LEISURE
BLOOD DRIVE – Blood Assurance locations. Chattanooga Fire Department and Chattanooga Police Department hosting blood drives by first responders, and open to all donors, in advance of holiday weekend, when trauma accidents typically rise and blood donations are historically low, Nov. 23. www.bloodassurance.org, 1-800-962-0628.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON STATE PARK – 5801 Champion Road. 423-322-5160.
* Nov. 25: Turkey Walk, 8-11 a.m., 1.5-mile hike suitable for all ages; wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
* Nov. 25: After Thanksgiving Hike, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., ranger-led, easy, 2- to 3-mile hike with short programs at different locations around the park; wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.
BOOMERS, SHAKERS AND BEYOND – Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road. Program on “Understanding My Social Security” by experts from Social Security Administration, 1 p.m. Nov. 17. Series is community enrichment program for adults 50 and older. Free. Register at ChristChurchChatt.org.
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 nightly. $15.95 adults, $10 ages 12 and younger. 423-821-7125.
CHATTANOOGA STRONG DAY – Camp Jordan, 323 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge. Nonprofit after-school program The Factory hosts family day with face painting, cornhole, disc golf, flag football, inflatables, apple bobbing, music and classic car show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 19. Free admission; $10 charge to compete in obstacle super course, 3-on-3 soccer tournament, 6-on-6 volleyball tournament or 7-on-7 flag football game. www.thefactoryateastridge.com.
CIVIL WAR HISTORY – Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. David Scott presents program on “Barry’s Battery: The Lookout Mountain Artillery,” based on a book by the late Raymond Evans, with additional research by Scott, 10 a.m. Nov. 19. The Confederate battery of light artillery had 113 men recruited by Robert L. Barry, John A. Armstrong and Richard L. Watkins in early 1862. Free. 423-779-6917.
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. 706-657-4050.
* Nov. 19: Hayrides & More, noon-6 p.m. (last hayride leaves at 5 p.m.) .$6 adults, $3 children, $5 parking. Hayrides and family activities.
* Nov. 19: Rock Talk and Stroll, 10:30 a.m. to noon, $5 parking, mile-long hike to learn park’s geology.
* Nov. 19: Awesome Opossums, 4-4:30 p.m., $5 parking, meet the Interpretive Center’s live possums and learn about them with park naturalist.
* Nov. 19 and Nov. 21: Sunset stroll to Sunset Point, 5 p.m., $5 parking, meet at West Rim Access parking lot.
* Nov. 20: Go Fish! 9 a.m.-noon, $3 per person plus $5 parking, all ages welcome to fish in state park’s pond; fishing poles, bait and short lessons available from naturalist.
* Nov. 21: Beyond the Canyons hike, 1:30-4:30 p.m., $10 individual or $20 family plus $5 parking. Meet at Interpretive Center for 4-mile hike in lesser-known areas of state park; wear closed-toe shoes and dress for weather. Register: 706-657-4050.
COLUMBUS SHIPS – Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga Pier, 100 Riverfront Parkway. Take a self-guided tour of the “Nina” and “Pinta,” historically accurate replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Nov. 28 (closed Thanksgiving Day). $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children 5-16. www.chattanoogafun.com/events/5069/See-The-Columbus-Ships-Nina-Pinta.
DESOTO STATE PARK – 7104 DeSoto Parkway, Fort Payne, Ala. 256-997-5025. Yoga on the Mountain, 8-9 a.m. CST Nov. 19. $5. Bring mat. Registration not required. 256-634-8370.
DINNER OF FIRSTS – The Chattanoogan, 1201 Broad St. Chattanooga State Community College’s annual roast and toast to raise scholarship funds honors Edna Varner, 7 p.m. Nov. 17. $150. 423-697-3359.
FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK – 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, Tenn. 1-800-250-8610. Turkey Pen Trot, 2-mile hike on Turkey Pen Ridge trail to the Fall Creek Falls overlook, 9 a.m. CST Nov. 25. Meet at camper check-in station. Wear clothing layers appropriate for forecast; bring drinking water.
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, Nov. 19: North Chickamauga Creek to Stevens Branch campsite and back, strenuous 9 miles. Meet at Walmart parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
* Tuesday, Nov. 22: Heiss Mountain to Big Possum Creek bridge and back, moderate 3 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 9 a.m.
* Saturday, Nov. 26: Cloudland Canyon west rim, moderate 6 miles. $5 parking fee. Meet in Red Bank Food City parking lot at 9 a.m.
HOLIDAY COOKING CLASS – Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4829 College Drive East. Festive Feasting Holiday Specials cooking class includes vegetarian cooking demos, Taste ‘n’ See samples, door prizes, recipe packets and “Shop Until You Drop on Happy Feet” health talk, 6-8 p.m. Nov. 14. $5. To register: 423-430-9695.
HOLIDAY MARKET – Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Merchants and vendors with live music, crepes from Adelle’s Creperie and lunch options from Petunia’s Jalapeno Food Truck, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 26. 423-661-3185.
HOPE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES – Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, 400 Garden Road. 423-821-1160. Travel to several locations to meet endangered animals and learn what local experts are doing to help them, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 19. Children must be at least 6 years old and accompanied by parent to attend. $5 adults, free for children of Reflection Riding and Tennessee Aquarium members; $10 and $7 nonmembers.
HUNGRY TURKEY RUN – Coolidge Park, 200 River St. Half-marathon, 5K and Kids Dash to benefit Chattanooga Sports Ministries, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 26. $36.99 plus fees for 5K, $59.99 plus fees for half-marathon. 224-757-5425.
NEIGHBORHOOD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT – Highland Park Commons, 2000 Union Ave. Teams of boys and girls ages 8-14 residing in neighborhoods from Highland Park to Hixson compete, 6-9 p.m. Nov 18; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 19. $150 for team of 10. Benefits Chattanooga Sports Ministries soccer program. www.chattsportsministries.org.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA – St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. Nature photographer Bill Lea speaks on “How To Improve Your Photography: Image Critiques,” 7 p.m. Nov. 17. 423-344-5643.
SLEEP IN THE DEEP – Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. Bring a sleeping bag for family sleepover at the aquarium; includes after-hours experiences, Imax film, pizza dinner and light breakfast, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 to 8:30 a.m. Nov. 21. Children must be age 6 or older and accompanied by adult. $65 members, $80 nonmembers. www.tnaqua.org.
SPEAKEASY SOIREE – Read House, 827 Broad St. Casino games, cash bar and food at fundraiser for Ballet Tennessee, 6:45-10:30 p.m. Nov. 19. $80. 423-821-2055.
UNITED WE DANCE – Bethlehem Center gymnasium, 200 W. 38th St. Dance instructors teach variety of dances to unite ages and cultures. Donation of $5 or more benefits students in Bethlehem Center’s Read to Lead and a new ballet program in partnership with Ballet Tennessee. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29. 423-266-1384.
FARMERS MARKETS
CHATTANOOGA MARKET – First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Carter St. Final outdoor event of the season is a Thanksgiving Market, featuring local meats, cheeses, breads, produce and homemade/home-grown foods for family gatherings, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 20. After a one-week break, the Holiday Market moves to Chattanooga Convention Center the first three Saturdays and Sundays in December. 423-402-9958. www.ChattanoogaMarket.com.
OOLTEWAH FARMERS MARKET – Ooltewah Nursery & Landscape Co., 5829 Main St. Open 3-6 p.m. Thursdays. 423-238-9775.
RED BANK FARMERS MARKET – Red Bank United Methodist Church front lawn, 3800 Dayton Blvd. Open 4-7 p.m. Mondays. 423-838-9804.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
BOOK SIGNING – McMinn Senior Activity Center, 205 McMinn Ave., Athens, Tenn. Burkett Witt will sign the biography “Burkett: A Man of Positive Tenacity,” written by Richard Patterson, noon-3 p.m. Nov. 18; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 19. 432-745-6830.
BOOK SIGNING – Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Dr. Lawrence Krumemaker signs “Walking the Line: Rediscovering and Touring the Civil War Defenses on Modern Atlanta’s Landscapes,” 10 a.m-4 p.m. Nov. 26. 706-866-9287.
FAMILY TIME
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1001 Broad St. (main library) and 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.
* Nov. 21: Signing story time for ages up to 5 and parent, 10:30-11 a.m., Eastgate branch, learn sign language through songs and stories.
* Nov. 22: Adult chess club, 6-8 p.m., downtown branch’s Shush Cafe.
DALTON-WHITFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY – 310 Cappes St., Dalton, Ga. 706-876-1360.
* Nov. 22: Story hour, 11 a.m.
* Nov. 22: Lunch and Learn about healthy relationships from the Family Crisis Center, noon, ages 18 and older.
* Nov 28: Young Adult STEM: Learning Blade, 5:30 p.m., for teens in grades 6-12.
* Nov. 28: Girls Who Code, 5 p.m.
DANCES
LUNG FORCE RESEARCH GALA – Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. American Lung Association fundraiser with cocktails, vendors, silent auction and music by Willie Kitchens Jr. and His Band, 6:30 p.m. Nov.19. $150. https://alamid.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2016LUNGFORCEGalaChattanooga/tabid/785212/Default.aspx.