[naviga:h3]2 authors have signings[/naviga:h3]

Two area authors will have book launch events on Saturday.

Linda K. Schmitmeyer will present her book “Rambler, a Family Pushes Through the Fog of Mental Illness” from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mars Public Library. Registration is preferred by calling 724-625-9048.

Kathleen Smith will be signing her first two books of the Weeping Willows series from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the book store at 135 N. Main St., Butler.

Smith highlights the beauty of Butler County in her books as the main characters Marie and Mary Ann time travel to save everyone from WW III.

Both authors will have copies of their books available.

[naviga:h3]Festivals coming soon[/naviga:h3]

The Pittsburgh Oktoberfest takes place Friday through Sunday at the Big Butler Fairgrounds, Franklin Township.

Mars will have its annual Applefest on Oct. 6, and the Portersville Fall Fling is Oct. 6 and 7.

The Living Dead Weekend in Evans City is planned for Oct. 5 to 7, and Concordia Oktoberfest in Jefferson Township is scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 6

[naviga:h3]Symphony opens Oct. 6[/naviga:h3]

Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s 70th anniversary season begins with the Oct. 6 concert “Bernstein & Barber.”

The 7:30 p.m. concert takes place, as do all concerts, at Butler Intermediate High School’s auditorium. Pre-concert talks begin at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call the symphony office at 724-283-1402 or email butlersymphony@zoominternet.net.

The symphony association’s lunchtime concert series concludes at noon Friday at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St., with an All Star Jam. Admission is free.

[naviga:h3]Nina, Pinta dock in ’Burgh[/naviga:h3]

Replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships the Pinta and the Nina will land in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The ships will be docked at Station Square, 125 W. Station Square Drive, until their departure early on Oct. 11.

Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced sailing museum for the purpose of education.

The ships will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is charged.

Visit www.ninapinta.org for more information.

[naviga:h3]Foxburg festival slated[/naviga:h3]

The 15th annual Foxburg Fall Art, Wine & Food Festival is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 14. Admission is free.

Food, vendors and The Richard Eustice Band are among the activities.

[naviga:h3]Rube Goldberg exhibit planned[/naviga:h3]

Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention! exhibit opens Oct. 13 at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on the North Side.

This exhibit showcases the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and inventor’s iconic contraptions and celebrates his techniques, humorous storytelling and inventive skills.

Visitors can activate and create crazy chain-reaction contraptions that use everyday objects to complete simple tasks in the most overcomplicated ways.

For more information, call 412-322-5058.