1. Taste of Huntsville

The 35th annual Taste of Huntsville event is Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the VBC. The 2009 Taste of Huntsville “Dining with the Stars” event will feature food and drink samplings from more than 50 Huntsville restaurants and businesses, special demonstrations by Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Beam Global and a silent auction.

2. $25 to Olde Town Brewing – Iron Bowl Q&A

$25 to Olde Town Brewing Co., maker of “Alabama’s original beer” brewed right in Huntsville, to the first person to correctly answer this question – respond to this email. In what year did the game that came to be known as the Iron Bowl first take place and how many fans attended?

3. 5th Annual Rocket City Short Film Festival

In its fifth year, the popular film festival takes place October 23rd at the Flying Monkey Arts Center, Huntsville’s unofficial arts center based in an old factory building. It’s sponsored by The Film Co-op, Admission $5 (showtime at 8 pm).

4. Scarecrow Trail at the Botanical Garden

Scarecrows in their fall glory are placed throughout the Garden through October 31st. As you walk through the Garden, you’ll be amazed by over 90 Scarecrows made by businesses, school groups, church groups and individuals. Traditional, scary or just plain fun, they are all imaginative and add a whimsical atmosphere. Even the trees take on a new look in the Enchanted Forest. On weekends enjoy hayrides, the amazing sorghum maze and some extra-special events! Open during normal Garden hours.

5. Yard Sale at The Storage Neighbor

Alabama’s neighborhood storage source invites you to be our guest and come to our Yard Sale on Saturday, October 24th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM off of Blake Bottom Road. It’s free to get in and there will be great items and treasures available for purchase.

6. The 6th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run

The Liz Hurley Ribbon Run 5K (Friday, October 16, 5-7 pm) course will take runners through beautiful downtown Huntsville, including the Twickenham and Old Town Historic Districts. It’ll feature live entertainment, food and beverages, booth displays and children’s activities!

7. Bridge Street’s Twitter Feed

North Alabama’s premier lifestyle center, Bridge Street Town Centre, keeps local in the loop on everything from new movie releases to farmer’s market announcements to deals (NY & Co.) to the latest store openings (Orange Tree).

8. Five Points Walking Tour

Charming bungalows dominate the Five Points District. This is Huntsville’s newest locally designated historic district and encompasses architecture from the late 1890’s through the 20th century. Guides will share unique and interesting stories about these quaint Victorian homes and bungalows. October 3 at 10 am. Call 256-551-2230.

9. Huntsville Dragway

The next two weekends feature enough dragway racing for the whole month. The United Outlaw Racing Series is this Friday & Saturday, October 2-3. And the Super Sunday Showdown has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 10th.

10. Monday Night Beer Tastings at the Nook

The best beer bar in Huntsville has a history of rocket scientists, good music and inexpensive Cajun meals. Every Monday at 5 pm, taste some of their over 200 beers to be enjoyed. You can check out the current selection on their beer page.

Neighborhood Tidbit

Bridge Street Town Centre

Bridge Street Town Centre, located within the Madison, Alabama city limits made its Huntsville-area debut in late 2007. Since then, the upscale mall has surpassed all expectations. Bridge Street isn’t the typical mall. It is a resort styled area that boasts a five-star hotel and a New Orleans type feel. Bridge Street also features a small lake with canals running through the complex like Venice, Italy. Visitors can take a gondola ride or check out the only Apple retail store in the area. In the warm months, watch top notch local entertainers provide sidewalk entertainment, acoustic guitar stylings, vocalists, mimes, clowns, jugglers and magicians. Locals as well as tourists rank Bridge Street Town Centre in the top five places to see in the Huntsville area. There have been celebrity sightings at Bridge Street as well. In 2008, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn were seen walking about Bridge Street Town Centre. The pair purchased one of the lavish penthouses that sit high atop the Westin Hotel at Bridge Street in order to be near their son who attends the University of Alabama at Huntsville and plays on the school’s hockey team.