The resonant tones of the Sonos Handbell Quartet team up with the dynamic voices of the San Francisco Choral Artists for the perfect concert to welcome the holiday season at 8:00pm on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Saint Mary's College in Moraga. Suggested Donation: $25 general; $20 seniors (65+); $12 Saint Mary's College faculty, staff and non-SMC students; $2 SMC students. Call 925.631.4381 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu for reservations.

Christmas Carols at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church December 6 & 7 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Join the MVPC church family as we experience a heart-warming evening of your favorite carols led by the Chancel Choir, Worship Band, members of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra, and the Kingdom Kids Choir, under the direction of Dr. Mark Aaron Humphrey. 10 Moraga Valley Lane in Moraga.

Celebrating its 43rd year, WomenSing presents a holiday program, ‚ÄúO Holy Night,‚Äù with a galaxy of choral selections. Led by Artistic Director Mart²?n Benvenuto, and accompanied by Paul Caccamo, WomenSing is a 50-member auditioned chorus, based in Orinda. Wednesday, Dec. 10th at the Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, at 8pm. For ticket information go to www.womensing.org, or call 925-974-9169. Tickets: $20 General, $25 Premium, $18 Senior, $10 Student.

Lafayette Senior Services Annual Holiday Music Concert and Fund Raiser Fri: Dec 12th 1:30 - 3:00pm. Featuring Jennifer Carne, violinist and her musical partners, the music will encompass a wide spectrum of delights from Bach to Blue Grass to Folk. Join us for a festive afternoon of splendid music, light refreshments, caroling, and an opportunity to win raffle prizes. Bring your friends but call 284-5050 so we can plan accordingly. Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette, CA. Admission $5 - funds raised support our Lamorinda Spirit Van Program.
Christmas Carol singing on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, St. Anselm's Church, 682 Michael Lane, Lafayette. Free.

Theater/Ballet/Shows

Jesus Hopped the A Train
This play uses the textual elements of television shows like Law and Order and HBO’s Oz, while exploring the complexities of criminals and the crimes they commit. Runs from Dec. 5-14, in the Arena Theater. Tickets can be purchased by calling the DVC Box Office: (925) 687-4445.

Capa Holiday Nutcracker- Friday, Dec 12th – 7pm, Saturday, Dec 13th – 2pm & 7pm and Sunday Dec. 14th – 2pm. Tickets: www.capadance.net or 925-376-2454. Student Matinees: If your child's school class would like to come to a Student Nutcracker performance, please contact Nancy Falk at nancy.falk@gmail.com.

A Holiday Performance of "A Christmas Memory" at the Orinda Library Tuesday, December 9th, 7:00 -8:00 Actors Reading Writers returns to the Orinda Library for a special holiday performance of Truman Capote's short story "A Christmas Memory." Starring Thomas Lynch and directed by John Thomas. Sponsored by the Friends of the Orinda Library.

North Pole Review – Fratello Puppets Wednesday, December 17th, 4 p.m. Looking for a unique way to celebrate the holiday season? Join the fun with our puppet extravaganza, the North Pole Review, showcasing our frosty juggling penguin and Brazilian ice skating snowman. Featuring the Hawaiian singing sensation, the Hi-Fi Sisters. Moraga Library. Free.

Boutiques, Books & Art

Holiday Book Sale - Thursday Dec. 4 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friends of Orinda Library Book Sale includes just-like-new books and collector's books ideal for holiday gifts as well as a wide range of good adult books and books for children from toddlers to teenagers.
Sorting room and Bookshop will both be open during the sale; Bookshop will be open until 6 p.m. Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda (925) 254-1358.

Dec. 7 & 8, Sunday & Monday, 9am-2pm, The Great Big Spectacular Chanukah Bookfair returns courtesy of the independent bookstore Clayton Books and the Temple Isaiah Library, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd (off Risa Rd) in Lafayette. There's more time to browse the books, plus attend an author presentation on Sunday with Lisa Goldstein, who wrote The Red Magician and other titles. Find the right book for gifting a child, a spouse, or the in-laws on your Chanukah list. A portion of bookfair sales will support the Temple Library’s book budget. Public invited. No admission charge.

Santa’s Bag Boutique-Lafayette Community Center-FREE. Eighteen years and still going strong, the Santa’s Bag Boutique is a very classy event that keeps getting better. Now including 60 talented local artists plus the Lafayette Community Center Foundation’s theme gift baskets which are donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Friday, 12/5, 11am-7pm and Sat/Sun, 12/6 and 12/7 from 9am -5pm.

7th Annual Overhill Road Holiday Boutique – Dec 5, noon - 8 p.m., Dec 6 & 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 214 Overhill Road, Orinda. Percentage of proceeds to benefit the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Hand-crafted gifts and foods by local crafters. Free admission. 925-253-9065 or 925-254-3944

DVC Holiday Art Sale: Pottery, Jewelry, Prints and Photography by DVC faculty and students DEC 8-11th 9 am - 7 pm 321 Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill in the Trophy Room next to the Cafeteria $2 Parking Fee. For Info Call 925 685-1230 x 2226.

Family Fun

A Holiday Art Walk will take place Dec. 6th in downtown Lafayette, 10am-6pm. Residents and visitors will take a walking tour of the downtown area visiting businesses who are hosting individual artists. This entr²©e to the holiday season allows shoppers to find unique artwork by local artists as well as to become acquainted with Lafayette‚Äôs diverse business community. Sponsored by the Lamorinda Art Alliance and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the Lamorinda Weekly.

Season of Light 2008, a holiday celebration at Rheem and Moraga Shopping Centers, sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, Dec 6th 11am-2pm. Start your holiday shopping and enjoy free entertainment, music, children’s crafts and some special promotions. Entertainment includes: The Moraga Adult Chorus, Dancing Christmas Trees, JM Choir, Campolindo Woodwind Quartet, Strings and Flute Quartet, Girl Scout Chorus, Jingle Belles and Beaus. There will also be a table for kids to decorate a pot for the holidays and face painting provided by the Be the Star Your Are Foundation. Take pictures with Santa at the Rheem Center. At 7:00 PM at the Moraga Commons, the Town holiday tree will be lit.

Hospice of the East Bay’s 22nd annual Tree of Lights. Each light on every tree is symbolic of a life and will shine in honor or memory of a friend or family member. Please join any of the commemorative ceremonies to enjoy music, poetry, talks by local dignitaries and the special moment when the tree lights up.
Orinda: Sat., Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. Orinda Village by Bank of America
Lafayette: Sun., Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. Corner of Mt. Diablo and Lafayette Circle East
Moraga: Sun., Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. Moraga Commons
Proceeds from Tree of Lights ceremonies benefit the patients and families in the care of Hospice of the East Bay. A suggested donation of $20 per light can be made by sending a tax-deductible check to Hospice Foundation of the East Bay at 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill. To learn more, or to make a donation of time or money, please contact (925) 887-5678, or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Live Nativity Scene - See the Christmas story come to life! The MVPC courtyard will be transformed into a Bethlehem manger. December 12 & 13 6-8:30pm on the Courtyard – Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane in Moraga.

The Bethlehem Experience – December 12, 13, & 14, 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Tour Guides lead groups of about ten people through the marketplace of Bethlehem on the night of the Messiah’s birth, ending at the manger scene complete with live animals. The Bethlehem Experience is a feast for the senses: the smell of exotic spices, the festive sound of Jewish music, the sight of robed and sandaled merchants in their stalls, the taste of freshly baked unleavened bread, and the soft feel of flaxen “swaddling clothes”. Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Boulevard, Lafayette. Tours begin every ten minutes and are approximately one-hour long. For questions call 925/284-4765, or go to www.thelumc.org.

Breakfast with Santa- Sat., Dec 13th: Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime breakfast with everyone's favorite North Pole resident…Santa Claus! Featuring eggs, pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, coffee and photos with the “Big Man” and lots of fun. Two seatings: 8:30 am and 10am. Hacienda de las Flores- 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga $7 adult / $5 children (12 &under) Presented by the Moraga Parks & Recreation Dept. Pre-registration required. (925) 888-7045 – www.moraga.ca.us.

Holiday Crafts

Holiday Crafty Storytime
Tuesday, December 2nd, 4 p.m. Holiday stories and crafts for ages 3-7. Moraga Library. Free.

Deck the Halls Thursday, December 4th, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Come make an ornament for our library tree and get in the Holiday Spirit! Lafayette Library. Free.

Gingerbread House Decorating Party! This event is a fundraising benefit for Habitat for Humanity East Bay, enabling more deserving families to have a home of their own this holiday season. Decorate two large cookies ($5); Decorate a cookie for every member of your family and carry them home in a decorated bag ($10); Decorate a pre-made gingerbread house with an extensive array of candies and fresh frosting from our decorating buffet ($25); Refreshments in a souvenir mug with refill ($5). Two events! Bring your family and friends! Kindly RSVP if bringing a large group.
December 6, 2008, 10am – 6pm St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 1601 Mary Drive, Pleasant Hill.
Sunday, December 7, 2008, 1pm – 5pm Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Volunteers are invited to bake cookies and assist at the event! Contact Megan Sallabedra at 510-251-6304 x311 or MSallabedra@habitatEB.org

Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop (ages 4 -8) Sat. Dec. 6th. Cost=$38 residents, $42 for non-Orinda residents Orinda Parks & Recreation, 26 Orinda Way. www.cityoforinda.org.

Dress Up Your Holidays with Origami
Sundays, December 7th and 14th, 3:15 - 4:15 Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, can make for wonderful holiday decorations and ornaments. Join us at the Orinda Library for Origami Fun with Yuki Siegrist. No experience required and all ages welcome! Materials pro