best of the journal

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 25, 2009 | by Anonymous

Best of Walnut Creek

CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

Lindsay Wildlife Museum -- Offering more than 150 summer programs for a variety of interests and age levels. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

-- Contra Costa Christian Theatre Summer Camp -- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 13-Aug. 8. Register before April 6 and receive two free tickets to see the show. All campers will audition as part of the camp and all are guaranteed to be cast in the show. Grades 6- 13. St. Matthew Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. 925-262-2206.

-- "How Do We Bring This Vicious Cycle Between Palestine and Israel to an End?" -- 10 a.m.-noon July 21-Aug. 11. Instructor: Dr., Steven West. Class sessions can be attended individually. Contra Costa Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. $50-$65 for 4 weeks, $15-$18 each class. 925-938-7800, ext. 239.

POLITICAL NOTES

Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center -- "Love Your Enemies: Transforming Us vs. Them Thinking," 7 p.m. June 29. Speaker: Father Louis Vitale. Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, Owl Room, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Free. 925-933-7850, www.mtdpc.org.

HEALTH

The Wellness Community -- Offering various educational health programs. Schedule: "Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping With the Cost of Your Care," 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 27. "Ask the Pharmacist," 4-6 p.m. June 30. Classes are free for cancer patients, their families and friends. Reservations required. 3276 McNutt Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-933-0107.

EVENTS

Free Wildlife Museum Day -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 27. Get to know the owls, reptiles, fox, hawks, eagles and other wildlife creatures that reside at Lindsay Wildlife Museum. Visitors can watch feeding and training demonstrations, and learn about nature in a safe, friendly, family environment. Adding a picnic in the beautiful, adjacent Larkey Park can make for a perfect day of relaxation and family time. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.

-- Electronic Waste Collection Event -- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 28. Benefits High School Athletics for all 6 Mount Diablo Unified School District. Northgate High School, 425 Castle Rock Blvd., Walnut Creek; College Park High School, 201 Viking Drive, Pleasant Hill; Concord High School, 4200 Concord Blvd., Concord. $0-$5. 925-549- 1776.

FOOD/WINE EVENTS

Cupcakes for Every Occasion -- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 27. Learn to bake and decorate cute, moist and delicious cupcakes, uniform in size, for any occasion. Students will focus on simple techniques for baking and decorating cupcakes to coordinate with a variety of occasions. Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. $60 plus $15 lab fee. 925- 943-5858 or www.WalnutCreekRec.org.

SENIORS

Rhythm Rendezvous-Dancin' in the Creek -- 2-4 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28. Hosted by music DJ and dance instructor, Colin Dickie and his wife Suzette. The afternoon will include music of the 40s, Latin dances, heel kickin' country line dance and a free lesson. For both singles and couples. Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $5. 925-943-5851.

GALLERIES

"Sculpture in the Garden" -- through July 19. Juried exhibition showcases the beauty of the botanical garden. $7-$10. Gardens open only for tours and special events listed on the garden's telephone information line. Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1500 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. 925-210-9663, www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.

-- Bedford Gallery -- "Full Deck: A Short History of Skate Art," July 5-Sept. 13. An anthology of skate art from the 1960s to the present. 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $3-$5. 925-295-1417, www.bedfordgallery.org.

THEATER

"The Prisoner of Second Avenue" -- Through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Follow the nervous breakdown and ultimate redemption of a middle-aged ad executive attempting to cope in a world gone mad. $10-$25. Diablo Actors Ensemble Theatre, 1345 Locust St., Walnut Creek. 925-482-5110, www.diabloactors.com.

-- "Hello, Dolly!" -- Through June 28, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Follow the escapades of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a New York matchmaker who can find a mate for anyone but herself. $29- $41. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925- 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.

-- "Alice in Wonderland Jr." -- 5 and 7 p.m. July 2. A cast of 50 students, ranging in age from 5 to 14, will bring "Alice in Wonderland Jr." to life. Shadelands Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. $10-$12. 925-943-5846, www.youththeatrecompany.org.