Wednesday, Dec. 12

RELIGIOUS · All women are invited to “The Annual Women’s Christmas Dinner” from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Road (across from Publix) in Chattanooga. Cost is $15 per person. Featured speaker is Dr. Jada Daves and pastor and singer Angie McGregor. Tickets available at the church, call 423-892-9363 or visit christplace.org. For more information, call Susan Higgins at 423-304-8783 or stahiggins@catt.com.

COMMUNITY · The Rossville Library will host a Grinch Coloring Contest: Submit a holiday coloring sheet for a chance to win holiday treats. Pick up a coloring sheet at the library starting Saturday, Dec. 1. Fill out the form on the back. Open to ages 1 –18; Categories: Ages 1 – 5, 6 – 12, and 13 – 18. All submissions must be turned in by Dec. 18. One winner will be chosen from each category on Dec. 19.

COMMUNITY · The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Catoosa-Walker Counties gives everyone in the community a chance to help the organization save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Register your team today by visiting Catoosa-WalkerRelay.org or call 1-800-227-2345. Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, faith-based and civic organizations, and anyone wanting to make a difference in the fight against cancer are invited to take part in this exciting team event. Relay For Life of Catoosa-Walker Counties takes place from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2013, until midnight, at Lakeview-Fort Ogelthorpe High School off Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe.

COMMUNITY · A Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Seminar will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road) in Chattanooga. Area residents who are overweight and /or with health problems related to obesity are invited to learn more about the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center at Erlanger. It is a free seminar and registration is required. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register. Visit Erlanger’s You Tube Channel at www.youtube.com/erlangerhealth and click The Weight Loss Program under Playlist to watch first-hand accounts from those who have gone through the program.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette’s annual “Amazing Christmas” light show will continue through Jan. 2, 2013, at Joe Stock Memorial park. The synchronized musical light show is held from 6-10 p.m. nightly through most of December. Tune to FM 89.5 to hear the music played in the light show. For more information, call the city parks and recreation department at 706-639-1590.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette will host a traditional and large-scale Lionel model train and village display inside a decorated Chattooga Academy/Gordon Hall. The display coinincides with the “Amazing Christmas” light show daily from 6-10 p.m., through Jan. 2, 2013.

COMMUNITY · Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe meet from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at Constitution Hall on Forrest Road in Fort Oglethorpe, for games, crafts, refreshments and blood pressure and blood sugar checks. For information or transportation, call Peggy Stanfield at 706-866-1369.

Thursday, Dec. 13

COMMUNITY · Heirloom Vintage Boutique & Rentals will hold a ribbon cutting from 4-5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13, at 121 North Chattanooga Street in LaFayette. For more information, visit walkercochamber.com.

COMMUNITY · The Chickamauga Public Library will hold a “Ready to R.E.A.D.” story time program on Thursdays, Dec. 13, 20 and 27.

COMMUNITY · "Walker Talker" A Toastmasters Affiliated speaking club meets at 6:30 p.m on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Wood Station Baptist Church, 42 Round Pond Road, in LaFayette.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will close the following monuments for the winter season starting Saturday, Dec. 1: Wilder Brigade Monument, the Highway 27 picnic area, the Sanders picnic area and the Signal Point restrooms. These areas will reopen in mid-March, pending weather conditions. For more information, call 706-866-9241 or 423-821-7786 or visit nps.gov/chch.

COMMUNITY · Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care, Inc. is selling Adventures in Dining Coupon Books for $35. The books contain 87 buy-one-get-one free coupons for dining and entertainment in Chattanooga, north Georgia and Cleveland. The total value of the book is over $1,100. The group receives a $10 commission for each book sold. Books are available at the following locations: Ringgold Telephone Company and Tille Town in Ringgold; and The Animal Medical Center in Ft. Oglethorpe. CCAC is a non-profit volunteer organization formed to improve animal care awareness in Catoosa County. Its mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through responsible pet ownership by: 1) reducing animal over-population through a spay/neuter program; 2) educate the community about the humane treatment of animals; and 3) help connect animals in need of homes with families. Call 24-hour Help Line (706-937-2287) or visit www.catoosacitizensforanimalcare.org.

COMMUNITY · A Bone Density Screen will be offered from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road) in Chattanooga.This screening for osteoporosis is a pixi-screening of the ankle to determine if further treatment or examination for bone loss is necessary. Registration is required. Appointments are limited. Call (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Region One Planning Board, will hold a public forum from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Ball Ground Public Library, 435 Old Canton Road, in Ball Ground. Call 770-735-2025 for more information.

COMMUNITY · Calhoun Composite Squadron #134 of the Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force Auxiliary currently has openings available for a safety officer, communications officer, and emergency services officer, among others. Cadet slots (ages 12-17) are also open. The Calhoun Composite Squadron meets at Calhoun Airport on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. For more information, contact Capt. Hayden Collins at htcollins@earthlink.net.

COMMUNITY · Starting Jan. 1, 2013, Georgia Farmers will need to apply and obtain a GATE (Georgia Agriculture Exemption Card) from the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. This is the result of HB 386 which was passed this year by the legislature which allows Georgia farmers to take advantage of additional sales tax exemptions. If you are a farm producer with $ 2,500 in Ag income, you need to prepare to obtain a GATE card. Contact the Walker County Farm Bureau Office at 706-638-3237 if you have questions concerning the Georgia Agricultural Exemption Card.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Christmas Break Camp (Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4, 2013) is Tuesday, Dec. 18. The camp is for children ages 5-12. Cost is $25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members. The camp will be held at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline is Jan. 8, 2013, for North Georgia Community YMCA Homeschool P.E. The course is for ages 5-15. Classes are held daily from Jan. 15-Feb. 21, 2013, at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. Cost is $15 per session for YMCA members and $40 per session for non-members. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Father/Daughter Dance (Friday, Feb. 8, 2013) is Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. for girls ages 5-11. Cost is $75 per couple, $35 for each additional daughter. The dance will be held at the Colonnade in Ringgold. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

Friday, Dec. 14

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to attend a Holiday Open House at the Cravens House on Lookout Mountain. The Cravens House will be decorated in a manner similar to the Civil War era. This holiday event will take place Friday, Dec. 14. Tours of the house will be conducted every 30 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Reservations are required due to capacity limitations. To make a reservation, and for more information, contact the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786.

COMMUNITY · Moovin’ and Groovin’ holiday dance for youth, boys and girls with exceptional needs, ages 7-22, will be held Friday, Dec. 14. Register with the North Georgia Community YMCA the day of the event; cost is $5. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Kids, get your list ready! Santa Claus is coming to First Volunteer Bank in LaFayette from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to attend a Holiday Open House at the Cravens House located on Lookout Mountain. The Cravens House will be decorated in a manner very similar to the Civil War era on Friday, Dec. 14. Tours of the house will be conducted every 30 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Reservations are required due to capacity limitations. To make a reservation, and for more information, contact the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786.

COMMUNITY Rightway Health and Wellness will hold a Ribbon Cutting at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. The Catoosa Chamber of Commerce member business is at 84 Millennium Circle in Ringgold, inside the Remco Business Center. For more information, email jhickman@catoosachamberofcommerce.com.

ENTERTAINMENT · Ruby Red Christmas returns to Ruby Falls at Lookout Mountain from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in December. The last tour goes at 8 p.m., shops and carriage rides are open until 9 p.m. Tickets cost $17.95 for adults and $15.95 for children (child’s ticket includes a photo with Santa and foam craft-gingerbread house or photo frame at the North Pole workshop). Carriage rides (capacity six people) with tour cost $14.95 flat rate per carriage ride; without tour, $19.95 flat rate per ride. Enjoy snow at Cavern Castle, costumed characters and holiday music. For more information, visit rubyfalls.com/christmas.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga (ETC) will perform an original piece, “Gods & Disasters,” through Dec. 16; Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Performances will take place in the St. Andrews Center, 1918 Union Avenue in Chattanooga. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com or by calling 423-987-5141. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Free parking is available behind the St. Andrews Center.

ENTERTAINMENT · The ReCreate Café of The Salvation Army 614 Corps will present “Behold the Lamb of God” to benefit their Arts Program for the Homeless and Artist Communities of Chattanooga. The show times are Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 17, and Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at The Salvation Army, at 800 McCallie Avenue, in Chattanooga. Seating is limited, so advance ticket purchase is suggested. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and students, and children age 5 and younger are admitted free. Tickets are available at The Salvation Army Area Command Office Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., by phone at 423-756-1023, or online at www.csarmy.org. For more information: www.csarmy.org under the “Events” and 423-756-1023 or www.facebookcom/ReCreateCafeArts. Move to next date; remove Dec. 18.