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Howdy-Ho, neighbor!
Would ya look at that! it's Tuesday, and here comes ole Bubbers strollin' up the porch steps with this week's issue like he meant to do it this way all along.
I did not.
Had every intention of gettin' this to ya on Monday, but the heat's been thick enough to spread on toast, and it turns out a fella can't type worth a lick when he's puddled up in front of the box fan meltin' like a forgotten popsicle. Either way, we made it, and 'round here that's what counts.
Grab the coldest cold thing in your reach, find yourself a patch of shade, and let's sit a spell!
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 link below before ya start reading if you wanna listen!
This week’s Front Porch Partner is Air Mail!
This week’s Front Porch Partner is Air Mail. They ain’t local-local, but every lil’ click sends $1.31 jingle janglin’ straight into the Chattynooga coin purse. No forms or fuss, just a quick tap that helps keep this porch swing rockin’ and the stories flowin’.
If you’ve got half a second between sips of coffee, give it a click and consider it your good deed for the day. Appreciate ya, neighbor!
Show ‘em what’s behind the door, Air Mail!
The Wild World of the Van Gogh Truthers
In 1990, after years of practicing medicine and reviewing Van Gogh’s case history via his hundreds of letters, Arenberg published a paper in JAMA diagnosing Van Gogh as suffering not from epilepsy, as the artist’s physician claimed a century earlier, but from Ménière’s disease, an inner-ear affliction that can cause vertigo, of which Van Gogh complained, and tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ears. Ménière’s, to Arenberg, could better explain Van Gogh’s decision to slice off his ear. After retiring, in 2017, Arenberg recommitted himself to studying Van Gogh and became convinced that art historians had made an even more alarming mistake: Van Gogh had not committed suicide. He’d been murdered.
Read the article for free on Air Mail, a lively digital read for the world citizen, with stories both foreign and domestic that you won’t find anywhere else, written by some of the world’s finest journalists.
What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?
Community
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Grand Opening
Thursday, July 9 @ Jeni’s St. Elmo | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Chattanooga's newest ice cream shop is ready to celebrate with free scoops for everyone! Head to Jeni's St. Elmo for the grand opening, where the first 50 people in line will score a swag bag, and rewards members can enter to win free ice cream for a year. Don't forget to download the Jeni's app before you go to enter the giveaway for free ice cream for a year!
🍦 Scoop, there it is
World Food Truck Festival
Saturday, July 11 @ Tennessee Riverpark | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
I hope you’re hungry because the Chattanooga World Food Truck Festival is bringing flavors from around the globe to one place! Find your new favorite food truck, vote to help crown this year's champion, and enjoy live music, axe throwing, and activities for the whole family. Stick around into the evening for a free family movie on the festival grounds!
Chattanooga Zoo Q ‘n Brew
Saturday, July 11 @ Chattanooga Zoo | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
The Chattanooga Zoo is serving up a summer cookout with barbecue, local brews, bluegrass, and an evening packed with animal fun! Your ticket includes full Zoo admission, so you can grab a plate, explore the exhibits after hours, and even cheer on the tortoise races. Don't miss the animal meet and greets for a chance to get up close with some of the Zoo's amazing ambassadors!
Music and Entertainment
Seed Theatre: Winnie the Pooh
Opens Friday, July 10 @ Barking Legs Theater | 6:00 PM
Journey into the Hundred Acre Wood as Seed Theatre opens its youth production of Winnie the Pooh! Featuring a cast of talented young performers from across the Chattanooga area, this heartwarming adventure brings A.A. Milne's beloved characters to life for audiences of all ages. Can't make opening night? Check out the full performance schedule on the Barking Legs website.
Chicks Get Crafty
Wednesday, July 8 @ Whiskey Cowgirl | 7:00 - 9:00 PM
GirlCHAT is turning Altoids tins into tiny works of art at this month's craft night! Design a custom wallet with colorful papers, ribbons, gems, stickers, and other fun embellishments while spending the evening crafting and connecting with other local women. Everything you need to make your wallet is included with your ticket, so you can jump right into the fun.
Colour: My World Opening Reception
Friday, July 10 @ In-Town Gallery | 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Celebrate the opening of Colour: My World, the July featured collection by local artist Lori Ryan. Through realistic, representational, and abstract paintings, Ryan explores color, light, and texture while embracing the joy of creative discovery. Meet the artist, explore the new exhibit, and enjoy an evening surrounded by local art.
Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff
Slip-n-Slide Ride
Saturday, July 11 @ Two Bikes | 7:00 PM
Two Bikes Chattanooga is combining a community bike ride with one of the best parts of summer: a giant slip 'n slide. Cruise through Chattanooga at a relaxed pace with music along the way before cooling off with hot dogs, water, soap, and one giant slip 'n slide. Don’t forget your towel and sunscreen!
Y2K Rewind Skate
Friday, July 10 @ Calvary Pavilion | 6:00 - 9:30 PM
Break out your Juicy tracksuit and JNCO jeans because Dazey Skate is bringing the early 2000s back for one nostalgic skate night. Roll to a soundtrack of 2000s hits, enjoy food from Food Trappers Union, and take advantage of free skate rentals for the first 30 guests, courtesy of Outdoor Chattanooga. Dress to impress and show off your best throwback look for the costume contest!
Sale Creek Kayak
Saturday, July 11 @ Iles Road Boat Ramp | 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Slow down and spend the morning exploring the calm waters of Sale Creek with Outdoor Chattanooga. This guided paddle is perfect for all skill levels, with basic instruction and all the equipment provided before heading out to explore lily pads, quiet inlets, and the area's aquatic wildlife. Keep your eyes open for turtles, birds, and other wildlife that call the creek home.
🛶 Just around the riverbend
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: It’s Chattanooga Chill Week, Y’all! 🧊
Lemme tell ya friend, it's been the kinda July where steppin' outside feels like openin' the oven to check on Meemaw's cornbread. When I heard the fellas at Nooga Nightlife were runnin' back Chattanooga Chill Week this whole week, I ‘bout wept from my eyeballs instead of my forehead. 🥵
Here's the whole shebang: all week long, shops all over the Scenic City are servin' up $5 iced and frozen coffees and $5 frozen treats. Five dollars don’t get ya as much as it did back in the day accordin’ to Meemaw, but it sure will get you a little cold treat in the middle of this Tennessee summer!
And it ain't just a spot or two, neighbor. Not in our Nooga. It’s a whole mess of the city’s favorites pitchin' in: 330 Main, Scoop Around, Together Café, Chattz, Plant Bar, Café Del Sur, Rêve Coffee & Books, Clever Alehouse & Creamery, Wired, Trail Town, The Ice Cream Show, Provisions, Medal of Honor Coffee Bar, Rembrandts, Shredders Lair, and — special place in my heart, this one — Stone Cup Café, where I've done many a Yap Session sunk down in them soft chairs.
Just a handful of all the shops that’re part of Chattanooga Chill Week 👀
Now here's the part Meemaw would want me to mention, so listen mighty close. Them baristas are gonna be workin' harder than suckin’ a malt milkshake through a tiny straw this week, so be patient, kind, and tip 'em well. A little grace goes a long way, and 'round here that's what counts!
For hours, the full shop list, and dairy-free and gluten-free details, the good folks at Nooga Nightlife have it all loaded up in their NoogaNightlife+ app (or you can just click the big button below 👈 😎 👈 ).
Go find yourself a cold one this week, and take a pal or your meemaw along with you.
Clementine’s Corner: Make Sense of this HEAT!
I’ve got a bone to pick with Mother Nature this summer. I get it, it’s July, but why is it SO HOT?? I know what you’re thinking, “Ohhhh, Clementine’s mad that it’s hot in the summer again .” And ya know what? Yeah, I am a little miffed about it!! Hot is one thing, this overwhelming heat wave atrocity is a whole other beast.
So I did what any good kid journalist would do. I decided I’m a kid meteorologist now. And I did some scientific research to find out what the heck is going on.
Turns out, Chattanooga is sitting right under something called a heat dome. It’s exactly what it sounds like: an area of high pressure over the eastern US that traps hot air near the ground and keeps us roasting all day long. Sounds pretty disrespectful if you ask me.
Throw on a massive dose of humidity and nights that are almost as hot as the days and you’ve got summer in Chattanooga. Good thing we’ve got pools, lakes, splash pads and swimming holes galore!
So kiddos, you heard it right here: wear your sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and try not to melt. This heat wave ain’t going anywhere!
Okay okay the goodbye hugs are nice and all but our sweat just formed into one megablob
However you're spendin' these long, sticky, HOT days, showin' up for yourself and also others matters most. It don't have to be fancy, it can literally just be you throwin’ a water balloon at a passing neighbor.
If ya ain’t discovered, I’m a bit of a feral bein’ when it hits these temps.
Stay cool, drink your water, and always, always save a little space for somethin' sweet.
— Bubby & Clementine
