LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Calendar | Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda Event Listings

The Moraga Art Gallery announces a new show entitled “The Unbearable Lightness of Seeing,” highlighting the photography of Dave E Dondero and Erik Wilson, featuring the unique combination of Dondero’s hyper-realistic California landscapes and Wilson’s thought-provoking and often ironic urban scenes. Moraga Art Gallery is a collective of 14 established, local artists and artisans and is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center, 522 Center St, Moraga. For info, call (925) 376-5407. The exhibit runs through March 23.

The Orinda Arts Council is pleased to announce its 10th Annual Visual Arts Competition, Exhibit and Reception open to all high school students residing in or attending schools in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga. Cash awards and “Best in Show” viewer’s choice award. Online Registration opens Feb. 1 and closes Feb. 19 at midnight. Artists and Awards Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. March 6; Exhibit March 1-27, Orinda Library Art Gallery. For more info and to register visit www.OrindaArtsCouncil.org.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art exhibitions – Carnaval; In Search of the Source: the Nile and Beyond by Lockwood de Forest; Ryan Reynolds: Landscape Assembled; Keith and the California Alps: paintings from the 1870s, ‘80s, and ‘90s — through April 14, Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Mary’s Rd., Moraga. Cost: $5 for adults; free for kids K-12. For more info, call (925) 631-4379 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

The Lafayette Gallery’s new show “Tokens of Affection” will run through March 9 at 50 Lafayette Circle (across from Chow). For more info, visit www.lafayettegallery.net or call the gallery at (925) 284-2788. (see story page B3)

Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek is pleased to have Linda Yoshizawa as its first “featured artist” in 2013. Her elegant, subtle compositions invite thoughtful contemplation. Over time Linda has developed a technique that balances serendipity and design, and a personal aesthetic that reflects the layers of her Japanese-American identity. Her work can be seen through March 5 at Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more info, visit www.valleyartgallery.org or call (925) 935-4311.

The Oakland Camera Club is hosting a public exposition of their “year’s best” 3D photography from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18 at the Lafayette Veteran’s Memorial Building, 3780 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. For 58 years, the historic Oakland Camera Club has chaired a renowned international 3D photography competition and brought together photographers who practice the marvelous craft of making pictures with depth. A question and answer session follows the presentation. Free. Polarized glasses are provided. The Oakland Camera Club is a non-profit organization, and donations are appreciated.

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 at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at 81 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Cost: $5. For more info, contact Laura Zucker by email at zuckers@aol.com or visit

A jazz piano concert by members of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15 in the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. The pianists will be performing music from The Great American Song Book such as Gershwin, A. Jobim, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck, as interpreted by members of CCPAS. Refreshments provided by Aegis of Moraga Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Nightingale Home Care. Please call Lafayette Senior Services to reserve your spot at (925) 284-5050. Cost: $3 members; $5 non-members.

Members of the Performing Arts Society Piano Recitalists will perform solo piano music by Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Poulenc and others at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Free. For info, visit www.ccpas.org.

The Campolindo High School Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Johnny Johnson, with special guest Mariya Borozina, will be performing the Mozart Sinonia Concertante at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. Also featured are student chamber groups and Haydn’s Symphony No. 82 in C Major. Their Winter Concert is free.

Classical music by members of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Association. This free morning concert showcases duo pianos. The Amaryllis Piano Trio opens the concert with a Schumann piano trio that includes violin and cello. The Keller Piano Duo plays a Poulenc piano sonata and Eileen Klatsky and Nancy Rude conclude the concert playing music for duo pianos by Jan Novak at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Creek Blvd. Free. For more info, visit www.ccpas.org.

Come join Sherman Clay and friends at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 for a very special free “Concert & Celebration” as Steinway & Sons welcomes Omega recording artist Dennis Edwards. Dennis will be playing his own arrangements of well known music from the popular American Songbook, as well as his own original compositions. Seating is limited and this concert will fill up quickly, so please RSVP Sherman Clay at (925) 932-0100 to get good seats.

The Campolindo Winter Band Concert with special guest artist Diane Maltester playing the concertino for Clarinet and Band by Frank Bencriscutto as well as a full program by the Concert and Symphonic Bands will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28. in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center, 300 Moraga Road, Moraga. Free.

University of California Alumni Chorus presents Handel’s Oratorio, Samson in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of its West Coast Premiere at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus. Tickets: $20 - $15 - $6. To purchase tickets, call (510) 642-3880 (phone sales end at 12:30 pm Friday for weekend performances) or go online to tickets.berkeley.edu, or at http://www.ucac.net.

The Campolindo High School Music Program is hosting its annual Jazz Dinner Dance from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at Temple Isaiah, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. There will be a sit-down dinner with salad, main entrée, dessert and beverages. The Campolindo Jazz Bands will play throughout the night for guests to enjoy during dinner or to dance along to afterward. Tickets: $40 for students. All proceeds benefit the Campolindo Music Program. For more information, contact Donia Gousios at doniagousios@yahoo.com.

Gold Coast Concerts: at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Orinda Library Auditorium, 22 Orinda Way in Orinda; and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Community Hall at the Lafayette Library 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Grand Sesteto Sinfonia Concertante (arranged for sextet) Franz Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante (arranged for sextet) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Viola Quintet, K. 174. Tickets: $35 general; $30 senior; $10 student. Purchase tickets online at www.gcplayers.org or by phone: (925) 283-3728.

4th Annual “Live at the Orinda” Champagne Comedy Event returns with Will Durst headlining the evening at 7 p.m. March 8 at the Orinda Theatre. Advance discounted and VIP tickets may be reserved until March 7 using credit cards at the Chamber website – www.OrindaChamber.org – or at First Republic Bank, 224 Brookwood Road. Tickets at the door (if available) will be $40 per person. A portion of profits from this event will benefit local non-profit organizations as well as the on-going community work of the Chamber. Advanced reservations are recommended, so attendees should reserve early.

Aaron Sorkin’s “The Farnsworth Invention” opened at Town Hall Theatre Feb. 9 and will run through March 2. Directed by Shellie Award winner Joel Roster, Farnsworth tells the story of the battle between inventor Philo Farnsworth and CEO David Sarnoff as the race for electronic television heats up in the 1920s. For tickets or more information, visit www.TownHallTheatre.com. (See article page B4)

Book signing events at Orinda Books: Tom Scovel will discuss and sign copies of “The Year China Changed: Memories of Remarkable Events and Extraordinary People” at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13; Ed Kaune will discuss and sign copies of his novel, “The Spiral Code,” a fantasy adventure growing out of the author’s experiences in the Korean War at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Orinda Books, 276 Village Square, Orinda. For info, call (925) 254-7606 or email orindabooks@thegrid.net.

Telling the Story of Your Life: Memoir Writing Workshop. Author and writing instructor, Margaret Lucke leads a three-hour free workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda. Pre-registration is required. For more information please call (925) 254-2184 or visit

SMC’s Year of the Great(est) Conversation(s) Series. Noted author, philosopher and Harvard University Professor of Government Michael Sandel will be a featured guest lecturer in the college’s free sesquicentennial series “The Year of the Great(est) Conversation(s)” at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Saint Mary’s College Soda Center. Free. Professor Sandel will offer a discussion-oriented address on the topic of “Liberal Arts and the Common Good: Justice and Citizenship.” Sandel’s most recent book “What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets” was a finalist for The Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. Foreign Policy magazine recently named Sandel one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers.

Lamorinda Reads: Programs celebrating “A Hologram for the King” will be held through the month of February. There will be a free book reading with the author at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Veterans Memorial building, 3780 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. There will also be discussions held at each local library, check website for details. For more info, call (925) 385-2280 or visit guides.ccclib.org. (See article page B2)

The Orinda Junior Women’s Club (Orinda Juniors) is pleased to announce Youth Ink 2013, the annual creative writing contest open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students who live or attend school in Orinda. Submissions must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 15 and mailed to Orinda Junior Women’s Club, Post Office Box 40, Orinda, CA 94563 in order to be considered for an award. Submission forms can be found at OIS or at www.orindajuniors.org.

Bring the whole family to OMCA to welcome the Year of the Snake. Enjoy a day of performances, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages from noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. Free with Museum admission. For more info, visit www.museumca.org or call (510) 318-8400.

The Glorietta Online Auction is now live and will run until Thursday, Feb. 21. Help Glorietta raise money for critical educational programs including: Class sizes of 20 or less from kindergarten through third grade; instructional assistants; computer lab; PE; science; librarian; classroom libraries; and recess equipment. Items are added every day. For more info, visit https://www.biddingforgood.com/gloriettaonline.

Find out about camps, day care, preschool, family vacations, sports, scouts, enrichment, performing arts, and more at the Contra Costa Camp Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Free. Bring the entire family. For more info, visit

Bentley School is proud to host its first Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 2, at Bentley’s Upper School campus in Lafayette. The Festival will feature dozens of activities designed to encourage collaboration and creative problem solving and will appeal to a range of students - from fourth grade on up. Snacks and raffle prizes will be available to all participants. For more info or to register, please contact cta@bentleyschool.net.

Join us at the Hacienda de las Flores for a sneak preview of the best summer camps in Moraga. Meet the counselors; participate in sports and activities, enjoy a free hot dog lunch. Summer Camp Expo: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga. For more info, call Kim at (925) 888-7036 or visit the town’s website at www.moraga.ca.us.

SEED (Special Education Enrichment Development) Foundation of Lafayette is co-funding a 12-week behavior management course for Lafayette parents Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. through March 27 in the Maggie Mae Lounge at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Rd. By teaching positive behavioral strategies, parents will gain tools and strategies to support their child in home and community settings. For info or to register, call (925) 788-0451 or email Robin Hauge at robinhaugeclinic@gmail.com.

The Orinda Woman’s Club announces acceptance of applicants for its major beneficiary awards in 2013. Application forms and criteria can be acquired from Orinda Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 533, Orinda, 94563 or from Adeline McClatchie Beneficiary Chair at (925) 254-1162 or Adeline@mcclatchie.com. Deadline is 7 p.m. March 4.

Lamorinda Adult Respite Center (LARC) is looking for caring, fun, enthusiastic volunteers to assist once or twice a month. Activities include: games, crafts, daily live musical entertainment, lunch and exercise. Come join the fun and help enhance the lives of our local seniors. For more information, or to schedule a visit, please call Beth Montgomery at (925) 254-3465.

Volunteer Docents sought for John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. Come share your passion for history, nature, and education with our visitors! For details about the program, contact Joanne Jarvis at Joanne_Jarvis@nps.gov or (925) 228-8860, ext. 6321.

Bridal Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Lafayette Park Hotel. Admission: $15 advance; $20 at the door. To purchase tickets and for more info, visit www.URLocalBride.com.

The West Coast Conference Colleges are collecting new and gently used t-shirts at local drop off points. The Saint Mary’s local drop off point is 5A Rent-A-Space, 455 Moraga Rd., Suite F in the front office lobby from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The drive ends Feb. 28. For more info about Clothes 4 Souls™ visit www.clothes4souls.org, telephone Erin at (208) 340-8235 or contact Gilbert at ggm4@stmarys-ca.edu.

Hospice of the East Bay Support Groups for Adults. The Widow and Widowers’ Support group meets on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. through Feb. 21 at the Pleasant Hill campus, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill. Pre-registration is required. For more info, or to pre-register call (925) 887-5681 or visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.

Come Play MahJongg! MahJongg is a game of skill, strategy, and certain degree of chance. Bring your card, a mahjongg set and a snack to share (optional) every Tuesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cedar Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Road, Lafayette. Cost: $1 for members; $3 for 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 11 a.m. Please call Lafayette Senior Services at (925) 284-5050 to find out weekly meeting location.

How to Raise Your Own Chickens. Papa John Kiefer will offer workshops on How to Raise Your Own Chickens, including information about raising young chicks, laying hen maintenance, and sustainable coop construction from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays during February and March. Reservations required. For more info, email jhkiefer@comcast.net.

Widowed Persons Support Group: grief support sessions are informal discussions for those in need of emotional support after the loss of a loved one. Sessions are presented from 10 a.m. to noon each Saturday, Feb. 2 to March 9 in the Oak Room-back of parking lot at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Anyone may attend all six or as many as you can, no reservation or fee. For additional info, call (925) 376-0321.

Moraga Kiwanis will be hosting a charity crab feed, silent auction, raffle, cash crab pot at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 in the Soda Activity Center, Saint Mary’s College, Moraga. Proceeds benefit local charities and schools. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and will include music and dancing. Tickets: $50. For info, contact Steve Kinsey (925) 376-2225 or Dave Shapiro (925) 631-9293.

Where’s My 23%? The next monthly meeting of the Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will feature Delaine Eastin, former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as she discusses “Why Educated Women Are Not Earning More.” In a lively and spirited interactive presentation, she will explore why women with college degrees earn just 77 percent of what men with the same education earn from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Holy Trinity Church Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Handicap Accessible. Free Parking. For info, visit www.aauwoml.org.

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has partnered with internationally renowned, Robert Sorby Tools of England, to present a unique demonstration on woodturning. Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it. The demonstration is a great event for all skill levels. There will be no charge to attend. Demonstrations will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 541 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill. Contact Matt Graham, manager at (925) 521-1800 for more info.

Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, working with American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at MVPC, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga. Everyone is welcome. Drop by, and bring your friends! Sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org (enter the Sponsor Code: Moraga925). Walk-ins are welcome! For more info, call Les Deane at (925) 283-5648.

The Northern California Welsh Community invites you to join them at their musical celebration of St. David’s Day for traditional hymn singing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road. A Te Bach (little tea) will follow in the church social hall. Coffee and tea will be provided. Donations of Welsh cakes and finger food would be appreciated. For further information, contact Idris Evans at (925) 283-0912 or email loriteassociates@comcast.net

Red Cross Blood Drive for the Lafayette Community will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. Sponsored by the Lafayette Chamber and Titan Real Estate Investments with juices and snacks donated by Whole Foods. For all donors, a raffled gift will be given after the Blood Drive. Remember: The need for blood is constant. The gratification is instant.

The Lafayette School District invites parents and community members to hear Michael Josephson, Ethicist and Founder of Character Counts® speak about his life experience and the development of The Six Pillars of Character from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. Tickets: $10 for one; $15 for two. Tickets can be purchased at: michaeljosephson.eventbrite.com. Please bring your receipt with you.

Free Tax Preparation for the 2013 tax season is available from AARP’s Tax-Aide and United Way’s EKS programs. Both programs serve taxpayers of all ages with a focus on those with low to moderate incomes. For more information or to make an appointment, call Tax-Aide (925) 726-3199 or EKS 2-1-1.

English Tutors needed - volunteer with the Diablo Valley Literacy Council. English need not be your first language-no teaching experience is required-we will teach you to be a tutor! You must attend three workshops on March 9, March 12 and March 16 and there is a nominal fee to cover the training & material costs. For more information visit our website at dvlc.tripod.com. To register call our hotline and leave a message at (925) 685-3881 or e-mail us at DVLC4ESL@gmail.com.

The Lamorinda Democratic Club’s meeting will feature a conversation about Marriage Equality in California and the Nation with Chris Riley at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at Lafayette Library and Community Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette. Club meeting begins at 7:15 p.m. Cost: $5; students free. For info, call (925) 567-3367 or visit www.lamorindademoclub.org.

Lamorinda Republican Women Federated welcomes speaker Heather Gass regarding “The Dark Side of Sustainable Development” at noon Feb. 21 at the Orinda Country Club. All part of Agenda 21, the 21st Century plan for a “New World Order” through global governance. For luncheon information and reservations contact Elsie Euing at (925) 254-8617 no later than Feb. 15. Cost: $25. Men are always welcome to participate.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Lafayette Garden Club. Garth Jacober, owner of Mt. Diablo Nursery in Lafayette, will share his knowledge and expertise about some of our favorite flowers—camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons – at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Garth is a master gardener and a renowned camellia expert. For info, contact sa613and@aol.com.

Montelindo Garden Club Meeting will discuss Gardens of Israel at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15 at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. For more info, call (925) 254-3906.

Marion Brenner, a renowned San Francisco photographer, will address the Moraga Garden Club at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at Holy Trinity Cultural Center in Moraga. A life-long photographer with a focus on natural landscapes and landscape design, she will display slides of her work and talk about her experiences working on Landscapes of San Francisco by Patrick McGrew which she illustrated. Interested parties may call president Linda Foley at (925) 376 2809 if they wish to attend.

A composting workshop for those interested in learning about organic gardening, good soil, environmentally responsible ways to control pests, conserving water in the garden and using native and drought-tolerant plants will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Orchard Nursery in Lafayette. Visit the CCCSWA website at www.wastediversion.org for additional dates and times scheduled throughout the year. Call for reservations at (925) 906-1801, ext. 306 or visit the CCCSWA website to register online.