To have an item considered, submit it in writing two weeks in advance. Include a daytime phone number readers may call. Send items to Fundraisers, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099. To obtain an announcement form, call 925-943-8235.

  • Sports Packages — Fall 2009. Ticket sales benefit United Way's Road to Recovery campaign. Bay Area sports fans, catch all your favorite teams in action with Live United Sports Packages. A's, Raiders, Warriors, 49ers, Earthquakes and Giants. See them all and save up to 25 percent. $75. www.uwba.org or sports@uwba.org.

    Taylor Family Foundation Benefit — 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Yankee Pier Lafayette offers Chef Michael Dunn's ocean-fresh seafood "fresh from coast to coast," sourced in accord with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. 20 percent of the restaurant's proceeds from sales Sept. 24 will be donated to the Taylor Family Foundation. Lafayette Mercantile Building, 3593 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-283-4100, www.yankeepier.com.

  • Cop Shop BBQ — 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 2. Benefits the Cop Shop rent and community events. Tri-tip, chicken, hot link, salads, beverage and dessert. Food, games prizes and drawings. First Presbyterian Church, 2490 Grove Way Castro Valley. $12 adults, $6 12 and under.
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    510-667-7770.

  • Hoes Down Harvest festival — 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 3. Benefits non-profit organizations that support sustainable agriculture and rural living. Sunday will have in-depth seminars, hands on activities and farm tours. Full Belly Farm County Road 43, Guinda. Pre-registration for Sunday activities is required and space is limited. 800-791-2110, www.hoesdown.org.

  • Caring Hands' Day at the A's — Noon barbecue buffet, 1:05 p.m. game time Oct. 3. Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Angels. Purchase your tickets to the game and private BBQ and have a chance to win an autographed baseball by Ryan Sweeney. Raffle tickets for $5 each or 5 for $20. Winners need not be present to win. 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. $42 per person. World Series Sponsor, $5,000; League Champion Sponsor, $2,500; Division Champion Sponsor, $1,000. 925-952-2999.

  • Tri-Valley Trailblazers Poker Ride and Hike — 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 4. Benefits Hoofprints on the Heart Adaptive Riding Center and a scholarship fund for therapy classes for individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. Hikers welcome. BBQ and raffle. Del Valle Regional Park Caballo Loco Horse Camp. trivalleytrailblazers.com.

  • Walk to Cure Diabetes — 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. walk Oct. 4. Heather Farm Park, 301 N San Carlos Dr. Walnut Creek. www.walk.jdrf.org.

  • The Art of Hope — 6-11 p.m. Oct. 10. Benefits Youth Homes Inc. Philanthropist, Bill Sommerville, and California State Assembly woman, Joan Buchanan, are the honorary co-chairpersons for the event. This evening of hope, art and elegant cars will be highlighted by a performance from actress and author, Regina Louise, a product of the foster care system and a recipient of the Adoption Excellence Award for 2009 The evening will include a silent and live auction celebrating "artful" items and experiences, dinner and music with dancing after Ms. Louise's performance. Blackhawk Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. Tickets are $175.00 per person. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor call Nedda Janatpour: 925-933-2627, nedda@youthhomes.org.

  • Sing For Your Supper — 2:15 p.m. Oct. 11. Benefits Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Broadway stars of "Wicked" and "Phantom of the Opera" share the spotlight in a cabaret concert. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. $25. 925-943-7469.

  • Wheels for Meals Ride — 7 a.m. 65 mile ride, 8 a.m. 35 mile ride, 9 a.m. 15 mile ride Oct. 17. Benefits Alameda County Meals on Wheels. Riders can choose from three routes; a 15 mile casual ride for families and beginners, a 35 mile ride for those who want a bit more of a challenge, and a 65 mile intense and strenuous metric century for expert riders who want a challenging end of season ride. The registration fee included a free Wheels for Meals T-shirt, post ride BBQ, route maps, fun rest stops with food and beverage and staffed be friendly volunteers, good humor, first aid supplies, radio and SAG support, and coaches riding along for encouragement and safety. Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, Lakeside picnic area, 2500 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton. $15-$45. Register: 510-577-3581, www.wheelsformealsride.com.

  • Spaghetti Feed — 5-8 p.m. Oct. 17. Benefits Boys and Girls Club of Diablo Valley. 1301 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. $15 per person, children under 5 free or $50 per family of four or more. Harriett Burt: 925-372-8038 or Nancy Hobert: 925-228-7271.

  • Martinez Wrestling Club's 10th Annual Alhambra High Wrestling Alumni Crab Feed — 6 p.m. hosted cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner Dec. 12. Clam, salad, pasta, crab and garlic bread. Non-crab entree available if requested in advance. Shell Clubhouse, 1635 Pacheco Blvd., Martinez. $50. JoAnn Buccellato: 925-382-7922.

  • Cruising to Help the White Kitty Foundation — Oct. 19-23. The four-day cruise leaves Los Angeles (Long Beach) at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 heading to Catalina, arriving Oct. 20 at 8 a.m. for a day on the island. At 5 p.m. that same day, the ship will leave Catalina Island and head to Ensenada, Baja Mexico, for a visit to that city from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21. A "fun day" at sea on Oct. 22 delivers you back to Los Angeles at 8 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 23. $276 and up. 866-403-5262, 925-210-0228.

  • Holiday Boutique — 1-7 p.m. Nov. 4. Benefits Highlands Elementary School, Concord. More than 20 vendors, music, dance, singer, tae kwon do performers and magic. 1328 Pennsylvania Blvd., Concord. Vendors, $25 per table. 925-783-1238.

  • Fred Finch Youth Center 2009 Invitational Golf Tournament: "Champions for Youth" — 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6. A day of lunch, golf and dinner. Bridges Golf Club, 9000 S. Gate Ridge Road, San Ramon. 510-485-5239.