Local Events Not to Miss
December 2019
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It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration
Friday, December 6, 4:00-6:30pm at Lafayette’s Plaza Park, Corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Rd
Free admission! This fun, family-friendly celebration includes free visit with Santa, free rides on the [NEW!!] Lafayette Express train, official holiday tree lighting ceremony, one-of-a-kind photo ops, live musical entertainment, kid’s crafts, holiday treats and more! Arrive early and plan to stay!
Festivities begin at 4pm when Santa is scheduled to parade along Golden Gate Way starting at the Lafayette Historical Society and arriving at Lafayette Plaza Park (corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road) approximately 4:30pm. A must-not-miss for the little ones!
The official lighting of the Lafayette holiday tree is planned for 5:30 p.m., immediately followed by a community sing-a-long lead by Rena Wilson of Performing Academy. Our Master of Ceremonies this year is Lafayette’s very own Pam Freund-Striplen, Artistic Director and Founder of the Gold coast Chamber Players. There will be live entertainment throughout the event, including local student musicians, singers, and dancers from Stanley Middle School Chorus, Lafayette Kids’ Cottage, Performing Academy, Lafayette Nursery School, The Sizzling Latin Dance Studio, the MCVT Glee Club & the Town Hall Theatre Kids.
The “It’s a Wonderful Life in Lafayette” event is presented by the Lafayette Chamber, and sponsored by local Lafayette Realtor
The Dana Green and
Branagh Development, who together are also hosting the environmentally-friendly downtown Lafayette twinkle lights for the 2019 Holiday Season.
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Holiday Mixer at Merrill Gardens at Lafayette
Wednesday, December 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm, Merrill Gardens, 1010 Second Street, Lafayette
It's the Chamber's Holiday Mixer! Please join us for a festive time with a few surprises in store! It's the mixer not to be missed! We extend a special invitation to our 2019 sponsors and community partners!
Event is free with 3 cans/food donation for the
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano,
otherwise $20 per person. No host bar, $5 beer and wine. Non-alcoholic options too! Appetizers provided by Merrill Gardens, holiday bites by local restaurants including Batch & Brine, Locanda Positano, Sideboard, The Coop 32, and Uncle Yu's.
Special thanks to
Merrill Gardens at Lafayette
for hosting!
Please register online - we will have your name badge printed and ready to go when you arrive!
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Our December Newsletter is Sponsored by Millie's Kitchen
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Saturday, November 30, 2019 is Small Business Saturday®
On Saturday, November 30, you can be a part of the 10th annual holiday shopping tradition that helps to bring communities together in support of their favorite small businesses. Are you ready to
Shop Small® and make a big impact in our community?
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December Non-Profit & Art Events
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Legos can be dropped off at 3501 School Street, Lafayette or contact Dr. Roy for pickup at (925) 385-8051.
Deadline is Friday, November 29.
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ENJOY BLACK FRIDAY & SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY EARLY! 20% OFF GIFT CARDS
Take advantage of some early Black Friday and Small Business Saturday love and get your holiday gift list done with Gift Cards to our Local Food Adventures food tours. Give a gift of food and fun from a business that knows (and loves) you! Now through next
Saturday, November 30
, use code "GIVEYUMMY" to get 20% off gift certificates. Plus, for every gift card purchased during this period, we'll include it in our guest count for this year's annual donation to the Alameda County Community Food Bank!
DID YOU KNOW?
Ever since the very first tour, $1 from every guest ticket is donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Last year we donated more than $1,000. Help us make this year's donation even greater!
www.localfoodadventures.com
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Scouts BSA Troop 224 Has the Perfect Tree and Wreath for You!
A Lafayette tradition since 1958, the lot opens
Black Friday, November 29 at 9am
and is open Weekends (Friday-Sunday) 9am-9pm and Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) 10am-8pm daily until we sell out. Located next to the Lafayette Community Garden on Mt. Diablo Blvd, between the Reservoir and Oakwood Athletic Club.
Facebook.com/Troop224Lafayette
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Valley Art Gallery Announces 54th Annual Holiday Collection for Artful Giving
Now through December 28; Open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 AM - 5 PM. Special holiday hours: Sundays and Mondays 11 AM – 3 PM through December 23. 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110, Walnut Creek
The holiday collection includes a wide variety of jewelry, ceramics, glass, textiles, holiday decorations, small paintings, and many other one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by greater Bay Area artists. In addition, our unique sliding walls feature over 300 works in a variety of styles, media and prices by the best Bay Area artists. Free, open to the public, no reservations needed. (925) 935-4311
www.valleyartgallery.org
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Pacific Chamber Orchestra presents Handel
Messiah
Saturday, November 30, 7:30pm, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 24 Knox Dr., Lafayette
Pacific Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Lawrence Kohl, presents a concert production of The Glorious - Handel Messiah with soprano Marnie Breckenridge, and mezzo-soprano Silvie Jensen, tenor Ricky Garcia, and baritone Ben Brady and the Pacific Chamber Orchestra Chorus, Ofer dal Lal Chorus Master. Performances are Saturday, November 30th, 7:30 pm Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church 24 Knox, Lafayette and Sunday December 1st, 3:00 pm Bankhead Theatre, 2400 First Street in Livermore. Tickets may be purchased for “The Glorious – Handel Messiah” online at
www.pacificchamberorchestra.org and additionally for the Livermore performance by calling or visiting the Bankhead box office 925-373-6800 at 2400 First Street, Livermore.
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Grand Re-Opening of the Moraga Art Gallery
Although the Moraga Art Gallery has moved just 200 yards to a new home, it has raised its stature considerably as a must-see Moraga landmark.
The show, entitled "Serendipities," which runs now through February 1st, includes abstract paintings by guest artist Graig Crossley of Moraga, who uses a full palette of blazing primary colors to startling effect. Also, a selection of museum-quality wooden bowls by guest artist Rick Nelson, and an oversized metal sculpture by popular Joe Bologna, which serves as the show's centerpiece along with jewelry by K. de Groot and walls lined with photographs of landscapes by Wenda Pyman and florals by Lucy Beck.
Open daily from 10:00 to 6:00 between December 1st and 25, the gallery offers a cornucopia of tasteful holiday gifts for discerning buyers. For more information, visit the gallery’s website:
www.moragaartgallery.com, call 925-376-5407 or email
moragaartgallery@gmail.com.
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Help a Foster Child Get Back to Being a Kid. Become a CASA Volunteer.
Foster children can spend years moving from one foster home to another. They face lasting trauma, homelessness, unemployment and even prison as adults. But you can create a positive change by becoming a CASA volunteer. Court Appointed Special Advocates work one-on-one with foster children to ensure that they receive consistent support, health, education and therapeutic services, and positive social and recreational opportunities.
Here are the dates for our Informational Sessions in December:
Sign up
to attend IN-PERSON Informational Session
Friday, December 13, 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m., CASA Office
Friday, December 20, 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. Pinole Library
Register below for a WEBINAR
Monday, December 2, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.,
REGISTER
Friday, December 6, 6:30 p.m. - 8 pm.,
REGISTER
Monday, December 16, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.,
REGISTER
You must be 21 years or older to volunteer.
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Lamorinda Arts Alliance Announces Irenka Kudlicki and Dalia Alekna at the Samadian Gallery
Open to the Public November-December, Monday–Friday 10am-5pm, 23 Orinda Way Suite 301, Orinda
Samadian Gallery in Orinda presents, now through December, engaging abstract paintings by Irenka Kudlicki and alluring pastels by Dalia Alekna. Both Lamorinda Arts Alliance (LAA) artists were members of the Lafayette Gallery and the Diablo Fine Art Gallery.
The newly established Samadian Gallery at 23 Orinda Way Suite 301, Orinda, is an exceptional venue in which to view rotating exhibits by LAA member artists. The gallery is hosted by a local business –
Dr. Amin Samadian’s Comprehensive & Advanced Dentistry
– in support of local artists.
This exhibit is supported by
Lamorinda Arts Alliance
, a non-profit organization that supports local artists. For more than two decades, LAA has promoted the visual arts though exhibits in libraries and businesses, at open studio events, street fairs, and lectures, and in the community's art galleries.
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Lafayette Social Community Holiday Social
Thursday, December 5, 5pm-7pm, Bank of the West, 3583 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
What to expect: A time to come together to celebrate the holiday season together. We're going to have a pop-up marketplace featuring local artisans and home-based businesses, live music, activities, festive food and beverages, raffle items, and lots of good cheer!
Who: Lafayette residents and local business owners. Please plan to participate in our Toy & Food Drive for the homeless- bring an unwrapped toy (ages: newborn - 18 yrs) or non-perishable food items.
RSVP here.
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Lamorinda Wine Growers Holiday Party with Diamond Dave
Thursday, December 5, 6:30pm-10:00pm, The Serbian Cultural Center, 1700 School Street, Moraga
Come celebrate the holidays & the Lamorinda Wine Growers for a fun-filled evening! The Lamorinda Wine Growers Association presents an evening of local wines, food, dancing and more. Commemorative AVA gift, raffle prizes dancing to the sounds of Diamond Dave.
Save $10/per ticket if purchased by November 10th. A limited number of tickets are available.
Purchase tickets here.
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Town Hall Theatre Announces Season 2019/20 Holiday Show CINDERELLA: A Fairytale
Town Hall Theatre celebrates the holidays with a delightfully original take on the classic Brothers Grimm story, CINDERELLA: A Fairytale, as part of our 75th “TRANSFORMATIONS” Season. CINDERELLA: A Fairytale will have 12 performances, including two previews,
December 5 through December 21, at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette, CA. Tickets are $18 - $30, and are available through the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or online at
www.TownHallTheatre.com.
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Santa's Bag Boutique
December 6-8, Friday 11am-7pm, Sat. & Sun 9am-5pm, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd.
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It's a Wonderful Life Holiday Art and Shop
Friday, December 6, 5pm-8pm, JPG@The Bank Pop-up Art Gallery and Venue, 3525 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
The halls will be decked and you can begin your holiday season with late hours, caroling, holiday music and a special section of museum quality gifts. This collection will be curated from regional and national artists to offer you the most unique gift buying in the area. Free. For more information, contact Jennifer Perlmutter at 925.284.1485 or
jp@jenniferperlmuttergallery.com.
Learn more here.
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Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club Raffle
The
Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club is noted for “building things”—canoes, kayaks, tear drop trailers, and a 1963 classic VW Beetle. This year’s raffle item is a 17 foot boat whose interior has been completely restored in mahogany. The tickets are $20.00 or 6 for $100.00. If any group wishes to raise a few easy $$$'s for their organization by selling raffle tickets for Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary's rebuilt/classic 1963 Glasspar Seafair Boat. It is another high-quality project from the Rotary Club that builds stuff. To buy tickets, contact John Fazel (
runmtns@prodigy.net) or fellow Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club Rotarian, Chuck Yeager (
carlfyeager@yahoo.com). The drawing will be held during the
It's a Wonderful Life event on Friday, December 6, 4pm-6:30pm in Lafayette Plaza Park.
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10th annual Super Holiday Boutiques
Pleasant Hill Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Centre Concord on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Free admission, free parking and free Santa and Olaf photo opportunities with nearly 100 vendors selling holiday gift items. Free gift bag to first 200 families each day.
Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket for numerous prizes donated by Boutique vendors. The donation of food to the
Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
will earn the donor another raffle ticket for each can donated. Super Holiday Boutique is free to the public with ample free parking around each venue.
www.SuperHolidayBoutique.com
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Gold Coast relies on your generosity!
This holiday season, we are thanking our donors who support Gold Coast with an annual contribution of $500 or more with a special party, Shaken and Stirred, on
December 7, 4pm-6pm. There is still time to make your gift to Gold Coast and receive an invitation to this one-of-a-kind evening we’ve planned just for you! To make your donation, just visit
GCCPmusic.com.
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LPIE Power Party
Come aboard the SS LPIE as we drink, dine, donate, and dance to the classic yacht rock band, Mustache Harbor.
December 9 - Buy your tables from 9 AM-9 PM! Tables of 10 available for $3,000, 11 for $3,300 and 12 for $3,600.
December 10 - Individual tickets on sale for $195, VIP Individual tickets for $325. Tickets sales start at 9 AM and close at sell-out.
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A Light-hearted French Comedy Coming in December for the Holidays!
Friday, Dec. 13th - 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 14th - 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 21st - 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Walnut Creek Library (1644 N. Broadway)
For non-Members, a limited number of $12 general admission tickets will be available on a first-come basis, beginning 30 minutes before show times.
Edmond Rostand is not yet thirty, but he already has two children and a lot of anxiety. He hasn’t written anything for two years. In desperation, he offers the great Constant Coquelin a new play, a heroic comedy, written in verse for the holidays. There is just one problem: the play hasn’t been written yet. For the time being, he only has the title: ‘Cyrano de Bergerac.’ Rated-R • Comedy, Drama, History • 110. min. In French, English subtitles. $12 general admission tickets on sale on a first-come basis, beginning 30 minutes before show times.
http://mountainshadow.org
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Holiday Fashion Show to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Contra Costa County
Saturday, December 14, 1pm, MACY'S, STONERIDGE SHOPPING CENTER, 1300 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton
Join us for a Holiday Fashion Show benefiting CASA of Contra Costa County. Fashions will be modeled by CASA volunteers, supporters, and staff. Enjoy amazing deals throughout the store, Macy's restaurant “Taste Bar”, fun holiday gifts at Macy's concept store “Story”, all decorated with the December theme, “Home for the Holidays”.
Macy's in Dublin has recently opened Fragrance Destination, which offers high-end exclusive fragrances, some of which are only available at the 15 Macy’s locations across the Nation, and nowhere else in the United States.
Don't miss all the fun!
The event includes:
- Delicious Dessert Bar
- Hot Cocoa Bar
- Enter to Win Drawings
- In-store Happenings
- Shop with Specials
- Free Parking
*** Tickets $35/person
***Enter through the second floor doors, near "At Your Service" (close to "Forever 21")***
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Heartwarming Holiday Musical for the whole family
Celebrate the holiday season with The Peter Pan Foundation's original holiday show, “Twas the Opening Night before Christmas” held the weekend of December 14-15 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd. Pleasant Hill. This seasons production includes a cast of more than 100 performers ages eight to adult. Its original story and music tells the heartwarming story of love, hope and holiday cheer the whole family will enjoy!
Performances will be held at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Rd. Pleasant Hill on:
• Saturday, December 14th at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
• Sunday, December 15th at 310 am, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for youth 18 and under. Tickets are selling fast, so
purchase yours today.
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Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, December 15, 8:30am-10am, Sideboard Lafayette
Santa is coming to Lafayette … and he’s staying for breakfast! Celebrate the holidays with our 2nd annual pancake Breakfast with Santa benefiting the
Lafayette Historical Society. Enjoy a private meet and greet with Father Christmas as you savor off-the-menu pancakes, a choice of freshly squeezed orange juice or pour over coffee courtesy of Sideboard, the site of Lafayette's original Pioneer Store.
In addition, you'll have the opportunity to meet with Santa, get those cherished photos and take part in a silent auction. 100% of the proceeds go to the Lafayette Historical Society. $29 for adults, $20 for seniors, and kids 12 and younger
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Girls Crushing It Winter Pop-up Shop
Sunday, December 15, 2pm-5pm, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd.
The 2nd Annual Girls Crushing It Winter Pop-up Shop will showcase 60 local girlpreneurs proudly presenting everything from homemade bath products and pet treats to original works of art and handmade jewelry. You will find something for everyone on your gift list!
SPECIAL GUEST: Diana Kapp will be signing copies of her book, Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business.
SPONSORS: Paymun, Inc., Shutterbug94549, Mixify Beauty
REFRESHMENTS: Sip And Scoop California food truck will be on site with their delectable treats.
ADMISSION: Suggested donation to Girls Crushing It - $20 per family/household. Girls Crushing It is a 501(c)(3), whose mission is to empower girls to flex their leadership muscles through entrepreneurship and increase the pipeline of future business leaders.
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Looking Ahead into January ...
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Crab Feed Fundraiser benefiting the Sentinels of Freedom
Saturday, January 4, 5:30pm–11:30pm, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette
The Sentinels of Freedom mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have suffered severe injuries and need the support of grateful communities to realize their goals and dreams.
Money raised will go towards a Sentinel Scholarship. This is a 2-4 year commitment that is uniquely tailored to the specific needs of the scholarship recipient. Through their scholarships, these Veterans have access to financial assistance through housing subsidies, financial coaching and planning, a mentoring program, networking opportunities, and employment assistance.
Purchase tickets here.
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Rock the CASA featuring Rick Springfield
Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 8 pm, Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek
Dan Ashley is proud to present Rock the CASA featuring Rick Springfield. Benefiting: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa County, Friends of Camp Concord, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Contra Costa. Tickets and info
rockthecasa.org.
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Upcoming Lafayette Chamber Events
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Chamber Wine Tasting Social with Rose and Heather Tours/Deer Hill Vineyards
Tuesday, December 3, 5:30pm-7pm, Deer Hill Vineyards, Lafayette
Enjoy a Wine and Travel event co-hosted by
Deer Hill Vineyards
and
Rose and Heather Tours
.
Experience Bill Scanlin’s delicious wine in an outstanding tasting room and see lovely photos of the English Countryside. Light appetizers will be served. Tickets are limited.
RSVP here.
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Ribbon Cutting at Microhair Aesthetics
Thursday, December 5, from 5-8pm, 3420 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Ste. B
Join Yolanda Trevino, owner of
Microhair Aesthetics
to celebrate the grand opening of her permanent cosmetics clinic in Lafayette.
A ribbon cutting will be held at 5pm. Visitors are invited to learn more about the art of Microblading, a cutting edge method of simulated hair strokes to enhance the eyebrows, while enjoying bubbly and appetizers. A lash strip bar will also be available to try before you buy including drawings for Microblading and lashes!
This event is free but registration is requested!
RSVP here >>
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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Business Person of the Year
On Friday, January 31, 2020, the Lafayette Chamber will honor the Lafayette Business Person of the Year during the State of the City Address at the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa. Tickets for the dinner will be made available shortly after the announcement.
(Photo of 2019 Business Person of the Year, Terry Ring)
Nominations for this prestigious award will be accepted through Friday, December 13, 2019.
Former BPOY Award Recipients include: Ed Stokes, Paul Barendregt, Dan Kelly, Barb Sorken, Dave Hill, Don Jenkins, Cynthia Murdough, Paul Bettelheim, Bob Ewen, Sereta Churchill, Ann Denny, Caesar Perales, Dennis Garrison, Scott Hampton & Wendy Tamis, Steve Cortese, Mike Heller, Mo Levich, Larry Blodgett, Tom Courtright, Larry Duson, Jay Lifson, Colleen McCormick, Brian Aiello, Leila Douglah, Andy and Wendy Scheck, Brenda Oum, Dana Green and Terry Ring.
Submit your nomination
online
or
download this PDF
then fax, email, mail or bring it to the Chamber office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Suite 150, Lafayette, CA 94549. Fax number is (925) 284-3109. Nomination deadline is Friday, December 13, 2019.
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Tuesday Talk: Failure to Prosperity
Tuesday, January 14, 12noon, Lafayette Chamber Office, 251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150
Are you burning the candle at both ends and still coming up short of your goals? Many of my clients struggle with this too. Join me for this talk, from Failure to Prosperity, to discover the secrets to consistent success without burnout or overwhelm.
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Jay Lifson, Executive Director
251 Lafayette Circle, Ste 150, Lafayette, CA
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
(925) 284-7404
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