The support group Your Bosom Buddies will now have a chapter in Homestead. Active in assistance at Baptist Hospital in Kendall for the last 11 years, the organization will be able to better serve those affected by breast cancer in South Miami-Dade.

The group will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Homestead Hospital, at Campbell Drive at Southwest 312th Street and 147th Avenue. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month in the hospital's auditorium. Your Bosom Buddies is an educational support group founded in 1997 by breast cancer survivor Linda Burrows.

''We are thrilled that Homestead Hospital has offered to host a chapter of Your Bosom Buddies,'' Burrows said. ``There is a great need in this community for support. No one should face breast cancer alone. We look forward to encouraging and inspiring others as they embark on their journey or continue with life after breast cancer.''

Chika Ahaeto, an advanced registered nurse practitioner who works at Homestead Hospital and is a five-year breast cancer survivor, will run the Homestead Hospital support group with the assistance of Burrows and Sharon Bartlett, another breast cancer survivor and longtime Redland business owner and resident.

Since Burrows and Bartlett met after both were treated for breast cancer in the mid-1990s, they have been mentoring newly diagnosed women, and those undergoing treatment, through the Your Bosom Buddies Support Group. The group also includes the program A Buddie for You that matches recently diagnosed patients with a breast cancer survivor for support and encouragement. For information, call 305-981-2974.

WISHES COME TRUE

Eating at Morton's Steakhouse and seeing a Miami Dolphins game with his family were the dream wishes of 17-year-old Christopher. Both came true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida.

''Christopher felt like a king. He was ecstatic,'' his mom Robin Diaz said. The family also met almost all the employees at Morton's. Diaz said the chef kept bringing out food. ``It was awesome.''

Christopher and his family also met with Dolphins players. They gave him a special gift, a football signed by nearly all team members. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida raises money and awareness to help children and their families. To donate, or become involved as a Wishmaker, visit sfla.wish.org.

TIME FOR OKTOBERFEST

Find some lederhosen and celebrate at the German American Social Club's Oktoberfest Miami 2008. The festival is scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 11919 SW 56th St.

Bands from Germany will play music for dancing and there will be food and beverages for sale. Carnival rides and children's activities are also planned. Entrance on Fridays is free with a donation of nonperishable foods to be given to Neighbors4Neighbors. Entrance is free all days for persons with Military ID.

Festival hours are: Fridays, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 2 p.m. to midnight; and Sundays noon to 10 p.m. Entrance is $10 for adults, $1 for teens 13 to 20 and children under 13 are free. Parking is also free. Each adult will be given a ticket to be entered in a raffle for a round trip ticket for two to Germany. The festival will be held rain or shine. For more, call 305-552-5123 or 305-553-8587 or visit germanamericanclub-miami.org.

CASINO NIGHT

Get ready to count your ''fun chips'' Saturday at the fifth annual Rotary Casino Night from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, SW 184 Street and Old Cutler Road. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Perrine Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay, proceeds will benefit the group's Foundation Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $50, redeemable for 50 gaming chips. There will also be hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, silent auctions, raffle prizes and door prizes.

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