What's Happening this Weekend Sept. 23-25

Here's what's happening:

Friday:

The 18th annual Spirit of Marin Awards luncheon hosted by Bank of Marin recognizes the philanthropic leadership and volunteerism of Marin business leaders, nominated by the twelve participating Marin County-based Chambers of Commerce. Keynote speakers include David Coon, Superintendent/President of College of Marin and Dr. Mary Marcy, President of . 

If you go: Lunch reservations are required and are $60.  Tickets can be bought by clicking here. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at , 1 Saint Vincent Drive in San Rafael. For a list of the 2011 Marin County Chambers of Commerce Honorees click here.

Friday:

Claudia Carroll, author of Remembrance Writing 101: the easy way to write and share the stories of your life, will discuss her new book and offer advice on how to start your remembrance writing project.

If you go:  Please call the Library Reference Desk at 415-499-6058 with any questions about this free program. The event begins at noon at the , 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael.

Friday:

Bring the family and friends over to Summerfest. A great carnival with plenty of games, jumpies, pony rides, a photo booth, face painting, barbecue, Italian Street painting, art booths, a petting zoo, dunk tank, cake walk, local bands and more.

If you go: Admission is free, but bring along some cash for the games, barbecue and raffle with great prizes! The carnival is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at , 185 Mission Avenue in san Rafael. Summerfest is a fundraiser for HeadsUp public education.

Saturday:

In honor of the Smithsonian’s Museum Day the will be hosting a day of historic Victorian games and crafts.  Visiting families will have a chance to participate in such games as dominos, hopscotch, and even make a Thaumatrope, a toy that was popular in Victorian times.  Also the Museum will be hosting a rare docent led tour of the Boyd Estate grounds including the Boyd Gate House, Boyd Park and the Maple Lawn mansion.  The tour is a unique chance to visit all floors of the Boyd Gate House, see photographs of Boyd Park when it was the Boyd Estate’s entrance, and of Maple Lawn, home to the Boyd family for 87 years.  The tour will take you back to 1875 when the family purchased the land and house to construct and elaborate Victorian home to raise their family.

If you go: Admission to the Museum is free, and tickets to the tour are $12 for non-members, free with a new membership, $6 for members, and free for children under 18.  Contributions are always welcome. Tours start at noon and at 2 p.m. at the Boyd Gate House, 1125 B Street in San Rafael. For more information 415-454-8538 ext. 1.

Saturday:

Join friends and family at the first annual celebration of fun, healthy living, recovery and community in Marin.  An “only in Marin” event for the entire family hosted by local celebrity, Jan Wahl, “It Happens” has a little something for everyone, including live music featuring Bay Area notables: The Cole Tate Band and Dustin Saylor Duo. Kids activities include; a 1K kids run around the lagoon, caricature artist, face painting, balloon making, hair feathers, jump houses, and more! There will be a silent auction benefiting The Marin Recovery Project, and a community picnic featuring live music for the whole family.

If you go: Admission is free of charge with a free t-shirt to the first 500 guests.  The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.

Sunday:

Actress Jane Lynch, host of this year's Emmys will make an appearance in Angelico Hall at Dominican University of California as a speaker in Dominican’s Leadership Lecture Series. The Emmy and Golden Globe-award winning actress from the hit FOX television show “Glee” will discuss her memoir, "Happy Accidents,” as part of the 2011 Institute for Leadership Studies’ Fall Lecture Series, a cooperative effort between Dominican’s ILS and independent book store Book Passage. In Lynch’s book, “Happy Accidents,” she reflects upon the successes of her recent past and her earlier personal and professional struggles.

If you go: Tickets are $35 per person and include a copy of "Happy Accidents."  Tickets can be bought by calling Book Passage at 415-927-0960 or at www.bookpassage.com. The event begins at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. Angelico Hall in is at 50 Acacia Avenue in San Rafael.

Sunday:

Join us at Biketoberfest Marin, a popular annual festival that brings cyclists and West Coast brewers together in a combined bicycle expo and stellar brewfest! Held in Fairfax-the birthplace of the mountain bike-the event is Marin County's premier bicycle event and also a fundraiser for and presented by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) and Access4Bikes (A4B). Last year the event drew over 5,000 cycling and beer enthusiasts from all over Northern California.

Savor delicious brews, take in the gorgeous Marin September weather, and enjoy great food, a cargo bike show, a family fun zone for kids, group rides throughout the day, including a celebrity ride with "Fast" Freddie Rodriguez, live music and more. There is something for everyone at Biketoberfest Marin.

If you go: Admission is free; brewfest tasting is $25 advance,$30 on the day of the event and can be bought by clicking here. Biketoberfest is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at FairAnselm Plaza Parking lots, 765 Center Blvd, Farifax, Ca (near Iron Springs Pub and Fairfax Post Office).

Do you have a weekend event we didn't list? Go ahead and add it in the comments to let everyone know other cool stuff going on in the community. Is your event not in our calendar? You can add your own events quick, easy and for free just by clicking here.