You can always count on fine wine at your favorite fundraiser, but at this time of year, you can also count on pancakes, barbecue and locally raised food.

Entertainment varies from local jazz celebrity Curtis Stigers to a cowboy poet to an author who writes about the dreams of jackalopes. You can watch a local theater production or be served dinner by Boise State University athletes in the new Bronco Stadium Sky Club. Pick a cause, support your community and enjoy yourself in the process.

CITY HARVEST '08

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 29-31

WHERE: The Grove Plaza, Basque Block and 8th Street corridor

It's a three-day celebration of all things local - food, music and crafts.

Friday kicks off the weekend with a free concert on The Grove Plaza by Americana on Tour, a local roots music show. 6-10 p.m.

Saturday, the Capital City Public Market expands to the Basque Block, and there will be two stages featuring a variety of music along with the farmers market and art show. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday, the art show and sale continues on The Grove Plaza. There will be low-key entertainment, and food will be available from The Local Table. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

CITY HARVEST 3RD ANNUAL DINNER/AUCTION

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30

WHERE: The Grove Plaza

TICKETS: $50, $400/table of 10 for three-course meal; $100, $800/table of 10 for five-course meal. Call 345-9287 or 433-5675. Tickets are also available at the Capital City Public Market. Part of the City Harvest celebration, this outdoor three-course (buy your own wine) or five-course (with wine pairings) dinner is an all-local-food feast prepared by local chefs. There will be a special guest speaker, as well as entertainment by The Ben Burdick Trio. Only 200 seats are available, so get your tickets soon. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Market, Treasure Valley Food Coalition and Arts for Kids.

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF FLAPJACK FEED

WHEN: 7:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28

WHERE: Boise Centre on The Grove

TICKETS: $5, all-you-can-eat; just show up

The United Way of Treasure Valley is changing its kickoff breakfast this year with a flapjack feed open to everyone.

"It's completely different this year," Jenifer Dellgard said. "We're inviting all members of the community to come out - and not just members of the corporate community."

Dellgard, vice president of Idaho marketing at the Bank of the Cascades, is this year's campaign chairwoman.

"There are a lot more people who give to the community but don't really get to attend the kickoff and hear all the great things we do," she said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to reach a lot more people."

It should be a great time with plenty of entertainment, local celebrities and, of course, all the pancakes and syrup you can down. Last year's campaign raised more than $5.4 million for local organizations.

SPONSORS: Albertsons, SuperValu, Simplot, KTVB

MORE INFORMATION: 336-1070, ext. 100, or www.unitedwaytv.org

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY'S CELEBRATION FOR HOPE

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

WHERE: Bogus Creek Ranch

TICKETS: $75, $750/table of 10, VIP $150, $1,500/table of 10

This Western-themed event features a covered wagon ride, barbecue dinner, a cowboy poet, line dance lessons and a fund-a-need auction that helps subsidize counseling for low-income children. This is one of the largest fundraisers the society holds during the year.

"It's not your typical fundraiser," Special Events Coordinator Julie Petersen said. "Western attire is encouraged. It's a chance to kick up your heels."

So, does Petersen know how to line dance? "Nope. But I'll know how after this," she said. And, it's the perfect chance for you to learn, too.

TICKETS OR MORE INFORMATION: Julie Petersen, 343-7813, or go to www.childrenshomesociety.com.

IDAHO CONSERVATION LEAGUE: AN EVENING ON THE RIVER

WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6

WHERE: Barber Park Education and Event Center

TICKETS: $75

This Gathering of Conservation Friends raises money to help protect Idaho's clean water, wilderness and quality of life. There will be harvest-themed food from the Boise Urban Garden School, prepared by Life's Kitchen and plenty of wines and beers to sample.

The music will be a special attraction this year, with Curtis Stigers, The Heard, Bill Coffey and Ned Evett performing.There are also live and silent auctions with items that include an AIRE kayak, a case of Hells Canyon wine, a biplane ride, a week in a green home in Wyoming and more.

"The event takes place on a river that we're trying to protect, and we're showcasing a new event center," Idaho Conservation League Membership Coordinator Aimee Moran said. "It is a festive evening with conservation-minded folks on the banks of the beautiful Boise River."

SPONSORS: Harris Ranch, Idaho Power, Idaho Independent Bank and Ellsworth-Kincaid Construction.

MORE INFORMATION: 345-6933, ext. 16, or www.wildidaho.org.

BOISE CONTEMPORARY THEATER ANNUAL SEASON OPENING CELEBRATION

WHEN: 6 p.m. dinner, followed by a performance at 8:30, Friday, Sept. 12

WHERE: Fulton Street Theater

TICKETS: $100

Head down to the theater for dinner, live and silent auctions and a one-night-only special performance by Lauren Weedman, the special guest for the evening. Weedman is an author and playwright and a former correspondent for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." (Weedman's play "Bust" was performed by Boise Contemporary Theater in 2007.)

"It's going to be fun," Managing Director Helene Peterson said. "And it goes to support the only contemporary theater in Southwest Idaho."

Dinner will be prepared by The Basque Market, and the entertainment will be provided by guitarist Elisabeth Blin.

Auction items include a backcountry fly-fishing trip, a theater trip for two to Seattle, artwork by Elizabeth Wolf, dinner with Lauren Weedman and Matthew Clark, and more.

TICKETS OR MORE INFORMATION: Call Devin Borland, 331-9224, or go to www.bctheater.org

IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL LUNCHEON

WHEN: Noon Thursday, Sept. 18

WHERE: Idaho Historical Museum, Julia Davis Park

TICKETS: $25

This year's guest speaker will be author Mary Clearman Blew of the University of Idaho. Known for her essays and stories of life in Montana and Idaho, her latest book is "Jackalope Dreams," her first fiction novel. The society's Esto Perpetua awards, which honor people and institutions involved in preserving Idaho history, are also handed out.

MORE INFORMATION: 334-2682 or wwwidahohistory.net.

CHANGE YOUR WORLD CELEBRATION

WHEN: 5:30 p.m./dinner, 6:30 p.m./main event Friday, Sept. 26

WHERE: Linen Building, 14th and Grove streets, Boise

TICKETS: $250/dinner; $75, $100, $125/main event

This is the Idaho Human Rights Education Center's signature event, and although there is a multicourse dinner to start the evening, the main celebration is more of a lively reception atmosphere with hors d'oeuvres, conversation and spirits. Featured speakers include human rights educator Linda Ricketts, who will also perform with local jazz musicians The Rod Wray Trio.

There will also be live and silent auctions, with items that include a Night On The Town, local artwork and more. Artist Ward Hooper will also unveil a new piece that highlights the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial.

Funds raised will go toward the center's goal of human rights education throughout the state to help foster a culture of diversity and dignity.

SPONSORS: Saint Alphonsus Foundation, Wells Fargo, TSYS, Hewlett-Packard Boise Site Council, Idaho Power and Citi.

MORE INFORMATION: 345-0304 or www.idaho-humanrights.org. Online registration will begin in late August or early September.

MAKE-A-WISH SERVING UP WISHES

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6

WHERE: Stueckle Sky Club at Bronco Stadium

TICKETS: $150; sponsorship tables of 10, $20,000 (title), $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500

This is the annual dinner event where Boise State athletes are the waiters - about 100 of them, representing every sport. Waiters are divided into 16 teams, for 16 wish children, as the night becomes a competition to see which team can raise the most tips, or Wish Bucks.

"They really have a lot of fun with it," co-chairwoman Laurie Anglen said about the athletes. "There are lots of neck rubs."

Anglen said that not only is the event well-attended by all the coaches, but the schedule will allow the women golfers to participate for the first time.

This is also the premiere public opening for the Stueckle Sky Club in the new part of Bronco Stadium. After dinner, there will be a live auction. Items include dinner for six with football coach Chris Petersen and an assistant coach and their wives.

This year's featured wish child, who will speak at the event, is a 15-year-old from Caldwell who is battling multiple sclerosis. Zac's wish was to meet the Dallas Cowboys.

At an average of 63 wishes fulfilled a year, the goal this year has been upped to 87. "The list of waiting kids is an unlimited list, it seems," Anglen said. "It's grown very rapidly the last five years."

SPONSORS: KTVB, Regence BlueShield of Idaho, SmartHealth, United Heritage, UAW-GM

MORE INFORMATION: 345-WISH or www.idahowish.org.