LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Calendar

	MUSIC AND CONCERTS
	Generations in Jazz Presents the 9th Annual Lafayette Jazz Festival: Thurs March 5th – Sunday March 8th. Enjoy performances by The Rossmoor Big Band, Double Take Stanley Middle School Jazz Messengers, Faces of Jazz, Acalanes School Jazz Band, The Ray Brown Great Big Band and Contra Costa County Honor Jazz Bands. Tickets, venues and pricing available at the Lafayette Chamber (925) 284-7404 or www.lafayettechamber.org. See story on page 5. _______________________ A BICENTENNIAL CONCERT of works by Haydn (d. 1809) and Mendelssohn (b. 1809) will be presented at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at 7:00 pm on Saturday, March 14. Haydn’s Mass in Time of Anguish and excerpts from Mendelssohn’s Elijah will be performed by OSLC singers joined by professional soloists and instrumental ensemble, with Martin Morley conducting. Free admission; freewill offering collected. _______________________ Enjoy the 40’s and 50’s music of Eddie Williams – a self-contained one-man show – a mix of vocals and instrumentation featuring Eddie on vocals, guitar and saxophone. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served while you listen to Eddie perform the music of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and more. Thursday, March 19 from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. This is event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by March 16th to Candice Moses 925-377-7900 or e-mail to candice.moses@aegisliving.com. _______________________ WomenSing, a 50 voice chorus, will perform Sunday, April 5 at 4:00pm, Saint Mary’s Chapel, 1928 Saint Mary's Road,Moraga: “Stars” by Dublanc and Randall Thompson, contemporary Norwegian music, music in celebration of Mendelssohn’s 200 birth anniversary, and the mystical Holst's Choral Hymns from the Rig-Veda. Ticket prices are: $25 reserved $20 general $18 Seniors/students $10 youth 18 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.womensing.org, at the door, or by calling (925) 974-9169.

	THEATRE
	Contra Costa College Drama Department Artistic Director Clay David directs a landmark production of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A RAISIN IN THE SUN” at the Knox Center for the Performing Arts Center, March 4-8, at 8 p.m. According to David, the play centers on the Younger family who find themselves at a crossroads when the family patriarch dies and leaves them with $10,000 in insurance money. “Dreams,” says David, “can make a life worth living, but they can also be dashed by bad decisions. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a Raisin in the Sun?” Corner of El Portal Drive and Castro in San Pablo. 510-235-7800 ext. 4274 $15.00 General $10.00 Students. _______________________ Irish dancers from the Moore School of Irish Dance in Walnut Creek will be performing award-winning Traditional Irish Step Dance and Storytelling through Irish dance drama. It promises to be great family entertainment, suitable for children and adults. Performances will be held at the Del Valle Theater in Walnut Creek. Show times are: 7:00 pm on Friday, March 13th and 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 14th.Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by phone by dialing the Dean Lesher Theater at 943-SHOW. _______________________ ABOVE THE VIOLET an adventure tale by Laura Means Berchdorf. Directed by Randall Nott. What happens when a determined 8-year-old girl decides to show her equally determined, fossil collecting, 10-year-old brother that she is sorry for ruining his surprise? A cast of wildly entertaining and diverse characters is unleashed in this well paced show for the whole family. Lesher Center for the Arts (Knight Stage 3) 1601 Civic Drive Walnut Creek. March 6 through March 22. For tickets and exact show times call Lesher Box-0ffice (925) 943-SHOW. $18. _______________________ Midsummer Night’s Dream will be presented by the award-winning Diablo Valley College Drama Department; opening March 20th and running every Fri-Sun. thru April 5. Tickets range from $5-15, with special community-outreach matinees during the week for school-aged children and their classes. (If you are an educator, and would like to arrange to have your students attend, please contact Marsha Fulk at (925) 687-4445 for details and booking.) General Public performances will be held Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling (925) 687-4445 or by emailing- mfulk@dvc.edu. _______________________ LAFAYETTE TOWN HALL THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE ODD COUPLE (Female Version) March 28 – April 25. The Female Version Adds a Twist to Neil Simon’s Superbly Written Comedy (Rating – PG-13) Contact the Town Hall Theatre Company Box Office for exact dates and times. For Tickets: 925-283-1557. Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, Lafayette.

	ART
	The Moraga Art Gallery presents “The Northern Lights” in Moraga through March 14th and then the new group show “Inner Spirit” will open March 17th. The new show will feature the work of Nancy Robinson who thoroughly enjoys the creative process. She has always been fascinated with the human figure; “there is nothing more beautiful. But even more so is the spirit. I find that is what attracts me. And that is how I paint. Nancy started with pastels and watercolors and has been working with acrylics and oils for the past few years. The public is invited to the Opening Reception on Saturday, March 21, from 3-5 pm at the Moraga Art Gallery, 570 Center St, Rheem Valley Shopping Center/next to Longs Drugs. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 12-5 pm.925.376.5407. _______________________ “Objects of Affection,” at the Lafayette Gallery runs through March 7th and the new show, “Food, Glorious Food” opens March 10th. Gallery Hours: 11 – 5 pm Tuesday – Saturday, 50 Lafayette Circle, 925-284-2788. _______________________ “Faberge Tiffany Lalique” March 25 -2:00pm, Moraga Library. A Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco docent lecture based on the current exhibit at the Legion of Honor running through May 31. The exhibit provides first comparative study of three great jewelry and decorative arts designers: Peter Carl Faberge, Louis Comfort tiffany, and Rene Lalique.




	KIDS
	Children’s activities at the Moraga Library: Storytime- Stories and crafts for children three to seven-Tuesdays through March 17, 4:00—4:30 pm; Lapsit -Stories, songs and bounces for baby and caregiver-Wednesdays through March 18, 10:00—10:20 a.m. ; Toddlertime-Stories, rhymes and fun- Ages 2 to 3-1/2 with adult participation-Wednesdays through March 18, 10:45—11:15 a.m. _______________________ Powell's Sweet Shoppe , 3591 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette, will celebrate its 1st Birthday on Saturday, March 14 starting at 10 a.m. Special guest Mike Tee Vee of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fame will be signing autographs all morning. You can also win a chance to have lunch with Mike at one of Lafayette's restaurants. 1,000 Wonka Bars will be given away with 5 chances to win a Golden Ticket!
	PARENTS
	On Saturday, March 7 from 10am-3pm, Las Lomas student Resham Ramsay, as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, will present an “Anti-Stress Fest” to help Acalanes District Communities deal constructively with the stress in our lives. This project is being presented in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of America and is open to staff, parents, and students from all district schools. Come spend the day and participate in activities to help reduce whatever stresses you have in your lives! Los Lomas HS gym, 1460 South Main Street in Walnut Creek. _______________________ Meditating Moms & Dads … Finding Peace in the School Parking Lot. Sherry Berman MA, has been working with people who are struggling through the different transitions in their lives including parenthood, divorce and career change. As a career and life transitions counselor and spiritual director, Sherry draws from a variety of therapeutic foundations, to help people transition through the challenging times in life in ways that are positive and healthy. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 7:00–8:30pm, library. No fee, register at the event or on-line (course # 05-6109) http://adulted.acalanes.k12.ca.us. _______________________ Topics on every Middle School Parents’ Mind, Wednesday, March 11 7-9 pm, MPH, Orinda Intermediate School, 80 Ivy Drive, Orinda. Irene Coleman (MFT), Lafayette and Mark Bressler, Lafayette Academy, will deal with the many different aspects of a middle school students’ life and how it impacts the family around. Some of the topics that will be covered: Why reading comprehension is even more important than soccer? The significance of your child’s learning style (includes a take home assessment.) Why grades don’t tell the whole story. The emotional and physical challenges faced by middle schoolers and their parents and families-including information on alcohol and drugs. How to nurture your child along the middle school path. _______________________ “Children and a Healthy Media Environment,” presentation by Dr. Richard Freed -Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Children’s addiction to video games and the Internet is a fast-growing problem. Learn how to protect your child in this interactive talk (for parents only). 7 p.m., Wagner Ranch Elementary School Library. Sponsored by the Wagner Ranch Parents Club. Dr. Freed speaks nationally on the health effects of children’s media use; his work has been published in the journal Pediatrics and Mothering Magazine; and he has appeared on CBS Bay Area TV News. For more information www.richardfreed.com. _______________________ Brown Bag -Study Skills & Learning Styles-Thursday, March 12, Noon – 1:30pm, library Walnut Creek Intermediate School, 2425 Walnut Blvd, Walnut Creek . Why does my child listen to music while doing homework? Discover Your Child’s Learning Style. Come and find out how to help your student learn more effectively and efficiently by tapping into his/her learning style. We will discover how sensory and emotional stimulation play an important part in your student’s learning process. We will also be discussing the role of stress in your student’s life. No fee, register at the event or on-line at (course no 05-6112) http://adulted.acalanes.k12.ca.us. _______________________ The REAL Impact of Sports in Lamorinda- Wednesday, March 18 7:00 pm Stanley Library. Join us for an exploration into the physical and emotional impacts of sports on our middle schoolers. How do we avoid ‘over participation’, which leads to physical injuries and mental burnout. Why, when we get on the playing field, do we overlook disrespectful behavior, bullying and unsportsmanlike behavior, all in the chase for a win? And how do we help our children enjoy sports in our community? Robin Bousquet, Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes, Children’s Hospital, Oakland; Erika Carlson, Sports Psychologist, Excellence in Sports Performance, Walnut Creek.
	LECTURES
	Mysterious California Book Discussion Series—Kirk Russell’s “Shell Games.” On March 19: 1:00—3:00 p.m. and 7:00—9:00 p.m. Moraga Library Facilitated book discussion of Russell’s John Marquez novel which takes place along the northern California coast and features a unique sleuth: an ex-DEA who now heads a special investigative unit. _______________________ Moraga Book Sale -March 7-10 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. The Friends of the Moraga Library are conducting their annual inventory reduction sale in the parking lot behind the Library. Come and find your favorite materials and authors out of some 1000 reasonably priced books. For more information, call 925-376-6259.
	OTHER
	Sex After 50: Keep the Fires Burning. Have you ever wondered why your sex drive may change with menopause and aging? Have you wondered if there is anything that can be done about these changes? Join us for a conversation with Risa Kagan, MD to learn more. Thursday, March 26, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Women’s Health Center in Lafayette, 3595 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite 350. RSVP: 510-869-6137. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will be hosting a “Community Treasures” Garage Sale on Saturday, March 7 from 8 am – 2 pm Money raised will support the Youth Program’s Mission Trip to Mississippi to assist Katrina victims. _______________________ Free, open classes on Brain Wave Vibration, March 7, March 21, March 28, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m at Dahn Yoga, The Rheem Center, 452 Center Street, Moraga, 925-377-9642. Brain Wave Vibration involves the gentle, rhythmical shaking of the body, through which the practitioner can quickly lower high-frequency brain waves in order to reduce stress, and promote healing in the body. _______________________ 3rd Annual Run for Kieran- Sunday, March 8, at 9 am starting at Stanley Middle School. Fun run (2 miles) for all ages. Baby joggers welcome. *For the more “competitive runners” we are offering a 7 mile run this year! Fee - $20/participant. For more information, contact the Quinn family at quinnsix@sbcglobal.net. _______________________ MORAGA MOVERS March 9 luncheon will feature a delicious St. Patrick’s fare—Corned Beef and Cabbage with all the trimmings. Our featured speaker, Steve Kendall, has earned rave reviews for his talent in analyzing handwriting. Reservations for the March 9 luncheon must be made by Wednesday, March 4, by 5 PM (925) 376-6622. The $15 price of the meal (which includes gratuity and tax) is payable at the entrance. _______________________ AFTERNOON TEA will be held Thursday March 12 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Lafayette Community Center in the Sequoia Room. Join us for some friendly conversation and goodies. Helen Stimson will demonstrate some new recipes and share her ideas and variations for a relaxing afternoon tea. The price is $20 for non-members and $18 for members. To register, contact Emeritus College (925) 906-9105. _______________________ Town Hall Theatre’s Annual Fundraiser – Friday, March 13, 6:30 to 11:00. Please join us at Town Hall Theatre for a night of fabulous food, complimentary drinks, bidding and entertainment. Bid on spectacular live auction items and enjoy some Town Hall style entertainment featuring our THK instructors and teen assistants. Party tickets and raffle tickets for an overnight stay at Lafayette Park Hotel are available at: www.townhalltheatre.com. _______________________ Moraga Rotary Club’s Night at the Races! Saturday March 14, Holy Trinity Hall, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Gates open 5:00pm. Enjoy a great catered dinner with no host bar. Wager play money on six video horse races, and bid on wonderful live and silent auction items. Tickets: $40.00 per person. For ticket information or to reserve a group table, contact Vickie Devlin at 707 738-5026 or Dardoodles@aol.com. Las Trampas Pool, a club with a main pool, kiddy pool, lawn area, picnic and BBQ areas, swim team and recreational swimming, is now accepting membership applications. Stop by the pool and pick up an application or download an application on the web at www.lastrampaspool.com. Contact Membership Director, Krista McGuire at 256-8349 or krista_mcguire@earthlink.net. _______________________ The Orinda Community Center will be hosting a new series of Salsa Dance classes. The instruction is progressive and step-by-step, so everyone can learn to dance salsa! Instructor: Tomaj Trenda. Mondays: 7:00 - 8:30 Beginners, 8:00 - 9:30 Intermediates. 7-week series: $80/single, $145/couple. $15 Drop-in. Orinda Community Center, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. www.SalsawithTomaj.com. _______________________ MORAGA GARDEN CLUB - Meets 9:30 a.m. third Thursdays monthly - September to May. March 19, 2009 Patricia St. John, Landscape Designer will talk about “Container Gardening with Spillers, Fillers and Thrillers.” Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Membership - Pat 925-4675. _______________________ Montelindo Garden Club Meeting Friday, March 20, Orinda Community Church, #10 Irwin Way, Orinda, Meeting at 9:30, Speaker at 10:30. Speaker: Amy Meyer, author of the book, New Guardian for the Golden, Gate, How America Got a Great National Park, will speak about her work as a citizen-activist in the Golden Gate recreational area-The meeting is free and welcomes guests. Web Site: www.montelindogarden.com email: montelindogarden@aol.com.
	PERSPECTIVES
	Jan Passion and Ellen Furnari: The Nonviolent Peaceforce. Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Owl Room, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 933-7850 www.mtdpc.org. _______________________ ClimatePath.org is hosting the March 12, 2009 movie event as they are having a kick off evening at the Rheem Movie Theatre. There will be wine and appetizers, and music from 6 pm to 7 pm, followed by the movie, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” After the movie, coffee and sweets will be served. Please visit the host’s website (http://www.climatepath.org ) or www.sustainablelafayette.net _______________________ Science and Religion—”What is our hope at the “End of Time?” is the topic for the March 16 meeting at 7:15 in the Davies Room, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Based on the book, God of Hope and the End of the World by Cambridge physicist and Episcopal priest, John Polkinghome, the discussion will include scientific, biblical and theological viewpoints. For further information the church at 283-8722 or email, edschoenberger@1964.suna.com. _______________________ The Future of US-Cuban Relations and Foreign Policy under Obama. Lafayette Library welcomes award-winning journalist Reese Erlich on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00pm to discuss the uncertain future of US-Cuban relations. Cuba is currently in the midst of a historic transition as the half century rule of Fidel Castro has come to an end. In his newest book, Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba, Reese Erlich lays out President Obama’s options and challenges regarding Cuba. This free program is presented by World Affairs Council, East Bay chapter. Registration/Reception: 6:30 PM, Program: 7:00 PM. _______________________ Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Federated, Wednesday, March 18, at 5:00 PM—No Host Cocktail Party/General Meeting at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill with Special Guest Speaker Dana Walsh the 2008 Republican Candidate for Nancy Pelosi’s seat—come enjoy delicious hors d’ oeuvres and listen to this wonderful speaker. It’s a great time for friends and neighbors to get together. $30 RSVP: Barbara Allen: 925/672-5061 or jngcabot@pacbell.net or our website: www.yvrwf.org _______________________ Vigil- Iraq War Year Six -March 19th at 7:00pm corner of Deer Hill and Oak Hill Road, across from the Lafayette BART station. Sponsored by: The Crosses of Lafayette, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center Lamorinda Peace & Justice Group, Buddhist Peace Fellowship. The Commonwealth Club -Robert Baer: Inside Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 pm. After spending 25 years as a CIA operative in the Middle East, Baer believes America needs to negotiate directly with Iran. Considered a leading expert on the Middle East, Baer visited Iran to interview suicide bombers, a grand ayatollah, the hard-line chief of staff of Iran’s military forces and the terrorist chief of Hezbollah. Find out why Baer maintains that America’s hopes in the Gulf lie in peaceful collaboration or even alliance with the fastest growing power in the Middle East. 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, book signing to follow. Cost: $12 members, $18 non-members, $7 students (with valid ID.) The Veterans Memorial Hall, 3780 Mt Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.