2 New Options for Family Fun in Chattanooga

Chattanoogans have two new options for active fun. A new climbing and fitness center in the heart of downtown, and a jump park on the rapidly growing southside. Both offer a chance for kids and adults to have fun while getting in a good workout.

High Point Climbing Gym opened on December 3, 2013. Local real estate agent Brandi Pearl Thompson visited in February with her family and says, “It’s beautiful and so much high point gym outside at nightfun!”

The gym is visually stunning as well as being fun. Special lighting makes the building appear to glow at night, and the exterior is constructed of extra-strong, translucent plastic — so climbers can look out across the plaza around the Tennessee Aquarium. Kids as young as three are welcome to use any of the climbing rooms except the bouldering room (where people climb without the same safety gear).

High Point offers more than just climbing; it’s a complete fitness facility that includes a weight room, a yoga room, and an aerobic room with treadmills, a stair climber, and spin bikes. High Point also hosts a climbing school where students of any level learn, practice, and become better climbers.

Across town, The Jump Park opened in February 2014, giving us all a place to jump around. A trampoline park, featuring over 50 connected trampolines (18,000+ square feet!), The Jump Park also has a game room and a foam pit. There are no age restrictions, and kids and adults alike can enjoy a jumping good time. Parents/guardians are welcome to simply observe the kids jumping, but why would you want to do that? The fun’s in the jumping!

The Jump Park can be rented for birthday parties and other events. While no one on thenoogalife team has visited the park yet, we are all eager to do so. Have you been to either facility? What did you think?

 

Chattanooga Shopping, Adventure, Films, and More!

A week of wonderful weather had Chattanoogans out enjoying the beautiful city. The good news: there’s more warm weather and fun stuff to come. The bad news: spring in the Tennessee Valley is wildly unpredictable. In the past month we’ve had snow, thunderstorms, rain, ice, sunshine, high winds, and temperatures over 70 degrees! Local meteorologists

Signs of spring!

Signs of spring!

do their best, but spring time offers them a true challenge when it comes to predicting the weather.

Whatever the weather does, there will be plenty to keep you busy around town for the next month or two, as outdoor events crank up. One exciting announcement last week is that the Chattanooga Market will be open on Wednesdays this season. Beginning May 7, the market will be open from 4-7pm on Wednesdays. Look for a round-up style post about all of the local markets in ‘Nooga in the near future.

If you are interested in Stand Up Paddleboarding, or you enjoy stories and photos detailing exciting adventures, you may want to go hear Ben Friberg speak at Outdoor Chattanooga. Ben paddled the Yukon (238 miles!) and will be sharing stories about that trip and others at an indoor event this Wednesday, February 27 (that’s TODAY!).  Bring your own chair if you attend!

Film buffs will want to be sure to attend the Chattanooga International Film Festival, from February 28 to March 2, downtown. Registration is at the Sheraton Read House, and events will be held at both Carmike Majestic Theater and at the Tivoli.

On March 1, the Hart Gallery will host a fundraising event that includes a five course meal. This unusual gallery provides a venue for homeless people to sell their artwork.

These events, and many others, are featured on a few websites. We like to check The Pulse calendar for events, as well as Chattanooga, Take Me There, and the Times Free Press Community Section. If you know about a local event that you’d like to share with our readers, please send me an email (davaleestewart at gmail dot com) and we will be happy to feature it here on thenoogalife.com!

Are You Suffering from a Heart Hangover?

After Halloween, there is too much candy around the house, the office…everywhere! After Thanksgiving, most people are tired of turkey, and afterValentine’s Day, you might be suffering a heart hangover. Too many candy hearts, too many declarations of love and affection might have you feeling ready for something different. Maybe you are ready for some physical activity.

Chattanooga has some wonderfully walkable neighborhoods!

Chattanooga has some wonderfully walkable neighborhoods!

This weekend is the Scenic City Half Marathon, 5K, and Charity Challenge. Online registration will remain open until Wednesday, February 19, and people can register in person at the packet pickup location on Friday. Although there will be no in person registration for the half marathon on race day, participants in the 5K run/walk are welcome to register Saturday before the event begins. A portion of each registration fee goes to one of a number of charities.

If yoga is more your style, check out the Chattanooga Community Yoga group on meetup.com. The group posts inexpensive or free yoga events on their page. This Saturday there is a restorative yoga workshop with free wine and chocolate! Focus on breathing and moving and balancing.

Maybe the path to recovering from your heart hangover involves a little less exercise and a little more science fiction, horror, fantasy, anime, or convention-prone genre? In that case, you should definitely check out Chattanooga’s Multi-Fandom Convention, ConNooga. From February 21-23 the Convention and Trade Center and the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex downtown will be packed with exhibitors, authors, filmmakers, gamers, and fans of all stripes.

Whatever you do this weekend, take advantage of the beautiful vistas and excellent atmosphere in Chattanooga!

 

Valentine’s Day Factoids

Our friends at Pearl & Associates have put together this infographic with a few interesting facts about Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it, the history of this holiday is interesting! We hope you enjoy the day, however you choose to spend it. 


Pearl logo dark

V-Day infogram

5 Things to Expect When It Snows in Chattanooga

1. (Kind of) Joking Panic – Chattanoogans laugh at ourselves while we are at the grocery store buying bread “just in case.”

2. Schools will close – Officials in Chattanooga generally prefer safe over sorry. Sometimes the forecast of a possibility of snow is backyard snowenough for schools to be closed.

3. Speculation – When there is the slightest chance of snow, or if a stray flake is spotted, it becomes the main topic of conversation as residents discuss the likelihood of another blizzard like the one in ’93.

4. Businesses will close – Either because kids are out of school, or because people are really afraid to drive (even as they joke about how other people can’t drive in the snow), employees and business owners will stay home when it snows.

5. Muddy snowmen – The barest inch of snow is enough for kids in Chattanooga to build snowpeople, even if there are patches of mud helping hold the snowy constructions together.

5 Chattanooga-Only Valentine’s Day Activities

There are lots of reasons you might want to do something big for Valentine’s Day this year. Parents of young children, couples who have overcome some major life obstacle, and singles who prefer to pamper themselves all might find V-Day the perfect time for a little luxury and/or extravagance. Chattanooga is a fun place to live, and local attractions have unique, interesting activities planned for February 14 and 15.

If you are ready to go all out, book a stay at the Mayor’s Mansion to enjoy their Valentine’s Day Package. You get chocolates, rose petals, champagne, breakfast, and more! Your partner will smile.

southernbellelogoFrom a carriage ride to a river cruise, you can get it all in one package with the Southern Belle Valentine’s Package. Get started with a carriage ride around Chattanooga, then enjoy either a lunch or dinner cruise on the Southern Belle, and end your evening at the Courtyard by Marriot downtown.

Have you ever dreamed of traveling across the country in an old-fashioned train car? Well, the Tennessee Valley Railroad trainMuseum isn’t offering that, but you can have a four course dinner aboard a fully restored 1924 dining car as it travels around the area with a ticket to one of the Special Valentine Dinner Trains.

For something uniquely Chattanooga, and also just plain unique, check out Romance at Ruby. The special tour includes lantern light, hot chocolate, a gift, and the romantic story of the man who discovered a beautiful, underground waterfall and named it after his wife.

If the commercialism of Valentine’s Day annoys you, but you still want to do something fun, check into the Broken Hearts Ball presented by the Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults. The ticket price includes drinks and hors d’ oeuvres. Couples and singles are welcome to come, have a good time while doing good for the community. BROKENHEARTSBALL

Valentine’s Day Is in 2 Weeks – What’s Your Plan?

This post is a friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is coming up quick. Now is the time to make reservations at your sweetie’s Screen Shot 2014-01-20 at 9.51.49 PMfavorite restaurant, if going out is what you prefer to do. It’s also a good time to go ahead and buy cards for kids’ school parties, and supplies to decorate the shoe box. (Is that still a thing? Do kids still decorate shoe boxes for cards to go in?)

To get the ball rolling here are a few ideas for you:

Make dinner reservations, and confirm that your babysitter will be available. It’s a bad idea to procrastinate on either of these things. Waiting in line while hungry is not particularly romantic — especially if you have fidgety kids along!

Start researching recipes for a romantic dinner cooked at home. Cooking and eating together can be more romantic than a restaurant and night out. Make sure you have candles and that you can get all the ingredients you’ll need for a special meal. (You may still want to check in with the babysitter!)

Screen Shot 2014-01-20 at 9.50.45 PMPlace your order. If you are planning to order a gift online, now is the time! You’ll have plenty of time to make sure your order is correct, wrapped, and perfect.

Buy tickets. This year V-Day falls on a Friday, which means there will be plenty of live entertainment options around town to keep you busy! For example, the Chattanooga Symphony and Orchestra presents vocalist Valerie Duke that night, and The Odd Couple will be performed at the Chattanooga Theater Center.

Plan a weekend getaway. A quick trip may be the perfect way to celebrate your coupledom. If so, now is the time to decide where to go, reserve a room, and arrange all the details.

Create the perfect playlist. Everything is better with music, so take the time to gather some songs that are special for you and your partner. A soundtrack for the night, whether it plays while you roast potatoes, or drive to your destination, can create the right tone and mood for your evening.

Of course there will always be those who don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. A zombie movie marathon might help you forget all about Screen Shot 2014-01-20 at 9.51.29 PMthe the hearts, flowers, and chocolates you can’t seem to escape in the middle of February!

 

Play Games! Thoughts on Hosting a Game Night

Game night is a fun way to spend an evening at home — an appealing proposition for most people during the cold month of January!  Whether you choose to host a poker game with beer and chips, or a more family-friendly board game night, there is no end to the games you can play.

Even the youngest kids can play GoFish or CandyLand, and Trivial Pursuit or Scattergories are fun for most adults. If you prefer a

Even a simple game of cards can be fun.

Even a simple game of cards can be fun.

more high tech game night, something as simple as a WII bowling tournament can be exciting. Even a tic-tac-toe tournament offers a chance to laugh together.

There are endless Pinterest boards and lists of games online, but in the end, the games are not the important part of game night. Game night can be a great way to get to know your neighbors, or a way for parents of small children to enjoy some entertainment.

The point have fun together. Day to day life is stressful. Between work and school, relationships and housework, families are busy. Carving out time to play and laugh and relax together is important.

On New Year’s eve, I attended a party. The hostess had gotten a vintage Spirograph for Christmas — the kind with a whole bunch of pieces that will make about a gazillion different designs. As the clocked ticked down to midnight, a group of people sat around a coffee table choosing colors and laughing when the pen slipped.

In a completely unscientific, unstructured, and possibly unreliable online poll, I asked friends and acquaintances about their favorite games. Monopoly was the clear winner as an overall favorite. Apples to Apples and Scrabble got the most votes for word games, and people also mentioned Dominoes, Twister, and Clue a few times.

What about you? What are your favorite games? Do you do participate in a regular game night?

About the Author: Dava Stewart is a resident of Signal Mountain, freelance writer, mom to two adults, avid reader, and a fan of kids’ movies. You can contact her at dava@smilingtreewriting.com.

What’s Your Favorite Family Movie?

As much as I love Chattanooga, winters here are wet, bleak, and dreary so staying inside and watching movies is a favorite January

Beautiful but bleak.

Beautiful but bleak.

activity. Originally, this post was going to be a review of recent family movies. A friend said, “Frozen may be the best Disney movie ever,” and I thought a quick look at some recent movies that parents and children might enjoy together could be useful for Chattanooga area families. Then, I realized it has been years since I’ve watched a family movie so I’m not really in a position to write any current reviews.

But there are some timeless classics that everyone — children, parents, single people, couples — should see. For me, The Princess Bride tops the list. It has everything from villains to heroes, and Andre the Giant is in it. There is also a valuable vocabulary lesson!

Another for slightly older children is Holes. If you are a family that reads together, you may want to read the book first, but the movie is great too.

If anyone in your family has missed The Sandlot, get to a Redbox, or pull it up on Netflix or OnDemand as soon as possible. Cancel your weekend plans. Make some popcorn and laugh together. It will make you yearn for neighborhood baseball games and childhood friendships.

Once I started thinking about my favorite family movies, I wondered what films hold a special place for others, and put the question

Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a cozy movie night!

Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a cozy movie night!

on Facebook. The Neverending Story was mentioned several times, as was The Black Stallion and The Fox and the Hound. The Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wreck It Ralph, and The Nightmare Before Christmas all came up as well. One classic film fan even brought up the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland  with Gary Cooper.

There are plenty more family movies that parents enjoy as much as (sometimes more than) their children do. Tell us your favorites in the comments!

 

About the Author: Dava Stewart is a resident of Signal Mountain, freelance writer, mom to two adults, avid reader, and a fan of kids’ movies. You can contact her at dava@smilingtreewriting.com.

 

What To Do in Nooga in January

January is a month of recovery for many families. After a month or so of indulgent eating, many people are thinking of health and fitness. The rounds of holiday gatherings and parties from Thanksgiving until New Year’s leaves many people craving some quiet time. And of course, some of us need a month or two to recover financially!

With all of that in mind, here are a few activities that your family may find appealing during the month of January in Chattanooga:

Georgia Winery January Sale

http://georgiawines.com/blog/events/

Bundle up for outdoor fun in Nooga in January!

Bundle up for outdoor fun in Nooga in January!

Local wine? Yes, please! Stock up at the Georgia Winery January Sale.

Racoon Mountain Cavern Expedition

http://wildcave.com/expeditions.html

For many families in the area, cold temperatures limit time spent outdoors, but you can get in some nature time comfortably exploring the natural caverns at Racoon Mountain.

Shen-Yun

http://www.shenyunperformingarts.org/Chattanooga

Take in a performance art extravaganza. That should brighten even the dreariest January Day!

HullaBOWLoo

http://www.chattanoogabridge.com/events/107427

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank Annual fundraiser at Track 29 will feature a miniature “city” for attendees to explore and enjoy. There will be street performers, food, music — all benefitting a great cause!

Game Night

Host a game night – either family game night, or a friendly poker night, or some combination. Sometimes, the best entertainment is the kind enjoyed with friends and family.

These are only a few ideas, of course. There are also plenty of parks, climbing walls, trails for hiking, movie theaters, and more for families in Chattanooga to enjoy. We’d love to hear what your family likes to do. Share your favorite January activities in the comments!

2013 Sales Tax Holiday: August 2-4

Once a year the state of Tennessee has a weekend where certain items are free of sales tax. Usually this weekend corresponds with parents most wonderful time of the year, back to school shopping.

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1. Have a list so you don’t over buy. 

Just because you are not paying sales tax on the item means you have to buy more of them. If it’s need write it down and stay focused on the task at hand. A good place to go to find back to school lists for local school is www.hcde.org.

2. Check the Fine Print

Do you know the items that are tax free? Did you know that clothes have to be under $100 in price but can be purchased by anyone not just students. Did you know that printers are not tax free? You can go to www.tntaxholiday.com

3. Don’t forgot the thrift shops and second.

Tax free is one everything purchased no matter if it is new or old. So why not save a little more and buy used?

How I found myself

Sometimes I feel that I am lost in a crowd, lost in life, and lost in the shuffle of madness that is having a 5 year old daughter. You see it’s like this, I have worked incredibly hard on myself both mentally, and physically. I work hard to accept and love the person that I am and understand my limitations. I work hard to make sure that my family is taken care of and happy and I try to do this without making myself crazy in the process. But now at this point , at 30 years old I have found what works for me. Bootcamp 3-5 days a week, eating gluten free, sewing custom children’s costumes and jui jitsu two days a week are what works. It makes me feel better and helps me to be the person that I need to be for myself and others. I love treating myself well and venting in the right ways. Or at least that is the ideal, but unfortunately sometimes you fall off the horse. This horse is a really big horse and it’s hard to get back onto it. It’s difficult to do the things that I need when i get out of the habit of doing them and it makes me feel like a failure when I don’t come back from it and other people tell me that they admire me and think i am doing a great job. The secret is sometimes I am not with it. Sometimes I find myself slipping and the guilt pours into me and that next thing I know I am sitting in the parking lot of Mcdonald’s binging on cheeseburgers, fries, pies and soda. All while understanding how horrible, damaging and dangerous this “food” is. You see unlike other people I don’t have the excuse of not understanding what I am doing to myself. I understand the dangers of these foods for most people and especially for me with my gluten allergy. But I do it I eat this and then it becomes a spiral and I keep eating like this and gaining weight and getting depressed  in a horrible cycle. If it were relegated simply to food it would be one thing unfortunately though it is not. This spills into every part of my life and instead of staying on our schedule and getting the things that I need to get done, done I make mistakes, forgot appointments and feel harried.

So when you get to this point how do you get out of it? It takes listening to a story about someone else that has struggled with harder addictions than food and came out of it for longer that I have. So yes food is an addiction for me, this is the truth. When i get upset or have any problems I turn to food and I eat until I am sick. This is not some silly cop-out, this is the truth I have a serious problem with food. They say the first step is admitting it and so i guess that this blog post for me is the first step. The next step is to get back to the things that work for me. Starting with bootcamp bright and early at 5 am on Monday morning. I need to and want to because I need to be the woman that my family needs and I need the peace that my brain desires.

With Love,

The DFL