LEISURE
ASTRONOMY SHOW -- Smith Planetarium, 409 Pond Springs Road, Chickamauga, Ga. "Cowboy Astronomer" show follows star tales and American Indian legends combined with constellation identification and easy-to-find stars, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Free. 706-375-8001.
BERRY COLLEGE LECTURE -- Berry College, Spruill Ballroom, Rome, Ga. Yale University systemic theology professor Miroslav Volf speaks on "A Life Worth Living," 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Free. 706-236-1716.
BESSIE SMITH CULTURAL CENTER ANNIVERSARY -- DoubleTree Hotel, 407 Chestnut St. Judy Smith, the inspiration for Kerry Washington's character Olivia Pope on ABC's "Scandal," is guest speaker at center's 30th anniversary luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Feb 4. Reservations required; $65. 423-266-8658.
BOURBON TASTING -- Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Michael Vasta leads inaugural tasting event of American bourbon, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, Jan. 23. $37. 423-265-5033.
CHATTANOOGA ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER -- 400 Garden Road. All events require registration: 423-821-1160.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: Winter wanderland tour, 11:30 a.m. Learn about winter animal ambassadors. Free to members, $10 nonmembers.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: Tennessee amphibians, 2:30 p.m. Learn about amphibians in this area. Free to members, $10 nonmembers.
* Saturday, Feb. 1: Owl pellet dissection, 1 p.m. Meet resident owls and discover what they had for lunch that day. Free to members, $10 adult nonmembers, $7 nonmember children ages 4 and up, additional $5 fee per pellet.
CHATTANOOGA BOAT SHOW -- Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Boat and sport show, 3-9 p.m. Jan. 30; noon-9 p.m. Jan. 31; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 1; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 2. $9 ages 13 and older. www.bkproductions.biz/chattanooga.html.
EQUINE MASSAGE COURSE -- Casey and Son Horseshoeing School, 14013 Georgia 136, LaFayette, Ga. Horse owners learn simple stretching techniques in one-day class for $200 or a three-day certificate course for $600, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Jan. 24-26. No previous experience required; horses provided. Continuing farrier education credits allowed BWFA members. 706-397-8909.
GENEALOGY WORKSHOP -- Whitfield-Murray History Center and Archives, 715 Chattanooga Ave., Dalton, Ga. Sarah Roach and Jean Drew conduct workshops. Fees: $35 one workshop half-day, $40 full day, $70 two full days; sack lunches additional $6. To enroll, email wmhs@optilink.us or call 706-278-0217.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: "Organizing Your Records" beginning class, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; "Finding Census and Other Records on the Computer," beginners or intermediates, 1-4 p.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 1: "Walking Back on the Paper Trail," intermediate class, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; "Finding Women Ancestors, Beginning Cherokee Genealogy Research and Rigor of Proof-Lineage Societies," for all levels, 1-4 p.m.
GRAPE ESCAPE -- Cafe Roma, 220 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, Tenn. Gourmet food and wine pairings, with auction of wine and related items, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Fundraiser for Museum Center at Five Points. Only member tickets remain, $100. 423-339-5745, www.museumcenter.org.
GROUNDHOG DAY PRE-PARTY -- Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Meet Chattanooga Chuck, the aquarium's groundhog, before he makes his spring prediction; family party with games and refreshments, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 1. Reservations required, limited to 20 people. Aquarium members $8, nonmembers $13. 423-267-4374.
HEART BALL -- The Chattanoogan, 1201 S. Broad St. Black-tie dinner/dance with live and silent auctions to help fund heart disease and stroke research, 6 p.m.-midnight Feb. 1. $300. 423-763-4407.
HIKES -- Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. 423-842-3619.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: Piney River, strenuous 8 miles, meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy, 9 a.m.
* Tuesday, Jan. 28: Cravens House, moderate 4 miles, meet in parking lot of Red Bank Bi-Lo, 9 a.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 1: Roaring Creek, moderate 8 miles, meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy, 9 a.m.
HIKES -- South Cumberland State Park, 11745 Highway 41, Monteagle,Tenn. Free. 931-924-2980.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: Frosty Meadow, brisk 1.5-mile hike from Visitors Center, 7-10 a.m. CST.
* Sunday, Jan. 26: "Where Is Fiery Gizzard, Anyway?" with caravan from Visitors Center to trailhead, 1-3 p.m. CST.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN LECTURE --Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4829 College Drive E. Dr. Stephen Meyer, director of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, founder of the intelligent design movement and author of "Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design," speaks in Southern Adventist University's E.O. Grundset Lecture Series, 11 a.m. today, Jan. 23. Topic for the free lecture is "The Return of the God Hypothesis." 423-236-2581.
OUTDOOR CHATTANOOGA -- 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. www.outdoorchattanooga.com.
- Today, Jan. 23: "How To Navigate With a Map and Compass," winter workshop led by orienteering expert Alan Archer, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot, 6-8 p.m. Maps and compasses will be provided, or bring your own. Free. Information: 423-643-6888.
* Saturday, Jan. 25: "Make a Basket From Kudzu," winter workshop led by Bill and Candy Haley, noon-4 p.m. Limited to 16 people, adults and accompanied children ages 10 and older. $25 materials cost. Reservations required: 423-326-9248.
* Thursday, Jan. 30: "Eat the Weeds in Your Backyard," winter workshop led by professional herbalist Holli Richey, 6-8 p.m. Learn to identify and prepare edible plants that grow wild. All ages. Free. Information: 423-643-6888.
PHYSICIST'S TALK -- Chattanooga State Comunity College, 4501 Amnicola Highway. Internationally known theoretical physicist Dr. Michio Kaku gives presentation on "The Future of the Mind and Beyond," 6:30 p.m. today, Jan. 23. Free and captioned for guests with hearing loss. Preceded by book signing, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Chattanooga State's Kolwyck Library. 423-697-2432.
PINK! GALA -- Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Annual black-tie, four-course, dinner/dance to raise funds for MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at Memorial, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. $250 per person, $2,000 for table of eight. 423-495-4151.
ROMANTIC SEAFOOD DINNER -- 212 Market Restaurant, 212 Market St. Sustainable seafood dinner in conjunction with Tennessee Aquarium includes oyster appetizer, seafood risotto with shrimp, clams and lobster served with wine and chocolate pot de creme for dessert, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Limited to 35 adults. Aquarium members $55, nonmembers $65. 423-265-1212.
SUPER BOWL CHILI COOKOFF -- American Legion Post 81, 227 James Asbury Lane, Cleveland, Tenn. Free chili showdown at 4 p.m., judging at 6 p.m. followed by Super Bowl party with chef-prepared specials. Feb. 2. To enter the cookoff, call 423-476-4451 or 423-476-4451.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
AUTHOR'S TALK -- Dalton State College, 6450 College Drive, Dalton, Ga. Author Elizabeth Cline discusses her book, "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Free. 706-272-2985.
CHILDREN/TEENS
SCOUT DAY -- Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts may tour the attraction and enjoy behind-the-scenes tours and special programs by aquarium staff, 10 a.m.-4 p.m, Saturday, Jan. 25. Scouts and leaders $10, additional adults $20, additional children ages 3-12 $10. Scouts must wear their uniform or sash to receive discount price. events@tnaqua.org.