entertainment

Chattanooga Teams

July 15, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, CHA, chattanooga, contest, entertainment, family friendly, fun, sports, teams

Sports in ‘Nooga

July 8, 2014 by 'Nooga Life 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 variety 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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, chattanooga, entertainment, family friendly, fun, play, sports

Where To See Fireworks in Chattanooga in 2014

July 2, 2014 by 'Nooga Life 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 Field

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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, CHA, chattanooga, entertainment, family, fun, holidays, neighborhoods

Swimming in the ‘Nooga

May 29, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

Now that school is done, ‘Nooga parents are probably looking for things for kids to do. Watching movies and playing video games is good for a few days, but then you need something else.

Greenway Farms

Luckily, Chattanooga is packed with parks, places to swim, and fun summer activities.

Pretty much everyone goes to Coolidge Park in the summer. You have the nice breezes from the river, it’s perfect for picnics, and of course, there’s the fountain to cool off.

Warner Park Pool and Splash Park is another popular destination — because it is awesome! Swim, get sprayed, or have water dumped over you, whatever happens you’re going to be wetter and cooler than when you arrived. There is a minimal charge — between $2 and $5 depending on age and the time of day — but it’s definitely worth it.

You may also want to take a hike in the shade and enjoy some natural creeks. The North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy maintains several trails that are great for an afternoon outside.

If the lake is more your speed, a trip to Chesterfrost Park makes for a relaxing way to spend a summer day. With the sand, sun, water, a cooler of drinks, and a packed lunch, you’ll be set for the day! There are even picnic spots with grills if you want a fancier meal.

What did we leave out? Where’s your favorite spot to swim in ‘Nooga?

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, chattanooga, cool, entertainment, family, fun, kids, summer, swimming

Gardening in Chattanooga

May 8, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

There are lots of ways to garden, and it seems like most of them are going on in Chattanooga! Whether you have a big vegetable garden, a flower bed that is the envy of the neighborhood, or a few plants in containers, you are part of the gardening movement. The climate favors growing things here in Chattanooga, and the burgeoning local food movement is helping people learn about the tastiness of super fresh food.

There are tons of resources for gardeners in this town, from big retail operations like The Barn Nursery, to smaller places like Green Thumbs Galore or Possum Creek Herb Farm, where you will find a more personal touch. You can also get involved in several community garden projects:

Lemon Balm is easy to grow and makes a tasty tea!

Planting, nurturing, and enjoying the produce — whether it’s food or flowers — of even the smallest garden is rewarding, no matter your age. It’s especially fun to garden with children. A single growing season is short enough for kids to stay interested, and enough happens that they are usually amazed.

Do you garden? What do you grow? Would you encourage your neighbors to try it?

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA things to do Tagged With: 'Nooga, CHA, chattanooga, entertainment, family, fun, gardening

(Half of) the Mega Post of Things To Do in May

May 2, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

This post is so big that we are breaking it into two posts. Today, we offer a whole bunch of events going on in Chattanooga through Mother’s Day. If you know of something awesome, interesting, fun, or cool happening in or around Chattanooga this month that we have left off or that you’d like to see in the second half, please let us know in the comments. We’ll be happy to add your event!

Without further ado, here’s (half of) the mega list:

May 1 – May Day

May 1 – Artists of all stripes will gather at the Heritage House for the Ambi Artists Creative Cluster.

May 1 – Scenic City Roots Live at Track 29. Tickets are $10 and the show includes music from a wide variety of genres.

May 1 – Sound and Image: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights and Beyond at the Hunter Museum. UTC Professor of Saxophone and Hunter curators will explore the current special exhibition. Event begins at 6 pm.

May 1-3 – 24th Annual Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival. If you’ve spent much time in Chattanooga, you’ve probably seen the white bumper sticker with the silhouette of a man playing a stand up bass. This festival is a Chattanooga favorite!

May 2 – Sister Rosemary, subject of the book Sewing Hope, will speak at Christ United Methodist Church. Sister Rosemary has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people. Admission is free, and the event is non-religious.

May 2 – The Appalachian Pig Pickin’ Block Party at TerraMae. Tickets are $20 and include dinner and one drink. There will be music and plenty of fun!

May 2 – Here Come the Mummies at Engel Stadium. The show will raise money for the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at UTC.

May 2 – Seether at Track 29. Tickets are $29 in advance and $32 the day of the show. This is a standing room only show, and restricted to those age 18 and older.

May 2 – Nightfall Kickoff with Forro in the Dark. Chattanooga’s favorite free concert series gets started with some lively Brazilian dance music.

May 3-4 The Green Thumbs Galore Driveway Sale — if you love plants, you’ll want to make it to this sale. The owners are friendly, knowledgeable, and love to talk about plants. Plus, their yard is gorgeous!

May flowers

My 3 – 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge for all the bicyclists.

May 3 – The 8th Annual Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival. Help support the Children’s Hospital and enjoy some dramatic boat racing fun.

May 3 – Make Your Own Zine at ArtsBuild from 9am to noon. Spend the morning creating your own work of art. The class will be taught by Aggie Thompson, professor of graphic design at UTC.

May 3 – Friends of Stringer’s Ridge will be holding Burger-Pint Night from 6-10pm at the Gear Closet. Tickets are $15, and all ages are welcome; ID will be required for beer.

May 4 – Bike to the Park – The Chattanooga Lookouts help kick off National Bike Month with this fun promotion. Ride your bicycle to AT&T Field and enjoy valet parking.

May 4 – The Chattanooga Market will feature authentic Mexican food, salsa dancing, and cerveza on el Cuatro de Mayo.

May 4 – First Free Sunday at Hunter. Enjoy the museum and have some fun — for free!

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo

May 7 – Society of Work presents Nuts + Bolts: The Psychology of Business. Shelley Prevost will speak about the psychological aspects of starting a business. Tickets are $10 and the event is from 5:30-7pm.

May 9 – Nightfall – Packway Handle Band

May 10 – Tennessee Aquarium Sleep in the Deep Family Sleepover – An overnight adventure and behind the scenes look at the animals in the Tennessee Aquarium. Ticket prices range from $60 to $73.50

May 10 – Indigo Dyeing Workshop. Spend an evening learning something new, enjoy a meal and cocktails, and have a great time. Tickets are $60, and the event is in Lafayette, GA.

May 10 – Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival. Beer lovers rejoice! There will be food, and lots of beer to sample, and Soul Mechanic will provide music. Pre and post parties to be held at the Terminal Brewhouse. Tickets are $50, no children or pets.

May 10 – If you prefer wine, you may want to check out the Spring Wine Fest at The Georgia Winery. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

May 10 – A music series for kids, the Grasshopper Concerts will take place at various parks throughout the summer. The first one will be at Riverview Park at 2.

May 11 – Mother’s Day

May 11 – Mother’s Day Celebration at the Chattanooga Market. There will be a special performance by the CSO!

May 11 – Moccasin Bend Brewery Tour and Tasting

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, CHA, chattanooga, entertainment, family, family friendly, fun, lovingthelocal, music, spring

Easter in ‘Nooga

April 9, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, CHA, chattanooga, easter, entertainment, family, fun, holidays, kids, parks

The Mega Post of Things To Do in April

April 2, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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

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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings, Uncategorized Tagged With: 'Nooga, baseball, cars, CHA, entertainment, family, family friendly, fun, lookouts, music, rock city, spring

Chattanooga Shopping, Adventure, Films, and More!

February 25, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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!

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!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: chattanooga, entertainment, events, family friendly, fun, spring

5 Chattanooga-Only Valentine’s Day Activities

February 5, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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.

From 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 Museum 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.

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: 'Nooga, chattanooga, entertainment, holidays, love, Valentine's Day

Play Games! Thoughts on Hosting a Game Night

January 16, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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.

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.

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA Happenings Tagged With: entertainment, family friendly, fun, games, kids, play

What’s Your Favorite Family Movie?

January 10, 2014 by 'Nooga Life Leave a Comment

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.

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!

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!