Around the Region

TODAY

Horseshoe tournament: Marcella Center for Arts and Education, 117 Washington Road, Sweetwater, Tenn., 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. tournament begins, bring your own partner. Entry fee $5 per person. 423-351-1060.

Kudzu Festival: North Shore business district, more than 50 events and retail specials presented by North Shore Merchants Collective. Saturday street parade along Frazier Avenue at 10 a.m., Kudzu Ball at 8 p.m. at Chattanooga Theatre Centre. www.kudzufestival.com.

North Georgia Camera Club Shootout: Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, Ga., 7:30 a.m. 706-272-7676.

Yard sale: 6738 Hickory Brook Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., yard sale to benefit Richmont Community Center. 648-2423.

MONDAY

Burkett Miller Lecture: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University Center, noon, free but limited seating. John A. Allison IV, former chairman of BB&T Corp., speaks on "The Financial Crisis: Causes and Consequences." Dr. Bradley Hobbs, professor of economics at Florida Gulf Coast University, will critique Allison's presentation. 425-4118.

Catoosa County Historical Society: Old Stone Church, 41 Old Cohutta Road, Ringgold, Ga., 7 p.m., visitors welcome. Charles Harris, founding member of the Chattanooga Area Relic and Historical Association, speaks on Confederate soldiers' recycling of knife and sword blades.

Catoosa County Republican Party: Hampton Inn, 6875 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga., 6:30-8 p.m., visitors welcome. Dave Allen, campaign chairman for Tom Graves, will kick off Get Out The Vote training. www.catoosacountygop.com.

Green Thumb Garden Club: Collegedale City Hall, West Conference Room, 4910 Swinyar Drive, 7 p.m., visitors welcome. Betrice Neall, retired Union University professor, gives program on houseplants and gloxinias. 236-5598.

TUESDAY

ElderScholars: UTC University Center, noon lunch at UC cafeteria, 1 p.m. meeting in Lookout Mountain Room, anyone age 55 or older welcome. Dr. Mary Headrick, Democratic candidate for the Third Congressional district, is featured speaker.

Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club: IBEW Hall, 3922 Volunteer Drive, 6 p.m., visitors welcome. State Rep. JoAnne Favors is guest speaker. 870-1848.

THURSDAY

Hammered dulcimer music: Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Road, noon-2 p.m., free. Lisa Ferguson of Signal Mountain and Katie Moritz of Chicago perform for visitors. 886-3174.

OCT.13

Banana Ball: Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., 6:30-11 p.m, $75 or $150 VIP ticket. Meet Jack Hanna, view new Deserts and Forests exhibits, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. Banana Split party for children ages 3-12 at zoo from 3 to 4 p.m., $25 per child and parent admitted free. 697-1339.

Benefit motorcycle ride: Tennessee Riverpark, Hubert Fry Center, 10 a.m. Early entry fee: $10 driver, $5 each additional rider; $15 driver, $5 each additional rider day of event. Ride returns to Riverpark for hot-dog meal. 309-9911.

Church yard sale: Rossville Baptist Tabernacle, 101 Hooker Road, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. rain or shine, sponsored by Ladies Ministry.

NAACP Image Awards: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St., 7 p.m., $10 per person or $50 for six tickets. 624-8552.

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