to socialize at monthly luncheons beginning at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 20 at Walnut Creek Elks Lodge, 1475 Creekside Drive. The speaker, Jane Kreidler, outreach coordinator, Contractors State License Board, will share her experiences to help seniors recognize scams and provide steps to proactively resist fraud. Lunch is $15. Guest are welcome.  For reservations, call (925) 322-1160.

GARDEN

Moraga Gardens Farm Annual Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, March 28 through April 19, 1290 Moraga Way (between the fire station and School Street). Many varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herb starts offered for sale to the Lamorinda backyard gardener. For information, contact curtincm@gmail.com.

Fourth Annual Contra Costa Master Gardener Great Tomato Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at “Our Garden,” the Contra Costa Master Gardeners’ demonstration garden at N. Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek. Experts will be on hand to provide advice about plant selection, site location and preparation, planting, fertilizing, pruning and harvesting. For info, visit http://ccmg.ucanr.edu.

The Lafayette Garden Club will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 9 in the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., and will feature Rosemary Loveall presenting “Companion Planting with Herbs.” Loveall is owner of Morningsun Herb Farm in the countryside of Vacaville. With degrees in both forestry and environmental horticulture, she operates this specialty nursery where she propagates and sells over 600 varieties of herbs and many unusual landscape perennials. For info, email cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 13 at the Gardens at Heather Farm at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. Kathleen Elliot, landscape designer and horticulturist, will share information on olives and lavender at Hillcrest Ranch. For more info, email mslittle44@gmail.com.