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Knox County Public Library is awarding prizes for literary Halloween costumes this year in a special photo contest. Dress up as a favorite book character, or even a librarian and send a picture to the library. Bonus points can be earned for featuring a book or any creative literary interpretation in the photograph.

There are two categories -- photos of children from infant to age 12 and photos of teens and adults 13 and older. Free photos sessions will be awarded the winners in the children's category; a $50 gift card will be awarded to the adult winner.

Each entree may submit up to four digital photographs, at least 300 DPI and less than 5 MB each. No printed submissions. Photos must be submitted online by Nov. 4 at www.knoxlib.org.

MC to host an Hispanic event

The Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of East Tennessee will host a networking event and reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Proffitt Dining Room on the MC campus.

The event brings together Hispanic business owners, managers and other community leaders to build strong connections, support and hospitality in Blount County and East Tennessee.

You do not have to be a member of the Hispanic Chamber to attend, and visitors from businesses, nonprofits, churches and community organizations are welcome.

For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Billy Newton at 273-8894 or billy.newton@maryvillecollege.edu.

Greenway School to hold open house Sunday

Greenway School invited families to tour and meet the faculty at a visitors' open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The school is a fully accredited, private, independent middle school that is now enrolling for fall 2010.

Greenway provides hands-on learning in all subjects, a laptop computer to every student and free after school care.

It is located in West Knoxville. For more information, visit www.greenwayschool.edu or call 777-0197.

Jim Sturgeon to speak at Cival War meeting

Jim Sturgeon, a fifth generation Blount Countian, will be the guest speaker at the Oct. 29 meeting of the Blount County Civil War Roundtable. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Dorothy Herron Room of the Blount County Public Library.

Sturgeon's topic will be "One Blount County Family's Civil War Story." He is a graduate of Maryville High School and the University of Tennessee with a master's degree in business management. He served in the Tennessee National Guard and the U.S. Army in both Korea and Vietnam. His family as connections on both the Confederate and Union sides.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.blountcountycivilwarroundtable.vpweb.com or call Jeannine Wallace at 379-1717.

Olive Garden announces essay contest

In recognition of teachers across North America, Olive Garden has announced the topic for its 14th annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest: Describe a teacher who has inspired you in school and how they have impacted your life.

Now through Dec. 11, Olive Garden's Pasta Tales contest will give young writers in first through 12th grade in the U.S. and Canada the opportunity to share their stories in essays of 50 to 250 words. Entry forms and rules are available at www.olivegarden.com.

The grand prize is a three-day trip to New York City and a $2,500 savings bond. Entries must be submitted by Dec. 11 online or to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-1916.

Art classes for students begin

Youthful Expressions Studio will offer "A School for Artistic Enrichment" for students beginning on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Nov. 17 and 18. Class times are 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the ArtSpace at Fine Arts Blount in downtown Maryville, 106 W. Broadway. Classes will meet one hour per week for 12 weeks.

Classes will include charcoal, pastels, watercolor, acrylics, mixed media and sculpture. Artwork pieces will be gathered for at least one show, usually held at the Blount County Public Library.

Fees for the 12-week session are $240 per child. Sign up by calling 607-4473 or e-mail cindy@yestudio.org, or sign up at www.yestudio.org.