The good news: today is going to be sunny with a high of 75°. The bad news: the temperatures are going to dip below freezing later this week.
But why? We’ve had a taste of spring, and we don’t want to go back now.
Well, you have the redbuds to thank for that.
This is what a redbud in bloom looks like. | Photo by Matthew T Rader via Pexels
Okay, so it’s not really the redbuds’ fault, but redbud blooms are a way that farmers used to keep track of frosts and when they could safely sow their crops. Same with dogwood + blackberry blooms. You’ve likely heard the terms “dogwood winter” and “blackberry winter,” but do you know the history of these “little winters” in spring? If not, keep reading.
In Tennessee, there are typically 5 “little winters.” 👇
1. Redbud winter in late March or early April 2. Dogwood winter in late April 3. Locust winter in early May 4. Blackberry winter in mid May 5. Whippoorwill winter in late May (has also been called britches winter)
As mentioned above, farmers used nature as a way to keep track of the weather — they waited until after the dogwoods bloomed to plant their crops. Now, we can just consult a calendar or look at the Farmers’ Almanac for when the last frost will likely happen. In Chattanooga, it looks like the last spring frost will be April 1.
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, these blips in weather as we dig our way out of winter are called singularities. “For a singularity to be recognized, it has to occur during at least 50% of years.” All five “little winters” in Tennessee are singularities, which means we still have four more cold snaps to look forward to in the coming months.
If you haven’t looked at this week’s forecast, this is what we have to work with:
☔ Wednesday | High of 67°, low of 35° | Rainy | 100% chance of rain
☀️ Thursday | High of 51°, low of 30° | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
☀️ Friday | High of 56°, low of 33° | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
🌤️ Saturday | High of 65°, low of 40° | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain
☀️ Sunday | High of 71°, low of 46° | Sunny | 10% chance of rain
And while we get through this little redbud winter, you can get your spring garden planned + plants ordered from Crabtree Farms(plant sale is April 15-24) and Reflection Riding(pre-sale happening now).
Are you planning a spring or summer garden this year?
Yep! Got it all planned out and am waiting for the last frost.
Announced ○ Good news for music lovers — Chattanooga Brewing Co.’s Hill City Sessions are returning this spring. The outdoor, socially-distanced shows will feature beers + food from Cart & Seoul (and, of course, live music). Tickets go on sale on March 31 at 10 a.m. 🎵
Coronavirus ○ Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger announced that he’s extending the mask mandate for one month only, so it will end, definitively, on April 28. (NewsChannel 9)
Civic ○ The Downtown Chattanooga Alliance recently started a program called Cash for Trash that allows homeless people to earn $4 per bag of trash that they pick up. To this day, participants have gathered 85 pounds of trash and earned $122 to redeem at participating businesses. (Chattanoogan.com)
ComingSoon ○ South Carolina-based company Bolt Farm Treehouse is expanding to the Tennessee Valley. The founders purchased a mountaintop property in Marion County to build their signature treehouses + domes, and are being built on the property near Whitwell — about 25 miles outside Chattanooga. (WRCB)
NowOpen ○ ICYMI, a new local bakery opened at 4011 Brainerd Rd. Chris Bakery is co-owned by former Boathouse manager Amando Salas + features traditional Latin bakery products like doughnuts, empanadas, gallinas, and conchas. Currently, the bakery is open to walk-in customers only. 🍩 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic ○ The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction work for Easter weekend. Beginning on Thurs., April 1, all road construction work that requires lane closures will be stopped. Construction will resume on Mon., April 6 at 6 a.m. 🚧 (ThePulse)
WaterCooler ○ UTC’s football team is opting out of the remainder of the 2021 spring schedule. Health + safety of the team, combined with other COVID-19 “opt-outs,” which made it impossible to get the needed number of student-athletes, contributed to the decision.
Cause ○ One Chattanoogan recently took to Facebook to ask for help recovering a box of old VHS tapes, with a $5,000 reward for anyone who can find it. The box contained 40 tapes filled with memories and has been missing for 3 months. If you have any information about where the box is or may be, let them know. 📼
Number ○ 1 million. Recycling 1 million laptopssaves the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,500+ homes in the U.S. in a year. Bookmark this guide for recycling old devices. Ⓟ
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It’s only Tuesday, but we’re willing to bet this is the cutest thing you’ll see all week — it’s a raccoon eating a traditional seder plate for Passover. And yes, the food is balanced with the appropriate nutrients for a raccoon. 🦝
For Fox Sake is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center with a special focus on underserved animals, like skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, reptiles, and amphibians.
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Arts ○ Open Studio | Tues., March 30 | 5-7 p.m. | Painting with a Twist | $38-$60 | Enjoy an open studio to create whatever you’d like, from painting a canvas to a wood plank or porch leaner. 🎨
Learn ○ Introduction to Product Photography | Tues., March 30 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | Free | Suzanne Ócasai teaches you how to style and photograph your items to share on social media + your website via the JumstART series.
Show ○ UTC Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert | Tues., March 30 | 7:30 p.m. | UTC, virtual | Free | This virtual concert will feature local composer Ethan McGarth’s Fantasia on Sacred Harp Tunes, Franz Shubert’s Symphony No. 9, and more. ○ Faculty Trio Concert | Tues., March 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Chattanooga State, virtual | Free | Watch this virtual live concert featuring flutist Cindy Solfest-Wallis, clarinetist Nicholas Hartline, and pianist Alan Nichols from Chattanooga State. 🎵
Network ○Chattanooga State Career Fair | Mon., March 29-Fri., April 2 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 4-6 p.m. | Chattanooga State, virtual | Free | If you’re on the search for a job, check out this virtual career fair at Chatt State. March 30 is focused on graphic design, mass communication, accounting, business administration, marketing, and management.
PlanAhead ○ Introduction to Social Media | Wed., March 31 | 6-7 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | Free | Learn how to better understand social media platforms + how to use them to suit your needs in this JumpstART Series class. 📱 ○ Easter Bunny Photos | Fri., March 19-Sat. April 3 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Hamilton Place Mall | Various prices | Comevisit the Easter bunny at the Hamilton Place Mall. Photo packages are available for purchase. Reservations are not required but are recommended + walk-ins are welcomed. ○ Hug a Bunny Event | Fri., April 2-Sat., April 3 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | $12-$15 | Enjoy a golden egg hunt, animal enrichment activities, a scavenger hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, and more. Note: This year, guests will not be able to touch the rabbits. 🐰
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
You know that saying from Mr. Rogers, “Look for the helpers?” Well, that’s what we’re doing now. 👇
After the fire at Patten Towers Saturday, leaders with the Chattanooga Public Library + The Enterprise Center opened their doors to displaced residents. Many of the residents got wet from rain while relocating, so library leaders put the clothes in a basement dryer, and Red Cross members brought blankets and pizza for everyone.
We’re thankful that local people and organizations rallied to help. And, we’re sending our love to residents as they navigate their ways back home, and to the firefighters who were injured while responding.
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