September 4,5,6 - The Ellington Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor its Annual Carnival at Brookside Park, Route 140 in Ellington.  Rides, games, food and a raffle.  Carnival begins at 6pm on September 4 and 5th.  Parade on Saturday at 5:15p and the carnival will open after the parade.  Visit www.ellingtonfire.org for more information.

September 6 - K9 Kerplunk and Manchester Dog Day Festival.  Raising awareness and funds for dog recreational programs and activities.  10a-2pm at Globe Hollow Pool, 100 Spring street in Manchester.  Rain date is Sunday September 7th. Tons and tons of 4 legged fun.  K9 Kerplunk Doggie Dunk, licensed, well behaved dogs are welcome to an off-leash swim in Globe Hollow Pool for a donation of $5.  Call (860)647-3084 to register your dog.  Mancester Police K9 Unit will have a demonstration, Flyball, Dogs Dunkin's for Dogs,  Recall Race Championships, silent auction.  Hosted by Damon Scott from 96.5 WTIC.  Visit www.mdogct.com

September 6 - The Berlin Chamber of Commerce will host a "Family Health and Safety Day" from  9a-1p at the Berlin Farmer's Market in the Berlin Stop & Shop Plaza on Massirio Dr.  The event will feature area businesses offering ideas for a healthy and safe lifestyle. And the Kensington Rotary Club will hold an Amber Alert Photo ID session that day.  Rocky from the New Britain Rockcats will be there between 10a-noon.  For more info call 860-829-1033.

September 7 - March of Dimes bikers for babies. Ride to give every baby a healthy start in life.  New start location at Palmer Field, Middletown.  $35 for rider and $25 for passenger.  Live music, vendor sales, prize drawings.  Register now at March of Dimes at www.bikersforbabies.org

September 8 - 1st Annual CT C.U.R.E.D  Open at Hawk's Landing Country Club in Southington at 10am. Hosted by Damon Scott. Proceeds to benefit the Campaign Urging Research for Esoinophilic Disease. 4 person scramble $150/player. (Day of registration allowed). Early reg $125/player til 8/8/08. This includes 18 holes of golf, the carts, lunch, beverages, games, prizes, dinner provided by Smokin' with Chris in Southington, awards ceremony after the golf, and more. Sponsors and donations also welcome.  Hole in one contest (2009 Chevy Cobalt). Call Stacey for more information at (860)356-4354 and more information about the disease log onto www.curedfoundation.org

September 13 -  The world-renowned, Ct based dance troupe will perform a free, outdoor performance on Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, captivating you with body contortions and movements that will leave you cheering, laughing and gasping in amazement.  5:30 - Classical Jazz Quartet, 7:30 - Pilobolus

September 14 - The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor its 2nd Annual Memorial Pig Roast at the Bristol Swedish Social Club at 71 S. Main Street in Burlington.  Food, games, raffle and more.  Pig Roast begins at 12 noon til 6pm.  Contact Jess at 860-392-9961 for more information.

September 14 - Loctite Auto Show and Kids Fair.  Live music by the local band "Driven", a raffle for great prizes, food vendors , carnival games,  balloons, bounce inflatables, face painting, kids' tattoo booth, art projects and more.  Benefits Channel 3 Kids Camp.  Henkel Corporation, 1001 Trout Brook Crossing, Rocky Hill from 10am-3pm.  $5 per car for exhibitors and spectators. Call Rick at (860)571-2512.

September 19 - The 2nd Annual Peace It Up! Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Conference.  Peace It Up! aims to open our thinking about the issue of youth violence in our community by bringing a number of best practice models and approaches that have worked in different communities. CT Convention Center from 8a-4pm. For more information call Sereyna Wallace at (860)757-9894.

September 20 - "Literary Libations", a fundraiser for the New Britain Public Library from 7-10p at the library at 20 High Street.  Food, music, dancing and an opportunity to "Buy a Book, Win a Prize".  Tickets are $35 per person in advance, and $40 at the door.  The honorary chair of the event is community activist, George Pollowitz.  For more information call 224-3155 ext. 125.

September 26- The 26th annual Business Women's Forum will take place on Friday, September 26th at the Connecticut Convention Center. This year's keynote luncheon speaker will be actress and author Goldie Hawn. For more information or to register online please CLICK HERE.  



October 19 - Riding for a Reason coordinated by Canton High School Senior Ryan Abraham is set to take place and profits will go directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer prevention, access to screening and care, improvement of the quality of life for cancer survivors and investment in research.  100, 50, and 30 mile bike tours as well as a 10 and 5K run/walk/skate tour througout the Farmgton Valley Greenway and Farmington River Trails.  Adults $30, Families (2 adults and 2 children) $50, children under 12 - $12.  Visit www.ridingforareasonCT.org for more information