LEISURE
BESSIE SMITH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION — Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd. A celebration to commemorate the life of “The Empress of the Blues,” along with a reception for artist-in-residence Aaron Henderson, 6 p.m. Thursday. Free. Contact: Carmen Davis, 266-8658.
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS — From Walnut Street Bridge (downtown end) to Read House. Several stops along the way for ghost stories and place histories, 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Regular tour is about 2 hours, shorter circle tour is about 1 hour. $13 adults, $8 children under 12. 821-7125. www.chattanoogaghosttours.com.
CHATTA-TOURS — Second and Broad streets near Chattanooga Visitors Center. New tours of city by van depart at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. $30 adults, $27 senior adults, $20 ages 8-12, must be age 8 to participate. Reservations: 596-0955.
CLEANUP DAY — Ferger Place neighborhood. Beautification effort in preparation for the centennial celebration of the historical neighborhood in May, from 10 a.m. “until we are worn out” Saturday. Contact: Tami Harrison, tami@lmpc.org.
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. 468-4500, www.DeltaQueenHotel.com.
* Guided tours: 4:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays starting at Forward Cabin Lounge. $8 adults, $4 children 12 and younger.
* Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament: Delta Queen Texas Lounge. Every Thursday, 7 p.m. Lessons, registration, 5-6:30.
EARTH DAYZ — Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain. Rock City and Orange Grove partner for a fun outdoor event featuring recycling projects, panning for gems and the Birds of Prey raptors show, 1-4 p.m., every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through April 24. $17.95 adults, $9.95 children (additional charges may apply for some events). 706-820-2531
FESTIVE FRIDAYS — The Office, 1401 E. Third St. Music, dancing, food and conversation for ages 21 and older, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Fridays. $5. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy@yahoo.com.
KENNEL CLUB — Golden Corral restaurant, 1808 Gunbarrel Road. Chattanooga Kennel Club meets 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Contact: Mary Menozi, 517-1453.
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 Grundy Forest State Natural Area parking lot to rid forest of invasive Chinese privet, 1 p.m. Tools provided; wear gloves, boots, work clothes.
n Saturday: Meet at Savage Gulf Ranger Station parking lot for moderate, 4-mile hike to Savage Falls, 10 a.m. Bring water and snacks. Wear sturdy shoes.
* Sunday: Meet at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for slide show on the Savage Falls/Stone Door area, 3 p.m.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST — Fox Cay Restaurant at Island Cove Marina, 6701 Highway 58 North. Fundraiser to send the Chattanooga Speeders, a power wheelchair soccer team, to the National Power Soccer Tournament in Indiana, 8-10 a.m. April 17. $5. Contact: Russell Crump, 899-7768, or Jill Kilgore, 488-4396.
RIVERCANE RENDEZVOUS — Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Road, LaFayette, Ga. Dozens of daily workshops featuring ancient skills and modern technology that regenerates the human/environment relationship, 9 a.m. April 18-25. $65 a day, includes two meals, workshops, materials, camping, entertainment. Register at primitiveskills.org. Contact: 866-787-2263 or fuz.sanderson@gmail.com.
SWAGGIN’ SATURDAYS — The Office, 1401 E. Third St. Food, drink, music, dancing, socializing for ages 21 and older, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturdays. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy08@yahoo.com.
THIRSTY THURSDAYS — Elks Lodge 4400, 1211 Dodds Ave. Socializing, music, dance, beer specials for ages 21 and up, 7 p.m.-midnight Thursdays. Free. Contact: K-Boogie, smiddy08@yahoo.com.
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.
CHATTANOOGA WRITERS GUILD — Downtown Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St. Meeting features “Forty Years of Writing” with author Tim Hollis, 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 648-2195. www.chattanoogawritersguild.org.
READ AROUND TENNESSEE — Winder Binder Gallery and Book Store, 40 Frazier Ave. Area authors read selections from their works, 2-4 p.m. April 17. Contact: Ray Zimmerman, znaturalist@yahoo.com or 315-0721.
ROCK POINT BOOKS — 401 Broad St. 756-2855, www.rockpointbooks.com.
* Multicultural Lit Book Club reading “You’re One of Them” by Uwem Akpan; meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday.
* Classic Lit Book Club reading “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin; meeting 6 p.m. April 90.
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.
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR — Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. 11 a.m. Wednesdays.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM — 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $9.95 children and adults. 756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
* “Good for You: Healthy Fun on the Run,” an exhibit to teach about healthy lifestyles and fight childhood obesity, through May 16.
* Bug Prints with artist Jas Milam, today; Bug Day stories with Barry Stewart Mann, Saturday.
* Birdhouse workshop: Build and decorate a birdhouse. Make special treats for feathered friends, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
* PopTots CSO Wind Quartet: Music program for toddlers and adults, April 17.
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.
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, 1-3 p.m. April 18. Also: OCC dog/handler teams present demonstrations. Classes begin April 19. Contact: Carol Wetzel, 517-1448, www.chattanoogaobedienceclub.org.