Mark your calendars for Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Learn the art of bushcrafting by using natural materials and primitive skills to improve camping and backpacking. Instruction will include shelter construction, water gathering, fire by friction, natural camo and more. Bring a backpacking tent, water or filter, pocketknife and food for the weekend. Be prepared for a three-mile hike. No chairs, coolers or alcohol. The cost is $40 and a $5 parking fee. Register in advance at 706-657-4050 or visit www.gastateparks.org for more information.

The Lookout Mountain Market has opened at last. The new location is at 124 North Watauga Lane. The market now carries everything in the deli from entrees, chicken salad, spinach dip, sandwiches, pizzas and much more. The beer selection is also wonderful, and the wine and spirits shop will be opening soon. Hours for the market are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 423-821-2060 for more information. Welcome back Gene and Kira!

Lookout Mountain Flight Park is hosting Wills Wing Demo Days July 2-5. Test fly gliders while getting great advice from Steve Pearson, co-owner and glider designer for Wills Wing for more than 30 years. This is your chance to discuss glider design, glider tuning, proper glider selection or flying technique. There will be flying and festivities for the whole family. Any questions, call 1-800-688-5637 or 706-398-3541 or visit on the Web at www.hanglide.com.

The Lookout Mountain School Library has summer hours for all of the little book worms in your house. The library will be open the following dates from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: June 30, July 1, 2, 14, 15,16, 21, 22 and 23. Stop by and get a start on your summer reading. All books are due back on July 23. Call 821-6116 for more information.

The Mountain Hospital for Animals and Dade Animal Rescue Team (DART) will have two kitten adoption days this summer, June 27 and July 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mountain Hospital at 128 North Watauga Lane. DART will have more than 60 kittens that are at least eight weeks old, spayed, neutered, vaccinated and ready to go home with you. For more information, call DART and ask for Jimmy Stewart at 423-413-6420.

Cloudland Canyon State Park is hosting a guided day hike on June 13. Join a park ranger from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this guided 6.5-mile hike on the new Sitton’s Gulch Trail. Bring water and a sack lunch for a picnic on the canyon floor. The hike is strenuous, so wear hiking boots. Parking will cost $5. Call 706-657-4050 for more information or visit www.gastateparks.org.

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day will be celebrated on June 6. Celebrate National Trails Day by attending the open day at the Lula Lake Land Trust from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come hike, bike and picnic. Pets on a leash are welcome.

Registration for the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race has already begun. This year the race will be held on June 19, 20 and 21. The event features three days of great trail running in the beautiful mountains surrounding Chattanooga, including 20 miles on Lookout Mountain on Day One, 18 miles on Raccoon Mountain on Day Two and the 22-mile grand finale on Signal Mountain.

The Mountain Hospital for Animals has several strays that need to be adopted. These animals are all fully spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The veterinary bills have been paid through the generosity of individual donors, DART (Dade Animal Resource Team) and Dr. Christian Keller and his staff.

Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey Show is back for its fifth year. Come and see hawks, owls and vultures soaring in the sky above Rock City. Enjoy this rare opportunity to witness these powerful and majestic birds up close, Memorial Day to Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday. Show times will be 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., with additional Saturday shows at 4:30 p.m. Visit www.seerockcity.com for more information.

Rock City is proud to announce the Southern Blooms Festival from May 16 through 24.

Do not forget to purchase your 2009 auto decal at the Lookout Mountain Tennessee and Georgia Town Halls. The price through the month of May is just $5. The price increases to $10 on June 1, and citations will be issued starting July 1. Visit www.lookoutmountaintn.org or www.lookoutmtnga.org for more information.

Mark and Cheron Douglas at Body Fit Concepts and Cheron's Dance Studio at 814 Scenic Highway on Lookout Mountain have just let me know they are offering another new class. Chris Campbell will teach T'Ai Ji the next four weeks on Saturdays, April 25, May 2, 9 and 16 at 10 a.m. and Sundays, April 26, May 3, 10 and 17 at 3 p.m. Mark said he has taken the class himself, and the benefits are amazing. For more information call 423-822-2348 or 822-BFIT.

Race on up to Ruby Falls for Racin’ at Ruby. See the Pepsi Jeff Gordon Car and the Jack Daniel’s Car. Enter the trike race for tickets to Talladega and jump on the racing-themed Astro Jump on April 18 and 19, noon to 6 p.m. Adult tickets will be $15.95 and children ages 3-12 will be $7.95. Visit www.rubyfalls.com or call 821-2544 for more information.

The Lula Lake Land Trust will be hosting open days this month on Saturday and 25. Bring the whole family out for hiking, biking or a picnic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.