THE AUTUMN ARTS GRAPES AND GRAINS FESTIVAL celebrates its 27th year with a community street festival featuring artists and their works, live art demonstrations, a chalk art exposé, a car show, children’s activities, food, wine tasting, and live music on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center McClelland Street Corridor, Santa Maria. An evening reception is Oct. 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
THE SANTA MARIA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM will feature a quick draw demonstration with artist Julie Fish on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Live with rescue organization Too Slow will feature live tortoises from noon to 2 p.m. at the Natural History Museum at S. McClelland in Santa Maria. Info: 614-0806.
THE FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY celebrates Filipino History with a free photo and video exhibit on Oct. 2 at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center of Santa Maria Valley. Cost is $20, $10 for 17 and younger. Info: 925-4077 or sloma.org.
NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY UNITED WAY presents the Mayors’ Ball and All That Jazz, a fundraiser for the United Way’s Literacy Program, on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Santa Maria Country Club, Santa Maria. Cost is $125. Info: themayorsball.com or 922-0329, Ext. 105.
THE ALTRUSA GOLF TOURNAMENT features a golf tournament, wine tour, raffle prizes, and banquet dinner on Oct. 2 at the Monarch Dunes Golf Course, Nipomo. Info: 431-8128 or raineross@gmail.com.
THE NIPOMO NATIVE GARDEN FALL PLANT SALE features more than a thousand native Californian plants on Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nipomo Native Garden, off Osage Street in Nipomo. Info: 929-6710 or 929-3589.
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH presents its 50th anniversary celebration on Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Santa Maria Elks Club, 1309 N. Bradley, Santa Maria. Cost is $20, $15 for kids. Info: 937-3905.
AN AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING by Maggie Anton, noted author of the Jewish historical novels Rashi’s Duaghters, is Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 1501 East Alvin, Santa Maria. Cost is $10. Info: 354-0480.
THE CENTRAL COAST RAILROAD FESTIVAL features model train layouts, rail excursions, concerts, and historical family programs Oct. 7 through 11 in Guadalupe, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. A full schedule is available at ccrrf.com. Info: 773-4173.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER presents, as part of Art After Dark, an art show, auction, children’s activities, and refreshments in support of the center on Oct. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Salon 544, 544 Higuera St., SLO. Info: 544-1717 or salon544@gmail.com.
THE 17TH ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL features painting, drawings, sculpture, jewelry, live music, poetry, and crafts on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at De La Guerra Plaza, Santa Barbara.
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents the Wilderness Spirit Award Luncheon and Auction honoring Gretel Ehrlich on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Alisal Guest Ranch Resort, Santa Ynez. Cost is $85, $150 for VIP tickets. Info: 686-8315.
WESTMONT COLLEGE presents the third annual William Wiersma Golf and Disc Tournament in benefit of the William Wiersma Memorial Scholarship Endowment on Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Montecito Country Club, Santa Barbara. Cost is $150, $115 for recent graduates, $75 for current students. Info: willstourney.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA ARTS COLLABORATIVE and filmmaker John Lengsfelder present “Blind Date Interactive,” an interactive film about relationship with eight showings Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Oct. 23 at 424-C State St., Santa Barbara. Cost is $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Info: 448-9298 or BlindDateInteractive.com.
This article appears in Sep 30 – Oct 7, 2010.