The Pioneer’s Winter 2023 calendar of events and activities, Jan. 7 update
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (Dec. 24, 2023) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.
We update the Pioneer Calendar page every week so check back often to find out what’s going on near you.
If you’d like to submit your event to the Pioneer Calendar page, please send email to us at Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.
In the community
Festival Opera Volunteer Information Meetings. Learn how to help the company with special events, community engagement, grant writing, backstage assistance and more, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 9 and 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 10, Las Trampas Room, Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway. To RSVP, email info@festivalopera.org.
“Mis/Dis-Information: How to Recognize and Respond to It.” Deanna Troust, founder of Truth in Common, hosts the webinar 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 18. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County, CCTV and the Contra Costa County Library. Register for the Zoom link at https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/65833f5767e8ac3700b79931.
Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.
Clubs
California Writers Club/Mt. Diablo Branch. Novelist, journalist and poet Achy Obejas will use her writing samples to show how story-telling crosses genres and cultures, 11 a.m. Jan. 13, Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Guests welcome. To register for the meeting online, visit https://cwcmtdiablo.org/meetings-and-workshops. Join the club at https://cwcmtdiablo.org/join.
At the Clayton Library
The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or ccclib.org/events.
Insiders. Fun activities for adults with disabilities, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 9 and every second and fourth Tuesday, Hoyer Hall. Insiders programs offer people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to build confidence while navigating the library and accessing library services and resources.
Homework Help. For children in grades K-5 in all subjects, 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Assistance in select subjects is available for those in grades 6-9. Call to make a 30-minute appointment. Drop-ins accommodated as available.
Lapsit Storytime. Children ages 0-3 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11-11:15 a.m. Thursdays.
Toddler/Preschool Storytime. Children ages 3-5 can explore the joys of movement, books and songs while building early literacy skills you can practice at home, 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays.
Coventry & Kaluza: Circus, Comedy and Whatnot. The circus comedians offer a variety of skills and thrills that will amaze kids, 2-2:45 p.m. Jan. 17. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.
Teen Thursday: Watercolor Oceanscape. Those in 6th-12th grades can learn how to paint a basic oceanscape with watercolors, 4-5 p.m. Jan. 18. All supplies provided. Space limited; register online or call the library for assistance. Supported by the Clayton Community Library Foundation.
Auditions
Diablo Women’s Chorale. The spring season begins Jan. 22., with rehearsals 7-9 p.m. Mondays at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3051 Putnam Blvd., Pleasant Hill, CA. To make an audition appointment and for further information, contact member chair Nancy Hickman at 925-899-5050 or hickmandg@gmail.com. Or visit www.diablowomenschorale.org/join-us.
The arts
“Sleeping Beauty’s Wedding” and “Confetti.” Diablo Ballet features the world premiere of “Sleeping Beauty’s Wedding” by Penny Saunders and an encore presentation of Gerald Arpino’s festive “Confetti,” Feb. 9-10, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Early Bird pricing available through Jan. 10. Visit www.diabloballet.org or call 925-943-SHOW.
Bev Britton
Bev Britton graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and moved to the Bay Area with her soon-to-be husband Jim in 1986. She was features editor at the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek before becoming managing editor of the Contra Costa Sun in Lafayette in 1995. She retired from newsrooms in 2001, but an ad for the Clayton Pioneer drew her back in. The family moved to Lake Wildwood in the Gold Country a few years ago - but working at the Pioneer keeps her in touch with her old neighborhoods in Concord and Clayton.