October 21: Halloween Cupcake Decorating and Book Signing
Come meet Elaine Cohen at Broadway Panhandler and learn how to decorate spooky halloween cupcake treats. While you're there, get a copy of her book, Super-Duper Cupcakes, signed. Free, 2 p.m., Broadway Panhandler at 65 East 8th Street, between Broadway and University.

October 22: The Second Annual Vendy Awards
You've read about the finalists, now come taste for yourselves. Each of the finalists will be serving food at the gala event, a fundraiser for the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center, a nonprofit organization that provides a voice for the ten thousand people who sell their wares on the streets and sidewalks of our city. $50 to be a regular guest (this includes all the excellent vendor food you can eat and the all beer & wine you can drink (until we run out)) or $100 for a VIP ticket. VIP status entitles you to admission to the "VIP reception" from 5 - 6 p.m., mention in the program, and a framed photo of you and the Vendy winner. Tickets available online. St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery, Second Avenue and East 10th Street, 6 - 9 p.m.

October 23: Jancis Robinson at Bottlerocket
Jancis Robinson is one of the world’s leading authorities on wine, with a resume that includes being the Financial Times wine columnist, a Master of Wine, and a two-time James Beard Award winner. She will be reading from and signing her latest book, The Oxford Companion to Wine. 6 - 8 p.m., free, wine tasting too! 5 West 19th Street.

October 24: Blue Point Brewing Company Tasting Dinner at HQ
Fall is in the air, so HQ is teaming up with Blue Point Brewing Company for a four-course beer tasting dinner featuring the flavors of the season. Think Pumpkin Risotto paired with Octoberfest and Wild Boar Ragu served with a Toasted Lager. $40 per person, 6 - 10 p.m., 90 Thompson Street, between Spring and Prince Streets; call 212.966.2755 for reservations.

October 25: Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page at Bottlerocket
Bottlerocket keeps bringing out the big guns this week with James Beard Award-winning writers Andrew Dorenburg and Karen Page, who'll be reading from their new guite to pairing: What to Drink with What You Eat. Book-Signing and Wine Tasting. Free, 6 – 8 p.m., 5 West 19th Street.