Grateful hearts will honor firefighters

"Grateful Hearts," the third annual Food Faire and Fundraiser, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 18 at the Valley Cultural Center, 21550 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills.

The event will honor the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The Food Faire will feature more than 25 restaurants from the Woodland Hills, Canoga Park and Calabasas areas serving a variety of foods including grilled steaks, ribs, chicken and hot dogs prepared by firefighters.

Local businesses will compete in the Firefighters' Muster, a competition with activities including a bucket brigade, fire-hose unreeling and getting dressed in fire gear to beat other teams.

Last year, more than 7,000 attendees helped raise more than $75,000 which benefited local fire stations.

Erik Estrada, television and film actor, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Third district Councilmember Dennis P. Zine will conduct a live auction. Meteorologist Josh Rubenstein will host onstage, and the L.A. Fire Department's Smoke and Mirrors Band will perform.

For more information, call Mary Larkin, event chair, at (818) 593-6266.