This week

Cast-Iron Chef Gainesville: Salsa on the Square, Gainesville. Local restaurant chefs will compete to see who can make the best salsa from tomatoes and chilis provided by farmers of the Downtown Farmers Market. Sample the salsas to help judge the contest. 3-4 p.m. Friday, Historic Downtown Gainesville Market on the Square, downtown Gainesville square.

AARP Driver Safety Program, Cumming. 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Forsyth County Fire Department, 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming. 770-343-9500.

GSC Poetry Reading, Oakwood. Featuring Kyle McCord, Keith Montesano and Ezekiel Black. 8:30 p.m. Monday, The Robinson Ballroom at Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. 706-265-9675 or esblack@gsc.edu.

RichLife for Women event, Gainesville. Beau Henderson will speak. Snacks and drinks provided. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Mellow Mushroom, 700 Green St., Gainesville. Free. Reservations required. 678-851-4992.

Elvis impersonator, Toccoa. Matthew Scott. 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, The Stephens County Senior Center, 55 Hayley Drive, Toccoa. Free. 706-886-4740.

Upcoming

James Gregory, Dahlonega. Comedian. 7 p.m. July 30, Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. $28. 706-864-3759.

Folk Life Traditions, Helen. Various folk events July 30 and 31:Bluegrass concert by The Suggins Brothers, 8 p.m. July 30; folk skills demonstration including wooden bowl making, chair caning, cider making, butter churning, folk toys, candle dipping and pioneer tools, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31; dulcimer concert by Nathaniel Samsel, 11 a.m. July 31; concert and square dance with music by The Possum Knockers, 8 p.m. July 31; jewelry maker Lee Johnson, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 1. Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $5 parking. 800-573-0659, ext. 305.

2010 Georgia Gourd Society Show and Sale, Perry. July 30-Aug. 1: 1-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry. simplygourdgeous@comcast.net.  

2010 Rabies & Wellness Clinic, Gainesville. Puppies and kittens must be at least 3 months old for rabies vaccinations. Pets must be in a carrier or leashed. No flea dips at this event. Dog baths and nail trims. 8:30 a.m. to noon July 31, Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, 845 W. Ridge Road, Gainesville. $10 for rabies shot; $20 per microchip; donation for baths and nail trims. 770-532-6617 or info@humanesocietyhallcounty.com.

Gainesville Singles Dance, Gainesville. Hors d'oeuvres, dance music. 8 p.m. July 31, American Legion, 2343 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. $10.

Bring Julie Home, Gainesville. Live band, games for children, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale. Baskets for raffle including items from local businesses. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 31, Fitness Forum, 1210 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. $10 for raffle ticket. 678-943-3115.

1970s/1980s Skate Reunion, Gainesville. 7-11 p.m. July 31, Skate Country, 2276 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.

"Everybody Can Dance" marathon, Gainesville. Bring water, towel and dancing shoes. 1:30-3:30 p.m. July 31, Georgia Mountains YMCA, 2455 Howard Road, Gainesville. Free.  770-297-9622.

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. 678-943-2576 or holmeslynda@bellsouth.net.

Ongoing

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.