Chattanooga Red Wolves soccer club opens its home season on Saturday, April 6, at 7 p.m. with a game against Forward Madison at Chattanooga Christian School, 3354 Charger Drive. Tickets start at $10. Shown is Red Wolves forward Jose Sito Seoane. For more information: www.chattredwolves.com.LEIRSURE
ALLEY HOUR – Cooper’s Alley, 10 E. Seventh St. New spin on happy hour presented by River City Co. with music by Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers, drink and appetizer specials at nearby businesses Burns Tobacconist, Chattanooga Billiard Club and Cadence Coffee Co. Chattanooga Public Library will have heat press in the alley to press your own koozie. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4. www.facebook.com/events/2244439585812478
ASTRONOMY – UTC Jones Observatory, 10 S. Tuxedo Ave. off Brainerd Road. Gates open 6:30 p.m., lecture and planetarium show on “The Ninth Planet – Have They Found It Yet?” at 7 p.m., telescope viewing until 9 p.m. Featured constellation is the Summer Triangle. Sunday, April 7. 423-425-4518.
CAR INSPECTIONS – Samaritan Center parking lot, 9231 Lee Highway. Student and staff auto technicians from Southern Adventist University give free inspections using professional diagnostic scanners for foreign and domestic cars. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 7. www.thesamaritancenter.net
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – 57 E. Fifth St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery. Adults $17.95 plus tax, ages 12 and under $11 plus tax. Tours 8:30 p.m. Friday or Saturday nights by appointment. 423-800-5998.
CIVIL WAR PROGRAM – Chickamauga Battlefield, Visitor Center, 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. “Fire Eaters and Radicals” is 90-minute tour focusing on some of the more extreme soldiers associated with the Battle of Chickamauga. Wear comfortable walking shoes. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-752-5213.
EASTER BUNNY PET PHOTOS – Hamilton Place, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd. Bring your leashed pet for free pictures with the bunny; owner must clean up after pet. 6- 9 p.m. Mondays, April 8 and 15. 423-894-7177.
EASTER BUNNY ARRIVAL – Northgate Mall, Highway 153. The Easter Bunny accompanied by Chattanooga Police Department officers will hold coloring party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. www.VisitNorthgateMall.com
GEAR SWAP – The Gear Closet, 1510 Riverside Drive, parking lot between the Gear Closet and Brew Market and Beer Garden. Buy, sell or trade outdoor gear at free swap meet; Rock/Creek and Elevated Climbing will bring returned items to sell at discounted prices. Vendor spaces are $20. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. www.mywaterways.eventbrite.com.
HARRISON BAY STATE PARK – 8411 Harrison Bay Road. Meet at playground parking lot for star party with members of Barnard Astronomical Society. Free. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 615-306-0611
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR – Chattanooga State Community College, Health Science Center, 4501 Amnicola Highway. Chattanooga State Community Health Institute hosts free event with exhibits, screenings, information on health careers, dental screenings, drug takeback program. Mammograms available by appointment; register by calling 423-495-4040. 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Friday, April 12.
HIKES, TENNESSEE – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. For more information: 423-332-6517 or 423-240-3443.
» Saturday, April 6: Heiss Mountain Road trailhead to Retro Hughes Road trailhead, moderately strenuous 9.7 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy-Daisy at 8:30 am. Vehicle staging required.
» Tuesday, April 9: Shakerag Hollow loop on Monteagle, easy-to-moderate 4.5 miles with one short climb through rocks. Time TBA.
» Saturday, April 13: Frozen Head State Park, Spicewood Branch trail, moderately strenuous 7.2 miles. Meet at Durham Street parking lot in Soddy Daisy at 8:30 a.m.
HUG-A-BUNNY DAY – Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Egg hunt, animal enrichment activities, photos with costumed characters, zookeeper chats, Bunny Zone with children’s activities. Event included in zoo admission of $10.95 adults, $8.95 ages 65 and older, $7.95 children; Bunny Zone additional $5 if purchased online in advance, day of event Bunny Zone is $6 zoo members, $7 nonmembers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 19-20. www.chattzoo.org
REFLECTION RIDING ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER- 400 Garden Road. Hours of operation 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Closed Mondays. Admission $10 adults, $7 ages 4-11 and ages 65 and older. All events require registration: 423-821-1160.
» Saturday, April 13: Forest therapy walk, 10 a.m.-noon, guided walk to slow down and learn to be more in the moment.
TRAIN RIDES, CHATTANOOGA – Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028. Check website for designated weekend train rides such as Chickamauga Turn, Dinner on the Diner and Hiwassee River Rail Adventure. www.tvrail.com.
» Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12. April schedule: Trains depart every Saturday and Sunday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15, 2:25 and 3:35 p.m. Trains also depart Monday through Friday at 10:40 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Closed on Easter Sunday.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
AUTHOR TALK – Star Line Books, 1467 Market St. Nashville-based science writer Stephen Ornes joins Chatt About Science to discuss his new book “Math Art: Truth, Beauty and Equations.” 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4. 423-509-8445.
SOUTHBOUND LECTURE SERIES – Star Line Books, 1467 Market St. Southern Lit Alliance hosts Beth Ann Fennelly as part of the SouthBound Lecture Series and Chattanooga State’s Writers at Work program for a book discussion and signing of “Heating and Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs.” She has published three collections of poetry, and co-wrote “The Titled World” with husband Tom Franklin. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10. 423-777-4221.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR – Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., 11 a.m. Saturday, storytime. 423-893-0186.
» Saturday, April 6: Educators Appreciation Weekend, 10 a.m. to closing, teachers receive 25 percent off most books, toys, games, movies and music.
» Saturday, April 13: Local authors signing books, noon, percentage of purchases will be donated to Hamilton County librarians.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Wednesday. $14.95 adults and children. 423-756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
» Current exhibit: “Native Voices”
» Thursday, April 11: Pinwheels for Prevention community safety program, 5:30-8 p.m. Performances by Kids on the Block puppets at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m.
» Thursday, April 11: Free family night, 5:30-8 p.m., sponsored by Publix Charities and TVA.
ROSSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY – 504 McFarland Ave., Rossville, Ga. Ready to Read story hour, crafts and songs for preschoolers. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. 706-866-1368.
DANCES
BALLROOM – Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. $10 per person. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. 423-771-3646.
CONTRA DANCE – Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. Chattanooga Traditional Dance Society hosts dance. $10 individuals, $7 senior adults, $5 students. 7:30 contra lesson, 8-11 p.m. dance. Saturday, April 13. 423-629-0333.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE – Heritage House at Heritage Park, 1428 Jenkins Road. Free introductory class for new dancers that teaches fundamental moves, then several dances from the historical repertoire. Bring soft-sole shoes (sneakers or flats) for dancing. No experience or partner needed. 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. 423-855-9474
SHAG, BOP, SWING, JITTERBUG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. $5 members, $7 guests. 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. www.choochooshagclub.com.
USA DANCE – Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. Learn the hustle from Nelson Rodriguez at 7:30 p.m. followed by dancing from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. USA Dance members and first-time guests $5, nonmembers $10. www.chattanoogausadance.com