AFTER RUNNING more than 12,000 miles since September 2002 to honor fallen soldiers, Sparky George will hold his 18th annual and final Hats Off America event beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at Sycamore Valley Park, 2101 Holbrook Drive, in Danville.

George, the Bear Flag Runner and a Vietnam-era Marine, invites the community to join him in this final 10K/5K run or walk to show support for service members killed in battle and for military families who have sacrificed for their country.

The entry fee is $35 per person. All runners and volunteers will receive a red T-shirt and lunch. Hats Off America is a nonprofit that raises money for and awareness of the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for freedom.

George, the founder and director of the event, has been in the auto repair business in San Ramon for many years but will be closing his shop soon because of the economy. He is also unable to continue to support Hats Off America, he said.

The Arroyaves, a Gold Star family, will be at the event. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave died Apr. 15, 2004, in Iraq during his second deployment to the Middle East. He had served in the Marine Corps for more than 10 years. His wife, Rachelle, and their three children, ages 4, 8 and 12, received $19,600 from Hats off America. The organization will divide remaining proceeds among four other Gold Star Families.

George has been running six miles a

For more information about the event or to register or volunteers, contact George at 925-855-1950 or thebearflagrunner@yahoo.com. Visit www.hatsoffamerica.us for more information and links to other organizations that support our troops.

AN 'EVENING AT THE POPS' CONCERT, featuring the San Ramon Symphonic Band, will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center, 10550 Albion Road, San Ramon.

Under the direction of Larry Colon, the 75 musicians will perform movie and musical tunes, classics and marches. Admission is $6 for adults. Children under 12 or students with an ID are free. Purchase tickets at www.sanramonperformingarts.com.

VISIT FOREST HOME FARMS this month and enjoy the season's best at Moore's Pumpkin Patch, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Pick out the best pumpkin and let the kids enjoy the hay tunnel, bounce house, inflatable slide, train and hay rides. Book a field trip, birthday party or large group by calling 510-866-6015 or visit www.moorespumpkinpatch.com.

The San Ramon farmers market will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays throughout the month.

JAZZ AT THE LIBRARY will continue at the Front Row Theatre at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 with a concert by the Dennis Edwards Duet featuring Dennis Edwards on piano and Steve Webber on bass. They will perform music from some of America's greatest pop composers, including George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Henry Mancini.

Tickets, at $21 per person or $16 for seniors and students, are available at www.sanramonperformingarts.com. The concerts are sponsored by Chevron, Contra Costa County Library, and the San Ramon Library Foundation. Coffee is donated by Starbucks and dessert will be provided by Raffine's Chocolates.

Around San Ramon runs every other Saturday. Reach Monica Lander at landerfamily@sbcglobal.net.