THURSDAY, SEPT. 30 • Dine with chef Cinzia of Mama Mia and Ciao Bella restaurants while you learn to cook and speak Italian. 7 p.m., The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, www.rifordcenter.org, $45 • “The Art of Aging Gracefully,” an 8-week series, kicks off with “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.” 7 p.m., La Jolla Presbyterian Church, Life Center Room No. 6 (2nd floor), 7715 Draper Ave., (858) 729-5514, [email protected], free FRIDAY, OCT. 1 • Cosmopolitan Fine Arts presents the opening of “Visión de España.” 10 a.m., 7932 Girard Ave., (858) 456-9506, www.cosmopolitanart.com, free • San Diego Harp Society presents Isabelle Perrin. 8 p.m., Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, www.sandiegoharpsociety.org, tickets $20, private reception $5 SATURDAY, OCT. 2 • Octoberfest “Educate” will feature booths, face painting, beer garden and trolley rides sponsored by Coldwell Banker Realtors. 2 p.m., Standley Park Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive, (858) 229-1193, free • Emerson string quartet. 5 p.m., UCSD Conrad Prebys Hall, 9500 Gilman Drive, www.artpwr.com, (858) 534-TIXS, $60 regular, $10 students SUNDAY, OCT. 3 • FanFaire Foundation presents “Writing Opera Today,” performance of arias and songs by Jake Heggie and Suzanna Guzman. 2:30 p.m., Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, www.fanfairefoundation.org; $30 general, $27 senior, $12 student • School of Seven Bells with Active Child, 8 p.m., The Loft @ UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, (858) 822-3199, www.artpwr.com; $12 regular, $10 student, $5 student advance MONDAY, OCT. 4 • Job-search workshop with Marc Cenedella and Mathew Rothenberg. 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., (858) 454-0347, http://warwicks.indiebound.com, free • Head and figure drawing class with Mark Slusser, 1 p.m., The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, [email protected], $100 for six sessions • Basic photography with Beverly Brock, 10 a.m., The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, [email protected]; $100 for six sessions • Singer-songwriter Basia Bulat, 8:30 p.m., The Loft @ UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, (858) 822-3199, www.artpwr.com; $12 regular, $10 student, $5 student advance TUESDAY, OCT. 5 • Robert K. Tanenbaum, author of “Betrayed,” will speak. 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., (858) 454-0347, http://warwicks.indiebound.com, free • Pleine air pastel painting with Judy Shoemaker, 10 a.m., The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, [email protected], $100 for six sessions • Coastal Access and Parking Board meets. 4 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St., (858) 454-1444, free • Bird Rock Community Council meets. 6 p.m., location TBA, [email protected], free WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6 • President of the Art of Living Foundation Michael Fischman will discuss and sign book his new book, “Stumbling Into Infinity.” 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., (858) 454-0347, http://warwicks.indiebound.com, free • Pastel painting with Valerie Grischy, 10 a.m., The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, [email protected]; $100 for six sessions • Children’s storytime, 3 p.m., The Athenaeum, 1008 Wall Street, www.ljathenaeum.org, (858) 454-5872, free THURSDAY, OCT. 7 • David Levinson will discuss and sign his book, “Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins.” 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., (858) 454-0347, http://warwicks.indiebound.com, free • Susan Van Atta lectures on environmentally appropriate landscape design. 5:30 p.m., Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, www.asla-sandiego.org; $12 American Society of Landscape Architects members, $14 non-members, $10 students, $3 more at door • Walden Family Services will hold annual Wine D’Vine food and wine tasting benefit. 6 p.m., Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road, (619) 727-5887, www.waldenfamily.org; $125 • Basic drawing with Rodger Hegler, The Riford Center, 9 a.m., 6811 La Jolla Blvd., (858) 459-0831, [email protected]; $75 for six sessions • La Jolla Community Planning Association meets. 6 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center Main Room, 615 Prospect St., (858) 456-7900, www.lajollacpa.org; free • Special lecture: Eco-adventurer Roz Savage, 6 p.m., Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, (858) 534-5771, free HIGHLIGHTS Playhouse offers networking and theater La Jolla Playhouse presents its third annual Innovation Night on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. The networking event, to take place at 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, will bring together the leaders of San Diego’s biotech, high-tech, clean-tech and associated industries for an evening of theater. The event directly supports the Playhouse’s innovation initiatives. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased by calling (858) 550-1010, or by visiting www.lajollaplayhouse.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available. A ‘sensory celebration’ of art The personal art collection of Grace Phillips will be exhibited in Tippet Hall of the Scripps Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 5, along with a silent auction, raffles and presentation by “fragrance expert” Sue Phillips. There will also be music, wine and food — all with a South African- and California-flavored ambience. Attendees will have a chance to win a three-night stay at the luxurious Etali Game Park in South Africa. The event is free and will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 9888 Genesee Ave.