The Hearst Art Gallery at Saint Mary’s College presents Gifted Hands: the Fine Art of Craft, featuring 90 objects by 15 major contemporary Bay Area artists through December 12. These artists transform glass, textiles, fiber, metal, precious and semi-precious stones, clay, wood, fallen logs, and sea shells into extraordinary works of art. On view are both functional and decorative objects: furniture, wearable art, jewelry, pottery, quilts, turned wooden bowls, and fabric and metal sculpture. The Hearst Art Gallery is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, 11am-4:30pm. Suggested adult donation is $4; free for K-12th grade students and Hearst Art Gallery members.

The Lafayette Gallery's latest show, "Southwest Inspired," runs through October 30. Gallery artists show work in many mediums including printmaking, oil and acrylic paintings, mixed media works, jewelry, wood, ceramics, photography and pastel. The Gallery is located at 50 Lafayette Circle in downtown Lafayette. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm. Phone (925)284-2788.

"Inspiration," works by Pam Glover and her group, Saturday October 30th in the AMFA in Orinda Theater Square. Over 30 works of art inspired by Pam Glover are currently for sale. The reception will be held on Saturday October 30th from 4:30 to 6:30pm. For more information call (925)788-5866.

Nov 14th, 2010: New Rheem Theatre presents the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra Concert and Dance, featuring vocalist Cami Thompson. $20 Gen Adm, $10 Students at the New Rheem’s Box Office or www.thenewrheemtheatre.com .

Maestro Duane Carroll and the Contra Costa Wind Symphony open their 30th season with “Reach for the Sky,” a concert featuring the French horn section, principal trumpet Eric Eidbo, music from Apollo 13, and flight sequences from film scores by John Williams. November 6 at 8pm, located at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave, Walnut Creek. $15 tickets are available at www.CCWindsymphony.org and at the door.

The University of California Alumni Chorus will perform favorite selections from 25 years of programming in its 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Concert on Saturday, November 14, 7:30pm in Hertz Hall on the U.C. Berkeley Campus. Tickets for the November 14th concert are $20 general admission, $15 seniors and disabled, and $6 for all students. Tickets will be available online in early October at http://www.ucac.net and at the door. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit the U.C. Alumni Chorus website: http://www.ucac.net.

Saturday, November 6, from 8-10pm at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, the Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra will be performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Tickets: $25-$85. For more information visit http://www.cityboxoffice.com.

The Performing Arts Society's Tuesday evening concert for November will open with soprano Sarah Sloan performing short works by Debussy and songs by Cecile Chaminade, accompanied by pianist Miles Graber. "Suite for Trio" by Alexander Arutianian will be performed by Christiana Carr, violin; Dorinda Chase, clarinet; and Hye Yeong Min, piano. The program concludes with five operatic arias by Gounod, Puccini or Verdi sung by Elena Yakoubovsky accompanied by Nicholas Yakoubovsky. Details: Tuesday, November 9, 8pm, at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. This is a free event. For more information see: www.ccpas.org.

Town Hall Theatre’s 2010-2011 Main Stage is currently presenting the exciting and frightening Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the Robert Lewis Stevenson novella. This unusual adaptation brings all of the tension and thrills of the legendary story with a cast of only six actors, each playing multiple characters that create foggy Victorian London in the heart of Lafayette through Halloween. For exact times, more information and to buy tickets contact Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557, or purchase online at
www.TownHallTheatre.com.

The SMC Performing Arts Department presents a 20th Anniversary production of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize winning “Angels in America” for their fall theatre production. This monumental story of the AIDS crisis and its origins is featuring a cast of ten extremely dedicated and talented Saint Mary's student actors. The production is designed by some of the Bay Area's leading artists, with stage direction by Professor Reid Davis. Performances run from Nov. 12-21. Where: LeFevre Theatre, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Tickets: available online for $19 each at www.stmarys-ca.ed/news-and-events.

Crisis Hopkins presents “Damned for a Limited Time” as part of the Town Hall Comedy Series on November 19 & 20. Tickets: $25; contact Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557, or purchase online at www.TownHallTheatre.com. Child-care for the November 20 show offered by Lafayette Kids Cottage, $25 per child. Minimum age three.

Simon Winchester
Atlantic - The Biography of an Ocean
Sunday, November 14, 3PM
Acalanes High School Performing Arts Center

Fall events at Orinda books. Tuesday, November 9, 2pm Claire Cooper Marcus will read from and discuss Iona Dreaming: The Healing Power of Place. The author spent a 6-month long solitary retreat on the remote Scottish island of Iona, where she reviewed the life that brought her here to this magical place.

Thursday Nov. 4, from 10am-1pm the Orinda Library is having a book sale. Located at 26 Orinda Way, in the Sorting Room and Book Shop. This monthly sale offers quality books for all interests and all ages. For more information call (925) 254-1358.

Haunted House at the New Rheem Theater
350 Park Street, Moraga
October 28th thru the 31st
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and open til midnight on Halloween
Not for the weak at heart. Don't miss the claustrophobia chamber and other nightmare rooms. Appropriate for ages 10 years and older, cost is $8.

Friday Night of Fright
New Rheem Theater, 350 Park Street, Moraga
October 29th at 10:00 p.m.
Come out to see the classic fright flick, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Hosted by Vanessa the Queen of Scream, moviegoers will have the chance to show off their horror flick knowledge and win cool prizes.

Witches & Goblins. Trick or Treat
at Rheem Valley Center on Friday, October 29, 3- 5pm.

Free Halloween Skate and Scoot
Friday October 29th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Roller Hockey Rink at the Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette. All ages are invited - bring your skates, scooters and skateboards. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.

Sleepy Hollow Halloween Fall Carnival
20 Washington Lane, Orinda
October 30th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fabulous food, awesome games, cool rides and fun. Don't miss the Magical Harry Potter Haunted House!

Alice in Wonderland on Halloween
12 Lynnwood Place, Moraga
October 31st from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Make this a place to stop on the trick-or-treat trail. A cast of twelve including Alice, the white rabbit, The Mad Hatter, and the rest of the crew from Wonderland will perform a skit throughout evening. Enjoy a good laugh along with a sweet treat.

Campolindo Orchestra's Rent-A-Student program has been launched in Lamorinda. Students will be doing odd jobs, like Babysitting, Pet sitting, Home Repairs, Painting, Cleaning, Gardening, Tutoring, etc.. Funds earned will go to the Campolindo Music Boosters and will be used to help send Campo's String Orchestra to Beijing. Call (925) 360-9635 and they will send a student with the skills you need at the time requested. For more info, visit website www.campomusic.com.

The Contra Costa Jewish Day School invites families to an Open House from Kindergarten - 8th grade on Sunday, November 7, 3-5 pm, at the school 3836 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (next to Temple Isaiah). Childcare will be provided. The Open House provides an opportunity to learn more about the school, meet the faculty, visit the classrooms and speak to current families. For further information and to RSVP please contact Amy Wittenberg, Admissions Director at (925)284-8288 or amyw@ccjds.org or visit www.ccjds.org.

The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present Lafayette’s first-ever outdoor movie event. Monsters, Inc. will be presented in Lafayette Plaza, located at the corner of Mount Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road, on Saturday, October 30 at 7pm. The movie will be free of charge.

Free fun for boys 11 years and older interested in scouting. On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Troop 246 of Moraga will host an open house from 7:30-8:30 at the Scout Hut at 1279 Moraga Way across from the Moraga Firehouse. Come and enjoy ice cream sundaes with our scouts. Learn Boy Scout skills, make new friends, and talk with our recent Eagle Scouts. We are looking for new scouts to join our troop between now and next spring. Cub Scouts, Webelos and non-Scouts that are 11 years old or currently in 5th grade are welcome. Please contact Leslie Green with any questions, 247-0846.

The Lafayette Reservoir Run will take place on Sunday, October 31. This race is a “family affair”, involving kids, parents, grandparents, and hundreds of serious runners from throughout the Bay Area. 2200-2500 participants compete in a 10k, 5k or 2 mile race through the heart of the downtown, around the reservoir and back. Sprinters, walkers, the “stroller brigade” and many of Lafayette’s top four legged residents share the streets on that festive Sunday morning. For more info or to register: Phone: (925) 284-7404, Email: info@lafayettechamber.org, Website: www.lafayettechamber.org.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will host Lara Mendel, Co-Founder of the Mosaic Project, for a discussion on cultural diversity in our changing world where stereotypes survive because we have little or no exposure to those different from ourselves. Saturday, October 30 at 7pm. The community is invited to come to this free event. Wine and tapas will be served before the program. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, (925) 283-3722.

Lamorinda Adult Respite Center (LARC) is sponsoring a free Transfer Training: open to all, Friday, November 5, 9-11am, and Monday, November 8, 6-8pm. It's important to learn how to safely transfer those persons needing extra assistance moving from sitting to standing, standing to lying, moving into and out of cars, and other transfer challenges. 433 Moraga Way, Orinda.

Moraga Parks and Recreation Department is organizing the second exterior home decorating contest. Homes must be registered no later than November 15. Judging will take place the week of December 13th by the Moraga Women’s Society. Winners will receive a gift certificate from Moraga Hardware/Across the Way and will receive a plaque from the Town. Entry fee is $12.

Sunday, Nov. 7th 12:30-3pm is the 5th Annual International Fair Trade Market at The Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive Lafayette, in the Marion Hall. This is an opportunity to purchase “Fair Trade” handicrafts from around the world. Proceeds directly support A Greater Gift (SERRV), Bead for Life, Bridge For Africa, Church World Service, Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea & Cocoa, Heifer Project, and Habitat for Humanity. More info at our website,
www.lafayettechristianchurch.org.

Back by popular demand, the 34th OCCA Holiday Bazaar, a one-day-only event for the entire family is back. The Bazaar will be Saturday, November 6th from 9:30-4:30pm, at the Orinda Community Center at 28 Orinda Way in Orinda . Free admission, family entertainment and raffle prizes! There will be many new vendors selling handmade items, gourmet goodies, jewelry, unique items for the home, international crafts, fun pet items, baby gear and many specialty gifts. Start your holiday shopping early in Orinda while supporting the beautiful and historic Orinda Community Center. (See article)

Soup Lunch and Boutique: Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, is having a holiday boutique and soup lunch. Home-made soup and unique items for people of all ages will be featured. There will also be a bake sale and outside venders. It is the place to be for a hearty lunch and shopping for unique gifts. The event is on Saturday, November 6, from 10am-3pm in the Fellowship Hall.

"Cycle Recycle" 1307 Larch Ave. in Moraga, November 2010. The Prestons are gathering repairable bicycles that will be repaired by inmates at Marsh Creek Detention Facility, and given to local charities. This fall the Preston will collect used bikes for Trips for Kids/Re-cyclery in Marin County and Bike Education Training and Repair in Richmond. They accept used bikes through the entire month of November, dropped on their driveway, and they do not give receipts. For questions email tpreston2004@comcast.net.

The women of St Mary’s College Guild’s Harvest Luncheon and Fair will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 10:30am in the Soda Center at Saint Mary’s College. A delicious Thanksgiving luncheon will be served and you will have the opportunity to shop for holiday décor, stocking stuffers, jams jellies, hostess baked goodies and candies. All profits go to scholarships for deserving students.

Wonderfest! The Bay Area Festival of Science, Sunday, November 7, 10am-6pm. Located at the Stanley Hall, UC Berkeley, between Hearst Mining Circle & Gayley Road. All Wonderfest events are free, open to the public, and do not require registration. Produced as a public service by Branson School, a non-profit, independent high school in Marin County. Wonderfest is co-sponsored by Branson, and the Stanford Chemistry Department, and UC Berkeley.

Lamorinda Adult Respite Center (LARC), offers respite for caregivers by providing exemplary care and stimulating activities for their loved ones. Open Monday through Friday 11am–3pm, we provide interesting and engaging activities such as games, crafts, exercise, friendships and daily live musical entertainment. LARC participants feel safe, cared for and valued while they are with us. For more information or to become a volunteer please call (925)254-3465 or email
larc@holyshepherd.org.

Moraga Movers meet at the St. Mary's College Soda Center on November 8. Social hour is at 11am, with lunch at noon. The speaker is Randy Bennett, head men's basketball coach at Saint Mary’s College.

Sons in Retirement Lamorinda Branch 171 meets the first Wednesday monthly at Holy Trinity Culture Center, 1700 School St., Moraga. Social hour 11am, lunch 12pm. The after lunch speaker will be Sue Howell, donor development officer for Habitat for Humanity. She will reflect on the historic first town in the East Bay, Moraga, that exceeded the goal of raising $100,000 to entirely sponsor a house. For membership information, call Larry at (925) 631-9528.

StarrForce presents: How Private Are your Salesforce Chatter Conversations? Friday, October 29, 9-10am, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, 100 Lafayette Cir # 103. With Chatter, Salesforce.com is one step closer to its goal of making enterprise software as easy to use as Facebook. Chatter can be a very useful tool when communicating or collaborating with your co-workers.

POLITICAL GATHERINGS

On Tuesday, Oct. 19th the Lamorinda Branch of AAUW will sponsor a meeting at the Serbian Orthodox Church, l700 School St., Moraga starting at 9:30am to inform ourselves and the public on the issues raised by the nine initiatives on the ballot. Members and guests will be randomly seated at round tables, each of which is provided with materials from the League of Women Voters and other non-partisan sources concerning a single ballot measure. At the end of the discussions each table will report its observations and viewpoints to the entire group. General materials on all of the ballot measures will also be available. This meeting is free and open to the public.

Campolindo Orchestra's Rent-A-Student program has been launched in Lamorinda. Students will be doing odd jobs, like Babysitting, Petsitting, Home Repairs, Painting, Cleaning, Gardening, Tutoring, etc.. Funds earned will be used to help send Campo's String Orchestra to China, having been invited by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the International Arts Institute to perform in Beijing in the spring. Call 925-360-9635 and they will send a student with the skills you need at the time requested. For more info, visit website www.campomusic.com

Montelindos Garden Club meetings and speakers are every third Friday of the month, September through May. Located at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda. Refreshments and plant sale will be at 9am, and meetings at 9:30.
The meeting is free and welcomes guests and new members. Friday, October 15, Julia Lojo, owner of Bloomies, an Oakland/Rockridge florist shop, will speak about "Decorating from your Garden."

The Moraga Women's Society will meet on Monday, October 18th at 9:30am at the Holy Trinity Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga. The speaker will be Dale Walwark, a resident of Moraga and member of the Kiwanis Club. His presentation will be of his trip to Turkey. Visitors are welcome. Contact Judy Butler, President, (925) 372-7760.

The Suburban Woman's Club of Lafayette is holding their next meeting on Oct 21 at the Lafayette Community Center in the Elderberry Room at 11:30am. Lunch is provided by the members and we invite all women over the age of 55 to join us.
The speaker this month will be someone from PG&E who should give us some interesting information about the company in light of recent events. The Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month. For further information on the club and our activities contact Jean Cappa at Jeanc43821@aol.com or please join us at the next meeting.