Even with yesterday’s heavy fog and a less-than-perfect rating today, Chattanooga’s air quality is far better than what it once was. Chattanoogans have often heard of the days when our city was one of the most polluted in the US. In particular, our air quality was bad. Incredibly bad.
Not quite putting on airs
Due to Chattanooga’s landscape, which is susceptible to temperature inversions (read more about that here), along with its heavy industrial base, unregulated industry emissions, railroads, and coal furnaces, the city was a hotbed for air pollution back in the 1960s.
In 1969, it reached its peak when Chattanooga was deemed by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare one of the worst cities in the nation for particulate air pollution. That’s when air pollution control regulations became a priority. Later that year, Chattanoogans approved a new Air Pollution Control Ordinance, which led to our current Air Pollution Control Board and Bureau.
In 1972, just three years after the ordinance was approved, 160 out of 200 industrial establishments were in compliance with federal‐state particulate standards, and most of the rest had approved compliance plans, according to an archived New York Times article.
At that time, the average level of particulates in the downtown air had reduced by 55% in three years. Almost a decade later, in 1981, Chattanooga celebratedanother air pollution milestone — going a whole year without exceeding federal pollution safety standards, for the first time in history.
But that wasn’t the end of Chattanooga’s story with air quality. (Click the link below for more.)
Breathe easy
Last month, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau made an announcement that it will be “revising and updating the Air Pollution Control Ordinance and Regulations for Hamilton County, Tennessee...”
Have some thoughts? A public hearing about the updates will take place on Friday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau’s office.
Winter Workshop Series | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga + virtual | Free | All are welcome to enjoy this free outdoor workshop focused on building your next thru-hike.
Friday, Jan. 20
Belly Dancing 101 | Friday, Jan. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $20 | This beginner-friendly belly dancing class teaches basic moves and introduces you to the music and culture from which the dance originates.
The Black Jacket Symphony | Friday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $35-$40 | This performance by The Black Jacket Symphony will feature songs from Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album.
Saturday, Jan. 21
Sensory Studio | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 10-11 a.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga | $16-$20 | Local abstract artist Ally Manno will teach you how to create unique designs by using the pouring paint method.
Build a Thriving Business Without Social Media | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | $35 | This course will cover areas like social media marketing alternatives, why social media isn’t a good fit for every business, and more.
HCDE/Skatepark Project Skate Deck Art Project - Open House | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga | Free | The annual Skate Graphic Contest is back — join the open house where various designs will be on display and the winners will be selected.
Plan Ahead
AFG Lunar New Year Festival 2023 | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 1 p.m. | Asian Food & Gifts of Chattanooga, 3639 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga | Free | Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a firecracker show + traditional lion and dragon dances.
Scenic City Super Show | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 8-10 p.m. | Common House, 1517 Mitchell Ave., Chattanooga | $10 | The Scenic City Super Show is back with local and out-of-town comedians bringing their best sketch, stand-up, music, and improv performances.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
River City Company has unveiled three draft designs for the Reimagining Broad Street project. The three common themes of the concepts include making Broad Street safer, greener, and livelier. See the full layouts of each design + give feedback online here. 🌳 (The Pulse)
Open
Coqui, a new restaurant featuring Puerto Rican cuisine, has opened in East Ridge at 3507 Ringgold Rd. The restaurant is currently open Sunday-Tuesday + Thursday-Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 🇵🇷
Edu
TVA will award $1 million in grants to further STEM education in public schools across the Tennessee Valley. Locally, Normal Park Museum Magnet School will use funding to buy materials for students to construct sustainable building models alongside Green Spaces + more.
Hamilton County Schools will implement a new staffing model + student-based budgeting plan for the 2023-24 school year. The changes will allow principals to make choices based on what students need most, with final decisions made by March 1. (Chattanoogan.com)
Coming Soon
Society of Work’s new location in NorthShore will open in February. The space will have 58 dedicated offices and 5+ coworking areas. Offices are currently being pre-leased, and you can schedule a tour of the space now.
7 Brew, an Arkanas-based drive-thru coffee shop that offers “a positive experience, hand-crafted beverages, and exceptional speed of service,” will open a location in Hixson at 5425 Hwy. 53 in February. ☕ (Chattanoogan.com)
Theater
“White Rabbit Red Rabbit,” a performance that has no rehearsals, director, or set + includes a different actor reading the script cold for the first time at each performance, is coming to Barking Legs Theater. Grab your tickets to see the show now.
Job
Are you passionate about storytelling + news? Do you have some serious Chattanooga pride? We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about our city. See details + apply.
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Meal deliveries began the week of Jan. 11, and by the time the program is complete, ~10,000 meals will be served to Chattanooga seniors. | Photo provided by the Senior Hunger Project and KIC
To help senior Chattanoogans who are facing food insecurity or uncertainty, the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga recently began serving meals through the Senior Hunger Project.
The project serves 450 seniors and delivers two meals — precooked, reheatable meals featuring a meat, two vegetables, and a bread — each week. For 10 weeks, the project will help feed seniors in the Glenwood Avenue area, at Boynton Terrace and Mary Walker Towers, clients of Widow’s Harvest, and veterans at Piney Woods.
Meal deliveries began the week of Jan. 11, and by the time the program is complete, ~10,000 meals will be served.
The effort is in partnership with FABRIC (a local initiative addressing Chattanooga’s food insecurity issues), Gordon Food Services, and food services provider Waypoint, along with federal funding through EFSP.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Brianna.
Editor’s pick: I simply cannot wait to try one of thesedelicious-looking bananas. Yes, I will be returning to Chattanooga just to taste one (ok, maybe not just for that reason, but still).
Editorial:Brianna Williams, Kristen Templeton, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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