Scenic Roots

Susan Spurgeon believes in many forms of hugs:  physical, virtual, a smile, a kind word.

She gives them all - and encourages them all - at Chattanooga HUGS.

The “HUGS” stands for “Hearts United Grow Stronger” - and for Susan, all of the positivity is for a purpose:  for all of us to share love and acceptance of each other...

“Rooted in Color” is an exhibition of African-American art now on display at the Association for Visual Arts Gallery here in Chattanooga.

The works in the exhibition come from the collection of James McKissic, himself an artist and a long-time advocate for community and the arts.

Last month, he became president of ArtsBuild, which funds and promotes arts and culture programs in this area.

James stopped by “Scenic Roots”...

Climbers - and those fascinated by them - are drawn to the stories and the scenery of scaling the heights.

This evening, The Tennessee Aquarium here in Chattanooga begins special screenings at its IMAX Theater of two documentaries devoted to climbing.

The Aquarium’s Thom Benson joins us - along with Caleb Timmerman of High Point Climbing and Fitness...

Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

The WoodSongs Dalton Concert Series begins Saturday night at The Wink Theater.

Doors open at 6 PM, the music begins at 7.

It’s the tenth year for the gathering of Americana music, which benefits local nonprofits in Northwest Georgia.

This year, the proceeds will go to the DEO Clinic, which provides free health care to low-income people who are uninsured.

Tom Brown, the Clinic’s executive director, steers the concert series…

We’ll stay at Chattanooga Theatre Centre - but move forward in time a few years.

Louis Varnell is a local military historian - and next Tuesday and Wednesday at CTC, he will present a one-man show for students on World War I.

Louis stopped by “Scenic Roots” - along with Chuck Tuttle, CTC’s director of education...

“Gem of the Ocean” premieres tomorrow night at Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

The play by August Wilson is part of his American Century Cycle.

Chronologically, it is the first of his ten plays on the African-American experience, with each play set during a decade of the 20th Century.

Sadiqua Iman is director of “Gem of the Ocean” - and the first black woman to direct a show at CTC in its 96-year history…

Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

Roe Anderson was born and raised here in Chattanooga.

Maybe you read about her recently in The Chattanooga Times Free Press - or maybe you saw her online, in a CBS News documentary - or maybe you heard one of our conversations with her here.

Roe teaches yoga - and she formed a nonprofit called Girl Stance, which teaches the power of yoga to young black girls...

We’ve talked about quilting - but what about quilling?

As Brittney Winborn will tell you, quilling is an art form that uses strips of paper to create decorative designs.

She’s teaching a class on quilling at The Chattery on Saturday, starting at 10 AM…