What's happening in our area this week

Thursday:

Benefit Luncheon

Join Channel 4’s Mary Baer and Richard Nunn on Thursday. They will take part in the Betty Griffin House annual Benefit luncheon fashion show “Runway for Safety.” It will be held at the Marriott Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach beginning at 11 a.m. Guest speaker will be a domestic abuse survivor. Tickets are $50 per person. Contact Floridaadiu@aol.com for information about reservations.

 Magnolia Fest

Music lovers can enjoy the 16^th annual Magnolia Fest at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak this weekend. Artists include award-winning singer Bonnie Raitt, the multi-award winning bluegrass group the Del McCoury Band, and others. The Fest kicks off Thursday and will continue through Sunday.  For more information on tickets, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

 Annual Scrabble Soiree

Join Learn to Read for the 15^th annual Scrabble Soiree. It will be held at St. John’s Cathedral on East Church Street beginning at 6 p.m. This event raises money for the Learn to Read adult literacy program and services.

Dine with Us Downtown

This month’s Dine with Us Downtown will take place at the River City Brewing Company. This is a monthly event to highlight and support dining options in Downtown Jacksonville. Dine with Us begins at 5:30 p.m.  You can reserve a table by calling 904-398-2299. To view the menu, go to www.rivercitybrew.com/dinner.html.

Support Group

Haven Hospice will host a grief and loss support group on Thursday. It will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church on Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg. The group will meet every third Thursday of the month beginning at 7 p.m.

George Clinton Performs

Funk Legend George Clinton is coming to St. Johns County. He will perform at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall on Thursday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Offices, findmytix.com, ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Free Career Counseling

The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs, Veteran and Disabled services Department will host a free career counseling and employment counseling on Thursday. It will be held at City Hall in Suite 120 beginning at 3 p.m.

Friday:

“Team Send off Rally”

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host a Team Send off Rally on Friday. The Jaguars will take on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Fans can gather to say goodbye next to the Touchdown statue outside the West Touchdown Club. It begins at 10 a.m. to noon.

Monster Mash Dash 5K

Bring your family, friends and costumes for the Monster Mash Dash 5K on Friday. It will be held at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. The fun run begins at 6 p.m. and the 5K run begins at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the run, there will be food, children’s activities and live entertainment. Organizers want you to dress to impress and run in your costume, and then participate in a costume contest. You can register for the run at supportcommunityhospice.com.

“The Art of Marriage”

The Marriage Ministry of Neptune Beach will host “The Art of Marriage” beginning Friday. This six-part event will present the principles of a strong, healthy relationship. The conference will begin Friday at 6 p.m. and continue through Saturday. Childcare is available by appointment and donation. Organizers say each couple will be given a workbook with useful tips, articles and exercises. The cost to attend this seminar is $40 per couple. Tickets may be purchased at Lifeway Christian Bookstore-Town Center or at www.neptunebaptist.org/ministries/marriage  or by calling 904-249-2307.

 Jacksonville Bullies

Jacksonville’s lacrosse team will be back in action this weekend. The Jacksonville Bullies will take on the Charlotte Copperheads on Friday at the Veterans Memorial Arena beginning at 7 p.m. Friday’s game will also benefit In the Pink for “Cancer United.” For information on tickets, call 904-425-8905.

Homecoming Parade

Mandarin High School will host its inaugural Homecoming Parade on Friday. It will proceed from Palmetto Leaves Park on Greenland Road to Mandarin High School. The parade will include floats, band and ROTC. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.

Free Art Show

Haven Hospice will host “7 Weeks... Tragedy to Triumph” on Friday. This art show is compromised of paintings made by a survivor of a rare brain tumor. The art show will be held at 200 Southpark Boulevard, Suite 207 in St. Augustine beginning at 5 p.m.  For more information, call 904-810-2377.

John Hiatt and the Combo

Rock guitarist, pianist, and songwriter John Hiatt and the Combo will perform at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall on Friday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.pvconcerthall.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

 Festa Italina

The Italian Club of Jacksonville and the City Of Jacksonville will host Festa Italina, a 3-day celebration of all things Italian. It will be held at the IAC Clubhouse on Westberry Road in Mandarin. It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. and runs through Sunday. This free event will include kids bounce houses, Italian food and souvenirs. For more information, go to www.iacofjacksonville.com or call 904-268-2882.

Discover the Universe

Florida State College at Jacksonville, The museum of Science and History and the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society will celebrate the Discover the Universe fall Astronomy Events. On Friday, there will be events at Florida State College Kent Campus in Room E104 beginning at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Museum of Science and History will hosts events throughout the day beginning at 10 a.m. Later that evening, there will be observing at Hanna Park beginning at 7 p.m.

Reptile Awareness Weekend

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park will host Reptile Awareness Weekend beginning Friday. Guests will have a special opportunity to take a picture with a small Chinese alligator. The Chinese alligator is considered one of the most endangered reptiles in the world. Other weekend activities will include the chance to feed the alligators, a raffle drawing to benefit the Chinese alligator conservation and Maximo feedings.

American Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Jacks or Better Casino will host a fundraising event to benefit the American Breast Cancer Foundation on Friday. This event will be on our 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. cruises. The ship boards at Ocean Street in Atlantic Beach.

WeinerMobile Visits Northeast Florida

The Weinermobile is coming to Northeast Florida. It will be at the Winn Dixie Golf Tournament. The hours for the weinermobile is Friday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be at the TPC Sawgrass , Dye’s Valley Golf Course adjacent to the Winn-Dixie Pavilion in Ponte Vedra Beach

Saturday:

Orange Park Fall Festival

The City of Orange Park is bringing on fall during the 30^th annual Fall Festival. Families can enjoy more than 200 vendors, food, live music, entertainment and more. This free festival begins Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday’s hours are from Noon to 5p.m. at the Town Park Hall on Park Avenue. For more information, go to www.townfororangepark.com.

NaJee

A Jacksonville favorite returns to town this weekend. NAjaee will perform at the Ritz Theatre and Museum on Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $38 and they can be purchased at the Ritz Box Office and Ticketmaster.com.

Halloween Doors and More

Local children and their parents can trick-or-treat early and have some family fun at Halloween Doors and More. It will be held at the Jacksonville Expo at the fairgrounds on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. This event will feature character sightings and appearance, gourmet food court and more. This event benefits Community PedsCare. For more information, go to supportcommunityhospice.com.

Oktoberfest

The Riverside Arts Market will help you celebrate the season with a day of live music, food and brew. The annual Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday. The market is extending evening hours until 10:30 p.m. to include live music, food and local brews under the Fuller Warren Bridge. There will be a free trolley service between 2-11p.m.

Fishing Tournament

There will be a fishing tournament this weekend at Burnett Creek north of Brunswick. It will be held on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The tournament headquarters will open at 7:30 a.m. at the Tractor Supply on New Jesup Highway. Organizers say those who attend will help catch fish to be sampled for contamination. For more information, call 912-466-0934.

Komen North Florida Race for the Cure

Lace up your shoes and come out and run or walk during the Komen North Florida Race for the Cure on Saturday. It will be held at Metropolitan Park beginning at 8 a.m. To register for the run, go to www.komennorthflorida.org.

Cedar Key Seafood Festival

The 43^rd Annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival will begin Saturday in Levy County. This event offers two days of food, shopping and music. There will be more than 250 art and craft exhibitors. Hours for the festival are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sam Cooke Tribute

Limelight Theatre will sponsor the Sam Cooke Tribute concert on Saturday. This event will benefit the St. Paul School of Excellence. Come enjoy Patric Robinson as he sings Cooke’s hits beginning at 7 p.m. at the Galimore Center. Tickets are available for $15. They can be purchased at Limelight Theatre and St. Paul School of Excellence. They can also be purchased at the door. St Paul School of Excellence Charter School is a self-managed, tuition free public school for grades K-5 in St. Johns County.

Zombie Buffet 5k

Get involved in the Zombie craze with two zombie runs, the Kid’s Fitness Zombie Chase and the ZB5k. It will take place at the Jacksonville Landing beginning at 9 a.m.  This event benefits the Children’s Miracle Network. For more information on how to register, go to www.jacksonvillelanding.com/events.

Freebirds Southern Rock

There will be a memorial tribute concert to Freebirds of Southern Rock on Saturday. It will be held at Mavricks Rock N Honky Tonk beginning at 2 p.m.  Advanced tickets can be purchased for $25 at www.mavericksatthelanding.com.

A Day of Hope and Friends

Enjoy horseback riding on the beach, a low country boil, barbeque and beverages during a Day of Hope and Friends. It will take place at Kelly Seahorse Ranch at Amelia Island State Park. This event is in support of Friends of Talbot Islands State Park. It will begin at 3 p.m. No reservations are necessary and the cost is $10 per plate.

Horse Show

The 4-H club members across the state will come together for the 2012 Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair’s Horse Show on Saturday. It will be held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center on Normandy Boulevard. This show is free to the public and it is family-friendly. It begins at 9 a.m.

Halla Galla

The Junior Service League of St. Augustine will host its annual fall fundraiser on Saturday. The Halla Galla will feature dinner, open bar and live performances just to name a few. It will be held at the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $125. To purchase tickets, go to www.hallagalla.com.

Annual Depression glass Show and Sale

Local families can see colorful glass from the depression era during the 39^th annual Depressionglass Show and Sale. It will be held at the Fraternal Order of Police Building on Beach Boulevard beginning on Saturday. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free parking and free glass seminars beginning at 1:15 p.m. on both days. For more information, go to www.depressionglassclubkjax.com.

 Spring Glen UMC Fall Festival and Open House

Local families can have some fun during the Spring Glen UMC Fall Festival and open House on Saturday. It will be held at the church on Beach Boulevard beginning at 11 a.m. There will be a children’s area with games, prizes, clowns, bounce house/slide and purse sale. There is also a chance for your to win an iPad2, $250 gift card or Kindle.

Open Casting Call

Blue Coconuts Production will hold a casting call on Saturday for the film “Indecent Retribution.” It will be held at Pablo Creek Regional Library beginning at 2 p.m. Submit your resume and head shots to michaelheath593@gmail.com. For a list of the roles available, go to www.facebook.com/thebluecoconuts.

 Make A Haunted House

Help transform a library study room into a haunted house on Saturday. You can help decorate at the Main Library beginning at 2 p.m. Supplies will be provided.

Community Fair

Dr. John Allen Newman and the Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary will host an Empowermening the Community Fair 2012, a health education and community fair on Saturday. It will begin at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event will offer free health screening, child ID and Fingerprinting, free haircuts, pedicures and manicures.  It will be held at the Sanctuary at Mt. Calvary on Walgreens Road.

 Community Collection Day

The St. Johns County Solid Waste Management Department will host a Super Community Collection Day on Saturday. It will be held at Murray Middle School on Holmes Boulevard beginning at 8 a.m. Homeowners are encouraged to bring unwanted residential materials and dispose of them. For a list of acceptable items, call 904-827-6980.

 Sunday:

Yappy Hour Howl-O-Ween Bash

Pet owners can enjoy a Halloween event with their pets this Sunday. The 4^th annual Yappy Hour Howl-O-Ween Bash will be held at the Jacksonville Landing beginning at 2 p.m. There will be a costume contest for small and big dogs, pet expo, contests, prizes and live music.

 Esperanza Spalding

Bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding will perform in Jacksonville on Sunday. You can see her performance at the Florida Theatre beginning at 8 p.m.