ART

The Orinda Library Art Gallery Exhibit. The exhibit for November will feature the Kumstanke group. The Gallery is located adjacent to the library at 26 Orinda Way in Orinda. For more info, visit www.orindaartscouncil.org/community_library.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art Celebrating SMC’s 150th Anniversary. New exhibitions on view at Saint Mary's College Museum of Art include The Art of the Cross; Nyame Brown: John Henry’s Adventures in a Post-Black World; Missions of Will Sparks, and the William Keith collection. The exhibits will be on view through mid-December, 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. Regular admission: $5; youth, military free. Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4:30pm. For more info, call (925) 631-4069.

Flora and Faunae. This art show will highlight artwork of the painter Leslie Swarts’ expressionist paintings of trees from around the world and jeweler Laura Paige’s fine beadwork created with stone beads through Saturday, Jan. 11 at Moraga Art Gallery, 522 Center Street, Moraga. For more info, call (925) 376-5407 or visit www.moragaartgallery.com.

Irresistible – The Gift of Art is the new exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery. You’ll find a winter wonderland of sparkling jewelry, handcrafted ornaments, elegant ceramics and a wide array of prints, paintings and sculpture Nov. 13 through Dec. 29. There will be a free reception from 6:30 to 8:30pm Friday, Nov. 30 with wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music! The event is at the Lafayette Gallery located at 50 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette. For more information please call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

MUSIC

WCSA Lafayette Songwriters' Competition. Come join the Lauras for the inaugural Lafayette WCSA Songwriters' Competition! You do not have to be a songwriter to attend this event. The meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month, with the inaugural event at 7pm Nov. 14 at Lamorinda Music, 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Cost: $5. For more info, contact Laura Zucker at zuckers@aol.com or visit www.westcoastsongwriters.org/become-a-member.

Our Voices to End Slavery. This is an annual benefit concert at 7pm Friday, Nov. 9 at Willow Spring Church, 1675 School Street, Moraga, is designed to raise awareness of human trafficking and to raise funds for a program called New Day for Children that rescues young girls 11 to 18 years old from this horrific evil. Tickets: $30. For more info, call (925) 631-1894 or visit www.willowspringchurch.org.

Solo and chamber music concert. The Performing Arts Society's concert will open with Nancy Amini, soprano, and she will be accompanied by pianist JoellenPikitel, pianist, Ted Rust, Oboem, and Viva Knight Piano at 7:30pm Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Free. For more info, visit www.ccpas.org.

The Campolindo High School Music Department will present their fall concert at 7:30pm Thursday, Nov. 15 in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. The concert will feature performances by the Campolindo Symphony Orchestra, Concert and Symphonic Bands under the direction of Johnny Johnson. Free.
Viva Verdi! Amici Lyric Opera presents Elena Yakoubovsky, lyric spinto soprano in a concert of Giuseppe Verdi's arias from La forzadeldestino, Aida, Ernani, Il Trobatore, and Don Carlo. There will also be lyric songs by Bellini, Donaudy and Vivaldi at 3pm Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Tickets: $20 for seniors and students; $25 general. For more info, call (925) 964-9994 or visit www.amicilyricopera.com.

An Evening of Fellowship & Spiritual Music. Alex Cook and Ben Vaughan, Christian musicians from Boston and Canada, with original songs celebrating and defending spiritual identity at 7:30pm Friday, Nov. 23 at the Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. For more info, call (925) 258-9442 or visit www.csorinda.org.

Annual Holiday Concert presented by the Walnut Creek Concert Band at 7:30pm Nov. 27 at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets: $12-$17. For more info, call (925) 943-7469 or visit www.lesherartscenter.org or www.walnutcreekband.org.

THEATER

Spring Awakening presented by Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department from Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 15-18, LeFevere Theatre at Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga. Spring Awakening is a rock musical featuring live music, stunning design, and world-class choreography, and celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with power, poignancy, and passion that you will never forget. Tickets: $15 for general admission; $12 for seniors; $8 for staff and students. For more info, call (925) 631-4670 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

DVC Drama 2012 - 2013 Season. The Exonerated by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen will be showing Nov. 30 through Dec. 9, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30pm at DVC, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill. Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 for faculty, staff, and seniors; $10 for students. For more info, call (925) 687-4445.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This upcoming fall play will be showing from Nov. 7-10 at Orinda Intermediate School, 80 Ivy Drive, Orinda at 4:30pm Nov. 7 and 8, and 4:30pm and 7:30pm Nov. 9 and 10. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students (17 and under) on Wednesday; $10 for premier seating, $8 for standard seating on Friday and Saturday. For more info, call (925) 258-3090 or visit www.ShowTix4u.com.

15th Annual California Independent Film Festival. Films in this year's festival opening includes Body Complete, One Small Hitch, and Lore. The festival will run Nov. 8-11 at The New Rheem Theatre, 350 Park Street, Moraga and at the Orinda Theatre, 4 Theatre Square, Orinda. For more info, visit www.caiff.org.

Three Quarter Moon. This is the November selection for the International Film Showcase showing Friday and Saturday Nov. 16 - 20 at Orinda Theatre (see related article on page B5).

To see or not to see? Should not be a question. The talented Miramonte Players are performing one of Shakespeare's most brilliant works, Hamlet. Come enjoy their rendition of the play at 7pm Nov. 7-9 at Miramonte High School, 750 Moraga Way, Orinda. Tickets: $5 students; $8 adults, online or at the door. For more info, visit www.accalenes.k12.ca.us/miramonte.

Town Hall Theatre Sneak Peak: It’s a Wonderful Life from 10:30am to noon Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. George Bailey, his life and finances in ruin, decides the world would be better off without him -- until he is paid an unexpected visit. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

LECTURES & LITERATURE

Sugar Addiction. Julia Ross, a celebrated pioneer and educator in the fields of addiction and eating disorders treatment, will discuss our addiction to sugar and explore how we can correct the faulty appetite chemistry that drives addiction at 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 7, Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Cost: $22 standard; $12 members; $7 students. For more info, call 415-597-6705 or visit http://bit.ly/SugarAddiction.

Positive Living Forum, Happiness Club. Brighten your day and take part in this interactive gathering which features speakers on a wide range of topics that encourage and guide participants towards a more ideal and positive life experience Thursday, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 from 10:30am to noon in the Sequoia Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Author event, David Swanson: The Military Industrial Complex at 50 from 2 to 5pm Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church Owl Room, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Swanson is the coordinator for RootsAction.org, an online initiative dedicated to galvanizing Americans who are committed to economic fairness, equal rights, civil liberties, environmental protection -- and defunding endless wars. For more info, call (925) 933-7850 or visit www.mtdpc.org.

The Stroke Support Group of Contra Costa County November meeting in the Concord Room at John Muir Medical Center. Speaker Lindsay Visocchi will discuss the California Relay Telephone Services, including "Speech to Speech" services Monday, Nov. 12 from 7 to 9pm, 2540 East Avenue, Concord. For more info, call Ann Dzuna at (925) 376-6218.

Coping With Holiday Grief. Hospice of the East Bay offers a workshop Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for people who have experienced the death of a loved one, and find the holiday season to be a sad and stressful time of the year. Workshop at Hospice's administrative offices, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill. For more info, call (925) 887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Home Town Security. Majora Carter illuminates the value of smart environmental management on local economic development, and all aspects of our civic and personal lives from 7 to 8:30pm Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. For more info, call (925) 631-4000 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/hometown-security-with-majora-carter.

Holden High School presents the second in its writer’s series from 7 to 9pm Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Orinda Community Church Fellowship Hall. This Meet the Writer event will feature Marine Ecologist Dr. Rod Fujita, author of Heal the Oceans and will include refreshments, a conversation with Rod, sales of his books and an autographing opportunity.

WORKSHOPS &
ORGANIZATIONS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meet the first Wednesday each month. Social hour is at 11am and lunch is at noon. The Nov. 7 after-lunch speaker will be Dan Ashley, anchor of ABC News at 6 and 11. Ashley’s presentations have been very interesting and informative. The branch meets at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. For more info, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Widowed persons support group. The sessions are informal discussions for those in need of emotional support after the loss of a loved one. There will be counseling sessions that continue each Saturday from 10am to noon through Nov. 17. The meetings are at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in the Oak Room, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda.

Lafayette Garden Club features guest speaker Laurel Ann Winzler, one of San Francisco and the Bay Area’s outstanding floral and event designers, who will share her magical ideas for “Fabulous Holiday Décor” at 9:30am Nov. 8, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Contact: sa613and@aol.com.

Create a New Health Care Directive For Free presented by Stefanie West, Attorney at Law. An Advanced Health Care Directive is critical to communicating your preferences for end-of-life care. Stefanie West will take you through the Directive and will notarize for free any directives completed at the workshop from 10:30am to noon Thursday, Nov. 15, Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting. Janet Sluis traveled the world for 20 years to search for unusual plants. Hear how and why these plants made the cut to become 'Sunset Western Garden Collection’ plants at 9am Nov. 16, Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. For more info, call (925) 254-3906.

What’s All The Hype About Skype? Presented by Valerie Riveiro, MassMutual Financial Group. Come to this class for a live Skype demonstration and learn how to install it and use it on your own computer to chat with family and friends from 10:30am to noon Tuesday, Nov. 27 in the Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

A Harvest Fair and Luncheon. Take time to browse and purchase that distinctive gift for the special people on your shopping list from 10am to 3pmThursday, Nov. 8 at the Soda Center, Saint Mary's College, 1928 Saint Mary's Road. Enjoy a glass of wine, soda or juice while shopping for holiday decor, stocking stuffers, and hostess gifts. A Traditional Thanksgiving Menu will be served at noon. Cost: $27. For more info, call (925) 820-8002.

Appraisal Event in Moraga. The Moraga Women's Society is sponsoring a second appraisal event presented by Michaan's Auctions from 4 to 7pm Nov. 9 at Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Cost: $20 for up to three items in the same category. For more info, call Jean Glaser at (925) 376-7961.

Town of Moraga's Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by the town of Moraga and Moraga Boy Scout troops 212, 234, and 246. Speakers for the event include John Haffner, CAPT, SC, USN (ret), RADM Vince Anzilotti, and the Mayor, Mike Metcalf from 11am to noon Nov. 11 (see related article on page A5).

Artisan Faire. Offering unique, creative gifts, with complimentary wine tasting from 4 to 7pm Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante, Orinda.

Community Thanksgiving Breakfast. The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce invites you to join city leaders, residents and the business community for breakfast as we have done for 32 years. Breakfast will be graciously provided by Dave’s Cuisine from 7 to 8:30am Nov. 15 at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Cost: $20. For more info, call (925) 284-7404 or visit www.lafayettechamber.org.

African & Guatemalan Bazaar. Great holiday shopping. Shop with a purpose for baskets, jewelry, batiks, beaded jewelry, handbags, scarves and much more Nov. 17 from 10am to 3pm and Nov. 18 from 8am to noon at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. For more info, e-mail patwirgdaily@gmail.com.

The holidays are upon us and Lafayette Community Center has of variety of classes to help you prepare. Come by the Santa’s Bag Boutique Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 to peruse our local vendors’ wares. For more info, call (925) 284-2232 or visit www.lafayetterec.org.

Celebrate the Joy of Remembrance at the 26th Annual Hospice of the East Bay Tree of Lights. Please join any of the commemorative ceremonies to enjoy music, poetry, remembrances by family members and friends of Hospice, and the special moment when the tree lights up. There will be a tree lighting ceremony Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4:30pm at the Orinda Tree in Orinda Village, and at 5:30pm Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Moraga & Lafayette Tree, Moraga Country Club, 1600 St. Andrews Drive, Moraga. There will be a reception following the tree lighting. For more info, call (925) 887-5678 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

OTHER

Words of Wisdom. From the Philosophical to the Lighthearted. Take part in this free-wheeling exchange of inspiration, information, and humor. This is a discussion group led by Paul Fillinger from 10:30am to noon Tuesday, Nov. 20 in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Hearing Screening By Audiologists from Hearing Science/Diablo Valley Ear, Nose, and Throat. The screenings are on the 1st Wednesday of the month, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Appointment required. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Self-Discovery and Aging, Creative Writing Workshop. Workshop sessions include writing prompts, feedback and encouragement, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing. This workshop is from 10am to noon, the 2nd and 4th Thursday monthly, the Cedar Room at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 members; $3 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

Nature Walk and Bird-Watching. Delight in the beauty that unfolds around each bend, all the while learning to identify a variety of birds. Bring a water bottle; binoculars will be helpful if you have them. The nature walks are every Wednesday from 9 to 11am except Nov. 21, Dec. 19, and Dec. 26. Call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 for weekly meeting locations.

Lamorinda Dance Social. Enjoy afternoon dancing and learn some great new dance moves every Wednesday from 12:30 to 3pm, the Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. Cost: $2 members; $4 non-members. For more info, call (925) 284-5050.

The Cycle Recycle. Tom and Bobbie Preston of Moraga will be collecting gently used bicycles and tricycles which are repaired and refurbished and then donated to groups which gift them to underprivileged kids in our area. Gently used repairable bikes and tricycles or usable bike parts will be accepted until Dec. 1; just drop them off in the side driveway of the Preston's home, 1307 Larch Road, Moraga. For more info, call (925) 376-8474.

Free Memory Screenings as part of National Memory Screening Day from 1 to 4pm Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Aegis of Moraga, 950 Country Club Drive, Moraga. For more info, call (925) 376-9900 or visit www.alzfdn.org.

Lamorinda Moms’ 15th Annual Preschool Fair. Attendees will receive a comparison of each of the participating preschools and have the opportunity to meet and talk with the directors and parents from each school from 6:30 to 8:30pm Thursday, Nov. 15 at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Free. For more info, visit www.lamorindamoms.org.

Help Feed Our Furry Friends. Share the Joy Pet Photography of Lafayette is teaming up with the Contra Costa Humane Society to collect dog and cat food for needy families. Share the Joy Photography is holding 15 minute mini studio sessions Friday, Nov. 16 for pets for $50 and a 30 pound bag of dog or cat food. For more info, call (925) 284-3280 or visit www.cchumane.org.

Free Pet Fix Day – Dogs. Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation is pleased to offer free spay/neuter surgeries for dogs Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Call the Spay/Neuter Clinic at (925) 296-3125 for an appointment.

Kindergarten Tour at St. Perpetua School. St. Perpetua School in Lafayette invites all incoming kindergarten-age children and their parents to get a taste of kindergarten and the school's very own Café St. Perpetua from 8 to 10pm Friday, Dec. 7 at St. Perpetua School, 3445 Hamlin Road, Lafayette. For more info, visit www.stpsparenteducation.eventbrite.com.