This week
Plant sale, Oakwood. Lilies, tomatoes and houseplants. Ends today, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. mmahew@gsu.edu.
"Happiness: Beauty, Faith, Economics and Ecology," Gainesville. Earth Day panel discussion on the underlying roots of happiness found in sustainable living, spirituality and science. 7-8:30 p.m. today, First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville. Free.
Relay for Life Softball Tournament, Gillsville. Benefits the American Cancer Society. Concessions, barbecue plates, raffles and softball game. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Gillsville Park, Gillsville.
"The Fat Finch" bike ride, Gillsville. Chicken City Cyclists. Moderate, 35-mile ride. 10 a.m. Saturday, leaves from the parking lot across from The Fat Finch Cafe, 9169 Ga. 52, Gillsville. Unnoldl@charter.net.
Take Me Out to the Ballpark 5K race and Chopper's Fun Run, Lawrenceville. Race will begin on the Braves' Coolray Field main gate and finish with runners taking a lap around the outfield and heading toward home plate. Gwinnett Braves mascot will attend; bring a canned good to be donated to the North Gwinnett Food Co-op. Race, 8 a.m.; fun run, 9 a.m. Saturday, Gwinnett Braves Coolray Field, One Braves Ave., Lawrenceville. Registration at packet pick-up on Friday and race day, $25. Preregistration recommended.
Southern Appalachian Wildflowers, Helen. Larry Davis, naturalist and educator, will teach on the diversity and folklore of mountain wildflowers. A hike will follow the lecture. Preregister. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $5 class; $5 parking. 706-878-3087.
Wildflower Walk, Blairsville. Guided walk that will highlight Jack-in-the pulpits, trillium, wild azaleas and other flowering plants. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. $5 parking. 706-745-2628.
Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. 9-11 p.m. Wednesday, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls. Preregister. $5 hike; $5 parking. 706-754-7981.
Spring Plant Sale, Gainesville. Flowering plants, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and broccoli. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and April 29-30, North Hall High School greenhouse, 4885 Mount Vernon Road, Gainesville. $1.50-$9. 770-983-7331.
Wildflower Wednesday, Helen. Naturalist-led wildflower hike up the Anna Ruby Falls trail to the waterfall. 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Anna Ruby Falls trail, off Ga. 356 near Unicoi State Park, Helen. Preregister. $3 per person. 706-878-1448.
Lunch and Learn Series, Gainesville. Hall County Master Gardeners. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, "Open Garden Forum: Annuals, Perennials & More." Free. Hall County Library System's Gainesville branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. 770-532-3311.
Upcoming
Elachee's Pre-order Native Plant Sale, Gainesville. Pick up at Elachee noon-6 p.m. April 29, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976.
Learn the Birds, Helen. Birding walks, slide shows, programs on making birdhouses and feeders, lectures on birding. Possibly see Neo-tropical birds as they pass through Unicoi's forest. Preregister. 8-9 p.m. April 30, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $5 parking; separate fees for birdhouse and feeder classes. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.
Ongoing
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.
Master Naturalist Program, Gainesville. Learn about the habitats and ecosystems of Georgia. 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays through May 25, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $125 for all sessions, field trips and materials. Participants must be 18 and older. 770-535-1976 or elachee@elachee.org.
ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. 35-45 mile ride. No ride in rain or temperature less than 36 degrees. 1 p.m. Sundays, Kroger Shopping Center, 3630 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 678-231-0417.