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A Musical Tribute to John Denver feature former band members, benefits Maryland Therapeutic Riding, 10/28 at Maryland Hall.

Giving Back:
Upcoming Local Charity & Benefit Events

Stepping Our For Breast Cancer Raffle
Stepping Out For Breast Cancer, a nonprofit volunteer women's organization in Annapolis celebrates October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with their annual fall raffle. Members of the organization will be selling raffle tickets every Saturday during the month of October in front of Grauls Market in West Annapolis and Trader Joe's. This year the raffle prices include a 42" Panasonic Plasma HDTV, a 10-foot zodiac cadet and a pocket PC iPOD. All proceeds benefit Anne Arundel Medical Center Breast Center and Baltimore-Washington Aiello Breast Center. The drawing takes place on November 8 at Anne Arundel Medical Center and need not be present to win. For information, tickets, or donations, call 1-877-413-8418.

Celebrate the Severn!
Thursday, October 5
At Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis
7-10 p.m., $60
(410) 849-8540
www.severnriverkeeper.org
This is the second annual party and fundraiser for the Severn Riverkeeper Program, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Severn River watershed. Food, drink, and live entertainment will be provided for the price of admission. A silent and live auction will be held, with items ranging from artwork to vacations in Grand Cayman Island.

3rd Annual Volunteer Project Hall of Fame Awards
Thursday, October 5
At the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis
11:30 a.m.
(410) 897-9207
The Hall of Fame will honor volunteer projects that have had the most impact in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis.

Come Aboard the S.S. Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 7
At Harbor Hills Yacht Club, Davidsonville
7-11 p.m., $40
The Children's Guild's fourth annual Oktoberfest celebration this fall will help raise funds for new e-learning tools for the guild's students. Your "boarding pass" includes soft drinks; beer and wine; a German-inspired dinner; silent and live auctions;, the raffle; and musical entertainment by a professional disc jockey, a live accordion player, and a guild employees.

Art in the Woods: Music for Peace & Justice Series
Saturday, October 7
At Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, Annapolis
7:30 p.m., $15 students, $25 general
(410) 266-8044
Come and witness an exciting performance by Israeli-born violinist Netanel Draiblate and pianist Brian Ganz. The Music for Peace and Justice Series benefits the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center, HAVEN, Anne Arundel Habitat for Humanity, Lighthouse Shelter, NAACP, Christmas in April, Homeless Drive, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Beacon House.

Memory Walk '06
Saturday, October 7
Eastport Elementary School, Annapolis
(800) 443-CARE
www.alzgmd.org
Join the walk to end Alzheimer's disease. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $200 million to help those battling Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer's research and support, is advancing progress in prevention and cure and in living with Alzheimer's.

HeartSmart 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, October 8
At Kinder Farm Park, Millersville
Registration 8:30 a.m., $20 preregistration, $25 day of
(443) 306-6277
Heart Smart, the Cliff R. Roop Cardiac Support and Education Foundation, is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest in Anne Arundel County. Race day fun includes a T-shirt, refreshments, and awards by age group.

The Fifth Annual Pumpkin Patch takes place at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 10/14-10/31.

Taste of the Chesapeake 2006
Saturday, October 14
At Loews Hotel, Annapolis
6-10 p.m., $100
(410) 377-6270
Celebrate the 35th anniversary. This celebration features regional food, local musicians, silent and live auctions, and presentation of the prestigious Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Frances H. Flanigan Environmental Leadership Award. Benefits the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

Fifth Annual Pumpkin Patch
October 14-31
At St. Martins Lutheran Church, Annapolis
(410) 269-7925
Pick Pumpkins and help fight homelessness in Annapolis! Friends of the Light House Shelter will host its Fifth Annual Pumpkin Patch to raise money for the area's homeless and disadvantaged. Features crafts, children's activities and baked goods.

Fear the Turtle Sculpture Auction
Thursday, October 19
At the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, College Park
www.feartheturtle.umd.edu
Visit this grand showcase and auction of thirty unsold sculptures that have been on display throughout Maryland for the past 6 months. Proceeds of sales to the highest bidders will benefit University of Maryland student scholarships. Visit the Web site for more details.

Dress for the Cure
Thursday, October 19
At Sitting Pretty, 35 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis
6-9 p.m.
(410) 267-1722
wendy[at]shopsittingpretty.com
This specialty boutique is dressing women for a special cause at its third annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser, Dress for the Cure. Sitting Pretty will donate 10 percent of sale proceeds from this special event to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. One grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to Sitting Pretty.

4th Annual Blue Jean Bash
Friday, October 27
At Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville
7-10 p.m., $50 advance, $60 door
(410) 222-7853
Food Link is throwing a shindig with Western flair. This is a community celebration to help fight hunger. The event will feature unique, decorated denim jackets by local celebrities and artists, food, margarita bar, music, silent auction, and raffles. All proceeds go to Food Link.

The Calvert Animal Welfare League's (CAWL's) 13th Annual Pet Walk takes place 10/19 at Annmarie Garden.

Spurs & Sparkles Gala and 6th Annual Musical Tribute to John Denver for Maryland Therapeutic Riding
Fri. & Sat., October 27-28
At Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis
$50, $150 VIP
(410) 923-6816
www.horsesthatheal.org
Friday night kick-off event includes demonstrations by Maryland Therapeutic Riding's special-needs riders, drinks and dinner, and silent and live auctions. Anyone who purchases concert tickets is invited to this event. Saturday evening's concert features the music of John Denver performed by his former band members and an ensemble of other musicians, including the Hard Travelers band and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. The concert is produced by the MUSE (Music Unites the Soul of Everyone) Foundation, which produces and directs concerts for select charitable organizations at no cost. Benefits Maryland Therapeutic Riding.

Calvert Animal Welfare League's (CAWL's) 13th Annual Pet Walk
Sunday, October 29
11a.m.-3 p.m.
At Annmarie Garden, Solomons
(410) 535-300
www.cawl.us
The largest fundraiser of the year for this no-kill adoption center will feature fun for humans and pets alike. Walkers are invited to bring any kind of pet for a leisurely stroll through the garden's grounds. The minimum pledge to participate is $10; a pledge of $25 or more gets you a free T-shirt. In addition to the walk itself, there will be dozens of vendors, booths filled with food, microchipping, demonstrations by a local K-9 unit, face painting, a raffle, and the blessing of the animals.

21st Century Education Foundation 10th Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, October 30
At Compass Pointe Golf Course, Pasadena
(410) 222-2908
The foundation's major fundraiser supports a multitude of projects for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Call for details and to register.

If you have an upcoming charity or benefit event that you would like to see listed in this column, please contact Associate Editor James Houck at jhouck@whatsupmag.com or (410) 267-9390 x104. Ticket- and registration-required events only please. For more information on nonprofit events and volunteer opportunities, see www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org or call Volunteer Anne Arundel at (410) 897-9207.