Out and About Calendar

LEISURE

CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS -- From Walnut Street Bridge (downtown end) to Read House. One- and two-hour tours with several stops along the way for ghost stories and place histories, 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. $13 adults, $8 children under 12. 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com.

DELTA QUEEN -- Coolidge Park. Historic, 1920s-era steamboat permanently docked as a floating hotel and lounge. Access is via Fat Cat Ferry/Chattanooga Water Taxi from Ross's Landing or by foot from Coolidge Park. Dinner served 6-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. 468-4500, www.DeltaQueenHotel.com. 432-8373

FESTIVE FRIDAYS -- The Office, 1401 E. Third St. Music, dancing, food and conversation for ages 21 and up, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. every Friday. $5. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy@yahoo.com.

NATURE OUTINGS, PROGRAMS -- South Cumberland State Park, three miles from I-24 Exit 134 (Monteagle) on Highway 41. 931-924-2980. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All times Central. www.friendsofscsra.org.

Today: Meet at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for moderate, 4-mile hike to see Savage Falls, 8 p.m. Bring flashlight, water, snack, bug repellent, sturdy shoes.

Saturday

* Meet at Grundy Forest parking lot for a moderate, 2-mile hike to see old-growth eastern hemlock trees endangered by woolly adelgid, 9 a.m.

* Meet at Grundy Forest parking lot for a chance to look for creek critters, 1 p.m. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

* Meet at Stone Door Ranger Station to make a hummingbird feeder, 2 p.m. Bring any empty 20-ounce bottles you have at home.

Sunday

* Meet at Stone Door Ranger Station for easy, family-friendly 2-mile hike to learn about native trees and wildflowers along the Stone Door Trail, 9 a.m. Bring water and snack.

* Meet at the Visitor Center to watch the movie "A Bug's Life," 2 p.m.

Monday

* Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station for a hike to learn how this geologic wonder was formed, 10 a.m.

* Meet at the Visitor Center for a surprise craft, 2 p.m.

SWAGGIN' SATURDAYS -- The Office, 1401 Third St. Food, drink, music, dancing, socializing for ages 21 and up, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. every Saturday. $5. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy08@yahoo.com..

THIRSTY THURSDAYS -- Elks Lodge 4400, 1211 Dodds Ave. Socializing, music, dance, beer specials, free food for ages 21 and up, 7 p.m.-midnight every Thursday. Free. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy08@yahoo.com.

TRAIN RIDES -- Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 894-8028, www.tvrail.com. Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga and to TVRM's repair shop where locomotive rotated and reposition for ride back. Daily departures: 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15 and 2:25 p.m. $15 adults, $9 children ages 3-12, free to younger kids.

BOOKS/AUTHORS

BICENTENNIAL LIBRARY -- All locations of Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library system have programs and activities. Call downtown, 757-5314; Eastgate, 855-2685; Northgate, 870-0636; Ooltewah/Collegedale, 396-9322; South Chattanooga, 825-7237. The central information number for all branches is 757-5310. www.lib.chattanooga.gov.

OWL TOWNE WRITERS GROUP -- Resurrection Lutheran Church, 4309 Ooltewah Ringgold Road, Ooltewah. Discussion for anyone interested in writing, regardless of experience, 7 p.m. Saturday. Facets of building writing skills reviewed. 834-0222.

CHILDREN/TEENS

BICENTENNIAL LIBRARY -- All locations of Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library system have programs and activities. Call downtown, 757-5314; Eastgate, 855-2685; Northgate, 870-0636; Ooltewah/Collegedale, 396-9322; South Chattanooga, 825-7237. The central information number for all branches is 757-5310. www.lib.chattanooga.gov.

CHILDREN'S READING HOUR -- Rock Point Books, 401 Broad St. 756-2855. www.rockpointbooks.com. Fun Friday features stories and related programming, 10:30 a.m. every Friday.

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM -- 321 Chestnut St. Summer hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $10.95 children and adults. 756-2738, www.cdmfun.org. "Grossology" exhibit continues through Sept. 6

INTERACTIVE SHOW -- Vaudeville Cafe, 138 Market St. "Mystery of the Time Machine," audience-participation, comedy-mystery geared toward children, plus pizza buffet, 1 p.m. each Saturday. $12. 517-1839. www.funnydinner.com.

STORY TIME -- Books Never-Ending, 2547 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville. Story time 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Saturday for children ages 3-8. 706-891-0774, www.booksneverending.com.

CLASS/WORKSHOP

CANINE CLASSES -- Obedience Club of Chattanooga, four miles south of Chattanooga on Highway 193, Flintstone, Ga. Registration for obedience, rally and agility classes for puppies and dogs, Sunday, 1-3 p.m. Also: OCC dog/handler teams present demonstrations. A new class, Agility I Fundamentals (indoors) is being offered. Classes begin Monday. Contact: Carol Wetzel, 517-1448, www.chattanoogaobedienceclub.org.

DIGITAL WORKSHOP -- Art Creations, 201 Frazier Ave. Artist Dick Ensing teaches how to use the settings of a digital camera, as well as making artist-grade prints, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Limited to 35. $10 (returned as a gift certificate upon completion). 266-3626.

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