Nov. 3 A dinner for 250 VIPs at the home of Charles and Kim Githler, prepared by chef Roy Yamaguchi and his culinary dream team, kicks off this two-day event, which continues the next day at the Ritz-Carlton with speakers including Steve Forbes, Wall Street Digest publisher Donald Rowe, Bob Stovall and other financial and investment luminaries. Proceeds benefit several children's charities; for more details call (800) 216-6199.

Wall Street Live Gala.

Hear and Now. The Ear Research Foundation benefits from this party, set for 6 to 10 p.m. at the Longboat Key Club's Harborside Room. Tickets $150; call 365-0367.

Smith Center Casino Night. Games of chance, food and drink, all to benefit the Smith Center's riding program. At the Chelsea Center; tickets $65. 412-9333.

Nov. 4 The Sarasota Reading Festival gears up with this book-and-author celebration at Selby Library, from 6 to 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $50 up; call 957-5109.

A Novel Affair.

Nov. 5For the 26th year, ODA supporters join for dinner, dancing and auctions of precious items, starting at 6 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Tickets $200; call 554-3450. This year's theme: To Infinity and Beyond.

Out-of-Door Academy Extravaganza.

Snooty's Gala. Get all dressed up and party with Snooty the manatee at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $150; call 746-4131 ext. 14.

Nov. 6 Fifteen area caterers will provide the food for this luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the USF campus bayfront, to raise funds for local student scholarships. Tickets $75; call 359-4694.

Brunch on the Bay.

Nov. 7 A night to honor arts leaders and doers, 5-7 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Van Wezel. 365-5118.

Sarasota County Arts Council's Awards Celebration.

Nov. 9 Plans were still in the works for this event at press time, but it is set to begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. at Michael's On East. For more information, call 365-4955.

American Jewish Committee Civic Achievement Award Dinner.

New College Foundation New England Clambake. Gather at the New College bayfront for this harbinger of fall, with lots of New England-style seafood goodies and other treats on tap. It gets under way at 6:30 p.m.; call 359-4419 for ticket info.

Community Music School Gala. Dinner, a silent auction and a concert of music by Grieg and Shostakovich by three musicians representing the country of Norway. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Chelsea Center, with the concert in St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Tickets $135; call 929-1859.

Nov. 11 Acclaimed Florida crime novelist James W. Hall is the guest speaker at this event to benefit Crowley Museum & Nature Center, starting at 6 p.m. in the Sarasota Hyatt Ballroom. Tickets $100; call 322-1000.

Florida Writers' Dinner.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Black & White Ball. "Gone Mad" is the theme of the sixth annual ball, set to start at 7 p.m. at Michael's On East Ballroom. Live entertainment, food stations, open bar. Tickets $150; call 952-5836.

Nov. 12 A gala to benefit Sarasota area sports and Sarasota Parks and Recreation's Adopt-a-Camper program, set for 6 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium (rain date Nov. 13). Tickets are $100 and include dinner, dancing and more. 955-0991 ext. 206.

Diamonds on the Diamond.

Hot Dogs and Cool Cats. The theme for this year's party for the Humane Society of Sarasota County is "Goes Hollywood," so you just know people really will be putting on the dog. Cocktails, catering, dancing, martini slides, auctions and more beginning at 6 p.m., at the Serendipity Ballroom, Country Club of Sarasota. Tickets $175; call 955-4131.

Cattle Barons' Ball of Venice. The first annual for the American Cancer Society's Venice branch, featuring plenty of eatin', horse racin' and dancin' at the Venice Community Center. For tickets ($75), call 497-4309 ext. 23.

Nov. 13Help defeat hunger in the community while enjoying soups, breads and bowls crafted by artisans for this event. Minimum donation is $15; for more details call 922-6059 or 379-6333.

All Faiths Food Bank Empty Bowls.

Sarasota Season of Sculpture Brunch. A gala kickoff to the six-month-long exhibition of large-scale sculpture along the bayfront; for more details call 953-4515.

Nov. 14 A tent fashion show at the Designing Women Boutique, offering cocktails and supper by the bite, gets the week under way; it's followed by several days of trunk shows and other presentations. Call 366-5293 for more details.

Designing Women Fashion Week Kickoff.

Nov. 15 The 20th anniversary of this day is noted with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Michael's On East. Sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southwest Chapter; tickets $40. Call 957-1955.

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon.

Nov. 16Presentation of the Stephen H. Goldman Keystone Award and more, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Michael's On East. A kickoff party, by the way, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at Queens' Wreath Jewels on St. Armands. 921-5539.

Wellness Community Celebration of Hope Awards.

Nov. 17 The theme for this year's evening party to benefit Planned Parenthood is the Queen of Hearts, so look for Alice in Wonderland attire (6 to 10 p.m. at Phillippi Estates Park). The noon luncheon, also at Phillippi, at the Edson Keith Mansion, promises fashions from Dream Weaver, L. Boutique and Queens' Wreath. Tickets for the luncheon-show start at $45; for the evening event, they're $75 in advance or $100 at the door. 365-3913 ext. 101.

High Tea/Safe Sex.

Boys and Girls Club Kids Night Out. Sarasota's Originals restaurateurs and children from the club's culinary arts program provide the meal for this fund raiser, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $200 per person; call 366-3911.

Nov. 19 A pre-concert affair featuring fall food favorites, starting at 5 p.m. at the University Club. Tickets $75; call 366-8450 ext. 402.

Sarasota Opera Fall Dinner.

Nov. 20 Travel back a few decades in old Florida time for this country-style outdoor buffet at Historic Spanish Point. Folk music and a country store selling homemade gifts, too. Three seatings planned and reservations required; tickets $35. 966-5214 ext. 230.

Cracker Brunch.

Nov. 21 The Community AIDS Network (CAN) puts together an evening of cocktails and food by the bite starting at 6:30 p.m. at Michael's On East. The evening's highlight, of course, is Divas After Dark, female impersonation at its best, starting at 8 p.m. For tickets ($75 each), call 365-6922.

Living with AIDS: What a Drag.

Nov. 25 Enjoy dinner and conversation before the Sarasota Ballet's performance of Swan Lake, in the Opera House's Peterson Great Room. For ticket information call 359-0099.

Night of the White Swan.

Dec. 1 A Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation dinner to honor leaders in the Jewish community; this year, Barbara and Gary Ackerman, Ruth and Gerry Daniel and Alyce and Ed Kalin. At 6 p.m. at Michael's On East; for ticket info call 371-4546 ext. 106.

Triple Crown II.

Dec. 4 The season is actually already open, but the symphony celebrates maestro Leif Bjaland's 50th birthday (yes, he looks much younger) at a formal dinner at Michael's On East (magically transformed into a 1950s Hollywood supper club). Cocktails start at 5 p.m.; a variety of ticket packages exist, so call 953-4252 ext. 29 for details.

Florida West Coast Symphony Season Opening Gala.