Superbly Independent: Early California Paintings through Sept. 19. Nearly 100 landscape paintings by three tenacious and talented early pioneer Western women painters: Annie Harmon, Mary DeNeale Morgan and Marion Kavanagh Wachte. Opening night lecture by art historian Erika Esau, Ph.D., author of Images of the Pacific Rim: Australia and California, 1850-1935, free admission. Sunday, July 25, 2 pm; Reception following in the Art Gallery Patio. Exhibition admission: $4 adults; K-12 graders free. Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Gallery Hours: Wed. – Sun., 11am– 4:30pm. Main Telephone: (925) 631-4379. Website: www.hearstartgallery.org.

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) presents "PIXAR: 25 Years of Animation," a major exhibition of over 500 works by the artists at Pixar Animation Studios, through January 9, 2011. A number of significant works will be on public display for the first time, including art from Ratatouille, WALL*E, Up, and Pixar's latest feature film, Toy Story 3. The exhibition will be accompanied by screenings of Pixar's feature and short films; a special program of lectures, talks and workshops with Pixar artists; and a new and expanded exhibition catalogue. Location: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. Cost: $12 general; $9 seniors and students with valid ID; $6 youth, ages 9-17. Free for children 8 and under and OMCA members. Free First Sundays. Website: www.museumca.org.

"Not For Sale" is Laura van Duren's solo show at Mercury 20 Gallery, Oakland, California September 2-25. This exhibition introduces van Duren's most recent sculpture, drawings and a large installation that explores the current state of slavery and personal responses to confinement. Opening Reception: Friday, September 3, 6 - 9pm. In conjunction with the Oakland Art Murmur first Friday events. Address: Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th Street, Oakland. Hours: Thursday - Saturday, noon - 6pm. Gallery website: www.mercurytwenty.com. Ms. Van Duren is based in Orinda.

Moraga Art Gallery is presenting a new show, “Favorites," featuring local artists showing watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, ceramics, photography, mixed media, jewelry and glass designs. The show runs through October 23 and features the work of John Diestler & fused glassworks by Nancy Slack. A reception for the artists will be on Saturday, August 21, 3-5pm. The Moraga Art Gallery is located at 570 Center St in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center next to CVS Drugs. Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 12-5pm. Phone: (925) 376-5407.

The Orinda Library's “Listen to the World" Summer Music Series draws to a close with Ramana Vieira & Ensemble on September 29. Called the “Voice of Portuguese World Music,” Ramana Vieira sings fado, the 15th Century Portuguese songs of love, loss and life. An American of Portuguese descent, Vieira sings in English and Portuguese, bringing her own brand of soul and passion to the ancient art. This program is free, open to everyone and takes place next to the Fireplace inside the library. The Orinda Library is located at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. For more information, please call (925) 254-2184 or visit the library website at ccclib.org. All performances start at 7pm.

The Moraga Community Chorus needs singers from all of Lamorinda. No audition required. Our fall/winter program will consist of classical and popular pieces. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, September 7 from 7:30-9:30pm at the Miramonte Gardens clubhouse, 1 Miramonte Way in Moraga. The chorus enjoys community service, music, and each other. They perform in many community locations. For more information call Tom Marnane at (925) 376-6312 or Fred Lezak at (925) 376-9468 or just come and sing.

Classical/jazz fusion trendsetters "Turtle Island Quartet" will perform at Saint Mary’s College on Wednesday, September 29 at 8pm in the Soda Activity Center. From stages around the globe to the international airwaves, winner of the 2005 and 2007 Grammy for Classical Crossover, the "Turtle Island Quartet" is the most acclaimed ensemble of its kind. Their performance at Saint Mary’s will celebrate the music of Jimi Hendrix and David Balakrishnan. $20 General Admission; $15 Seniors. TICKETS: (925) 631-4670.

In September, Woodminster Summer Musicals presents Lerner & Loewe’s California musical, “Paint Your Wagon,” a tuneful classic that takes place in the California wilderness of 1853. It tells the story of a crusty old gold miner, Ben Rumson, his daughter Jennifer, and a townful of miners and other colorful Gold Rush characters. September 3-12. Tickets available at Ticketweb.com, or (510) 531-9597, or www.woodminster.com, $25-$40 ($2 discount for children/seniorsAn adult paying full price can bring a child or teen 16 or younger to the performance for free. The Woodminster Amphitheater, an open-air WPA-era facility high in the Oakland Hills, is located in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road.

Orinda Starlight Village Players present "Wind In the Willows," adapted by Charlotte Meyer from the book by Kenneth Grahame through September 25th. Performances are held Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30pm, Sundays, September 12th and 19th, at 4:00pm, and Thursday, September 23rd at 8:00pm. Call (925) 528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.

Diablo Theatre Company presents the family favorite “Annie,” the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie in a show about hope and optimism with its chorus line of high-kicking orphan waits, a too-cute dog, and a delightfully wretched Miss Hannigan. Playing Sept. 10 - 26. Tickets ($29-$42). Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek; (925) 943-7469;
www.lesherartscenter.org; www.diablotheatre.org.

Cal Shakes presents William Shakespeare’s “MACBETH,” directed by Joel Sass, through September 12. This gripping production of Shakespeare’s thrilling supernatural tragedy takes place as if in a fever dream, a world wherein prophecies and witchcraft are part of everyday reality. For prices, show times, and tickets go to www.calshakes.com or call the Box Office at (510) 548-9666.

Kids

The Orinda Arts Council (OAC) will present the fifth annual Orinda Idol at the Orinda Theatre on Sunday, September 12, 2010, from 11 am to 7:30 pm. Seventy-two solo and group finalists from grades K-12 will compete over the course of the afternoon--your vote will help determine the next Orinda Idols! Admission is free, so come early to secure a seat. For more information, visit www.orindaartscouncil.org/orindaidol

Outdoor Movie Nights at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Admission is free. September 10: “Toy Story 2” at 7pm; September 17: “Kung Fu Panda” at 7pm.

The NorCal kids Triathlon will take place on Saturday, September 25 from 2-5pm at Miramonte High School in Orinda. Sponsored by Orinda Motors. Resgister online today at www.norcalkidstri.org.

The Lafayette Flag Brigade's 9th Annual Remembrance to those who died on 9/11/01. Come for our updated Wall of Honor, Music Program, Local Singers and Speakers, including a not-to-be-missed 9/11 NYFD Survivor and Patriot, Blue Star Mom's and Operation Postcard, Veterans groups, motorcycle support groups, special displays, Special one-off vehicles, Candlelight Vigil at dusk. Saturday, September 11th, from 3-8 pm. Junction of Hwy 24 and Interstate 680. Exit Hwy 24 in Lafayette at Pleasant Hill Rd. and follow the signs to Old Tunnel Rd. Take Old Tunnel Rd. to the top of the hill. All are welcome. Bring your flag. (See article)

The Contra Costa Master Gardeners are holding an Autumn Garden Sale on Saturday, October 2 from 9am to 2pm at the Contra Costa Times Visitors Parking Lot, 2640 Shadelands Drive in Walnut Creek. Garden art, bee boxes and birdhouses, as well as gently used decorative items for home and garden will be available for purchase. There will also be a plant sale with a huge variety of plants. You’ll find low water use plants, many of which are recommended by EBMUD and UC Davis, an exotic collection of succulents, delicious winter vegetable plants, annual and perennial color, herbs and much more. Further details can be found on http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu.

Chabad of Contra Costa, under Rabbi Yaakov Kagan, is once again hosting Jewish High Holiday Services for the Lamorinda community. No membership is required and no previous background is required to fully enjoy the services. Chabad will feature simultaneous Hebrew-English commentary and insights through the services. Special Children’s programs will take place at 11:30 am-12:30 pm each day. Rosh Hashanah Services will be held at Chabad of Contra Costa, 1671 Newell Ave., Walnut Creek. Yom Kippur Services will be held at the Renaissance ClubSport at 2805 Jones Road in Walnut Creek. For complete schedule of services and reservations visit www.JewishContraCosta.com or call Chabad at (925) 937-4101.

Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, September 11, from 9am to 3pm, at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. It's a chance to be a hero, and to give someone another birthday. Sign up online at helpsavealife.org (Sponsor Code: Moraga925) or call Les Deane at 283-5648. Drop by and share a pint!

Lafayette Community Center offers free introduction to yoga class on Saturday Sept 11 from 11am to 12:15pm with yoga instructor Howard VanEs. According to Programming Director, John Warshaw, “We get so many requests for yoga that we thought we would give people an opportunity to try yoga with one of our more experienced instructors, Howard VanEs who has been teaching for over 13 years. In this way folks get to what yoga is like without having to make a commitment.” The class is free but registration is needed. Call (925) 284-2232 to reserve a place. For more info contact to John Warshaw at the Lafayette Community Center (925) 284-2232 or JWarshaw@ci.lafayette.ca.us. For more info about yoga instructor Howard VanEs, visit www.letsdoyoga.com or contact him info@letsdoyoga.com.

Camino Pablo Elementary School’s 50th Anniversary Year kick-off party will take place on Saturday, September 11 from 5- 10pm at the “Original” Moraga Ranch, 1012 School Street in Moraga. Music by SF Cover Band “Gravy Boat”. 1961 attire encouraged - prizes will be awarded! Dinner and dancing, Fun party raffles and Homemade gourmet desserts. Parents, CP Alumnae & Moraga Community please join us-Adults only please. $40 per person with a no-host bar. For more information or tickets go to: http://cp.moraga.k12.ca.us/pta_party or mail check to: Camino Pablo PTA 50th, 1110 Camino Pablo,
Moraga, CA 94556.

Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, Saturday Sept 18 10-7pm and Sunday Sept 19 10-6, downtown Lafayette.

The 12th Annual Moraga Pear Festival will be held September 25 at the Moraga Commons from 10am to 4pm.

The 3rd Annual Orinda Restaurant Tour will be on Tuesday, Sept 28th from 5:30- 8:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.orindachamber.com.

CLUBS

Former Congressman Bill Baker is the featured speaker at the Thursday, September 16th luncheon meeting of the Lamorinda Republican Women’s club. Baker will discuss the importance of grassroots organization to GOP victory this November. Additionally Republican City Council candidates from central Contra Costa, (including club member Traci Reilly, Lafayette) will be on hand to introduce themselves to club members. This program is open to the public with advance reservations available through Monday, September 13th by calling (925) 459-6768; program details are available at the club’s website at: lamorindarepublicanwomen.org.

Lafayette Garden Club meetings: 9:30am on the second Thursdays monthly, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Contact: petersonb4@aol.com. Sept 9th program: Alden Lane and Orchard Nursery will present the following topic, “Drought tolerant but beautiful plants for your garden.”

Montelindo Club general meeting and speakers, third Friday of the month, September through May. Meeting Place: Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Refreshments and plant sale at 9am, meeting at 9:30am. The meeting is free and welcomes guests and new members. Web Site:www.montelindogarden.com. Email contact: ontelindogarden@aol.com
September 17 meeting: Charlice Danielsen, founder of the Native Here Nursery in Tilden Park, will speak about preserving California's native flora and vegetation.

Moraga Juniors Women’s Club is currently looking for new members who live in Moraga. MJWC is a non-profit philanthropic and social organization of women committed to improving our local community through volunteering and raising funds for local charitable organizations. We are currently assembling this year’s list of prospective members and will be holding a new member social on September 29, 2010. Membership is open, and the club invites anyone to join without regard to race, color, creed, age, or national origin. If you are interested in hearing more about our organization, please visit www.moragajuniors.org and look for the “Join Us!” link.

On Tuesday, Sept. 21st at 9:30 a.m. the next general meeting of the Lamorinda Branch of AAUW will meet at the Serbian Church Cultural Center, l700 School St. in Moraga. The featured speaker will be Dr.Paul Licht, Director of the U.C. Botanical Garden ,who will share his expertise and enthusiasm for this international world-class garden which we are fortunate to have virtually in our backyard. AAUW is a national organization dedicated to equity for girls and women through advocacy, education and research. If you are new to the community or recently retired this September Showcase is the perfect venue for learning in depth the various facets by which those goals are achieved by visiting the tables where members will answer any questions you may have and welcome you to join.