Happy fall, Chattanooga!

It’s official: the leaves are crunchin’, the air’s gettin’ crispy, and the porch lights are flickering a little earlier each night. Welcome to the fourth installment of our Hope on the Porch series, a month-long porchlight project honoring Suicide Prevention Month with kindness, honesty, and a big ol’ helping of heart.

This week, we’re talkin’ about change — the slow, crunchy kind that sneaks up like a Tennessee fog, but also the kind that shows up loud and hollerin’. Whether you’re facing something heavy or simply tryin’ to figure out who you’re becoming, we hope this issue feels like a warm blanket and a deep breath.

We’re dancing through it all (literally, see ya at the You Matter Dance Party!), spotlighting the brilliant Steve Burns podcast we teased a few weeks ago, and welcoming the official debut of Pickle the pup. And as always, we’ve got events to explore and thoughts to chew on.

Thanks for bein’ part of our cozy corner of Chattanooga. Let’s fall into Monday together. 🍁

Today's Issue Includes:

• This week's Front Porch Partner: Trainwell

• Chattanooga's Upcoming Events

• Hand-Picked Community Spotlight: The You Matter Dance Party

• Stuff I saw on the internet: Alive with Steve Burns!

• Deep Thoughts with Bubby: Navigatin’ Change, Together

• Clementine’s Corner: Fall is falling

• Wrap Up

Make sure you crank up today’s tune while ya read to add to the experience!

This Week’s Front Porch Partner: Trainwell

One click. One mighty ripple.

For every ad click during September, we’re turning digital dimes into porchlight power, all in support of our Out of the Darkness Walk Chattanooga fundraiser. We’ll be steppin’ out on October 25 to raise awareness (and spirits) around suicide prevention, and every bit of help counts.

Here’s how you can help — without spending a penny. Click the ad from our pals at Trainwell down below, and KA-CHING! $1.50 slides right into our fundraising kettle. Simpler than Meemaw’s sweet tea recipe.

Because every small action helps keep the porch light on for someone who needs it. Thanks for being here, friend.

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What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?

Community

• Map-A-Thon 2025
  9/26, 11:30AM–7:30PM @ Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center
  Help create the most complete outdoor map in America! Whether you’re a trail pro or brand-new to mapping, you can drop in anytime to chart parks, waterways, and green spaces while connecting with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
  🗺️ Map It Out, Nooga-Style

• bird & barn
  9/26 (5:00-8:30PM) & 9/27 (9:00AM-4:00PM) @ Black Fox Farms
  A barn full of southern charm, handmade treasures, and local eats… what more could you ask for? With over 25 vendors, signature treats like the famous Cake Nest, and plenty of cozy community spirit, this two-day market is the perfect kickoff to fall shopping (or just treating yourself). Thanks to our reader Amy for suggestin’ this one!
  🐦 Sip, Snack, and Stroll the Stalls

• Night Market: Night of the Living Dead
  9/26, 7–10PM @ Verre Noir/Frazier Ave
  Wander into the twilight where the veil is thin and the vibes are spooky. Think tattoo artists, tarot readers, bites & sips, artisan vendors, and even a live birds of prey show. Costumes are encouraged! After all, it’s more fun to shop when you’re dressed like the undead.
  🥀 Shop ‘Til You Drop (Dead)

Music & Entertainment

• Paint & Sip: Harvest Moon
  9/24, 6:00–9:00PM @ The Big Chill & Grill
  Grab a drink, grab a brush, and let Brush Hour Parties walk you through your very own Harvest Moon masterpiece. Happy Hour runs ‘til 8, so you can sip while you swirl.
  🌙 Paint the Night Away

• Film & Fork: Princess and the Frog
  9/28, 2:00PM @ Nightcap Cocktails & Sweets
  Join Chatt Taste Food Tours for a showing of Princess and the Frog paired with all the flavors of New Orleans. Beignets, jambalaya, shrimp & grits, and king cake roll out right alongside the story.

  ✨ Dig a Little Deeper into Magic

• Chattanooga Comic Con
  9/27 (10:00AM-10:00PM) & 9/28 (11:00AM-5:00PM) @ Chattanooga Convention Center
  Two full days of comics, cosplay, gaming, celebrity guests, and all the geeky goodness you can handle. From panels to photo ops to a massive vendor hall, this con brings the multiverse straight to the Scenic City.
  🦸 Get Your Con On

Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff

• Chattanooga Recycling Roundup
  9/27, 9:00AM–1:00PM @ Overlooked Materials
  Clear out the clutter and keep it green at this community recycling day with the Tennessee Environmental Council. Drop off hard-to-recycle items like mattresses, tires, scrap metal, and more, and give them a new life instead of sending them to the landfill.
  ♻️ Round It Up, Recycle It Out

• Scenic City Agriculture Fair
  9/27, 10AM–5PM @ Camp Columbus
  The Scenic City Agriculture Fair is packed with live music, craft beer, food trucks, bounce houses, and farm-style fun for all ages. From adventurous eats to local vendors and plenty of laid-back vibes, it is a true community celebration.
  🌻 Bringing the Farm to the Scenic City

• National Alpaca Day
  9/28, 12:00–5:00PM @ Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm
  Spend the afternoon at Rosie Mae’s Farm with BBQ, live music, fire-cooking and spinning demos, local vendors, and more. Don’t miss storytime with the alpacas—because nothing says cozy like reading alongside a fluffy new friend.
  🦙 Pack Your Day with Alpacas

Got somethin’ cookin’ that the Scenic City oughta know about? Wanna talk about how cool your weekend was? Tell us all about it! We’d love to yap it up and holler all about it from the porch! Just reply to this message, or send a separate one to [email protected]!

Hand-Picked Community Spotlight: The You Matter Dance Party (AKA Our first co-hosted event!)

Y’all ready to get Footloose, pals?

This ain’t yer average Thursday night. This week, we’re throwin’ a You Matter Dance Party, and it’s gonna be full of sparkles, smiles, and shoulder shimmies.

We’re teamin’ up with our big-hearted pals at Scenic City Burlesque to bring a night of joy, movement, and community love — all in support of suicide prevention and our Out of the Darkness Walk fundraiser.

Now if you do wanna toss a lil’ somethin’ into the donation kettle — $10 is the suggested amount, but like Memaw says, “every drop counts when you’re fillin’ the rain barrel.” We’ll take anything, even if it’s just your company and your best footwork.

• When? This Thursday, September 25

• What time? 5–7 PM

• Where? 1101 Hixson Pike, Suite A

• And free to attend! Seriously. You don’t have to give a dime to come dance. Just bring your fine self.

So put on a fun outfit, call yer cool cousin, and come shake off the heavy stuff with us. 'Cause around here, we believe dancing is a kinda medicine — and you matter more than you know.

Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Stuff I saw on the internet: Alive with Steve Burns!

You might remember a few weeks ago, we told you about a brand new podcast that Steve from Blues Clues himself has been putting together. Well folks, Alive with Steve Burns is here and I’ve got the scoop on the first episode!

I didn’t know what to expect from this podcast, so the title of the first episode threw me for a little bit of a loop: “What is Dying? with Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden.” Talk about depressing, right?

Wrong! Steve set the whole thing up like a friendly conversation, complete with sound effects to make it feel real and personal. It was deep, but like Steve said, it’s real. Why not talk about it?

So I joined Steve with his new friend Julie and listened to her share her experience with hospice, palliative care, and dying. She had some pretty cool insight about what it means to leave this world. She said a lot of really interesting things that made a lot of sense, but one line really stuck with me.

“People die the way they live.”

I mean… wow. It seems like the most simple concept in the world. It kinda got me thinking about the way I want to die but really got me thinking about the way I want to live. The conversation Steve and Julie shared was so real and important, but not so heavy that it made me sad. In fact, I felt kinda hopeful listening to their thoughts.

At the end of this episode, I happened to look up and see the most beautiful sunset over the mountains. And then Steve said, “I think I’m just gonna take a moment of silence and just think about it, do you wanna join me?” I sat there in silence thinking about my life and my death, listening to the birds chirp with Steve, and I got a sense of peace, knowing everything will be A-OK.

Thanks for sharing your stories with us.. Steve. I’m excited to continue in this journey with you.

Deep Thoughts with Bubby: Navigatin’ Change, Together

Y’know, I used to think change was the worst. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Taco Bell the way that they’re constantly addin’ and removin’ things from their menu (Lord knows them Caramel Apple Empanadas are only temporary). Anyway, when change would come, it felt like the world just up and moved without askin' me. Like, how rude of them?

But lately — with the leaves fallin’, and the air gettin’ all crisp like the first bite of an apple — I been wonderin’ if change is just a way the world makes room. Not to get rid of stuff... but to grow somethin’ new.

Pickle didn’t know he was gettin’ adopted. He just hopped in the car and trusted the ride. And now he’s got a bed, a name, and a whole house of people who sneak ‘em cheese under the table. That’s a pretty good trade for not knowin’ what comes next.

So if you’re goin’ through a big ol’ change right now — leavin’ a job, sayin’ goodbye, or feelin’ like the wind won’t quit blowin’ — just know you don’t gotta face it alone.

Stephanie Harrison’s philosophy of New Happy talks about the idea that true happiness isn’t individual achievement, but rather connection and contribution. You got folks on yer own porch rootin’ for you. And for what it’s worth, ya got us.

And maybe, just maybe, what’s comin’ next is far better than you could imagine.

Clementine’s Corner: Fall is falling!

I saw something this week. Something exciting and expected at the same time. It blew my whole dang mind.

The leaves. Are. ORANGE!

And red, and yellow, and brown, and BEAUTIFUL! Happy first day of fall!

I’m more excited for fall than ever. I’ve got a brand new puppy (you guys named him Pickle… best name ever), and I plan to show him all around town! We missed Dog Days at Rock City, so where else should I take him this fall? Or just fun fall spots for humans works too; I’ll drag Bubby along if Pickle’s not allowed. All I know is fall is fallin’, and Chattanooga is the place to be to watch it all happen.

For now, I’m off to find a neighbor with a leaf pile. Not to jump in, of course, just to admire the handiwork. I’ll see you out there!

Thanks for yappin’ with us for 30 weeks, friends!

Whether you’re goin’ through a big ol’ season of change or just switchin’ from shorts to sweaters, we hope this issue reminded you of one thing: you don’t have to face it alone. There's always room on the porch — no matter what you're carryin’.

Tell a friend you love ‘em. Dance even if you feel silly. And remember the joy you bring to yourself and others on a daily basis.

We’ll see ya next time, With leaf-stomped shoes and hearts full of hope.

— Bubby & Clementine