Walnut Creek news briefs -- June 25

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 24, 2009 | by Elisabeth Nardi

Lindsay Wildlife Museum for free

Lindsay Wildlife Museum will sponsor a Free Wildlife Museum Day on Saturday. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and throughout the day children and adults will get to know the owls, reptiles, fox, hawks, eagles and other creatures that reside at Lindsay.

Visitors can watch feeding and training demonstrations, learn about nature and experience hands-on learning in a safe, friendly, family environment. "Free Wildlife Museum Day is about ensuring that the current economic downturn doesn't prevent anyone from learning more about nature and wildlife through attendance at the museum, " says Loren Behr, Lindsay's executive director. To participate, families and individuals need to just show up at the museum, 1931 First Ave., on June 27. The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation and S.D. Bechtel Foundation provide support for this program.

City band to commemorate Fourth of July

The Walnut Creek Concert Band will celebrate the nation's birth with music starting at 6 p.m., July 4 in Civic Park. The "Independence Day ParKoncert" will be directed by Harvey Benstein. The concert is free and open to the public. The Walnut Creek Concert Band is the official band of the city of Walnut Creek. For more information about the band go to www.walnutcreekband.org/.> Cancer education program offered in Walnut Creek

On June 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. a national campaign to help those struggling with cancer will launch in Walnut Creek.

A program called "Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping with the Cost of Care" will take place at the 3276 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek on Saturday . Created by The Wellness Community, based in San Francisco, this workshop and book provide a practical guide to navigating the numerous and complex challenges of managing the cost of cancer care. The care cost education program is the newest in the series called "Frankly Speaking About Cancer." The programs have been used for cancer patients and their families and are made available to wellness communities and other cancer support organizations around the world.

For more information go to www.twcba.org.

July jazz concerts at Broadway Plaza

Broadway Plaza will once again brings the sounds of "Summer Jazz" to the outdoor shopping center, Thursday nights in July. All concerts are free to the public. The first performer will be Joyce Cooling on July 9; David Pack follows on July 16 and Paul Jackson Jr. on July 23. All will perform in the Stanford's Parking Lot at Broadway Plaza off of S. Main Street from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The concerts are presented in partnership with Comcast, Renaissance Club Sport and the Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association.

For more information, call Tracy Dietlein at 925-939-7601 or visit www.broadwayplaza.com.

Bancroft garden 'sculpture' exhibit

The Ruth Bancroft Garden's 15th annual "Sculpture In The Garden Exhibit" is a juried exhibit that will grace the grounds of the botanical succulent garden for one month, through July 19, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating sculptors represent some of the Bay Area's very best artists juried by Bedford Gallery Curator, Carrie Lederer and sculptor Ann Weber.

The cost is $10 for general admission, children under 12 are free and on June 21 dads get in free for Father's Day.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is at 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek, and is handicapped-accessible.

For additional information, call 925-944-9352 or go to www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.

Peace center hosts speaker on Iran

Father Louis Vitale will speak at 7 p.m. June 29 on "Love Your Enemies: Transforming Us versus Them Thinking" at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek.

Vitale has just returned from Israel and Gaza with a Code Pink delegation of more than 30 people. Their mission was to express solidarity for the people of Gaza, and to deliver humanitarian aide, including school supplies and toys to the children of Gaza. His talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Vitale is a recent peace award winner of Pax Christi and a retired Air Force officer who served in the Korean War. He was ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1963. Just back from Iran, Vitale will discuss his experience there and the current state of U.S.- Iran relations.

The cost is $15 general and $5 students with and identification card. Also bring donations of nonperishable food items or large size disposable diapers for Monument Crisis Center. For more information go to www.mtdpc.org.

Rossmoor to host Q&A with Times editors

Rossmoor residents are invited to join "A Conversation with Times Editors" from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26 in the Fireside Room at Rossmoor.

Contra Costa Times Executive Editor Kevin Keane and Features Editor Lisa Wrenn will address the economic issues newspapers are facing and the ways the Times is adapting to stay afloat in a challenging economy. Specifically, they will talk about the recently announced "opt-in" TV Book and other anticipated changes.

The meeting, which is sponsored by Rossmoor's Community Club, is titled "A Conversation ..." because the editors are interested in feedback from Rossmoor residents. Samples of the new TV Book and Sunday Extra section will be made available at the meeting.