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#LovingtheLocal with the UNFoundation

August 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Have you ever felt like you want to help Chattanooga be better but just had no idea how to go about it? Would you like to volunteer but can’t because your schedule is simply too full of work and family unfoundation logocommitments? Do you wish you could afford to fund awesome projects so they have a real chance to succeed?

  • The UNFoundation is made up of people like you — people who want to give back somehow, but aren’t in a position to donate thousands of dollars. They have harnessed their collective giving power and taken steps to bring about real change. Here’s how it works:
  • The UNFoundation is made up of trustees, who each pledge to donate $100 per month. There is no limit to the number of trustees.
  • People apply for grants of up to $2,000 to complete projects. There are few restrictions on who can apply. The general guideline is “anything that will make Chattanooga better.” Obviously, if you apply for a grant to purchase yourself a new item for personal use, you will be denied.
  • The trustees review the applications, and meet once a month to decide which projects get funded.

That’s it. It’s simple, there is very little red tape, and anyone who has a $100 to donate and time to review applications and attend one meeting each month can become a trustee. A few of the projects that have been funded in the past include:

  • The Chattanooga Film Festival
  • Yoyo Ma Concert Scholarships
  • PicNooga
  • Hill City Gardens
  • Summer Camp Scholarships
  • McCallie Murals

Chattanooga is a great place to live for lots of reasons, but the biggest reason is that groups like the UNFoundation exist. Residents here are dedicated to making Chattanooga better.

A typical UNFoundation board meeting.

A typical UNFoundation board meeting.

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#LovingtheLocal with Alan Neal & Associates

July 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment

alanneallogo

Alan Neal is a professional and good at what he does. He also courteous, punctual, and detail-oriented — all the qualities you want in a CPA. Alan is the owner of Alan Neal & Associates, a financial Business Chartsadvisory, accounting, and tax firm located in Chattanooga. The firm specializes in helping businesses examine how their operating systems impact cash flow.

Small business owners can feel overwhelmed with all the details involved in running a business. Alan and his team can help. They provide a personalized, tailored approach designed specifically for each client’s situation. From policies and procedures to systems and bookkeeping, Alan’s team helps businesses succeed. If you are looking for financial advice, accounting, or tax services, give Alan a call. He’ll be happy to help!

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Neighborhood Spotlight: Ashwood Subdivision

July 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Chattanooga is filled with different types of communities: you can live in an urban environment, out in the country, or somewhere in between. Over the next few months thenoogalife.com is going to spotlight a few of the places ‘Noogans live, and what makes them special.

The community of Ashwood is one of those “in between” places. The ‘burbs have gotten some bad press lately, but in Chattanooga, living in the suburbs doesn’t mean you have an hours’ long commute or that you have less access to grocery stores and pharmacies. In fact, in Ashwood, the opposite is true. Located just off Shallowford Road, there are lots of shopping and dining options nearby, but the neighborhood is still quiet and family-oriented. It takes just minutes to get to Hamilton Place Mall and the surrounding businesses, yet most homes are equipped with inviting yards for dogs and children. Travel is easy too because I-75 is close enough to be convenient, but far enough away that there is no road noise.

Enterprise Park, with miles of walking trails, is minutes away, as is Heritage Park where dogs are welcome. Life in the Ashwood community has much to offer! If being near downtown, having a lawn, being able to get to both shopping and parks easily appeals to you, then a neighborhood like Ashwood may be what you are looking for. The homes are beautiful, too. Take a look at this one, located at 7619 Asherton Drive, which is currently for sale:

Asherton postcard

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#LovingtheLocal with #RunChattanooga

July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

This week we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Bird, who is at the center of an enthusiastic group of people interested in running, #RunChattanooga. It’s free, it looks like a LOT of fun, and it’s guaranteed to get you moving. Courtney is the executive director of the group and she is serious about inclusiveness and camaraderie. If you are looking for a way to get fit, have fun, and make some new friends — without touching your bank account — keep reading!

The current #RunChattanooga schedule looks like this:run chattanooga group

Monday group run at 5:45pm
Tough Love on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6:30am
Speed work at the Red Bank High School track on Thursday nights at 8pm (this time will change when the seasons change)
And a Saturday morning group run that we do with the crew at Front Runner Athletics at 7:30am
To find out more about whens and wheres, Courtney encourages everyone to get on the #RunChattanooga email list, and to follow on either Facebook or Twitter: 
Email: http://runchattanooga.org/join-the-club/
If you choose to get involved you can expect encouragement, laughter, and to sweat! Everyone, regardless of level, is invited to join. All workouts can be tailored to fit anyone, so even if you haven’t run since elementary school, you’ll be able to keep up. Several members even bring their kids — who love it! The Tough Love workouts are 30 minute, high intensity workouts that involve pushups, crunches, and always some stair climbing, because, Courtney says, “Climbing stairs is good for your butt!”
Tough - but fun - love

Tough – but fun – love

Partner work is part of many #RunChattanooga workouts

Partner work is part of many #RunChattanooga workouts

When your workout feels like playing games, it's better!

When your workout feels like playing games, it’s better!

 

 

 

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Chattanooga Teams

July 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment

 

At&T Field

View from the stands at AT&T Field. 

Last week, we talked about where you can go to play sports in Chattanooga. This week: it’s all about where you can go to watch sports. Chattanooga may not be a big city, but there are plenty of teams to cheer for!

First, there are the most well-known teams. Right now it is baseball season, so you can see the Lookouts at AT&T Field, which is a fine way to spend an afternoon.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has the Mocs, who you can see play football at Finley Stadium, or basketball at the MacKenzie Arena. The Lady Mocs are also an amazing team.

Less well known, but equally worth your time, is the Chattanooga Football Club – the CFC. On July 12, became the Southeast Conference champions for the fourth time. They are an exciting, winning team! You can catch the south region playoffs this weekend. It’s Chattanooga FC versus Miami FC Friday, July 18, at 6pm. Tickets are only $10 at the gate.  Get out, have some fun, and support your hometown team.

For something a little different, but lots of fun, go see the Chattanooga Roller Girls. These girls are tough — and they play hard. Home bouts are at the downtown Convention and Trade Center and are exciting!

No matter the time of year, there are teams to watch in Chattanooga — collegiate, semi-professional, and professional athletes representing our city well!

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Sports in ‘Nooga

July 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Whether you are interested in playing sports yourself, or seeing professional matches, Chattanooga is a good place to be! Here’s a look at a few places Chattanoogans (and visitors) can get out and play:

Climbing gyms — There are three climbing gyms in Chattanooga: TBA (Tennessee Bouldering Authority) in St. Elmo, Urban Rocks on Appling Street, just off Riverside Drive, and Highpoint downtown. All three are good for beginners or experienced climbers. All three offer a football fieldvariety of classes.

Outdoor Chattanooga — Located in Coolidge Park, Outdoor Chattanooga offers all sorts of ways for residents and visitors to be active and have fun outside. Want to try stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, or climbing? This is the place. You can also rent bicycles, and learn about different classes and events.

Chattanooga Sports Leagues is for adults who love team sports — kickball, basketball, soccer. It’s a way to still play all the games you loved in school. They welcome both individuals and teams, so if you’ve been fondly remembering high school P.E. and all the fun you had, check them out!

The Chattanooga Flying Disc Club is for ultimate frisbee enthusiasts. They are always seeking new players!

If running is your thing, the Chattanooga Track Club has all the resources you might need. They have running groups, sponsor races, offer discounts, help people find running partners and much more.

There is no doubt we have left out some fun, interesting, and exciting ways for Chattanoogans to get out and play. Tell us what we missed! And stay tuned for next week’s post on where you can go to watch matches and games!

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Where To See Fireworks in Chattanooga in 2014

July 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment

If your Independence Day celebration usually includes watching a professional fireworks display, here are a few places around Chattanooga you may want to go!

On Thursday, July, 3, you can see fireworks at:

Coolidge Park, as part of Pops on the River

after the Lookouts Game at AT&T Fieldfireworks 2

Camp Columbus, at dark

Lake Winnie, at 10pm

the Outdoor Wilderness Theater in Trenton, GA at 9:45pm

 

Then, on Friday, July 4, there will be displays at:

the Signal Mountain Golf Course

the lake in Soddy Daisy

Heritage Park in Dalton

Jasper Recreational Park

Main Street in Dunlap

City Park in Graysville

Lake Winnie at 10pm

Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland

 

Did we miss any? Please let us know in the comments! 

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Celebrating Independence in ‘Nooga

July 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

fireworks under the bridge

How does your family celebrate on the 4th of July? Do you decorate, shoot bottle rockets, eat BBQ, or spend the day on the boat? This year you may want to add the symphony to your list.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present Pops on the River at Coolidge Park on Thursday, July 3. You can enjoy the free concert and fireworks display, along with a pre-concert flyover from the Hixson Museum of Flight. The concert begins at 8pm, and the park will close to traffic at 4:30pm. Food, beer, and wine concessions will be available, and a fireworks display over the river will follow the concert.

However you celebrate, do it responsibly and have a great holiday!

 

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings

Secrets 2 Staging – A Slight Twist on #LovingtheLocal

June 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Each week, we like to feature an outstanding local business here on theNoogaLife. This week, instead of our usual format, we would like to share a guest post from business owner Theresa Maddox, owner of Secrets

before

before staging

2 Staging. Theresa helps homeowners and real estate agents ready houses for the market. If you would like to learn more about her business, you can reach her at 423-987-3054, or send her an email at secrets2staging@yahoo.com.

My goal in working with realtors and their clients is to help home buyers to visualize the house as “their home” and guiding sellers in staging their house to show off its best features.

Once a home is put on the market it becomes a house, a marketable product.  The goal is to sell the house as quickly as possible and for the highest price.  Statistically staged homes sell for 10-20 percent more than non-staged homes.  94% of staged homes sell with 33 days compared to non staged homes which sell in 144 days, according to the website stagedhomes.com.

When you go to a play, the scenery on the stage is set to give you information of where you are, or what the actors are doing.  That is the goal in staging a home for potential buyers.  We want to show off the features and focal points of the home, not the personal “stuff” of the home owner.

I like to tell my clients that staging is the first step in packing.  If you can box up thinks that are stuffed in closets, cabinets and drawers, precious breakables and hardly used item you are working your way toward moving.    It’s also a great time to donate items that you are not planning on using in your next house.

The three most important steps in staging a home are de-personnalizing, de-cluttering and cleaning.  Removing paper back books, packing up personnel photos and collectibles gives more space to help potential

after

after staging

buyers see the architecture of the home and visualize themselves in the home.  We are all attached to our personal things and the memories they create but these things might keep a buyer from seeing potential in the home.  Each room in the home needs to welcome guest into the room so they can mentally want to place their furniture and themselves in the room.

The finished product, is the selling of the home.  I love finding out that the house has sold.  The client is happy, the realtor is happy and so am I.  When working with homeowners, you really get to know a lot about them, their families and their lifestyles.  Everyone has reached the goal and the results are worth the effort.

 

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#LovingtheLocal with Area 61

June 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Area 61 is part of the burgeoning arts scene on the Southside of Chattanooga. Originally, the gallery was going to feature works of art made from wood but it quickly evolved to include all sorts of beautiful, handcrafted art. From jewelry to painting to sculpture to furniture, you’ll find it all — and much, much more! Owners David and Keeli Crewe have done a fantastic job of creating a comfortable atmosphere that is a bit unusual for an art gallery. You’ll probably want to pull up a chair and enjoy the ambiance for awhile when you visit.

On May 5, 2014, Area 61 celebrated their five year anniversary. Having opened during a serious economic downturn, things were touch and go at times, but by finding and showcasing gorgeous work from local artists and craftspeople, as well as by contributing to the community, Area 61 pulled through the most difficult period for most new businesses.

A fun time to visit the gallery is during the Southside Stroll, the last Friday of each month from 5-8pm. (It’s the perfect thing to do just before Nightfall!). Many of the artists are at the gallery during the Strolls. The next Southside Stroll is Friday, June 27, and Area 61 will be featuring a new body of work by local artist Bob Fazio, called Italy Reimagined.

Take a look!

area 61 door, logo

Come on in!

 

 

David and Keeli Crewe

David and Keeli Crewe

 

There's a LOT to see!

There’s a LOT to see!

 

Every corner is filled with beautiful things.

Every corner is filled with beautiful things.

 

 

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#LovingtheLocal with Southern Star Restaurant

June 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment

If you like meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, pork chops, and other delectable southern food, you need to visit the Southern Star. With two SouthernStarlocations — one on the Southside, and one on Signal Mountain — the Southern Star makes it easy for Chattanoogans to get a fix of southern cooked goodness.

Operated by Rick and Nancy Adams, the Southern Star offers up the best kind of comfort food. Menu items are all house-made, and taste like someone’s grandmother is doing the cooking. One of the things that is special about the Southern Star is the carry-out convenience they offer. You can purchase a fully-cooked entree and side items to take home and reheat, in sizes that vary from a single portion to a family-sized serving.

The Broad Street location is a full-service restaurant, with a smaller carry-out section, while the Signal Mountain location is more of a carry-out shop, where you can have items heated if you want to eat in. Both locations offer special orders and catering, whether you want to buy a whole cake, or have a black-tie event catered.

Whichever location you visit, do yourself a favor and have dessert! Cakes, pies, and perfect banana pudding keep customers coming back for more. But, it’s not all sweets and fried foods — the deli cases have plenty of fresh, healthy options. The kale salad, and the quinoa salad are both low in calories but extremely flavorful.

 

 

 

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Farmers Markets in ‘Nooga

June 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment

In Chattanooga there are lots of options and ways to purchase fresh, locally grown food.

Local food is better for several reasons:

It’s fresher. A tomato grown in Chattanooga is going to be picked more recently than one grown in California and shipped to Tennessee.

It doesn’t have to travel as far. Shipping isn’t great for produce. It has to be picked sooner, packed and often bruised, and then there is the radishcost of moving it.

You are helping the local economy. When you buy food grown in the area, your money directly supports the farmer.

You’ll discover new varieties. Have you ever tried to buy fresh figs? If so, you probably had to go to a specialty store. Figs don’t travel well, and they have to be eaten soon after being picked. Local food vendors have items you usually don’t find in most grocery stores.

It just tastes better. Produce picked and eaten at the height of ripeness has a brighter, more vibrant flavor.

Chattanooga is rich in local food! No matter where you are, there is probably a farmers market nearby, and it seems like more of them pop up every year. Even if you can’t afford to buy all of your food at a farmers market, just buying an item or two can transform your meals.

Besides simply making food available at markets, many local farms operate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. When you participate in a CSA, you basically invest in a farm for a season and get your return in the form of a share of the farm’s harvest. Each week, you get a box or basket of produce, or eggs, or meat, or herbs, or some of each depending on the type of CSA you join. The best way to find a CSA is to visit a farmers market and ask around.

Here are some of the farmers markets in Chattanooga:

  • The Chattanooga Market — Held at the First Tennessee Pavilion, this is probably the most well-known market in the area. You can find produce, meat, eggs, hand-crafted items, and much more every Sunday from 11-4, April-November. Market organizers have also added a Wednesday market this year — Wednesday evenings from 4-7 pm, May through October.
  • Main Street Market — From 4-6pm every Wednesday, a special group of farmers and shoppers can be found at 325 East Main Street. Herbs, meat, cheese, coffee, produce, and lots of smiles!
  • The River Market — This Saturday morning market offers more arts and crafts than produce, you will still find some delicious, fresh, local food. Things get started with free yoga at 10 am at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, and the market is open until 5pm.

In addition to these three big, well-known farmers markets, there are several community markets around town:

  • Signal Mountain Market — Held at the Bachman Community Center each Thursday from 4-6pm.
  • Lookout Mountain Market — Three times/days/locations: Tuesdays from 4-7pm at Audubon Acres, Thursdays from 3-7pm at City Hall on Lula Lake Road on Lookout Mountain, and Fridays from 4-7pm at the Incline Railway in St. Elmo.
  • Brainerd Farmers Market — Saturday mornings from 10am-12pm in the parking lot at Grace Episcopal Church.
  • St. Alban’s Farmers Market — In Hixson, on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.
  • Northside Farmers Market — on the Northshore at Northside Presbyterian Church on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

Did we miss any? Do you regularly shop at a farmers market? What’s your favorite thing about buying food directly from the farmers who raise it?

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