Happy Monday, Sunshine Swappers!

This week’s issue is a lil’ love letter to the idea that kindness doesn’t have to be loud to be mighty. From backpacks packed with care in Cleveland to strangers sendin’ tacos to folks online (yep, for real), we’re celebratin’ the small, sweet ways people show up for each other — especially in the thick heat of a Southern July.

We’ve got stories from the Chattanooga Market, a peek inside some truly heart-led community work, and a list of summer happenings that'll keep you busy from here to next Sunday. Whether you’re passin’ a snow cone, a skill, or a little hope wrapped in foil, we see you.

Go ahead and crack open this issue like a fresh pack of crayons. It’s feel-good from top to tail.

Today's Issue Includes:

• This week's Front Porch Partner!

• Chattanooga's Upcoming Events

• Out Here Askin' with Clementine: Chattanooga Maker's Market

• Stuff I Saw On The Internet: r/RandomActsOfTacoBell

• A Yap Session with the Cleveland Community Resources Team

• Clementine's Corner: Summer Status Report

• Wrap Up

Front Porch Partnerships: 1440 Media

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What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?

Community

• Community Care Game Night w/ Chattanooga Queer Empowerment
  July 22nd @ ClearStory Arts
  D&D, card games, and casual hangs. Bring your fave game or just come for the vibes.
  🎲 Roll Through & Hang Out

• Networking & Neurodiversity Happy Hour
  July 23rd @ The Edney, Floor Five
  An improv-based mixer focused on communication, confidence, and community.
  🤝 Say “Yes, And…”

• Christmas in July at the Chattanooga Free Store - Free Shopping Day!
  July 27 @ 1701 Dodson Ave, Chattanooga, TN
  Free winter clothing pop-up to help you stock up early on gifts or essentials.🛍️ Raid the Winter Rack!

Music & Entertainment

• Witch’s Day Sip + Shop
  July 21st @ Almanac Supply Co. + Verre Noir, Frazier Ave
  Sip something magical while you shop local potions, trinkets, and wares.
  🧙‍♀️ Cast a Spell, Buy a Crystal

• Tapas & Tiny Tinis
  July 22nd @ Chatt Taste Event
  Three tasting courses, mini martinis, and fancy lil’ bites? Say less.
  🍢 Grab a Bite & a Buzz

• Les Misérables (Touring)
  July 22–27 @ Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
  The iconic musical returns to Chattanooga with breathtaking storytelling and timeless songs.
  🎭 Dream the Dream Live

• Gworls Night Out: Fashion & Friendship
  July 24th @ Hunter Museum of American Art
  Mocktails, music, and museum magic. Come dressed to impress and celebrate community.
  👠 Bring the Look, Bring the Love

• Grunge Fest
  July 25th @ Barrelhouse Ballroom
  STP, Alice in Chains, and all the '90s rage you never got over, covered by incredible musicians!
  🤘 Come Loud, Leave Louder

• NOT a Jazz Show: Et Cetera x Ben Stephens
  July 29th @ The Woodshop
  Classic rock + blues covers from local legends. The best part? Proceeds support Chattanooga’s first Annual Jazz Fest!
  🦅 FREEEEEEEEEEBIRDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff

• Drink & Discover: Wild West Night
  July 25th @ Creative Discovery Museum
  Line dancing, whiskey tastings, bull riding, and more. 21+ only.
  🦬 Saddle Up for a Wild One

• Litter Cleanup with Sunrise & Embody Wellness
  July 27th @ Southside Community Park
  Help tidy the park, and earn a free sauna or cold plunge voucher while you're at it.
  🌿 Clean Up & Cool Down

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]!

Out Here Askin' with Clementine: The Chattanooga Maker's Market

This Sunday, I did a little treasure hunting at the Chattanooga Market (as one does), and while I was out and about, I decided to ask some of my favorite local makers a simple question: “What’s your favorite way to spend a summer day in Chattanooga?” And here’s what they had to say:

• Kristy from Hollow Hill Creative loves flower farms, paddle boarding, and her favorite — hanging at Reflection Riding Nature Center!

• Rich from Wags A Lot Dog Toys is new to town (give ‘em a warm howdy!) and soaking up all the local nightlife with his wife, Erica! He loves that there’s something for everyone here!

• Our favorite art bud Connie Roberts is loving the Summer market season! Sundays are her time to connect, share her art, and catch up with friends.

• Sydney (aka SewNotSydney) keeps it classic with a trip to Hamilton Place Mall. Hollister hauls and plushie breaks? Iconic.

• And last (but certainly not least), Suzanne from Words Matter is all about outdoor adventures: kayaking, river walks, picnics, and enjoying our City in a Park.

You heard it here, friends. By the way, I love the treasures I picked up from my friends today. They’re the most magical of makers and the bees knees. We linked ya right to their Instagrams up there, so make sure you check ‘em out and show ‘em some love. See ya next time!

Stuff I Saw on the Internet: r/RandomActsOfTacoBell

Now listen. Of all the corners of the internet I coulda wandered into this week, I somehow tripped and fell face-first into a little online miracle called r/RandomActsOfTacoBell. And y’all… it is exactly what it sounds like.

It’s a Subreddit (think of it like a mini internet community on Reddit) that just… gives away Taco Bell. For free. To strangers. For no reason other than kindness and a mutual appreciation for cheesy gorditas.

Some people share a rough day or a tight budget, and others swoop in with a mobile order or gift card faster than you can say “Crunchwrap Supreme.” It’s like a digital drive-thru of generosity. No catch. No gimmicks. Just good-hearted people flingin’ chalupas like love notes.

So if you’re feelin’ low, or maybe just love a little internet magic sprinkled with Baja Blast, go take a peek. It’s soft. It’s weird. It’s everything I love about the internet.

A Yap Session with the Cleveland Community Resources Team!

“Neighbors takin’ care of neighbors, one pencil, one seed, one story at a time.”

Have y’all ever sat on a porch, sipped somethin’ cold, and thought, "What if helpin’ folks was just part of everyday life?" Over in Cleveland, Tennessee, that thought’s bloomin’ into action thanks to the good folks at Cleveland Community Resources.

Founded by the ever-dedicated Alicia Conboy and the rest of the leadership team divyin' out shared responsibilities, this grassroots effort sprouted from one person’s belief that community care is more than an idea, but a habit that we seem to sometimes lose muscle memory of. Alicia's the kinda who notices what’s missin’, figures out how to fill them gaps, and invites others to help carry the load.

This ain’t some far-off organization, though. These are real neighbors with real grit, 2,193 of them to be exactamundo, steppin’ up when they see a need. A kid without a backpack? A pantry sittin’ empty when it could have food instead? They get movin’.

Right now, they’re runnin’ a Back-to-School Sponsorship Drive that’s all about meetin’ needs with heart, and Chattynooga’s puttin’ the word out for extra hands!

Insteada generic supply packs that could take care of bare minimums, they’re goin’ above and beyond by matchin’ sponsors with individual students so each kiddo gets exactly what they need to start school proud and prepared.

Sound like a fun time? Thought so. Here’s how to jump in:

• Sign up by this Friday, July 25th (just in time for tax-free weekend!) by messagin’ them on their Facebook Page or on Instagram.

• Get matched with one student and shop their personalized list.

• Drop off by Monday, July 28th for delivery to the kiddos!

• Can’t shop? That’s alright, bud! Just donate to $CTNCR on CashApp with a note: "back to school."

That said, this drive is just one root of a bigger garden.

Cleveland Community Resources is growin’ good all year long with planned projects in the pipeline: community gardens, skill-swappin’ volunteer crews, holiday rallies, food banks, even plans for community fridges and winter shelters. They’re buildin’ a network of care, slow and steady, like beans on a trellis. Got a business, a workshop with a couple of tools, or a big heart? They’ve got a spot for you.

Community grows best when it’s tended together. A little time, a little kindness — it all adds up to a bountiful harvest that we can all reap together, and make a couple’a extra friends in the process.

Go on and help ‘em spread some sunshine, y’all.

Clementine’s Corner: Summer Status Report

Brace yourself, I had a realization the other day that’s gonna blow your mind. July is almost gone. It’s like, poof! I blinked and it flew by like a dragonfly on a mission. I was thinking, it’s about time I updated the good people of Chattanooga about what I’ve been up to lately.

Drumroll please…

It’s time for my official summer status report!

Here’s what’s totally in this summer (and by that I mean the things I’ve enjoyed lately that are currently living rent-free in my head).

1. Bucket hats: They are both fashionable and functional and I myself look pretty darn tootin’ in one. Personally, I think they are the perfect addition to any summer ensemble and no I will not change my mind.

2. Game night: Name one thing better than sitting on the patio with a deck of cards, a classic board game, and some great friends? Hmm?? I’m waiting???

3. Local public art: I mean, come on. Have y’all seen the local art scene downtown lately? Everything’s got art slapped all over it… Brick walls, utility boxes, not to mention all up and down Chalk Alley. I am HERE FOR IT!!

4. This quote I saw on a t-shirt: Listen, Bubby and I were getting ice cream at Clumpies yesterday for National Ice Cream Day and I saw this guy with a t-shirt that was spitting straight facts. “WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE,” it said. Think about it differently and you might just realize the world’s not just about you. Wild, right?

5. Wandering around and taking it all in: Whether it’s window shopping downtown, driving through the mountains, or hanging out in your backyard, just be present in the moment, you know? This world is kinda topsy turvy lately, but I sure am thankful to be where I am right now.

So I guess my summer status report is just that I’m having a pretty darn great summer. The vibes are vibing and all the good things are happening. I think the only thing missing is a giant slip n slide. I’m gonna go find Bubby and make that happen. After all, summer’s flying by and I’m making the most of it!

Thanks for hangin’ with us, friend.

Whether you’re sponsorin’ a student, cleanin’ up a park, or just makin’ sure your neighbor’s air conditioning’s still kickin’ — you’re part of what makes this place hum. And that matters more than ya know.

We’ll be back next week with more community stories, porch wisdom, and whatever else we find tucked under Chattanooga’s front steps. ‘Til then: keep passin' the sunshine, one small act at a time.

— Bubby & Clementine