If the warmer weather is making you feel like popping somewhere tropical but a holiday isn't on the cards, the Hawaiian Ball could be the next best thing.

Held on November 7, the event is the annual fundraiser for The Cancer Support Group, which was founded by local Yvonne Cuschieri in 1985.

Initially wanting to raise funds for some young cancer patients to get to a camp, Yvonne

The dedicated group now provides financial assistance to local cancer patients and their families, with between 45 and 50 patients referred each month.

"When people get diagnosed they need help there and then," Yvonne said.

"We provide groceries, medication, electricity, gas, petrol and then sometimes some of our patients have got to go to Sydney so we look at helping them with accommodation if there's none available."

While Yvonne knew the costs involved after a cancer diagnosis from the clients she met and worked with, it wasn't until her own son Steve was diagnosed with a high grade brain tumour in October 2012 that she really understood what patients go through.

"His medication was something like $480 a month, then we'd take him to chemo. He had surgery and became paralysed, so then there was another $750 for a wheelchair. It's all these sort of things people go through," she said.

Sadly, Yvonne's son lost his battle three weeks before Christmas last year, which made her more determined to help others going through the same thing.

For the group's ball, leave your gowns and tuxes at home and instead bring out your Hawaiian shirts, floral leis and grass skirts.

"It's one of the best nights out," Yvonne said.

"The more people we can get to it the more people we can help, because really there's not much in financial help for patients in the area."

The Hawaiian Ball is on November 7 at Southern Cross Club Woden. Tickets are $120 per person which includes a three course meal plus beer, wine and soft drink, from thecancersupportgroup.org.au.

The queen of the rummage

Get ready to rummage – on October 25 the national Garage Sale Trail will see thousands of places around the country embrace reusing and recycling with garage sales.

Hundreds of sales have already been registered around Canberra, with more being added before the big day.

One of the event's ambassadors, drummer and vocalist in band San Cisco, Scarlett Stevens, is particularly looking forward to finding some treasures.

"The event really speaks to me because I'm an avid lover and collector of vintage and recyclable goods. And I love going to garage sales and flea markets," she said.

"My mum used to drag me to op shops since I was a baby and I hated it up until I was about 10 and we went on a family holiday to New York. That's when I started going to vintage stores and started to embrace buying second-hand and just looking for individual, unique items."

She even has a garage sale to thank for a striking outfit she wears in one of the band's film clips.

"The white jumpsuit that I wear in the Fred Astaire video clip actually came from a garage sale, so it was a pretty good find," she said.

"But I have great scores all the time – really good records and collectables, fan T-shirts from the '70s and '80s, and weird memorabilia."

The aim of the event is to encourage people to embrace recycling and to reduce what ultimately ends up in landfill.

"It really draws attention to the need to reuse and recycle and for us to not consume new things all the time," she said.

"The garage sale trail just puts all of that into perspective and makes it a really fun day."

Scarlett suggests getting up early and planning your day ahead of time.

"You can plan your day online and find out what's happening in your neighbourhood and get to know people in your community," she said.

"I just think it's an inclusive and fun way to draw attention to some bigger issues like environment and recycling and reusing."

To find the sales around you visit garagesaletrail.com.au.

A marathon of a journey

For many of us, completing one marathon in a year is a big enough ask as it is. Dickson College PE teacher Scott Eastburn is doing 14.

Having had several family members affected by Cancer, Scott sat down at the beginning of the year to figure out what he could do to fundraise.

"I figured it was 2014 so I decided to run 20 endurance events throughout the year, with 14 of them marathons," he said.

"I just wanted to do something, and this is my something."

His Live Fit Live Life challenge has so far seen him run all over Australia, plus the London and Paris marathons.

"I've raised just under $6000 so far for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation – I hope to hit the $10,000 mark by the end of the year," he said.

Scott has just two events left, with the Auckland Marathon up next. For his final event, he's staying close to home with a half marathon in Canberra on December 6.

To help with Scott's fundraising efforts, Pistachio Dining in Torrens is holding a special dinner on October 21 at 6.30pm. Cost is $110 per person for four courses with canapes and drink on arrival. Reservations on 6286 2966. Or to donate directly visitlivefitlivelife.com.au.

Tara and IKEA Style Googong

Star of Better Homes and Gardens Tara Dennis is visiting town this weekend to present workshops on interior styling tips and trends at new township Googong.

The former local grew up in Watson, and said she is looking forward to popping down from her current home in Sydney.

"I've got no relatives there now – so events like this make me go back. And every time I go back it's like, 'this place has grown again'," she said.

Since leaving town at 17, Tara has made a career out of her creativity and clever design and style ideas, having also appeared on shows such as Our House, Changing Rooms, Burkes Backyard, DIY Rescue and Renovation Rescue.

On the day, Tara will share her secrets when it comes to styling rooms and renovating, and answering questions.

"I'm going to be talking about how to create your own style guide and how to do a story board, plus talking about a lot of the trends and colours coming through," she said.

"I just got back from London and Paris a few weeks ago so I've got a few different ideas from what was going on over there."

Also making an appearance on the day will be IKEA, who will be bringing goodie bags and prizes ahead of their Majura Park store opening next year.

The events are on from 11.30-2.30pm Sunday 19 October at Beltana Park, Beltana Avenue, Googong. Free.

- Enjoy a yoga session and help raise funds for Kiss Goodbye to Multiple Sclerosis on October 22 at the Botswana high commission, Deakin. Led by yoga teacher Cigdem LaSalle, who herself has MS. 5.30-7.30pm. $40 per person. For bookings call 0402 536 840 or email lasalle@grapevine.net.au.

- The sartorial creations of Dickson college students over the past four years will hit the catwalk at a special fashion parade on October 24. The garments are made from recycled and found materials and hand-printed fabrics. 5.30-6.30pm, College Hall, Dickson College. Free.

- There's still time in October to "Party For a Cure" and raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Whether it's a breakfast, morning tea, a bake-off at the office, bingo or a movie night, get a group together and register your event at pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au.