Glass Blowing Classes from Arts Benicia

Features Master Glass Blower Joseph Morel. Joseph joins Arts Benicia for the first time in offering Glass Blowing Classes. The owner of Zellique Art Glass has been teaching private lessons in his Benicia Studio and College level workshops at Chico State for the past six years. He has joined other talented Benicia artists to offer classes through the Arts Benicia Educational Program because Joesph has come to a point in his art where he truly loves to share it. Classes are designed to offer glass blowing in a group setting for beginning and intermediate level students.

Joseph Morel has been a glass artist for the past 30 years. Before opening his studio in Benicia he worked for Orient and Flume Art Glass and studied under Anne Wolff of Kosta Boda, Roy Dennison of Stuben and John Davies of Strowbridge University. Zellique Glass is shown in galleries and museums of 36 states and Canada including over 25 galleries in California and a similar number in New York. See www.zelliqe.com for a full listing.

The first series of Glass Blowing classes are Sunday workshops October 5th through October 26th form 8:00am until 12 noon. Students interested are encouraged to call Zellique directly at 707-745-5710 to enroll. Space is limited to 4 students per session. If miss out this time, call to discuss a possible 2nd session.

ArtSpan/San Francisco Open Studios (Weekends Only),

Various locations, 415-861-9838, www.sfopenstudios.com. The public will have access to over 850 artists’ studios every weekend in October. Visitors can browse paintings, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, printmaking, furniture, glass, jewelry and photography.

Bridge to Bridge Run, October 5

Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge, 415-995-6868, www.bridgetobridge.com

This span to span trek combines a 12K sanctioned race with a 7K run and 5K walk. Runners and walkers start together at 9am in front of the Ferry Building at Embarcadero Center.

Fleet Week, October 11 - 12

Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf, 415-621-2325, www.airshownetwork.com

Consorzio Cal-Italia Wine and Food Tasting - San Francisco, CA October 4th.

This seventh annual edition, held at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason, boasts more than 200 Cal-Italian wines produced from 17 different Italian grape varieties, as well as proprietary blends, such as Super Tuscans. Samples offered by Bay Area food purveyors will provide the opportunity to pair the wines with a great array of olive oils, cheeses, salamis, biscotti and sorbetti. One hundred percent of the proceeds from a silent auction of wine and other goodies will go to benefit Hands On San Francisco, an organization that recruits and trains volunteers and connects them with community service projects. For event details and further information visit www.cal-italia.org.

Women’s Sailing Seminar October 11-12. The annual women’s sailing seminar is designed to provide a fun one day introduction to sailing topics for all levels. The seminar started at Island Yacht Club in Alameda in 1993 and has been a success each and every year since providing a wonderful opportunity for women to learn from women. Accomplished women teachers, sailing professionals, and expert sailors share their knowledge and time on a voluteer basis to keep the day affordable for all. Businesses from West Marine, to sailing schools and even ice cream shops provide prizes for the killer raffle at the end of the day. Men can attend but more help with the event along with Alameda’s Sea Scouts who aid in guiding attendees from one class to another. It is not possible to take all the interesting options. Only 4 per person for the day on a first come

first serve basis. Sign up today at www.iyc.org or call (510)

San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade and Festival, October 12

Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach, 415-986-4036, www.sfcolumbusday.org. The City celebrates its Italian heritage with a lively parade through North Beach with food, music, entertainment and celebrities, beginning at 1pm.

October Fest in Cupertino October 11-12. Held in the Memorial Park on Steven’s Creek Rd. Brew Pubs all around the Bay will be celebrating this traditional month of beer. To name a few, Albany Brewing Company-Albany, Anchor Steam – San Francisco, Barley and Hopps - San Francisco, Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant – San Francisco, Bear Republic Brewing – Healdsburg, Bison Brewing – Berkeley, Black Diamond Brewery and Brew City in Walnut Creek, San Francisco Brewery, Thirsty Bear and Gordon Bierch in San Francisco and Steelhead Brewery in Palo Alto. Two restaurants that offer a wide selection of beers are Barclay’s and Quinn’s Lighthouse in Oakland.

Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Half Moon Bay on October 13. World’s largest gathering of titanic pumpkins; growers compete for title and $15,000 in prizes. Tel: (650) 726-4485 Fax: (650) 991-0303 Website: http://www.miramarevents.com

Oktoberfest By The Bay,

October 17 - 19

Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, 888-746-7522, www.oktoberfestbythebay.com

San Francisco’s annual event featuring non-stop German music, beer and wine, traditional folk dancing, historical exhibits and culinary delights.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival – Half Moon Bay

October 18-19.

Held in the Pumpkin Capital of the World, the royal granddaddy festival heralds the coming of "All Hallows Eve" with a wickedly delicious lineup of rustic pumpkin patches, harvest-inspired arts and crafts, homestyle foods, blockbuster entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a Haunted House, titanic weigh-off champion pumpkins, world-class pumpkin carvers, and pie-eating, carving and costume contests. Admission is free. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

Exotic Erotic Ball, October 18

Cow Palace, 1-888-EXOTIC6, 415-404-4111, www.exoticeroticball.com

An evening of entertainment and dancing, with revelers wearing outrageous costumes. Recommended for adults only.

This October check out the Music at Jack’s Bistro.

Tuesdays Piano Simon Russell6- 9:30pm

Wed & Thurs William Prichard Jazz Guitarist/Vocalist

Sundays Piano day and Puebla Project Jazz/Blues at night

Fri-Oct 3rd Rolando Morales Trio

Sat-Oct 4th Major Link R/B

Fri-Oct 10th Collective R/B Dance

Sat-Oct 11th Tomas Mich and Latin Jazz

Fri-Oct 17th Dave Mathews Blues Band

Sat-Oct 18th Martin Franco Latin Jazz

Fri-Oct 24th Sky Tyler R/B

Sat-Oct 25th Martin Franco Latin Jazz

Fri-Oct 31st Future Perfect R/B Dance

& Costume Party!!

After work, Jack London Square in Oakland is great place to play.

San Francisco Jazz Festival, October 22 - November 9

Various locations, 415-788-7353, 800-850-7353 (Outside CA), www.sfjazz.org One of San Francisco’s biggest and best musical festivals features local, national and international jazz artist performances at locations throughout San Francisco. The line-up includes many renowned musicians.

OAKLAND ARENA, Oct 22-26 -HP PAVILION, SAN JOSE, Oct 29-November 2

Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four magical destinations all in one action-packed ice production! Disney On IceSM is proud to bring you along on a sightseeing tour of the imagination. Audiences will be transported straight from their seats into the magical worlds of Disney. No luggage will be required as tour guides Mickey and Minnie lead the group to hula in Hawaii with best friends Lilo and Stitch; on an aquatic adventure with Ariel and Sebastian in their undersea kingdom; a playful romp with all 101 Dalmatians; and a flight of fancy over starry skies with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. Audiences will delight in this journey of friendship, music, magic and laughter.

Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey offers nine performances at the Oakland Arena from Wednesday, October 22 to Sunday October 26; and nine performances at the HP Pavilion at San Jose from Wednesday, October 29 to Sunday, November 2. To purchase tickets, visit www.disneyonice.com or call 510-762-2277 or 650-478-2277 for Oakland performances and Ticketmaster at 408-998-TIXS or 415-421-TIXS or 707-528-TIXS for San Jose performances. Ticket Prices: $12.00, $16.00, $20.00, $35.00, $50.00. To learn more about Disney On Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Fright Fest – 6 Flags Marine World in Vallejo is pulling out the stops for a frightful time through the entire month of October. Fright Fest is the last fun filled blast before their season closes till next year. Take your kids, take your sweetheart or a group of friends and have a great time.

"Haunting Of The U.S.S. Hornet" The International Foundation for Survival Research presented Loyd Auerbach, author and investigator of paranormal phenomena, who has investigated active "haunting" of the U.S.S. Hornet, the famous retired aircraft carrier berthed in Alameda last month. He can detail many ghostly encounters experienced by crew members and workers on the vessel. For his next engagement, contact the Hornet Museum for information.

TRUFFLES and CHANTERELLES are unearthed this month. Also, take a moment to pick a few pears and crack open some dungeness crab! Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place to wander in fall with less fog and crowds. The air turns crisp in the evening making a warm cup of chowder taste so good.