PRESENTED BY
Hi {{ first_name | neighbor }},
Classic cars in Orinda and vintage finds in Lafayette give this weekend a little nostalgia. Sunday’s Front Porch Open Mic at Lamorinda Music adds a chance to share a song or cheer on local performers. I’ve rounded up the details below, or you can listen to this week’s Lamorinda Life podcast →
PRESENTED BY ROCHFORD REAL ESTATE
A Lafayette native and second-generation realtor, Brian Rochford brings more than 20 years of experience and a ranking among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide to his work with Lamorinda buyers and sellers.
Brian pairs deep local knowledge and an established network with a highly personalized approach. For buyers, that means guidance grounded in their goals and the community. For sellers, it means strategic positioning and close attention to the details that help a home stand out. From first homes to luxury properties, Brian offers clear communication and dedicated support throughout the process. Connect with Brian →
LOCAL NEWS
Lafayette’s AM 1670 is broadcasting again - Add it to your car radio presets now so community information and emergency updates are easy to find when you need them
Orinda City Clerk Sheri Smith retires after more than a decade - Celebrate her service at a public reception September 15 at 8:30pm at 26 Orinda Way
Moraga Road improvements get a community review September 16 - Join a 7pm Zoom meeting to hear proposed changes for Segment 3, ask questions and share feedback before an October recommendation to Town Council
Downtown Lafayette mural heads to City Council - Scheduled for September 14 review, Robert Minervini’s design for 286 Lafayette Circle features General Lafayette, Mount Diablo and native plants and wildlife
Moraga releases draft parks and recreation recommendations - Explore the town’s latest draft master plan recommendations for the future of local parks and recreation
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
With 15 acres of vines and five acres of olives, Balestrieri Family Farm is a family-owned spot known for wine and olive oil in Briones, a short drive from Lamorinda.
This fall, the farm has monthly Family Movie Nights in the Barn, line dancing and a pumpkin patch planned, offering a few more reasons to make the trip.
Weekend hours: Friday and Saturday, 1–7pm; Sunday, 11am–5pm.
ON THE CALENDAR
Thursday, September 10
7pm | Steel Magnolias (Town Hall Theatre Company) — Catch a preview of this story of friendship in a Louisiana beauty salon, running through October 3.
Friday, September 11
6pm | Glenn Lowe (Canyon Club Brewery) — Settle in for music and a relaxed, family-friendly evening at the brewpub.
Saturday, September 12
10am | Orinda Classic Car Show (Orinda Classic Car Center) — Bring the family to admire standout automobiles from motoring history.
2pm | Sip, Scoop, Succulents (Local Vines) — Enjoy a wine flight and local ice cream while creating a succulent pot to take home.
2pm | San Francisco Comedy Competition (Orinda Theatre) — Sixteen comedians each get six minutes to win over the audience.
8pm | Beats Antique (Siesta Valley Bowl) — Experience a theatrical blend of electronic music, global sounds and dance at Orinda’s outdoor amphitheater.
Sunday, September 13
10am | Contra Costa Vintage Market (Lafayette) — Browse vintage finds from local sellers.
11am | Pet Photo Day (Big Woof Pet Supplies & Spa) — Bring your pup for a photo session supporting Community Concern for Cats.
11am | Wide Screen Road Show: Camelot (Orinda Theatre) — Film historian Matias Bombal presents the 1967 classic about King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot.
7pm | Front Porch Open Mic (Lamorinda Music) — Share a song or settle in to listen to local performers.
Monday, September 14
9:30am | 18th Annual Fore Our Schools Golf Tournament (Moraga Country Club) — Play a round benefiting Moraga schools and the Moraga Education Foundation.
10:30am | Poetry Circle: September (Orinda Books) — Discuss the anthology Poetry Is Not a Luxury with the local poetry book club.
Tuesday, September 15
9:30am | AAUW-OML Annual Showcase Meeting (Orinda Community Church Fellowship Hall) — Women ages 18 and up can explore local opportunities for advocacy, education, volunteering and friendship.
6:30pm | Trivia Night (Canyon Club Brewery) — Put your team’s collective knowledge to work through rounds of questions for prizes.
Wednesday, September 16
6:30pm | Trivia Wednesdays (Headlands Brewing) — Gather a team for a casual evening of questions, food, drinks and prizes.
Thursday, September 17
6pm | Noche de Colores: A Benefit for Common Hope (Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center) — Enjoy heavy appetizers, stories and a silent auction supporting children and families in Guatemala.
Find more things to do nearby in the full events calendar.
FEATURED PARTNER: MORGAN LLOYD
The Bay Area offers extraordinary opportunities, but it can also be a place of quiet, ongoing strain. Many people appear successful—building careers, raising families, and leading full lives—while privately feeling anxious, exhausted, disconnected, or never quite good enough. This article explores the hidden emotional costs of living here. Although we cannot always change these conditions, we can examine how they shape what we believe about ourselves. Read the full article →
LAMORINDA DINNER CLUB
Fourteen neighbors have already signed up for the next Lamorinda Dinner Club on Thursday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. in Lafayette. Join a table of six for dinner, conversation and a chance to meet people beyond your usual circle. Come on your own or invite a friend.
Reservations are $19.99, with dinner and drinks purchased separately. Save your seat →
HOME OF THE WEEK
SPONSORED BY ROCHFORD REAL ESTATE
A home where the Glorietta lifestyle comes to life. Tucked at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, 9 Valley Court offers a beautifully renovated main residence, approximately half an acre of privacy, beautiful sunset views, expansive decks, and a detached one-bedroom guest cottage/ADU. Ideally located just a short walk from Glorietta Elementary and Meadow Swim & Tennis Club, this is the kind of home where families can walk to school, swim practice, summer camp, and neighborhood activities—then come home to their own private retreat. With a stunning renovated kitchen, spa-like primary bath, flexible living spaces, and exceptional indoor-outdoor living, 9 Valley Court offers not just a beautiful home, but a lifestyle deeply connected to the best of Orinda and Lamorinda.
THE FORECAST
After several warm days, relief arrives Friday, with cooler afternoons for weekend plans. The heat advisory ends Thursday at 10pm.
Thursday: Partly cloudy. High ~85° / Low ~60°. Save outdoor errands for the cooler morning hours.
Friday: Sunny. High ~74° / Low ~57°. Comfortable for an evening at the brewery.
Saturday: Sunny. High ~70° / Low ~55°. Pleasant for the car show, with a layer for outdoor music later.
Sunday: Sunny. High ~75° / Low ~50°. A cool start gives way to a mild afternoon.
Monday: Sunny. High ~75° / Low ~52°. Bring water and sun protection for the golf course.
Tuesday: Cloudy. High ~68° / Low ~56°. Keep a light layer handy.
Wednesday: Sunny. High ~71° / Low ~56°. Bring a jacket if you’re heading out for trivia.
ONE MORE LAMORINDA THING
A classic car can bring back a whole chapter: learning to drive, a family road trip, someone who always let you pick the radio station. If Saturday’s show brings a memory back, hit reply and tell me.
— Rajiv
Know someone who’d enjoy Lamorinda Life? Send it their way.