http://www.sanramonexpress.com If it is local and useful, it is on SanRamonExpress.com. en-us Livermore Valley Opera presents internationally acclaimed tenor Eleazar Rodriguez, joined by other world-class opera singers for an afternoon of passion-stirring music. The event is from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, May 20 at the Firehouse Arts Center (4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton). Tickets are $20. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org.]]> Enjoy gardening or looking for inspiration? Participate in the Hidden Gardens of the Valley garden tour in Pleasanton this weekend benefiting Valley Humane Society. The event is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. Advance tickets are $35 and $40 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased at Alden Lane Nursery, Armstrong Garden Center, Serenity Stoneworks, Towne Center Books, Western Garden Nursery, and Valley Humane Society. All proceeds benefit Valley Humane Society, a local non-profit organization. Questions, call VHS 426-8656.]]> Suzanne Arca, from a Bay Area landscape firm, will discuss what you can do instead of having a lawn. Creating gardens that use less water does not have to mean inferior aesthetics and functionality. Suzanne will put to rest the notion that the front garden needs a lawn. The class is from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19 at The Gardens at Heather Farm (1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek). Cost $25. Call 947-1678 or visit www.gardenshf.org.]]> Don't want to hassle with cooking dinner on Open House night? Come to the barbecue from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 17. Cost is $7 for hot dog meal or $8 for pulled pork meal both include chops and soda. All meal tickets are sold at the barbecue.]]> The Diablo Valley Quilters Guild meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Danville Congregational Church, (989 San Ramon Valley Blvd.). Guests are welcome ($2 donation). Annual membership fee is $30 ($20 for seniors 65+). For information, call Dianne at 837-1863. ]]> This exhibit tells that story from the first gold strike until it played out in the San Ramon Valley with the arrival of miners searching for attractive home sites. The museum will tell tales of pioneer San Ramon Valley families through trail diaries, rifles that protected them on the trek over the endless prairies and mountains as well as tools used in placer mining.]]>