This week
Meet the Candidates, Homer. Candidates for November 2009 election. 6 to 8 p.m. today, 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 today, 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 Saturday, Livestock Pavilion, Habersham County Fairgrounds, 4235 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville. $5 in advance, $7 at the gate. 706-754-3650.
Petit le Mans, Braselton. Through Saturday, 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.
Book signing, Cleveland. Abigail Cutchshaw will sign "A Clock, a Coffee Pot and a Field of Lilies." 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, White County Courthouse Museum, downtown Cleveland square.
North Georgia Wedding Cake Challenge, Dahlonega. Benefits Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Achasta, 150 Birch River Drive, Dahlonega. $15 advance. 706-865-4410 or razzledazzlecakes@windstream.net.
Upcoming
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.
Book signing, Gainesville. Rosemary Harris-Mallinson will sign "River of Joy, A Healing Stream." Part of Art in the Square preview party. 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 2, Frames You-Nique, 104 Main St. SW, Gainesville.
Junior League Thrift Sale, Gainesville. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3, Georgia Mountains Center, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. $1. Benefits the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County. 770-535-1951.
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.
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, Ralph W. Cleveland room, Jacobs Building, 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.
Tasteful Tuesdays, Gainesville. Get a taste of food, drinks or services from downtown businesses. Noon Tuesdays, downtown Gainesville square. Free.
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.