Scenic Roots

( aired Tues 10/22/19 ) Professor G.N. Saibaba is a scholar of English literature at Delhi University in India. He is also a human rights activist for his country’s vulnerable populations - and he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where he has been denied medical care despite ongoing complications. The Scholars at Risk Network - which is a nonpartisan NGO that protects scholars and academic freedom around the world - is involved in Saibaba’s case. Students here at the

Before the Trail of Tears removed the Cherokee from this area, there was the Brainerd Mission in what is now Chattanooga. The mission was founded in 1816 by Christian missionaries - at the request of Cherokee leaders. Today, only the Brainerd Mission Cemetery remains. Naturalist Robert Sparks Walker told the story in his book “Torchlights to the Cherokees.” And on Thursday night in Collegedale, the story will be told on stage in a concert production of “The Trail Was A Circle” - a play written

A nonprofit called Remote Area Medical provides mobile clinics - relying on volunteers to deliver free dental, vision and medical services to those in need. One of those clinics will be held at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge on Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th. Students from this campus - the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - will be giving their time at the clinic. Professor Mark Stoutenberg is director of the Masters of Public Health Program here at UTC...

Tomorrow, a discussion here in Chattanooga - called “Covering Hate” - will focus on journalism and extremism in the South. It takes place from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the Chattanooga Convention Center - presented by Mayor Andy Berke’s Council Against Hate and PRSA Lookout, the communications professional organization. Here to tell us more are Stacey Keating - and Nicole Brown, an adjunct professor in communication here at UTC...

How well do you know the plants around you - in Chattanooga and in the Tennessee Valley? If all of that green can seem like such a blur, welcome to what is known as “plant blindness.” Mark McKnight of Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center can tell you all about it - and so can Dawson Wheeler, the co-founder of Rock/Creek, who now does the Day Fire Podcast...

Reflection Riding's Mark McKnight and Day Fire podcast's Dawson Wheeler on plant blindness. Stacey Keating and UTC's Nicole Brown on the "Covering Hate" discussion in Chattanooga. UTC's Mark Stoutenberg on the Remote Medical Area clinics - and Donna Daisy Mott on "The Trail Was A Circle." These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

UTC's Dr. Rick Dierenfeldt on the shadows of drug addiction in rural Tennessee. James Snider, front man of Fresh Mind, stops by our studio. Garry Posey, founder and artistic director of Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga. These voices - and more - on our encore edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - p roduced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

( aired Fri 10/04/19 ) Loud Walk takes place Sunday at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Riverpark. The event - which starts at 3 PM at Riverpark Shelter 4 on Amnicola Highway - aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, from supporting victims to celebrating survivors. Keosha Brewster is a survivor who founded The Heard, which is presenting Loud Walk...

( aired Fri 10/04/19 ) A Southeast gathering for sculpture in Chattanooga tomorrow will focus on the environment. The Mid-South Sculpture Alliance Confab starts at 9 AM at Chattanooga State Community College. Aurora Robson - who lives in New York State’s Hudson Valley - will give the keynote presentation, followed by an open discussion. The other day, Aurora spoke by phone with me - and Issac Duncan III, a board member at Chattanooga’s Sculpture Fields at Montague Park...

( aired Fri 10/04/19 ) In the heart of Chattanooga, what is now M.L. King Boulevard was once known as East 9th Street - the Big 9. Tomorrow, the Big 9 Roots Festival will celebrate the legacy of African-American history and music in that area. The festival - which runs from 11 AM to 11 PM - takes place at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, where Elijah Cameron is director of community relations...