Ahh, the smell of fresh paint. Today we’re excited to share some updates to our newsletter design. We hope these changes will help us deliver an even better reader experience — but as with most remodels, we may experience a few hiccups along the way. If your email doesn’t look quite right or if you have feedback on ways we can continue to improve, please drop us a line.
For one night + one night only
“Through the Hollows” you will be enchanted by a multi-media experience. | Photo provided by Understory
What do you get when you combine a costume ball, a concert, and an immersive dance performance all under one abandoned mill roof? That would be “Through the Hollows,”Understory’s upcoming one-night-only event.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Coosa Mill will be transformed into a space dedicated to love, loss, death + rebirth — a journey of grief rituals found across cultures. Understory’s Founder and Creative Director Jules Downum said she used her extensive background in anthropology to guide the vision.
“This year was a lot of death for me,” Downum said. “I was looking up a lot of grief rituals for myself, and somebody came to me [...], in a way I wanted to create this space for myself and other people to go through this communal transformation.”
As you venture through the mill, there will be several activation points for you to participate in.
This evening will bring together catharsis activities as you connect with others in a joyous celebration of letting go.
Photo provided by Understory
Liza Greever of Fox and Fern Botanical Styling will provide a floral installation, and you’re invited to help. You can bring an artifact representing someone or something you want to either honor, or release + choose flowers you want to add to the collection.
Greever is using inspiration from Victorian-era floriography, providing a selection of blooms for you to pick based on its meaning.
Moss | Clarity
Gladiolus | Remembrance + sincerity
Snapdragon | Graciousness, fascination + protection from evil
Fern | Magic, fascination + secret bonds of love
Pro tip: Choose items that don’t hold significant value — the installation will be disposed of after the event.
Folks can also enjoy music played by local band Nick Lutsko and the 100K Band, dancers (take a look at last year’s performance), libations, and a participatory poem installation.
The event’s color scheme is white + black with accents of crimson. Costumes are encouraged, Downum said she hopes to see people get creative with their current wardrobe or by thrifting — get inspired.
We can’t wait to see what you decide to wear. Since this event is for one night only, expect tickets to sell out.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Fall Break Downtown | Wednesday, Oct. 16 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Downtown Branch, Chattanooga Public Library | Free | Take the kiddos to make a pressed-flower bookmark for their next read.
Lookout Comedy Festival | Wednesday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Oct. 19 | Times vary | Locations vary | $15+ | Come out for this four-day event featuring 25+ comedians from across the nation.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Art Center Grand Opening | Thursday, Oct. 17 | 4-6 p.m. | ChattState | Free | See the college’s newest addition that will showcase professional and student art exhibitions.
Friday, Oct. 18
Festive Lights | Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19 | 7-10 p.m. | Novie’s Festive Lights, Rossville | Free+ | See a ghoulish display of 20,000 twinkling lights synchronized to a playlist + bring donations for local animal shelter Trooper’s Treasures.
Hixson Haunted Hollow | Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | Hixson Haunted Hollow, Hixson | $0+ | Travel through a haunted trail + barn experience before enjoying music, a firepit, and more.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Fire Up The Fields | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Sculpture Fields at Montague Park | $0+ | See a larger-than-life wooden sculpture burn at this annual bonfire while enjoying live music, food, and the surrounding sculptures.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 8-10 p.m. | Downtown Branch, Chattanooga Public Library | Free, RSVP | Those 17+ can come dressed up and see an interactive movie screening of this cult classic — prop bags will be provided.
TN Promise covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. | Photo by Ryan Long via ChattState
Hey, parents of high school seniors: The cost of college can be the least of your concerns when helping your student plot their future.
Since 2014, the Tennessee Promise scholarship has made college possible for 150,000 students by fully covering tuition + mandatory fees for up to five semesters. Even better: Students can use the scholarship for ChattState’s degrees + TCAT programs.
A prescribed burn for one acre at Heritage Park will happen today, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. The fire department will be onsite during the duration + the dog park and a portion of the walking loop will close at 10 a.m. Nearby residents may see or smell smoke. (Local 3)
Civic
The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chattanooga + its nine historic Black Greek letter organizations will host a “Stroll to the Polls” event on Saturday, Oct. 26. You can join the stroll by heading to Brainerd High School at 10 a.m. and place your early vote. (Chattanoogan.com)
Open
You might want to rethink your breakfast plans because Brothers Bagel, the new eatery on Hixson Pike, has officially opened. Serving up New York-style bagels Wednesday-Sunday, you can expect a variety of schmears + sandwiches. We’ve got our eye on the BEC.
Cause
The City of Chattanooga is continuing its efforts to provide support to communities affected by recent hurricanes. Now through Saturday, Oct. 19, you can drop off supplies — generators, winter clothing, baby formula, medication, etc. — to any city fire department + community center or Outdoor Chattanooga’s facility.
Sports
Chattanooga Football Club has made Chris Nugent the permanent head coach of the men’s first team for the 2025 season. After the departure of former coach Rod Underwood, Nugent took over as interim for the last two matches of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
Coming Soon
Hamilton Place’s newest addition, fitness gym Crunch, is set to open on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The $5 million, 30,000-sqft gym was the former home to a Sears + features cardio and strength training equipment, circuit training, relax and recover areas, and Olympic platforms. Check out the space.
Community
Local branches of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Driver Services Centers will close now through Friday, Oct. 18 for the installation of new credentialing equipment and new self-service kiosks. Each closure will only last for one day — plan accordingly.
Older Adult
Applications are now open for the city’s Property Tax Relief and Freeze Programs. These programs range from offering reimbursements on property taxes to a freeze on your property tax to ensure it doesn’t increase. Qualifying residents (think: those 65+, those with disabilities, etc.) can apply until April.
Plan Ahead
Get ready to strut your stuff-ing. Registration is now open for the annual Stuffing Strut. Spend Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, Nov. 28) walking or running a 5K through Chester Frost Park to benefit Northside Neighborhood House, Soddy-Daisy Food Bank, Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department + Soddy-Daisy Middle School’s Jim Wilson Fund.
Answered
Who is the highly anticipated comedian our readers want to see in the Scenic City? Well, we should say comedians, because 81.4% of our survey takers said they wanted to see Steve Martin + Martin Short when they perform at Memorial Auditorium in January.
Health
Imagine sitting in a busy cafe surrounded by chatter and music, yet hearing every word of the conversation crystal clear. With this revolutionary hearing aid, background noise fades, and the voices you care about come through with perfect clarity.*
Number
$125. That’s how much you can save on the HP Smart Tank 6001 printer for a limited time. Bonus: A two-year supply of ink is included with your purchase.*
Category
Travel
🚗 RV there yet?
The Tapoco Lodge was built in 1930 by the Tallassee Power Company to house workers near the Cheoah dams and other hydroelectric power projects in the area. | Photo by LOUtoday
Itching to get out of town this fall, Chattanoogans? Jump in your car for a road trip to the Historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, NC — part of the Great Smoky Mountains’ foothills — instead. From hiking around the Cheoah River to sampling mead at Wehrloom Honey in town, we’re here to be your travel guide.
📍 Essential info
Drive time: ~3 hours Year the lodge was established: 1930 Open: Year-round
🎟️ Experience
Cheoah River Release Several times throughout the year, a 9.25-mile stretch of the Cheoah River is released to create Class IV-V whitewater rapids for seasoned kayakers + rafters. The last release of the year is Saturday, Nov. 23.
🍔 Eat
Tapoco Tavern Located on the bottom level of the lodge, the tavern is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., serving wood-fired pizzas and pub-style food — make sure to check out the bar menu.
An easy Halloween costume — snag these “Inside Out” t-shirts and have the whole family dress up as Disgust, Anger, Anxiety, and your other favorite emotions for a hilarious and topical group look.
City Editor Kristen + I got to try State of Confusion’s newest menu items, and I have to give you my review of each one.
Starting with the alligator bites and the crawfish lobster cakes, I could just order the remoulade sauce that came with both dishes by itself — prepare to want to travel to New Orleans after trying these Creole-style appetizers. Next, we tried the Parrilla bronzed red fish + chicken bacon skewers. Both entrees were prepared with the perfect amount of crispiness that paired well with the peach paloma.
