The 13^th annual Art Papers Auction will be held at the Mason Murer Fine Art gallery in Atlanta on Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event benefits the participating artists and Art Papers magazine, exhibits and education programs. An impressive showcase of work by famed and emerging artists from around the world will be featured at the event.

A cash bar with complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be provided by Condesa Coffee, Escorpión, Fritti, Sotto Sotto, Sound Table, Sugar Coated Radicals, The Sundial Restaurant, Bar & View, TOP FLR, and more.

Participants will run a short course down Peachtree Street and head back to Hudson Grille for the event celebration. All race participants are asked to raise a minimum $200 in support of Bert’s Big Adventure. Wearing a Speedo (or similar attire) is required and runners are encouraged to accessorize with holiday themed flair such as Santa hats, beards, stockings and other festive accents.

Last year’s event was a huge success with more than 200 registered participants and over $50,000 raised for a local charity. For registration, visit atlantasantaspeedorun.org.

50 Cents. Period’s mission is to help further the education of girls in or from developing countries by providing sanitary products, facilities and health education to young women who would otherwise miss a week of school a month during menstruation for lack of funds. The cost of these sanitary supplies at two pilot schools in Hyderabad, India, is just 50 cents a month per girl.

“50 cents can literally change the future for these girls,” said Ann VanSlyke of Mingei World Arts and a founder of 50 Cents. Period. “Typically, once the girls in poor communities begin their periods, they fall further and further behind in their studies, drop out and start having children. Something so simple as support for issues around menstruation can mean greater access to education, creating pathways out of poverty for whole families.”

Following the theme of the day, Turn DecatuRED, participating businesses on Oct. 22 will devote proceeds from the sale of certain items for the day or donate a percentage of the day’s profits, among other creative ideas. The businesses will be flagged with red balloons and red sidewalk chalk. Volunteers for 50 Cents. Period will roam the streets as “reducators,” handing out information, answering questions and directing visitors to participating DecatuRED businesses. The gazebo on the Decatur Square will also be staffed with volunteers answering questions and the girls 50 Cents. Period. assists in India, Nepal, Uganda and the refugee community of Atlanta. “We will also be collecting packages of sanitary napkins to be distributed to local refugee women through our sister project Period at Home, “says VanSlyke. “If you bring a full package of sanitary napkins, you will be entered into a raffle for a gift card to Cakes and Ale!”

See attached for a complete list of participating Decatur businesses, visit www.50centsperiod.org .

Runners and non-runners alike will enjoy an afternoon of festivities from noon to 3 p.m. including live music, food and family fun provided by Atlanta firefighters, Doc Chey’s and other Morningside Village businesses. Race registration ends Oct. 10, but space is limited, so register soon before racenumbers are sold-out. Register in-store at Phidippides or online at MorningsideMile.com.

The first 500 registrants will receive a technical race hat and all other registrants will receive a cotton T-shirt. Guests can celebrate Doc Chey’s 14th anniversary by competing in the 4th annual Noodle Eating Contest at 1:30 p.m. The fastest speed-eater to conquer a heaping bowl of noodles will win a $100 gift card.  At 2 p.m., attendees can watch neighborhood schools and nonprofits compete for a donation check in the Charity Sumo Tournament.

Other block party festivities include a live band, pet adoptions, craft market, local merchants, bouncy house, face painter, charity dunk tank and more. Kids can enjoy fire safety activities with station 19 firefighters in celebration of October being National Fire Safety Month. Bring your well behaved leashed dog to Intown Animal Hospital for $10 nail trims benefiting a local animal shelter and other doggie fun. Food provided by Doc Chey’s and other Morningside Village restaurants. Last year’s inaugural Morningside Mile raised $6,000 for Atlanta fire station 19 in Virginia Highland.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will support Zoo programs that provide free admission to underserved populations and field trips to Title 1 schools. From 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m., the Zoo will host 30 Atlanta restaurants, 20 open bars, and live music from the band Yacht Rock. Among the participating restaurants are Highland Bakery, Tin Lizzy’s, Sawicki’s, Stone Soup Kitchen, H. Harper Station, Spice Market, and many more.

VIP tickets are available for $150 and include early admission with tasting samples from participating restaurants, champagne, and a Jazz trio. Once the event opens for general admission, VIP ticket holders can make use of the VIP area with a private bar and food. General admission tickets are $100 and are all-inclusive. jazzooatlanta.org.

The grants are part of the first Let’s Play initiative introduced in November of last year – a $15 million, three-year commitment from Dr Pepper Snapple Group to KaBOOM!, which is working to ensure there is a great place to play within walking distance of every child. Together through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.

Grant Park Cooperative Preschool plans to renovate the playground with new structures in Spring 2012. The school submitted the grant this past spring and was one of 35 organizations to receive a grant from a pool of hundreds of applicants. GPCP hopes to raise an additional $10,000 for the playground and tax deductible donations can be made at www.gpcp.org/playground GPCP.

Now commemorating 21 years, AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run continues to raise the much needed funds for organizations throughout the metro-Atlanta area that provide essential programs and services to men, women and children who are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

With the support and dedication of teams and corporate sponsors, the event raised $920,000 during its 2010 campaign

To take part in the event, register at aidswalkatlanta.com (individuals, families and teams welcome). Runners are then encouraged to raise money online to support their run. The cost to register is $25 per runner through Oct. 15 at noon online. After that registration will be on-site from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for $40.

Participants are encouraged to take MARTA and no pets, strollers, or inline skates will be allowed due to city ordinances.

The Atlanta Food Rave presents food and cocktail lovers the opportunity to mix and mingle with an eclectic group of Atlanta-based chefs in an informal atmosphere. This year’s chef lineup includes: 2010 Rave Review Winner, Chef/Owner Alex Friedman of P’cheen; Executive Chef Monique Barrow of Buckhead Bottle Bar; Executive Chef Ryan Delesandro of Nava; Executive Chef Shane Devereux of Top Flr; and Executive Chef Willie Box of Straits.

Attendees are invited to sample each chef’s offerings in addition to catered fare that will be placed throughout four environments at the host venue. As with last year, attendees will be encouraged to vote for their favorite chef of the evening, helping him/her to win The 2011 Rave Review, an award reserved for the chef that is best in show. The evening will also feature premium bars with complimentary Blue Moon, Avion Tequila tastings and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, live entertainment and a number of surprises. The menu will be revealed upon arrival and vegetarian options will be present.

Leading up to this years event will be the Atlanta Food Rave Restaurant Week, September 7-15 from 7 to 9 p.m. Guests will be invited to meet the participating chefs at their restaurants on specified days, while enjoying complimentary appetizers and drinks as a preview to the main event. Sept. 7 – Nava, Sept. 8 – P’cheen, Sept. 13 – Top Flr, Sept. 14 – Straits, and Sept. 15 – Buckhead Bottle Bar.