What’s Hoppin’ for TUESDAY, Sept. 16

ACT UP PLANNING MEETING: 7 p.m. at the Mountain Ranch Town Hall, the Mountain Ranch Acts Up theater group will hold a planning meeting. The previous fund-raiser for the town hall was a lot of fun and a great success. Local talent, writers, actors, singers, dancers, directors, scene designers and backstage support people are encouraged to come and share ideas for the next production. Call 754-5243 for more information. For more What’s Hoppin’ highlights, click on the day above.

WEDNESDAY

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: 6 p.m. at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, back to school night will be held. Principal Catherine Sargent speaks at 6:30 p.m. and parents can visit their students’ classes beginning at 6:50 p.m. Call 736-2507 for more information.

THURSDAY

GABA MEETING: At Tallahan’s Caf in Arnold, the Greater Arnold Business Association will meet. No-host beverages from 6 to 6:30 p.m.; Kathy Maxwell of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department discusses identity theft at 6:30 p.m. and dinner – featuring three pastas, salad, dessert and coffee – will be served at 7 p.m. Cost is $20. Reservations must be made by Sept. 15 by calling 795-1588.

FRIDAY

MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL: Today through Sunday at the Monterey Fairgrounds the annual Monterey Jazz Festival takes place. The Herbie Hancock Quartet with Bobby Hutcherson, The Crusaders featuring Randy Crawford and Buckwheat Zydeco are scheduled to appear with many, many other groups. Arena Packages on sale now at www.montereyjazzfestival.org or by calling (925) 275-9255.

SATURDAY

COMMUNITY YARD SALE: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mountain Ranch Community Park, a yard sale will be held. Booth spaces cost $15. Proceeds benefit the park. Call 754-3728 or 754-0720 for reservations.

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill, James Spencer will conduct a creative writing workshop. Participants should bring five to 15 pages of work for critique. Attendance limited to the first 12 reservations. Cost is $50 and includes lunch. Call 286-1320 to register.

CONCOURS d’ELEGANCE: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, the seventh annual Concours d’Elegance will be held. More than 300 classic and antique automobiles on display. Cost is $10, 19 and under are free. Proceeds benefit California 4-H Youth Development programs and the California State Fair Scholarship Fund. Pre-event buffet dinner Friday costs $55; gala winemakers’ dinner costs $125. Call 736-9285 for more information.

WILENSKY FUND RAISER: 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pioneer Hotel in Sheep Ranch, the Citizens for Wilensky Campaign Committee will hold a fund raiser. Music will be provided by Clan Dyken from Douglas Flat and a no host beer, wine and soft drink bar will be available. Snacks will be provided. Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. A donation of $20 is suggested. All proceeds go to the campaign to elect Steve Wilensky to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors for District 2. Call 293-7160 for more information.

FORTY-NINER FESTIVAL AND CHILI COOK-OFF: In Groveland, the Highway 120 Chamber of Commerce presents its 49er Festival and Chili Cook-off. Pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Community Hall; parade at 8:30 a.m.; chili cooking commences at 10:30 a.m.; live music performed by Ron Thompson and the Resistors and the Short Ribs Band. Call 962-0249 for more information.

RIDE THE CURE TRAIL: Today and Sunday at Amador High School in Sutter Creek, the Gold Country Horsemen’s Association presents a “Relay for Life” event. Raise $100 in donations and walk with the team. Call 267-0511 for more information.

SUNDAY

FALL FESTIVAL: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Utica Park in Angels Camp, the Master Gardeners of Calaveras County present its fall gardening exposition. Seminars and demonstrations on gardening topics will be presented and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist with gardening problems. There will also be kids’ gardening activities, gardening vendors, plants for sale, art and crafts, an AARP pancake breakfast, live entertainment and a gardeners’ garage sale. Call 754-6477 for booth reservations or more information.

HOW TO AFFECT CHANGE FORUM: 12:30 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church on Algiers Street in Murphys, Jim Randlett will discuss the dos and don’ts of initiating and influencing legislation. The public is welcome to attend.

GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY MEETING: 12 p.m. at the clubhouse Meacham Road outside Angels Camp, the Calaveras Gem and Mineral Society will meet. Claude Huber will discuss cleaning and trimming field specimens. Potluck lunch at noon, meeting follows. Call 532-3939 for more information.

DINNER AND DANCING ON THE GREEN:5:30 p.m. at Camps Restaurant in Angels Camp, Habitat for Humanity Calaveras presents its second-annual dinner dance. Music by the Keith Evans Ensemble. Tickets are $40.00 each. Call 754-5331 Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. or call Ann at 772-9419 to order tickets.

TUESDAY

HRC BOARD MEETING: 4:30 p.m. at the administration office at 1113 Highway 49, Building 2, Suite 3 in San Andreas, the Human Resources Council, Inc. Board of Directors will meet. Call 754-3114 for more information.