Special events

Abraham Lincoln Was Here?: Stories of Taunton and the U.S. Presidency, through Feb. 12, Old Colony Historical Society, 66 Church Green, Taunton. 508-822-1622 or oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org.

Upton Charles Dog Detective Book Signing, Jan. 10, 11 a.m. to noon, Harvard Coop Bookstore, Cambridge. D.G. Stern and his fuzzy co-author Upton the Bichon Frise, will be signing books. The R.I. author will sign and his dog will provide pawtographs.

Hot Stove Cool Music, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.,Paradise Rock Club, Boston. Includes Red Sox Executive Vice President Theo Epstein, ESPN's Peter Gammons and rockers Letters to Cleo, American Hi-Fi. Raises money for the Foundation To Be Named Later. $40. Doors open at 6:30. HotStoveCoolMusic.org.

Open casting call for Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman, Jan. 10, 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., WGBH, Brighton. Looking for kids 10 to 14 to join TV's top dog in a new season of hijinks, adventures, and fun. By appointment only. mauratighe.com or 617-424-6805 Blood from a Turnip, Jan. 16, 10 p.m., Perishable Theatre 95 Empire St., down town Providence. Handpuppet Improv sand the new play Puppet Kafka will be performed. $5, no reservations. perishable.org.

The Divorce Recovery Series, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. to 8:30, First Congregational Church. corner of Rte. 1A and Winter St., Norwood. An eight-week program covering the emotional stages of divorce and offering healing and support to those who are divorced or separated. The group is led by a professional counselor. Participants are welcome regardless of religious affiliation. $90. Preregistration is requested. 781-762-3320.

Top 100 Celebration Open House, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Village at Willow Crossings, 25 Cobb St., Mansfield. Celebrates ranking of The Village at WIllow Crossings as one of the top 100 places to work. Refreshments will be served, RSVP requested. Free. 508-261-1333

A Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m., Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Rd., Portsmouth, RI. 10 Anniversary. Master of Ceremonies is Paul Geremia. Performers include Jack Wright, Tiffany Rozenas, and John Campbell. Galley stays open throughout the evening, and serves bowls of Sakonnet River Chowder, Flaherty Charter Chowder, Kissing Gate Corn Chowder, Sapo's Freaky Chili, soft drinks, desserts. Doors open at 6:30. $12, 866-468-7619 or commonfencemusic.org.

Funda Fest, Jan. 18 through 25, Woonsocket, RI. Rhode Island Black Storytellers presenting their annual event. Public presentations throughout Woonsocket. 401-273-4013 x 2 or ribsfest.com

Ranger Days, Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m., Museum of Work and Culture, Market Sq., Woonsocket, RI. With author, labor historian, and educator Scott Malloy. Will highlight the life of Joseph Bannigan, first Irish millionaire in Rhode Island. 401-769-9675 or rihs.org.

Annual Luncheon, Jan. 18, 1:15 p.m, Temple Beth Emunah, 479 Torrey St., corner of Pearl St., Brockton. Honors the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Ride Motorcade follows luncheon. Free. 508-583-5810 or templebethenunah.org.

Big Sports Card and Autograph Show, Jan. 19, 8:45 to 3 p.m., Holiday Inn, Frobes Blvd. and Rte. 140, Mansfield. Old and new sports cards and collectibles to buy, sell, trade, and appraise with over 45 vendors. Providence Bruins Byron Bitz and Johnny Boychuk will be signing free autographs from 10:30 to 12:30. Next one will take place Feb. 16. $2 until 12:45, then free, under 12 free. Free packs of cards for all attendees, small photos of the autograph guests and hourly door prizes. 508-369-2471 or cardboardpromotions.com

Annual Fundraising Breakfast, Jan. 22, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Cafe' Porto Bello, 6 North Washington St., North Attleboro. Speakers include Jeremy Kapstein, Boston Red Sox Senior Advisor for baseball projects. $30 donation. Downtown Associates of North Attleborough. 508-695-4814.

Jazzed About Wine, Jan. 23, 7 to 10 p.m., Seaport Hotel, 1 Seaport Lane, Boston. Feturing premium wines, hors d'oeuvers, live jazz. Portion of proceeds benefit The Anthony Spinazzola Culinary Apprenticeship Program. $195 before Jan. 16, $215 after. 650 tickets available. 1-877-946-3976 or wineexpoboston.com. Boston Wine Expo, Jan. 24, 25, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Boston. Seminars for all level of wine-lovers with wine experts Wine Spectator's Gloria Maroti Frazee. Seminars throughout each day range from $25 to $60. Grand tasting, showcasing over 450 international and domestic wineries from 13 countries pouring over 1,800 different wines: $85/before Jan. 17, $95 after for Sat., $75 before Jan. 17, $85 after for Sun., $140 before Jan. 17 for both, $160 after. Grand Cru Wine Lounge, $175. 1-877-946-3976 or wineexpoboston.com.

Out of South Africa, Jan. 29, 6 p.m., Sebastians Interactive Kitchen, Seaport District, Boston. Cooking demonstration by Sebastians Chef Dave Guinane, followed by a hands-on cooking class and authentic, gourmet South African dinner. Chef Guinane will show guests how to make traditional, gourmet South African meals including grilled ostrich fillet and bobotie, a baked beef curry with custard topping. South African wines will also be featured. Include a question and answer session on traveling in South Africa with explorer and president of ImaginExpeditions, Magi Guinane. $65 per person. 888.563.8334 or email interactivekitchen@sebastians.com or www.sebastians.com

On the Edge, March 14, 3 p.m., Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence. Headlined by Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen and special guest Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle. Hosted by Smuckers on Ice. start at $25, starsonice.com or 401-331-2211. Portion of each ticket benefits the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Chuck Klosterman, March 25, 7 p.m. doors, The Cavern Club at Hard Rock Cafe, 22 Clinton St., Boston. An evening of Spoken Word, Music, and Q&A. Peace, love, and rock. rockonconcerts.com or 1-866-468-7619.

Organic Harvest Festival, Sept. 23, 2009, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. expoeast.com

Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo-BioFach America, Sept. 23-26, 2009, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston. expoeast.com

Poetry

Poetry in the Village, 3rd Wednesday of every month, 6 to 8 p.m., Blanding Library, Goff Memorial Hall, 124 Bay State Road, Rehoboth. Starts Jan. 21. Open Mic, feature poet. MELISSA GUILLET, Jan. 21

Craft fairs/festivals

CraftBoston Spring 2009, March 27-29, The World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Featuring 175 contemporary craft artists. 617-266-1810 or craftboston.org.

Outdoor/gardens

Winter Explorations, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Brook Wildlife Refude, Exeter, RI. Join Audubon naturalist on a quiet winter exploration of woods and fields of Fisherville Brooke. $8 adults, $4 child for members, $12 adult, $6 child for non-members. Ages 8+. 401-949-5454 x. 3041 or programs@asri.org.

Weasels, Jan. 14, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Audubon Powder Mill, Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI. $8 member, $12 non-member. For adults. 401-949-5454 x. 3041.

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Activities, Jan. 19, Rhode Island Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Nature craft table till 2 p.m, animal interview 10:30 a.m., nature story 11 a.m., winter walk 1:30 p.m. weather permitting, nature story 2:30 p.m. 401-245-7500.

Winter Beach Walk, Jan. 31, 2:30 to 5 p.m., Moonstone Beach, South Kingstown, RI. $8 adult, $4 child for members, $12 adult, $6 child for non members. 401- 949-5454 x. 3041 or programs@asri.org.

Winter Birding in Southern New England, Feb. 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Audubon Caratunk, Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk. Explore various groups of birds, where to find them, and learn identification tips. For ages 12+. $10 members, $15 non-members. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Outdoor Photography Workshop Series, Fev. 26, March 5, 7, Audubon Caratunk, Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk. Three part program to discover techniques for tricky lighting situations, controlling depth, motion, and other effects. An outdoor class exploring photo opportunities at Caratunk is followed by two indoor sessions. Bring own photography equipment. Feb. 26 and March 5, 7 p.m.; March 7, 12 p.m. Ages 16 +. $60 members, $80 non-members. 401-949-5454, ext. 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk, 8 to 10:30 a.m., every Tues. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A. Led by Phil Budlong. Free.

Arts & crafts

Rag and Bone Bindery Studio Open House, 1088 Main St., Pawtucket. 401-728-0762 or ragandbone.com.

Community Quilting, every Thurs., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell. 978-452-4207 x19.