LEISURE
100 K TREE DAY – http://tectn.org/100ktreeday. Register by Sunday, Feb. 19, for annual statewide tree giveaway and planting event. Tennessee Environmental Council provides bare-root seedlings at no cost (donations welcome) to participants who agree to pick them up on Feb. 24 and plant them on Feb. 25. Pickup locations include Bledsoe, Bradley, Coffee, Cumberland, Grundy, Hamilton, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie counties.
AN EVENING OF HOPE – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. “Today” show correspondent Jenna Bush Hager keynotes fundraiser for On Point, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. $125. 423-899-9188, ext. 105, www.liveonpoint.org.
ARCHERY CLASS – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Free “Try Archery” class for ages 6 and older offers hands-on chance to learn about safety rules, equipment and procedures, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through March 8. No reservations or previous experience required. 423-643-6888, www.outdoorchattanooga.com.
ASTRONOMY – Jones Observatory, 10 Tuxedo Ave. Lecture and planetarium show at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, on “Stellar Nucleosynthesis – We Really Are Stardust.” Telescope viewing until 8 p.m.; featured constellation is Gemini. Free. 423-425-4518.
BIKE COMMUTING 101 – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Learn rules of the road, riding techniques and safety in free class for adults and youth ages 14 and older accompanied by an adult, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20. Registration required: 423-643-6888.
BREW FOR BUSTS – Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, Northgate Mall. Chattanooga Rollergirls partners with Old Chicago and Narragansett Beer in benefit for Rollergirl skater diagnosed with breast cancer, 6-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20. Includes $2 pints, silent auction. 423-877-3450.
CHATTIGRAS – The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Annual Mardi Gras party to raise funds for Chattanooga Catholic Schools and Chattanooga Deanery Operating Fund, 7 p.m. Feb. 25. $100. www.chattigras.com.
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – The Little Curiosity Shoppe, 138 Market St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday by appointment. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.
CIVIL WAR TALK – Chickamauga Battlefield, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Meet at Visitor Center at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, for car caravan, then short hike to Union Gen. William S. Rosecrans’ headquarters in Dyer Field for program on how Battle of Chickamauga changed the presidential hopes of Rosecrans and James A. Garfield. Wear supportive footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather; bring folding chair and water bottle. 706-866-9241.
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Hike from bottom of Sitton’s Gulch up 600 steps past Hemlock and Cherokee Falls, with 3-mile return hike downhill, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. $15 plus $5 parking. 706-657-4050.
CON NOOGA – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Pop culture and multiple genres celebrated with anime, artist and author displays, gaming films and workshops, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Feb. 24; 9:30 a.m.-midnight Feb. 25; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 26. Three-day badge $60 adults, add child’s three-day badge $15; family three-day pass for two adults, two children $120. 423-243-7165, www.connooga.com.
COOKING CLASSES – Dish T’Pass Cooking School at Chattanooga WorkSpace, 302 W. Sixth St. www.thechattery.org.
* Today, Feb. 16: Soups and Stews for Winter, 6-8 p.m., $35. Amanda Varnell teaches how to make gluten-free and dairy-free Butternut Bisque, Mediterranean Stew and White Bean Chili for participants to enjoy together at the end of class. $35.
* Saturday, Feb. 25: How To Make Gumbo From Scratch, 10 a.m.-noon., $35. Blackwell Smith teaches how to make the stock, roux and ultimately the gumbo of this New Orleans favorite dating from the 18th century.
* Tuesday, Feb. 28: Vegetable Fermentation, 6-7 p.m., $28. Fermdamentals.com’s Danielle Shelton teaches the art, science and history behind fermented vegetables, with samples of various ferments and a take-home jar for each participant.
* Thursday, March 2: Get Sauced! Bechamel, Bolognese and Marinara, 6-8 p.m., $35. Amanda Varnell teaches this from-scratch class on making the three classic sauces of Italian cooking.
CRABTREE FARMS – 1000 E. 30th St. 423-493-9155. Landscape architect Matt Whitaker teaches hands-on pruning workshop, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. $10 Crabtree Farm members, $15 nonmembers. 423-493-9155.
CREATING A SIDE HUSTLE: FIVERR – The Edney (fifth floor), 1100 Market St. Last in series of classes on finding ways to make extra cash beyond your primary income, taught by Dr. David Powers, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22. $15. www.thechattery.org.
DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE – Rhea Central Elementary School, 1005 Delaware Ave., Dayton, Tenn. Dance sponsored by Dayton Rotary Club, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 25. $15. 423-775-5633.
DAY OF GARDENING – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave. Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs Inc., District III, sponsors a dozen gardening topics from which to choose on Saturday, Feb. 25, with lunch. Register by Friday, Feb. 18, and ticket is $20; after that or at the door $25. Make check payable to TFGC District III, and mail to 279 Pine Hollow Road, Dayton, TN. 37321. Include email address no check for confirmation.
GARDENING CLASSES – UT Extension Office, 6183 Adamson Circle off Bonny Oaks Drive. Master Gardeners of Hamilton County offer free gardening classes to the public. Valuing Our Pollinators by Kristina Shaneyfelt starts series 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 18. All classes third Saturday of each month. www.mghc.org
GARDENING WORKSHOPS – Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Road. All workshops at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted. 423-886-3174
* Feb. 18: Pruning class, free. John Nessle, master arborist, gives advice on pruning trees and shrubs. Class limited to 30, call for reservations.
* Feb. 18: Living roof fairy house and garden, 2 p.m., $50 for house and miniature garden. Plant a mini succulent roofed house, a miniature garden or both.
* Feb. 25: Dividing perennials, free. Learn how and when to divide perennials.
GOVERNMENT CLASSES – Archway on Glass, 2523 Glass St. Series on different levels of government to encourage civic engagement. Remaining classes led by Teo Valdes, board member of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association and language teacher for La Paz Chattanoogan and Chattanooga School of Languages. Free but register at www.thechattery.org.
* Sunday, Feb. 19: Know Your Government: State of Tennessee Edition, 2-4 p.m.
* Sunday, Feb. 26: Know Your Government: Local Goverment (Chattanooga & Hamilton County), 2-4 p.m.
GUN AND KNIFE SHOW – Alhambra Shrine Temple, 1000 Alhambra Drive. Vendors, appraisers and security personnel on-site for weapons show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. $8 per day. 423-892-0222.
HIKES – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. 423-842-3619, george.r.bonneau@gmail.com.
* Saturday, Feb. 18: Chickamauga Battlefield, moderate 7 miles. Will be hiking with the Plateau Chapter from Crossville. Meet in Red Bank Food City parking lot at 10 a.m.
* Tuesday, Feb. 21: Black Mountain loop, moderate 3 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
* Saturday, Feb. 25: Flipper Bend, strenuous 8 miles. Meet at Wal-Mart parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
MARDI GRAS GALA – Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. Cajun food, cocktails, Dixieland jazz and crowning of Mardi Gras royalty at benefit for Chambliss Center for Children. 7-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. 423-468-1122. Individuals $70, couples $120.
MARDI GRAS GALA – Walden Club, 633 Chestnut St. Bach Choir hosts Bach to the Future Mardi Gras fundraiser with four-course dinner, music by Booker T. Scruggs, mask contest, door prizes, live auction; $100 per person. 5:30 p.m. warm-up party, 7 p.m. dinner Saturday, Feb. 25. www.chattanoogabachchoir.org.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEA – EPB, 10 W. M.L. King Blvd. Information meeting for mothers of girls from infants to age 18 interested in participating in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s scholarship fundraiser, Miss Rhomania Pageant, 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. 423-529-0758.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA – St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. Bill Fortney from Fujifilm Global speaks on “The Four Things a Great Photograph Must Have,” 7 p.m. today, Feb. 16. All participants receive code to download Fortney’s latest two eBooks for free. Boot camp at 6 p.m. on correct exposure vs. creative exposure. 423-344-5643.
POSSIBILITIES LUNCHEON – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Melissa Stockwell speaks on her journey from combat in Baghdad to the medals podium at Rio de Janeiro at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation fundraiser, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21. $75. Advance reservations required: 423-634-1208.
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER- 400 Garden Road. 423-821-1160.
* Saturday, Feb. 18: “Cuba, Its Plants and People,” 2 p.m., Hale and Susan Booth tell stories of rare plants and what it was like to be in Cuba on week of Fidel Castro’s funeral. Limited space; call for reservation.
* Saturday, Feb. 25: Wings To Soar raptor program, 1 p.m. Members: $5 adults, $2 children. Nonmembers: $15 and $12. Reservations encouraged.
SCENIC CITY WOMEN’S NETWORK – Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St. Ashley Baldwin, chief executive officer of Choices, is guest speaker at marketplace luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Feb. 23. $20 ticket or $15 for nonprofit employees. Reservation deadline is noon Tuesday, Feb. 21. 423-698-6262.
SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE PARK – 11745 Highway 41, Monteagle, Tenn. All times listed are Central. 931-924-2980
* Sunday, Feb. 19: Trail Run, 8 a.m., meet ranger at Stone Door parking lot for moderate 7-mile trail run past Great Stone Door and overlooks of Big Creek Rim trail. Wear trail shoes and bring water bottle. Runners must be able to keep a 12-minute-mile pace.
* Sunday, Feb. 26: Grundy Forest trail work, meet at Grundy Forest parking lot, 2 p.m., wear sturdy shoes, bring water.
TRAIN RIDES – Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 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. February schedule: Trains depart every Saturday-Sunday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15 and 2:25 p.m. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12.
WINTER WORKSHOP – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Learn how to answer nature’s call outdoors and best practices for waste disposal at How To Poop In the Woods. No reservation required; appropriate for all ages. 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
BOOK SIGNING – Lee University, Helen DeVos College of Education, Rose Lecture Hall, Cleveland, Tenn. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler gives free reading followed by reception and book signing, 7 p.m. Feb. 23. wwoolfitt@leeuniversity.edu.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1001 Broad St. (main library) and branches at Eastgate, Northgate and South Chattanooga. 423-757-5310, www.chattlibrary.org.
* Mondays and Wednesdays through March 1: Business Crash Course for Teens, 5:30 p.m., downtown branch, students from Southern Adventist University’s Enactus Club lead program on how to start your own business, and making a business plan.
* Saturday, Feb. 18: Etsy Success Workshop, noon-3 p.m., downtown branch, laptop or tablet required as well as general understanding of internet. Limited space, register online at http://chattlibrary.org/events/etsy-success-workshop-february-registration-required.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. $13.95. 423-756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
* “Kings, Queens and Castles, a family chess exhibit with interactive elements for children ages 3-11, through May 14.
* Saturday, Feb. 18: Preschool Adventure Day – B is for Bears, 10 a.m.-noon, multisensory event for children 18 months to 4 years and their caregivers, includes Teddy Bear Picnic, stringing buttons like Corduroy, playing in honey like Pooh and more.
DALTON-WHITFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY – 310 Cappes St., Dalton, Ga. 706-876-1360.
* Today, Feb. 16: Movie Night, 5 p.m., linguist tries to communicate with aliens who have suddenly arrived on earth.
* Friday, Feb. 17: YA Fandom Friday, 4:30 p.m., learn how to apply special-effect makeup while watching TV show “Supernatural.”
* Wednesday, Feb. 22: 3-D Printing , 5:30 p.m., print designs on Maker bot, learn practical uses for 3-D printers
* Thursday, Feb. 23: Pelicula Familiar, 4 p.m., Spanish language version of free family movie about a search for everyone’s favorite forgetful fish; free popcorn.
* Friday, Feb. 24: YA Coding Class, 4:30 p.m., teens led in hour of code using code.org.
KITS AND CUBS – Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. New one-hour program for ages 2-5 that encourages exploration of the natural world with crafts, storytelling, animal encounters, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through March. Weekly sessions $15 zoo members, $18 nonmembers, $5 each additional child for one adult-child pair. www.chattzoo.org/education/kits-and-cubs.
DANCES
BALLROOM – The Ballroom, 7001 Middle Valley Road. Learn ballroom dancing, Saturdays. Group class, 7:30 p.m., $5. Dancing, 8:30 p.m., $10. No partner required; casual dress. 423-394-6428.
BALLROOM – Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. Dance, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. $10. 423-771-3646.
RHYTHM BALLROOM – The Ballroom, 7001 Middle Valley Road. Learn fundamentals of rumba, cha cha, East Coast swing, 6 p.m. Mondays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Casual dress; no partner required. $5. www.theballroomathixson.com.
SATURDAYS AT THE SUITE – 2193 Park Drive, Suite 101. Nonstructured class using dance for health and wellness benefits, 10-11 a.m. Saturdays. $5; free mimosas. 423-316-5319.
SHAG, BOP, SWING, JITTERBUG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road. Dance, 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. $5 members, $7 guests. www.choochooshagclub.com.
SQUARE DANCING – 175 Emergency Road, Grandview, Tenn. Grandview Twirlers host square dances with caller Johnny Chambers, 7:30-10 p.m. Feb. 24. No partner required; casual dress. $5. 931-707-0766.
WEST COAST SWING DANCE – White Oak United Methodist Church, 2232 Lyndon Ave. Lesson by Paul Frey at 8 p.m., dancing 9-11 p.m. Feb. 25. $7 general admission, $5 students with ID. 931-982-1678.