ART

Barbara Hudler Cella is delighted to announce a new exhibit of her paintings at the Moraga Library. The exhibit will run through the month of October. The library and exhibit are open Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hudler Cella highlights the Moraga Library show with her brilliant new paintings of sardine boats in Italy and paintings of Saint Mary’s College. For more info about the show and the artist, visit www.barbaracella.com, or call (925) 878-9723.

A sale of Guatemalan jewelry and hand-woven items coordinated by Maya Works – a nonprofit social venture that empowers indigenous women of Guatemala (Mayan Artisans)to achieve economic security by providing markets for their handcrafted products and expanded educational opportunities – will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Orinda Community Church. For info, call (925) 254-4906.

Unusual and mundane recyclable materials, dynamically re-imagined and creatively blended with fresh and dried floral materials, will comprise a large indoor/outdoor exhibition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-28 at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way. Titled “Dynamic Ikebana Flower Show,” this event also includes live demonstrations by Ikebana teachers throughout both days. Cost: $10 general (includes all day exhibits and two teachers’ demonstrations); $20 feature admission (adds the featured demonstration with Gail “Koho” Emmons, Riji, or Yayoi “Soho” Sakai, Riji). Tickets are available at the door.

After 14 years on LaFiesta Lane, the Lafayette Art Gallery opened its doors Oct. 8 at its new and greatly expanded location, in the historic Forge complex of Lafayette (3420 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, next to Bo's Barbecue, and adjacent to The Artisan Bistro). The new space was formerly occupied by the Pacific Wildlife Galleries, and has been designed expressly for displaying art, photography, ceramics and jewelry. A new exhibit titled "The Heart of Art" will inaugurate the opening, and will feature warm and emotional works by both current and new members. It will run through the holiday season, ending Dec. 28. For info, call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

Meet artist Bobby Bowes at the first annual Glass Pumpkin Patch in Lafayette from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Wine tasting presented by Sequoia Grove Winery. Exhibit and sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27 at The Art Room, 50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. For info, call (925) 299-1515.

The Moraga Art Gallery announces a new show entitled “Capturing Light: Lens and Glass” highlighting photography by resident artist Wenda Pyman, and cast sand glasswork and flamework by guest artist Janice Peacock. The show opens Oct. 30 and will run through Jan.  4, 2014. There will be an free opening reception to see the exhibit and meet the gallery’s artists from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.  The show also includes works by the gallery’s 14 resident artists and several guest artists. The show entitled “Indian Summer,” highlighting ceramics by resident artist Donna Arganbright, and jewelry by guest artist Terri Durkovic runs through Oct. 26 at 522 Center Street, Rheem Shopping Center, Moraga. Free. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, email moragaartgallery@gmail.com or call (925) 376-5407.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art’s Schedule of Exhibitions through Dec. 15: Photographer “Judy Dater: Edo Redux” in the new Studio Gallery.  “The Artist Revealed: Artist Portraits and Self-Portraits” in the Hearst Gallery; fifty portraits and self-portraits are on loan from the Syracuse University Art Collection. “Malcolm Lubliner: The Automotive Landscape” in the new Armistead Gallery.  “Nature's Placid Splendor” in the Keith Gallery; landscapes include three private collection paintings never before on public view. Open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For info, call (925) 631-4379 or visit stmarys-ca.edu/museum. Admission: free to K-12 graders; $5 adults. Free parking.

MUSIC

Free Range Opera presents Irene (1919) - A Cinderella Story from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Lesher Center - Knight 3, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Free Range Opera's darling revival of “Irene” to benefit Bay Area charity, Career Closet. This is a rare opportunity to hear the original 1919 hit! Cost: $30. For more info, visit www.freerangeopera.com or call (408) 475-1376 or email info@freerangeopera.com.

THEATER

Role Players Ensemble presents Peter Shaffer’s “Lettice and Lovage,” a funny look at the value of friendship and storytelling. Shows start at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays through Nov. 9 at the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, Danville. Tickets: $20-28; online at www.RolePlayersEnsemble.com; at Danville Community Center, 420 Front St, Danville; or call (925) 312-3400.

“The Man Who Came To Dinner” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, acknowledged as one of the funniest comedies ever written, is coming to the Acalanes High School theatre, Nov. 13-16 with a 7 p.m. curtain (house opens at 6:30 p.m.), directed by Ed Meehan. Tickets: $10 general; $7 students. Tickets are available at the door or online at ahsperformingarts.org. All proceeds benefit the Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters-Drama.

Saint Mary’s College, Performing Arts Department Theatre Program proudly presents the West Coast premiere of “And When We Awoke There was Light and Light,” Laura Jacqmin’s contemporary fable about teenage idealism and activism in the age of global connections. Guest director Susannah Martin stages the production, which opens Thursday, Nov.  14 and performs for two weekends on the Saint Mary’s College campus. And when we awoke performs at 8 p.m. on Nov.  14, 15 and 16, 21, 22 and 23, and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24. Tickets are $10 general; $8 seniors (65+) and non-SMC students; $5 SMC students, faculty and staff. Tickets are available online (www.brownpapertickets.com), by phone ((925) 631-4670) or at the door.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Creative Writing Reading Series at Saint Mary's College:  Rae Armantrout will speak about her most recent book of poems “Just Saying” (Wesleyan University Press, 2013) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Soda Center Claeys Lounge. Cristina Garcia, author of author of five novels: “The Lady Matador's Hotel,” “A Handbook to Luck,” “Monkey Hunting,” “The Agüero Sisters” (winner of the Janet Heidiger Kafka Prize), and “Dreaming in Cuban” (finalist for the National Book Award) will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Soda Center Claeys Lounge. Her next novel, “King of Cuba,” will be released in 2013. 

Moraga Attorney Turns to Romance and Mystery. When Jeanne Marie Olin decided to write her first novel, she knew it would take place in her favorite city, but San Francisco is more than the setting for her mystery romance. The City by the Bay is a prominent character in the tale of a young woman from the Midwest seeking romance and excitement in the turbulent 1960s. Jeanne Marie Olin will be signing her debut novel at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at Orinda Books.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

Please join us for Orinda Intermediate's annual Diverse Abilities Awareness Week Open House from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Orinda Intermediate School, 80 Ivy Drive, Orinda. Highlights include hands on learning stations, community group representatives sharing support resources, and a wheelchair basketball game between OIS students and the Bay Area Outreach Program that is not to be missed! Come ready to learn and have fun! All are welcome; family participation is encouraged. (Students, bring adult supervision.) Free. For more information, please contact Anna Tague: Tague6@comcast.net, or go to http://tinyurl.com/OIS-DAAW.

Owl Prowl.  Owlers will gather at the staging area at Fernandez Ranch for a presentation on owls that live in this area from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Fernandez Ranch, 1050 Christie Rd., Martinez. Discover what makes owls so unique and head to nearby fields where we will attempt to call in screech owls and great horned owls. Parents urged to bring children of all ages. Free. Sign up at outreach@muirheritagelandtrust.org.

Free College Planning and Information Session.  Minimize Stress and Demystify the College Planning Process discussion and question and answer session offered by Smart Cookie Learning in partnership with the Lafayette Library and Learning Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 is designed to help high school students (of all grades) and their parents effectively manage the college planning process.  Learn more about what to expect and how to plan and prepare your student’s path to college and find the right fit. Free. Space is limited. Please register at www.smartcookielearning.com or call (925) 297-5304 with questions.

Lamorinda Moms will host the 16th annual Preschool Fair designed to help parents find the perfect preschool for their children from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at Oakwood Athletic Club, 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. Free. Children are welcome to attend. For info, contact Catherine Aker, Lamorinda Moms publicity chair at publicity@lamorindamoms.org.

Turkey Trot Fun Run and Walk from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Fernandez Ranch, 1050 Christie Rd., Martinez. Run with the wild turkeys at Fernandez Ranch during the first annual turkey trot, open to all ages. Walkers welcome to join in the fun, too. T-shirts and refreshments included with registration. Cost: $25 adults; $20 Under 18. To register, visit muirheritagelandtrust.givezooks.com/events/turkey-trot-fun-run-walk.

OTHER

Creative Writing Workshop series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and 14 in the Orinda Library Gallery Room. This six-week series led by author and writing instructor, Jessica Barksdale Inclan, is free and open to the public. Pre-registration required by visiting ccclib.org or register at the Orinda Library information desk, (925) 254-2184.

Don't let the challenges of aging defeat you or your loved one.  Mary Ballin, CFP practitioner, client relationship advisor, Mosaic Financial Partners has been invited by Eldercare Services to participate in the upcoming community event, “The Family Circus: Walking the Tightrope of Elder Care and Aging” from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Ballin will be available to answer attendees’ questions about the role that a financial advisor plays in helping families ensure that all the pieces of the plan for care are considered and followed through on. Registration required by Thursday, Oct. 24 via email to Danielle Miller at DanielleG@EldercareAnswers.com or by calling (925) 937-2018.

Daughters of the Goddess welcomes women and girls of all ages to join their Annual Spiral Dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at the Orinda Masonic Temple, 9 Altarinda Rd., Orinda. Opening is a spectacular marketplace filled with beautiful crafts and services from women all over the Bay Area. The ritual, led by Daughters of the Goddess Kahuna and High Priestess Leilani, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 advanced before Oct. 22; $29 at the door. Student and Crone discounts are available. Daughters of the Goddess asks that you please bring your drums and rattles, as well as pictures of your loved ones that have passed to be placed on the Ancestor Altar. For info, contact Leilani at (925) 787-9247.

Lafayette Hiking Group - Lafayette Reservoir - rim and side trails. Discover new areas of this favorite strenuous 5-6 mile Lafayette walk with leader Alison Hill on Saturday, Oct. 26, following part of the rim trail, then hiking down into a valley on one trail and back up to the rim on another. There is a possibility of seeing some interesting birds - bring binoculars. There are steep hills so bring hiking sticks if you use them. The hike will be modified if the ground is very muddy. Meet in the parking lot out from Lafayette BART’s main entrance at 8:30 a.m. We form carpools to the trailhead. Bring lunch or snacks, water, layered clothing, good walking shoes, sun protection and money to contribute toward gas, bridge tolls and parking. Cost: $3 local.

Fall Festival at the Lafayette United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Boutique items, jewelry, crafts, plants, food items, note cards, doll clothes, plush animal puppets, and more. Lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

21st Annual Lafayette Reservoir Run – Sunday, Oct. 27, co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette to benefit local schools and the services and programs of the chamber. Approximately 2,500 participants compete in a 10k or 5k Certified Runs and a 2-mile run/walk for fun through the heart of downtown, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents share the streets. Starting location is Mt. Diablo Boulevard between First Street and Moraga Road. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m., staggered start times: 2mi run/walk 8 a.m., 5k Certified Run 8:30 a.m., 10k Certified Run 8:45 a.m. Race Course: 10k Moraga Road west to El Nido Ranch Road, around the Lafayette Reservoir and back to Moraga Road. 5k or 2-mile DO NOT go around the Lafayette Reservoir. Adult registration fee: $30; or $35 (day of race). Elementary school fee: $22; or $27 (day of race). For info, visit              http://www.lafayettechamber.org/events/reservoir-run/.

Widowed Persons Support will have its monthly meeting at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 in the Davies Room, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Learn about the new Panama Canal to be built by 2015. The program begins after the social half-hour with refreshments. No charge, reservations not required. All widowed persons and guests welcome.

"Security - Living without Fear." The Christian Science Church in Orinda is presenting this special program in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Hear from international speaker, Suzanne Riedel, a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science who says, "No one needs to feel their lives are controlled by fear of health-issues, safety concerns, or financial disaster.” For more info, call (925) 254-4212 or visit www.christianscienceorinda.org.

Town Hall meeting on The Future of Transportation in California: Challenges and Opportunities from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Hear from a panel of experts: Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Google, Inc., and California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology. For more info, call (925) 942-6082 or RSVP at sen.ca.gov/1565/transportationtownhall.

John Muir National Historic Site re-opened to visitors on Oct. 17. Visitors can access the site between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday year-round, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The park has been closed since Oct. 1 due to the lapse in Congressional appropriations. John Muir NHS, located at 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez. Admission to the site is free of charge. For more information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/jomu or call (925) 228-8860.

Come and start your holiday shopping at the Orinda Community Center Auxiliary [OCCA] 37th Annual Holiday Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way. There will be lots of vendors featuring products including jewelry, cards, food varieties, accessories, arts and crafts, as well as family entertainment.

Lafayette Juniors 20th Annual Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive in Lafayette. Special early bird entrance fee $3 per adult from 7 to 8 a.m. Pre-loved designer clothes, baby and kid clothes, toys, and gear, furniture, household goods, and much more. For info, visit www.lafayettejuniors.org.

Join Boy Scout Troop 224 for an open house with activities and dessert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4 at Happy Valley School, 3855 Happy Valley Road, Lafayette (behind the multi). Boy Scouts is open to boys who are at least 11 years old or who are completing fifth grade in 2014, and you do not need to have been a Cub Scout to join Boy Scouts. If you have any questions, please contact assistant leader Cheryl Tyler at ctcalbear@comcast.net or (925) 283-2506.

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center 1700 School St. Moraga. Social hour 11 a.m., lunch at noon. The after lunch speaker on Nov. 6 will be Wayne Korsinen, who, in monologue style, will portray Secretary Knox as he visits with the Chief of Naval Operations during the early hours of December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

Travels through Southern Asia.  Filmmaker Nateon Ajello and his wife Pam traveled 1,300 miles by bicycle, bus and train through India, Nepal and Bhutan. Come and hear about their adventures abroad, the people they met and the sights that they saw at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Arts and Science Discovery Room, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.

Maintain Your Home’s Interior.  Mark Shaw, 15-year real estate broker, will discuss interior maintenance tasks that are critical to the long-term performance of your home from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Lafayette Library, Arts and Science Room. Regularly-scheduled maintenance can help you avoid serious problems, or at least identify issues early so problems can be addressed in a timely manner with minimal adverse effects. Cost: $1 Members; $3 Non-Members.

The 16th Annual California Independent Film Festival will be held once again at the Orinda Theatre and the New Rheem Theatre in Moraga Nov. 7-10, with the biggest lineup of films to date for this festival. For more info, visit CAIFFA at www.caiff.org. (See ad page A11)

The Orinda Community Foundation (OCF) invites community organizations to apply for grants for projects that enhance the quality of life in Orinda. To be considered in the current cycle, grant applications must be received by Nov. 8. The application can be downloaded from www.orindafoundation.org. Questions can be emailed to orindafoundation@gmail.com.

Reaching out to Korean War Era Veterans.  Contra Costa County is seeking connections with Korean War era veterans who served in the “Forgotten War" and  to encourage them to be a part of the 2013 Veterans Day celebration. If you or a family member served on the Korean Peninsula or provided support back home, please contact the Veterans Service Office at (925) 313-1481 or email veterans@vs.cccounty.us.

Tired of that boring, cluttered old garage?  Come to the Lafayette Community Foundation’s first ever Garage Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov.10 featuring custom garages, shops and man caves in the Lamorinda area. In addition to some great ideas for transforming your garage in to the retreat of your dreams – there will be classic cars, live music and food trucks. Tickets are available for $35 online at www.LafayetteCF.org, and locally at Blodgett’s Flooring, Lafayette Car Wash and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Day of the Tour tickets will be available at Blodgett’s Floor, 3291 Mt. Diablo Court, Lafayette. Proceeds from the Garage Tour support neighborhood projects through the Lafayette Community Foundation. Learn more at www.LafayetteCF.org.

The Moraga Women's Society’s Goodwill Bays Fashion Show and Luncheon will present at 11 a.m. on Monday a museum collection of antique clothes that span over 100 years Nov. 18 at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Check-in and social time starts at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served following the fashion show. Cost: $35. For tickets or questions contact Nancy Comprelli, (925) 376-3187. Please mail check to Moraga Women’s Society, c/o Nancy Comprelli, 1844 Joseph Dr., Moraga, CA 94556-2711. Deadline is Nov. 11.

Alison McKenzie, who has been recruited by the California State Department to train county leaders about the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) and its implications, will discuss the ACA provisions starting at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 19 at the Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School St. in Moraga. She will answer the following questions:  What is the ACA?  Who does it cover?  How does it work?  Free for all ages. Sponsored by the Lafayette-Orinda-Moraga (LOM) Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). For more info, email communication-publicity@aauwoml.org.

For the 16th year Bobbie and Tom Preston will be holding the Cycle Recycle, collecting repairable bikes to be refurbished and given to charitable groups to distribute at Christmas. New and/or used bikes and trikes—in working order or repairable – or useable bike parts may be delivered to the side driveway of the Preston’s home at 1307 Larch Avenue in Moraga throughout the month of November only. No skateboards please; no need to call beforehand.  For info, contact Bobbie or Tom Preston at (925) 376-8474.

GARDEN

The Orinda Garden Club invites you to enjoy “A Feast from the Forests and Fields,” featuring Kevin Feinstein, author, teacher and foraging expert at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in the Orinda Library Auditorium. Kevin’s presentation will focus on Contra Cost County. Coffee will be served at 10 a.m. prior to the program.

Lafayette Garden Club “Encouraging Children to Garden” with author Stephanie McInnis begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Dr., Lafayette. Visitors and new members welcome. For info, contact Carolyn Poetzsch at (925) 944-1737.

Montelindo Garden Club meets every third Friday, September through May.  Ted Kipping, arborist who travels the world, locating rare flora and fauna will discuss “Flowering California Native Shrubs for Gardens” at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephens Drive, Orinda. For info, visit www.montelindogarden.com.  Visitors welcome.

SPOOKY

Trick-or-Treat Street on Oct. 25. For a fun, safe Halloween event, children and their parents are invited to trick-or-treat on Mt. Diablo Boulevard from Oak Hill Rd to Dewing Avenue and in La Fiesta Square from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. All participating businesses will display a “Trick-or-Treat” poster and balloons.  Then head over to the Plaza for a costume contest at 6 p.m. and a special viewing of “Ghostbusters” at 6:30 p.m.

It’s time again for Sleepy Hollow Elementary School’s Annual Pumpkin Patch – and you won’t want to miss it!  Head over to the school’s grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at 20 Washington Lane in Orinda and enjoy a day of old-fashioned fun and games with family and friends. This year’s attractions and festivities include: haunted house, carnival games in the quad, jump, climb and bungee, face painting, a cupcake walk, cake decorating contest, and food.

Second Annual Orinda Theatre Square Haunted House will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 - Oct. 30; Saturday and Sunday the Spookiness kicks off at 5 p.m. This year, the admission fee is $2 or a non-perishable food donations onsite. All money and food donations collected will be donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa County.

Brasarte presents: A Brazilian Family Halloween Ball from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct 26, at Casa de Cultura, 1901 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley.  This family Halloween ball Brazilian style includes music and dancing, and a costume contest, with Brazilian snacks and drinks for sale. Cost: $5, adults and children. For more info, visit www.Brasarte.com, call (510) 528-1958 or email damasceno@Brasarte.com.

Haunted House Friday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 27 at the Live Oak Room, Lafayette Community Center, 500 Saint Mary’s Road, Lafayette; (not too scary) from 5 to 7 p.m., parents accompany children 7 and under. Very scary from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for children 8 and over. Cost:  $3 (ages 7 and under); $5 (ages 8 and over). For info, call (925) 284-2232.

Rheem Valley on Halloween. Costumed children are invited to trick-or-treat from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at participating businesses in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center in Moraga.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Halloween night fun in Moraga! If you're out trick-or-treating in Moraga don't miss 12 Lynwood Place, home of the traditional Halloween skit. This year's show, "Snow White," runs continuously from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31.

The Celtic/Folk/World music duo, Four Shillings Short, is coming to town. Samhain/Halloween concert celebrating the Celtic New Year with music, ghost stories and poetry from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at 85 Lafayette Circle. Suggested donation: $15-20. For info, call (925) 268-8226 or visit       www.reverbnation.com/venue/1208316.