"Porcelain Poetry/Textile Treasures"
Now through August 13, The Moraga Art Gallery

The Moraga Art Gallery presents "Porcelain Poetry/Textile Treasures",  a new show featuring beautifully-crafted, functional pottery by member artist Donna Arganbright of Lafayette and a selection of vibrant quilts created by guest artist Denise Oyama Miller. The show, which includes the gallery's 16 resident artists and several guest artists, runs through August 13. www.moragaartgallery.com

Art Exhibit at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center 
Now through September 13, Lafayette Library Community Hall

The City of Lafayette Public Art Committee welcomes its newest art exhibit at the Lafayette Library featuring oil paintings by Geoff Meredith, pastels and watercolors by Dalia Alekna and ceramics by Olga Jusidman. For more information contact Juliet Hansen, Lafayette Public Art Committee, JHansen@ci.lafayette.ca.us.

Orinda Starlight Village Players present "Robert Merrill's Aria's"
Now through August 13, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda

This romantic comedy is a heart-warming look at how change affects our lives. Marie struggles to keep the family business and live her own life after her husband's unfortunate - though comic - death. Little Mike, Marie's son, deals with an emptiness that he is still too young to fully articulate. Bill, a stranger in town, rethinks his life after being suddenly dumped by his wife. Jake, Marie's sister, questions her vagabond lifestyle as she realizes excitement is not a synonym for fulfillment. These characters try to redirect their lives against a backdrop of urban redevelopment, which allows for the introduction of the play's villains: Stan, a scheming low-life; and Baranski, an on-the-take petty bureaucrat. Learn more here.

Sustainable Lafayette's 2016 Summer Film Series
Tuesday, August 2, 6:30pm, Lafayette Library Community Hall

For the last night in the series, we'll feature four short films. "Trailhead" - A documentary film project from OaklandTrails.org about the magnificent trail system that covers most of the East Bay. (20 minutes). "Martin's Boat" - Martin believed the best way for people to understand the importance of preserving the Grand Canyon was to have them experience this secret world from the river - but not in just any boat. (24 minutes). "Comes With Baggage" - A light-hearted history of bicycle travel in the Americas that makes you want to sell your possessions, quit your job and escape on a bike. (18 minutes). And "Soil Carbon Cowboys" - These ranchers have learned how to regenerate their soils while making their animals healthier and their operations more profitable. (13 minutes). A $10 donation is requested, $5 for students, and cookies, snacks, coffee and beverages will be served. Learn more here.

Contra Costa Master Gardeners: Planning Your Winter Garden  
Tuesday, August 2, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Arts & Science Discovery Center, Lafayette Library and Learning Center

Believe it or not, it's time to start planning and planting your winter garden! Learn how growing vegetables in the winter has its advantages over summer vegetables and what allowances have to be made for the shorter days and less intense sunlight. For more information click here.

Orinda Summer Concerts & Movies in the Park
Concerts Tuesdays, August 2 and 9, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Movies Thursdays, August 4 and 18, Dust, Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way

On Tuesdays evenings, August 2 and 9, enjoy music from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way. August 2:Spill the Wine, August 9: Dave Alt 18 Piece Big Band.  Summer movies begin at dust: Inside Out on Thursday, August 4 and Good Dinosaur on Thursday, August 18. Learn more here.

LLLCF and Diablo Ballet present: Dance on Film
Thursday, August 4, 2016, 6:30pm, Community Hall

EAST BAY PREMIER of SFDFF International Dance Film Festival Dance Shorts and Rare Birds.  An intimate look at the creativity of choreographer Alexander Ekman and his 2014 production of A Swan Lake, for the Norwegian National Ballet. SFDFF Executive Director Judy Flannery will introduce the films. $5 at the door. Children under 18 FREE with a paying adult. Registration recommended. Refreshments will be served. Click here for more information. 

Moraga Summer Concerts Series
August 4, 11, 18, 25, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Moraga Commons Park

You are invited to join your neighbors on Thursday evenings at the Moraga Commons Park for a relaxing free concert. Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to the grassy hillside in front of the band shell. Enjoy the music while your children enjoy the park. The volunteers of the Moraga Park and Recreation Foundation will even cook dinner for you with the Snack Bar opening at 6:00 pm. Concerts start at 6:30 pm and end at 8:30 pm. Check their website for a list of dates and featured music.

8th Annual Senior Symposium "Aging by Design"
Saturday, August 6, 8:30 am - Noon, Lafayette Elementary School Auditorium, 950 Moraga Road, Lafayette

This free event is a most informative resource fair for seniors in the Lamorinda community, with more than 40 booths sponsored by local vendors of services to seniors, as well as many non-profit organizations that serve seniors in the community. This free event provides the most the most up to date resources for Lamorinda seniors and helps to raise funds for the Lafayette Community Foundation, which has historically supported many local organizations since its inception in 1999 with "Excellence Grants" totaling more than $300,000. Register here.

Composting 101
Saturday, August 6, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center

Learn all that you need to know about the home composting of kitchen scraps, garden trimmings, lawn clippings, leaves and more in a compost pile or with worms.  Find out how easy it is to enrich your soil and reduce your waste while you let nature do the work.  After attending this class, you will leave with all the information you need to start a simple home composting system and you will know how to use the compost in your garden. We will cover the methods of simple vermiculture (or worm composting) and ways to use worm castings and tea. This class is presented by RecycleSmart for adults and families. No cost. Reservations required. RSVP here, or call RecycleSmart to reserve your spot! Call (925) 906-1801 x306. Visit www.recyclesmart.org/composting for more information on the workshop.

Honeybees in Lamorinda
Sunday, August 7, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center

Contra Costa beekeeper extraordinaire, Mike Stephanos, will talk about nature's little wonders: the honeybees. Whether you are a novice beekeeper or someone who loves honey and just wants to know more about the fascinating world of bees, this class is for you. He will cover the biology of honeybees, colonies and hive structures, swarming, the queen, the dangers to our bees today and the miracle of honey. Mike Stephanos has been a beekeeper for many years and is a longtime member of Mt Diablo Beekeepers Association. He keeps hives through the Lafayette-Orinda Valley, including one at Lafayette Community Garden. He sells his honey locally. Learn more.

Nature's Body Products Workshop
Tuesday, August 9, 6:30pm-8:30 p.m., Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center

Natural body products are best for reducing toxins and artificial ingredients on our skin, but they can be expensive. Join Denise Koroslev and make this a "girls spa night" with your daughter or friend to see how easy it is to make your own lotions, lip balms, and floral facial steams and cleansers. Take home a sample. Info & Register: www.sustainablecoco.org/workshops

Taste of Open Space - Fundraiser for the Lafayette Open Space Project
Wednesday, August 10, 6:00pm- :30pm, Amphora Nueva, 7 Fiesta Lane, Lafayette

On Wednesday, August 10th, 6:00 - 8:30 PM, join Sustainable Lafayette for "A Taste of Open Space" at Amphora Nueva, the fabulous olive oil and balsamic vinegar boutique, located at 7 Fiesta Lane.  At the event, you can enjoy olive oil tasting, refreshments from local eateries, and wine, while you learn about our new Lafayette Open Space Project.  Our mission is to identify, protect, and preserve Lafayette open space lands which serve significant environmental, recreational, and aesthetic benefits to our community.  Come hear about some of the parcels we're considering and suggest undeveloped properties you know that might be coming up for sale. Tickets are $25. Click here to reserve your ticket while they last!  Amphora Nueva will donate 15% of all sales that evening to the Lafayette Open Space Project. 

Cal Shakes presents You Never Can Tell
August 10-September 4, California Shakespeare Festival

Shaw's stuffy seaside English resort has been transformed into a turn-of-the-century Bay Area boardwalk. Mrs. Clandon, a famed feminist author and lecturer, is accidentally reunited with her estranged husband when she returns to city life after raising her three children far from society. While her high-minded eldest daughter Gloria tries to stave off smooth-talking dentist Valentine's advances, free-spirited twins Dolly and Phil conspire with a wise waiter to playfully observe the hilarity through mistaken identity and challenged ideals. August 10-September 4. Purchase Tickets here for You Never Can Tell.