Easter in ‘Nooga

Easter dresses -- a lovely tradition!

Easter dresses — a lovely tradition!

Whether you celebrate Easter or simply that spring has sprung, the weekend of April 19-20 promises to be a busy one in Chattanooga.

Last week’s Mega Post of Things To Do in April left out a Chattanooga tradition: the egg hunt in Coolidge Park. Hosted by Stuart Heights Baptist Church, this year is the 6th annual community egg hunt, from 9-11am. Children up to age 11 will search for 100,000 eggs hidden in the park.

Following the egg hunt, there will be an open air worship service. Families are invited to stay later for a picnic, face painting, music, and story-telling.

If your family traditions skew more towards big meals, you might be interested in following Pearl & Associates seasonal board on Pinterest, where they are gathering traditional, southern recipes you may want to try this year.

Regardless of your religious affiliation or traditions, we here at theNoogaLife hope that you are enjoying this beautiful time of year in Chattanooga. With redbuds, dogwoods, tulips, and iris in bloom all over the city, you don’t have to look very far to find colorful beauty!

 

 

#LovingtheLocal: The Longhorn Restaurant

Not too long ago, our friend @ModernSauce posted a photo of The Longhorn Restaurant on Instagram. That got us thinking about how many awesome local businesses there are in Chattanooga, and how they get overshadowed by the chains so often. Everyone knows about The Waffle House, right? But not nearly so many people know about The Longhorn Restaurant. You’ve probably driven past it on North Market:

Longhorn sign (correct)

photo credit: ModernSauce

 

 

You may be wondering what’s so great about The Longhorn? Here are just a few things we love about it:

  • The look — the vintage decor sets the mood for an excellent diner meal.
  • The food — it’s just GOOD.
  • The service — friendly and thorough.

The Longhorn is only open for breakfast and lunch, and is located at 129 North Market Street — in the same plaza as Taco Mamacita and ClearSpring Yoga. You can’t miss the oddly shaped building.

In an effort to share some of our other favorite local spots, we are starting a new series called Loving the Local. Each week, we’ll feature a business, organization, or citizen who helps make Chattanooga a great place to live.  Our friends at Pearl & Associates Real Estate have decided to show some local love, too. They are giving away a $25 gift certificate to The Longhorn Restaurant (plenty for breakfast for two!) on May 1. There are two ways to enter the drawing:

1. Subscribe to the Pearl & Associates newsletter. You’ll get emails once or twice a month about all sorts of local real estate topics — how to sell a home faster, what kind of credit score and savings you need to buy a home, special programs, taking care of your house, and much more.

2. If you are already subscribed, you can still enter the drawing. Simply forward the Pearl & Associates newsletter to a friend.

Do you have a favorite locally owned business that you’d like us to feature? Let us know in the comments!

The Mega Post of Things To Do in April

Spring is most definitely in the air! Spring in Chattanooga is great — especially if you don’t suffer from allergies (if you do, it’s still pretty nice, but you need to keep the antihistamines close at hand). It seems like the warmer the weather gets, the more fun things there are to do in the Scenic City.

April in Tennessee

April in Tennessee

Here are a few options you may want to consider for April:

The Chattanooga Lookouts season opener is April 3! An evening at AT&T Field in the springtime is a fine way to spend some time.

Also on April 3, you can hear some fantastic live music at Track 29 during Scenic City Roots. The show will feature Billie in the Woods, Sarah Portenza, John Oates, The Dirt Daubers, and Mountain Heart. Tickets are only $10, unless you are a student, then they are just $5.

Throughout the month of April, you can enjoy and learn about jazz by attending one or many of the events of Jazzanooga. Events are scheduled at various venues all over the city and headliners include such notable musicians as Lalah Hathaway and Gregory Porter, among many others. Check out their master schedule to learn more about ticket prices, venues, and times for events.

The Chattanooga Film Festival will be held at multiple venues downtown April 3-6. This event is being held to support film as part of the growing Chattanooga arts scene. Filmmakers, film lovers, and the general population is invited to attend, learn, and enjoy!

The Spring Break Safari Hunt is taking place all over the city. It started on March 15, and lasts until April 20. Various businesses are offering two scavenger hunts: one outside their doors, and another inside the establishment (usually with a paid admission). Participants use clues to find particular objects, then take photos of the object to claim prizes. Check out this guide for all the details!

For folks who want to combine music appreciation and camping, the Back Porch Hootenanny at Cherokee Farms on April 4-5 will be just the thing. Tickets are $50 through Thursday, April 3, and $65 at the gate, and that price includes your camping spot.

Until April 6, you can see Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None at the Chattanooga Theater Centre, and from April 11-May 4, The Pump Boys and the Dinettes will be performed. Check out their Dinner and a Show promotion for a special deal!

Rock City’s newest show is sure to be a hit with anyone who loves magic and fairy tales. Fairytale Nights began on March 28 and will run through April 20. Check out the video for a taste of what to expect!

The Creative Discovery Museum hosts a free family fun night each month, and in April it is on Thursday the 10th. From 5:30 until 8 pm, families can check out the exhibits free of charge.

The 4 Bridges Art Festival is a crowd pleaser! This year it will be held April 11,12, and 13 at the First Tennessee Pavilion. Artists are selected from across the country (competition is fierce!) and 12,000 visitors are expected to attend. One day tickets are $7, and two day tickets are $10.

VW enthusiasts will not want to miss Bug-a-Paluza 16 on April 12 and 13 at Camp Jordan in East Ridge. This annual festival has grown to become one of the largest VW events in the region. Spectator tickets are just $4 and all proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga.

The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County present the second annual Master Your Garden Expo on April 12 and 13 at Camp Jordan. Tickets are $5 for adults, and there will be free lectures, door prizes, demo booths, and plenty of activities for kids.

On April 17, as part of the Film Noir Series at the Heritage House Arts and Civic Center in Chattanooga, you can see The Most Dangerous Game (1932). The movie starts at 2pm, and is sure to be entertaining.

Record Store Day, on April 19, is for owners, employees, and customers of independently owned record stores around the globe to celebrate the unique position of record stores within the community. There are several participating stores in Chattanooga.

The Bun Run is a free flash mob 1 mile fun run and 5K. It’s not a race, just a fun run. The idea is to be silly while being active and having fun. So get out your pastels, your bunny ears, and your running shoes!

Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine will be April 26 and 27, as well as May 3, 4, and 10, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. For everyone older than 2, tickets are $22 on Saturdays, $20 on Sundays. Group discounts are available when arrangements are made in advance.

Fans of locally grown produce will celebrate on April 27, opening day of the Chattanooga Market for the 2014 season. Shop for local foods and crafts and enjoy live entertainment by Louise Mosrie and Jennifer Daniels from 11-4.

Have we left out anything? Let us know in the comments if you are hosting or aware of an event you’d like to share!

Orchard Knob History

Anyone interested in history should find Chattanooga fascinating. From the ancient artifacts discovered around Moccasin Bend to the more recent Civil War, the area has a rich and broad history. Many neighborhoods can tout historical significance as well, including Orchard Knob.

Orchard Knob was the site of a minor — but critical — skirmish in the larger Battle for Chattanooga. Compared to Lookout Orchard KnobMountain, or Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob may not seem like a big hill but during the Civil War the rise provided a comprehensive enough view of the area to be of vital importance.

From November 23 to 25 in 1863, the rocky hill was the focus of fighting. In the end, the Union was victorious, though that outcome was certainly not assured at the time. Chattanooga as a whole was viewed as the “gateway to the Deep South” and the fight at Orchard Knob was the opening of a long, bloody battle to secure the city. Today, the site is officially part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

After the Civil War, in the 1880s and 90s, the area was divided into parcels, streets were paved. According to the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Watch Association, the area became one that “provided housing for middle and working class people” after being annexed by the city of Chattanooga in 1905.

Today, Orchard Knob is still an area where middle class people can afford to live. It is within walking distance of many businesses, and is attractive to people looking for affordable housing near downtown. There are active neighborhood associations, churches, and a growing sense of civic pride.

 Here are a few photos of the area today:

 

 

 

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Weekend Planner: St. Patrick’s Day Edition

This year, March 17 falls on a Monday, so many of the events and celebrations will be on March 15. It seems like there are more fun activities every week in Chattanooga. Here are just a few for the upcoming week/weekend:

The Rump Run — Be active and have fun while raising money for a great cause. The Rump Run helps to raise awareness of, and funds to research colon cancer. One hundred percent of the proceeds stay local.

Great Southern Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention — On Saturday, March 15, at noon, at the Lindseay Street Hall, a foot-stompin’ good time will begin! Musicians from all over will converge to compete for cash prizes. Admission is $10 for adults, and free for children under 12. No electric instruments or mics allowed, just old-fashioned fun.Shamrock

St. Pawtrick’s Day Dog Walk & Yappy Hour — Dog lovers in Chattanooga will dress themselves and their dogs in green, gather together in Renaissance Park at 10 am on Saturday, March 15, and take a walk together. Then, they will enjoy some time together in the Whole Foods Courtyard promoting responsible pet ownership. It’s sure to be a barking good time.

St. Chatty’s Day Parade — After the dog walk, you may want to check out a parade being organized by The Chattanooga Shamrock Society on the North Shore. Everyone will meet up at Renaissance Park at noon and the parade will head down Frazier Avenue.

Shamrock City at Rock City — Music, dancing, food, beer…and a green water fall! Celebrate at Rock City for some family fun.

If St. Patrick’s Day = pub crawl for you, there are lots of options. Pints & Pedals will be cycling from pub to pub — with a leprechaun on board! Ride the Chattanooga Double Decker Bus for St Paddy’s on the Parkway with stops at Hair of the Dog, Terminal Brewhouse, and the Honest Pint.

The Georgia Winery will host St. Patrick’s Day Happy Hour, featuring $3 glasses of (green) wine, music and fun.

However you choose to spend your weekend, we hope that you have a great time!

 

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 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!

 

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?

Review of the Yellow Deli

yellow deliThe Domestic Fruitloop, a local Nooga reader,  reviews the Yellow Deli.

I lead a very hectic life. I get up at 4:30 am and go to bootcamp, then I come home, make breakfast, wake my daughter up and help her get ready for school. After I drop her off at school I usually need to get back home to do things. However there are certain days where I get a bit of quiet time. I relish this time and my favorite place to spend it is at the yellow deli. The yellow deli is a quaint restaurant off of Mccallie. When you walk in you are greeted warmly but not aggressively by the waiters. The decor harkens back to a fairy cottage from a tale in my childhood and the light tinkling music that plays puts me in an instant state of peace. After I sit down I order a Hibiscus cooler. It is the best drink, a fruit punch of sorts but with the perfect mix of sweet and tart. When we moved here 6 years ago I still ate gluten (I didn’t know that it was the reason that I was sick) so when we would go to the yellow deli I loved to order the yellow submarine. It’s a vegetarian sandwich that changes between three different spreads daily. My favorite of the spreads is the hummus. Later I really enjoyed getting a turkey and provolone with avocado on an onion roll.  This sandwich would come to the table in all it;’s sheer perfection. It was melty and warm and cheesy and delicious. Now that I eat gluten free, it’s difficult for me to find things to eat at certain restaurants. However, at the yellow deli i get the cranberry cashew salad and it is divine. The greens are crisp and dark, the radishes and carrots are sliced so thinly that they really even out the overall texture of the salad, which also boasts large chunks of white cheddar, dried cranberries and spiced cashews. The dressing is a sweet balsamic that is house made. While I love the food, what really makes this place a special retreat for me, is the atmosphere. It’s calming, relaxing and inviting. After I have finished a meal there I will sometimes simply sit and read. I never feel rushed or hurried and I get to enjoy a simple pleasure that normally as a busy mom I would not. The yellow deli is a calm oasis in the midst of a hectic city and I would highly recommend it for a nice quiet meal.