Plus, Hamilton County receives AAA bond rating.
 
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Today’s Forecast

88º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:07 a.m. | Sunset 8:18 p.m.

 
🐾 Paws to read about this chain reaction
A dog with its tongue out in a fenced in yard
Who let the dogs out? That would be ChainFree Chattanooga. | Photo provided by ChainFree Chattanooga
National Dog Day is Monday, Aug. 26 and in celebration, we’re highlighting ChainFree Chattanooga — a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the environments of local outdoor dogs.

Operating as the Scenic City’s branch of ChainFree USA, which launched in Knoxville in 2021, the nonprofit, spearheaded by Elizabeth Longphre, works to eliminate the practice of tethering dogs while spreading awareness of the physical + mental impacts it can have.

Secretary and head of social media Katelyn Dix said that ChainFree is a judgment-free organization that wants to meet residents where they’re at and provide a resource that might not have been previously accessible.

Let’s break down some quick facts about who qualifies + the timeline.
  • Fence builds are open to residents who live in Chattanooga, Red Bank, East Ridge, or Ridgeside + who continuously tether their dogs or have small enclosures.
  • Each build can cost roughly over $1,200 for materials and additional supplies — funds are donation-based + services are free to the pet owners.
  • ChainFree will accept one build every month to six weeks, this allows time to fundraise for each case.
  • Projects are need-based — folks can either apply for services or you can nominate others by filling out an online form.
Screenshot 2024-08-22 at 3.31.49 PM.png

ChainFree Chattanooga’s team is comprised of locals who all have experience working closely with animals in shelters, including a professional dog trainer.

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Photo provided by ChainFree Chattanooga

The organization doesn’t stop at building fenced areas. Part of each case also involves providing spaying + neutering services, with the help of ChattaNEUTER, and donating enrichment toys and dog shelters as needed, ensuring each dog has a well-balanced living space.

Looking to get involved? You can:
  • Donate to current projects.
  • Volunteer for a build day — you can help transport materials + deliver supplies or help build the modular fences (which take roughly 2-3 hours on a weekend).
  • Spread the word — we recommend following along on Instagram to read about the dogs being helped + keep up with fundraising and builds.
“I think it’s a different way to be involved in animal rescue that’s more accessible,” said Secretary Molly Shirley. “Even if you’re not volunteering, just educating people can be so helpful.”

Bonus: ChainFree Chattanooga recently did its first official build-out, helping out doggos Rocky + Blue — get a look at the process.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, Aug. 23
  • Nightfall | Friday, Aug. 23 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Miller Park and Plaza | Free+ | Grab your chairs and blankets to see performances by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers and Confreres + enjoy a market and lawn games.
Saturday, Aug. 24
  • Come Play on the Farm | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (CDT) | Little Tail Farms | $0-$20 | Get back to nature and interact with local livestock while feeding animals like Scottish Highland cattle, alpacas, goats, and more.
  • Reefstock Chattanooga | Saturday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | Chattanooga Convention Center | $0-$75 | Come out to this Global Aquarium show featuring marine reef aquariums, corals, and fish + vendors, workshops, and an aquascaping contest.
  • The Zeitgeist | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 7-10 p.m. | The Chattanooga Choo Choo | $45 | Tap into the era of your spirit and celebrate the times at this 21+ event.
  • Chocolate Festival | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 12-4 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | Price of admission | Think of this as your golden ticket to sample chocolates, make cocoa butter lip balm + learn the process of making chocolate.
Sunday, Aug. 25
  • Chattanooga Vintage Market | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free+ | Shop from over 50 vendors for vintage clothing, jewelry, and art.
  • Band of Horses | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 8-11:59 p.m. | The Signal | $53-$98 | See this alternative rock band behind hits like “The Funeral” and “Our Swords” take the stage in the Scenic City.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Hamilton County recently retained its AAA rating from three major agencies: Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s. What does that mean? The county (which was the first in Tennessee to receive this rating back in 2011) has shown high credit quality + financial strength when paying back bonds.
Traffic
  • Get ready to make a U-turn on the W Road. Crews will be out tomorrow, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for roadway cleanup. Traffic will be redirected to Roberts Mill Road or Signal Mountain Boulevard/Taft Highway to leave or access Signal Mountain. (WDEF)
Outdoors
  • The Land Trust for Tennessee has launched its Strategic Planning Feedback survey for 2024. All residents are invited to provide input on what they would like to see the organization prioritize in the future + weigh in on current operations.
Cause
  • Live & Love Ministries will host its annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Heritage High School in nearby Ringgold, GA. Starting at 8 a.m., this fundraising event will feature a 5K walk + run, followed by a vendor market, auction, activities, and more.
Arts
  • The Hunter Museum of American Art’s installation “Impact Zones,” curated specifically for the museum by artist April Flanders, is now on display. Through Aug. 4, 2025, you can see depictions of “the interaction of native and invasive species through the lens of forest and river ecosystems specific to Tennessee.”
Theater
  • The Tivoli Theatre Foundation is now accepting submissions for playbill advertisements for its upcoming Broadway season. Playbills will be for shows like “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and “Hamilton.” Local businesses + organizations can inquire via email by Friday, Sept. 13
Family
  • Get ready to head to the stands of Finley Stadium for free this football season, thanks to the Chattanooga Mocs joining the Chattanooga Public Library’s Family Pass program. You can check out passes (for two adults + up to four children) from any branch location starting Saturday, Aug. 31.
Finance
  • Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*
Shop
  • These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*†
 
 
Arts
 
Murals you can’t miss in Chattanooga
NOOGA | Murals
See what our art scene has to offer.  | Photos by NOOGAtoday and @theartistseven
Brushes up. Chattanooga’s tour of murals showcases some of the most talented local artists in our region. From “Change Starts in Your Own Backyard,” to “Communal Kaleidoscope,” the bright hues of our city inspire creativity, passion, and a curiosity for storytelling.

While our original mural guide features 18 art pieces, we wanted to take a look at some of Chattanooga’s newest additions. Ready to peruse the artful scene, Picasso? Here are a few must-see picks.

EPB Substation murals, E. 10th Street | Various artists
This series of murals (completed over four years) features 40 works across four sides of this building, depicting various themes that correspond with the MLK Boulevard neighborhood.

“APEX GRAFFOMETRY,” 110 Somerville Ave. | By The Artist SEVEN
This mural was commissioned specifically for the Tomorrow Building at Somer Station.
 
Asked
 
How often do you attend local art galleries, museums, or art events?
A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. 1-2 times per year
D. 3-4 times per year
 
The Buy
 
REI’s Labor Day sale is here. It runs until Monday, Sept. 2 + includes deals like:

⛺ $60 off the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent

☀️ 25% off the ENO SingleNest hammock

🥾 20% off the Danner Mountain 600 insulated hiking boots
 
 
The Wrap
 
Haley Bartlett.png Today’s edition by:
Haley
From the editor
Have any of our readers taken a class from Scenic City Clay Arts before? I decided this was the summer I was gonna dive into the art of ceramics + got signed up for a six-week course on wheel throwing. While my pieces are a little wonky, I’m super proud of what I got to make and couldn’t wait to share with y’all.

Pieces of ceramics like mugs, bowls, and cups
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