Leisure
ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Cheerleading and dance championships, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 16-17. Spectators $20 ages 13-64 or $35 for two-day pass; $15 children ages 6-12, senior adults ages 65 and older and military personnel, $25 two-day pass; free for children ages 5 and younger. Only cash accepted for entry. athleticchampionships.varsity.com/Events/Platinum-Chattanooga.
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, 8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays by reservation. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.
ELDER SCHOLARS – Signal Mountain Room, UTC University Center, Vine Street. Shane Berryhill from Area Agency on Aging speaks on “Medicare Comparisons – A Head Start on Making Good Decisions for 2017,” 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12. Free; open to anyone over 55. Park in Lot 7 at Douglas and East Fifth Street or in Fifth Street Parking Garage. http://blog.utc.edu/elder-scholars.
ETSY SUCCESS WORKSHOP – Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Interactive, 2.5-hour workshop on how to start your own Etsy shop, noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. Topics cover naming your shop to product photography and understanding how items are found in a search. Must bring a laptop or tablet, know how to access the Internet and use a computer keyboard to type. Free, but preregistration required since class limited to 20. http://chattlibrary.org/events/etsy-success-workshop.
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, Jan. 9: Savage Gulf South Rim, strenuous 11 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
* Tuesday, Jan. 12: Enterprise South, moderate 6 miles. Meet in Highway 153 Target parking lot at 9 a.m.
* Saturday, Jan. 16: Prentice Cooper Mullins Cove Loop, strenuous 12 miles. Meet in Red Bank Food City parking at 9 a.m.
ICE ON THE LANDING – Ross’s Landing at Chattanooga Green. Outdoor ice-skating rink, through Jan. 18. $10 adults, $8 children 12 and under. Ticket includes skates rental and skating for two hours. www.ice onthelanding.com.
* Today, Jan. 7: Family Night, 5-9 p.m. Child skates free with paid adult.
* Saturday, Jan. 9: Skate with Tennessee Aquarium’s penguin mascots, 6-8 p.m.
INTRO TO KAYAKING – Southern Adventist University, Hulsey Wellness Center indoor pool, Collegedale. Outdoor Chattanooga program offers instruction on whitewater kayaking for ages 8 and up, Tuesdays, Jan. 12 and 19. Two sessions offered: 6-7 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. Equipment provided in $125 fee. www.outdoorchattanooga.com.
LEARN TO RIDE A BICYCLE – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Certified instructors teach free class on how to ride or refresh your skills, 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11. Topics include how gears and brakes work, bike maintenance, helmet fit, road rules, hand signaling. Everyone must wear a helmet. Registration required: 423-643-6888.
SANDHILL CRANE CRUISES – Sale Creek Marina, 3900 Lee Pike. Tennessee Aquarium hosts two-hour viewing cruises during peak of sandhill crane migration, Jan. 8-10 and Jan. 15-18. River Gorge Explorer is fully accessible to people of all abilities; marina boarding ramp is not wheelchair accessible. Two cruise departure times: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. $35 aquarium members, $45 nonmembers. Registration required: 423-267-3474.
TRAIN RIDES – Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com. Missionary Ridge Local is 6-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop, 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15 and 2:25 p.m. Saturdays. $17 adults, $11 ages 3-12.
WHISKEY TASTING – Back Inn Cafe, Bluff View Art District, 411 Second St. Inaugural whiskey-tasting event with culinary pairings, led by Michael Vasta, who will discuss distillation methods, regional flavors and distinct profiles, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14. $37. Limited seating. Advance registration required: 423-265-5033, ext. 4.
WINTER WORKSHOPS – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Eight-session series of workshops focusing on winter skills, 6 p.m. Thursdays through February. 423-643-6888.
* Jan. 14: Bicycle Maintenance 101. James Eubank leads free class on fixing a flat tire, quick ways to clean and lube your bike and how to tune your rear derailleur. No previous bike knowledge required, tools provided, bring your bike.
* Jan. 21: Planning a Winter Hike. Class led by Zach Bopp, with maps and trail suggestions. 423-643-6888.
Farmers Markets
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET – Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Open 3-5 p.m. Thursdays. 423-238-9775.
RED BANK FARMERS MARKET – Red Bank United Methodist Church, 3800 Dayton Blvd. Open 4:30-5:30 Mondays. 423-838-9804.
Books/Authors
SOUTH BOUND LECTURES – Two venues. Southern Lit Alliance hosts author Rick Bragg to kick off its South Bound Distinguished Lecture Series, Jan. 21. 423-267-1218.
* Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.: Happy hour with Bragg for VIP ticketholders at 4 p.m., book signing at 5 p.m., reading by Bragg at 6 p.m. General admission $50, student ticket $30, VIP ticket with happy hour and reserved seating $75.
* Easy Bistro, 203 Broad St.: Southern Lit Dinner with Bragg, 7:30 p.m. $150 for five-course dinner, drinks and hardback copy of “My Southern Journey.” 423-267-1218.
Children/Teens
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1001 Broad St. (main library) plus branches at Eastgate, Northgate and South Chattanooga. 423-757-5310, www.chattlibrary.org.
* Lego Clubs: Downtown branch, every Monday, 5-6 p.m., for ages 5-11, free; Northgate branch, first Saturday of each month, 2-3 p.m., for ages 3 and up, free. 757-5314.
* Toddler Time: Learning program for ages 18-36 months and parents/guardians, registration not required. Wednesdays: 10:30 a.m. Eastgate Library, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Northgate Library. Saturdays: 11 a.m., downtown branch.
* Sensory Storytime: Interactive program specifically for schoolchildren with special needs and their families/caregivers, 4:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays, downtown branch.
* Friday, Jan. 8: Sew What, 4 p.m., downtown, tweens and teens invited to participate in sewing project.
* Saturday, Jan. 9: Learn Robotics With Snap Circuits, 3 p.m., downtown, hands-on learning with electronic toys.
* Saturday, Jan. 16: Learn Robotics with Makey Makey circuitry device, 3 p.m. downtown.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. $12.95 adults and children.756-2738, www.cdmfun.org. Free Family Night, 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 14.
DALTON-WHITFIELD COUNTY, GA., PUBLIC LIBRARY – 310 Cappes St., Dalton, Ga. Story time, 11 a.m. Tuesdays. 706-876-1360.
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. Saturdays. 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.
SHAG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. Dance with members of Choo Choo Shag Club, 7 p.m. Thursdays. $5 members, $7 guests, free to first-time guests. gdelett@epbfi.com.
SINGLES DANCE – First-Centenary United Methodist Church, Mohney Hall, 399 McCallie Ave. Winter Wonderland dance sponsored by Positive Christian Singles, 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. $8; bring snack to share. 423-756-2021.
USA BALLROOM – Brainerd United Methodist Church gymnasium, 4315 Brainerd Road. Dance, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8. Lesson at 7:30 p.m. $5 first-time guests and dancers under age 21, $6 members, $10 nonmembers. 423-645-4888.
VINTAGE SWING DANCE – ClearSpring Yoga, 17 N. Market St. Dance, 8:30-10 p.m. Mondays. Intermediate lesson at 7 p.m., beginner’s lesson 7:45 p.m. Wear nonmarking shoes; no high heels. $7 includes lesson, $5 students with ID. 931-982-1678.