This afternoon, live here on WUTC, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly joined us via Zoom for our monthly conversation on "Scenic Roots", the day after he was diagnosed with a breakthrough case of COVID-19.

Richard Winham speaks with New York Times bestselling author Jason Mott on his new novel, “Hell of a Book” - drawn from his own experience as an African-American author on a crosscountry book tour.

Downside Up helps children with developmental disabilities - and their families. The nonprofit’s learning and activity center here in Chattanooga - known as Training Wheels - is on East 11th Street. Theresa Nix is the founder and CEO.

For foster families, the pandemic has complicated the challenges they already face - in particular, finding adequate housing. Flourish Foster Care Closet and Support - a nonprofit in Northwest Georgia - provides support services to reduce trauma, clothing and other items free of charge to children and families in foster care in the tri-state area. Aimee Larson is Flourish’s CEO.

This summer, the Hamilton County Schools rolled out the first of its Mobile Learning Labs - at East Ridge Elementary School. Each classroom-on-wheels is a mini-school bus, fitted with furniture and educational tools, to provide extra learning for elementary students outside the classroom and to engage parents in their children’s learning.

Get Off the Grid Fest begins Friday at Camp Jordan Park in East Ridge - with a few precautions added due to rising cases of COVID-19. Online ticket sales are now closed while walk-up tickets are no longer available for the three-day festival, run on solar power - featuring live music, eco-friendly vendors and more.

Bill Fleming & Ed Witkin on Get Off The Grid Fest 2021. Mobile learning labs for students in Hamilton County. Talking Writing: Jason Mott, author of “Hell of a Book.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Richard Winham shares the second part of his conversation with the Americana band Strung Like A Horse, one of the headliners at the Get Off the Grid Fest at Camp Jordan later this week.

Demand for blood donations remains critical during this pandemic. “Remembering the Badges” - an annual blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross - is one of the largest drives here in Tennessee.

A musical exploration of what makes work meaningful across all walks of life comes to Chattanooga Theatre Centre this week. “Working: A Musical” premieres on Friday - and runs through Sunday, September 5th. Rodney Van Valkenburg is CTC’s executive director.