Good things come in threes, and this week is proof. We're shinin' a spotlight on two neighbors who've been quietly making this city better for women, havin' an honest conversation about how we're actually doin' this Mental Health Awareness Month, and lettin' Clementine absolutely lose it over Chattanooga Pizza Week.

Let's get into it, buds.

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!

This week’s Front Porch Partner is The National Audubon Society. They ain’t our local branch (which is just as awesome!) but every lil’ click sends $1.68 jinglin’ straight into the Chattynooga piggy bank. No forms or fuss, just a quick tap that helps keep this porch swing rockin’ and the stories flowin’.

So 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.

Alright Audubon, take ‘er away!

Become a member of the National Audubon Society today, and we’ll send you our exclusive, award-winning magazine as a token of our appreciation. That means every three months you’ll receive stories about protecting birds and the places they need directly to your mailbox!

With over 120 years of conservation expertise, Audubon is responding to the greatest challenges facing birds and people today while anticipating the issues and opportunities of tomorrow. Where we work - and when you help - birds are better off.

Give a gift that renews each year to ensure our quarterly magazine continues arriving at your doorstep.

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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!

That’s what I’d say if I were to spoil the surprise right away, but Clementine told me she’d bonk my helmet in if I at least didn’t have a nice introduction.

Anyway, without further ado, our first Nom-a-Noogan recipient is actually a twofer that is well-deserved! Our reader Julianna hopped right on so that she can talk about all the cool stuff that these two ladies are up to around Chattanooga!

Now, this week’s Nom-a-Noogan Award for Girls’ Girl of the Year goes to Michelle Phiferoli and Samantha Crews! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

🥹 What? I ain’t cryin’, you are. Okay maybe a little, I just love seein’ folks liftin’ each other up. Have someone you wanna throw into the running? Well smack that lil’ button down below and get your Noogan Nominated!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means it's a real good time to ask yourself how you're actually doin'. Not the "I’m fine, thanks Bubby! How are you?" kinda talk. That real, “Hmm… somethin’ ain’t feelin’ well in my tummy,” chat you have to have with yourself sometimes.

See, y’all probably know this already, but I’ve always been a big feeler. Heart gets loud sometimes. Brain runs laps. And for a long time I thought that was just too dang much for others to have to put up with my shenanigans.

It turns out, after framin’ it from a different perspective, being passionate about what you care for is a superpower that can move mountains if you are intentional. Like Spider-Man says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

That's why we made the Big Feelings Club last year, a cozy little e-zine we put together with some of the most kind-hearted folks in Chattanooga: therapists, coaches, healers, and helpers who all wanna make mental health feel a little less scary and a little more like flippin’ through a catalogue of local heroes. Inside you'll find grounding exercises, local therapy resources, gentle reminders, a community playlist, and some coloring pages courtesy of a certain spunky reporter named Clementine. It's free, and it was made with a whole lotta love for the days that feel like they’re full of bologna.

Last year, Chattynooga took part in the Out of the Darkness Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Coolidge Park, and something really cool happened: Y'all raised enough to put us among the top fundraising teams in the whole walk. For a little newsletter, that's somethin' AMAZING to feel good about.

We're runnin’ er back again this year in November and getting a head start by bein’ early to the race, and we'd love to have you along to raise even more money to create resources directly within our community!

Walk with us, chip in a few dollars, or just pass the link to somebody you know. Every itty bit goes toward making sure people who are struggling in Chattanooga can find real support.

Well guys, I have a feeling this week is gonna be a good one. Y’all know I’m not a fan of Burger Week (and I’m still trying to get someone to do Ice Cream Week), but good news… it’s CHATTANOOGA PIZZA WEEK, Y’ALL!

Pizza is unequivocally my favorite food in the whole world. It’s the ultimate comfort food after a bad day and everyone’s favorite party food. Honestly, even when pizza isn’t great, it’s still pretty good. But we don’t have to worry about that this week cause Chattanooga is home to some of the best pizza on earth.

Here’s the skinny on Pizza Week (because calories don’t count this week): From May 11-17, Nooga Nightlife is partnering up with eighteen tasty pizza joints in and around Chattanooga for a week of all things pizza. Each restaurant has whipped up their finest specialty pizzas just for this week, with these special pies going for just $14 a pop!

They’re also offering $7 lunch specials at each location if you need a lil midday boost. It’s the perfect excuse opportunity to eat pizza all week while supporting our neighbors and local small businesses! You can check out the full pizzeria line up and keep track of all the fun on the Nooga Nightlife app!

I, for one, am planning to eat as much pizza as possible this week. New York Pizza Department is at the top of my list. That Chicken & Spinach White Pie has got my mouth watering already! Community Pie and Southside Pizza are pretty high on my list, too.

So lookout, Chattanooga! It’s Pizza Week and Clementine McBride is ready for the pizza party!

This week has a little bit of everything with big community energy, neighbors worth celebratin', real talk about how we're actually doin', and eighteen pizza joints ready to make your week a whole lot better.

However you're showin' up in the community this week, we're right here with ya, neighbor.

— Bubby & Clementine