LEISURE
ASTRONOMY - UTC Physics and Astronomy Jones Observatory, 10 N. Tuxedo Ave. Planetarium show on "After Stars Explode, Black Holes and Neutron Stars" and featured constellation Taurus, 7 p.m. Sunday, March 30; telescope viewing until 9 p.m. www.utc.edu/ ~jonesobs.
CARNIVAL - Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, 1800 Bailey Ave. Second annual event features family games, petting zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, fire truck, food vendors, DJ, 10 a.m-3 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Proceeds benefit school's academic and enrichment programs. 423-702-7320.
CHAPEL TALK - Lee University's Conn Center, corner of Parker and 11th streets, Cleveland, Tenn. Lee alumna Lisa Manyata Olson, born without arms and legs, talks about God's plan for her life, 10:40 a.m. today, March 27. 423-614-8420.
FASHION SHOW - UTC University Center, E. Fifth St. Fashions from local boutiques presented by Campus Activities Board, 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 31. Free. orgsync.utc.edu/org/utccab
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, March 29: Reflection Riding, easy-to-moderate 5 miles, meet at Red Bank Bi-Lo parking lot, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, April 1: Rainbow Lake, moderate 3 miles, meet at Red Bank Bi-Lo parking lot, 9 a.m.
Saturday, April 5: Falls Creek Falls wildflower walk, moderate 5 miles, meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy, 9 a.m.
HIKES - Sequatchie Valley Institute, 1233 Cartwright Loop, Whitwell, Tenn. Spring Wildflower Hikes, 11 a.m. CDT Saturdays, March 29 and April 5. Arrive by 10:30 a.m. CDT to assemble for one-mile shuttle or hike to SVI's Moonshadow center, for choice of two hikes: easy to moderate two-hour hike or rugged four-hour mountain hike. Picnics welcome. Arrive early (9:30 a.m.) for tours of grounds. Sliding-scale donation of $5-$10 requested. RSVP to svionline.org., 423-949-4598.
MISS AMERICA 1995 VISITS - Southern Adventist University, Iles P.E. Center, Collegedale. Heather Whitestone, first Miss America with a disability, gives free talk on overcoming obstacles, 11 a.m. April 3. 423-236-2814.
MOTO TRAIL BIKE WORKSHOP- Trials Training Center, 300 Woodland Road, Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials, motorcycle practice, technique classes taught by champ riders from Teams Beta, Gas Gas and Sherco, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, March 29; 8:30 am.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 (all times Central). Ryan Young presents RYP Pit Stop, hands-on workshop that allows rider to work on bike with assistance from Team Sherco mechanics. $100 per rider, $10 nonriders. 423-942-8688.
MULTICULTURAL FAIR - Cleveland State Community College, Quentin Lane Gymnasium, Cleveland, Tenn. Seventh celebration of food, music and dance of area ethnic groups, 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. April 5. Fair opens with parade of nations at 9:45 a.m., African dress fashion show at 10 a.m., followed by children's games, cultural photography display, performances of African dance and drum by Mawre and Company, St. Theresa Spanish youth dancers, Cleveland State Chorus and Vocal Rhapsody. 423-614-8748.
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP - Tri-State Exhibition Clinic, 200 Natures Trail, SW, Cleveland, Tenn. Richard Winters leads clinic, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 29-30. $25-$40. 423-280-3716.
PLANT GIVEAWAY - Daisy United Methodist Church, 9508 Old Dayton Pike. Plants donated by congregation members (some seedlings, others mature flowers), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 5. Although plants are free, donations accepted to help fund future community events by the church. 423-326-9248.
RUBY FALLS LANTERN TOURS - Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Highway. Ride the 260-foot elevator down into Lookout Moutain and experience the cavern tour in a new light. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays through September. Tour size limited, reservations required. $24.95. 423-821-2544.
SEAFOOD DINNER - Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Four-course menu of sustainable selections that promote Tennessee Aquarium's Serve and Protect program, plus wine pairings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, March 27. $50 Aquarium members, $60 nonmembers. www.tnaqua.org.
SODDY-DAISY DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN - Soddy Elementary School, 260 School St. Ten high-school juniors compete in 56th annual program formerly known as Junior Miss, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. $10. 423-867-2454.
STRIDES OF MARCH - Renaissance Park, Manufacturers Road at Cherokee Boulevard. Annual walk/run to benefit Chattanooga CARES, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30. 423-265-2273.
SURVIVAL LECTURE - Hulsey Wellness Center, Southern Adventist University, Collegedale. Master tracker John McCallum presents "Wilderness Survival: Tips and Tricks To Keep You Alive in the Woods," 7:30 p.m. today, March 27. 423-236-2926.
TRAIN RIDES - Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com. 21st Century Steam Excursions: Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam Excursions include Attalla Special from Chattanooga to Attalla, Ala., 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Saturday, March 29, tickets start at $70; Oneida Flyer sold out.
WILDFLOWER HIKE - Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. One-mile hike through Sitton's Gulch for ages 10 and up to identify and record wildflower species, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 29; Friday, April 4; and Saturday, April 12. $10. Reservations required. 706-657-4050.
ZOMBIE RUNDOWN - McDonald Farm, 16705 Coulterville Road, Sale Creek. Family event with one-mile FunWalk free of zombies, 5K obstacle mud run with zombies, and post-race party with music by Aaron Tippin, 8 a.m.-evening Saturday, April 5. $5 from every online registration donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. Entry fees: $5 FunWalk (entire fee donated to nonprofit), $55 runner, $45 runner for military personnel, $20 zombie, $25 after-party only; ages 10 and under free. After-party included in runners' and zombies' fees. redtowersentertainment.com.
FARMERS MARKETS
CHATTANOOGA RIVER MARKET - Tennessee Aquarium plaza, 1 Broad St. Vendors sell local produce, arts, crafts and horticultural projects 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. www.Chattanooga Market.com.
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET - Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Local farmers sell fresh produce; no wholesalers or resellers allowed, 3-5 p.m. Thursdays. Summer hours, 3-6 p.m., start April 3. Free seminar, "Growing Blueberries & Fruit Trees," 3:30 p.m. today, March 27, and 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29. 423-238-9775.
ST. ALBAN'S HIXSON MARKET - St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 7514 Hixson Pike. Broad variety of beef, honey, spices, eggs, bread, garden accessories from regional farms 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. 423-842-1342.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
TAKE FIVE SERIES - UTC University Center, Chattanooga Room, Fifth Street on campus. Dr. Linda Frost, dean of UTC Honors College, will discuss Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games" in final lecture of Take Five literary series, 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Free. 423-425-4363.
WOMEN WRITERS - Metropolitan YMCA, 301 W. Sixth St. Learn about the writing craft from other Chattanooga females, 7-9 p.m. today, March. 27. Free.