The Maryland Insurance Administration, a state regulatory agency, will offer a variety of consumer materials on all types of insurance products from annuities to title insurance and health, auto and homeowners insurance at an event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Southern Maryland Workforce Services at 175 Post Office Road in Waldorf.

Trained staff also will be available to answer consumer questions.

“A key aspect of the Maryland Insurance Administration’s mission involves educating the citizens of our state about the choices available to them as consumers of insurance products,” Maryland Insurance Commissioner Therese M. Goldsmith said in a news release. “The more informed consumers are, the better equipped they are to make purchasing decisions that are right for them.”

A full schedule of agency outreach activities and consumer materials are available at www.mdinsurance.state.md.us.

Town wants artists, crafters

The town of La Plata is inviting artists and crafters to participate in its annual Fall Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 23.

Booth space is available at no charge for any artisan who would like to come sell work, but participants must provide their own tables, chairs or tent.

Applications are available at www.townoflaplata.org.

Plein Aire class offered at Mattawoman

The Plein Aire Experience will be offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Mattawoman Creek Art Center at Smallwood State Park at 5565 Upham Place in Marbury.

The instructor will be Barbara Stepura.

Experience the challenge of outdoor painting. The session will include a brief explanation about plein aire painting, a demonstration, individual instructor attention and a lunch time critique. Any medium may be used. Bring lunch and painting supplies including a portable easel.

The fee is $30 for MCAC members, $40 for nonmembers.

For more information, go to www.mattawomanart.org or call 301-743-5159.

Putting the garden to bed

The Accokeek Foundation will host an organic gardening workshop on getting the garden ready for winter 1 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Accokeek Foundation Education Center at 3400 Bryan Point Road.

Cost is $25 nonmembers, $20 members.

The course — part of the foundation’s season-long Organic Gardening Workshop Series geared toward backyard gardeners — will provide gardeners the information needed to put the garden to bed for the winter months.

Presenters will discuss amending the soil and the space as well as just how to clean things up.

Patuxent River festival wants parade floats

Join in the fun and start building a float to be entered in the Patuxent River Appreciation Days Parade Float Contest. The parade is 2 p.m. Oct. 9 on Solomons Island.

Celebrated annually for 33 years, PRAD is a two-day celebration of the Patuxent River in Solomons. Sponsored by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners, Calvert Marine Museum, Pa-Po-Peake Shrine Club and various other civic and fraternal organizations, this year’s event is Oct. 8 and 9. Free Calvert Marine Museum admission, boat rides, juried artists and crafters, live music, great food and games offer fun for everyone on both days.

Sunday’s highlight is the annual mile-long parade organized by Pa-Po-Peake Shrine Club. Nonprofit groups are encouraged to participate and build a float. Prizes will be awarded for creativity, beauty and charm. First prize is $300, second prize is $200 and $100 for third prize. Registration is required by Sept. 30. Contact Randy Geck at rgeck@xecu.net.

For more information and complete details about Patuxent River Appreciation Days, go to www.pradinc.org.

Eat chocolate for charity

Few things are better than eating decadent chocolate desserts, but one of them is getting to do it for a worthy cause.

The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center is hosting the organization’s eighth annual Chocolate Affair from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Holy Family Catholic Church at 12010 Woodmore Road in Mitchellville.

Tickets are $75 per person or $130 per couple, 35 percent of which is tax deductible, according to an MCVRC news release.

MCVRC is a nonprofit organization devoted to serving the interests of crime victims in Maryland.

Services include criminal justice education, court accompaniment, support groups, individual counseling, community education, legal information, assistance, direct legal representation, policy advocacy, technical assistance for allied professionals, and criminal justice agencies and faith-based referrals.

The evening will include an awards ceremony honoring unsung heroes who have made a difference in the lives of crime victims, and food and chocolate desserts from area bakers and restaurants. Silent and live auctions of items including tickets to college and professional sports events, artwork, jewelry and pottery handmade by local artisans and gift certificates for restaurants, inns and vacation locales.

For more information, call 301-952-0063 or go to www.mdcrimevictims.org.

Vendors needed for rockfish event

The Greenwell Foundation seeks food and commercial vendors, and artists and crafters for the second annual Monster Rockfish Festival scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at Greenwell State Park at 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane in Hollywood.

The festival features a rockfish cook-off featuring restaurants from all over Maryland.

This year the event focuses on the great outdoors. Organizers seek commercial vendors who have products or services to offer that may enhance someone’s appreciation of kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, hunting, camping or other outdoor activities.

Information and applications are available at www.greenwellfoundation.org.

The festival is being held in conjunction with the second annual Monster Rockfish Tournament Oct. 29. Tournament registration is open at www.monsterrockfishtournament.com.

Church to hold fundraising auction

An auction to benefit Immaculate Conception Church’s parish hall will begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 4, with doors open for previewing items at 4 p.m. at the church hall at 28297 Old Village Ave. in Mechanicsville.

There will be a live auction, country store, bake table, plant and garden table, raffles, food table and Christmas table.

The auctioneer will be A.J. Bussler.

Food and drinks will be available from 4 p.m.

See donated items at http://iccauction2011.blogspot.com/

Call Evelyn Arnold at 301-884-4567 or the rectory at 301-884-3123 for more information.