Here is your weekly dose of activities going on around town: Monday – Teen Dating Violence Prevention Workshop for Parents. Tri-Valley Haven hosts a workshop for parents on teen dating violence prevention at 6:30 p.m. at the Livermore Library Civic Center. Tuesday – Godspell Auditions. The Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming production of Godspell at 7:30 p.m. at Triple Threat Performing Arts. Wednesday – Paws to Read. Let your young reader practice their reading skills by reading aloud to certified companion dogs at the Livermore Library. This weekly program …

Here is your weekly dose of activities going on around town: Monday – Family Storytime at the Civic Center will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – A State of the Union (SOTU) viewing party will be held at the Livermore Library Civic Center. Viewing begins at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday – The Wonders of Google. Learn advanced search techniques and other cool features such as maps, news, images and books. This lecture is at the Livermore Library and goes from 6:15  to 8:15 p.m. Thursday – Relay for Life – Livermore kicks off. The annual program is the American Cancer Society's flagship fund raiser. …

Happy Monday! Here is your weekly dose of activities going on around town: Monday – Family Storytime at the Civic Center will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Have you ever considered becoming a volunteer for Tri-Valley Haven? If you’re interested in training to be a sexual assault, crisis line or legal clinic advocate for the group, its 65-hour domestic violence and sexual assault volunteer training course will begin Tuesday. Volunteer applications and advocacy descriptions can be found here (click on Volunteer). For more information, call 925-449-5845, ext. 2711. Wednesday – A lecture on …

Happy Monday! Here is your weekly dose of activities going on around town: Monday – Family Storytime returns to the library after a holiday hiatus this week. Pajama Storytime at the Civic Center will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Stay involved with what’s happening in Livermore schools by stopping by the school board meeting. The meeting is held at the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District District Offices and starts at 7 p.m. View the agenda here. Wednesday – The Livermore Art Association Gallery, located at Carnegie Park, offers art classes, gifts and art exhibits, and is open…

2011 is officially here and for most folks Monday means a return to work and or school. Here are some suggestions on things to check out this week to get you back into the groove of things: Monday – Try something different to start off this week and play some bingo while helping support local schools at the Bingo Ranch. Doors open at 4 p.m. Payouts range from $175 to $300, depending on the type of game. Tuesday – If your New Year's resolution is to be more involved in the community, here's your chance to jump right in. The first planning commission meeting of the year will begin at 7:30 p.m. …

One of the best parts of Livermore is the never-ending stories about its rich and varied history. There's plenty of awesome stuff out there if you're just willing to look for it. I got a taste of that history recently when I joined my son's Cub Scout den on a trip to the Duarte Garage and Lincoln Highway History museum. Built in 1915 by F.H. Duarte, the garage was built on the original Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the United States. In 1927, the Carquinez Bridge opened and the highway was rerouted. This section of the highway was renamed Portola Avenue. The kids were…

Christmas week is in full swing. Here are a few activities and holiday-themed events happening the rest of the week to check out and celebrate Christmas: Tuesday – Check out Deacon Dave's Christmas Display. Enjoy 350,000 lights and a walk-through display. You can visit the display daily from 6 to 9:30 p.m. View our video of the opening ceremony here. Wednesday – The first of two holiday movie screenings at the Vine Cinema. Watch the holiday classic White Christmas at 7 p.m. Thursday – The second holiday screening at the Vine. Come to a screening of A Christmas Story -- just don't shoot your …

It seems hard to imagine that a movie released in 1939 would be able to compare to the high tech and special effects filled blockbuster movies we see today. But some do. Not only do they compare, but they downright make some movies of today seem almost dull. One prefect example is Gone With the Wind. Last week I had an amazing opportunity to see the classic film on the big screen at the Vine Cinema. From the legendary score, the beautiful panoramic views of the old South and to the burning of Atlanta, they just don't make movies like this anymore.  It was no surprise to see seats going fast …

For many parents of grade-school-age kids who still believe in Santa, it can be a challenge to explain how and why there are so many Santas roaming around town during the holidays.  Since my son was old enough to ask why Santa was hanging out in Livermore and not at the North Pole, I've given him the same explanation: Santa is too busy in December to come visit every single town so he sends helpers to check on the kids and take pictures. This explanation works well for him, and at 7 he's secure that the real Santa isn't actually riding his Harley down First Street. My daughter, on the other …

It's the last week of school for Livermore families and there is plenty to do before hitting the holiday home stretch. Monday – This week's theme for Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library is "A Winter's Eve." Be sure to bring your camera because a special ho-ho-holiday guest will be there. This will be the last pajama family story time of the year, and will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Take an active part in Livermore schools by attending the last Livermore school board meeting of the year. It starts at 7 p.m. in the board room at 685 East Jack London Blvd. A budget update will …

The holidays are in full swing and there is plenty going on this week to get you in the holiday spirit. Monday – This week's theme for Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library is "A Bear Family." The weekly program is from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday – The documentary Race to Nowhere will be featured at the Vine Cinema. The film — much of it filmed in the Bay Area — examines the education system and is considered a must-see film for parents, educators and students alike. The screening begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday – Head over to Las Positas College for the Orchestra/Band Combo Concert. This is the …

If you were driving downtown at any point Thursday, you may have noticed a large number of elementary students hanging around outside the Bankhead Theater. You also may have noticed a few frazzled adults mixed in with the crowd of kids, trying to herd them into groups and lines. I was one of them, and we were all there to catch the California Theater Center's production of the Grimm Fairy Tale classic  The Elves and the Shoemaker. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with a packed theater watching a cast of five people and a handful of props. But it was obvious these performers knew their …

With the holiday season officially in town, here are some local festive activities and events scheduled for this week: Monday, Nov. 29 – This week's theme for Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library is Up a Tree. The weekly program is from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30 – Hope Hospice Celebration of Light. This is the first Hope Hospice celebration of the holiday season. Each event is free and offers an evening of warmth, meaning and holiday entertainment. It also is a special way to remember or honor someone you love. The celebration is held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Robert Livermore…

Gas prices are on the rise, according to a report from AAA Northern California. The report shows the average price per gallon in the Bay Area is $3.23. Average price for gas in the state is $3.14 per gallon, a four-cents spike since Oct. 12 and the third highest jump in gas prices in the nation. In 2009, California gas prices had an average of $2.99 per gallon. According to AAA, a recent report from the Department of Energy indicated costs have been affected by a higher-than-normal demand that negated the positive effects of a jump in U.S. crude oil stockpiles. We asked folks around …

Happy Thanksgiving week. For parents like myself that means managing a week with the kids home from school. Be sure to check out these tips on things to do while the kids are out of school. In addition, here are some local activities and events scheduled in town: Monday, Nov. 22 – This week's theme for Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library is Thankful for Families. And don't forget, pajamas are encouraged. Program is from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 – Livermore High Basketball. Check out Livermore High at home when the team takes on Fremont's Irvington High. Live sports without …

Happy American Education Week! Be sure and celebrate by honoring the educators in your life or doing your part for education in the community by attending Tuesday's Livermore school board meeting. But American Education Week isn't the only thing going on this week. Here's a rundown of local activities and events scheduled in town: Monday, Nov. 15 – This week's theme for Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library is Unusual Pets. And don't forget, pajamas are encouraged. Program held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 – Livermore Patch will be celebrating its website launch at Casa Orozco…

I was about the same age as my 5-year-old daughter when Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark arrived in theaters. My dad was very excited to take us to see it. I don't remember much from that night. But in the many years since, I've seen the movie more times than I can count. So, when I found out it was this month's featured film for classic night at the Vine Cinema & Alehouse, I knew I could not miss the chance to see the movie again on the big screen. I took both my children with me to see the classic film Thursday. The theater was packed and the show sold out quickly. Going to the…

Schools are closed the rest of the week thanks to Veterans Day and a teacher workday Friday. This leaves many parents scrambling for ideas to keep the kids busy. Here are a few things you can do to enjoy some pre-holiday fun around town. Go bowling – Spend the day bowling at Granada Bowl. A great indoor idea if the weather isn't quite cooperating. Take a walk downtown – Hit Panama Red for some hot chocolate and a latte, and then stop by the fountain. If the kids are still in the mood for something warm and sweet, stop by Nestle. You also can give them a little Christmas teaser by hitting Main…

Looking for something to do this week? I've got you covered. Here's a rundown of local activities and events scheduled this week: Monday, Nov. 8 – Take a load off and head over to Family Story Time at the Civic Center Library. Program held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 – If you're looking for an adult evening out go listen to famed author John Gray (Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus) at the Bankhead Theater. Gray will begin reading at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 – If you're a history buff or are just looking for a way to celebrate Veteran's Day a little early, check out the free …

November is in full swing with the beginning of the holiday season. Though it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, or even the stress of the holidays, it's important to remember that Thanksgiving brings more opportunities to give back to the community. What better way to celebrate by rounding up the family and volunteering a little bit of your time this season? Here are a few ways you can give back this month around town. Food Drive: It's never difficult to find a canned food drive in Livermore. Most schools and all Livermore churches will hold a food drive this time of year, or …