Whew... what a year! How are you? Staying healthy and safe? Find a comfy mask to wear during the mandate? Well, you made it halfway through July, so that's something. Anyway, here's what's going on in Chattanooga over the next couple weeks.
July 17 - ?
See the Neowise Comet Streak Across the Sky
When: July / Dusk
Where: Northern Hemisphere
Cost: √4(2+2)²-32 Cosmic Rubles (FREE)
Trust me, you're not gonna want to miss this. It won't come back around for 6,800 years. At three miles across and containing 13 million Olympic swimming pools of frozen water, Neowise is huge and really, really close to Earth. But don't worry, scientists say it's no threat to us. Then again, scientists have lead us astray in the recent past...! The comet is expected to remain visible through the end of July, but don't wait, comets don't tend to follow a strict schedule. Instructions: get away from light pollution in the city, 45 min - 1 hr after sunset, look just over the northwestern horizon and you'll see it. It will look like a fuzzy star with a tail. To see it more clearly, binoculars or a telescope are a plus. For photos bring a tripod and shoot with a long exposure.
July 17-30
Request for Absentee Ballots for Tennessee State Primary Election
When: Ballot Request Due 7/30, Submission Due 8/6
Where: Request by mail, fax, or e-mail (link for form below)
Cost: FREE to participate, Costly to not
Everyone in the country knows that the Presidential Elections are coming up in November. The country seems pretty vocal about their political leanings right now, even turning the protection of their personal health into a partisan declaration. However, turnout remains very low compared to most developed countries. Fewer yet pay attention to non-presidential elections. Chattanooga, let's get out the vote! Here's some info on the upcoming elections. And here's the link to request your absentee ballot.
July 18 & 25
Chattanooga Unite Concert Series
When: July 11, 18, 25 & August 8, 15, 22 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: Tennessee Riverpark 4301 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Cost: FREE
From the Chattanooga Unite Website: "Friends of the Festival presents Chattanooga Unite: Healing and Uniting on the River, a series of six free concerts designed to be the Scenic City’s first celebration of the resurgence of summer, our community, and our local economy after the height of the pandemic. Over a six week span, Chattanooga Unite will present live music from local and regional musicians, a Heroes Recognition Program, local arts, food trucks, nonprofit and charity group participation, children’s programs, and much more."
July 19
FACES Virtual Campfire
When: July 19 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Virtual Stream, hosted by The National Craniofacial Association
Cost: FREE
The FACES Virtual Campfires are free virtual events for children with facial differences and their buddies! A great way to keep up connections and relationships with s'mores, scavenger hunts, skits, singing songs, and hanging out. For more information and to sign up visit the FACES Website or email Ashley Rhodes at ashley@faces-cranio.org. Another Virtual Campfire event will be hosted on August 16.
July 23
Ben Van Winkle: Socially Distanced & Ready
When: July 23 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Avenue, City of Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404
Cost: $25.00
We love the Barking Legs Theater. If you've never been, you gotta go. It's such a cute local theater in the Ridgedale Neighborhood near McCallie School. Yea, the one with all the legs stuck all over it... you know the one. They host local theater performances, Jazz nights every Wednesday (moved to virtual streams during 'rona), hard-to-find/foreign films, local political forums, and so much more. This event, in partnership with Chattanooga Song Circle, will be a great way to check out their backyard garden area and promises to be a safe and comfortable setting to view some live music by Cellist Ben Van Winkle. More about Ben from The Barking Legs Theater Website: "Cellist Ben Van Winkle is a wonder as a player, singer, performer, songwriter and good guy. We have him in the beauty and safety of our backyard garden."