ART

The newest show at the Lafayette Art Gallery, titled “H2O,” will run through Aug. 29, and will focus on water. Whether it is the use of water in the artistic process, water as subject matter, or the current absence of water, the talented group of local artists will showcase their works related to the theme of water. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayetteartgallery.com.

CC14 presents “The Thrill of the Chase” through Aug. 31 at the Orinda Library Gallery, 26 Orinda Way. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art presents “Bright and Beautiful: Early San Francisco Bay Area Watercolors” featuring the collection of Roger and Kathy Carter, which runs through Sept. 13, and Stephen Joseph’s exhibition, “Inside Vasco Caves,” which runs through Sept. 6. Bright and Beautiful showcases the art of watercolor painting as it was practiced in Northern California in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Vasco Caves features the photography of Joseph, who spent 10 years exploring and documenting the windswept rock outcrops and caves, with an eye towards capturing the landscape as the native people would have experienced it. For info, visit https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art.

The Moraga Art Gallery presents “Color, Clay & Fire,” a new show featuring the ceramics of Jacqueline Proulx and the dramatic light-and-color paintings of Marge Barta Atkins. The show, which includes the gallery’s 16 member artists and several guest artists, runs from Aug. 26 to Oct. 31. The public is invited to an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29. For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

“Botanica: All Things Plant Life” – a national juried exhibition featuring over 130 artists from across the country working in a diverse reach of media runs through Sept. 6 at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek. Botanica showcases a deep love of nature, the embrace of its beauty, and a concern for its protection and survival. For info, visit www.bedfordgallery.org.

Valley Art Gallery presents John Brown - “Digital Alternatives” through Sept. 10 at Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. Prior to digital photography, a photographer had to choose between black and white or color film. Brown would carry two cameras and shoot in both. In this show, Brown presents viewers with images in both black and white and color, and asks gallery visitors to vote their choice. For info, visit www.valleyartgallery.org.

MUSIC

Celebrating its 50th anniversary season ‘Giving Voice to Women’ in 2015-16, WomenSing invites experienced singers to audition. WomenSing will perform Britten’s masterpiece “A Ceremony of Carols” in December, and will be participating in the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival in Northern Italy in the summer of 2016. WomenSing is holding auditions on Sept. 3, and by appointment. All voice parts are welcome. Scholarships are available for qualified singers. For info, email audition@womensing.org or visit www.womensing.org.

The 10th annual Lamorinda Idol Finals will take place on Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Orinda Theatre, featuring performances by 33 soloists and 12 groups. Winners will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges who are musical professionals in the Bay Area combined with audience votes.

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra (YPSO) will hold auditions for new members from 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 and Sept. 1 for the 2015-16 season. Auditions will be held at the new rehearsal home, the First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, and are by appointment only. Candidates should prepare any three-octave scale, movement of a solo piece and the excerpts provided on the orchestra’s website (http://www.ypsomusic.org/how-to-join).     

LECTURES & LITERATURE

UC Berkeley’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will offer four six-week courses at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center this fall. There will be a free info session with faculty from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Library (3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.). The session will begin with a talk by tech law attorney (and OLLI instructor) Eric Sinrod on “Privacy Lost in the High-Tech World.” Learn more at olli.berkeley.edu, or request a free catalogue by contacting berkeley_olli@berkeley.edu or (510) 642-9934. Classes start Sept. 29.

Join a panel of prostate cancer specialists as they explain the emerging and important role of multi-parametric MRI for prostate cancer patients from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the San Ramon Community Center (Terrace Room), 12501 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. The physicians will also discuss MRI fusion guided biopsy and explain why this procedure is changing how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated.  Q&A session will follow the presentation.  Admission and refreshments are free. To register, call (925) 677-5041. 

FESTIVALS & FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Lafayette Art, Wine & Music Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20 in downtown Lafayette. Stroll among stalls of art and handmade crafts, sample foods from top local restaurants, and enjoy quality wines and microbrews.  “This little sidewalk sale has grown to be an award-winning Art, Wine and Music Festival with four stages, 21 live bands, 260-plus Artists, KidZone, great food – and arguably the largest selection of wine, beer and ale of any San Francisco Bay Area festival,” says Chamber Executive Director Jay Lifson. The festival will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For info, go to www.lafayettechamber.org/events/art-wine-festival.

The California Independent Film Festival will screen dozens of films at the Rheem and Orinda theatres as well as San Francisco’s Castro Theater over this year’s seven-day festival Sept. 10-16, featuring shorts, documentaries and feature length films by independent film makers from around the world. This annual event offers a unique opportunity to meet film directors as well as actors and actresses, and to hear some of the stories behind the creation of the films. Tickets and the full schedule are available at the box offices or www.caiff.org.

The 11th annual Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend will start with the Dancing with the Cars Party at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 with the Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following day, Saturday Sept. 12.  The “Fun, Fun, Fun” party the night before the Car Show at Library Plaza requires an advanced purchased ticket, but its free admission to enjoy over 200 American and European cars ranging from the 1920s, to the classics of the ‘50s and ‘60s, as well as modern exotics at the car show that will be on display at Orinda Motors and surrounding streets in Orinda Village on Saturday.  For more info see www.orindacarshow.com.

Join French For Fun and the Chamber of Commerce for an afternoon of fun and music that begins at noon on Sunday, Sept. 6 to celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette’s 258th birthday in Plaza Park (Mt. Diablo Boulevard and Moraga Road) with a casual gathering that will include music provided by Isabelle Fontaine and Jeff Magidson “Duo Gadjo” - Gypsy Jazz, French Classics and Cajun music. This event supports and promotes the relationship with sister city, Langeac, France. Bring a picnic! For more info, call (925) 283-9822.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

This fall Lindsay Wildlife Experience will be leading hikes in Mount Diablo State Park to explore the natural habitat of tarantulas. Discover these eight-legged creatures on a local two-mile hike recommended for nature lovers ages 6 and up. Tarantula Hikes take place from 4 to 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 6 and continuing every Sunday through Oct. 25. The hike costs $10 for Lindsay members and $15 for all non-members. Pre-registration is required.

OTHER

3-D printing at the Moraga Library at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. The program will start with a short video presentation, followed by demonstrations of the 3D printer and what it makes.  Extra computers will be available to design a 3D project of your own. One will be picked to print. For more information and registration for this free program, visit ccclib.org or call (925) 376-6852.

Happiness is a kitten or two! Find yours at the weekend adoption event held by Community Concern for Cats from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29 and 30, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more info, visit www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Lamorinda CERT Safety Fair 2015 features helicopters, horses, dogs, Search and Rescue and SWAT teams, police and fire vehicles, emergency preparedness and personal safety demos for all Lamorindans, big and small at Stanley Middle School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. Free. For details, visit lamorindacert.org.

Brasarte presents the SF Bay Brazilian Day and Lavagem Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at Casa de Cultura, 1901 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day with a free outdoor festival. Live music, children’s village, beer and caipirinha bar, food and artisan booths. For more info, visit www.Brasarte.com, call (510) 528-1958 or email conceicao.damasceno@yahoo.com.

The Friends of the Moraga Library will hold their semi-annual book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Moraga Library. There will be a $5 Bag Sale from 1 to 2 p.m. when a large paper grocery bag can be purchased and filled with as many books as the bag will hold. The money raised goes to fund library materials and programs, and to staff Sunday hours at the library.

Contra Costa County AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation for individuals of all ages. Orientation is in November and classes for tax counselors start in January 2016. Service from February to April 15, 2016. If interested, apply online at www.aarp.org/taxvolunteer or call LaVerne Gordon at (925) 726-3199 for additional information and to apply.

SENIORS

‘As The Page Turns’ Book Club - Looking for a good book to discuss with others? Join this informal group of booklovers and enjoy enrichment, lively discussion, fellowship and refreshments that meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month (location changes). Call Lafayette Senior Services for the book title at (925) 284-5050. Free for Senior Services members; $10 non-members.

Men “of a certain age” (semi- or fully-retired) are invited to meet Andy Scheck, publisher of Lamorinda Weekly, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 during the Sons In Retirement Lamorinda Hills Branch regular lunch meeting at Holy Trinity Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. SIRs welcomes new members. For details, visit www.branch174.sirinc2.org or call Tyler at (925) 284-5561.

The Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting a three-part education series for individuals with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, who are in the early stages, and for their care partners. Facilitators will discuss what you need to know, what you need to plan and what you can do as you navigate this chapter of your life. Separate classes are offered concurrently for early stage individuals and for care partners. Dates and Location: Wednesdays, Sept. 23, 30 and Oct. 7, in Lafayette. Classes are free but pre-registration is required. Contact Lan Trinh at (800) 272-3900 or ltrinh@alz.org to register

GARDEN

Worm Composting and Bin Building Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 5 at Heather Farm Community Center, 301 N. San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. Registration Required at www.RecycleSmart.org.  Cost: $20 per household; 20 household max capacity. All supplies included: bin and worms.

Lafayette Garden Club meeting from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 10 – Stefani Bittner of Homestead Design collective will speak on a timely topic, “The Low Water Edible Garden.” Don’t miss her presentation at LGC’s first yearly meeting in September at the beautiful Lafayette Veteran’s Hall. Guests welcome. Lafayette Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd.  For info, email cpoetzsch@gmail.com.

Gardening All Year: Prepping Your Garden for fall from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3932 Mt. Diablo Blvd. This class will go over a variety of techniques to help the transition to your fall garden: seed saving, crop rotation, soil amending, cool weather edible crops, sheet mulching and planting          natives. Participants: Please bring seed heads, pods, fruit, etc. to prepare and trade with others for a simple seed swap. Register at lafayettecommunitygarden.org/classes-and-events. Cost: $5 donation requested.

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its general meeting from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 14 at the Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. The topic of the program is Pollution Prevention. Kit Ohlman from the Contra Costa Sanitary District will talk about what goes down our drains that can eventually hurt our environment. For more info, email mslittle44@gmail.com.