LEISURE
ASPIRE & INSPIRE -- Erlanger Medical Mall, Probasco Auditorium, 979 E. Third St. Maria Noel emcees session of stories of success by five local women, 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. Free but RSVP required. www.womengroundbreakers.com.
ASTRONOMY -- Jones Observatory, 10 N. Tuxedo Ave. off Brainerd Road.Lecture on "After Stars Explode: Black Holes and Neutron Stars," 7 p.m. Sunday, March 23; telescope viewing until 9 p.m. www.utc.edu/~jonesobs.
CHATTANOOGA ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER -- 400 Garden Road. All events require registration: 423-821-1160. Learn about opossums, 11 a.m.; Wildlife Wanderland tour, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 22.
DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE -- Hickory Valley Christian Church, 6605 Shallowford Road. Fathers and their daughters ages 2-18 invited to dress up in formalwear and dance to a deejay, 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 21. Have photo made for small charge. $10 per dad; daughters get in free. 423-892-4270.
FAIRYTALE NIGHTS -- Rock City, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain. Family fun that includes helping LittleRed Riding Hood avoid the wolf, following Jack's adventures off the beanstalk and into the giant's lair, visits by Cinderella and a knight, 5-8 p.m. daily March 28-April 20. Included in regular park admission of $21.95 adults, $11.95 kids. 706-820-2531.
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 22: Prentice Cooper at Mullins Cove Loop, strenuous 10 miles, meet at Red Bank Bi-Lo parking lot, 9 a.m.
¦ Tuesday, March 25: Greenway Farms, moderate 4 miles, meet in parking lot across from the dog park, 9 a.m.
¦ Saturday, March 29: Reflection Riding, easy-to-moderate 5 miles, meet at Red Bank Bi-Lo parking lot, 9 a.m.
JOCKSALE --3714 Ringgold Road, near Amigo and Kingwood Pharmacy. Consignment sale of all kinds of sporting gear, hobby items, bikes, outdoor equipment, manual and power tools and exercise equipment, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Saturday, March 20-22; 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 23. www.jocksale.com/chattanooga.
MOTO TRAIL BIKE WORKSHOP-- Trials Training Center, 300 Woodland Road, Sequatchie, Tenn. Trials, motorcycle practice, technique classes taught by champion riders from Team Beta, Gas Gas and Sherco, 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. March 29; 8:30 am.-4:30 p.m. March 30. 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.
NATIVE PLANT SALE -- Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center, 400 Garden Road. Free guided hikes, wildlife photography lessons, children's activities at annual plant sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28-29; noon-5 p.m. March 30. 423-821-1160.
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET -- Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Open 3-5 p.m. Thursdays. 423-238-9775.
¦ Today, March 20: Cooking With Pete demonstration: "Let's Talk Soup," 3:30 p.m.
¦ March 27 and 29: "Growing Blueberries & Fruit Trees," 3:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Saturday.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA -- St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Road. Beginners Boot Camp on "Camera Modes: P Doesn't Mean Professional," 6 p.m. today, March 20. Guest speaker photographer Colby McLemore gives presentation on night photography at 7 p.m. Both sessions free. 423-344-5643.
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.
SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS -- Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, 1301 Market St. Ethan Pope leads class on American Sign Language 101, teaching basic alphabet and conversational phrases, 5:30 p.m. today, March 20. $12. 423-413-8978.
STRIDES OF MARCH -- Renaissance Park, Manufacturers Road at Cherokee Boulevard. Annual walk/run to benefit Chattanooga CARES, 12:30 p.m. March 30. 423-265-2273.
TRAIN RIDES -- Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com. Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM's repair shop. Trains depart every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays at 10:40 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. only. $17 adults, $11 ages 3-12.
WILLIAMS ISLAND KIDS ADVENTURE CRUISE -- River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. Ninety-minute cruises around historic island include scavenger hunts, animal guests and educational materials for children and adults, 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, March 22. $20 ages 3 and older, $18 under age 3. 423-262-0695.
YAPPY MEOWER --Nooga Paws, 313 Manufacturers Road. McKamey Animal Center fundraiser includes appetizers from Elemental, wine from The Vine and Brooklyn Lager beer from Budweiser, door prizes, 10 percent discount on pet store's merchandise, 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, March 20. 423-305-6500.
ZOMBIE RUNDOWN -- McDonald Farm, 16705 Coulterville Road, Sale Creek. Family event with one-mile FunWalk free of zombies, Refuge After-Party, 5K obstacle mud run and post-race party with music by Aaron Tippin, 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.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
WOMEN WRITERS -- Metropolitan YMCA, 301 W. Sixth St. Learn about the writing craft from other Chattanooga females, 7-9 p.m. March. 27. Free.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY -- 1001 Broad St. (main library) and branches at Eastgate, Northgate and South Chattanooga. 423-757-5310, www.chattlibrary.org.
¦ Today, March 20: Makeanooga, downtown branch, 5 p.m., teen event to try 3-D printing, button making, movie making, music. Space limited to 20 per class. Register at 423-757-5310.
¦ Friday, March 21: "Divergent" movie release party, 6-8 p.m., free after-hours party for ages 12-18 with giveaways, interactive fear maze, video tasers; doors locked at 6 p.m. and no one enters or leaves between 6 and 7:45 p.m., parental permission required to attend.
¦ Fridays, March 21 and 28: Sew What, free sewing class for teens, 3-5 p.m.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM -- 321 Chestnut St. $11.95 adults and children. 423-756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
¦ Through May 11: "Healthy Fun on the Run" exhibit.
¦ Saturday, March 22: Preschool Adventure Day: Picnic With Teddy Bears, 10 a.m.-noon, children 18 months to 4 years old may bring favorite stuffed animal to bear-themed activities.