LEISURE
ASTRONOMY – UTC Jones Observatory, 10 S. Tuxedo Ave. off Brainerd Road. Gates open 6:30 p.m., lecture and planetarium show at 7 p.m. on “The Ninth Planet – Have They Found It Yet?” telescope viewing until 9 p.m. Featured constellation is the Summer Triangle. Sunday, April 14. 423-425-4518.
BATTLE BELOW THE CLOUDS – Ruby Falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain. Amateur barbecue competition to benefit Lana’s Love with live music, prizes and giveaways. Saturday, April 13. Cook-off begins 6 a.m., winners announced at 4:30 p.m., music 11 a.m.-4 p.m., children’s activities at 2 p.m. Cook-off free for spectators; tickets for Ruby Falls waterfall tour $21.95 adults, $12.95 children. www.rubyfalls.com.
CHALLENGE AIR FLY DAY – Wilson Air hangar 13, 932 Jubilee Drive. Choo Choo Senior Squadron and other local pilots will volunteer their time and planes for short flights for children with special needs. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13. www.GoCivil AirPatrol.com
CHATTANOOGA DOLL CLUB SHOW – The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga. Annual show and sale of vintage and modern dolls; $5 ages 13 and older. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27. 706-965-4619
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.
CITY SWEAT – Miller Park, 900 Market St. Join Southern Soul Yoga’s Sarah Brogdon for a free power yoga class. Bring your mat, towel, water. 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11. millerparkplaza.com.
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.
CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK – Located near Trenton, Ga., on western side of Lookout Mountain, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Ga. Friends of Cloudland Canyon host Easter egg hunt for children 2-10 years old; 1 p.m. start for ages 2-5, 1:30 p.m. start for ages 6-10. $5 parking. Noon Saturday, April 13. Reservations required: 706-657-4050
COIN SHOW – Dalton Convention Center, 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road, Dalton, Ga. Georgia Numismatic Association hosts coin show with more than 1,500 collectors and dealers to buy, sell and trade. Free admission. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 12-13; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, April 14. 800-824-7469
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. Monday, April 15. 423-894-7177.
FROM MARSH TO MARS – Marsh House, 308 N. Main St., LaFayette, Ga. Enjoy music at the Marsh House and Station House, visit the Mars Theatre, see street performers in event to promote LaFayette. noon-2 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 706-638-5187
“GAME OF THRONES” PARTY – Flying Squirrel, 55 Johnson St. Dress in your best “Game of Thrones” costume for the “Game of Thrones” pregame costume party and your first beer is free; four official GoT beers on tap, Mother of Dragons, cosplay and photo-ops with Khaleesi. 5-8 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-602-5980.
HARRISON BAY STATE PARK – 8411 Harrison Bay Road. Meet at playground parking lot for star party with members of the Barnard Astronomical Society. Free. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-344-6214.
» Tuesday, April 16: Eagle nest tour, 7-8 a.m., $10 per person. Meet at golf course maintenance across from Morning Glory Drive to view American bald eagles, bring camera. Participants will remain a good distance from the nest in order not to disturb the eagles. Must register in advance: 423-344-6214
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 take-back program. Mammograms available by appointment; register by calling 423-495-4040. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, April 12.
HIGH COTTON MARKET – Ringgold Feed and Seed, 403 High St., Ringgold, Ga. Twenty-five dealers from all over the Southeast bring items for antique market/rummage sale in the parking lot. Opens 8 a.m. Friday-Saturday, April 12-13. 706-935-7333.
HIKE, BIKE & BREW – Lula Lake Land Trust, Lookout Mountain. Hike or bike 8 miles of trails with beer stations positioned throughout the property, free food in the meadow at fundraiser for the conservation nonprofit. 4-8 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Sold Out.
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 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.
» Tuesday, April 16: Cloudland Canyon Sitton’s Gulch, moderate 5 miles. Meet at Food City in Red Bank at 9 a.m.
» Saturday, April 20: Roaring Creek to Gilbreath Branch and return, moderately strenuous 9.2 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, $6 zoo members, $7 nonmembers day of event. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 19-20. www.chattzoo.org
LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY FAIR – Cambridge Square, 9453 Bradmore Lane, Ooltewah. Area businesses on the square with giveaways and activities. Free. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-531-7754
PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF CHATTANOOGA – St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive. Nature photographer Larry Winslett speaks on “Adventure Abounds! Photographing Water & Nature: Going from Ordinary to Extraordinary” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18. Boot camp at 6 p.m. with Ted Dickerson teaching camera basics and Jim Pierson teaching converting color to black-and-white. 423-34-5643.
RECORD STORE DAY – Inherent Records, 40-A Frazier Ave.; For the Record, Northgate Mall; McKay Used Books & CDs, 7734 Lee Highway. Day promotes independent record stores with special events and new music releases. Saturday, April 13. recordstoreday.com
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 forest walk with Connie Keetle to learn to be fully present in the moment. Register through EventBrite.
ROARING FOR A CURE – Celebration Church, 6425 Lee Highway. Roaring ’20s-themed fundraiser for MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation includes dinner, dancing, silent auction and entertainment by Amber Carrington. 6-11 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Ticket sales end April 12, $100 per person. 423-490-4555.
TASTE – Stratton Hall, 3146 Broad St. Sample specialties of more than two dozen local restaurants and caterers at fundraiser for Kidney Foundation of Chattanooga. 5-8 p.m. Thursday, April 11. Sold Out.
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 Mondays through Fridays at 10:40 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Closed Easter Sunday, April 21.
BOOKS/AUTHORS
AUTHOR TALK – Star Line Books, 1467 Market St. Adair Sanders discusses and signs Allison Parker mysteries. 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-777-5629.
BOOK SIGNING – Barnes and Noble, Hamilton Place. Alexi Ruth Engesath will sign “100 Things to Do in Chattanooga Before You Die, 2nd Edition.” 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13. 423-893-0186.
WRITERS GUILD – Creative Arts Guild, 520 W. Waugh St., Dalton, Ga. Guild hosts monthly meetings to improve writing skills, provide listening and feedback to local writers and to present regional authors. Third Monday of each month. 706-259-1822.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR – Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., 11 a.m. Saturday, storytime. 423-893-0186.
» Saturdays, April 13 and 20: 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: Free family night, 5:30-8 p.m., hosted by Publix Charities and TVA.
» Friday-Saturday, April 12-13: “Native Voices” event with Chickasaw dance group at 1 and 3 p.m., Cherokee pottery demonstration and studio clay stamping from noon to 4 p.m.
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 with music by Ed and Elsie and calling by Vicki Herndon. $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 16. 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.chattanooga usadance.