02.20.2024

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Today’s Forecast

60º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. | Sunset 6:28 p.m.

This one is for the foodies

Food as a Verb: Spotlighting Chattanooga food in all its forms

NOOGAtoday | David Cook, Sarah Unger, and Alex Dehart standing at a booth next to a sign that reads "Food as a Verb stories that feed people."

Meet David Cook, Sarah Unger, and Alex DeHart — the folks behind Food as a Verb. | Photo provided by Food as a Verb

What comes to mind when you think of the word food? It might be sustenance or necessity, but what if food was framed as an identity that connects us all?

This idea is the heartbeat behind the local publication Food as a Verb. Pioneered by Chattanoogans David Cook, Sarah Unger, and Alex DeHart + Julie Ellison who joined in late 2023, this team is dedicated to telling the stories of local food, farmers, chefs, and restaurants — from seed to plate, and everything in between.

It’s no secret that Chattanooga has a robust food scene, but the relationship with food and where it comes from can often be forgotten. Cook said Food as a Verb was born out of the intent to help us remember that food means something more to us as humans — that it represents community, meaning, pleasure, comfort, and memory.

You won’t find things like restaurant reviews in Food as a Verb, instead think of the publication as a storytelling version of the Slow Food Movement. You’ll find calming, nourishing stories about how food integrates with everyday life.

NOOGAtoday | Food as a Verb — Read the stories behind your favorite local food, restaurants, and farmers in this publication.
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Photo provided by Food as a Verb

Ready to dig in? To get you started, here are some of Cook + Unger’s favorite stories they’ve told so far.

“The Future of Local Food? Let’s Call It East Tennessee Wheat” | The owner of Niedlov’s Bakery & Cafe Erik Zilen’s vision of locally made bread — from the grain planted to the bread being baked.

“This Restaurant Tastes Like Freedom: A Story That Took 31 Years to Tell” | The story of Bryan Slayton, owner of Bad Wraps, Inc. on East MLK Boulevard.

“Lunch at LUNCH: One of the Most Meaningful Meals of 2023" | Read about this restaurant in nearby Sewanee dedicated to local food + community.

“When a Restaurant Tells a Story: Khaled AlBanna and the Beautiful Voice from Six Thousand Miles Away” | Hear about the dreams Palestinian-Jordanian chef Khaled AlBanna has for local restaurant Calliope.

Hungry for more? Sign up for Food as a Verb’s free weekly newsletter + make sure to give their Instagram page a follow to check out more happenings.

Eat your heart out

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 20

David Foster & Katharine McPhee | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $48.70-$126.30 | Hear the 16-time Grammy Award-winning composer perform songs alongside film, television + Broadway star, Katharine McPhee.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Open Mic Night | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St., Chattanooga | $7 | Listen to local and regional comics or take the stage yourself at Chattanooga’s longest-running open mic show.
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $46.15-$88 | This tribute band has toured across the globe bringing ABBA’s greatest hits back to the stage.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Black History Month Giveback Day | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Allgood’s Used Books and Coffee, 2420 Glass St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Spend time with the Bethlehem Center during your morning coffee — a portion of sales will be given to the organization for its youth + family programming efforts.
Gardening 101- Plant, Grow, Eat: The Art of Growing Fresh Organic Vegetables | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | $25 | Get an overview of gardening basics like the importance of soil, sunlight + water, and planting in season for your at-home gardens.

Friday, Feb. 23

Floral Linen Embroidery 101 | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga | $38 | In this class, you’ll learn how to hand embroider floral designs on multi-functional fabrics.
Kathleen Madigan | Friday, Feb. 23 | 8 p.m. | Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga | $54.-05-$194.85 | Have a laugh with this comedian + TV personality on her “Potluck Party” tour.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

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Skincare essentials that turn up the heat

Say bye-bye to dry skin with our list of skincare products. | Photo provided by Six & Main

Is dry skin making you feel frustrated during these winter months? Don’t worry, our online shop (Six & Main) features hydrating skincare products essential for weathering cold temperatures.

Step into a world of self-care as you explore a curated selection of winter skincare essentials, leaving your skin refreshed and revitalized.

Clean your face with the Purifying Face Wash by Roosevelt Supply Co. With added organic fruit extracts and activated charcoal, you’re sure to clean off the toughest dirt and grime without being harsh on your skin.

Exfoliate your skin using the Las Flores | Mini Hydrate + Brighten Duo, which is a powerful formula by Esteli that gently exfoliates and nourishes, leaving your skin looking and feeling refreshed.

Visibly improve texture, tone, and the look of fine lines and wrinkles with the Repair Hemp & Retinol Face Cream by She Biology, a hemp-strain skincare collection.

Shop all skincare

News Notes

Closed

Slim & Husky’s, a Nashville-based pizzeria, has closed its downtown location at 401 E. MLK Blvd. after two years of business. The eatery will continue to operate from its University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s West Campus Housing building on Vine Street. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Award

TVFCU recently announced the semifinalists for its annual Idea Leap Grant. 31 small businesses in the Chattanooga, Northwest Georgia + Ocoee areas will move on to pitch competitions on Monday, April 29 through Friday, May 3 for a chance to win a total of $225,000 in grant funds.

Health

Volunteers are needed to help traveling nonprofit Remote Area Medical during its pop-up clinic in nearby Cleveland on Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23. Local medical, dental + vision professionals will help provide free services first come, first serve to the public. Learn more + register to volunteer.

Community

The Better Business Bureau and partners will host a free fraud prevention event on Thursday, March 7 at the Family Justice Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees will learn how to protect themselves from fraud, identity theft, and scams + learn about emerging trends. RSVP by contacting 423-287-5540.

Finance

ArtsBuild and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga are teaming up to offer free tax prep services to local artists on Saturday, March 16. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., you can head to 301 E. 11th St. to use the VITA program. See what to bring + RSVP.

Edu

Do you have a high school senior going to college to pursue music? The Chattanooga Music Club will award scholarships during a live audition competition on Sunday, March 17. Vocalists + instrumentalists can apply by Monday, March 4.

Travel

A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*

Sports

⚾ Let’s play ball

Chattanooga Lookouts release initial slate of 2024 promotions

Are y’all as excited as we are for the upcoming season? | Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn via Chattanooga Lookouts

To gear up for baseball season, the Chattanooga Lookouts have released their 2024 promotional schedule. Here’s a look at what you can expect:

Weekly promotions

Food City Tuesday | Fans who show their Food City “ValuCard” will receive buy one, get one general admission tickets to that night’s game.
Thirsty Thursday | Enjoy special drink specials at the main concession stands + Budweiser Party Deck.
Fireworks Friday | See a post-game fireworks show after every Friday home game.
Kids Club Sunday | All Kids Club members receive a free ticket to every Sunday game.
Sunday Catch on the Field | All fans can head to the outfield after the game to play catch.

Featured games + promotions

Tuesday, April 9 | Opening Day
Friday, June 14 + Saturday, June 15 | 3rd Annual Negro Appreciation Weekend
Thursday, July 4 | Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 31-Friday, Aug. 2 | Las Montañas de Chattanooga

Note: All details are subject to change and additional promotions + giveaways will be announced at a later date, so make sure to follow the team’s Instagram page for updates.

See the full promotional schedule

The Buy

The Buy 2.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Top-rated microfiber pillowcases, because you deserve new, soft pillowcases to sleep on at night. We like how these are wrinkle free (no ironing needed) and are super soft to the touch.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kristen

From the editor

I have to shout out my tattoo artist Robert Barker for starting his own tattoo studio, The Urban Magnolia. Folks can check out the space at 3001 Broad St. during the open house on Friday, Feb. 23 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. — just make sure to RSVP by tomorrow, Feb. 21.

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