The Jewish Federation will host its First Amendment Dinner with a presentation by David L. Hudson Jr. of the First Amendment Center on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace.
To honor veterans for their service to the United States, the dinner is free for veterans and $10 for non-veterans who RSVP by today. After today, the cost for dinner is $12.
Mr. Hudson writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications devoted to First Amendment issues. He is the author or co-author of 20 books, including several on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution and student rights.
He is a First Amendment contributing editor for the American Bar Association’s Preview of United States Supreme Court Cases. He teaches First Amendment classes at Nashville School of Law and Vanderbilt University Law School.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 493-0270.
Watkins family plays Friday
The Share America Foundation will host the Watkins Family and harmonica player Otis Head on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 in Ringgold, Ga.
The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $5 for ages 6 and up.
For more information, visit www.shareamericafoundation.org.
Trail of Tears group meets
The next meeting of the Georgia chapter of the Trail of Tears Association will be Saturday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association Center near Helen, Ga.
Dr. Jack T. Wynn, retired U. S. Forest Service archaeologist and part-time professor of anthropology at North Georgia College and State University, will be the speaker. His topic will be the Unicoi Turnpike trade route. Most of this turnpike is extensively researched and marked in Tennessee, something that Dr. Wynn has been attempting to accomplish in Georgia.
The meetings are free and open to the public. Guests are not required to have American Indian ancestry to attend. For more information, log onto www.gatrailoftears.org.
Consignment sale planned
The Grown Zone, a new adult consignment sale in Northwest Georgia, is preparing for its first sale July 15-18.
Owners of The Kids Zone consignment sale said the Grown Zone is a response to customer requests for a sale of adult clothing.
The sale will be held in the back side of Gateway Mall, 4031 Cloud Springs Road. Doors will open at 10 a.m. each day, except Sunday when hours will be noon to 4 p.m.
Civil War animals are talk topic
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to join historian Richard Manion today for a driving tour of Chickamauga Battlefield. Mr. Manion will discuss the roles of the mounted service during the Civil War.
The two-hour program will begin at 10 a.m. at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center.
At the Battle of Chickamauga, Van Pelt’s Battery suffered significant animal loss; only one horse survived from that battery. This story and many others will be told during the tour.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water.
For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 706- 866-9241.
Culture Shock July 10 at pavilion
Culture Shock 2010 will bring top names in the Christian hip-hop music industry to First Tennessee Pavilion on July 10. Preshow activities start at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Hosted by recording artist T-Ran and Magic, the show will feature Canton Jones, Da Truth, T-Ran, Pettidee, KAS, Senetra, Weaver, Big City, DJ Will, Ternae, Fifty Five, Radical Praise and Da Chosen.
Tickets are $15 at the door.
For more information, call 476-4632.
Writers Guild meets July 13
The Chattanooga Writers Guild will meet Tuesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. in Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library. The meeting is free and open to any interested writer.
A panel of writers from various genres will be featured in “Getting a Jumpstart on Your Creativity: What Published Writers Do.” Panelists will be Clay Bennett, Becky Wooley, Dr. Robert Spalding and Cody Maxwell.
They will discuss how they were published, what type of work they create, how they promote their work, and tips on what keeps them motivated and on task. Questions from the audience will be taken after the presentation.
Driver safety program offered
An AARP driver safety program is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. at Memorial Home Health Service, 6227 Lee Highway.
Drivers who complete the course are often eligible for vehicle insurance discounts. There is a nominal charge for materials.
Call 495-2273 to register.
Rotary clubs’ benefit set
Area Rotary Clubs, in partnership with the Chattanooga Lookouts, are sponsoring “Pack the Park for Polio” at AT&T Field on Monday, Aug. 2.
The Chattanooga Lookouts will host the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. Bobby Davis, newly installed Rotary district governor, will throw out the first pitch at 7:15 p.m., and a Rotarian from the downtown Rotary Club will sing the national anthem.
All proceeds from advance sales of $4 tickets purchased from Rotary club members will benefit Rotary’s Polio Plus program.
Children under 12 will receive a free hot dog and soft drink as part of the Lookouts promotion that night.
To purchase tickets, contact Dave Sergeant at 320-0384.
Talent show auditions July 10
Auditions are Saturday, July 10, for the Marcella Center for the Arts and Education’s talent show. The talent show is July 17 at 6 p.m.
Auditions will be held by appointment at the center, 117 Washington Road in Sweetwater, Tenn. For directions or to make an appointment, call 423-337-0075 or 337-4298.
Leave your name, day phone number and message and the call will be returned.
HES rolls back adoption fees
In observance of its 100th anniversary, the Humane Educational Society is sponsoring its 1910 Adoption Special. The price of a pet adoption has been rolled back to $19.10.
All dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are available during July for that discount price.
Bluegrass Friday in Spring City
One of the most exciting new bands in the national bluegrass scene, NewFound Road, will perform at the Tennessee Valley Theatre in Spring City on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10.
The band, featuring Spring City native Josh Miller, presents contemporary bluegrass.
Call 423-365-PLAY for reservations.
Urban kayak trip Thursday
Outdoor Chattanooga and Rock/Creek will partner to host an urban kayak trip on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.
Participants will paddle from the Sterchi farm on South Chickamauga Creek to downtown Chattanooga via the Tennessee River.
Cost is $35, which includes all equipment, guides and transportation to the put-in. Ages 14 and older may participate if accompanied by an adult.
Reservations are required. To reserve a spot, register online www.edgereg.com/registration/event/139 or call 643-6889.
Firefighters fill boot for MDA
Firefighters from the Catoosa County Fire Department are teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Friday and July 10 to “fill the boot.”
Firefighters will be at the intersections of Highways 41 and 151, and also Boynton Drive at Three Notch Road. Collection hours will be 2-6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Proceeds will aid local children and adults with neuromuscular diseases.
Bike the Bend on Thursday
Outdoor Chattanooga will partner with Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for a free bicycle tour of historic and scenic Moccasin Bend on Thursday. The ride will depart at 6 p.m. from Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park.
National Park Service interpretive rangers will discuss the natural and human history of Moccasin Bend, as well as its future as a National Park.
Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet. Youth ages 14 and older may participate if accompanied by an adult.
Preregistration is required; the ride is limited to 20 people. E-mail ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com or call 643-6889. Limit 20 participants.
Waterfront triathlon July 11
The Chattanooga Track Club, Team Magic and Outdoor Chattanooga will host the annual Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon on Sunday, July 11, at 7 a.m. along Ross’s Landing. Athletes from all over the U.S. will swim 1.5K, bike 42K and run 10K in this USA Triathlon Regional qualifier.
The event is free and open to spectators.
‘Ales for Trails’ scheduled July 10
SORBA-Chattanooga will host an Ales for Trails fundraiser on Saturday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park.
Tickets are $30 in advance, and proceeds will fund the expansion of the Raccoon Mountain trail system.
For more information, e-mail membership@sorbachattanooga.org or call 802-2393.
Wilderness trip set July 10-11
Tennessee Wild is offering a guided overnight backpack trip in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness on July 10-11.
The 12-mile hike will explore a little-visited area in the Cherokee National Forest just south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Participants will have opportunities to swim in Calderwood Lake, visit a 30-foot-high cascade, and camp.
Preregistration is required. To register, e-mail Jeff@safc.org or call hike leader Jeffrey Hunter at 322-7866.
ReStore sets extended hours
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s ReStore is extending store hours at its location at 1201 E. Main.
ReStore will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, call 634-1004.