GOINGS ON / SANTA BARBARA : Artistic Views : Fine Art Gallery exhibit offers submissions--writings, drawings and objects--by the public on AIDS.

Paige Neuhauser can thank her postal carrier for the latest exhibit at her Fine Art Gallery in Santa Barbara.

It was the U.S. mail service that delivered each of the items in the “Postal Response” display, an exhibit of artistic commentaries by the public on AIDS. These 5-by-7-inch submissions--writings, drawings and objects--will be shown through Oct. 30 in recognition of AIDS Awareness Month. There are plans to take the collection on tour, a la the AIDS Quilt, sometime down the road.

“What was great about it,” Neuhauser said, “was that there are so many different slants and angles on the subject of AIDS.”

There are clippings of AIDS-related newspaper stories. There’s a school yearbook-type photo of a man, below which is written “Ignorance equals fear.” There is a pane of shattered glass atop the statement “AIDS shattered life.” Neuhauser has received about 80 responses and will accept more through the end of the month.

“What I wanted was not necessarily that it be sad,” Neuhauser said. “I wanted everybody’s reactions.”

The gallery is at 30 Arlington Ave. It is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5:30 p.m. and through appointment. By the way, Neuhauser herself has a window exhibit on AIDS at the Book Den, 15 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. It is one of a series of such window displays around Santa Barbara.

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The Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Assn. will celebrate itself Saturday with the second annual “A Celebration of Harvest” wine and dine fest at Parker Winery, north of Buelton.

All 30 of the county’s wineries are expected to be represented and local chefs will provide the food. There will be storytelling, music and a silent wine auction. Some of the proceeds from the auction will benefit The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. A portion of each $50 admission to the event will go to the science department of McKenzie Junior High School in Guadalupe.

As with its past functions, the Vintner’s Assn. will have a designated driver program and a shuttle bus service from Santa Barbara. Reservations are required for the shuttle. The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold only in advance. Call 688-0881.

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Artists around Santa Barbara County seem to be in full force for El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Mexican celebration of death. As has been the case over the past three years, the Francis Puccinelli Gallery in Carpinteria will be in the forefront.

Seven Southern California artists are exhibiting their interpretations of the Mexican, Central American and South American ofrenda , or altar, at the gallery. The ofrenda is traditionally used to honor the dead. There will also be an ofrenda at which visitors will be able to make their own offerings. The exhibit will run through Oct. 31. Puccinelli Gallery is at 888 Linden Ave., second floor. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and by appointment.

Meanwhile, collage artist Nancy Keystone is exhibiting her work as part of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s commemoration of El Dia de los Muertos. Keystone uses found objects to tie the past to the present, a theme of the celebration of the dead. The museum is at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. For more information, call 682-4711 Ext. 348.

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The Italian American Boot Club of Santa Barbara will conclude Italian Heritage week with the 12th annual Festa Italiana on Saturday and Sunday at Oak Park. The weekend’s entertainment lineup will feature the Tony De Bruno Orchestra, strolling mandolin player Barry Kaufman and Ojai’s Andy LaRusso, who will sing with the Bellowz Internacionale performance group. It might be a good idea to attend this event on an empty stomach because the food should be plentiful. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission is free. The park is situated off U.S. 101. Going north take the Pueblo Street exit, going south take the Mission Street exit.

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Marine Air Corps veterans will be among the honored guests on Saturday at the fifth annual Santa Barbara Airport Day festivities. This year’s celebration has special meaning as it marks the 50th anniversary of the facility, which served as a Marine Corps Air Station during World War II. Attractions will include aerobatic demonstrations, warplane exhibits, a flight simulator, a children’s art exhibit and airplane and helicopter rides. Airport Day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with performances beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is $2 (age 12 and older).

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Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theatre Foundation will kick of its performing arts season on Sunday with a performance by the Venezuelan quartet Ensamble Gurrufio. The members of the group combine their classical European musical training with the rhythmic music that is traditional to their multicultural society. The Lobero is at 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Show time is 7 p.m. General admission is $17. Tickets are available at the Lobero box office, or by calling 963-0761.