Published December 9th, 2009
business briefs
Temporary Art Gallery in Downtown Lafayette
3586 Mount Diablo Boulevard, 262-9814, www.zetagallery.com
For a limited time Zeta Gallery, in collaboration with local and national artists and designers, presents up a temporary art gallery in the downtown Lafayette area. It will be open from December 4th 2009 through March 4th 2010. Opening night was Friday, December 4. The gallery will feature fine photography, fine jewelry, paintings, drawings, bronze and ceramic sculpture, glass art, pottery, steel art, furniture and the art of Africa. Also, Zeta Gallery will be conducting silent auctions of fine art with all proceeds benefiting Children's Hospital in Oakland. The space used to be Fitness Together. "The owner of the space gave us a really good deal on the rent after we explained to him what we want to accomplish," says Zeta Gallery owner Evelyn Fulgado-Taylor. Regular exhibition hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contemporary Sculptures on Exhibition at
Scott McCue's Studio
83 Orinda Way, Orinda, 253 1719, www.scottmccue.com
Thirty years ago, when Scott McCue was working in a camera store, an artist friend of his asked how to take great pictures of his art. After trying to explain, McCue decided to do it himself and went on photographing art for artists and museums. The photographer set-up shop in Orinda 20 years ago and has been renowned for portraits and wedding pictures. He continued his work with artists, and has been taking photographs for the Museum of Modern Art and the Hearst Gallery. "Artists need good pictures because there are many more people who see the pictures than the actual pieces," he says, "and shooting eye-catching pictures is what I do best." For the second time in his Orinda store, McCue is featuring the work of some of the contemporary sculptors for whom he has taken photographs. "I am presenting the work of two very well known local artists, Margaret Keelan and Annie Stryke," says McCue. He hopes that the public response will be as good for this exhibition as it was for the previous one, and that most of the pieces will sell. McCue expects to continue exhibiting his favorite artists throughout the coming year.

Shopping Made Easy for Men and Women at Serendipity Jewels
1280 Summit Rd, Lafayette, 935-0971,
www.serendipityjewels.net
Karin Lechner wants to make it very convenient for women to get their wish this holiday season. On Wednesday, December 16th from 11a.m.-8p.m., she is holding an open-house with wine and refreshments where women can either purchase a holiday present for themselves or register their choices on a wish list. Then on Sunday, December 20th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., men are invited to visit. "Football will be on all the TV's. Beer, wine and 'manly snacks' will be served while men choose gifts themselves or from their lady's wish lists," says Lechner. She will gift wrap the purchases while the men relax, eat and watch the games.

News from the Three Chambers of Commerce
Lafayette
- Green Committee on Wednesday, December 16 at 11:45 a.m. in
the Chamber Conference Room
- Entrepreneur's Club on Thursday, December 17 at 8:30 a.m. in
the Chamber Conference Room

Moraga
The Chamber has improved the "Shop Moraga First" web site and has created a new logo. Members can now list their events and promotions on the web site, and clients will have access to a convenient search feature. Merchants will have easy access to edit the information about their businesses and events. "It is just a 'click and type' mechanism," said Grant Stubblefield of the Community Marketing Group, who presented the update at the November 20th Chamber meeting. "One other interesting feature is that businesses can list search words under which they'd like shoppers to find them when they are looking for a specific item." The Shop Moraga First web site is open to all, Chamber members or not, although members enjoy special privileges such as more free space to describe their businesses. For more information go to shopmoragafirst.com

Orinda
The Orinda Chamber is ramping up its rally for "Toys for Tots" this year and asks its members to please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Chamber Holiday Mixer on Thursday December 10th. Business owners who can't be at the mixer or other residents who want to participate are invited to drop a gift in the large marked bin in front of the Chamber office at 26 Orinda Way (by the Library). "Bringing more than one toy will ensure even more smiles," says the Chamber's Executive Director Candy Kattenburg. Other collection places can be found in the Orinda Theatre lobby, the City of Orinda offices (22 Orinda Way) and at The Framemaker (19 Orinda Way, Suite C). The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.
Orinda Chamber Christmas Mixer on Thursday, December 10th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Once again Mechanics Bank is hosting our Chamber Christmas Mixer. This is one event not to be missed! Good old fashion Holiday Fun. 77 Moraga Way, Orinda. Free admission.
Sculpture by Margaret Keelan: Yellow Brick Road
Sculpture by Annie Stryke: Open Mind

Reach the reporter at:

Copyright Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA