January 13, 2022 - MLK Day events, Big 9 history + Lookouts coaches

Hello Friday.

January 21 2022

Mon., Jan. 17 marks the 27th anniversary of the National MLK Day of Service, a day dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life + serving the community.

Locally, the MLK Day of Service launched in 2014. To continue the tradition in Chattanooga, we’re breaking down how you can take part in this annual “day on, not a day off.”

A mural painted on the side of JJ’s Bohemia on MLK Boulevard | Photo via NOOGAtoday

Honor

Beloved Community Gathering | 1 p.m. | Miller Park | The Unity Group of Chattanooga is hosting this COVID-19-conscious, outdoor gathering in lieu of the annual MLK Parade.
“It Starts with Me: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice” | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Chattanooga State, virtual | This Zoom panel is open to the public with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education — ID Number 833 2721 5619, Passcode 103001.
MLK Day Youth Leadership Symposium | 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Kingdom Center, 730 E. MLK Blvd. | RSVP | Hear empowering messages and participate in skill-building activities with local leaders + enjoy food, music, trivia, and a free vaccine clinic.

Volunteer

MLK Day of Service Donation Drive | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Chattanooga City Hall | The drive will kick-off with welcome remarks by Mayor Tim Kelly, music, a spoken-word performance, and reflections on service.
MLK Service Day at the Farm | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. | RSVP | Spend the day of service volunteering at the farm by helping with greenhouse work, adding compost to community gardens, and more.
Red Bank MLK Day of Service | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 3601 Dayton Blvd. | RSVP | Join Red Bank leaders + businesses to clean up litter in south, central, and north Red Bank.
11th Street Litter Cleanup with Marie Mott | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 652 E. 10th St. | RSVP | Join local activist Marie Mott + nonprofit Green Steps for the third annual 11th Street litter cleanup — food and other donations also accepted.

Not everyone is able to attend the scheduled events + volunteer opportunities — that’s ok. You can find your own ways to volunteer within the community and can share them online using the hashtag #MLKChatt2022.

Use the buttons below to share this story with your coworkers who have MLK Day off, your friend who’s hoping to volunteer this year, and anyone else interested in celebrating the holiday.

EVENTS

Today

Garden Club | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. | $35 | The Garden Club provides hands-on guidance, support, and resources to help grow a beautiful garden. 🌱
Winter Virtual Workshop – Wilderness Survival | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7-8 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, virtual | Free, RSVP | Think outside the box with real life examples that may help you if you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness.
Bird Watching from your Couch | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | Nova Conservation, virtual | Free | Nova Conservation’s Laura Marsh will share the basics of birding from home, including using binoculars and a field guide, bird feeder use, and identification of common backyard birds. 🐦

Friday

Riots are the Voices of the Unheard | Fri., Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Unity Group, virtual | Free, RSVP | Pastor Charlotte Williams presents this MLK Week event with guest speaker Lorenzo Kom’boa Ervin, who shares his experience as a former civil rights organizer.
Chattacon | Fri., Jan. 14-Sun., Jan. 16 | 3 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 407 Chestnut St. | $60 | Science fiction lovers unite for fandom conversations, writing workshops, and more. 🦹

Saturday

Healthy Family Cooking: Rainbow Veggie Rolls | Sat., Jan. 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Chattery | $38 | Your ticket covers one adult + one child in this veggie fresh roll cooking class. 🥕
We Are Us Show | Sat., Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | Common House, 1517 Mitchell Ave. | $10 | Enjoy drinks, a nice venue, and great tunes at this show.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE OF THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Chattanooga. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

SHOP

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NEWS NOTES

Weather

54º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain ⛅

Civic

Chattanooga City Council confirmed Mayor Tim Kelly’s appointments of Dan Reuter as Administrator for the Department of City Planning + Scott Martin as Administrator for the Department of Parks and Outdoors. Mayor Kelly stated that both candidates were selected after a nationwide search. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Edu

The TN Department of Education has extended the submission deadline for public comments + feedback on the state’s drafted plans for a new, student-centered public education funding formula. The deadline is now Tues., Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST.

Announced

In a joint statement, CHI Memorial, Erlanger, and Parkridge Health Systems said that due to growing COVID-19 patients, emergency rooms will only provide COVID-19 testing to those with significant symptoms that would require hospitalization. (Chattanoogan.com)

Noogan

Four local girls made history after becoming some of the first-ever female Eagle Scouts — nationwide. Anika Pierce, Rowan Kologek, Lottie Miller, and Bethany Ostheim are using their new status as Eagle Scouts to give back to the community, and their efforts have already inspired over a dozen girls to want to become Eagle Scouts. ⚜️ (WRCB)

Sports

The Chattanooga Lookouts announced the coaching staff for the team’s upcoming 2022 season. New to the Lookouts is Jose Moreno, who joins the staff as the team’s manager. Returning Pitching Coach Rob Wooten, Hitting Coach Eric Richardson, and Game Planning + Catching Coach Nate Irving will also be on staff this season.

Arts

Applications for ArtsBuild’s Mission Support grant program recently opened for eligible Hamilton County arts organizations. Organizations must submit the first part of the application by Jan. 31 + the full application on Feb. 28. An online information session will take place on Tues., Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m. 🎨

Job

The McCallie School currently has two faculty and staff openings. The school is in search of an Upper School English Teacher, a full time position, and an Assistant Director of Development for Events, which requires some evening and weekend work + out-of-town travel.

Health

According to the National Stroke Association, women can take some simple steps to help avoid the incidence of a stroke. Erlanger Health Systems’ Women and Stroke—A Different Disease lists symptoms to look for, causes, and ways to reduce your risk.*

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#NOOGATODAY

“Everybody knows about 9th Street.”

📸 @songbirdsfoundation

In 1981, local officials renamed what was then East 9th Street “MLK Boulevard” after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Before MLK Boulevard, though, the neighborhood was known as “Big 9,” where a variety of Black-owned retail shops, offices, and entertainment venues were clustered + thrived on the strip.

The Songbirds Foundation recently created a short on the historic neighborhood, and its Big 9 exhibit showcases the music history and legacy of the street. You can check it out at the museum on Station Street Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: Guys. Veganuary just got a whole lot more fun — I recently discovered that Rocket Fizz (downtown’s soda + candy shop) offers vegan candy bars. I’ve only tried the Snickers and Heath bar imitations so far, but holy cow (which, btw, you can help by trying one of these vegan bars) are they delicious. Where to find them? Back of the store, far left corner. I found them near there on a display by accident, and it has since changed my life. 🍫

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We dished some of your own unwritten rules of Chattanooga (ahem, it’s chatt-a-noo-ga, not chatt-nooga).