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SUPPORTING OUR
NONPROFITS & the ARTS Community
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UPCOMING EVENTS FROM THE LAFAYETTE CHAMBER | | | |
Ribbon Cutting at Justine Macfee Interior Design
Friday, September 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Lafayette Chamber Nonprofit Network at Creekside Commons
Thursday, October 2, 8:30am - 11:00am
Lafayette Business Women at Collab Fertility
Wednesday, October 8, 8:45am - 10:00am
Ribbon Cutting at Lamorinda Gynecology and Surgery
Wednesday, October 8, 5:30pm
Lafayette Chamber Connectors at Creekside Commons
Wednesday, October 15, 8:15am-9:30am
Ribbon Cutting at CrossWaterCreek Outfitters
Wednesday, October 15, 4:00pm
Lafayette Chamber Young Professionals at Abio Properties
Thursday, October 16, 5:30pm-7:00pm
"Coffee" with City of Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell
Friday, October 24, 8am
➡ Lafayette Chamber Events Calendar ⬅
| | UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM AND FOR OUR NONPROFIT & ARTS COMMUNITY | | | |
Hunger Action Month - September 1-30, 2025
To raise awareness of food insecurity in our community, in partnership with Feeding America food banks nationwide, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano honors Hunger Action Month every September. Throughout the month, we will share inspiring actions you can take to fight hunger and feed hope. With food inflation hitting many who can least afford it, its critically important we support those in our community struggling with hunger.
Our 30 ways in 30 days calendar is attached and can be used as a clickable image to our Hunger Action Month webpage. https://www.foodbankccs.org/events-promotions/hunger-action-month/
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International Film Showcase presents:
"The New Year That Never Came," a Romanian historical tragicomedy film centered around the Romanian Revolution in 1989
Playing at the Orinda Theatre from September 5th through the 12th, at the Empress Vallejo on September 21st at 2 PM, and at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa on September 13th at 4 PM and 7 PM.
Synopsis: On December 20th, 1989, Romania stands on the brink of revolution. The streets are alive with demonstrations, students mock the regime through art, and New Year’s shows glorify Ceausescu. Yet, behind closed doors, families grapple with personal conflicts and the omnipresent Secret Police. Six seemingly disconnected lives intersect in unexpected ways. As tensions reach a boiling point, an explosive moment brings them together, culminating in the dramatic fall of Ceausescu and the communist regime.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/5Q2CjH__Af8?si=ltRyhMKTSN0mu4PO
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Friends Corner Book Shop is having a half price sale!
Saturday, September 6, every book in the shop will be 50% off. Shop hours are 10am-4pm.
Proceeds support the collection, programs, and services of the Lafayette Library.
Friends Corner Book Shop offers a wide variety of gently used books in dozens of topic areas for your shopping pleasure.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday Closed
https://www.lllcf.org/friends-book-shop
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Lafayette Community Garden
You are invited!!!
The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center is celebrating its 14th year with a COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, September 7, from 11:00am - 2:00pm. The community garden is located across from the reservoir at 3932 Mt. Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette. The event is free.
In addition to speakers there will be guided tours of the garden, information on raising chickens, master gardening, raising bees, simple crafts, refreshments, and an opportunity to walk a labyrinth and see the garden’s Miwok Village.
Garden members will be on hand to answer gardening questions and show off a variety of gardening methods and practices including hinged covers and greenhouse plastic that prevent critters from eating crops, vermiculture (worm composting), drip irrigation, amending of beds and native plantings.
We look forward to seeing you on September 7th! If you have questions, you can call (925) 946-0563 or send an email via our website at www.lafayettecommunitygarden.org.
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Lamorinda Arts Council
All Ages Recreation Downtown: ReCreate in the Park Sundays 1:00 - 3:00, Sept. 7, 9 to 14, 9-28 in Downtown Lafayette
Lamorinda Arts Council is celebrating its 75th Anniversary by hosting a free All Ages Art Table from 1 pm to 3 pm led by LAC curator and artist Bill Carmel. All drawing supplies provided. Stop by the Art Parklet, 3501 Golden Gate Way at the corner of First Street and Golden Gate Way to say hello and celebrate 75 years of Art, Art and More Art! Volunteers needed – sign up at https://lamorindaarts.org/volunteer/
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Virtual Wilder: Doug Heine – A Sculptor Who Just Can’t Stop
Lamorinda Arts Council welcomes local sculptor Doug Heine to its Virtual Gallery From September 7 to October 5. When accessing https://LamorindaArts.org/product-category/wilder-online/gallery/ you’ll see the creativity keeping Heine busy speaks loud and clear through his 3D art. Three of his public art works are featured in Orinda, “Full Circle” in Library Plaza, “Butterflies” in Community Park and “Fruit of the Aluminum” in Wilder.” Heine’s time spent at UC Berkeley running the metal shop, working in the Art Department and the Lawrence Berkeley physics lab has served him well. Now at 90 he just has fun creating. Questions? Email info@LamorindaArts.org or call 925-359-9940.
Art Gallery at the Orinda Library: For the Love of Art – How Artists Stay Alive and Inspired – Reception October 11, 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Lamorinda Arts Council welcomes the following early sign up artists to the show: John A. Barry, Arlynn Bloom, Marcela Cabrera, Suellen Cox, Mehri Delsim, Judith Feins, Jamie C. Harrison, Denise Hillman, Stephenie Bushra Khan, Melchia Kutches, Madeline Moeller, Gini Graham Scott, Betsy Streeter and Lorna Strotz. This two-month exhibit runs from September 6 to October 31 in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way. Meet and mingle with the artists at a reception in their honor on Sat. October 11 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Visit https://lamorindaarts.org/current-exhibits-library-gallery/ for more information, email info@LamorindaArts.org or call 925-359-9940.
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Lamorinda Arts Council Face Painting Booth #924 at Lafayette Art and Wine Festival – Call for Volunteers Sep. 20-21
Lamorinda Arts Council is celebrating 75 years! We host double Booth #924 in Local Artist’s Alley, La Fiesta Square where we offer 3 face painting tables. Volunteers needed for 2 hour shifts. We provide training and child-safe supplies including easy to work with stencils. Go to https://lamorindaarts.org/volunteer/ to sign up for 2 hour shifts. It’s fun!
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Moraga Pear & Wine Festival – Celebrating 75 Years – All Ages Art Table Sep. 27 11-3
Stop by the Lamorinda Arts Council’s All Ages Art Table hosted by artist and curator Bill Carmel; all supplies provided, all ages welcome. We celebrate our 75th Anniversary with a giveaway of post-its in exchange for supporting us by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Volunteers welcome. https://lamorindaarts.org
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Sustainable Contra Costa
Sustainable Contra Costa will present the Leadership in Sustainability Awards at the 17th Annual Awards Gala in Pleasant Hill. This fun and inspiring event supports and celebrates local individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to a healthy environment, economy, and society.
County Supervisor John Gioia will be our master of ceremonies, along with other special guests. The awards program will also feature our Partner Central Contra Costa Sanitary District presenting their Pollution Prevention Awards, as well as our Partner, the Contra Costa Green Business Program presenting new and re-certified green businesses.
The event at the beautiful Pleasant Hill Community Center will begin with a reception where guests will enjoy delicious food from Classic Catering, as well as poke and ceviche from Pacific Catch and beverages from our local, sustainable Partners such as Captain and Viano Vineyards, and Calicraft Brewing. The event features a raffle with an amazing array of local goods and services as well as the famous Wine Pull, where you may go home with a bottle of wine valued at $150 or more!
Wednesday, September 17th, 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Pleasant Hill Community Center
REGISTER HERE!
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Mindful Littles
FREE: Mindful Littles’ Peace & Kindness Festival
September 18, 2025, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Orinda Community Park, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda
In honor of the International Day of Peace, Mindful Littles is thrilled to announce the return of our 7th Annual Peace & Kindness Carnival on September 18th, 2025 at the final Orinda Concert in the Park!
This free event will include:
Peace & kindness-themed carnival games
Mindful arts and crafts
Meaningful community service projects
Connect with other local families
We look forward to seeing you. Thank you for joining Mindful Littles and donating to support those in need in YOUR community. And thank you to our community partners — including Orinda Parks & Recreation, small businesses, teen leadership groups and local schools — for making this event possible!
Learn more and get tickets here!
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Vintage Days
Want to find vintage items at an affordable price? Stop by any of Hospice East Bay's six local thrift shoppes from September 19th - 21st for our Vintage Days sale! Find vintage clothing, antiques, heirloom treasures, and much more, all at bargain prices. By supporting our thrift shoppes you're helping us provide quality hospice care to everyone in our community and helping the environment at the same time! Stay informed on upcoming sales, online shoppe offerings, and more by following us on social media or signing up for email alerts at www.HospiceEastBay.org.
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Sweet Thursday Author Series
Author Amy Kurzweil brings humanity and humor through her gorgeous handmade drawings to Artificial: A Love Story as she guides us through questions about art, memory, and technology demonstrating that love is what grounds a meaningful life. It is a story of three generations of artists whose search for meaning and connection transcends the limits of time.
Join the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday, Sept 25 at 7:00 pm in the DTCH at the Lafayette Library to hear author, Amy Kurzweil. Register to attend in person at tinyurl.com/sweet-Sept2025. The doors will open at 6:30 for coffee and sweets and books will be available for purchase. This program is presented by The Friends of the Lafayette Library.
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Community Foundation of Lafayette
16th Annual Senior Symposium
Join the Community Foundation on September 27th for its 16th Annual Senior Symposium at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center!
This year’s theme, “Together, Building a Stronger Community for Seniors,” emphasizes the power of connection and community in the aging journey. Staying socially engaged is key to wellness, dignity, and quality of life.
This year's topics and panel of speakers include:
"Building Community Through Stories": JD Schramm, a seasoned speaker and trainer, will lead an interactive keynote designed to help you craft and share compelling stories within the communities you serve. He’ll guide us through a simple, proven process to make your stories both memorable and effective—providing practical tools to strengthen your storytelling and build meaningful connections with others.
"Building Community Through Collaboration": Together, Jonathan Katayanagi, Director of Parks, Trails & Recreation for the City of Lafayette; Kathryn Ishizu, Executive Director of Lamorinda Village; and AJ Rogers, Owner of New You Dance Center in Martinez, will share how their organizations are working in partnership to strengthen the network of senior services in Lafayette—offering everything from essential resources to vibrant community programs that keep older adults supported, connected and thriving.
"Scam School": Steve Hall, a Lafayette-based technology professional with 30 years of experience, will lead a session on the anatomy of tech scams. He’ll share practical strategies to recognize red flags, safeguard personal and business technology, and stay ahead of fraudsters in today’s connected world. Having supported the tech needs of hundreds of homes and businesses, specializing in Macs, PCs, iPhones, printers, and network systems, Steve is also renowned for his expertise in combating tech-related fraud and creating safer digital environments.
In addition, our Resource Fair will include various local organizations that provide important senior services. To register for this free event, scan the QR code or click HERE.
Lamorinda Spirit Van will provide free roundtrip shuttle service from three Lafayette senior care facilities:
Seats are limited and reservations are first-come, first-served. Call Lamorinda Spirit Van at 925-283-3534 today to reserve your ride!
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Crescent Moon Center
Horse Painting: Creative Expression and Connection
Explore the profound bond between humans and horses through the art of painting at Crescent Moon Center. Throughout the session, you will be encouraged to remain aware of your own inner state, your horse partner’s experience, and the subtle cues of the horse.
Rather than focusing on the outcome, this experience centers on the process of intuitive expression and mutual trust. You are invited to observe and respond to your horse partner’s body language with sensitivity and presence. Using non-toxic, washable paints, each brushstroke becomes an act of listening, feeling, and communicating without words.
What to bring: Openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be vulnerable.
What you'll leave with: A deeper sense of presence, trust, and connection - to yourself, your partner, and your horse guide.
Saturday, September 27, 2025 10:00am - 3:30pm, Tabula Rasa Ranch, Sebastopol, CA
For More Info: Vickie Tugwell, (925) 310-4374, https://www.crescentmooncenter.org
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Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll!
Saturday, September 27, 2025 6:00 PM thru 10:00 PM
Step into the heart of New Orleans… A magical night to celebrate Sunflower Hill, shimmering with glamour, glitz, and generosity—all in support of our people, programs, and residential communities. Join us and experience an evening of music, mystery and merriment! Become a sponsor and support our mission to empower the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community.
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Saddle Up For An Unforgettable Night!
On Saturday, October 4, join The Community Foundation for Denim & Diamonds—Lafayette’s ultimate western-themed fundraiser and one of the best parties of the year (with none of the hosting work on your end!).
Dust off your cowboy hats, boots, and blue jeans for an unforgettable evening at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center, featuring:
- Saloon, poke, card tricks
- Complimentary beer, wine, bubbly, mocktails
- Appetizers, seated dinner, dessert bar
- Live auction
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Line dance lessons with Adam the Dancing Cowboy
- Live music by Other People’s Money (Runner-up for Diablo Magazine’s “Best Band in the East Bay” 2024 & 2025)
This one-of-a-kind fundraiser always sells out—so be sure to secure your spot early! Click HERE for tickets.
You Attendance Makes A Real Difference: Denim & Diamonds is the Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser, raising money for well-managed, thoroughly vetted local nonprofits. In 2024, the Foundation awarded more than $140,000 in grants to 37 outstanding organizations. Through our collective giving model, the Community Foundation keeps our community vibrant and resilient—supporting Human Services, Seniors, Youth Development & Education and Arts & Culture.
2025 Grant Recipients include: LPIE, Las Trampas, White Pony Express, Cancer Support Community, All Ages Recreation Downtown, Lamorinda Village, the SWELL Teen Wellness Center at the Library, Town Hall Theatre, The Park Theater Trust, and many more. For a complete list of our 2025 grants, please click HERE.
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Set To Thrive 3rd Annual FORE! THE KID’S Golf Tournament
Did you know that there are over 2,400 children in foster care in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and there are over 5,500 children experiencing homelessness in those two counties?
Set To Thrive is a 501(c)3 that supports children experiencing foster care and homelessness in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties by providing personalized Thrive Bags and Student Bags filled with new essentials - clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, and more - to bring comfort, dignity, and confidence during difficult transitions.
Since launching in July 2021, we’ve distributed over 4,100 customized bags, representing $450,000 in essential items. And we’re just getting started. Learn more and register for Fore! The Kids at https://www.settothrive.org.
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Wild Africa
Wild Africa wants you to "Save the Date" for their Guardians of the Wild event.
Ticket for the November 15 event will be available for purchase shortly.
Click to learn more.
Corie Knights, WildAfrica-Co Founder
www.wildafrica.org
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CERT Basic Trainings Class Series 9 weekly meetings from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
When emergencies happen, Lamorinda CERT members can give critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of their communities.
The CERT program offers valuable insight into the first few critical hours following an emergency related event and how individuals can become empowered to better prepare to sustain themselves, their families and their communities.
When: Starting Thursday, September 11, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Orinda Community Center, Room 9
For More Info: https://classes.lamorindacert.org
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Lamorinda Spirit Van
Can You Help a Lamorinda Neighbor?
The Lamorinda Spirit Van is seeking volunteer drivers to help local older adults (age 60+) get to medical appointments, run errands, shop for groceries, and more.
If you’re age 25–75, have a good driving record, and a few free hours in the morning, mid-day, or afternoon—once a week or even just occasionally—they’d love to hear from you! Contact Riki to learn more.
Need a Ride?
To reserve a ride or learn about GoGoGrandparent (an Uber/Lyft option that doesn’t require a smartphone), Contact them or call 925-283-3534.
Want to Support the Spirit Van?
Help keep this vital service going with a tax-deductible donation:
• Online: Click here to donate
• By mail: Payable to City of Lafayette (write Lamorinda Spirit in the memo line),
Lamorinda Spirit, Lafayette Community Center, 500 St. Mary’s Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Your support keeps Lamorinda seniors on the move!
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Donating Food Just Makes Sense — For Business and Community!
White Pony Express makes donating surplus food simple, safe, and impactful. Our volunteer-powered team provides free, reliable pickups that ensure your business stays compliant with California law, reduces waste, and qualifies for valuable tax benefits—all while feeding neighbors in need. Join us in saying YES to helping our community thrive. Learn more at https://whiteponyexpress.org/donate-food/
| | ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR NONPROFIT COMMUNITY | | |
Dining and Gift Guide
This interactive PDF lists Lafayette Chamber member restaurants and gift/retail shops in our downtown! Check it out!
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“To promote and maintain a healthy business climate and to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Lafayette.”
MISSION OF THE LAFAYETTE CHAMBER
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