This week
Gainesville Woman of Distinction luncheon, Gainesville. Honors Frances Mathis; benefits Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. Former Gov. Zell Miller will give the presentation and Lydia Sartain will be Mistress of Ceremonies. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. $40; reservations required. 770-536-8656.
Book signing, Oakwood. Gloria Stargel will sign "My Anchor Holds — The Difference Jesus Makes." 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, United Community Bank, 3785 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood.
Experimental Aircraft Association meeting, Buford. Presentation by Carlton Joyce. 8 p.m. Friday, Experimental Aircraft Association Sport Aviation Building, Gwinnett County Airport, Lawrenceville. 404-314-7573 or jlevine@bellsouth.net.
Martinis O'IMAX, Atlanta. "Lucky Leprechaun" martinis, live music by Kingsized, food and viewing of an IMAX film. 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. $15 for admission and IMAX ticket; $7 admission without IMAX ticket; free if you wear green and mention free cover. 404-929-6400.
Cherokee presentation, Hiawassee. Native American artifacts, discussion of myths and demonstrations. 1 p.m. Saturday, Towns County Senior Center, Berring Street, Hiawassee. 706-896-1060 or Towns County Historical Society.
Contra dance, Sautee. Potluck dinner, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; introductory lesson, 7:30-8 p.m.; dance with music by the Cage Free String Band, 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Diane Silver will be calling. $7 adults and SNCA members, $8 students, $4 children, ages 7 and younger free with a supervising adult. Sautee Nacoochee Center Gym, Ga. 255, Sautee. 706-878-3300.
Kangaroo Conservation guided tours, Dawsonville. Times vary. Season opens Saturday; tours Tuesdays-Saturdays, Kangaroo Conservation Center, 222 Bailey Waters Road, Dawsonville. $30-$32 adults, $28 for ages 65 and older and $23-$25 for children ages 5-17. Self-guided tours only available on some days; $16. 706-265-6100.
North Georgia Bridal Showcase, Sautee. Wine tasting, bridal vendors and fashion show. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, D'Normandy House, Sautee. $13; benefits local college organizations. 706-878-1234.
Home School History Program, Gainesville. "The Tornado of '36." Scientific and historic aspects of the storm. 10 a.m. Tuesday, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students age 5 and older. Members free. 770-297-5900.
Celebration Banquet fundraiser, Gainesville. Benefits Gainesville Care Center; featuring guest speaker Cal Thomas. 6:45-8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Gainesville First Baptist Church, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville. 770-535-1413. $30 or $250 for table of eight.
St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Sautee. Corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, potatoes and a fruit trifle. Benefits the Sautee Nacoochee Center. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. Reservations required. $8 adults, $5 children ages 6-17, free for chidlren age 5 and younger. 706-878-3300.
Upcoming
Taste of the Vine — Toasting the Future, Gainesville. Wine tasting, music and silent auction. 6 to 8 p.m. March 19, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $35. 770-297-1222 or tapplebaun@georgia.ja.org.
Wine Highway Weekend, Northeast Georgia. Progressive tasting at North Georgia's farm wineries and affiliates. March 21 and 22. $20, collected at first winery visited.
Atlanta Pen Show, Atlanta. See different styles of vintage and modern pens. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21-22, Crowne Plaza Hotal Atlanta Perimeter NW, 6345 Powers Ferry Road, Atlanta. 770-955-1700. $7, children younger than 12 free with adult.
Paula Poundstone, Athens. 9 p.m. March 26, Classic Center, 300 N. Thomas, St., Athens. 706-357-4506. $10-$40.
Presidential inauguration, Cleveland. Emir Caner will be inaugurated as the eighth president of Truett-McConnell College. Johnny Hunt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, will speak. 9:30 a.m. March 26, Truett-McConnell College gym, 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland.
Health Fair, Gainesville. Organized by the Hall County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 28, parking lot of Featherbone Communiversity, 1001 Chestnut St., Gainesville. Free. 678-524-5172 or hcacdst@yahoo.com.
Ongoing
Toastmasters meeting, Gainesville. Public speaking. 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Jacobs Building, Brenau University, corner of Academy and Green streets, Gainesville. 770-532-1630, ext. 218 or mbruce@batescarter.com.
"Key Ingredients: America by Food," Dahlonega. The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit featuring food-themed art and interactive exhibits. Through April 11, Library Technology Center, North Georgia College & State University, 82 College Circle, Dahlonega. Free. Appalachian Studies Center or 706-864-1540.