Art

Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: Stories We Tell – Contemporary and Ancient. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to view original artwork that demonstrates the power of storytelling using symbols and metaphors from Sept. 3 to Nov. 1. The public is invited to a reception with light refreshments in honor of the exhibiting artists on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. Artists in this show include Gina Barretta, John Brown, Joy Chew, Suellen Cox, Nancy Daniels, Elaine Drew, Jennifer Granat, Karina and Shun-Fei Hou, Georgianna Krieger, Lori J. Larks, Mary Leigh Miller, Connie Vaccaro Millholland, Denise Nomura, Jenny Rosen, Michiko Sakai, Susanne Simas, Ruth Stanton, Betsy Streeter, Sharon Tama and Nancy Vachani. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-library-gallery/ for more information or call (925) 359.9940.

Art Gallery at Wilder: “Whiskers and Zen” Paintings by Joy Chew. The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to view featured artist Joy Chew’s digital paintings of cats and capybara (“Whiskers and Zen”) from Sept. 9 to Oct. 6. Meet the artist on Sunday, Sept. 15 at a reception in her honor from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served in the Art Gallery at Wilder, 20 Orinda Fields Way, Orinda. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-wilder/ to learn more. If you plan on attending, please download the directions.

The Second Annual East Bay Gallery Tour has added 6 Benicia Art Galleries to the Tour this year, bringing the total to 13 Art Galleries for you to visit during the month of October. You have the whole month to visit them and get your Gallery Tour postcard stamped for a chance to win a prize worth $300! This event is free and open to anyone who’d like to participate. Visit any of the galleries listed on the website at the end of September or in October to pick up your postcard with a map and addresses of all the Art Galleries. The galleries will start stamping postcards on Oct. 1. Visit www.mainstreetarts.net/east-bay-gallery-tour-2024.html for more information.

A new exhibit, "Expressions," opened on Aug. 21 at the Moraga Art Gallery and highlights works by two Lamorinda artists: Dalia Alekna, a painter of strikingly-colorful acrylic abstractions, and Mary Leigh Miller, a compelling Raku ceramicist. Alys Briggs will join Alekna and Miller as the featured guest artist. 432 Center Street in Moraga's Rheem Shopping Center. A free opening reception for art lovers of all ages will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. Come to view the collection, meet the artists, listen to live music, enjoy wine and refreshments. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit: www.moragaartgallery.com or call (925)376-5407.

Music

Discovering Opera: Mozart's "The Magic Flute". Presented by Bradford Wade, opera lover for over 45 years, on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Arts & Science Room, Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Perfect for audiences of all ages, this fairytale story follows a handsome young prince Tamino and a silly bird-catcher Papageno on their quest to storm the castle and free the clever princess Pamina. With their magical musical instruments, these two new friends face a vengeful Queen of the Night, a world of sorcerers and serpents, trouble and trials that test their loyalty, love, and persistence. Lecturer Bradford Wade will give a guided tour of "The Magic Flute," with a description of the plot interspersed with musical examples. This lecture is given in conjunction with Opera San Jose's production of "The Magic Flute, Sept. 14 through 29. Free.

Literature

Saint Mary's MFA in Creative Writing is excited to kick off their Fall Visiting Writers Series by hosting Dorianne Laux, 2020 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Poetry, for a free afternoon reading open to the public. Join their community of writers in De La Salle Hall's Hagerty Lounge on SMC's campus on Sept. 11 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. as Laux shares work from her seven collections of poetry. www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa

Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Don Tatzin Concert Hall at the Lafayette Library to hear author John King discuss his book, "Portal." This is a free event, but registration is required at Tinyurl.com/sweet-Sept2024. The doors will be open at 6:30 p.m. for coffee and treats.

Other

The Kapnek Trust USA Family Fun 5K Run, 1K Run/Walk and Carnival will be held at Moraga Commons Park on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. Participants will enjoy a commemorative t-shirt, brunch, music, arts/crafts, carnival games, music, and FUN! All proceeds from this family event help to improve the health and wellness of children in Zimbabwe! Strollers and dogs welcome! Go to: https://kapnektrustusafunrun24.eventbrite.com

Home Maintenance Tips with Mark Shaw, local realtor. It’s difficult to keep track of the many home maintenance tasks that should be done throughout the year: monthly, quarterly, seasonally, annually, etc. Mark will share his home maintenance schedule with you and talk about some of the most important tasks that will keep your house in tip-top form and help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center. Members: Free Non-Members: $10

Traditional Chinese Exercise: 8-Section Brocades (Ba Duan Jin) with Clara Wu in partnership with Lamorinda Village. Looking for a low-impact, slow, gentle, and easy exercise to improve your balance, agility, blood circulation, muscle strengthening, and stress reduction? Join for a trial session to learn this form of more than 1000-year-old Chinese traditional and popular exercise movement. It is characterized by interplay between symmetrical physical postures and movements, mind, and breathing in a harmonious manner. You must register ahead of time for this class. Limited to 12 people. Thursday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Buckeye Room, Lafayette Community Center. Free.

The Art of Making Handmade Cards with instructor Jennifer Gerst. Learn how easy and fun it is to make beautiful cards using papers, ink, stamps, and embellishments. Step-by-step instructions and all materials will be provided to complete 4 cards per class. Session 1: Autumn Holidays -- create cards for birthdays, friendship/thinking of you, and Autumn holidays Wednesday, Sept. 11 & 18, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center. Session 2: Winter Holidays -- create cards for birthdays, encouragement, and Winter holidays Wednesday, Oct. 9 & 16, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Elderberry Room, Lafayette Community Center. Materials Fee: $20 per session, payable to instructor. Minimum 4, maximum 10 attendees.

2nd Annual Lamorinda Public Safety Fair – Sept. 14.at 10 a.m. Fun for the kids, treats and information for Everyone! Police drones and vehicles, Fire truck, Search and Rescue, Ham Radio Operators and MORE! Free to the public. St. Anselm’s Church, 682 Michael Lane, Lafayette.

AARP Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers to become members of a team providing free tax preparation service in Contra Costa County. Tax-Aide needs individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. While prior tax preparation experience is beneficial, it is not a requirement. The program provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure all volunteers feel confident and capable in their roles. Volunteer positions include Tax Counselors, who are trained by Tax-Aide and certified by the IRS, and Client Facilitators, who schedule appointments and assist clients at tax sites. To learn more and apply on-line, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaidevolunteer or call (925) 726-3199 for additional information.

Garden

The Walnut Creek Garden Club will hold its FREE monthly meeting on Monday Sept. 9 at The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. Join them for a special program Stefani Bittner: The Fragrant Flower Garden. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, social time and an educational program, Complimentary tea, coffee & snacks are available. 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek. Open to the public. For more information, please visit: www.WalnutCreekGardenClub.org

The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is celebrating its 13th year with a community open house on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community garden is located across from the reservoir at 3932 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. The event is free and will highlight the amazing life and importance of bees and the craft of beekeeping. In addition to the speakers, there will be guided tours of the garden, information on raising chickens, master gardening, bee crafts, bee tasting, iced tea and lemonade, and an opportunity to walk a labyrinth and see the garden’s Miwok Village. If you have questions, you can call (925) 946-0563 or visit their website at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org.