*Insert your favorite Dolly Parton song lyric.* | Photo via the Chattanooga Public Library
The Dolly Days are far from over, they haven’t even begun. Local nonprofit Signal Centers — who serves as the community partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — is celebrating the Tennessee singer’s birthday with a week-long celebration.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Jan. 19, families can download the official Dolly Days passport and travel around to collect stamps + the chance to win an iPad.
All you have to do is participate in at least four of the activities like:
Grab a Cup of Ambition — we prefer ours with two scoops — at Clumpie’s Ice Cream Co.'s Southside (Jan. 13-19) or NorthShore (Jan. 16-19) stores.
CARTA will debut a Dolly-wrapped bus with a small Imagination Library inside for passengers
Events
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 8
ChattState vs. Motlow State | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | ChattState | Free+ | Cheer on the Tigers from the basketball court as the women’s and men’s teams take on the Bucks.
Learn to Play the Ukulele | 6-7 p.m. | The Chattery (Broad Street) | $45 | Begin a three-week course + learn basic strumming, essential chords, and beginner-friendly songs to kickstart your playing.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Minecraft Club | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Katie Lamb Public Library, Collegedale | Free | Those ages 6-17 can build their own worlds during this fun-filled hour.
Friday, Jan. 10
Animal Crossing: Special Stamp Rally | Friday, Jan. 10-Saturday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | Tennessee Aquarium | $25+ | Enjoy this special aquarium experience and step into “New Horizons” to collect stamps + meet characters from the game like K.K. Slider, Tom Nook, and Isabelle.
Saturday, Jan. 11
Harrison Bay Star Party | 6-10 p.m. | Harrison Bay State Park, Harrison | Free | Catch sight of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and more through a telescope with the Barnard Astronomical Society of Chattanooga.
Sunday, Jan. 12
Saudi Coffee Tasting | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 330 Main | $20 | Experience Middle Eastern treats from Baklanooga + sip on Saudi Arabian and Turkish coffees while learning about these regions.
After receiving final approval from the Planning Commission, a 200-acre luxury residential community will be built along the Tennessee River. Riverton Farms, brought to you by Thunder Enterprises, will hold 35 estate lots that are 1.5 to 10-acres — available to reserve now. (Chattanoogan.com)
Community
The Tennessee Aquarium has joined the Museums for All initiative, lowering admission fees for eligible residents. Those who receive SNAP benefits qualify for up to four $5 tickets at a time (children ages 4 and under can get in for free) — just stop by the ticketing center.
Cause
PawPaw’s Homeless Ministry will distribute coats, gloves, and toboggans tomorrow, Jan. 9, ahead of the colder temperatures projected for this weekend. Residents in need can stop by 101 E. 11th St. starting at 4 p.m. to get supplies + a hot meal.
Outdoors
Speaking of dropping temps, the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department is closing the Brainerd and Brown Acres Golf Courses for the remainder of the week due to the cold snap. Try tee-ing up at one of these other courses.
Biz
The Better Bakery has announced it will temporarily halt its normal operations to rest + revamp its space. Through the end of January, folks can still pre-order their gluten-free and vegan-friendly goods, just no walk-ins.
Health
Starting Thursday, Jan. 30, Erlanger East Hospital on Gunbarrel Road will serve as the hospital’s second Milk Drop Depot. In partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank of Tennessee, this will be a collection point of extra breast milk to benefit local premature and at-risk infants.
Watch
Christmas might be over, but reader Bill P. reminded us of when Chattanooga legend Reggie White was presented on “The Bob Hope Christmas Special.” Skip ahead to the four-minute mark to see when White played for the Vols in 1983.
Plan Ahead
Come for the cars, stay for the people at Riverside 10, slated for Friday, March 21 + Saturday, March 22. This event over at the First Horizon Pavilion will feature a car showcase, live music, a vintage market, and more. Register your car or vendor booth.
High interest rates are daunting, so paying off credit card debt is a top New Year’s resolution for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers well into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Read
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Category
Featured
Climbing the national ranks
Ranked No. 1 in our hearts in every category. | Photo by Steadfast Images via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
It’s no surprise 2024 was a packed year for our little mountain city — we’re taking a look back at what some national outlets said when ranking Chattanooga.
Southern Living “The 15 Friendliest Cities in the South” | Ranked No. 11 Readers noted that the city has a real sense of community and cited people like the late Luther Massengill, a local radio host, for leading the charge.
Condé Nast Traveler “The Best Food Cities in the US: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards” | Ranked No. 3 Roughly 100 miles south of Nashville’s pedal taverns and hot chicken joints, you’ll find a bustling restaurant scene in Chattanooga, which is quickly becoming one of the most interesting dining cities in the country.
U.S. News “Best Places to Live in Tennessee in 2024-2025” | Ranked No. 1 In many ways, Chattanooga is the comeback kid of Tennessee. Once called “the dirtiest city in America” by Walter Cronkite, Chattanooga now boasts a revitalized Main Street, premier outdoor recreation, and a hearty startup scene.
An under-sink organizer — declutter your cleaning supplies, bathroom products, or pantry items with an easy slide-out design that fits around most plumbing fixtures.
If you’re trying to figure out what trends will take place in 2025, your fellow readers are here to help. We asked you what your “Ins/Outs” would be, and the top contenders were:
In | Shopping local over 50% of the time
Out | Seeing another small biz close
If you commit to both, it seems like it could be a win-win. See other top choices.
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