Moraga Citizens Network

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Moraga, CA
Moraga Citizens Network

A non-profit in Moraga dedicated to encouraging civic, recreational, and community engagements.

Uses a twice-monthly e-newsletter to update subscribers on up-coming events and issues in the town of Moraga. Organizes in the even years a Candidates Night to allow all Town Council candidates to present themselves to Moraga residents.

08/14/2026

Did You Know . . . before cars filled the roads, students rode the rails? 🚂

Saint Mary's College of California once had its own train station. Located just west of today's campus entrance, the station served students, faculty, and visitors for decades. By 1929, the Sacramento Northern Railway was operating electric trains to campus until passenger service ended in 1941.

🏈 St. Mary's football history is just as impressive! The program began in 1892, paused in 1899 due to safety concerns, and returned in the 1920s. Under legendary coach Edward "Slip" Madigan, the "Brickpile Saints" rose to national prominence, capping off an unforgettable era with a 1938 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech.

History is all around us! Take the St. Mary's History Walk, created by Daniel Berkes, and discover the stories that shaped our local college campus. So, grab your phone, your walking shoes, and open this link to guide you!!

MCN appreciates the work of Daniel Berkes, an Eagle Scout of Moraga Troop 212. This is his Eagle Scout project completed in 2022. The entire project was published by the Moraga Historical Society.

08/12/2026

🍎 Its back to school folks! Please drive with more diligence and patience. We wish all students a great year ahead!

🔅Summer's not over yet!
🦋 Concerts in the park Commons
August 13: Dream Like Taylor/Cassie B - Taylor Swift's Eras & Original Songs
August 20: Fleetwood Mask - Fleetwood Mac Tribute
🦋August 15: Summer Wine and Beer Festival @ Saint Mary's College
🦋 August 16: Lamorinda Idol finale @ Orinda Theatre 11am-7:30pm
🦋August 21: International Film Showcase presents 'A Sad and Beautiful World' @ Orinda Theatre
🦋August 29: Rib Throwdown event @ Canyon Club to benefit MEF
🦋September 14: Fore Our Schools golf tournament @ MCC to benefit MEF

And there's more - find everything at www.mcnmoraga.org and sign up for our newsletter.

07/24/2026

✈️ Did you know Moraga helped train America's WWII aviators?

In 1941, St. Mary's College became the U.S. Navy's West Coast preflight training center, earning the nickname "The Annapolis of the Air."

The training was no walk in the park. Cadets pushed themselves through 4.5 hours of intense physical training every day and consumed a staggering 4,500 calories daily to keep up with the demands.

Among those who walked the campus were future astronauts Alan Shepard and Scott Carpenter, while future U.S. President Gerald Ford served as an instructor.

Today, little remains of the sprawling military training grounds, but one powerful reminder endures. A hike to Our Lady of the Oaks offers a quiet place of reflection, honoring the 1,427 St. Mary's alumni who served—and gave their lives—during World War II. 🇺🇸

History is closer than you think. ❤️

MCN gratefully acknowledges the Moraga Historical Society and President Susan Sperry for their invaluable assistance in preserving and sharing Moraga's remarkable history.

07/21/2026

The lazy dazes of summer continue with fun events around town!

🔅Opera in the park THURSDAY, JULY 23, 6 PM COMMUNITY PARK
ELIXIR OF LOVE
Experience a delightful evening with Festival Opera as they present a hilarious comic opera, Donizetti's Elixir of Love, featuring outstanding singers and a captivating performance.

🍎 Moraga library Open house THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2 PM
Come join in the celebration of the newly refreshed library, hosted by the Friends of the Library. At 2:30 PM - Special recognition of Moraga artist, Teresa Onoda, and the dedication of her painting

🎵 Summer concerts THURSDAYS, 6:30 - 8:30 PM @ MORAGA COMMONS
July 23 - Delta Wires - Rockin' Harmonica & Home Blues
July 30 - The Hitmen - Funk, Soul, Disco, Latin, Pop

🔎Two new public art pieces to enjoy!!
Mirror Ball-by artist Douglas Heine, across the street from the Library and near the bridge that goes into the Commons Park.
Then & Now-Five banners on Moraga Commons Band Shell, opposite the bocce ball court depicting a history of Moraga.

🍕HACIENDA NIGHTS (Final Night!) TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 5 - 9 PM
HACIENDA DE LAS FLORES (2100 Donald Drive)
Moraga’s signature summer food truck event series held at the beautiful Hacienda de las Flores. This is the final Hacienda Night of the summer series.

🏫TOWN COUNCIL: Our 5 Town Council members are on legislative break for the next 4 weeks, returning to the Council Chambers on August 26.

07/10/2026

👀DID YOU KNOW . . . Moraga was home to a real World War II spy?

D. Reginald Tibbetts, a UC Berkeley engineer and ham radio operator, built a secluded home in Moraga in 1939 equipped with advanced radio technology. During WWII, he worked with U.S. Military Intelligence, intercepting Japanese communications and reportedly received the first news of the Hiroshima bombing.

Tibbetts later transformed an old railroad building into the Moraga Post Office and served as Postmaster. His work on the nuclear project helped make Moraga one of only five U.S. post offices designated to handle materials related to the atomic bomb.

A remarkable piece of Moraga history hidden in plain sight!

Thanks to Susan Sperry, President of the Moraga Historical Society, for her research efforts.

07/08/2026

DID YOU KNOW . . . Moraga was home to a real World War II spy?
D. Reginald Tibbetts, a UC Berkeley engineer and ham radio operator, built a secluded home in Moraga in 1939 equipped with advanced radio technology. During WWII, he worked with U.S. Military Intelligence, intercepting Japanese communications and reportedly received the first news of the Hiroshima bombing.

Tibbetts later transformed an old railroad building into the Moraga Post Office and served as Postmaster. His work on the nuclear project helped make Moraga one of only five U.S. post offices designated to handle materials related to the atomic bomb.

A remarkable piece of Moraga history hidden in plain sight!

Thanks to Susan Sperry, President of the Moraga Historical Society, for her research efforts.

07/07/2026

🎉Hope you had a fabulous long weekend and a fantastic Fourth of July celebration!
😎Summer fun continues with concerts, hacienda nights and a Gael Wine & Beer fest! Read on for details and subscribe to our Newsletter for more details @ www.mcnmoraga.org!

📍WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 5:30 PM: TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, 335 Rheem Blvd
AGENDA:
----2026-27 Operating Budget
----Budget for shade structure for the All-Access Playground
----Report about the demolition of the La Sala building on the Hacienda property

🚧WEEK OF JULY 6 : Street repairs on Augusta Drive
🚧WEEK OF JULY 13: Street repairs on Rheem Boulevard

🍕TUESDAY, JULY 7, 5 - 9 PM: HACIENDA NIGHTS @ HACIENDA DE LAS FLORES

👉SUMMER CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES, THURSDAYS 6:30-8:30PM
🎵July 9 - The Bell Brothers - Country, Rock, Americana
🎵July 16 - Dirty Cello - Cello-led American Rock
🎵July 23 - Della Wires - Rockin' Harmonica & Home Blues

🍻SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2 - 5 PM: ST. MARY's SUMMER WINE & BEER FEST

06/26/2026

The iconic Rheem Theatre was the vision of brothers Donald Laird Rheem and Richard Scofield Rheem when it opened in 1957. Built as a sister theater to the Orinda Theatre (1941), the Rheem was considered cutting-edge for its time, featuring 900 rocking-chair seats, air conditioning, and a widescreen experience. Donald Rheem proudly called it “the most modern theater in Northern California.”

Designed by renowned architect Anthony Hernsbergen—who also designed Oakland’s Paramount Theatre—the Rheem quickly became a community landmark.

Like many historic theaters, its journey has had its ups and downs. After closing in 1971 and suffering vandalism in 1978, the theater sat dormant for a decade. In 1985, a dedicated St. Mary’s student and art professor helped restore the theater’s beautiful murals and recreate the Zodiac signs that had been stolen or destroyed.

Over the years, the Rheem underwent several reinventions and weathered additional closures before reopening once again in 2019 under its new owner, Cinema West. In 2020, wine and beer service was added, creating an even more enjoyable movie-going experience.

🍿 So line up for your popcorn to enjoy your next movie at one of Moraga's beloved historical treasures.

*Please note that the photo of Donald Rheem in the June 6 issue “Did you know?” was not of Moraga's pioneer. We also want to acknowledge the assistance of the Moraga Historical Society in providing material for this project and apologize for previous oversights.

06/22/2026

👉TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
OPEN HOUSE ON SAFETY
CAMPOLINDO H.S. MULTI-USE ROOM

Join Moraga's Public Works Department for an open house to discuss pedestrian, bike, and car safety on Moraga Road.

👉WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 5:30 PM
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING, TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 335 Rheem Blvd

- Town’s participation in the Senate District 7 ADU Accelerator Program
-Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan community engagement update
-Economic Development Update Report

👉 JULY 10 DEADLINE
EMERGENCY ALERT SURVEY
Contra Costa County is seeking community feedback to improve emergency alerts and preparedness communications.

06/11/2026

Did you know? 🤔 Donald Laird Rheem was known as the “Father of the Rheem Valley.”

From transforming the Hacienda (above) into a grand estate 🐎 to building roads, subdivisions, the Rheem Valley Shopping Center 🛍️, and the iconic Rheem Theatre 🎭, Donald Rheem helped shape much of Moraga and Rheem Valley as we know it today. By 1957, he envisioned the Rheem Theatre as the finest theater in Northern California. 🌟

Stay tuned for more on the history of the Rheem Theatre in our next edition!

Address

239 Rheem Boulevard
Moraga, CA
94556

Website

http://www.moragacitizensnetwork.org/

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