This week

"All Things Bright and Beautiful," Gainesville. Gloria Stargel will share stories from her book, "My Anchor Holds — The Difference Jesus Makes." 6:30 p.m. today, Dogwood Forest, 3315 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. Free. Reservations required by Friday. 770-531-7800.  

Lunch & Learn Fall Gardening Series, Gainesville. Propagation, featuring Potting Shed owner Elaine Kelley. Hall County Master Gardeners. Noon today, Gainesville Branch Library, 127 W. Main St., Gainesville. Free. 770-532-3311, ext. 132.  

Book signing, Dahlonega. Author Olivia H. Robinson will sign "Hockenhull Gold." 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Lumpkin County Library, 342 Courthouse Hill, Dahlonega. Free. 706-864-3668.

Inspired by Nature: Elachee's Safari Benefit Dinner & Auction, Gainesville. Live and silent auctions, cocktails, dinner and live jazz. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $75. Reservations required. 770-535-1976.

Taste of Gainesville, Gainesville. More than 40 Northeast Georgia restaurants, snow cones, face painting and cotton candy for kids. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Lake Lanier Olympic Venue, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, children age 9 and younger free. 770-287-0077 or llrc@mindspring.com.

Tasteful Tuesdays, Gainesville. Get a taste of food, drinks or services from downtown businesses. Noon Tuesdays, downtown Gainesville square. Free.

Author reading, Gainesville. Kathryn Stockett will read excerpts from "The Help." 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Hosch Theatre, Burd Center for the Performing Arts, Brenau University, 429 Academy St., Gainesville. Free; limited space. 770-534-6160 or jbrown9@brenau.edu.

Petit le Mans, Braselton. Wednesday-Sept. 26, Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. Tickets, $55-$85; infield parking pass, $40; motorcycle infield parking, $5. Discounts for tickets purchased by Friday. 800-849-7223. 

Upcoming

Meet the Candidates, Homer. Candidates for November 2009 election. 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24, Banks County Recreation Center, 607 Thompson St., Homer. Free. 706-677-2108 or bankscountychamber@windstream.net.

Lunch & Learn Fall Gardening Series, Gainesville. Landscape Design featuring Pierce Landscape Designs owner Jan Pierce. Noon Sept. 24, meeting room, Gainesville Branch Library, 127 Main St., Gainesville. Free. 770-532-3311, ext. 114 or mhunter@hallcountylibrary.org.

Southern Roots & Cowboy Boots Barn Dance, Clarkesville. Barn dance on sawdust floor with country music disc jockey. Bring chairs and coolers; no alcohol allowed. 8 p.m. to midnight Sept. 26, Livestock Pavilion, Habersham County Fairgrounds, 4235 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville. $5 in advance, $7 at the gate. 706-754-3650.

The Harvest Hoedown Preview Party, Gainesville. Music by Allen Nivens, cash bar and auction items. Preview to the Junior League Thrift Sale. Benefits the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. 6 p.m. Oct. 1, Georgia Mountains Center, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. $15; $150 per table. 770-535-535-1951.

AARP Driver Safety Program, Dawsonville. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 2, Dawson County Public Library, 342 Allen St., Dawsonville. Reservations required. 770-344-3690.

A Matter of Taste Preview Party, Gainesville. Preview for Art in the Square. 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 2, downtown Gainesville square.

Ride 4 Life, 4 Those Who Can't, Oakwood. Ride from Oakwood to Toccoa. Benefits Relay for Life. 10 a.m. Oct. 3, Walmart, 3875 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. 770-967-5309.

Junior League Thrift Sale, Gainesville. Oct. 3, Georgia Mountains Center, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. Free. Benefits the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. 770-535-1951.

Business Expo, Dawsonville. 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Lakeview Center, 2057 Dawson Forest Road, Dawsonville. Free. 706-265-6278.  

HealthSmart: Health and Wellness Expo, Gainesville. Luncheon with Phil and Amy Parham from "The Biggest Loser," health screenings and flu shots. Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; expo, 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 7. Georgia Mountains Center, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. Lunch, $20; expo free. 770-532-6206 or rlynch@ghcc.com.

"Prehistoric Native American Culture in Georgia," Gainesville. The Scull Shoals Project presented by Jack Wynn. 7 p.m. Oct. 13, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. Free for members, $3 nonmembers. 770-0297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.

"History of Healthcare in Northeast Georgia," Gainesville. Taste of History Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Oct. 23, First Baptist Church Family Life Center, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville. $50-$100 or $750 for table. 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.

Ghost Walk, Gainesville. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and leave every half hour. Oct. 23-24, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. Call for tour times and prices. 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.

Ongoing

Beginning Mainstream Square Dance lessons, Gainesville. Lakeshore Squares square dance club. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Drive, Gainesville. First three lessons free. $3. 404-372-6707. 

Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Jacobs Building at Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 770-294-6059 or edandemw@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.

Southern Living Idea House tours, Dahlonega. Tour the house featured in August's Southern Living. Benefits the United Way of Dahlonega/Lumpkin County. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 18, Achasta, 150 Birch River Drive, Dahlonega. $5. 706-867-1660.