ART

The public is invited to attend the Art and Photography Show, featuring works by some 80 adult students, at Acalanes Adult Education (AAE). Some items will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served. AAE is located at 1963 Tice Valley Blvd, Walnut Creek. The exhibit will continue on weekdays through July 29.

Valley Art Gallery presents their new show, A Summer Place, which runs through July 30. A Summer Place is “your place” visualized by gallery artists — the places people visit, activities they enjoy. It features over 300 new works of art as warm and wonderful as Diablo Valley summers, including works from the best East Bay artists, for sale or rent. Plus, there are beautifully crafted ceramic, wood and glass pieces, and original designer jewelry. www.valleyartgallery.org.

The Moraga Art Gallery is showing Porcelain Poetry/Textile Treasures, featuring beautifully-crafted, functional pottery by member artist Donna Arganbright of Lafayette and a selection of vibrant quilts created by guest artist Denise Oyama Miller. The show runs through Aug. 13. The Moraga Art Gallery is located at 522 Center Street, Moraga. (925) 376-5407.

The new Lafayette Library Art Gallery Exhibit features oil paintings by Geoff Meredith, pastels and watercolors by Dalia Alekna, and ceramics by Olga Jusidman. The exhibit runs through Aug. 31.

MUSIC

A free outdoor concert honoring veterans and saluting the troops will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 at the Lafayette Reservoir’s stage will feature the Big Band of Rossmoor and The Shakey Zimmerman Acoustic Trio. Bring a blanket and a picnic. See page A2 for more information.

Orinda Summer Concerts in the Park Series continues from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Orinda Community Park. July 24 (Sunday): Opera in the Park with Solo Opera, 4-6:00 p.m. Food Trucks will not be available that day. July 26: Blind to Reason, Blues, with El Ranchero, taco truck; Aug. 2: Spill the Wine, Soul/Rock/Funk/R&B with Streetdogs, Chicago-style hot dogs.

Thursday evening concerts continue 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Moraga Commons Park: July 21: Foreverland: an Electrifying tribute to Michael Jackson; July 28: Kings of 88: Piano rock e.g. Elton John, Billy Joel, etc. Picnic on a blanket or lawn chairs on the grassy hillside in front of the band shell.

THEATER

Cal Shakes presents the Bay Area debut of Pulitzer-prize winning playwright August Wilson’s “Fences” through July 30. For showtimes and to purchase tickets see www.calshakes.org.

Realization Theater presents “We Need Better Humans!” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7, at Waterfront Playhouse, 2020 Fourth St., Berkeley. “We Need Better Humans!” is a 90-minute multimedia production with live acting about a group of alien anthropologists who arrive on Earth. Cost: $25. For more info see www.weneedbetterhumans.com or call (415) 579-2586 or email contact@weneedbetterhumans.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Summer Movies in the Park Series continues. Movies begin at dusk on Thursdays at the Orinda Community Park. July 21: “Cinderella”; August 4: “Inside Out.”

Isabel Azam will be hosting its second annual Lamorinda Kid’s Fashion Show from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 20 at Hacienda de las Flores, 2100 Donald Dr. Moraga. Come out and enjoy fashion, fun, music, a special guest and activities for the kids. There will be a book drive and organizers are collecting items for its charity. Tickets are free! RSVP by visiting www.lamorindafashionshow.eventbrite.com.

Calling all Makers, Tinkerers, Creators and DIYers: Celebrate the Summer of S.T.E.A.M. from 10 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 30 at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center. Demonstrations for all ages including: 3D printing, Air-powered Rocketry, Programmable Microcontrollers, Lego Robotics, Cosplay, and so much more. Hands-on projects like DIY Beauty Bar, Scribble Bots, DIY Instruments, engineering/ building tinker area, photo booth, computer programming for beginners, DIY Ice Cream and more! There’s something for everyone. All ages are welcome. Free event. Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/makerfestLAF2016.

SENIORS

The Words of Wisdom discussion group meets from 10:30 to noon on the third Tuesday monthly in the Toyon Room at the Lafayette Community Center. Share your opinions in a freewheeling exchange of ideas: from current events to philosophy to the inspirational. There may be agreement or there may be different opinions — it’s all in the spirit of learning, sharing, enrichment and good humor. Fee per meeting: Members are free, non-members $10.

Take the Smart Driver four-and-a-half-hour refresher course from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 in the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center. This abbreviated refresher course is for those who have taken an AARP driving course within the last four years. Refine driving skills, develop safe, defensive techniques, and possibly lower insurance premiums. Send check, made payable to AARP, to Lafayette Senior Services, 500 St. Mary’s Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549. Important: Prior to sending check, please call 284-5050 to determine space availability. $15 for AARP members/ $20 non-members.

Anne Randolph Physical Therapy Presentation — Pain Management will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 in the Tiny Tots Red Room, Lafayette Community Center. Learn how improving posture and muscle strength can reduce or eliminate pain altogether. Stop suffering and take control. Per class- Senior Services members: No charge/ non-members: $10

Lafayette Community Foundation’s eighth annual Senior Symposium is from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Lafayette Elementary School Auditorium, 950 Moraga Road, Lafayette.

OTHER

Marin Headlands and Muir Woods: Exploring the “Wilderness Next Door” at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. Join Ken Lavin, hike leader for the Sierra Club’s Mount Diablo Group, on an armchair tour of the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods. His talk will include some fascinating but little known anecdotes about the land and people in this “wilderness next door.” An NPS Centennial Celebration event at the Moraga Library.

The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) will be hosting an Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, at their headquarters and treatment plant location, 5019 Imhoff Place, Martinez. The free, family-friendly event will include live music, free food, giveaways, games, exhibits, big truck displays, tours of the treatment plant and much more. For more information, go online to www.CentralSan.org/70.

Find your furrever friend at Community Concern for Cats Adoption Event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, and Petco in Walnut Creek. For more information see www.communityconcernforcats.org.

Beyond the Shower Bucket: Water-Smart Living from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 20 at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Rd., Pleasant Hill. The drought continues despite El Nino rains. Learn conservation methods, including using low-flow fixtures and appliances, tankless water heaters, grey water systems, rain catchment methods, drip irrigation, lawn replacement/sheet mulching, etc. $20. Register at www.sustainablecoco.org/workshops.

ARF’s Dogs and Diapers Workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 21 at ARF, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek in the Board Room. Being pregnant is an exciting time. It means a lot of changes for you and for your dog. From diapers to blinky, squeaky toys to crying in the night, your dog’s world is going to be turned upside down. Working together, we make sure that both you and your dog are ready for baby to come home. Cost: $40. One additional family member is welcome to attend as a guest. Please do not bring your dog to this class. Register online at: http://training.arflife.org/event-2078728.

Summer rose care workshop at 10 a.m. on Saturday July 23, McDonnel Nursery, 196 Moraga Way in Orinda. To reserve a seat please call 925-254-3713 or email info@mcdonnellnursery.com.

Lights! Camera! Environmental Action! Sustainable Lafayette will be hosting its sixth annual summer film series at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, featuring recently released documentaries and short films. This year’s film selections focus on clean energy, land preservation, East Bay trail restoration, the Grand Canyon, bicycle travel, and sustainable ranching. The series continues on July 26 and concludes on Aug. 2. All movies will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. July 26: “Rebels with a Cause.”

Diablo Ballet’s Annual Gourmet Gallop food and wine walk returns to downtown Walnut Creek for the sixth consecutive year from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11. The event, sponsored by Diablo Magazine, invites guests to sip, sample and stroll their way through 13 downtown Walnut Creek locations as they experience a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure. Tickets are on sale now to the public and only $39 if purchased on or before July 31. After that date, the price goes up to $45 a person. Tickets are available online at www.diabloballet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775.

Lafayette Library and Learning Center and Diablo Ballet present the 2016 Dance on Film Series. The films start at 6:30 p.m. and run through Aug. 18. July 21: “Covergirl”; Aug. 4: “SFDFF International Dance shorts” and “Rare Birds”; Aug. 18: Saturday Night Fever.” Tickets are $10 for the film series, or $5 at the door. Register at tinyurl.com/LLLCDanceonfilm2016 or call (925) 283-6513 x102.

Summer rose care workshop at 10 a.m. on Saturday July 23, McDonnel Nursery, 196 Moraga Way in Orinda. To reserve a seat please call 925-254-3713 or email info@mcdonnellnursery.com.