This week
Gala for Hope & Healing, Gainesville. Benefits the Children's Center for Hope & Healing. Hors d'oeuvres by Scott's on the Square, wine and live jazz by Larry Barker and ensemble. Silent auction. 7 p.m. Saturday, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $75 per person; $125 per couple. 770-532-6530, ext. 33.
My Sister’s Place fund raiser, Lula. Includes a live and silent auction, dancing and live music provided by the Larry Daniels Band. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Walter's Barn, Lula. Call for directions. $30 per ticket, $240 for a table of eight. 770-530-5505 or 678-617-9047.
Ride for Recovery Poker Run, Gainesville. Benefits the participants of the Treatment Courts of Hall and Dawson Counties. Motorcycle ride. 8 a.m. Saturday. Ride begins at First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville, and ends at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville. $25 for the first rider, $10 per passenger, $5 for an extra hand. 770-297-3526 oramathe@hallcounty.org.
Eagle Ranch Open House, Flowery Branch. Christian home for children in crisis. 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch. Free. 770-967-8500.
"Food for Thought- A Tour of Kitchens," Gainesville. Tour five Gainesville kitchens and sample creations by area chefs. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, various Gainesville locations. $30. Benefits Supporting Teen Pregnancy Prevention Inc. 770-535-7066.
Book signing, Gainesville. Abigail Hosford Cutchshaw will sign "Finding Hope: The Journey of a Battered Wife." 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Gateway Thrift Store, 1642 Park Hill Drive, Gainesville. Free; book sales benefit Gateway Domestic Violence Center. 770-539-9080, ext. 26.
Upcoming
Spooktacular, Gainesville. Costume contest. 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 29-30, Pier 29 on Lanier, Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. $5. www.pier29onlanier.com.
Miss Flowery Branch Scholarship Pageant, Flowery Branch. Pageant Nov. 5-6, The Springs Community Church, 6553 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch. $100 entry fee. For ages 3-24. 678-357-7359 or .info@fifthrowcenter.com
Ongoing
American Business Women's Association, Gainesville. 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, Ryan's Family Steakhouse, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. To attend as a guest, call 770-967-3352.
Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45-6:45 p.m. Mondays. Jacobs Building Room 208, Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 678-469-2777 orgainesvilletoastmasters@yahoo.com.
Old-fashioned square dance, Hiawassee. 7 p.m. Mondays. Senior Center, 48 River St., Hiawassee. Free. 706-896-1060 or info@townshistory.org.
East Georgia Genealogy Society, Winder. Meets 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month, Betty Jo Maddox Community Room, The People's Bank Financial Center, 76 Broad St., Winder.