Drives for organizations + groups

• The Read House | Donate games, playthings, and more in the lobby now through Thursday, Dec. 14.
• Big Brother Big Sisters | Stop by Ice on the Landing on Monday, Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. to donate.
  

• Northshore Merchants Collective | From now through Sunday, Dec. 10, you can donate toys to I Go Tokyo + Learning Express Toys — bonus: cash donations will be matched.
• CrossFit Brigade | Bring unwrapped toys to the donation bin Tuesday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 9.

• Coats for Kids | Coats can be donated on Thursday, Nov. 30 at Hamilton Place Mall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Independent drives

• An Evening with Kevn Kinney | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 7-11:55 p.m. | Barrel House Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $25 | Listen to the lead vocalist and guitarist of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ perform a solo acoustic show.

• Second Annual Tree Lighting | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 4 p.m. | Hamilton County Courthouse, 625 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga | Free+ | Enjoy the Hamilton County tree lighting with Santa Claus, the Chattanooga Elf, face painting, hot chocolate + food trucks.
• Winter Skincare: Make Your Own Scrub + Body Butter | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $35 | Craft an exfoliating body scrub + butter with ingredients like sugar, salt, shea butter, and a blend of oils.

• Christmas Parade & Festival | Friday, Dec. 1 | 4-9 p.m. | City of Red Bank Park, 3817 Redding Rd., Red Bank | Free+ | Join the Red Bank community for some festive holiday fun with local vendors, activities for the kids, and a parade.
• “Strega Nona” | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 3 | Times vary | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St., Chattanooga | $10-$12.50 | See a combination of three of Tomie dePaola’s tales, featuring an Italian sorceress who decides to teach the local baker’s daughter magic.

• Basket Weaving with Native Plants | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $20-$25 | Learn tips on finding invasive plants perfect for weaving while creating woven baskets inspired by the works on display in the museum’s special exhibit.
• Bobby Stone Film Series | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | The Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $7.50-$13.50 | Get in the holiday spirit with a special screening of “Home Alone.”

• Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp announced that four county high schools will receive upgrades to their athletic facilities. In partnership with the Fund for Excellence, synthetic turf will be installed at The Howard School, Ooltewah High School, Soddy-Daisy High School + Tyler Academy. (Chattanoogan.com)

• River City Co. will host an installation ceremony today, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. in front of Frothy Monkey to unveil the new Southside district banners. The banners were created through a collaboration program with local artists to welcome residents and visitors + help refresh the city.

• McCoy Farm and Gardens in Signal Mountain will host their annual tree lighting event tomorrow, Nov. 29. Beginning at 5 p.m., folks can visit with Santa, shop gifts, design ornaments, sip on hot chocolate, and more before the lighting at 6:30 p.m.

• In-Town Gallery’s December show “Wizardry With Wood” opens on Friday, Dec. 1 featuring the creations of woodworking artist Roger Harvey. See Harvey’s wooden bowls, lamps, and vases on display through Sunday, Dec. 31.

• The Chambliss Center for Children will host a free Foster Parent Info Night on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Attendees can learn more about the requirements for fostering and adoption, the training process, and have their questions answered by members of the organization. Learn how to RSVP.

• The Chattanooga Girls Choir will present their winter concert “Sounds of the Season” on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Get your tickets to hear a performance of traditional and contemporary holiday pieces.

• Rhyme N Chatt Interactive Poetry Organization will host its Book Launch fundraising event on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at ArtsBuild. Grab a copy of this year’s poetry anthology “Why We Write” to help support the organization. (The Pulse)

• Feeling the brrrr? Keep your home warm + cozy and save on winter energy costs with these three energy-saving tips for winter (hint: cold drafts come in where you’d least expect it).*

• Is the cost of college holding you back from pursuing a new career? New requirements for the TN Reconnect Grant — which provides free tuition at ChattState for qualified Tennessee adults — make the funds even easier to access. See if you qualify.*

• Keep your eye on this tasty take on the 12 Days of Christmas. Each day brings a new + special gift from Divine Goods. Purchase any six gifts out of the 12 between Dec. 1-12, and you’ll be entered to win a holiday box stuffed with $300 worth of mouthwatering treats.*

• We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*