A community open house is the next step in shaping the future of Chattanooga’s Riverfront Parks.

The open house - on Thursday, from 4 PM to 7 PM, in the Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey building - offers the public the chance to preview the latest designs for the Riverfront Parks, speak with consultants who crafted them and offer feedback for the final design.

Dawn Hjelseth is with River City Company.

These days, wherever you get your podcasts, “true crime” is a very popular category - steeped in details from the arcane to the macabre.

Here in Chattanooga, a local podcast dives into crime - cases cold and active, famous and infamous - but it also focuses on policing and the community, all powered by two storytellers.

David Roddy co-hosts the “CrimeCast” with Clint Powell.

David is a former Chief of Police for the City of Chattanooga - and now, he is Chief Operating Officer for Hamilton County Government under County Mayor Weston Wamp.

Jere Hartman served as a U.S. Army ranger during the Iraq War.

Today, he is among a handful of veterans who form RangeOars Row.

Their journey is on the water - and their cause is to raise mental health awareness for veterans, to help in the fight against suicide and PTSD among veterans.

I spoke with Jere earlier this year.

Annie LaVoie is one of nine local artists to receive a recent grant from ArtsBuild, which supports the arts in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

In the past few years, the nonprofit has targeted its grants for local artists to break down barriers, make arts funding more equitable - and promote arts and culture through diverse artists across the community.

The latest round of grants is for artists living with disabilities to activate a new project.

Two of those artists, in addition to Annie LaVoie, are Jeron Devonte, a male soprano - and Reginald Clack, a photographer.

Annie LaVoie is a taxidermist and a bone carver whose own brush with death inspires the avant-garde jewelry she creates today.

She uses stone, bone and organic remnants to fashion the pieces of her “Mouthy Oddities” collection.

As Annie puts it - quote: “Life is beautiful - even after death. And through my art, I seek to celebrate this truth.”

I spoke with Annie earlier this year.

(Aired Thu 3/20/25)

In last week’s municipal elections here in Chattanooga, voters approved a change in the city charter to allow city employees to live outside the State of Tennessee.

The charter is the city’s governing document - and the fact that Chattanoogans can decide to change it is rare for Tennessee, because Chattanooga operates under what’s known as “home rule,” as William Newlin of Chattamatters tells us.
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For more stories on local government and exploring our community, visit chattamatters.com - and Chattamatters on social media.

(Aired Weds 3/19/25)

An epic story about an epic time takes the stage at Barking Legs Theater here in Chattanooga.

The SEED Theatre presents “Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches” - set in New York City in 1985, written by Tony Kushner - at Barking Legs on Friday starting at 7 PM, with two performances on Saturday: at 1 PM, followed by a talk back session - and at 7 PM.

All performances are for mature audiences only.

Gage Walker plays Prior Walter, one of the New Yorkers whose lives intersect in “Angels in America.”

Mixie Mixon plays an ancestor of Prior Walter with the same name.