Category: Chattanooga

Center for Mindful Living’s “Paths to Peace” is Oct. 27

10/25/2018

The Center for Mindful Living’s “Paths to Peace” event will take place Saturday, October 27, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre with a full schedule of activities for all ages.

“We hope this event will provide an opportunity to bring people together to experience activities that nurture and unite us in a common quest for world peace and to be mindful of our common humanity,” said Elizabeth Kabalka, executive director of the Center for Mindful Living.

In addition to children’s activities, a new Pies for Peace component will include a variety of pies provided by dozens of area churches and faith-based institutions. “We are bringing people together over a free piece of pie to create conversation and a unifying experience,” explained Kabalka.

The Paths to Peace event is free of charge, and will feature labyrinth walks for adults and children led by Ellen Simak and Margy Oehmig, along with an introduction to mindfulness practices, yoga, Qigong, art, dance and more! The afternoon will conclude with free pieces of pie for all attending. If your church or faith-based organization is interested in donating pies for the event, or for more information, go to centermindfulliving.org or check it out on Facebook.

The Center for Mindful Living is a 501c3 nonprofit that educates the community about the benefits of mindfulness and provides opportunities for people to develop a mindfulness practice. These practices lead to more joy, balance, and compassion. Our mission is to empower people to decrease their stress and increase their well-being.

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Take a Walk in Rock City Founder’s Footsteps

10/18/2018

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by Ferris Robinson

At some point, chances are you’ve been to Rock City. Either as a child, a parent or a tourist, you’ve probably walked through this wonderland, pausing on the Swinging Bridge to catch your breath and gasp at the incredible view.

However, I doubt you’ve had the pleasure of actually walking in Frieda’s footsteps, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter being Rock City’s co-founder and visionary of the Enchanted Trail.

Rock City is offering Walking in Frieda’s Footsteps, historical guided walking tours of Rock City Gardens. Available most days during normal operating hours, the tours are a mere $5 per ticket upgrade from general admission, and there is minimum group size of 15 people. Imagine touring behind the scenes with your own personal guide and horticulture expert as you learn about the infinite number of native plants, most actually planted in the early 1930s by Frieda herself. Fascinated with European folklore as well as wildflowers and rock gardens, she planted columbine, coralbells and hemlock trees that are still there today.

Schedule a tour during the beautiful month of October, and see Rock City again!

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Local Artists Featured at Art's Meow Fundraiser

10/9/2017

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Darlene is a cat that The Alice Fund helped. You can purchase cat-themed art made by local artists at Art's Meow at Coolidge Park Pavilion from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 15.

Not so long ago, the fundraising plan for The Alice Fund, a local nonprofit that assists cat owners in financial need, consisted of donation jars placed next to cash registers. Contributions made by grateful recipients and supporters of the nonprofit’s generosity added to the mix.

Today, as the need for Alice Fund services grows, members are hoping the passions of cat-loving and art-loving area residents will unite to widen the organization’s fundraising capacity.

In case you didn’t know, October is National Feral Cat Day, and on Sunday, October 15, The Alice Fund will host its fourth annual Art’s Meow, a showcase of feline-themed artwork created and contributed by area artists. All pieces are original, in a variety of styles and mediums and all are available for purchase. The sale will be presented in the Coolidge Park Walker Pavilion, from noon-4 p.m. More than 75 artists and art galleries have been asked to contribute pieces.

Local artists offering pieces include Sandra Babb, Maddin Corey, Marty Littauer, Lisa Bohnwagner, Olga de Klein and Dana Shavin. Area studios contributing pieces include the Hart Gallery, Arts Build and Uptown Art. A portion of each sale will be donated to The Alice Fund to help cats and owners in need – cats like Darlene, as she eventually came to be named.

Darlene was a kitten when a driver swerved to miss hitting her as she wandered aimlessly by the roadside. A good Samaritan stopped to investigate and discovered that the kitten’s eyes were matted shut; she couldn’t see.

The rescuer rushed the stray to The Cat Clinic, where veterinarian and Alice Fund Founding Advisor Marcia Toumayan determined that Darlene’s eyes had been so badly damaged that they had to be removed. Darlene’s prognosis was good. Though blind, Darlene recovered completely and was adopted by a family. As with most extensive medical care, there was still the issue of the cost of surgery, medications, rehabilitation and more, however.

That’s where The Alice Fund comes in. It helped pay for Darlene, and other cats like her, whose owners can’t pay for medical treatment. Several area veterinarians have partnered with Dr. Toumayan and the Cat Clinic to provide reduced-cost care, with The Alice Fund and owners paying the balance.

Financial assistance is not the only contribution the organization makes. Its Facebook page serves as a spot to post information regarding lost cats and cats in need of new homes. Last month someone going into assisted living posted a plea for a new home for her 3-year-old spayed and declawed cat. Imagine the relief when a new home for this precious companion was found through The Alice Fund. In addition, the Alice Fund’s Facebook page posted ways to help with the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society’s Animal Disaster Relief efforts in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. And there are always adorable posts highlighting adorable cats and kittens that are available for adoption.

Started in 2008 and named in honor of a feral cat named Alice, The Alice Fund mission is to provide medical care to cats whose owners and caregivers would otherwise lack the resources to access medical services for the cats under their care.
For more info, visit The Alice Fund website.

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History Center Plans to Strengthen Collection

1/24/2017

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The Board of Directors of the Chattanooga History Center recently announced its plan to remove items that are duplicates or unrelated to the center's collecting mission. The Board voted to conduct this action in order to strengthen its overall historical collection.

This process is common practice among museums, and provides a way to ensure that an item fits the overall scope and mission of the museum. Many items were collected decades ago when the center's collections did not have a Chattanooga-specific focus and thus do not tell Chattanooga's rich history.

The Board stressed that the center is not de-accessioning any items that are part of its core collection.

A list of donors affected by this decision will be posted on the center's website. The CHC encourages donors to retrieve objects scheduled for removal. Satisfactory evidence must be presented in order to claim the objects, such as the original deed of gift or personal identification. If the donor is deceased but his/her heirs are interested in acquiring the object, then a family relationship must be proven as well as a right to inherit.

The deadline for contacting the Chattanooga History Center is February 28. After this deadline, all remaining artifacts will be disposed of as determined by the CHC's Board.

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Nominations Sought for Young Women of Distinction

1/24/2017

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The American Lung Association in Tennessee is asking the community to nominate outstanding young women from the area for the 2017 Young Woman of Distinction award.

The Young Woman of Distinction is a high school senior who sets herself apart as an individual outstanding in leadership, academics and character. She serves the Chattanooga area with honor, integrity, enthusiasm, generosity, compassion, a willingness to take risks and a personal dedication to goal achievement.

She will be honored at the 32nd Annual Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon being held on Tuesday, May 2, from 11:15 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., at the Chattanooga Convention Center Ballroom.

The event, which benefits the American Lung Association in Tennessee and its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health, is a Chattanooga tradition that honors one Tennessee Woman of Distinction, plus 10 of the Chattanooga area's most accomplished women who have distinguished themselves within their family, career and community, as well as the Young Women of Distinction.

Nomination forms are available in the Chattanooga office by calling (423) 629-1098 or by visiting www.TNWomenofDistinction.org. You can also download a nomination form here.

All nominations are due on January 26. They can be faxed to (423) 629-0054, mailed to American Lung Association in Tennessee, 1466 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Chattanooga, TN 37406 or e-mailed to Shirley.cudabac@lung.org.

Monies raised from the Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon help fund medical research, advocacy and education and help ensure clean air and healthy lungs for all Tennesseans.

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of women. On average, less than half of all women diagnosed with lung cancer will be alive one year after their diagnosis. Despite this, only one percent of women cite lung cancer as being on their radar.
This has to change. Women need to know that anyone can get lung cancer. Lung cancer has the lowest survival rates compared to colon, breast and prostate cancer. Education and research driven medical advances will help to increase survival rates

More information, individual and table reservations and sponsorship levels are available at www.TNWomenofDistinction.org.

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Philanthropic Portal Enables Neighbors to Help Neighbors

1/18/2017

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Maeghan Jones, president of The Community Foundation; Marsha Drake, Hamilton County Department of Education’s director of student services; Blake Canterbury, founder of Purposity; and Arielle Hayes, principal of Dalewood Middle School.

Chattanooga has always been known for its philanthropy as residents rally around each other and respond when needs are identified. Whether its providing toys to children during the holidays, donating school supplies, or purchasing essential items for homeless families, Chattanoogans are always ready and willing to extend a helping hand.

Building upon the true spirit of Chattanooga and generating awareness around the fact that anyone can be a philanthropist, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and The Maclellan Foundation joined forces to launch a portal to connect people in Chattanooga who have specific needs with other people in the community who can help meet the needs. This centralized portal, Purposity Chattanooga, will give anyone and everyone an opportunity to learn about and respond to a neighbor in need. These practical and immediate needs could range from winter coats and backpacks to toiletry items and space heaters. Local needs will be published and disseminated weekly by text message through the Purposity Chattanooga portal.

"As a city, this is what we do best: create a network of support and care and generosity," said Maeghan Jones, President of the Community Foundation. "But sometimes we don’t know the challenges that people face, even though they live just down the street. So we are creating a safe, secure, and reliable way for anyone to respond to the specific needs of our neighbors. It’s about Chattanoogans helping Chattanoogans, in moments of need, large and small."

With more than 20,000 Hamilton County public school students currently living below the poverty line, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and The Maclellan Foundation will begin with needs vetted by Hamilton County Department of Education school guidance counselors and will expand later this year to help meet the needs of Chattanooga's homeless and economically disadvantaged neighbors.

"I am excited about the possibility of helping more Hamilton County students," said Marsha Drake, director of student services at the Hamilton County Department of Education. "The fact that anyone can be a philanthropist through Purposity Chattanooga is amazing. A lot of times people in the community want to help our schools and schoolchildren, but they don't know how. Pairing Hamilton County residents with the needs of Hamilton County Department of Education's students in such a simple and straightforward way is a huge win for our students and their families."

Chattanoogans who are interested in receiving weekly text messages through Purposity Chattanooga can sign up for free in less than two minutes. To date, more than 150 residents have signed up and officials hope to have 500 residents sign up by February 15.

"We are so very fortunate to live in such a caring and generous community," said Chris Maclellan, chairman of The Maclellan Foundation. "We believe that this new philanthropic portal, Purposity Chattanooga, will inspire and encourage us to collectively serve our neighbors in need. Our gifts will find purpose through generosity and have the ability to transform families and communities."

Purposity was first launched in Atlanta in Spring 2016 and since has helped to meet the needs of more than 600 students. Chattanooga is now the second city to host this portal, which will be powered by the Community Foundation and The Maclellan Foundation. Sign up is free and takes less than two minutes. After signing up, users will get one text a week, presenting the needs of neighbors residing in the Scenic City.

To learn more or to sign up visit, www.purposity.com. Doing good is just a click away!

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Find Holiday Magic at Ruby Falls

11/29/2016

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Meet Santa underground at Ruby Falls!

Christmas Underground returns this holiday season to Ruby Falls! From December 1-18 on Thursdays through Sundays, then daily from December 19-23, take a magical adventure deep within the heart of Lookout Mountain where children discover a secret underground passage to see Santa!

Visit the decorated gemstone mines in this unique setting 26 stories underground. Adventurers go on a journey past the Northern Lights and Sugar Plum Fairy Village, into a tunnel (optional), through an ice cave and to the North Pole where Santa awaits!

This festive event is made for children. Kids will meet Ruby Falls gemstone miners and enjoy interactive fun like panning for gems called "joystone" (which spreads the spirit of Christmas), using the joystone tester and cracking their own joystone geode.

Ruby Falls remains 60 degrees year-round making it the perfect atmosphere to experience nighttime magic during the day. Christmas Underground is in a separate part of the cave from where regular Ruby Falls tours are held. Combo tickets are available for the holiday event and the cave and waterfall tour. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Admission is $11.95 for everyone ages 3 and up.

Ruby Falls is America’s deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall open for public viewing. It features a 145-foot waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. LED lighting is used throughout the castle and waterfall.

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Lookout Mountain
Happenings

Center for Mindful Living’s “Paths to Peace” is Oct. 27

Take a Walk in Rock City Founder’s Footsteps

Local Artists Featured at Art's Meow Fundraiser

History Center Plans to Strengthen Collection

Nominations Sought for Young Women of Distinction

Philanthropic Portal Enables Neighbors to Help Neighbors

Find Holiday Magic at Ruby Falls

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Lookout Mountain​Happenings

Center for Mindful Living’s “Paths to Peace” is Oct. 27

Take a Walk in Rock City Founder’s Footsteps

Local Artists Featured at Art's Meow Fundraiser

History Center Plans to Strengthen Collection

Nominations Sought for Young Women of Distinction

Philanthropic Portal Enables Neighbors to Help Neighbors

Find Holiday Magic at Ruby Falls

Archives

Categories

Stay up-to-date

Contact US

Stay Connected

Lookout Mountain
Happenings