Aug. 4, Mon, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.: Eighth Annual Diversity Fair, "Discover the world in our own backyard." at the Department of Labor and Industries headquarters building, 7273 Linderson Way SW, in Tumwater. Doug Mah, Olympia Mayor, will be the keynote speaker. L&I is host for the annual event which will include musical and cultural performances, educational workshops, ethnic foods, resource tables for state and community organizations and educational exhibits. The Department of Personnel is cosponsor. Musical and cultural performances will include African, Irish, Scandinavian, Polynesian and Latin dancers. Workshop subjects are: "It's Okay to be Different," "Doing Business with Diversity in Mind," and "Diversity Best Practices."

Aug. 5, Tues., 6-8:30 pm,: Vegetables are in the culinary spotlight at Bayview School of Cooking (BSC) ; Instructor Leanne Willard captures the full flavors of fresh vegetables when she features the season's spectacular "sides." Leanne's reputation for updating new variations doesn't disappoint with her Summer Greens with Sweet Onions and Dried Sour Cherries, Tomato Gratinee with Fresh Herbs, Southwest Summer Corn Hash, Green Beans with Crunchy PeanutLemon Coating and ZucchiniMint Croquettes. Complementary wine pairing. Cost is $40. All classes take place in the BSC demo kitchen on the second floor of Bayview Thriftway. For more information or to make reservations, please call (360) 754-1448. For information on other BSC activities and classes, go to www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph's Thriftway to pick up the summer cooking school catalogue.

Aug. 6, Wed.:Your August 2008 issue of the FTE News Magazine will be available online with delivery beginning in Tumwater and West Olympia; downtown Olympia and Lacey on Thursday.

Aug. 6, Wed: 11:00 - 2:00; Tumwater Farmers Market

Aug. 10, Sun., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Get smokin' with Bayview School of Cooking's first annual outdoor event, the "Mastering Fire & Smoke" workshop. It's an all day program with Olympia's celebrated Champion Pitmaster Amy Anderson, coowner of Ranch House BBQ and Steakhouse. She'll walk you through the entire BBQ process, from the minute you light the fire til the moment you remove the meat from the grate. Teams of two smoke chicken and ribs on their own charcoal fueled smoker or one provided. Students gain firsthand experience on how to start and feed the fire, prep the meat, and control the temperature through this slow cooking method. The day includes beer tasting with Fish Tale Organic Ales; catered BBQ lunch; discussion about rubs, sauces, mops, and glazes; and tips and techniques for selecting and prepping meat. The workshop takes place in the Bayview Thriftway parking lot and is $150 per person. For more information or to make reservations, please call (360) 754-1448. For more information on other BSC activities and classes, go to www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com or visit Bayview Thriftway or Ralph's Thriftw ay to pick up the summer cooking school catalogue.

Aug. 12-17, Tue.-Sun.: Southwest WA Fair in Chehalis. Details at www.southwestwashingtonfair.net

Aug. 13, Wed., 11 am-2 pm: Tumwater Farmers Market one-day only Artisan Fair with hand crafted jewelry, glass, quilts, metal work, baskets, northwest photography, knitted and felt hats and much, much more. For more information go to www.tumwaterfarmersmarket.org/

Aug. 22-24, Fri.-Sun.: The 8th Annual Sand in the City event, Washington State's largest family sandsculpting festival, at Olympia's Port Plaza Waterfront. Event hours are 10am to 4pm on Friday for public viewing of the team competition. Saturday hours are 10am to 8pm for the giant Beach Party with handson activities for children. The Beach Party continues on Sunday, from 10am4pm for Grandparent's Day. For more information about Sand in the City, contact the Hands On Children's Museum at (360) 956-0818.

Aug. 29, Fri., 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CFD Hot Rod and Custom Car Show in the L&I Parking Lot out front between L&I and the ELG (DOC and WSDOT) Building) at 7345 Linderson Way S.W. in Tumwater. The show will feature Food, Festivities, Voting, and more. $20 per car entry fee donation plus $1 voting donation. For more information and registration forms please contact Tina KramerDuRussel, (360) 705-7650; Thelma Smith 705-7728; or Janell Rodriguez (360) 705-7147.

Sept. 5, Fri., 5:00 PM: Deadline for the registration form and fees for the 10th Annual Department of Health Combined Fund Drive (CFD) Golf Outing, Thursday, September 18 at the Capitol City Golf Course. The registration form with information is posted at www.ftemag.com on the "Special Offers" webpage.