This week

 Author discussions and book signings, Gainesville. Dawn Bedingfield, author of "Why Not Black Women"; Jeff Head, author of "Running Legal Blues: A Trucker's True Life Quest"; Clara Stephens, author of "I Am Not Forgotten: God Knows My Name," and "Woman, You're Not Alone: A Call to Celebrate Womanhood." 6 p.m. today, Gainesville Branch Library, 127 Main St., Gainesville. 770-532-3311, ext. 114 or mhunter@hallcountylibrary.org.

Contra Dance, Sautee. Live music and calling. Potluck, 6:30 p.m.; lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Sautee Nacoochee Center Gym, 283 Ga. 255, Sautee. $8 adults, $7 SNCA members, $4 students, free for children age 7 and younger with supervising adult. 770-754-3254.

Upcoming

New Year's dance, Gainesville. Impact will perform. Party favors and champagne. 6 p.m. Dec. 31-1 a.m. Jan. 1, American Legion Post 7, 2343 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. $15 singles; $25 couples. 770-534-7091, 770-869-7941 or irineroger@yahoo.com.

New Year's Eve Chicken Drop, Gainesville. Benefits the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia. Balloon drop with prizes, dancing, cash bar, door prizes, champagne toast at midnight. Breakfast buffet. 8 p.m. Dec. 31 to 2 a.m. Jan. 1, Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St., Gainesville. $55 per person; $100 per couple. $425 for a table of eight, $500 for a VIP table with champagne. $65 per person at the door. 770-531-2394 or jbjams@bellsouth.net.

Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, Atlanta. 8 p.m. Jan. 29, Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. $69.85-$80.10.

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 or gainesvilletoastmasters@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.