Launching

• Mentorship | The Emerging Farmer Mentorship Program will host four farmers from “seed to market” production + provide free land access, materials, and support.
• Staff | A new Community Food & Land Access Coordinator position will be added to help oversee the expansion of programming.

Expanding or changing

• Community garden | Building 24 raised garden beds over the next three years — two-thirds of available beds will still be offered to residents of Clifton Hills + surrounding neighborhoods.
• Food donations | Increasing Community Fridge + partner organization distribution donations by at least 20%.
• Fresh goods for SNAP | Increasing nutritional locally grown food for SNAP recipients through engagement programs + outreach.
• Plant sales | Expanding the diversity of seasonal plants to offer more natives, perennials + at-home food production.
• Annual 100 Dinner + Auction | Increasing fundraising goals + event sponsorship and local engagement opportunities.
• Sales + distribution model | Reimagining to maximize effectiveness — goods will still be sold through the farm’s stand, Main Street Farmers Market + select wholesale accounts.

Continuing

• Education | Formalizing and enhancing on + off-farm educational offerings.
• Conservation | Maintaining the partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to ensure long-term health of the farm’s 22 acres.
• Local support | Offering a helping hand to local farmers through collaborations + cooperative marketing and selling.

• Community Chanukah Celebration and Candle Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5:30 p.m. | Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Ter., Chattanooga | $0-$30 | Celebrate the first night of Chanukah with traditional foods, a candle lighting (bring your own menorah) + donate unopened toiletries and non-perishable foods.

• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | The Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $64.50-$145.80 | See this American neotraditional country and bluegrass singer + musician and his band take the stage in the Scenic City.

• Learn to Make a Needle Felted Snowman | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 2-4 p.m. | The Knot & Needle, 3803 Dayton Blvd., Red Bank | $35 | Do you want to build a snowman... with felting needles and wool — learn how in this beginner-friendly class.
• Oh, Snap! Gingerbread Cookie Decorating | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $45 | Decorate four seasonal gingerbread cookies, get expert tips on baking + take home recipes for dough and icing.
• Lenox Hills | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 9-11:55 p.m. | Barrel House Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $12-$15 | Listen to this Tennessee rock quartet play “raucous yet dynamic” sounds on stage.

• Lodge Cast Iron Cook-Off | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Watch local chefs test their skills during a live cooking demonstration + competition while shopping the Chattanooga Holiday Market.

1. Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
2. The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
3. The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.

• This evening marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights. Celebrate by attending Chanukah on Ice and a parade on Sunday, Dec. 10 at First Horizon Pavilion. Note: The lighting of a giant menorah will take place at 6 p.m.

• Chattanooga has received a $500,000 federal grant from the US Department of Transportation’s Corridor ID Program to conduct a comprehensive study of establishing a passenger rail service. The study will identify connecting the Memphis, Atlanta + Nashville existing corridors to the city.

• The public has been invited to attend a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. for Zoie Nash, one of the six children who lost their lives in the Woodmore Elementary bus crash. A memorial statue will be unveiled at the East Lake Community Center along with special remarks. (Chattanoogan.com)

• EPB Quantum Network announced it will host Qunnect as its first customer for quantum collaboration. The partnership will include a series of on-site validation runs to “determine the interoperability of key quantum technologies across a quantum network.”

• Alton Park Development Corporation’s annual Chattanooga Humanitarian Award Banquet and Gala will return on Saturday, Dec. 16. This year’s theme is “Human Deeds for Human Needs” + local philanthropists will be recognized for providing 10+ years of services to the community.

• Santa Claus is coming to town. The Waldens Ridge Emergency Service will bring its Santa Train to the kiddos on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 12 p.m. Santa will visit all neighborhoods in Walden + the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County and Signal Mountain.

• The Chattanooga Red Wolves are seeking volunteers to help wrap presents for their annual Toys for Those In Need campaign. Folks can RSVP to help out Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Friday, Dec. 15.

• Editor Haley here. As a former Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery tour guide, one could say I rye-lly love seeing what they come up with. If you’re looking for a limited edition sipper, or even a gift for the connoisseur in your life, check out the distillery’s new Vault Series.

• Step one of your dog’s wellness journey: Nom Nom. The vet nutritionist-developed meals are perfectly portioned for a vibrant, joyful life. Get 50% off your first order.*

• Clark will be on a mission to find the heritage of real tomato ketchup.
• Kiddos will be patten Clark down on the playground.