Best of the Journal

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 5, 2009 | by Anonymous

LECTURES

"Caucasus, Russia and the Georgian Corridor" -- 10 a.m. March 10. Lecturer: Professor Ismail Agayev, Cal State East Bay. Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $5- $8. 925-938-7800.

HEALTH

Anti-Stress Fest -- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 7. Free classes in: yoga, Pilates, meditation, natural stress relief, Jazzercise, salsa, mini boot camp, time management and clutter control. Speakers on: teens and stress, navigating stress through the high school years, stress and nutrition. Healthy cooking demo. Music and masseuses, hug booth, free raffle and more. Las Lomas High School gym, 1460 South Main St., Walnut Creek. Resham Ramsay, 925-465-4961, www.wcgsa.org.

-- American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drives -- Walnut Creek: Noon- 5 p.m. March 11. John Muir Medical Center, Ball Auditorium, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road. Appointments: 800-448-3543, www.beadonor.com. (code: Muir).

-- Community CPR -- 6:30-9 p.m. March 11. Learn the proper techniques for recognizing the signals of a heart attack and stroke, giving CPR, and applying first aid for choking victims of all ages. Certificate issued upon completion. $35 plus $7 lab fee. Heather Farm Community Center, 301 N. San Carlos, Walnut Creek. 925-943- 5858, www.walnutcreekrec.org.

EVENTS

BePeace -- 7-9 p.m. March 6 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 7. BePeace is being taught to people from around the world and to children in schools in Costa Rica. Rita Marie Johnson, founder and director of the Peace Academy of Costa Rica, will be available to teach individuals how to quickly move to an internal place of peace in any interaction or situation. Unity Center of Walnut Creek, 1871 Geary Road. 925-768-2684.

-- Jan Passion and Ellen Furnari: The Nonviolent Peaceforce -- 7 p.m. March 11. Nonviolent Peaceforce is a nonpartisan unarmed peacekeeping force composed of trained civilians from around the world. In partnership with local groups, NP members apply proven nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence and help create space for local peacemakers to carry out their work. Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Owl Room 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 925-933-7850.

-- City of Walnut Creek -- Teen job fair 3-6 p.m. March 12. More than 100 summer and temporary positions. City Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Drive. 925-943-5899 ext. 2424, www.walnutcreekrec.org.

-- Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation Presents Shelter Wellness Conference -- The Business of Saving Lives, March 14-15. For individuals already working in the animal welfare industry or those interested in a lifesaving career. Sessions provide attendees with practical information and tools for promoting community awareness, fundraising and attracting community support. Clinics are presented by experienced and knowledgeable leaders from the shelter field. Space is limited, drop-ins not accepted. 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. $30-$60. www.arf.net/about/events/boil/index.php.> FOOD/WINE

EVENTS

Exclusive East Bay Kunde Family Winemakers dinner -- 6 p.m. March 9. Four-course Italian dinner, paired with five wines from Kunde Family Winery. New Forli Ristorante, 3160 Danville Blvd., Alamo. $55 plus tax and tip. 925-820-1711, www.forlialamo.com.

AUDITIONS

Contra Costa Ballet Centre -- Summer intensive auditions by appointment March 13. 2040 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek. 925-935-7984, www.contracostaballet.org.

DANCE

Traditional Irish Step Dance and Storytelling, through Irish dance and drama -- 7 p.m. March 13 and 2 p.m. March 14. Great family entertainment, suitable for children and adults. Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $15. 925-943-7469.

MUSIC

Lesher Center for the Arts -- Mason Bates and Stefan Jackiw, March 8-10. The California Symphony, under music director Barry Jekowsky, showcases two of the classical world's extraordinarily gifted young talents: 32-year-old composer Mason Bates and 22-year- old violin virtuoso Stefan Jackiw. The occasion marks both the world premiere of Bates' new orchestral work, "White Lies for Lomax," and the 200th birthday of Felix Mendelssohn. The symphony also performs Brahms' "Symphony No. 4." 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $39-$59. 925-943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.