ART

Lamorinda Arts Alliance announces “Keep It Local” at Lafayette Bank of America at 3530 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette. The exhibit features local scenes by local artists, including George Ehrenhaft, Judith Feins, Debby Koonce, Jill Landau, Margaret Lucas-Hill, Judy Bolef Miller, Wenda Pyman, Sheila Reid, Adrienne Rogers and Maria SantoStefano. The show will run through Oct. 30.

Art Moves Project (AMP) is proud to present “You Me Us: In Community,” its third annual public art installation with dance, taking place at 5 and 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Lafayette Park Plaza. “You Me Us: In Community” is a study of how dance, film, music and sound converge to create a unifying community experience. Adults and children alike will have the chance to experience the result of this unique Art Moves Project collaboration and will be invited to participate by sharing their thoughts by writing on an interactive installation. www.lamorindaarts.org/
arts-incubator-projects/

Dee Tivenan in “Women Artist Series” from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Eileen Fisher, 1182 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek. For one day only there will be a solo exhibit of work by LAA member Dee Tivenan. Dee will have on display 20 gorgeous small paintings made of Yupo paper on panels.
Christian Ehrhorn Fine Arts gallery grand opening and reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 at 39 Moraga Way in Orinda.
The October exhibit at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library features the Three-Eight art studio which includes five Chinese women who paint together. The exhibit will run through Oct. 31 at 26 Orinda Way.

MUSIC

Devil Mountain Coffee House announces North Country Blue show at 8 p.m. on Oct. 18. at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. North Country Blue (www.northcountryblue.com) established itself as one of California’s freshest and finest bluegrass bands. The band combines fresh takes on the traditional bluegrass canon, thoughtful covers of challenging modern material, and a number of startlingly mature and well-crafted originals. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 students and $5 children. Sliding scale is also available at the door. Tickets are available at: www.eventbrite.com/e/north-
country-blue-tickets-
72433533649?aff=
ebdssbdestsearch

Gold Coast Chamber Players will present culturally distinct music with a journey from the USA to China. “Pairs” - music featuring pairs of string instruments performing together at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the Don Tatzin Community Hall, Lafayette Library. Tickets are $45- $40 Senior (65+), $15 Student. Discounted season tickets are available. For more information, call (925) 283-3728 or visit GCCPMusic.com.

Crowden Music Center presents Crowden Community Music Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. Crowden’s Community Music Day is a free musical carnival, with Instrument Petting Zoos, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, face painting, prizes and more. For more info see www.crowden.org/concerts-and-
events/community-music-day

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre opens its milestone 75th “Transformations” 2019-20 Season with Matthew Lopez’s comedy “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” a celebratory piece about a young man discovering his inner drag queen through Oct. 19. For tickets and showtimes: BOX OFFICE: (925) 283-1557; www.townhalltheatre.com

DVC Drama presents “Seussical, the Musical” at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 18 through Nov. 3 at 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill. For tickets, call (925) 969-2358 or visit www.dvcdrama.net

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Sweet Thursday Presents: Dave Newhouse on Slip Madigan from 7 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall. Slip Madigan was a football coach like no other - a visionary, raconteur, and entrepreneur who brought the sport into the modern age. His Saint Mary’s College teams in the 1920s and 1930s travelled more miles, dressed more flamboyantly, and scored more upsets than any other team in the land.

Diablo Writers’ Workshop is excited to present “Launching” - a creative writing reading program from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Orinda Books. Eight local writers will share debut stories developed with the Diablo Writers’ Workshop. The reading is being held in conjunction with San Francisco’s annual literary festival - Litquake - and hosted by DWW founders and teachers Janine deBoisblanc and Andrea Firth. Come out for refreshments, great storytelling, and a fun evening.

Orinda Books presents Marty Glick at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at 276 Village Square, Orinda. Marty Glick, a litigator with the international firm, Arnold & Porter, will read from and discuss his book, “The Soledad Children: The Fight to End Discriminatory IQ Tests.” He documents California Rural Legal Assistance court battles to achieve equity for minority youngsters in California education.    
 
KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

“Love & Logic - Parenting Made Fun.” For parents of children of all ages. Learn simple and proven techniques that teach responsibility and character, lower your stress level, and have immediate and positive results. Taught by Connie Kellaher, director of MVPC Nurtury Preschool, and Love and Logic independent facilitator. Join us for any or all of 7 sessions on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Moraga Valley Pres Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Oct. 16, 23, 30 and Nov. 6 and 13. Each session stands alone, so come when you can! No charge, and no pre-registration needed. Free childcare is available by emailing ckallaher@mvpctoday.org at least one week in advance. For more info, visit www.thenurturypreschool.
com/programs/parenteducation/

Bay Area Kids’ Book Fair - East Bay Edition from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Free event with authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, educational programs, toys, comics and games. Meet and greet Pete the Cat, Elephant and Piggie and Spider-Man. Storytelling, free LEGOs play and free activities presented by Kumon. Free Admission and Free Parking. www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com

Mindful Littles and White Pony Express volunteer opportunity from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Oct. 22 and from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Oct. 27 at White Pony Express 3380 Vincent Rd #107/ Pleasant Hill. Mindful Littles will be facilitating family volunteering projects at White Pony Express. Each project will be a unique, highly-engaging experience for families with children under 12 - grandparents welcome! This is an opportunity for children to engage in service in fun ways and for families to spend quality time together, including learning more about empathy and mindfulness. Please wear comfortable clothes. Register at: https://whiteponyexpress.
volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/
?id=41555

Trunk-or-Treat at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Trunk-or-Treaters come in costume and have a blast going from trunk to trunk in our church parking lot collecting candy, playing games, and visiting with our costumed volunteers who have decorated their vehicles to serve as a backdrop for this `spooktacular’ alternative Halloween celebration! This annual community event is a fun, safe, family environment and there is no cost to attend. For more information visit our website at www.mvpctoday.org.

OTHER

The giant fall book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Moraga Library will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Moraga Library, 1500 St. Mary’s Road. Books, CD’s and DVDs in all categories will be sold at prices ranging from $0.25 to $3. Beginning at 1 p.m. a bag can be purchased for $5 and filled with all the books it will hold. Proceeds from the sale go to fund library materials and programs in addition to paying for staffing of the library’s Sunday hours.

The Saint Mary’s College Guild presents “A Night in Italy” from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center featuring Delizioso Cuisine - Bella Muscia by the Joe Simoni Duo featuring opportunities for dinner, wine, entertainment and more! Proceeds benefiting student financial aid scholarships. $49/per person, including parking. Make check payable to: SMC Guild and mail to: Karen Cain, 1835 Joseph Drive, Moraga, CA 94556.

Mountain Shadow Film Society presents “Balloon,” chronicling an escape from the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) in 1979 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway St., downtown Walnut Creek. General admission tickets are available on a first come, first served basis for $12 to non-members. More information: http://mountainshadow.org.

Pick a purrfect pussycat for your family at Community Concern for Cats adoption event from 1 to 4 p.m. this weekend, Oct. 19-20 at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Petco in Walnut Creek, and Pet Food Express locations in Pleasant Hill (Saturdays only) and Concord (Sundays only). For more information, visit www.communityconcernforcats.org online.

Lafayette Res Run begins 8 a.m. on Sunday, Oct 20 in downtown Lafayette. Race Starting Location is on Mt. Diablo Blvd. at Oak Hill Road. There will be  staggered start times: 5k Certified Run 8  a.m., 10k Certified Run 8:15 a.m., 2mi run/walk 8:45 a.m. Register at lafayettechamber.org.

Practical Advice for Those with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 with Valerie Watase, PT, Co-Owner and Ambassador of Lafayette Physical Therapy at 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110 in Lafayette. This is a free event, but space is limited, so please sign up at lafayettept.com/events or call (925) 284-6150.

Pivotal Twist Presents - Improv Your Intro: A Fun Way to Craft Your Personal Introduction from 7 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 at JPG@The Bank, 3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Expect good energy, a fun group, and a non-judgmental playground where you can try new ideas. Led by Sean Perlmutter and Henry Caplan of Pivotal Twist, Improv Your Intro is built on their background as actor/writer/directors, speaker coaches, and brand consultants. Limited to 30 participants. $45 registration includes light snacks and soft drinks. https://improvyourintro.
eventbrite.com.

The Lafayette Community Garden is offering a free movie, “The Biggest Little Farm,” which will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 in the Live Oak Room at the Lafayette Community Center.
Women’s Spiral Dance - A Multicultural Celebration of Our Beloved Ancestors and Crones from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Orinda Masonic Temple, 9 Altarinda Road, Orinda. Tickets: $23 in advance by Oct. 23; $29 at the door. During this multi-cultural and intergenerational ritual, led by Kahuna Leilani, and accompanied by spiritual elders of different traditions, we come together to honor and celebrate our loved ones who have passed away. Tickets and questions: Leilani@DaughtersoftheGoddess.com. www.DaughtersoftheGodess.com

Trick or Treat Street from 4 - 6 p.m. on Friday Oct 25 Downtown Lafayette for a fun, safe Halloween. Children and their parents are invited to Trick-or-Treat at participating merchants along Mt. Diablo Blvd. from First Street to Dewing Avenue, Lafayette Circle, La Fiesta Square and the Shops at Plaza Center. This event is free for everyone and recommended for children 9 and under. Come in costume! Don’t forget to bring your Trick-or-Treat bag.  All participating businesses will display a “Trick-or-Treat Poster.”

Bay Area nonprofit OneJustice will host a Together for Justice fundraiser at Metro Lafayette from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 26. The event will be held on the patio at Metro, which will donate seasonal hors d’oeuvres and wine and will feature Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, who will speak about his actions in Congress to protect immigrant rights and his recent visits to the US-Mexico border. Funds raised will support Bay Area Rural Justice Collaborative Clinics, which deliver legal aid to rural Californians who have limited access to these services. Tickets at www.onejustice.org/togetherforjustice

Many Faces of Brain Cancer from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Cancer Support Community, 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek. Join an engaging panel of medical experts as they explore key advances in neuro-oncology. The panel will offer insight into latest treatments including magnetic resonance thermography, laser tumor ablation, brain mapping, immunotherapy, tradition radiotherapy and stereotractic radiosurgery. Speakers include: Maxwell Merkow, MD - James Rembert, MD - Gigi Chen, MD. RSVP to sjung@dvohmg.com or (925) 677-5041 x272.

Youth Mental Health First Aid event, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library, will teach a five-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of mental illness or crisis, and connect them with appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care. Ideally for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18.  Register at https://forms.gle/6WNpos
V8iFTFCVE29

The Festival Weekend of All Saints and All Souls Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 at St Stephens Episcopal Church, Orinda, with special events at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 and at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 3. This is an opportunity for church members, friends, and neighbors to remember and honor our departed family, friends, and holy saints and ancestors, in community, with music, food, stories, and prayers. RSVP for Saturday’s supper by Oct. 31: (925) 254-3770 ext. 10 or office@ststephensorinda.org. Choral Evensong and Litany of the Saints: send the names of those departed that you wish to be remembered to office@ststephensorinda.org by 5 p.m. on Nov. 1. These will be read aloud as part of the Litany of Saints during the Evensong service on Sunday Nov. 3. All are welcome to attend, and a reception follows the service.

The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-OML) will host a Game Day fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse, 1 Miramonte Drive, Moraga to fund AAUW-OML scholarships awarded to local young women. Attendees can play mahjong, bunco, dominoes (Mexican Train), or bridge and enjoy a catered lunch. Reservations are open to the public, $40/each and due by November 1, 2019. See AAUW-OML’s website https://oml-ca.aauw.net for the reservation flyer.

GARDEN

Moraga Garden Club monthly general meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street. Toni Gattone of Adaptive Gardening will speak about “Gardening for Life in Comfort, Safety & Joy.” General meetings are free and open to the public. We always welcome new members including men. Refreshments provided. For more information see: www.moragagardenclub.com.

The Montelindo Garden Club October meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 18 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall, 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd. Everyone is welcome. Presentation: Bulbs, Bulbs, and More Bulbs! Speaker: William Welch, a.k.a. Bill the Bulb Baron. Bill has been growing and hybridizing bulbs his entire life and has bred and named several new varieties. He grows all of his bulbs organically, and will be bringing with him a wide selection of bulbs for sale after the talk. www.montelindogarden.com

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, in Walnut Creek. The topic of the presentation will be, “The future of our open space,” presented by Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo since 2015, Ted Clement. Ted has worked in the conservation field for over 30 years. You do not need to be a gardener to join the Walnut Creek Garden Club.

The Montelindo Garden Club meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at he Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s Community Hall. Presentation: Floral Creations, Speaker: Nyna Dolby. A floral designer at Filoli for more than 10 years, Nyna transforms supermarket bouquets into stunning floral arrangements. www.montelindogarden.com

Independent animated film to screen at Orinda Theatre
Submitted by Derek Zemrak
After 14 years in the making, the independent animated film “Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm” will be shown for one week beginning Oct. 25 at the Orinda Theatre.  Produced by Derek Zemrak and Leonard Pirkle, the film features the voices of many well-known actors, including the late Dom DeLuise, Rob Paulson, Ruth Buzzie, Richard Van Vleet and June Lockhart.
    In a land known as The Kingdom of Rhythm, a young orphan bear, Bongee (voiced by Emmy winner Paulsen), becomes the life-long friend of the young Princess Katrina (voiced by Debi Derryberry) and vows to protect her with his life. When the evil witch Bandrilla (voiced by Golden Globe winner and multi Emmy nominee Buzzi) casts a spell on the people of the kingdom, Bongee sets out, with the aid of his wacky friend Myrin (voiced by Golden Globe and two-time Emmy nominee DeLuise) and the wise owl Mindy (voiced by two time Emmy nominee Lockhart), to break the spell and return singing and dancing to the land while Bandrilla and her henchmen, Barnabas and Ivan, do all they can to stop them.
    “Making an independent film is a slow process for anyone, but an animated independent film is even more daunting,” said writer and director Brian Zemrak. “Many would think that the best thing about the movie for me would be seeing it on the big screen and making people smile, which is quite a thrill admittedly. But for me, the best thing has been to work with my brother and both my daughters on this lifelong project. Mindy, who is now the head of casting for the hit TV show `Shark Tank’ on ABC, worked with me when we did the voice over recordings in Burbank, Calif., in 2005 and Katrina, who graduated with a master’s degree in composing music for TV and film, is the composer for `Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm’ and co-wrote the songs with me for the movie. A story that started as a simple bedtime story for my daughters is now, after all these years, an animated movie!”
    Brian Zemrak will be in attendance on opening night as well as at the Oct. 26 showing.  Van Vleet will also be attending.

Haunted Galleries exhibit planned Oct. 30-31 at SMC
Haunted Galleries will feature the eerie unpredictable robots of “Kal Spelletich: Significance Machines and Purposeful Robots” in the dark cloak of Halloween. Be cautious as you move through the spine-chilling galleries, as Spelletich’s aura induced robots are quick to react and respond in unpredictable ways! Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 30-31. Supporting programs include a reading by author Norman Partridge from his award-winning book “Dark Harvest” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 and a Spooky storytime for little ones (1-5 years) at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.  Admission and programs are free and open to all.