Blog Archives

Yoga Festival Benefits Organ Transplant Group

8/24/2016

Southern Bend, a new nonprofit organization started by Heather Dendy and Kari Pollard, will kick off the first yoga festival in Chattanooga. Open hearted individuals are invited to join hundreds of their soon to be closest friends in a powerful practice of unity and breath on Saturday, August 27, from noon to 11 p.m. at Coolidge Park.

With the help of SBYF board members, these ladies worked hard and furiously to get Southern Bend Yoga Festival up and running, and have partnered with local retailers, food and beverage vendors, live music, national talent and native artists. Southern Bend is a family-oriented all day festival that will feature slack lining, meditation, paddle boarding, acroyoga, kids yoga and so much more. If tai chi, sunset paddle boarding, or flow classes are not your thing, then pull up a mat and take a savasana (quiet prone pose) instead!

Southern Bend aims to unite the community in joyful celebration. Igniting passions for positive change, mindful living and a belief that great things are possible when people knit together, on and off the mat, is the idea for this event. Perhaps a bend in perspective can accumulate and build into a movement large enough to change the world we live in or change the life of one precious child.

At the festival these gals hope to introduce many of us to yoga who have been curious about it and all it has to offer. The proceeds from the festival will support the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, which is dear to founder Heather’s heart since her son, Benjamin, is on the liver transplant list. To help, donate, or participate will be an acknowledgement of the web of life that connects each single spirit to a great community cause. So “Be the Bend!” Go www.southernbendfestival.com or contact Aloyse Brown at aloyseblair@gmail.com for more information.

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Party at Point Park on August 25

8/15/2016

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The Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park invite the public to the eighth annual "National Treasures" event. On Thursday, August 25, the iconic gates of Point Park will be thrown open for a casual evening of music, activities, and dinner to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

From 5:30-8:30 p.m., guests will gather atop Lookout Mountain to stroll along the park’s breathtaking paths along the brow, enjoy the music of the Power Players underneath the iconic New York Peace Monument, and toast the centennial of the National Park Service. Chattanooga's first tourist destination, Umbrella Rock, will again be open for photographs and "selfies." National Treasures Chair Becky Browder notes, "This year's National Treasures event is even more special as it is occurring on the National Park Service's Founders Day – the day the agency is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its establishment."

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park receives an annual federal allocation that covers its basic operations, but it includes only a fraction of the money needed to maintain, repair, restore, and interpret the historic and cultural features spread across its 9,100 acres. Each year, the proceeds from National Treasures assist the Friends in providing additional funding to the Park to help with educational programming, restoration projects, and visitor services.

More than 1 million people visit the seven units of the park. An independent study conducted in 2014 found that those visitors add more than $55 million to the greater Chattanooga area economy, supporting 771 local jobs. National Treasures ensures that the Friends are able to assist the park with restoration and education efforts that continue to inspire visitors whether they are studying history, admiring the beauty of the landscape, or enjoying a recreational activity.

Tickets for National Treasures are $75 each or $130 per couple, and are tax deductible. For more information, go to www.friendsofchch.org or call (423) 648-5623.

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Riverpark Expansion Opens This Week

8/8/2016

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The Tennessee Riverwalk's expansion opens this weekend. Photo by Will Malone.

Chattanooga area residents have long looked forward to the three-mile extension of the Tennessee Riverpark from downtown to the city's Southside, near the foot of Lookout Mountain. Now, they can begin enjoying new vistas on the Tennessee River. The latest $16 million addition to the Riverwalk will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 12 and continue with a celebration on Saturday, August 13.

Having overcome an array of rights-of-way negotiations and pathway logistics, this new leg of the Riverpark helps to fulfill a promise to the people of Hamilton County made 30 years ago: a commitment to create a beautiful, linear pedestrian Riverpark of more than 13 uninterrupted miles — all the way from Chickamauga Dam to the city's southern border.

"This latest extension will create hours of enjoyment for our residents and visitors as they stroll along the Riverwalk," said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. "We deeply appreciate the efforts of the business community, foundations like Lyndhurst, Benwood, Cigna, BlueCross and BlueShield and private citizens who directed their contributions through the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, as well as volunteers who have worked so hard to complete the vision that began 30 years ago. Their dedication and commitment have made this possible and we humbly thank them for allowing more people to enjoy the natural beauty of Hamilton County."

"The Riverwalk is a jewel of the city, enjoyed by countless Chattanoogans and visitors every day and all year long," said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. "Now, with the new three mile extension, we will open the Riverwalk up to more neighborhoods and communities, ensuring more of our citizens have the access and opportunity to enjoy this important amenity."

Among the new Riverwalk amenities are a wider paved trail (to 12-feet) and a lovely amphitheater and landscaped lawns below the west side terminus of Martin Luther King Boulevard at Riverside Drive. This is where the public is invited to gather on August 12 for festivities that celebrate the Riverwalk and history of Blue Goose Hollow, home to Chattanooga's heralded Bessie Smith who began singing for coins there as a young girl.

The segment now being unwrapped still leaves the difficult construction of a Broad Street crossing and a short half-mile connector to the Incline station.

Unlike the openness of the first 10 miles, which leads trekkers through wetlands and wooded stretches, the newest tract of the Riverwalk traverses a big chunk of the city's industrial heritage. Winding through and around the borders of still active industries, as well as a few that are closed, the new 12-foot wide addition goes where muscle and steel long meshed to produce hard-earned prosperity.

In one complex of plants, giant boilers manufactured for power plants were shipped out on huge barges at the river's edge to global destinations. The huge crane for that work remains. Elsewhere, foundries, steel plants and metal works built huge pipes, myriad industrial parts and jobs for more thousands of workers who found steady employment through much of the region's history.

The freshly landscaped Riverpark defines an industrial experience on one side, and on the other vibrant green spaces and pavilions, public art and river and mountain views.

Along its path, walkers, runners, bicyclists and skaters will also see evidence of the Southside's burgeoning renaissance and a new residential boom. Since local leaders committed in 2012 to build this Riverpark segment, builders have invested more than $220 million in new residential units, sprouting waves of condos, apartments and new businesses.

It's no surprise that the popular Riverpark continues to be an economic driver for the city. Since its inception 30 years ago, total investment in the Riverpark has amounted to $150 million, mostly through federal, state and private grants. That sounds like a large figure, but in reality it’s a small fraction of the private investment and job growth it has helped spawn to bolster the region's latest renaissance.

"It's been exciting to see the incredible transformation of the riverfront and how the Riverwalk has become such an integral part of the community. This expansion provides even more opportunities for walking, biking, relaxing and learning about the city’s history. It also adds to the authentic experiences and quality of life that Chattanooga offers locals and visitors alike," said Bob Doak, president and chief executive officer, Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The latest tourism statistics show that visitors spent more than $1 billion dollars in Hamilton County which supports 8,500 full-time jobs in the tourism industry."

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Riverwalk enthusiasts can enjoy live music, a party at SpringHill Suites, contests, refreshments and more. For a complete guide to the weekend's events, click here.

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Wildfire Controlled on Lookout Mountain

8/3/2016

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Firefighters working to contain a wildfire on Lookout Mountain

On Monday, July 11, a wildland fire was reported on the western slope of Lookout Mountain within the boundaries of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, southwest of Covenant College. At various times since the report, personnel from the Georgia Forestry Commission, the West Brow Fire and Rescue, the United States Forest Service and the National Park Service have worked diligently to suppress the fire. As of Monday, August 1, the 20.38-acre fire was reported as being 100 percent controlled.

Currently, fire crews have been released from the fire, and there are no fire crews in the area of the fire. Rangers at Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP will continue to monitor the area daily to ensure the safety of park visitors and the protection of park resources.

Trails that were closed on Lookout Mountain on the western slope have been reopened, including the Bluff Trail, John Smartt and Jackson Gap trails. The National Park Service advises hikers to stay on the trails; do not hike off trail to go into the burned areas because of unseen hazards that still exist in the area. If smoke is seen or smelled hikers and/or homeowners are encouraged to call 911 or the National Park Service at (706) 866-9241.

The success experienced in controlling this wildland fire was greatly aided by the participation of private landowners near the park boundary who supported efforts to create defensible spaces around their homes. To learn more about how you can make your neighborhood safer from wildland fire, please visit the Firewise Communities website maintained by the National Fire Protection Association.

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Mountain Schools Start Soon

8/1/2016

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The Fairyland School Open House is Tuesday, August 2, from 4-6 p.m. The Fairyland School PTO will have its first meeting of the year and "State of the PTO" presentation at 4 p.m. and again at 5 in the gym. Homeroom rosters will be posted at 4:30 p.m. School starts Wednesday, August 3!

Lookout Mountain Elementary School's Registration Day is set for Monday, August 8 from 8:30-11 a.m. in the gym. The first full day of school is Friday, August 11. Click here to download the school calendar and visit the LMS website to see school supply lists and more.

Share your "First Day of School" pictures with us, and you may be featured in the September issue of the Lookout Mountain Mirror. Just email your pictures to mirroreditorial@me.com.

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Residents Concerned About Short-Term Rentals

8/1/2016

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Officials of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., have received complaints from citizens about houses in their neighborhoods that are being used for short-term rentals. Lookout Mountain, Ga., has the same issues and passed a zoning change to prevent the practice. Lookout Mountain, Tenn.’s, current ordinance does not address this new phenomenon, which is evolving because of the internet. Upon investigation, around a half dozen houses in the town were found to offer rentals of one day to one week. The town is zoned for only single-family residences. This means that a house is intended as an abode for a single-family unit, said City Attorney Brian Smith.

Two residents of Fairy Trail came to the Lookout Mountain, Tenn., commission’s July meeting to see what the commissioners could do to help with this issue. Commissioner of Fire and Police Jim Bentley said this is not a resort area where the practice is common, and that safety is a big issue. “It’s not many houses,” added Commissioner of Public Works Walker Jones, “but when it’s next to you, it’s a problem.”

The other commissioners agreed and voted to address the issue by amending the present zoning ordinance to ban rentals of less than 30 days. It must first go to the Hamilton County planning commission for approval before coming back to the commissioners for two readings and two votes on the changes.

With the amount of state sales tax now known, Town Consultant Dwight Montague completed the yearly financial report and presented it to the commissioners. The amount of Hall Tax for the year that was received in July is $601,714, which is 10 percent above what was received in 2015. Additionally, due to Mr. Montague’s persistence, Mayor Carol Mutter reported that the town also got an additional $36,934 from the tax that had previously been misallocated to other cities. Other receipts for fiscal year 2016 include $75,000 in building permits, which is almost doubled from the previous year, an increase in auto decals and $73,400 from the parking meters. It’s a boom time for tourism here, added Mr. Montague. The budget for fiscal year 2017, which increases property taxes by 5 percent in preparation for the reduction of the Hall tax next year, was passed on the second and final vote. The property tax rate is now set at $1.83 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Even though Lookout Mountain School is still on summer vacation, there is a lot going on, said Commissioner of Schools Don Stinnett. During the summer, new teachers were hired to replace ones that left. Ashleigh Cain will be the new second grade teacher, Tammy Johnson, the new fourth grade teacher, and Dr. Will Casada will be the music teacher. Bryan Mann will move to the fifth grade and Principal Ruth White is in process of hiring a replacement for Mr. Mann’s former position in third grade. Karen Leavengood is the new PTA president.

Appreciation was given to Lee Cook, who was in charge of the summer library program, and Camp Invention was very successful with 30 attendees. Final touches are being put on the new greenhouse, and another level of safety has been added to LMS; security cameras were placed in and outside of the school.
The new school year begins on the August 4, when teachers and staff return. The PTA will host a welcome breakfast that morning at 9:30 a.m. Registration is August 8 in the gym, and the first day of school is August 11. PTA orientation is August 16 from 5:30-8 p.m., and the PTA general membership meeting and parent orientation will be in the auditorium at 5:30 p.m. on August 23.

The public works department has been clearing the roads of high vegetation to help trucks navigate, causing brush pick-up to be slower than usual, said Commissioner Jones. The department is also making repairs to large potholes and cleaning drains in preparation for rain. The dumpster is scheduled to be back on the mountain August 6.

Statistics for the month from the fire and police departments were compiled by Chief Randy Bowden. During June, the police had 61 calls, patrolled 2,553 miles and answered 21 false burglar alarms. Response was made to 13 assist citizen calls and 15 calls to 911. There were 11 traffic stops made during the month and no auto accidents, thefts or burglaries. Nine medical calls were handled by the department, as well as two medical calls to assist Georgia. There were five false fire alarms.

Chief Bowden would like for the residents of the town to know how much the fire and police departments appreciate being part of the Lookout Mountain, Tenn., community. He thanked the residents for their interest in what the department does, as opposed to problems that have recently occurred in other areas of the country with law enforcement. He said food and desserts have been brought in to city hall for the employees, to show appreciation.

Commissioner of Parks and Playgrounds Brook Pippenger said Commons Camp was successful this year, with more kids participating than last year. The dog park that was considered at the last commission meeting has been tabled for now. Dr. Chris Keller didn’t think it was a good idea because of the number of patients he has seen as a result of fights in dog parks. Jimmy Stewart, director of Dade Animal Rescue Team, was also consulted and said that another veterinarian he talked to expressed the same concern.

Mayor Mutter, on behalf of the commissioners, expressed sorrow at the loss of long time Lookout Mountain resident Allen Brown, who died very unexpectedly Saturday, July 23. She also recognized Drew Viscomi for being named an All-American in soccer. He has committed to play at Northwestern University after graduating from McCallie. The mayor also would like for all drivers on the mountain to slow down to assure the safety of children and walkers.

All five of the commissioners are running for re-election with no opposition. Flossie Weill, town judge, is also up for retention. Three positions on the school board will also be on the primary election ballot on August 4. Mayor Mutter urges all residents of the town to vote. The election will take place at the Jane Harris Youth Building at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.

The next commission meeting is Tuesday, August 9 at 5 p.m.

By Gail Perry

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Lookout Mountain
Happenings

Yoga Festival Benefits Organ Transplant Group

Party at Point Park on August 25

Riverpark Expansion Opens This Week

Wildfire Controlled on Lookout Mountain

Mountain Schools Start Soon

Residents Concerned About Short-Term Rentals

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Yoga Festival Benefits Organ Transplant Group

Party at Point Park on August 25

Riverpark Expansion Opens This Week

Wildfire Controlled on Lookout Mountain

Mountain Schools Start Soon

Residents Concerned About Short-Term Rentals

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Stay up-to-date

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Lookout Mountain
Happenings