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 artist 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 next Science Café program, ”Exploring the Science of Art Conservation of Sacred Art Treasures of Bhutan,” It will be held on Monday, November 29 from 7-8pm at the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette. This science café program will be co-sponsored by the California Section of the American Chemical Society and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.

Reception Honoring “The Luck of the Draw”, Elementary School Artists at Lafayette’s Town Hall Theater, December 11, 6:30-7:30 pm. Artwork will be displayed at the Town Hall Theater November 10th through December 31st.

The Lafayette Gallery’s holiday show,
Winter Wonderland is now open. The public is invited to celebrate the season with a festive reception on Friday, December 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Browse our exclusive selection of wonderful gift items including shimmering handmade jewelry, locally inspired ornaments, elegantly tooled ceramics and gallery walls brimming with paintings, pastels, monotypes, photographs and more. Lafayette Gallery is a 23-member cooperative at 50 Lafayette Circle in downtown Lafayette. Gallery Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm.

Holiday Workshops at the Museum of Children’s Art:
538 9th Street , Oakland, (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org Cost: $8/child, free for members.
Saturday, December 4, 1–3pm, make the perfect candleholder for your winter celebrations, be it a menorah, candelabra or Kinara, using wood, tin and paints.
Sunday, December 5, 1-3pm, build a candy cottage or cookie castle using sugary frosting paste, licorice, lollipops, gumdrops and more.
Saturday, December 11 & Sunday December 12, 1-3pm, string up ornaments and decorations made using glittery goods, provocative papers and a multitude of materials.

Start the holiday season off with a song! Join us at the annual holiday concert performance by Saint Mary's Colleges' student chorus; the NightinGaels. The program includes selections from the great composers, contemporary artists and holiday favorites. Sunday, November 28, at 2pm, and Monday, November 29, at 8pm. Chapel, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. Free and open to all.

The Saint Mary's College Student Chamber Musicians, directed by Lino Rivera, Dawn Foster-Dodson and Martin Rokeach will perform vocal and instrumental music from a variety of prestigious composers. Tuesday, November 30, at 8pm, and Wednesday, December 1, at 8pm. In the Chapel, Saint Mary's College of California, 1928 St. Mary's Rd., Moraga. All are welcome.

YPSO musician and Campolindo student, Inno Asuncion, will be playing with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. The next concert is coming up on Dec. 2nd. For tickets and information about the Berkeley Symphony concert on December 2nd, visit www.berkeleysymphony.org or call (510) 841-2800.

The Cantare Chorale and Chamber Ensemble, directed by David Morales presents its annual holiday concert, “Star of Wonder”, featuring Shaw’s Many Moods of Christmas, Suite 4, selections by Bach, Mendelssohn, Biebl and more. Saturday, December 4, 7:30pm at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie, Walnut Creek, Sunday, December 5th, 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 27th & Broadway, Oakland Tickets: $10 - $40. (510) 836-0789. For more info and tickets: www.cantareconvivo.org.

Winter Concert at the Moraga Library with Flutist Carol Alban and Friends on November 11, 7pm. Enjoy Carol Alban, Dylan Snodgrass, Marc Levine and George Cole perform classical, jazz, and holiday favorites. Limited seating, please call for reservations, (925) 376-6852.

The family favorite, “Scrooge! The Musical” returns to Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette this December. The musical runs December 4 - 19. For tickets and ticket information contact Town Hall Theatre Box Office at (925) 283-1557, or purchase online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

The Diablo Theatre Company kicks off the holiday season with the East Bay premiere of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the tune-filled musical about two showbiz buddies. Nov. 26, 27, 28 at 8pm, Dec 3, 4 at 7:30pm. $20-$42 admission. Located at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. For more information call (925) 943-7469.

Galatean Players Ensemble Theatre is celebrating the 15th Year Anniversary of the popular children's musical Whiskers! (an adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic The Velveteen Rabbit) by Caroline Altman playing at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, Dec. 11-20. Tickets are $10-$15 and are available by calling (925) 943-7469.

The snow falls onstage and the Christmas tree magically grows in the California Academy of Performing Arts presentation of a full-length Nutcracker in Moraga. This is an energy-filled spectacle with a certain joy that reflects the studio’s dedication to young dancers. This production is huge, with more than 100 performers and extra characters & surprises.” Anna Juliet Brown is the voice and storyteller, guiding young viewers through the beautiful ballet as it unfolds. For more information and tickets, please contact: www.capadance.net or call (925) 376-2454.

East Bay Premiere of “Pink Smoke over the Vatican,” an Award-winning documentary film about Roman Catholic women candidates for priesthood. Sponsored by the Women of Magdala. Jules Hart, the film’s director, will speak before the film and answer questions afterward. Sunday, December 5, 3pm at the Orinda Theater. Admission is $10. For more information call or go to (925) 930-0129 or email her at journeyon37@yahoo.com.

Dechen Designs’ 5th Annual Holiday Boutique & Gift Show. An exclusive trunk-show event with local artists and vendors of high quality gift items, featuring fabulous Himalayan Cashmere Shawls, silk scarves, jewelry, hats, fused glass art, skin care, cosmetics and much more. Saturday, Dec. 11th, 12-4pm and Saturday, Dec. 18th, 1-5pm. Lafayette Library’s Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Enjoy delicious holiday cider and gourmet treats.

On Saturday, December 11 from 11am-4pm The Lafayette Gallery and guest artists will offer a one day trunk show featuring unique gift items crafted by local artists. Come browse the diverse selection that includes hand-painted silk coasters, whimsical cupcake candles, leather bags, holiday ornaments, shimmering jewelry and decorative functional ceramics. Additionally, the gallery walls will be full of paintings, pastels and photography that make wonderful gifts or an artful statement in your home. Free event. Lafayette Gallery is a 23 member co-op of local artists and is located at 50 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette. For more info call (925) 284-2788 or visit www.lafayettegallery.net.

Jewish Gateways, Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, & Building Jewish Bridges present: Hanukkah for Adults. Join us for an adult evening celebration of Hanukkah. We'll gather for candle lighting. You are welcome to bring your own menorah and candles if you'd like. Located at the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut Street, Berkeley, Thursday, December 2, 7-9pm. For more information please go to, http://prod.jcceastbay.org/index.html

The Bethlehem Experience: Performances 5:30-8pm, Dec. 10h, 11th, and 12th. This interactive performance takes participants back through time. Tour guides lead groups of about 10 people through the marketplace of Bethlehem on the night of the Messiah’s birth. Tours begin every 15 minutes and take about one hour. The last tour leaves at 8pm, Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette. Questions: (925) 284-4765.

Live Nativity at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church on December 11, 5:30-8pm. See the Christmas story come to life! The courtyard will be transformed into a Bethlehem manger. Light refreshments will be served. MVPC is located at 10 Moraga Valley Lane in Moraga. Questions: (925) 376-4800.

Concert: Christmas on the Hill, on Sunday, December 12, 7pm. Experience a heart-warming evening of music celebrating a story that matters. The MVPC Choir and Worship Team, the Kurt Ribak Trio, the Kingdom Kids Choir, and soloists will lead us. MVPC is located at 10 Moraga Valley Lane in Moraga. Questions: (925) 376-4800.

Holidays After Losing A Loved One: Honor Their Memory at Remembrance Service
For those who have lost a loved one this year or a prior year, the holiday season can be sad, lonely and upsetting. At Unity of Walnut Creek’s Remembrance Service, you can remember and honor your loved ones who have transitioned. The Remembrance Service will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at 7 p.m. at Unity, 1871 Geary Rd., Walnut Creek. This annual event is open to all on a free-will donation basis.