Welcome Back, Y’all!

Well, well, well - look who came back for Issue two of Chattynooga! Either you liked what you saw last issue, or you’re just real bad at cleanin’ out your inbox (hey, no judgment - okay only a tiny amount.) Either way, I’m glad you’re here.

This time around, we’re talkin’ about clearing out, fresh starts, and makin’ space for the good stuff. Whether it’s declutterin’ your closet or declutterin’ your cranium, a little reset never hurt nobody.

Today's Issue Includes:

• Chattanooga's Upcoming Events

• Community Business Spotlight

• Stuff I saw on the internet

• A Yap with Jenna Parker

• Clementine's Corner

• Wrap Up

Anyway, I hope you’re ready! We’ve got a great adventure in store for you! Oh, you didn’t think I’d forget the music would ya?

What’s Goin’ On in the Scenic City?

Okie dokie pals, February’s closin’ out and March is rollin’ in, and Chattanooga’s got no shortage of ways to keep you entertained. Whether you’re lookin’ to laugh, learn, rock out, or shoot arrows like Legolas from Lord of the Rings - we’ve got ya covered.

Music & Entertainment

• Umphrey’s McGee – Cruising Altitude 2025 Tour
  Friday, February 28, 2025 @ The Signal
  If you like your rock a little jammy, a little proggy, and a whole lot unpredictable, then Umphrey’s McGee is the band for you. My uncle Ronnie says they’ve been rockin’ for almost 27 years!
  🎟️Snag your tickets before they disappear like an extended jam solo!

• Brett Young – Back to Basics World Tour
  Saturday, March 1, 2025 @ Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
  If you like your country smooth, sentimental, and perfect for singin’ in the car at midnight, Brett Young’s got ya covered. With seven #1 hits and a voice that could make a rock catch feelings, this show’s gonna be one big swoon-fest.
  🎟️ Wanna ticket? Maybe two? Right over here!

• Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful!
  Wednesday, March 5, 2025 @ Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
  If laughin’ about food, parentin’, and the general nonsense of life is your thing, Jim Gaffigan’s your guy. With seven Grammy nods and more jokes about Hot Pockets than should be legal, he’s bringin’ his signature deadpan wisdom to Chattanooga.
  🎟️ Grab your tickets before your cooler, older cousin gets them and posts ALL over Facebook about it (you know which one.)

Outdoors ‘n’ Stuff

• Try Archery with Outdoor Chattanooga!
  February 25, 2025 @ Philip Grymes Outdoor Chattanooga Center
  Ever wanted to shoot a bow like a medieval warrior or a really determined summer camp kid? Well, now’s your chance! Outdoor Chattanooga’s Try Archery class is a free, hands-on lesson in all things bows and arrows—no experience needed, all equipment provided. Open to ages 5 to 106 (so yes, even your great-grandpappy can give it a shot).
  🎯 No registration required—just show up and let ‘er fly! Here’s more details though if ya don’t believe me.

• Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson – Cosmic Collisions

  Thursday, February 27, 2025 @ Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium

  If you’ve ever stared up at the night sky and thought, “What’s goin’ on up there?”, then Neil deGrasse Tyson is the man to tell ya. The legendary astrophysicist, author, and planetarium overlord is landin’ in Chattanooga to talk black holes, exploding stars, and all the wild stuff happenin’ in deep space.
  🎟️ Buy a ticket before Pluto becomes a planet again (RIP lil’ guy)

And there ya have it, folks— a whole heap of ways to keep yourself entertained this week in the Scenic City. Whether you’re laughin’, learnin’, jammin’, or channelin’ your inner Robin Hood, there’s somethin’ goin’ on for everyone.

What’s that? You wanna partner with us about your event?

Hand-Picked Community Spotlight

Statemint Chattanooga’s Spring 2025 Sale

March 12-15 @ Mac Avenue Event Space -1304 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN

If your wardrobe’s needin’ a refresh (or your wallet’s beggin’ you to keep it thrifty), Statemint Chattanooga’s pop-up consignment sale has got ya covered. We’re talkin’ hundreds of closets’ worth of clothes, shoes, and accessories—all in one place, like a treasure hunt for fashion.

Don’t miss Half-Off Day on March 15! And if your closet’s overflowin’, you can consign your clothes and cash in! Plus, any unsold items go to Northside Neighborhood House & Chattanooga Free Store, so it’s shoppin’ with a side of do-goodery. They’ve also got a Giveaway happenin’ right now on their Instagram if you wanna try your luck at free stuff!

Early Bird Perks:

• 🎟March 11, VIP Pre-Sale (5-8PM, $20) – First dibs + a Kidney Foundation of Chattanooga benefit.

• 🏫Teachers get in early (and discounted!) (4-8PM, $5) – ‘Cause y’all deserve a deal for puttin’ up with kiddos like myself.

🛍 Shopping Hours:
📅 March 12-14: 10AM-8PM
📅 March 15: Half-Off Day! 9:30AM-4PM

☕ Bonus: Coffee truck on-site all week + Local Vendors setting up shop!

"The New Happy" & Making Space for the Good Stuff

Alright, y’all, I stumbled across this book called The New Happy by Stephanie Harrison, and let me tell ya - it’s got some big ol’ brain-reset energy that fits right in with this week’s theme of clearing out and starting fresh. But if I’m bein’ honest with you… I just really like the pretty colored shapes.

Anyway, Harrison flips the whole "happiness" idea on its head. Instead of chasin’ success, stuff, or some perfect version of yourself, she talks about how real happiness comes from lettin’ go of what ain't serving you and makin’ space for the things that truly matter - connection, purpose, and a little bit of self-kindness. Sound familiar? Kinda like declutterin’ your closet, but for your soul.

So, if you’re feelin’ weighed down by expectations, bad habits, or just a whole lotta mental clutter, this book might just be the nudge you need. Because whether it’s your closet, your schedule, or your noggin’, sometimes the best thing you can do is clear some space and let the good stuff in.

Wanna check it out?

Ridin’ the Waves of Wellness: A Yap with Jenna Parker

Now listen here, y’all—therapy ain’t gotta be all stiff chairs, white walls, and a fella in a suit noddin’ at you like he’s figurin’ out a math problem. At least, that’s what Jenna Parker believes. And let me tell ya, she’s got the experience to back it up.

Jenna’s the mastermind behind Waves Wellness & Counseling, a Chattanooga-based therapy practice that throws the whole “sit in a stuffy office and talk about your feelings” approach right out the window. Instead, she’s turnin’ therapy into a full-on adventure - walkin’, talkin’, and connectin’ the dots in people’s lives like she’s got the world’s biggest corkboard full of red string.

But where’d this wild idea come from? Well, funny enough, it all started halfway across the world in Ghana.

That idea stuck with her like Tennessee humidity, and when she came back to the States, she wasn’t about to do therapy the plain ol’ way. From substance use counseling in Medication Assisted Treatment to trauma-informed care for kids in the foster system, Jenna took every chance she got to do things differently - leanin’ into movement, play, and nature to help people heal.

By 2023 though, she decided it was time to stop dreamin’ and start doin’. And thus, Waves Wellness & Counseling Services was born:

Well, guess what? That “side project” didn’t stay on the side for long. By January 2025, she said YEEHAW and jumped in full-time, tradin’ the safety of a traditional job for the chance to build somethin’ special. And part of what makes her approach so unique? Bowen Theory, a way of lookin’ at life that helps folks understand the patterns they’ve inherited from their families.

And let me tell ya, therapy with Jenna ain’t just sittin’ on a couch talkin’ ‘bout your feelings. Nope, she brings a fresh perspective to the whole thing—takin’ therapy beyond the usual four walls and helpin’ folks untangle their thoughts in a way that feels natural, approachable, and down-to-earth.

If she’s not talkin’ it out with folks using her calming word magic, she’s out runnin’, weightliftin’, readin’ fantasy books, or just soakin’ up the Chattanooga creative scene.

Her favorite local nature spot?

And that, folks, is what Waves Wellness is all about: Therapy that moves with you - literally. Ain’t that a breath of fresh air?

Want to learn more about Waves Wellness? Check out their website, or watch the real action by following their Instagram account, @waveswellnessandcounseling.

Clementine’s Corner

Hi and HELLO!

I am Clementine, but you may call me Clemmie. I am very smart and extremely curious, which my mama says gets me into a whole heap of trouble, but I say it makes life way more exciting.

Bubby is my bestest best friend, but we are as different as a cat and a cucumber. We met at the park, split a MoonPie, and found out we both LOVE LOVE LOVE where we live. And just like that, we were friends forever.

One thing about Bubby - he’s an idea guy. And his latest idea? I get a whole corner in this newsletter to talk about whatever I want. CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE?! I keep very detailed notes in my official reporter journal because you never know when you’ll need something important to say.

And today, I was prepared to talk about raccoons. BUT Bubby says this issue is about mindfulness. (BORING.) Lucky for y’all, I actually love mindfulness! So instead of raccoons, I will tell you about my super special secret breathing trick: box breathing. It’s easy!

1. Breathe in for four counts.

2. Hold it for four counts.

3. Breathe out for four counts.

4. Hold it again for four counts.

Do it a few times, and bam—calm brain! My daddy does this when he has to drive on those big bridges over the Tennessee river, and if you’ve ever been on one, you understand.

OH WAIT. Before I forget—PEOPLE ARE WRITING ME LETTERS!!! Like my new #1 Best Friend Wendy, who wrote me this:

Wendy, you are the my favorite Wendy in the history of forever. I love love love making new friends! Tell me what you wanna see in Clemmie’s Corner. Recipes? Let’s fire up the grill. Music? I speak in banjo music! Jokes? And oh, I have a great pirate joke. WAIT - I JUST GOT A BIG IDEA.

Clemmie’s Question of the Week!

Where is your favorite place to relax in Chattanooga? Mine is the downtown public library - I feel like a very important journalist there. What about you?!

Gotta go find Bubby and see if he wants to play by the creek. Maybe we will see a raccoon!! SEE YA ROUND, CHATTTYNOOGA!

- Clemmie

Well, that’s a wrap folks!

Well, there ya have it - another Chattynooga issue in the books, packed full of fresh starts, new adventures, and maybe a little inspiration to clear out what ain’t servin’ ya no more. Whether you’re dancin’ at a concert, ponderin’ the cosmos with Neil deGrasse Tyson, or just takin’ a moment to reset, I hope this issue gave ya somethin’ to chew on.

Now, go on and make some space for the good stuff - your mind, your closet, or that junk drawer full of mysterious cables (seriously, what are they even for?). And don’t forget to holler back - Clementine’s waitin’ on your letters, and I’m always here to yap on Instagram if ya wanna. 

Until next time, stay curious, stay kind, and stay just chatty enough.

— Bubby

_{Wait, there was something I forgot to mention I think.. oh well. Next time}