Jewish Cultural Center hosts Claude Ramsey

County Mayor Claude Ramsey will be the featured speaker at Thursday's Launch session at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace, at noon.

Launch is a monthly program for individuals interested in discussing local issues with informed leaders. Mayor Ramsey will lead a discussion of current challenges facing Hamilton County and a review of the county's progress over the past few years.

Luncheon cost is $6. Reservations are required by Monday. Call Ann Treadwell, 493-0270, ext. 13, or e-mail atreadwell@jcfgc.com.

The Jewish Cultural Center and its programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation.

Democratic Women meeting

The Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club will hear Tennessee's House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner at its meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the IBEW union hall, 3922 Volunteer Drive off Bonny Oaks Drive.

Mr. Turner was elected by District 51 in 2000, and became chairman of the Democratic Caucus in 2008.

Prior to holding political office, he was employed with Ford Motor Co., the Davidson County Sheriff's Department, the Davidson County General Sessions Court, and was an EMT captain with the Nashville Fire Department. Mr. Turner served for 17 years as a member of the AFL-CIO and is presently executive director.

The meeting is open to the public. For more information, call Katherine Snyder, 875-0100, or Ann Pickering, 296-8184.

Girls Inc. town hall set for Nov. 14

Girls Inc. of Chattanooga is sponsoring a free town hall meeting on Nov. 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

"Parents to Teens and Everything In Between" will engage parents and their teenagers in an open dialogue about reproductive health, risky behaviors, choices and personal safety during the adolescent years.

Dr. Michael Warren, of the Governor's Office of children's Care Coordination, will be the guest speaker.

A free lunch is provided so reservations are required. Call 624-4757 or e-mail info@girlsincofchatt.org.

Library group's luncheon Friday

Friends of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library is hosting its annual meeting Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.

The luncheon speaker will be Allan J. Stypeck Jr., host of NPR's "The Book Guys," owner of Second Story Books in Washington, D.C., and accredited member of the American Society of Appraisers. Following his presentation, Mr. Stypeck will be available for individual book appraisals.

Luncheon price is $10, and Wednesday is the deadline for reservations. Call 757-5425.

Trail of Tears group meets

The Georgia chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will meet Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at the Marsh House in LaFayette, Ga. The speaker will be Jeff Bishop, chapter president.

He will share the history of Fort Cumming, one of Georgia's Cherokee removal stockades located in what is now LaFayette. The chapter is trying to have the site certified on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

For more information, call 770-704-6338

Caldwell to speak to ElderScholars

A Tennessee history lesson about the settlement of "French Lick," now known as Nashville, will presented to the UTC ElderScholars on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Signal Mountain Room of the UTC University Center.

James I. Caldwell, retired from Vanderbilt University, will show slides and provide commentary.

Meeting participants may arrive at noon for lunch in the University Center Cafeteria.

For more information call Cheryl Faulkner at 425-4316.

Food drive at Hamilton Place

As part of Santa Feeds America, Hamilton Place is joining more than 80 CBL properties across the country to collect food for distribution to local food banks. Chattanooga Area Food Bank will receive donations made at Hamilton Place.

Families visiting the mall's Santa and shoppers are asked to bring nonperishable food donations to the Santa set. Cherry Hill Photo will provide a discount on Family Photo Packages to all donors. Shoppers are not required to visit Santa nor to have their photos taken in order to make their donation.

Rossville meeting is Thursday

Rossville Downtown Development Authority will host a town hall meeting on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the city's Civic Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to seek citizen input on the revitalization of Rossville. The meeting will be facilitated by Paul Kreager, who retired from the University of Georgia after 20 years in economic development in the state.

A light supper will be served.

Mushroom Rock beginner hike set

The Chattanooga Hiking Club and Outdoor Chattanooga will lead a beginner hike to Mushroom Rock on Signal Mountain on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 12:30 p.m.

The easy, 2-mile hike is a good introduction to trails. The hike will also be an introduction to geocaching.

Participants should be accustomed to walking at least an hour at a time and should wear hiking boots or comfortable athletic shoes that can get dirty.

Preregistration is required. To register and get directions, e-mail ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com or call 643-6889.

Climbing demo night Wednesday

Rock/Creek will host a climbing equipment demo night at Urban Rocks Gym, 1007 Appling St., on Wednesday, 5-9 p.m.

The first 50 people to arrive will get to test new products for free. Late arrivals pay the normal Urban Rocks day pass rate.

Film visioning forum Thursday

A public film visioning forum facilitated by Eleanor Cooper will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in the EPB Building, seventh floor.

Participants will share opinions on "How can we build and sustain a viable film culture in Chattanooga.? The goal of the event is to prioritize and guide efforts to increase the film culture in Chattanooga.

For more information, contact Dave Porfiri, dpvision@yahoo.com or 894-8927.

Stella Parton sings here Friday

Share America Foundation will host an evening of gospel music with Broadway, film and country music star Stella Parton, sister of Dolly Parton, at Sacred Sounds on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 in Ringgold, Ga.

The Jeff Hullender Family will also appear. Randall Franks will emcee. Tickets are $5 ages 6 and up.

For more information, log onto www.myspace.com/shareamerica.

Sib Celebration set for Nov. 14

Brothers and sisters (in grades 3-7) of children with disabilities will have the chance to get together for games and fun at the zoo on Saturday, Nov. 14.

The Sib Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chattanooga Zoo in Warner Park. It is sponsored by Chattanooga Parks and Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation Services, Siskin Children's Institute, Signal Centers Inc., TENNder Care, and Tennessee's Early Intervention System.

To register for the Sib Celebration or for more information, contact Beth Oldham at Siskin Children's Institute at 648-1757 or e-mail Beth.Oldham@siskin.org.

Bad Company coming Friday

Bad Company, the popular rock band of the 1970s-80s with lead singer Brian Howe, will perform at Bear Hollow Resort in Monteagle, Tenn., on Friday.

Two shows are scheduled: 6 and 9 p.m. CST.

For tickets call 931-924-2327. For more information, check the Web site at bearhollowresort.com

Hospice benefit set Thursday

The Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation's annual fundraiser Holiday Hearts will be held Thursday at The Mill event hall.

A gift market and silent auction will open at 10 a.m. with luncheon and program starting at noon. Tickets are $40 per person.

For tickets or more information, call 892-4289 or check the Web site at www.hospiceofchattanooga.org.

Creative Arts offering tours

Free, 45-minute informational tours for prospective students and their families are being offered on Tuesdays through January at Center for Creative Arts, 1301 Dallas Road. Reservations are not necessary.

Center for Creative Arts is Hamilton County's fine arts magnet school for grades 6-12. Enrollment is open by audition to all students residing in Hamilton County.

For information, call 209-5942.