Different CODs hold their open houses at differnt times, but I think they do them every six months or so. Just ask your COD when they are doing it (and even call any others in your area as they aren't all on the same day).
As for the recipes, I just submit them to the LA Chef for a remake. It takes them about a week.
For converting, what I try to do is take the whole recipe and write down the exchanges for it, along with any subsitutions (reduced fat cheese, butter, etc.). So if I am making a chicken dish, I might see that the whole recipe for 4 is 4P, 2S, 3Fa, 4C. I divide it and round up if I need to, or use less of that ingredient if I can to make it even. So the 3 fats in a recipe divided by four I would still count as one fat, or modify it so it comes out to 1/2.
You'll definitely get the hang of it as you go on. Jump in and ask us anything you have questions on. And come join us in the Losers and Friends thread.
TURKEY DAY CHALLENGE