This week

Taste of Grace, Clarkesville. Book signing by illustrator John Kollock, samples of recipes in the book, "Let Us Say Grace: Recipes and Remembrances." 5-7 p.m. today, Southern Bank & Trust, 111 Southern Bank Drive, Clarkesville.  

Appalachian Storytelling, Dahlonega. Ray Hicks. Learn about the spoken word and Appalachian dialect. 6:30-7:30 p.m. today, Georgia Appalachian Studies Center, Vickery House, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega. $59. 706-864-1918.

Little Black Dress Party, Gainesville. Benefits UmuOgba USA, a nonprofit organization that raises money to help the people of UmuOgba, Nigeria. 7-11 p.m. Friday, Hilton Garden Inn, 1735 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. $35. Reservations required. 678-316-0766 or rhh310@bellsouth.net.

May Day Street Dance, Braselton. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, downtown Braselton. Reserved seating available for purchase. Live music by Uncle Mike's Band. 706-654-5551.

Free vehicle inspections, Flowery Branch. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, United Auto Care, 4746 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch. Free. 770-967-8333.

Book signing, Gainesville. "Lessons of Many Lives" author Melissa Watts. 2-3 p.m. Saturday, The Hall Book Exchange, 1854 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.   

"Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream," Gainesville. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. Beverage and snacks provided. $10 donation. Limited seating. 770-887-0051.

Shag Dance classes, Gainesville. Couples preferred. Register by Tuesday. Classes 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays this Tuesday-May 25, Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $40. $30 city residents. 770-535-3066.

Line Dance classes, Gainesville. New dances taught at each class. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays this Tuesday-May 25, Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $20. $15 city residents. 770-535-3066.

AARP Driver Safety Program, Gainesville. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday and May 6, Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-538-4816.

Upcoming

AARP Driver Safety Program, Flowery Branch. 8:30 a.m. May 6, Avita Community Partners, Flowery Branch. 4331 Thurmon Tanner Road, Flowery Branch. 770-967-1188.  

Flights of Fancy 2010 Springtime Benefit Auction, Gainesville. Garden and nature-oriented artwork, dinner by Rico's World Kitchen of Buford and beverage bar. Benefits Elachee Nature Science Center. 6:30-9 p.m. May 7, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $35. 770-535-1976.

Gateway thrift store grand opening, Gainesville. Benefits Gateway Domestic Violence Center. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 8, Gateway thrift store, 1642 Park Hill Drive, Gainesville.

Taste of Flowery Branch, Flowery Branch. Samples of the menus of local restaurants. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8, downtown Flowery Branch. Benefits the Flowery Branch High School Marching Band. $10; $5 kids age 9 and younger. 770-561-1328.  

Lanierland Auburn Club annual meeting, Flowery Branch. Barbecue dinner; speakers Ted Roof and Randy Campbell. 6 p.m. May 11, Eagle Ranch, 550 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch. $20 adults, $12 kids age 12 and younger before Saturday; after Saturday, $25 adults, $15 kids age 12 and younger. Reservations required. 770-519-3321.

Active Generation Health Fair, Flowery Branch. For ages 55 and older. Screenings, information on products and services for seniors, indoor Walk-a-thon to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 11, Mulberry Creek Community Center, Flowery Branch. 4491 JM Turk Road, Flowery Branch. Free. 770-535-8280 or knorman@hallcounty.org.

Autism Speaks pageant, Cleveland. For newborns-age 21. May 15, Cleveland Worship Center, 529 East Kytle St., Cleveland. 770-865-8961 or missheropageant@gmail.com.   

Mule Day, Jefferson. Demos of plowing, blacksmithing, quilting, basket and soap making. Barbecue for sale. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15, Shields Etheridge Heritage Farm, Jefferson. $5 adults; kids free. 706-367-2949.

Rubber Duck Derby, Gainesville. Benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County. Send rubber ducks down Lake Lanier to win prizes. 5K Derby Dash & Bash, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; derby, 3 p.m. May 15, Clark's Bridge Park, 3105 Clark's Bridge Road, Gainesville. $5 per duck. 770-656-3825.

Northeast Georgia Writers Conferences, Gainesville. Aug. 4, Amy Wallace; Oct. 6, Sandra Brim. Workshops are 1-3 p.m. at Peach State Bank, third floor, 325 Washington St., Gainesville. Free for members; $25 preregistration required for nonmembers. No registration at the door. 770-297-0680 or holmeslynda@bellsouth.net.

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. $3; first three lessons free. 404-372-6707.

American Business Women's Association, Gainesville. 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, Ryan's Family Steakhouse, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. 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.