CALENDAR, Oct. 5+: Big Book Sale, Star Wars fun, more

Big Book Sale, Star Wars fun, more

Middle East talk: 6 p.m., Oct. 7, Citadel Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave., Charleston. The World Affairs Council of Charleston will host a talk by Paul Hughes, senior advisor for international security and peacebuilding at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Learn more.

That BIG Book Sale: Oct. 9-11, Omar Shrine Auditorium, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant. The Charleston Friends of the Library will host the 34^th annual sale with more than 60,000 books, DVDs, CDs, music and maps for prices that start at 50 cents. Great bargains are to be had. Admission is free. Hours are more are here: www.charlestonlibraryfriends.org

Star War Reads Day: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 10, Main Library, Calhoun Street, Charleston. The Charleston County Public Library will host an afternoon of Star Wars-related fun for the family. Photos with popular characters, costume contest, music and more. More.

Autumn on the Ashley: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 10-11, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, S.C. Highway 61, Charleston. The popular attraction will have more than 50 vendors exhibiting wood carvings, paintings, textiles, pottery, jewelry and more at the 8^th annual event. More.

Polo: 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 11, Sandcastle Community Center, 1 Shipwatch Road, Kiawah Island, S.C. The Kiawah Cares Foundation will host the inaugural Kiawah Cup Beach Polo invitational on the beach as a new fundraiser. To learn more about tickets, which now are on sale, go to: KiawahCup.org

(RESCHEDULED) Charleston Greek Fall Festival: Oct. 16-18, Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race St., Charleston. Join a celebration of Greek faith, culture, food, wine and music at this annual tradition. Free for active-duty military and kids under 13. Just $3 for seniors and students; $5 for adults. More.

North Charleston Block Party: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 17, Olde Village, East Montague Street near Park Circle. This third annual event will feature live music, arts and craft booths, costume contest and more. There will be trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under. Email for more information.

(NEW) “Hand in Hand” Jazz Jam: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Oct. 18, Dock House, Bowen’s Island. The 6^th annual Charleston Jazz Jam will be a tribute to Emanuel AME Church and will feature more than 50 jazz musicians. No admission fee, but donations will be accepted. More.

(RESCHEDULED) Thanks Joe! 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 25, at Brittlebank Park, followed by 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at nearby Joe Riley Stadium, Charleston. This is a privately-funded, family event to allow people to give their appreciation for Mayor Joe Riley’s 40 years of public service. The first half of the event will feature games and food, while the last two hours will include a Blue Dogs all-star tribute, rocker Edwin McCain, the Emanuel AME Choir and more. More details to come.

History of Charleston’s mayor: 6 p.m., Oct. 28, Main Library, Calhoun Street, Charleston. Just in time for the 2015 election, the library will host a talk that delves into the evolution of Charleston’s executive office, from “intendant” to mayor. More.

Bird walks: 8:30 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday and Saturday. This is the time of year that a great variety of migrating birds fly through the Lowcountry so what better time to take part in one of the regular early morning bird walks at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel. Pre-registration is suggested. Cost is $5. Walks also are conducted on James Island and Folly Beach. Learn more online.

If you have an event to list on our calendar, please send it to editor@charlestoncurrents.com for consideration.  The calendar is updated weekly on Mondays.