ART

The Moraga Art Gallery presents “Color, Clay & Fire,” a new show featuring the ceramics of Jacqueline Proulx and the dramatic light-and-color paintings of Marge Barta Atkins. The show, which includes the gallery’s 16 member artists and several guest artists, runs through Oct. 31. For more info, visit www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925) 376-5407.

“Painting With Threads,” an exhibition of exquisite Japanese embroidery art pieces will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily Sept. 28 through Oct. 2 at BDK America, 1675 School Street in Moraga. BDK America is the American affiliate of a world-wide philanthropy promoting Buddhism and Japanese culture and arts.

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery presents “Through the Eyes of Masters: Artist Julie Cohn Lectures on Matisse, the artist and his life” from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Free.

Columbus Day Weekend LAA Art Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Lafayette Christian Church, just off St. Mary’s Road at 584 Glenside Drive. Eighteen LAA members will display recently completed works, including ceramics, jewelry, glass art, and photography.

The newest show at the Lafayette Art Gallery, “Artists in Action,” runs through Oct. 31. Selected artists will be demonstrating their techniques at the Gallery from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27, as a talented group of local artists showcase their works related to the theme of movement, motion and gestural action.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art presents “A Fine Line - The Dr. Maurice Alberti Print Collection of European and American Masters.” The show opens Sunday, Oct. 4. The collection consists of master works on paper by leading Impressionists, Expressionists, Fauvists and Cubists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For info, call (925) 631-4363 or visit stmarys-ca.edu/museum.

Valley Art Gallery’s “Colorfall” Exhibit opens on Saturday, Sept. 26 with a free reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Fall is the most colorful time of the year, with russets and siennas joining the greens and golds of summer. Valley Art Gallery celebrates this expanded palette with a new show, with a juried selection of new work from a talented group of local members. The show runs through Nov. 7.

MUSIC

“Gypsy” opens the Gold Coast Chamber Players’ 2015-16 series, with works inspired by Gypsy exoticism at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.gcplayers.org and by phone at (925) 283-3728. (See story page B6)

Grace Partners presents a free benefit concert from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2100 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. Enjoy food, drink, and live music from Bollinger Station and The King Cosby Band. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Free. For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/701494296616699/, call (925) 935-2100 or email rr.gracewc@gmail.com.

Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra presents “East Bay Orchestra Goes Around the World In 80 Minutes” from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Violinist Phillip Santos will be part of the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra season-opener. Also hear the premiere of Benjamin Taylor’s “Toccata for Orchestra.” Cost: $10-$30 at the door. For more info see http://www.ContraCostaChamberOrchestra.org.

The Piano Composers of The Contra Costa Performing Arts Society is presenting their first musical event of the new season at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Family and friends of all ages can enjoy the variety of musical styles each musician/composer brings to the performance, eliciting the full breadth of sounds from the excellent Steinway grand. Free. For info, visit www.ccpas.org.

THEATER

Town Hall Theatre presents “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” by Rupert Holmes Oct. 3-24. Taking place at the turn of the century in a bawdy music hall, a group of actors decide to attempt the unthinkable – to solve, resolve and conclude Charles Dickens’ unfinished masterpiece, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” With the audience deciding several outcomes every evening (resulting in over 200 different combinations of endings), “Drood” is fast, incredibly funny ... and never the same show twice. Rated PG-13 for bawdy humor and adult situations. Contact the Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or check the website at www.TownHallTheatre.com for show times and tickets.

LECTURE & LITERATURE

Lafayette Physical Therapy Lecture Series will feature Michele Duffy BTB, M.F.S., who will discuss Feng Shui and Wellness from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 3468 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Suite B110 in Lafayette. For info, visit http://lafayettept.com/events/.

Life in the Bay Area: Dr. Miriam Chion, research and planning director of the Association of Bay Area Governments, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at The College Preparatory School’s Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway in Oakland. This presentation will provide an overview of major land use, transportation, housing, and climate change issues in the Bay Area. Tickets are $15 at the door or at www.college-prep.org/livetalk.

Robert Reich Big Picture Teach-In from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Lafayette Library. Along with Reich’s Big Picture Videos (3 min. each) expert speakers and small groups will discuss actions to take, with a focus on the following videos: Make Polluters Pay, Tame Wall Street, Corporate Welfare and Get Big Money Out of Politics. Free. RSVP’s are helpful but not required. Please RSVP to moneyout_peoplein@yahoo.com or to Loretta Matthieu at (925) 464-7995.

Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art presents “The Art of Collecting” a lecture by print dealer Dan Lienau on how to start an art collection, 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 in the Soda Activity Center.

“The Gift of Failure - Fostering Intrinsic Motivation and Resilience in Kids” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Acalanes Performing Arts Center. Jessica Lahey writes for the New York Times and the Atlantic about parent and student issues. She shares the message that failure is vital to success, and shows parents how to offer support even as they encourage autonomy. For tickets, go to jessicalahey.eventbrite.com.

KIDS, PARENTS & TEENS

The Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda libraries marked the start of Lamorinda Kids Read Sept. 1 by giving away free copies of Stuart Gibbs’ “Spy School.” Gibbs will talk about his “Spy School” series and his other popular children’s books at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. The Lamorinda Kids Read programs are free and geared to older elementary and middle school students. They are sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda Libraries. For more information, visit ccclib.org or http://guides.ccclib.org/onebook/lamorinda2015.

The New SAT is coming March 2016. In preparation, the new PSAT will be administered to students this October. To help students prepare, the OML- AAUW Scholarship Committee in partnership with Kaplan Test Prep, will hold a New PSAT Practice Test on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Miramonte High School in Orinda as a fundraiser for their scholarship awarded annually. Students will experience the full-length timing and structure of the new PSAT, receive a comprehensive analysis of their strengths and weaknesses and therefore know exactly what to expect on Test Day. Cost for the test is $35. For more details and to sign up, visit: http://oml-ca.aauw.net/psat/.

This fall Lindsay Wildlife Experience will be leading hikes in Mount Diablo State Park to explore the natural habitat of tarantulas. Discover these eight-legged creatures on a local two-mile hike recommended for nature lovers ages 6 and up. Tarantula Hikes take place from 4 to 6 p.m. every Sunday through Oct. 25. The hike costs $10 for Lindsay members and $15 for all non-members. Pre-registration is required.

OTHER

Visit the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the Moraga Pear and Wine Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 in Moraga to receive a free book as part of the charity literacy outreach program sponsored by Children’s Success Unlimited, Michael VerBrugge Construction, and Lamorinda Weekly. Info at http://starstyleradio.net/Events/Entries/2015/9/26_Pear_%26_Wine_Festival_2015.html.

Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive. To schedule your appointment or for more information visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code MVPC. For info, visit www.mvpctoday.org or call 376-4800x227.

Middle Eastern Food Festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday Sept. 26, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 on the church grounds of St. John the Evangelist Orthodox Church located at 501 Moraga Way, Orinda. Food, live entertainment, dancing, children’s games, a bazaar, crafts, books and Middle Eastern heritage exhibits and talks. Adults $2; children under 12 are free. For info, visit www.stjohnorinda.org or call (925) 258-4255.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District will kick off Fire Prevention Week with its Fall Open House and Pancake Breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 3 at Station 41, 1280 Moraga Way.

Serbian Food Festival noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Enjoy special dishes, including barbecued ox, homemade pastries and live Serbian music.

5 A Rent-A-Space Shred Fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 at 455 Moraga Rd.

The 6th Annual Orinda Olive Festival will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at 350 Camino Pablo in Orinda. This free, family-friendly event celebrates olives and the historic Wagner Ranch, including it’s 130-year-old Mission Olive Grove. Come sample olives, olive oils and vinegars from multiple vendors; learn the chemistry of olive oils; see chef demos of olive-inspired recipes; make olive branch crowns and wreaths; find wonderful products and services at the raffle table; take a docent tour of the ranch; enjoy arts, crafts, games, food and live music.

Join Saint Giles Episcopal Church for The Feast of Saint Francis and Blessing of the Animals from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 on the Chapel Green at Saint Mary’s College. After the service there will be coffee hour on the Chapel Plaza and packing of bagged lunches for the homeless population served by Sacred Space-Oakland (www.sacredspaceeastbay.org) For more info, visit www.stgiles-moraga.org.

Come enjoy Orinda’s first Fun Dog Show, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Your furry friends will compete for the waggiest tail, the most appealing expression, the best legs, the scruffiest dog/bad hair day, the dog that looks most like its owner, the most talented and a three-legged race. There will be prizes for the winners and also face painting, raffles, demonstrations by the Mount Diablo Dog Training Club and food from Adorubowl food truck. All ages are welcome; free for spectators. If you want your dog to join the contests, you can register ($20) online at http://http://ahallgout.wix.com/fundogshow1or at the park ($25).

Restaurant Walk: A Benefit for Girls’ Science Education. More than 20 Walnut Creek restaurants will be providing delicious samples from their menus during the Walnut Creek Restaurant Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, sponsored by the American Association of University Women. Enjoy some wonderful food and help provide this important experience for more girls by sending your check for $30 per person to Jan Cushman at 143 Meadow View, Orinda, CA 94563. Checks should be made out to AAUW OML Community Outreach Fund, Inc. For more info, visit http://oml-ca.aauw.net/tech-trek/.

Women Unleashed! from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) 2890 Mitchell Drive,  Walnut Creek. You deserve a Girls Night at ARF surrounded by precious pups and cute cats. Enjoy complimentary soda, wine, martinis, and appetizers while you shop for clothing, accessories, beauty products, and more. Relax with a mini massage, watch demonstrations, and tour ARF. Cost: $25 per person. Must be 16 years or older. For info, visit https://www.arflife.org/arf-events/439/women-unleashed.

Burton Valley Elementary School PTA Sponsored Blood & Bone Marrow Drive from 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in the Multi-Purpose Room, 561 Merriewood Dr., Lafayette. If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.

Art of Mixology Cocktail Competition and Tasting 4:30 to 7:00 pm on October 10 at Orinda Theatre Square. Competitors will serve up their signature cocktails to a distinguished panel of judges as they vie for the title of Mixologist of the Year, and a $500 cash prize and trophy. Tasting tickets for adults 21 years of age and older are $45. For more information about the Art of Mixology craft cocktail competition, to enter and to purchase tickets, go to http://www.lamorindaarts.org/mixology.

Uncharted - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 and 17 in Downtown Berkeley’s historic Arts District (2025 Addison Street, Berkeley.) Uncharted was founded in 2013 as the Bay Area’s first ideas festival. It brings together some of the world’s great thinkers, designed to engage and inspire. It’s an interactive, eye-opening two days of discussion, debate, workshops, and good food, beer and wine. For more info, visit-http://www.berkeleyideas.com/about/

The Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will feature the Honorable Ellen Tauscher, the U.S. Representative for California’s 10th congressional district from 1997-2009, on Tuesday Oct. 20 at the Holy Trinity Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. Coffee will be served at 9 a.m. For membership information, visit the Branch website: http://oml-ca.aauw.net.

SENIORS

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Social hour at 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. The after-lunch speaker on Oct. 7 will be Dan Herbert, V.P. of WiseTech, who will discuss the rapidly changing global market for trade, its impacts on the supply chain and global security. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

GARDEN

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12 at the Gardens at Heather Farm located at 1540 Marchbanks Road in Walnut Creek. The program topic is “Keeping Your Garden Habitat Friendly in the Drought.” You do not need to be a gardener to join the WCGC. For more info, email mslittle44@gmail.com.