Editorial

Milestones for 2013

Milestones in the Greater Chattanooga area for 2013 include the 150th anniversary of the Civil War battle at Chickamauga Chattanooga, with the official Civil War Sesquicentennial Signature event taking place October 10-12. 2013 also marks the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Tears. Noteworthy local Trail of Tears sites include Ross’ Landing in Chattanooga and Red Clay State Park in Cleveland.

Sunday, January 6

Free First Sunday

Visit Hunter Museum of American Art between noon and 4:30 p.m. for a free day of gallery exploration and a final chance to explore the Christmas trees throughout the museum. Easy Auto supports free First Sundays. On this day, inSpirit will perform acapella arrangements of classic hymns at 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 9

Street Smarts Cycling Seminar

Cars, pedestrians, busses, intersections, turn lanes, traffic lights... How do you deal with these things when you’re on a bicycle?

Street Smarts, a free seminar taking place at 6 p.m.at Outdoor Chattanooga, located at 200 River Street in Coolidge Park, is a good first step toward learning how to drive your bicycle in traffic. You’ll learn state and local laws pertaining to bicycles, lane positioning and changing, signaling and scanning, and how to do a basic bicycle safety and helmet check. The class is appropriate for adults and kids ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga at ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com or call 423-643-6888.

Saturday, January 12 through Thursday, February 28

We Shall Not Be Moved: The 50th Anniversary

of Tennessee’s Civil Rights Sit-ins

We Shall Not Be Moved, a traveling exhibition developed by the Tennessee State Museum and on display at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in January and February, provides an intimate look at the role Tennessee students played in shaping the modern Civil Rights Movement. This exhibit lifts these important “foot soldiers” into their rightful place in history, telling their story through relevant artifacts, powerful photographic images and exciting audio-visual media. Visitors will leave with an understanding of African-American life during Jim Crow that provided the background for the sit-ins, how students were recruited and organized for the purpose of non-violent protest, and how their efforts facilitated permanent social change. 

January 26

Music for Mutts: Benefit for Wally’s Friends

Seven Chattanooga bands will perform at JJ Bohemia, located at 231 East Martin Luther King Boulevard, to benefit Wally’s Friends. All of the proceeds will go toward the cost of spaying and neutering pets in February. Bands performing include: Buddy System; Red State; the Vic Burgess Band; Bluesfrog & The Georgia Rhythm Cricket; Sinner of Attention; Subkoncious; and Emerge. The event will begin at 6 p.m. The cost is seven dollars per person.

Tuesday, February 12

Young Women’s Leadership Academy Odyssey 2013 Luncheon

Individual tickets for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation’s annual fundraiser and luncheon, Odyssey, are available for purchase. The event will take place Tuesday, February 12 at noon and will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Odyssey 2013 will feature Nashville-based recording artist and author Jimmy Wayne as the speaker and entertainer. Wayne is the author of “Paper Angels” and the founder of the nonprofit, Project Meet Me Halfway. Individual tickets are seventy-five dollars and can be purchased by visiting www.cglaonline.com and clicking the Odyssey 2013 tab. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Shawanda Mason at smason@ywlaf.org or 423-468-4105.