• Sunday, October 3 from noon to 5 p.m., Festi Fall in Chatham Forest, a mini farmer’s market, compliments of Chatham marketplace, Pittsboro’s co-operative grocery, and a kids activity center featuring a Spiderman “Bounce House”. While in the neighborhood, visit the four homes on the Parade of Homes tour. Chatham Forest is one mile northeast of the traffic circle in downtown Pittsboro, off of Thompson Street. For more information, call 919-545-2858.

• National Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9. The theme this year is “Test Your Smoke Alarms.” The Siler City Fire Department will be at Wal-Mart in Siler City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 2 to kick off the national campaign. Firefighters will take this opportunity to provide information to families about preventing fires. Fire trucks from across the county will be on display. 

• N.C. Pottery Center in Seagrove will host Santa Elena’s 16^th Century Spanish Kiln: Archeological Discovery and Exploration, now through January 28, 2005. Opening events Saturday, October 2, 10 am to 4 pm. Open to the public, free of charge.

• The Pittsboro Farmer’s Market will be open Thursday, September 30, during the Chatham County Fair. Look for the tents outside the fairgrounds fence.

• Saturday, October 2, from 4 pm until,  the Bennett Fire Department will be having a Chicken Supper at the Fire Department. $6.00 for all-you-can-eat.

• The first meeting of the Book Club of the Goldston Library will be held on Monday, October 4 at 10 a.m. at the library. Those interested in reading and discussing various books are invited to join us. Coffee and light refreshments will be served to this very informal group. For more information, call the Goldston Library at 898-4522.

• Come learn about and experience BodyTalk—a new paradigm in healing, changing the way we look at healthcare. On October 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., practitioners will be at Earth Visions Wellness & Fitness Center, 5264 York Martin Road, Liberty, for a free lecture, demonstration and session on how BodyTalk Healing Modality enhances the body/mind balance through a “conversation” with the body’s innate wisdom using neuromuscular feedback. Call Sam and Novelle Kennedy at (336) 622-1844 to reserve your place.

• Chatham County Democratic Women’s meeting will be held Tuesday, October 5 at 7 p.m. at Celebrity Dairy, 2106 Mt. Vernon-Hickory Mountain Road, Siler City. For directions, go to: http://www.celebritydairy.com/inn/inn_directions.htm. For more information, e-mail: akoller919@hotmail.com.

• Annual Tailgate Rock Swap, October 9: Trade and/or sell gemstones, minerals, arrowheads, fossils, or lapidary equipment. Educational and fun event. Day includes BBQ, hot dogs, soft drinks—picnic tables on site. Free admission. 535-A Old Sanford Road, Moncure. 919-542-2700 or 800-910-6112.

• First fall Shakori Hills event of music and dance, October 7-10. Activities include live music, dancing, food, crafts, children’s activities, fiddle contest, band competition, workshops, and fun for all ages! 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Silk Hope. 919-542-8142.

• Open Gospel Pickin’, Saturday, October 2 will be held at Reno Sharpe’s Store, on the corner of Goldston-Pittsboro Road and Reno Sharpe Store Road between Pittsboro and Goldston. Pickers, bring acoustic instruments only. Free and open to the public.

• Old Fashion Day of Goldston will be held Saturday, October 9 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Old fashioned peddling comes alive as vendors market their foods, arts, crafts and much more. There’s plenty of fun for all ages including a petting zoo, pony rides, children’s playground, adult musical entertainment, antique cars, tractors and farm equipment. Vendors may call 837-6534 for information.