Did you know? National HIV Testing Day was first observed in June 1995 | Photos provided by Cempa Community Care
June is National Men’s Health Month: A time for raising awareness and encouraging all men to take charge of their health through preventive annual screenings, healthy habits, and open conversations.
This includes National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27, where both men and women can confirm their status and connect to care if needed.
If you haven’t yet, consider adding the following to your June to-do list:
🩺 Check in with your body
Even if you’re feeling fit as a fiddle, routine checkups and preventative care are vital to long-term healthspan (remember: It’s not just about how long you live, it’s about how long you’re healthy enough to enjoy it). Screenings are the most reliable way to catch serious medical issues early, including:
Oral health can affect everything from self-confidence to heart and brain health.
Now’s the time to schedule that annual visit, and Cempa’s in-house dental services make it easy to stay on top of cleanings, checkups, and cavity care.
📞 Take the first step
It can be tempting to put off a visit till next year, or skip a screening when you feel fine. But staying healthy starts with showing up, and trust us: Your future self will thank you.
Nightfall | 6-10 p.m. | Miller Park and Plaza | Free+ | Hear the musical stylings of Kimmie J. Soul + headliner Hollyy, a Chicago-based, five-piece band known for their modern take on vintage-sounding soul.
The Perfect Pour | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Chattery | $42 | From gin to vodka, dry to dirty, and classic to creative twists — learn how to craft a perfect martini.
Saturday, June 21
Summer Solstice Day Yoga Retreat | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Rising Fawn Gardens | $175 | Start the new season with this retreat featuring a catered lunch, hiking, tea, yoga, and more.
Make Music Day | Times vary | Locations vary | Free+ | Travel around the Scenic City for this city-wide event that will bring free shows to different venues all day long in a celebration of local talent.
Sunday, June 22
Midsummer Solstice | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | Make the first memories of summer with your friends and favorite market vendors under the pavilion.
Crafting with Craft Bevvies | 4-6 p.m. + 7-9 p.m. | Broad’s Lounge | Free+ | Sip on cocktails or mocktails while creating your own rainbow suncatcher while supplies last.
Friday, July 4
Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival | 2-10 p.m. | Patriot Park | Free+ | Head to Pigeon Forge for a day of family fun, fireworks, and live music from Dylan Scott, Alana Springsteen, and Bryson Quick.*
The County Commission has passed Mayor Weston Wamp’s ~$1.09 billion proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The balanced budget will not increase taxes + focuses on public safety, infrastructure, and responsible stewardship — see the breakdown.
Festival
The Highland Park Porchfest’s lineup is here. The festival known for lawns being seats and porches turning into stages returns on Saturday, Oct. 11 with 20 local acts — 15 of which are new to the event. There will also be a pre-party on Friday, Oct. 10 + a post-party on Saturday.
Shop
Red Bank United Methodist Church is joining the celebrations for the city’s 70th anniversary tomorrow. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can shop a community yard sale featuring furniture, clothing, games, and more. Bonus: There will be popsicles + a craft table. (Chattanoogan.com)
Eat
The Vegan Chef Challenge will return to the Scenic City on Tuesday, July 1 + runs through Thursday, July 31. During the challenge, participating restaurants will compete for your votes to see who has the most creative and delicious plant-based menu options.
Read
Ruby Falls donated 180 Adventure Passes to the Chattanooga Public Library + Cherokee Regional Library System for participants in their respective summer reading programs. The passes are good for two adults and two children to take a guided cave walk tour to the waterfall.
Community
Applications are open for the City of Chattanooga’s Builder’s Blueprint Program. This 16-week cohort will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 9 + covers topics from computer literacy to marketing, helping local contractors achieve their career goals. Apply by Thursday, July 17.
Real Estate
Is the future of housing built in just one hour? This company is selling assembly-line constructed homes that are folded up, shipped off, and unboxed on-site.†*
Number
5. That’s how many minutes it takes to be ready for every trending topic at tonight’s dinner party, thanks to 1440’s unbiased, fact-based daily newsletters. Subscribe for free.*
Category
Development
🏟️ Finley, a stadium upgrade is in the works
A “Stadium within a Park” is in the works over in Southside, connecting the campus to surrounding neighborhoods. | Photo by Knight Eady via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Move over Finley Stadium — our eyes are set on Finley Stadium 2.0. We’re here to give you a first look at the Stadium Corp.'s master plan to update the 28-year-old site.
The plan is split up into a comprehensive study of six areas:
Main Street frontage
Potential capacity for two four-story mixed-use buildings with parking garages bringing:
22,000 sqft of retail space
Total of 57 1-2 bedroom units
204 new parking spaces provided (with the removal of 120 current spaces for the development)
New park connection
An extension of the First Horizon Pavilion’s floor level would remove low walls for better access + connect proposed greenways — with hopes to bring activation like:
BYOS(kates) rollerskating loop
Retractable basketball hoops
Removable pickleball nets
The removed parking would be added back to Parkway Tower.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Last night, I went to the opening night of the Chattanooga Film Festival to see two special screenings. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but y’all are in for a treat this year. Check out our guide if you still haven’t bought your tickets.
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