LISA DENTON: Barry, I don't know how it is at your house, but I haven't planned a family game night at Casa de Lisa in a while now. But I can get my fix in a big way starting Thursday when Game Fest South sets up at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
This is the sixth year that the folks from Atlanta Game Fest have headed to the Scenic City for four days of fun around tables of board games. There also will be a flea market on Saturday if you want to trade in Monopoly for a Mystery Date Game.
BARRY COURTER: It seems so quaint the idea of playing a game without batteries or electricity involved, doesn't it? We do play the occasional board game, but usually when the whole family gathers for a holiday. And only on occasion does the action lead to somebody stomping off or in tears.
There is a lot going on this week. Steve Earle returns to town, this time at Track 29 on Thursday. I didn't realize his son and grandson live here until talking to him the other day. He has a new CD out called "The Low Highway." It is really good, and he recorded it with his band The Dukes (and Duchesses), which he hasn't done since 1987.
LISA: Disney on Ice: Princesses & Heroes will be here Thursday through Sunday for six shows at McKenzie Arena. I'm not sure I could name all the princesses in a pop quiz, but I'm sure it's entertaining. You wouldn't expect anything less than the best from Disney.
BARRY: Disney has more princesses than an all-girls high school. Disney on Ice shows are always good, and there is not much better than watching with small children as they try to take in all of the color and wonder. I might have to borrow a kid or two.
LISA: And since we're coming up on the last weekend in October, there are a few haunted houses we need to get to. Several places will continue through Halloween, but some, including Blowing Screams Farm, Lake Winnepespookah, Boo in the Zoo, Acres of Darkness and the Eerie Express, will be open just one more Friday and Saturday.
Have you heard about Project Alice in McDonald, Tenn.? They'll give you an Airsoft pistol to shoot you some zombies up there.
BARRY: I did hear about the Project Alice gimmick, and it sounds like fun. But I can't help but wonder at the wisdom of giving a teenager, or you for that matter, a loaded weapon. I know what my friends would have done with one, and I have the scars to prove it.
LISA: Hey, I'm all for gun control. That's why I always use both hands.
BARRY: Did I tell you about my friend Tim the cop? He was working security -- in full uniform, mind you -- at one of the haunted places, and a girl got so scared she jumped on his back. That's a story they'll both tell for a while.
Get event information every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.