Editorial

City pet licenses expired December 31

Residents must renew by Friday, February 1

All licenses for pets living within the city limits of Chattanooga expired December 31. To avoid a late fee, you must renew the license before February 1. To purchase a license, you must have proof of a valid rabies vaccination for your pet. For more information and to purchase a license, visit www.mckameyanimalcenter.org.

Now through Friday, February 1

How Israel and the United States are Portrayed by Arab Media

The Jewish Cultural Center is hosting a new exhibit containing cartoon images selected from the Anti-Defamation League’s “Arab Media Review: Anti-Semitism and Other Trend” publications. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Jewish Cultural Center is located at 5461 North Terrace Road. For more information, call 423-493-9997.

Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 20

Sandhill Crane Festival

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Ornithological Society will host the annual Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival at Birchwood Elementary School this weekend. The event will feature special events at the school and regular shuttles to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge for crane watching.

Monday, January 21

2nd Annual Dreams in Action Luncheon

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Salvation Army’s Recreate Cafe, located at 800 McCallie Avenue, will host the 2nd Annual Dreamers in Action Luncheon at noon. Participants will share their vision for Chattanooga in 2013 by creating a “Vision Board.” The luncheon is free; however, registration is required. For more information, call Tenika Dye at 423-756-1023.

January 26

Music for Mutts: Benefit for Wally’s Friends

Seven Chattanooga bands will perform at JJ Bohemia, located at 231 East Martin Luther King Boulevard, to benefit Wally’s Friends. All of the proceeds will go toward the cost of spaying and neutering pets in February. Bands performing include: Buddy System; Red State; the Vic Burgess Band; Bluesfrog & The Georgia Rhythm Cricket; Sinner of Attention; Subkoncious; and Emerge. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The cost is seven dollars per person.

Beginning January 29

Foster and adoptive parent training

Centerstone in Hamilton County has announced the new set of dates for their Parents as Tender Healers certification courses, classes the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services require all potential foster and adoptive parents in the state complete. The 12 courses, which will be held in the Centerstone offices at 6110 Shallowford Road, Suite B, will take place every Tuesday evening beginning January 29 and ending in April. PATH is designed to equip parents with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the child welfare system, effective discipline, first aid and CPR, medication administration and other physical and emotional needs their adoptive or foster children might have. Those interested in additional information or registering for courses may contact Michelle Snow, Centerstone Foster Care Coordinator, at 423-710-5843 or michelle.snow@centerstone.org.

Saturday, February 2

First Annual Gig City Film Festival

The Chattanooga Department of Education, Arts & Culture and the Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Film Commission will host the first annual Gig City Film Festival, “A Season for Nonviolence,” at Heritage House Arts from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival coincides with Chattanooga’s “Season for Nonviolence” spanning from January 30 (marking the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi) and April 4 (marking the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). Heritage House is located at 1428 Jenkins Road. All-day passes or tickets for individual screenings are available at the Memorial Auditorium Box Office. For information on the movies to be screened and show times, visit film.chattablogs.com.

Sunday. February 3

Make-A-Wish Bowl

You’ve likely never seen the Super Bowl like this. The Ninth Annual Make-A-Wish Bowl will bring all of the gridiron action of the world’s biggest sports event to the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater, Chattanooga’s only six-story Imax screen. Benefitting Make-A-Wish East Tennessee, the event will also feature silent auctions, five viewing screens, and food and drinks (included in the ticket price). To score your tickets, go to wishetn.org or call 423-629-9474.

Tuesday, February 12

Young Women’s Leadership Academy Odyssey 2013 Luncheon

Individual tickets for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation’s annual fundraiser and luncheon, Odyssey, are available for purchase. The event will take place Tuesday, February 12 at noon and will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Odyssey 2013 will feature Nashville-based recording artist and author Jimmy Wayne as the speaker and entertainer. Wayne is the author of “Paper Angels” and the founder of the nonprofit, Project Meet Me Halfway. Individual tickets are seventy-five dollars and can be purchased by visiting www.cglaonline.com and clicking the Odyssey 2013 tab. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Shawanda Mason at smason@ywlaf.org or 423-468-4105.

Sunday, February 23

Scenic City Half Marathon

The Scenic City Half Marathon and 5K Charity Challenge will start at Finley Stadium at 8 a.m. Half marathoners will receive a technical race shirt and a finishers medal. There is a 3.5-hour time limit. The top three finishers in each age group will receive an award. To give back to the community, a portion of each participant’s entry fee will be donated to a local charity. Additional funds can also be raised through the online fund raising system. To register and for more information, visit www.sceniccityhalfmarathon.com.