Open Our Hearts
Open Our Hearts, an outreach program on mental illness, offers a free, facilitated support group for family members of adults with severe mental illness from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Temple Isaiah, 945 Risa Rd., Lafayette. The next meeting is tonight, Monday, Aug. 27. Drive across the parking lot and down the hill to the two-story building on the right, the Talmud Torah Center, Room E204. Free, and open to all faiths. Information/RSVP:
karen@mmcohen.com (There will not be a meeting in September.)
Youth and Family Homeless Count
Housing insecure youth and families are traditionally difficult to identify during our annual Homeless Point in Time Count. We are conducting a special count this year targeted just to these populations to better capture information about the need for housing and services for youth and families in our community. The count will focus on people in Contra Costa under the age of 25 and/or people raising minor children. The survey is being offered between Monday, August 27th and Sunday September 9th.
The survey can be completed in a number of ways including:
- Calling 211 to do the survey over the phone
- Texting 898211 with your zip code to do the survey by text
- Going online to bit.ly/housingsurvey2018
- Through community volunteers stationed at community colleges, service sites
- At key youth serving agencies
For additional information, contact Continuum of Care Planning and Policy Manager Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division Contra Costa Health Services at (925) 608-6716.
Twenty-first Annual California Independent Film Festival
The California Independent Film Festival will be celebrating its 21st festival in Lamorinda from August 24 to August 30, at the Rheem and Orinda Theatres. During last four days (August 27 - 30) the festival returns to its home at the Rheem Theatre with feature films, a Bay Area showcase and a comedy shorts program from Canada. CAIFF has something for everyone in films from around the world. This year 13 countries are represented. Tickets are available online at
www.caiff.org or at the Orinda and Rheem Theatre box offices.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
August 30, 10am-4pm, Lafayette Community Center-Jennifer Russell Building, 500 St. Mary's Road, Lafayette
Lafayette is holding a blood drive to benefit the American Red Cross. Please give!
Lafayette Nursery School has openings for this fall!
Lafayette Nursery School (LNS) still has some openings in their 3's class and 4/5's class.
The 3's class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 - 11:30am. The 4/5's class meets Monday through Thursday from 12:30 - 3pm. Tuition is very affordable. This is a co-op program where parents participate in the classroom. It creates a wonderful close-knit community between the staff, parents and children. If you are interested, please contact membership@lafayettenurseryschool.org or for a tour contact
tours@lafayettenurseryschool.org.
www.lafayettenurseryschool.org
Monument Crisis Center Celebrates 15 Year Milestone with “15 Reasons to Give” campaign
Monument Crisis Center (MCC) is celebrating its 15th Anniversary this month and as part of this milestone, they have started a fundraising campaign to allow them to help and support even more families in need in Contra Costa County. Contributions can be made by visiting
www.facebook.com/monumentcrisiscenter and selecting Donate or Text MCC to 41444. Donations can be one time, monthly or annually and the campaign runs through August 31, 2018. For more information visit
www.monumentcrisiscenter.org.
Lamorinda Business Women (LABWO) is launching its first evening social!
Thursday, September 6, 5:30-7:30pm, Captain Vineyards, 1969 Joseph Dr., Moraga
The event will include a visit of the Captain Vineyards premises, an initiation to wine growing, a visit of the wine making and storage areas, and of course wine tasting with food pairing. Hosted by Susan and Sal Captain, leading members of the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association who have lived in Moraga for over 20 years and now teach their craft to the community. The visit and tasting is $25 per person. Send a check to Judy Vared, P.O. Box 44, Moraga, CA 94556 (make checks out to Captain Vineyards) by Friday, August 31 to reserve your spot. There is a maximum number of participants set at 30 people and confirmations are first come, first served, so do not delay sending your check.
www.facebook.com/LamorindaBusinessWomen
Lafayette Community Foundation Sip & Shop
Please join the Lafayette Community Foundation on Thursday, September 6 for a Sip & Shop at J. McLaughlin, 3547 Mt.Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.
J.McLaughlin will provide small bites and wine from 5 pm - 7 pm for you to enjoy while you peruse their fall collection. J.McLaughlin will donate 20% of all sales on September 6 so even if you can't make the Sip & Shop event, please consider stopping in anytime that day to shop. In addition to women's clothing, there is a nice selection of men's and children's apparel as well.
http://lafayettecf.org/
Nonprofit of the Year Reception Honoring SEED 9.12.18
Every year the California Legislature honors our local nonprofits with a Nonprofit of the Year ceremony. This year, Assemblywoman Baker has selected Special Education Enrichment Development Foundation (SEED) as the District 16 Nonprofit of the Year. A reception to honor SEED will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 10:00am. It will be held at the Lafayette Library where there will be cake and refreshments. To attend, please RSVP to our District Office at District Office at 925.328.1515 or online at
asmrc.org/af/nonprofit.
Lamorinda Village Information Sessions
Join us for an informal discussion about how Lamorinda Village is now helping folks in Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. Whether you're looking for a social connection or to provide your support as a volunteer, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more! Please RSVP (address will be provided after your RSVP): Wednesday, September 12 at 10:00 AM in Lafayette. RSVP
online or by phone to (925) 283-3500.
Lamorinda Entrepreneurs Panel Event: Building a Thriving Service Business
Wednesday, September 12, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante
Lamorinda Entrepreneurs continues its 2018 schedule with a lively discussion about starting, growing and running a service business. The panel will include local business leaders:
Julia Glyde,
Kirsten Howe, and
Nizar Ayadi. Learn about the challenges, opportunities and strategies in service businesses. No host bar. Please note Orinda Country Club dress code: collared shirts for men and no denims. Learn more about Lamorinda Entrepreneurs at
http://lamorindaentrepreneurs.com
Lafayette Homeowners Council (LHC) Sponsors Candidates Night
The Lafayette Homeowners Council (LHC) is sponsoring its yearly Candidates Night on September 20th at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center at 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. All residents are welcome! This year five candidates will be on the November ballot for just two City Council positions. Each candidate will have five minutes to introduce themselves and speak regarding their individual positions on various issues regarding our City. After each candidate has spoken, the audience will be able to ask questions of any candidate. Also this year there are four Lafayette School Board positions open and just four candidates. For this reason, the School District decided not to participate in the November election and each candidate will join the School Board as members. However, the LHC invited the School Board “candidates” to its Candidates Night and asked each to introduce themselves and speak for 2-3 minutes regarding their views on schools and education in Lafayette. The meeting will also include a brief “Annual Meeting” agenda by the LHC and we also hope to hear from our Mayor. So all please Come, Listen, Question & Decide!