Well hey there, Neighbor!
Well… would ya look at that: Issue 50 falls right on our one year anniversary of Chattynooga!
One year in, fifty issues deep, and somehow this little porch still has folks showin’ up. Tomorrow, we’re celebratin’ it together in real life, so if you haven’t RSVPed yet, consider this your friendly reminder. We’d sure love to see you.
This week feels just right for the moment. We’re diggin’ into generational conversations with Robert Rickman, and Clementine’s takin’ a thoughtful look at the past week of shtuff goin’ on in the world around. Let’s hop on into it!
Today's Issue Includes:
As always, we’ve added a fresh track to this week’s issue purely for vibes as you read. Click the radio below before ya start reading if you wanna listen!
In partnership with
This week’s Front Porch Partner: CBDistillery
This week’s Front Porch Partner is CBDistillery. Not local-local, but they help keep this lil’ digital porch glowin’. They make clean, well-loved CBD goodies for folks lookin’ to unwind, rest easier, or just takin’ the edge off.
Here’s the sweet part: just clickin’ their ad drops $2.25 straight into the Chattynooga piggy bank. No sign-ups, no checkout, no funny business. Just a quick tap that helps us keep tellin’ Chattanooga’s stories. If you wanna help us celebrate our one year by clickin’ that thang, we’d super appreciate it!
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What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?
Community
Coffee Break + Soft Opening of Chattanooga Culture
Thursday, February 13 @ Chattanooga Culture | 8:30–10:00AMCoffee Break, our favorite monthly, local networking hang, pops up at Chattanooga Culture with free coffee, pastries, and friendly faces. Come by in the morning or swing through later since Chattanooga Culture will be open all day long to explore the new space and soak up the vibes in the Kombucha Lounge!
From Rag Dolls to Role Models: The History of Black Toys
Thursday, February 12 @ Bessie Smith Cultural Center | 6:00PMTake a deep dive into the evolution of Black toys with a curated exhibit and a screening of Black Barbie, celebrating the makers, stories, and representation that shaped generations. Stick around to explore the history on display and connect with a community conversation rooted in creativity and culture.
WSP Launch Party & Pop-Up Exhibit
Friday, February 13 @ Studio Ours | 6:00–8:00PMCelebrate Volume 5 of The Walnut Branch with a one-night exhibit featuring visual art from over 100 local creators, a mysterious secret reveal, and surprise artist performances throughout the evening. Doors open at 5:30PM if you want to browse Studio Ours before the main event kicks off.
Music & Entertainment
The Sound of Music
February 10–15 @ Soldiers & Sailors Memorial AuditoriumThe beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein classic returns to Chattanooga with all the singing, twirling, and heart you remember. Whether you know every lyric by heart or just want a joy-filled night at the theater, this show is for you.
Justin Bieber Night (18+)
Friday, February 13 @ The Signal | 9:00PMSing your way through every era of Bieber at this all-out dance night packed with throwback hits, purple nostalgia, and plenty of chances to lose your voice. This one’s a must for anyone who once knew every word to Baby (and maybe still does).
The Upside Down Bash
Sunday, February 15 @ The Woodshop | Doors 5PM, Show 6PMThe Woodshop flips St. Elmo upside down for a Stranger Things-themed Valentine’s bash packed with live music, themed cocktails, and all the weird, nostalgic chaos you can handle. Saturday sold out fast, so grab your Sunday tickets before they disappear into the void.
Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff
Witch Walk: a Friday 13th Market
Friday, February 13 @ Frazier Ave | 1:00–6:00PMAlmanac Supply Co. and Verre Noir team up for an afternoon of witchy vendors, crystals, plants, curiosities, and magical finds all along Frazier Avenue. A perfect stroll for anyone who loves charm, lore, and a little Friday-the-13th mischief.
SeaLight Festival
Thurs–Sun, ongoing @ Sculpture Fields | 6:00–10:00PM
The glowing lantern festival that kicked off last week returns each weekend with handcrafted Chinese lanterns, live acrobatics, and vibrant art installations that transform the gardens into a nighttime wonderland. It’s a beautiful way to spend an evening outdoors and experience something truly unique in Chattanooga.
Don’t forget to check out our curated (and updated!) list of Galentine’s and Valentine’s events happening all over town this week!
Got somethin’ cookin’ that the Scenic City oughta know about?
Tell us all about it with our new and improved events form, or just reply to this email with your event details and we’ll go from there!
This week’s Community Spotlight: HAPPY ONE YEAR OF CHATTYNOOGA, Y’ALL!
Y’all, tomorrow will be exactly one rootin’ and tootin’ year that we’ve been blowin’ up neighbors inboxes with shenanigans and stories. We made the realization yesterday that our anniversary will always be revolvin’ around the Superbowl, which if that ain’t the most American thang I dunno what else is.
It’s been a beautiful journey of curiosity, connecting with neighbors intentionally, and lettin’ life take us on a ride for our lives that we never saw comin’ from it. From folks at Harvard writin’ about us, launchin’ a community platform for our North Chatt Neighbors as a cozy alternative online space for our city to connect, and celebrating all of the unique personalities, communities, and talents that the Scenic City brings through our Yap Sessions.
We’re so excited to be meeting everyone whose tagged along for the ride, and can’t wait to see you at (Be)caffeinated Northshore tomorrow for our community potluck at 6PM! Make sure you RSVP in the link below so we can prepare for your arrival!
Introducing The OK Boomer Podcast with Robert Rickman!
We’re real tickled to shine a porch light on our friend Robert Rickman, our 73 year old “adopted Grandpa” who proves that curiosity doesn’t wrinkle with age, but only gets louder and funnier.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a seasoned broadcaster mixes decades of radio wisdom with a playful willingness to ask “Wait… why do y’all do it like that now?”, that’s OK Boomer in a nutshell.
Robert’s got a wonderfully chaotic charm about ‘im that’s equal parts thoughtful storyteller, curious grandpa energy, and guy who’s absolutely not afraid to laugh at himself. Each episode feels like sittin’ down for coffee with someone who’s lived a lot of life and still wants to learn what makes people tick today.
The show brings Boomers and younger generations together for honest, funny, and surprisingly tender conversations. We sat down with Robert to talk about Chattynooga, and give further proof that we don’t need to agree on everything to enjoy listenin’ to one another.
Do us a kindness and subscribe to Robert’s newsletter and Podcast for bi-weekly catchups from Ole Grandpa Robert.
Clementine’s Corner: On Current Events
Alright guys, Bubby says I gotta keep my word count down but y’all know I’ve got a lot to say!! This week’s been a busy one, so here are my thoughts on three fabulously fantastic things that happened in pop culture this weekend:
Starting off the list strong with the Winter Olympics Ceremony: This shindig had it all: music, color, dancing, bobble heads of Italian opera composers. Every country stepped out with their most iconic team uniforms. My heart just about exploded from excitement and pride when I saw Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to carry the US flag in the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. I mean, there‘s a lot going on in the US of A, and not all of it’s great, but this is something to celebrate. And is it just me, or is Snoop Dogg everywhere lately? I don’t know when he became the unofficially official US Olympics spokesdude, but I’m here for it.
Last night was Super Bowl LIX, and honestly, it had everything: football, commercials, a halftime show. I guess that’s pretty standard… but I LOVED it. I don’t really watch football, so I decided to cheer for the Seahawks because I love Taylor Swift, who’s engaged to Travis Kelce, whose brother Jason Kelce used to be a Seahawk. Yep, that was my exact logic. And turns out, I picked pretty well because they ran all over the Patriots.
I mostly tune in for the commercials and the halftime show, and the commercials did not disappoint. Lady Gaga covering “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” while a neighbor returned a little girl’s dog? Immediate tears. Then realizing that was not “just a guy” but GUY FLIPPIN’ FIERI? Iconic. The BSB karaoke ending with a Coinbase jumpscare? I did not want it that way. Still, overall, I was a fan.
And ay, Dios mío, the halftime show. Bad Bunny said I didn’t need to know Spanish to have fun, and he was absolutely right. I was dancing around watching pure JOY explode off my screen. There was a literal wedding in the middle of it. When he said “God bless America” and started naming all of America? I nearly lost my mind. Through music and dance, he made it clear: love is stronger than hate, and “Together, we are America” isn’t just a slogan. I don’t know what’s going on with half the world lately, but I do know this, Benito gets it.Last and CERTAINLY most important, Star Search featured a lil music comedy duo from Atlanta, by way of Chattanooga (more specifically, they met in good ol’ East Ridge). They’re called Good Cop/Rad Cop and they made a movie about hand sanitizer among other things. I’d give ‘em 5 stars for the punk rock enthusiasm, and 5 stars for the comedy… actually, 5 stars for all of it, really. 🎸Chaaaattyyyynooga is.. PUNK ROCK!!🤘
Anyway, that was amazing and awesome and cool, but the best part of the whole set was something Jellyroll said. “Are y’all sure y’all aren’t from Soddy Daisy?” UMMM. SIR?! Put some respect on our name, Mr. Roll. After all, if you ain’t from Soddy you ain’t nobody!!
Alright, that’s all, folks! God bless Chattanooga and God bless America!!
Welp, time to burrow in for six more weeks of Winter!
From sage ADHD wisdom to kid-level clarity, this week’s stories remind us that listening across differences still matters to our community. Thanks for being part of this first year, for reading along, and for helpin’ make this porch feel like home.
Here’s to fifty more. See you tomorrow, neighbor!
— Bubby & Clementine
