Briefs: Autism event includes special auction

Tennessean The Autism Society of Middle Tennessee will host its Pieces of Hope Benefit at 7 p.m. Friday, April 3, at The aVenue downtown. More than 30,000 individuals in Tennessee are living with an autism spectrum disorder. Proceeds from Pieces of Hope will help fund ASMT's support, advocacy and education initiatives for many of these individuals and families. The event kicks off Autism Awareness Month and includes cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, live entertainment and dancing. The feature of the evening will be a live auction featuring "Ribbon," a mixed media work on wood by Grace Walker Goad, a 14-year-old local artist living with autism. Tickets are $75 and patron-level tickets are $125. To purchase tickets, call 615-385-2077, ext. 3, or visit www.piecesofhopebenefit.org.