Halloween activities for kids 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31, Bethel Baptist Church, 3578 Clayton Road, Concord. Puppet show, games, crafts, raffles, refreshments, more. 925-798-7470.

Halloween fun 5-8 p.m. Oct. 28, Calvary Temple, 4725 Evora Road, Concord. Treats in car trunks, face painting, costume contest, hayrides, free. Carnival games, horseback riding $3 or $10 for wristband. 925-458-9100.

Trunk or Treat 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Grace Free Will Baptist Church, 2875 The Alameda, Concord. Cars decorated for Halloween with trunks of treats. Games, photos, movie, more. 510-825-5179, www.gracefwb.com.

Candidate forum

Mt. Diablo school district board of trustees candidate forum 7-9 p.m. Oct. 18, 100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. 925-671-5229, www.pleasant-hill.net/education. Submit questions

Genealogy seminar

Digging for Your Roots genealogy seminar 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 3700 Concord Blvd., Concord. Variety of classes to choose from. $15, includes syllabus. Information, registration: 925-827-4729.

Gems, jewels

Contra Costa Crystal Fair, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 21, Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Crystals, minerals, beads, jewelry, healing arts. $6, 11 and younger free. www.crystalfair.com.

Blood donors needed

Red Cross blood drive 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 23, Metroplex Office Centre, Suite 840, 1401 Willow Pass Road, Concord. Appointments: 800-733-2767, redcrossblood.org. Sponsor code: SPPGATEWAY.

Sister City benefit

Spaghetti dinner fundraiser, drop in 5-8 p.m. Nov. 2, Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle. Benefits activities for 20th anniversary visit by sister city Kitakami, Japan representatives. $20, children 11 free. Tickets at the door or 925-671-3495.

Men's chorus performs

Devil Mountain Men's Chorus performs 1:30 p.m. matinee; dinner show 6 p.m. Nov. 3, Shadelands Art Center, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek. Matinee $15, dinner show $30. Reservations: 925-284-9042.

Baha'i celebration

Baha'i Faith celebrates birth of the Bab, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, 4100 Clayton Road, Concord. Devotions, music, more. 925-360-0448, www.bahaifaithofwalnutcreek.org.

Feathered friends

Tips on drawing birds, 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24, REI, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. Learn to draw/sketch birds. Free. Registration: 925-825-9400, www.rei.com/event/44841/session/58198.

Scarecrow contest

Shoppers can visit Todos Santos Plaza stores, vote for favorite scarecrow through Oct. 28. Participating businesses fly orange, black balloons. www.concordtsba.org or www.cityofconcord.org/recreation/events/downtownevents.htm.

Children trick-or-treat at plaza businesses 3-5 p.m. Oct. 31.

Items included on space-available basis. E-mail transcript@bayareanewsgroup.com.