LEISURE
ASPIRE & INSPIRE - Erlanger Medical Mall, Probasco Auditorium, 979 E. Third St. Maria Noel emcees free program of multicultural success stories by five local women, 5 p.m. March 25. Free but RSVP required. www.womengroundbreakers.com.
BACKPACKING BASICS - DeSoto State Park, 7104 Desoto Parkway NE, Fort Payne, Ala. Overnight camping trip to learn backpacking basics, how to pick and set up a campsite and eco-friendly etiquette, 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16. For ages 14 and older; youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $110 per person with all meals and equipment, $85 with meals and camper provides own equipment; $65 for instruction only. Register: 256-634-8370.
BOATING COURSE -Erwin Marina, 3001 Kings Point Road. Chattanooga Sail and Power Squadron leads course for sail and power boaters on leaving your boating comfort zone and cruising new water, covering planning, chartering, provisioning, navigation, anchoring and more, 7-9 p.m. today, March 13. Fee for eight-week course is $55 squadron members, $70 all others. 423-785-6756.
CHATTANOOGA ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER - 400 Garden Road. All events require registration: 423-821-1160.
-- Saturday, March 15: Birds of prey identification class, 11 a.m.; Tracking 101, 2:30 p.m.
-- Saturday, March 15: Winter garden lecture by Tom Cox, nationally known conifer expert, 2 p.m.
-- Saturday, March 22: Learn about opossums, 11 a.m.; Wildlife Wanderland tour, 2:30 p.m.
-- Saturday, March 22: Fairy house build, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $10 per member family, $15 nonmember family.
CHEROKEE CULTURE SEMINARS - Dalton State College, 650 College Drive, Dalton, Ga. Cherokee educator Diamond Go-Sti leads two free seminars on Cherokee life and culture, today, March 13. The first at 10:30 a.m. focuses on Cherokee myth cycles and oral tradition. The second at 2 p.m. covers symbolism of artifacts and their relationship to Cherokee life and belief. 706-272-4452.
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, have photo made for small charge, 6-8 p.m. March 21. $10 for dads, free for daughters. 423-892-4270.
DAYTON WOMEN'S EXPO - Holiday Inn Express Rhea County, 2650 Rhea County Highway, Dayton, Tenn. Free Girls Day Out with shopping, free samples, door prizes, raffles, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 15. First 25 women get swag bag. 615-412-9909.
ENTREPRENEUR POWER LUNCHEON - Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Urban League of Chattanooga presents entrepreneur Lisa Price, founder of Carol's Daughter bath and beauty products, 11:30 a.m. March 26. Individual tickets $50; sponsor packages sold online at www.ulchatt.net. 423-756-1762.
EXPO CHATTANOOGA - Chattanooga Convention Center, 1100 Carter St. Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce hosts showcase of local products and services, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Free. 423-756-2121.
FAIS DO DO - St. Elmo United Methodist Church, 4626 St. Elmo Ave. Cajun food, zydeco music and dancing at party to benefit Chattanooga CARES, 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Free but donations accepted for Strides of March. 423-265-2273.
FOTO AT THE FALLS -Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain. Photography tours of the cave and underground waterfall includes extended session in Falls Room, 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, March 15. $24.95. Reservations: 423-821-2544.
GEM AND MINERAL SHOW - The Forum, 301 Tribune St., Rome, Ga. Free show offering minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry and crystals for sale, free mineral and fossil identification and door prizes, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 14-15; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, March 16. 687-488-9560.
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 15: Snow Falls, strenuous 11 miles, meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy, 9 a.m.
-- Tuesday, March 18: Stringer's Ridge, easy-to-moderate 4 miles, meet at Red Bank Bi-Lo parking lot, 9 a.m.
-- Saturday, March 22: Prentice Cooper at Mullins Cove Loop, strenuous 10 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, exercise equipment and more. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 19-22; 1-4 p.m. March 23. www.jocksale.com/chattanooga. March 15-19: Drop-off days, 2-6 p.m. March 15-16; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. March 17-19.
LIVE AT DEBARGE WINERY - DeBarge Vineyards and Winery, 1617 Rossville Ave. Bluegrass music and wine sampling, with special offers on purchases of wine, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Free admission. 423-710-8426.
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET - Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Open 3-5 p.m. Thursdays. 423-238-9775.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA - St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Road. Beginners Boot Camp on "Camera Modes: P Doesn't Mean Professional" at 6 p.m. March 20; photographer Colby McLemore gives presentation on night photography at 7 p.m. Both sessions free. 423-344-5643.
POLITICAL PUNDITS' TALK - Berry College, Cage Athletic and Recreation Center, Rome, Ga. James Carville and Mary Matalin speak on "All's Fair: Love, War and Politics" as part of Shatto Lecture Series, 8 p.m. March 20. Free, but registration required due to limited seating. Call 706-236-2226 or pick up tickets between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday in Room 306 of Hermann Hall.
RUBY FALLS LANTERN TOURS - Ruby Falls, 1720 South Scenic Highway. Ride the 260-foot elevator down into Lookout Mountain and experience the cavern tour in a new light, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays to 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. March 20. $12. 423-413-8978.
SPRING BREAK SAFARI - Chattanooga attractions. Special programming for kids when families visit during spring break, March 15-April 20 (dates vary by location). Attractions include Bluff View Art District, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga Zoo, Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum of American Art, Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, Southern Belle riverboat, Tennessee Aquarium and its Imax Theater and River Gorge Explorer, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. www.chattanooga fun.com/spring.
STORYTELLING - The Camp House, 1427 Williams St. Another Story Live storytelling session with "Surprise" theme, plus music by Southside Union, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Audience members can put names in for random drawing to tell their own five-minute story. $2. 423-619-3528.
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM KEEPER KIDS - Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Children ages 6 and up may choose two of 16 different activities offered each day; each lasts 15-20 minutes. Free to $25. 10:30 a.m. -4 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 17-21. www.tnaqua.org
WHISKEY TASTING - Easy Bistro, 203 Broad St. Join Jason Eskind from Capital Distilling and four female mixologists to sample Cumberland Cask Whiskey and four signature cocktails created for the event, 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 20. $20 ticket includes four cocktails and bar snacks. 423-266-1121.
WILLIAMS ISLAND KIDS ADVENTURE CRUISE - River Gorge Explorer, 1 Broad St. Ninety-minute cruises around historic island includes scavenger hunts, animal guest and educational materials for children and adults. Tickets $20 per person age 3 and older, $18 under age 3. 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday, March 22. 423-262-0695.
WINE TASTING - Back Inn Cafe, 412 E. Second St. Michael Vasta leads guests in Cabernet Sauvignon wine tastings, paired with food by Back Inn's chef, 6:30 p.m. March 20. $37. 423-265-5033.
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, 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 20. Door prizes awarded, plus 10 percent discount on pet store's merchandise. 423-305-6500.
DANCE
USA BALLROOM - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 305 W. Seventh St. Dance, 7-11 p.m. Friday, March 14. $5 first-time guests, $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 423-645-4888.