Feb. 10
J. Ledford Hamilton book signing
Author J. Ledford Hamilton will be available to sign copies of her novel, “L’Chaim to Life,” February 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pasha Coffee & Tea, located at 3914 St. Elmo Avenue. In the book, trouble starts brewing in Maggie Sanders’ neighborhood when residents discover the new renters next door are Jews. J. Ledford Hamilton’s novel “reveals the burden of discrimination and the loving choices that can conquer it,” Tate Publishing says.
Feb. 11
Ben Friberg Trio performing
The Ben Friberg Trio will bring the 2011-2012 Cool Nights concert series to a swinging end with a 7 p.m. performance in a jazz club-style environment at the Jewish Cultural Center, located at 5461 North Terrace Road. Tickets are 15 dollars per person and include beverages and hors d’oeuvres. For additional information or to make a reservation, call 423-493-0270 or email rsvp@jewshchattanooga.com.
Feb. 11
Raised bed gardening workshop
Crabtree’s Joel Houser will teach you how to construct, plant, maintain and care for a raised bed garden, as well as answer any questions you have about this gardening technique. Raised beds can be a good option for urban gardeners, especially if you have any concerns about the health and safety of your soil. They can also improve drainage, help control soil quality, and make your garden more easily accessible. Cost is $10 for the public; members get in free. RSVP to ajaeger@crabtreefarms.org by Feb. 7.
Feb. 11
Manifest to offer a beautiful night
Christian Collier’s “Manifest” series will feature “The Beautiful Nights Poetry Show” at The Camp House, located at 1427 Williams Street. Several of Chattanooga’s youngest and brightest poets, including L-Poole, LaJuan White, Marcus Ellsworth and more, will take to the stage and explore both the highs and lows of love. The doors will begin at 8 p.m. The event will get underway at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 at the door. For more information, email Christian Collier at thespeakeasypoetry@gmail.com.
Through Feb. 12
Ensemble Theatre’s “Falsettos”
Join Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga for James Lapine and William Finn’s “Falsettos,” running through Feb. 12. Performances take place Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Center, located at 1918 Union Avenue. “Falsettos” is a musical about one man’s self-discovery in a world of traditions, expectations and desires. Tickets are available at www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com, by calling 423-987-5141 and at the box office. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Free parking is available behind St. Andrews Center.
Through Feb. 12
The Importance of Being Earnest at the Chattanooga Theatre Center
The Chattanooga Theatre Center is performing “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the quintessential Oscar Wilde comedy, through February 12. Show times are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. In the classic play, dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities–not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen’s mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell. Call 423-267-8534 for ticket information.
Beginning Feb. 13
Gain “A Sense of Place”
The Jewish Cultural Center will unveil an exhibition of paintings, photographs and prints titled “A Sense of Place” at its gallery at 5461 North Terrace Road on Feb. 13. Gallery hours will be Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 16. A “meet the artist” reception will take place on Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 14
Do you know how much your 401k costs?
Join Rooks CPA & Wealth Management as Kevin White, regional manager for Great West Retirement Services, provides an overview of the new rules being imposed on 401k plans and about which costs are being disclosed to 401k participants. White will discuss how this will affect business owners and individual participants in a 401k plan. Location: Mountain City Club at 729 Chestnut Street. Time: Complementary breakfast at 7:30 a.m.; speaker at 8 a.m. For questions, call Rooks CPA at 423-855-1040 or email brad.rooks@rookswealthmgt.com.
Feb. 16
Organ donor sign-ups
Life Care Center of East Ridge invites the community to participate in organ donor signups, a blood drive and a miniature health fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Along with free blood pressure checks and other health screenings, Blood Assurance will have a bloodmobile at the facility, and a representative from Donor Services will be available to register organ donors. For more information, call Christian McDonald at 423-499-3922.
Feb. 16
Senior Expo and buffet lunch
The public is invited to a free senior health expo featuring local vendors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Creekside at Shallowford retirement community, located at 7511 Shallowford Road. Vendors will offer balance screenings, blood pressure checks, antique appraisals, oxygen equipment checks, power mobility, and prosthetic checks and fittings.
Information will also be available about selling a home in today’s market, senior driver safety, dementia, home care services, medical alert systems and more. A complimentary buffet lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. To RSVP, or to learn more, call Creekside at Shallowford at 423-485-9933.
Beginning Feb. 16
Theatre to debut spring plays
The play, “Eleemosynary,” will open the spring theatre season at Lee University. Performance dates are Feb. 16-20 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. in the Edna Minor Conn Theatre. “Eleemosynary” focuses on the lives of three Wesbrook women: eccentric 75-year-old Dorothea; her jaded middle-aged daughter, Artie; and Artie’s bright 16-year-old daughter, Echo. Playwright Lee Blessing presents vignettes of the lives of the three women as they struggle to define themselves both as individuals and as part of a family unit. In this poignant study of familial relationships, Blessing highlights the human need for connection and forgiveness. This play is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Feb. 18
Bicycling Traffic Skills 101
Outdoor Chattanooga will offer the League of American Bicyclists’ Traffic Skills 101 course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, located in Coolidge Park. The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a tire, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques, and includes a student manual. Classroom instruction in the morning is combined with parking lot drills and on-road training in the afternoon. Adults and children age 16 and older may attend. Cost is ten dollars. Pre-registration is required. Limit: 10 students. Email or call Ruth Thompson at 423-643-6889 to register or learn more.
Feb. 24-26
Unique antiques
Take in the Houston Museum Antiques Show & Sale, coming to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo’s Centennial Hall Feb. 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Feb. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. A special preview brunch with early buying privileges will take place Friday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The event will feature more than 30 well-known dealers who display and sell antique furniture, glass, ceramics, paintings, prints, linen and jewelry. Call 423-267-7176 for ticket information. All of the proceeds will benefit the Houston Museum for Decorative Arts.
Feb. 25
Let’s plant something together
Learn how to start and maintain a successful community garden at Crabtree Farm’s free workshop. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 25
Scenic City Half Marathon and 5K
Time: 8 a.m. Place: Tennessee Pavilion. Register online by Feb. 21 at www.sceniccityhalfmarathon.com. The Scenic City Marathon runs through the heart of Chattanooga, over the Tennessee River via the historic Walnut Street Bridge, and back along the river by way of the scenic Tennessee Riverpark. In an effort to give back to the community, the Chattanooga Track Club, which presents the race, is featuring a special charity challenge. A portion of each participant’s entry fee will be donated to the charity of his or her choice.
Through April 13
Free tax preparation through Alexian
AARP Tax-Aide is providing free tax preparation through Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors at 250 East 10th Street on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through April 13. Appointments are required and can be made by calling Beverly Boyers at 755-6106.