Volunteers can help with farm maintenance and harvesting efforts at Crabtree Farms. | Photo by Julie Ellison via Crabtree Farms
There are more than enough great causes in Chattanooga to support with your time. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, or a natural mentor — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 50+ ways to get involved in Chattanooga.
Crabtree Farms | Help out on the farm, greenhouse, or with field trips.
Tennessee Aquarium | Try various volunteer opportunities like working in horticulture, scuba diving, helping aquarium experts with animal care, and more.
Chattanooga Free Store | Sign up to work weekly store hours, help clean + prep, and join in on community events.
Chattanooga Area Food Bank | Volunteer at the food bank by sorting and packing food, distributing emergency food assistance, and more.
Scenic City Clay Arts | Be a “studio bee” to help with class and program support, keeping the studio clean, data entry, and mailings.
Sculpture Fields | Opportunities include being a tour guide, serving on committees, helping with landscaping, and events like Fire Up the Fields + Sculptures in the Sky.
Walker Farm Pioneer Days | Monday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Nov. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Audubon Acres | $6+ | Journey back in time to the 1800s to see demonstrations, from butter churning to apple cider pressing, and tour the historic Spring Fog Cabin.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Hand Sewing Hems Class | 6 p.m. | The Knot & Needle, Red Bank | $50 | Learn different specialized hem stitches and apply them to your clothes in this class for intermediate students.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Nature by the Pint | 6-7:15 p.m. | The Greenhouse by Oddstory Brewing Co. | Free+ | Learn more about the crucial role birds play in the ecosystem + the Tennessee River Gorge Trust’s bird conservation efforts.
Thursday, Nov. 21
CIVIQ | 5:30-7 p.m. | Chattanooga Public Library | Free, RSVP | Hear from Thomas Woltz on the responsibility to let land tell its stories + how doing so through landscape architecture inspires long-term engagement.
Friday, Nov. 22
Annual Holiday Art Show & Sale | 5-8:30 p.m. | Townsend Atelier | Free+ | Get first dibs on artwork from 12 local artists.
The grade crossing at 956 Wauhatchie Pk. (near the intersection of Birmingham Highway) is closed now through Wednesday, Nov. 20 for repairs. During the closure, traffic will be detoured via Birmingham Highway. Drivers are advised to use caution in the area.
Development
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Grand Junction Depot is set to receive capital maintenance + improvements thanks to the Tennessee State Museum. A $67,500 state grant has been awarded to replace windows, provide electrical updates, and repair the roof of the main office building. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
UTC
UTC has been awarded a $3.5 million federal grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to fully establish its Quantum Center. The funding will be distributed over four years to support its infrastructure, education + outreach efforts, research, and more to ensure the center’s sustainability. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)
Arts
The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) 2024 Member Salon Show will take place Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22, featuring works from more than 150 local + regional artists. The artwork will be displayed floor to ceiling throughout AVA’s main Frazier Avenue space. (Chattanoogan.com)
Seasonal
Weaver Farms will begin selling trees for the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29. Look for the big tent on Signal Mountain Road to shop fresh trees + other holiday decor items. Stay tuned for a full list of local area tree farms.
Plan Ahead
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga’s 42nd annual Equal Opportunity Day breakfast fundraiser will be on Thursday, Dec. 5. This year’s theme is “State of the Movement” + attendees will hear about the organization’s impact and ongoing efforts to ensure equitable opportunities for all.
Try This
In case you missed it, we’re running our historical marker contest this month, and submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Make a submission for a chance to be featured on our national map of readers’ landmarks.
Trending
It’s here — Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2024. We’re seeing: fluffy ear muffs, cozy slippers, french fry seasoning, and fancy chocolate bark.*
Category
Food
🍽️ Taste the memories
Oh how we miss you, Koch’s Bakery on Broad Street. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
We have some amazing restaurants in our city, and we love highlighting new culinary gems at NOOGAtoday. But there have also been so many great, local restaurants that have closed over the years (Koch’s Bakery, we miss you) — and sometimes, we get a little hankering for a meal from a place that no longer exists. Sigh.
This got us thinking about the local restaurants from yesteryear that make our readers feel that same nostalgia — the spots that would be your go-to choices for dining out if they were still around.
Personally, if we had a time machine, we’d head straight to The Farmer’s Daughter for the Tokyo breakfast + blueberry cornmeal pancakes and never look back.
OK, your turn. Which Chattanooga restaurant or meal would you give anything to eat one more time? Let us know and we may feature you in an upcoming newsletter.
I recently celebrated my three-year work anniversary with NOOGAtoday, and I’m still feeling pretty sentimental. It’s a treat to be able to write about my favorite city — and even sweeter to be able to share it with our readers. Thank y’all for reading.
