June 15 and 16
Ride your bicycle to Riverbend
Outdoor Chattanooga and Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga will offer free valet bicycle parking at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge from 6 to 11 p.m. Bicycle valet patrons also get their own porta-john and free cold water. No reservations required.
June 16
Chickamauga Battlefield bicycle tour
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a free bicycle tour of Chickamauga Battlefield beginning at the Battlefield Visitors Center at 9:30 a.m. Adults and kids ages 8 and older are invited to take a leisurely ride through the battlefield with a National Park interpretive ranger to learn about Civil War history. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from Outdoor Chattanooga. To reserve a loaner bike, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at 706-866-9241. Helmets are required for all riders. Additional tours are scheduled for July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.
June 16
NAACP 5th Annual Criminal Justice Seminar
The NAACP 5th annual Criminal Justice Seminar is a day of sessions discussing issues of criminal justice and other areas relevant to the life of Hamilton County residents. Taking place at the Chattanooga Choo Choo from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the seminar is free and open to the public. Guest speaker Clarence Cox III of N.O.B.L.E. will deliver a lecture titled “Criminal Justice: Reforms and Issues in America’s Community,” while Wade Hinton will be the recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Freedom and Justice Award. Call 423-267-5637 to register by June 15.
June 16
Eastgate Page Turners
Join the Eastgate Page Turners at 11 a.m. at the Eastgate Branch of the Chattanooga Library for a discussion of “LA Outlaws” by T. Jefferson Parker. The title for July will be “Guards, Guards” by Terry Pratchett. Each member of the group can choose a book for the discussion; some of the genres not read so far include fantasy, verse, mystery, humor and science fiction. Discussions are held the third Saturday of each month.
June 20
See the award-winning “David”
The Jewish Cultural Center, located at 5461 North Terrace Road, will screen the film “David” on June 20 at 7 p.m. In the tender drama that bridges culture and religion, a lonely Muslim boy growing up in Brooklyn is inadvertently immersed in the world of Orthodox Judaism. Filmed on location in Bay Ridge and Borough Park with first-time Arab and Jewish actors, “David” won the Brooklyn International Film Festival Audience Award and Montreal World Film Festival Ecumenical Prize. The film is suitable for those 16 and older. Tickets are $5 per person and include popcorn. Soft drinks are available for purchase.
June 26
HIV and AIDS prevention symposium
In an effort to address urgent public health issues throughout the region, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga will unite organizations and community leaders at a HIV and AIDS prevention symposium. The purpose of this event is to develop solutions to underexposed issues related to HIV and AIDS prevention, including patient and provider interaction, personal HIV status awareness and the effect of the reduced level of stigma associated with the disease. Free HIV and AIDS testing will be offered at the Urban League from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following day, which is National HIV Testing Day. For more information, e-mail Lailaa Ragins at lragins@ulchatt.net.
June 26
Patriotic Organ Concert
American organist Tom Trenney will be the featured performer at the Chattanooga Music Club’s annual Patriotic Organ Concert. He will play the Auditorium’s 1924 Austin Pipe Organ. Trenney has extensive mastery of organ technique, is a superior improviser and is known for his unique accompaniments to silent films. As part of his program, he will accompany two silent films – “One Week” starring Buster Keaton and “Big Business” starring Laurel & Hardy. Trumpeter Zachery Schmidt and drummer DeJuan Hogans will join Trenney, who will also play during the patriotic salute to veterans and military personnel. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.