This week

Bike ride, Gainesville. Chicken City Cyclists. 8-50 mile loops. Easy to strenuous, rider's choice. 10 a.m. Saturday, leaves from Dewberry Church, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. unnoldl@charter.net.

Smithgall Volunteer Orientation and Training, Helen. Orientation, 9-11 a.m. Saturday; tour of facility, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Smithgall Woods Conservation Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Register in advance. 706-878-3087.

Boating Safety Course, Flowery Branch. Watersports, legal requirements of boating, how to operate your vessel safely and more. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Coast Guard Auxiliary Operations Center, 6595 Lights Ferry Road, Flowery Branch. $40. To register: 770-891-6362 or auxiliaryclass@yahoo.com.

 Upcoming

 Bike ride, Gainesville. Chicken City Cyclists. 8-50 mile loops. Easy to strenuous, rider's choice. 10 a.m. March 12, leaves from Dewberry Church, 4616 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. unnoldl@charter.net.

"Stars Over Elachee: Secret Stars of Harry Potter," Gainesville. Dahlonega. Learn connections between stars and characters in the "Harry Potter" series, learn to use a telescope and read a star chart. Reservations required. 6:15-8:15 p.m. March 12 and 7:30-9:30 p.m. April 16, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $10 adults, $5 children age 11 and younger; free for Elachee members. 770-535-1976.

4-H Cops and Kids BB Challenge, Gainesville. Grades 4-8 will compete against Gainesville and Hall County law enforcement officers in marksmanship. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 19, Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville. Free. 770-535-8291 or rhulsey@uga.edu.

 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 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. Fridays through April 15. Coleman Planetarium, North Georgia College & State University, 155 Sunset Drive, Dahlonega. Free.

 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.