Plus, get your trees for Tennessee Tree Day.
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Today’s Forecast

49º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:42 a.m. | Sunset 6:04 p.m.


Meet local artist Zach Riddle

NOOGAtoday | Zach Riddle Art
Every shirt has the state’s outline + Riddle’s motto, “Invest in urself.” | Photo provided by Zach Riddle
We recently sat down with Zach Riddle, a local artist who’s been traveling across the country on his “Fifty Fiftee $50" tour — a project where he travels to all 50 states, makes 50 T-shirts per state, and doesn’t leave the state until all the shirts are sold.

Riddle has sold shirts to celebrities like Jaden Smith, Benny Blanco, and Diplo + has documented his travels on TikTok, where he’s garnered over 73,000 followers.

“I’ve always wanted to make apparel, but I didn’t want to just put my art on clothes, I wanted to create apparel with meaning,” said Riddle. “One of the big goals I have with this project is to inspire others to invest in themselves, especially other artists and entrepreneurs. It feels like my motto as a person, because the more you invest in yourself the more you can invest in other people.”

Find out how Riddle went from being a UTC student to traveling the US below.
Background, celeb encounters + advice for artists

Events

Monday, Jan. 27

Rare Archaeological Artifact Opening Exhibit | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum, Collegedale | Free | Attend a symposium to see and learn the history behind a comb that dates back to 1700 B.C.

Tuesday, Jan. 28

Tuesday Matinee | 2-4:30 p.m. | Chattanooga Public Library, Downtown Branch | Free | Spend the afternoon snacking on free popcorn and enjoying a screening of “The Flash.”

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Origami Workshop | 5-6:30 p.m. | Katie Lamb Public Library, Collegedale | Free | Learn how to fold seed starter pots ahead of the planting season.

Thursday, Jan. 30

“The Long View” | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hunter Museum of American Art | Price of admission | Come out to the opening celebration of the museum’s newest exhibit featuring works ranging from the mid-19th century to the present day.

Friday, Jan. 31

Backcountry Loop Hike | 10-11:30 a.m. | Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA | Free | Bundle up for a 1.5-hour hike with the park’s naturalist through the Backcountry Camping Trailhead — meet at the Interpretive Center.
Events calendar here
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News Notes

Civic

City Council recently voted to accept a $500,000 grant for the Chattanooga Police Department that will be used to support the recruitment + retention of sworn officers. The grant will incentivize longevity and offer periodic payments to officers hired after May 1, 2023.

Community

The Neighborhood Roundtable Series will return for 2025 on the third Monday of each month at the City Council building. The series aims to connect residents, share resources, and discuss topics that impact our community. Attend the kick-off event on Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Outdoors

Want to participate in Tennessee Tree Day on Saturday, March 15? Reserve your native trees now through Sunday, March 2 to be picked up locally from Audubon Acres. Tennesseans all across the state will plant trees to improve the environment + beautify communities.

Try This

The Hamilton County Mayor’s Office is seeking district ambassadors to spearhead cleanup efforts and serve as liaisons between their respective communities and county officials. See additional responsibilities + apply.

Biz

Chattanooga Culture shared in an Instagram post that it will be closing its McFarland Avenue location + moving to a new space in the Brainerd area. Make sure to follow the kombucha shop on Instagram for reopening updates.

Edu

The Tennessee Aquarium’s College Days discount returns in February. During the month, college students + faculty (and all individuals in their party) will receive half-off admission to the aquarium and 45-minute films at the IMAX 3D Theater. Learn more.

Health

Purpose Point Community Health will host a community resource event on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., folks can learn about local health resources, insurance, and Medicare options + hear from the Southeast TN Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services.

Beauty

Erlanger Cosmetic Surgery has been turning back the hands of time for 60+ years. From subtle enhancements to transformative results, their experts provide the latest cosmetic advancements to help clients achieve their aesthetic goals. Schedule a consultation to explore your options.*

The Buy

The perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t exi… Enter: Squishmallows. From ages three to 103, we’re pretty sure these ultra-soft, best-selling stuffed animals will make any age smile. We’re loving these five love day-inspired Squishmallows:

💟 Omar The Bear
💟 Caparinne The Pink Bigfoot
💟 Charles The Pickle
💟 Kate The Rainbow Llamacorn
💟 Walsh The Rose
More Valentine’s Day gift inspo

The Wrap

NOOGAtoday | Kristen Templeton wrap
The season of love is almost upon us, and Blue Skies has already unveiled its Valentine’s window display. Check out this Instagram post for the behind-the-scenes magic of crafting the winged heart.

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