The Barn Nursery will show to add seasonal interest to a shrub with a WinterScapes Container Gardening seminar on Saturday, Nov. 19.Festivals and more
See a list of Christmas craft markets.
What other holiday treats await this week? Here are some highlights in chronological order.
* Film screening: The Classic Film Series at Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road, goes for a cult classic this month: "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," a 1964 film perhaps best known as the screen debut of Pia Zadora as a youngster from the red planet. In the film, Martians come to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus because there is no one on Mars to give their children presents. Earth kids Billy and Betty set out to save Santa and return him to Earth. One review calls it "a baffling mixture of sci-fi, Christmas cheer and childish slapstick, all filmed in garish (or as the poster says, 'Space-Blazing') color." Screenings start at 2 and 7 p.m. today, Nov. 17. It's rated PG. Run time is 81 minutes. Admission and popcorn are free.
* Healthful cooking: Victoria Behm, who holds a master's degree in nutrition and integrative health, will lead "Healthy for the Holidays: Revamping Holiday Favorites" from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 17, at Dish T'Pass, 302 W. Sixth St. Cooks will learn how to replace typical ingredients - think: cream of mushroom soup, bread crumbs, wheat flour-based thickeners, margarine - with health-supportive alternatives. "Together we'll make (and eat!) homemade cranberry sauce, creamy dairy-free carrot ginger soup and gluten-free ginger apple crisp," she says. "The entire menu is a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal that's suitable for those with food allergies." Cost is $29, plus a $2.59 fee at www.thechattery.org.
* Pictures with Santa: Santa arrives by horse-drawn carriage, joined by several elves, Snoopy, Rudolph, Frosty, Anna and Elsa, at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway in Cleveland, Tenn. Free carriage rides will be offered to kids from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and photos will be available with Santa through Christmas Eve. Photo hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sundays (extended hours Dec. 16-24). www.shopbradleysquare.com.
* Live Wreath Making: The 10 a.m. class is full, but a 1 p.m. class has been added to accommodate interest in this Master Gardeners of Hamilton County offering Saturday, Nov. 19, at the UT Extension office, 6183 Adamson Circle. Participants will need to bring a 12- to 16-inch grapevine, straw, wire or artificial wreath. The Master Gardeners will bring greenery from their own gardens to enhance it. Sign up at mghc.org/education-committee-classes.
* WinterScapes Container Gardening: Lead designer Donna Dent will show gardeners how to start with a lush green shrub and add faux accents that can be used year after year in this free seminar at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St. Place.
* Old-Fashioned Downtown Christmas: Visitors to downtown Athens, Tenn., between 4 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, will find horse-drawn carriages, a trackless train, outdoor movies, an outdoor ice skating rink, children's crafts and pictures with Santa. The tree lighting, accompanied by a Christmas carol sing-along, will begin at 6:30 p.m.
* Christmas tree lighting: The Hixson Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the Hixson community Christmas tree lighting from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in front of Clear Creek Church of Christ, 5612 Hixson Pike. The Hixson High School choir, strings and band will perform, and Santa Claus will pay a visit.
* Calhoun Christmas: Calhoun, Ga., will have events around the city on Sunday, Nov. 20, starting with the Gordon Shop Hop at downtown merchants and the Calhoun Outlet Mall from 1 to 6 p.m. The Gem Theatre will show "The Polar Express" at 2 p.m. Santa will be at the Gordon County Courthouse from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the Christmas tree lighting and photo-ops. A live Nativity also will be set up during the evening, and the Gordon County Antique Tractor Club will provide free tractor rides.
* EPB holiday windows: This annual tradition takes place on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the front entrance to the downtown headquarters at Market Street and M.L. King Boulevard. Seven windows displaying holiday scenes will be unveiled in ceremonies at 5 p.m. The Chattanooga Girls Choir will entertain.