Editorial

EVENTS

Virginia College BBQ

competition

Virginia College will host a BBQ competition on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the competition will be held at the Virginia College campus, located at 721 Eastgate Loop. The event will be open to the public, and will feature live music and activities for children and families. ACF will be providing food for sale at the event. The proceeds will benefit the Zion Project, an organization that works to stop human trafficking in the Chattanooga area. Representatives from the Zion Project will be at the event to share information about the organization.

NoogaStrong blood drive

In honor of the five U.S. servicemen who lost their lives in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015, Blood Assurance will host a blood drive Monday, July 11 through Saturday, July 16 at donor centers across the region. To be eligible to donate blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of liquids – avoiding caffeine – and eat an iron-rich meal before donating. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bloodassurance.org and click on “View All Blood Drives.”

Chattanooga Heroes Run

One year after the tragic shootings at the Armed Services Recruiting Center on Lee Highway and the U.S. Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway, thousands of supporters will participate in the Chattanooga Heroes Run to honor those who lost their lives as well as the hundreds of responders who worked to protect the city. The Chattanooga Heroes Run, presented by Erlanger’s Level One Trauma Center, will take place on Saturday, July 16 beginning at 8 a.m. The event will feature a five-mile run or walk that will begin on Amnicola Highway at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center, follow part of the path EMS took down Amnicola Highway, connect to the Tennessee RiverPark, wind through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, and end on 5th Street. Participant and spectator busing will begin at 6 a.m. at the corner of Palmetto and Fifth Streets. Volunteers are needed to assist with pre-run bag packing, set up, race activities, and post-run clean up. To volunteer or register for the event, visit www.chattanoogaheroesrun.com. The families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells, and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Smith have chosen to use the proceeds from this event to fund the construction of a permanent memorial at the Tennessee RiverPark.

Running of the Derby Bulls

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is hosting a fun run in conjunction with the Chattanooga Roller Girls (CRG) Saturday, July 23 at 8 a.m. Runners (and walkers) will be encouraged to evade roller derby “bulls” down a closed portion of McCallie and Holtzclaw in Chattanooga. The money raised will go to the local chapter of the ACS. Although this is not a timed run, the event will end around 11 a.m. to allow for an awards ceremony. For more information, or to inquire about sponsoring this event, contact Chrissy Seals at Chrissy.seals@cancer.org, or Jessie Gantt at media@ChattanoogaRollerGirls.com.

Happy hour at the zoo

The Chattanooga Zoo will host Ales & Tails one Thursday a month through September. Dates and times are July 28, Aug. 25, and Sept. 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Each event will be held in a different part of the zoo. Attendees will be able to enjoy a cash beer and wine bar, animal encounters, keeper interaction, and learn more about the Chattanooga Zoo’s conservation efforts and plans for the future. Animal sponsorship opportunities will be available. Carter Distributing and Athens Distributing will provide the cash bar; Moe’s Southwest Grill will prepare the hors d’oeuvres. Ales & Tails is a 21-and-older event. All proceeds will go to the Chattanooga Zoo and its animals. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.chattzoo.org/events/ales-tails.