This week

Boating Safety Course, Flowery Branch. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Learn boating safety, how to navigate waterways, legal requirements of boating and what to do in boating emergencies. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Coast Guard Auxiliary Operations Center, 6595 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch. $40. 770-891-6362 or auxiliaryclass@yahoo.com.

"Much Ado About Mulching," Cumming. How to apply mulch to promote health and vigor in landscape plants. Stephen Garton. Forsyth County Master Gardeners Winter & Spring 2011 Library Lecture Series. 10:30-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Forsyth County Public Library, Cumming Branch, 585 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Free.  

Bike ride, Gainesville. Chicken City Cyclists. Various loops from Dewberry Church. 8-50 miles. Easy to strenuous, rider's choice. 10 a.m. Saturday, Dewberry Church, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. No ride in precipitation or if the high is predicted to be below 45 degrees. unnoldl@charter.net.

Falconry Experience at Buck Shoals, Helen. Presentation by falconer Buster Brown, followed by a live hunt. 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Smithgall Woods Conservation Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $20 adults; free for kids. $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Upcoming

Bike ride, Gainesville. Chicken City Cyclists. Various loops from Dewberry Church. 8-50 miles. Easy to strenuous, rider's choice. 10 a.m. Feb. 12, Dewberry Church, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. No ride in precipitation or if the high is predicted to be below 45 degrees. unnoldl@charter.net.

"The Secret Stars of Harry Potter," Dahlonega. Learn connections between stars and characters in the "Harry Potter" series. If the sky is clear, the observatory will be open following the show for telescope viewing. Seating limited to 46. 8 p.m. Feb. 12, March 12 and April 16. Coleman Planetarium, North Georgia College & State University, 155 Sunset Drive, Dahlonega. Free.

Sculpture Design in the Garden lecture series, Cumming. Forsyth County Master Gardeners. Bring a sketchbook and pencil. Part two, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Feb. 26. Bring drawings, garden images, relevant plans and a pencil. Part three details to be announced. Cumming Public Library, 555 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming. Free. 770-887-2418.

 Ongoing

Elachee Nature Science Center, Gainesville. Through Feb.: Museum and exhibit hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, trails open every day, daylight to dusk. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. For updates and winter activities, visit the Elachee Web site.

The Historic Downtown Gainesville Market on the Square, Gainesville. Farmers market with plants, herbs, honey, bread and local produce. 2:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville Square. 678-943-4442 or steve@hallfarmers.org.

 Triathlon Club, Gainesville. No experience necessary. Meets 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Fit 2 Tri Store, 1292 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-712-9129 or fit2tri@gmail.com.

ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. No ride in rain. 6 p.m. Thursdays, Dewberry Baptist Church, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. Free. 678-231-0417.

ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. Three group rides varying in distance from 15 to 60 miles. No ride in rain. 7 a.m. Saturdays, Corinth Baptist Church, 3590 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. Free. 678-231-0417. 

ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. 35- to 50-mile ride. No ride in rain. 1 p.m. Sundays, Kroger Shopping Center, 3630 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 678-231-0417.