An Evening with Jane Hamilton | November 12th, 2009 | 7:30pm | Bankhead Theater in Livermore

Reception: Best-selling author Jane Hamilton will speak and sign books at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. Hamilton's first novel, The Book of Ruth, won the PEN/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award, was a selection of the Oprah Book Club and the basis for a 2004 television film of the same title. Call (925) 373-6800 for tickets. $30pp/$12 for students.

Seasonal Small Plate Trios | July 30, 2009 | 6:30pm | 4100 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville

Join cooking instructor Chris Borges at the Blackhawk Plaza Draegers to learn how to make hors d'oeuvres like chilled summer squash soup with mint and homemade creme fraiche, corn cakes with summer tomato chutney and walnut-crusted chicken roulade with feta, spinach and gypsy pepper... perfect for summer evening get-togethers on the patio. Reserve your space now by calling (925) 648-5800. Class code: BH0730, $50pp.