Tomorrow night, “The Miss Firecracker Contest” - the Southern Gothic comedy by Beth Henley - premieres at Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Scott Dunlap is the director - and Gracie Gilbert plays Carnelle Scott, the aspiring beauty queen with the flame-red hair.

Around the country, blood centers in some cities are down to a one-day supply and the dangerously low supply of blood has forced hospitals to postpone surgeries - all due to the pandemic. Here in the Chattanooga area, Blood Assurance has felt the supply pinch for quite a while - and once again, it urges people who can give blood to give blood now.

Neighborhood block parties are known for free food, music and entertainment. This Saturday - and the rest of the Saturdays this month - here in Chattanooga, a series of block parties is also providing something else that’s free: COVID-19 vaccine shots and vaccine education.

Get Vaccinated Chattanooga’s neighborhood block parties. The critical need for blood donations - here and nationwide. “Miss Firecracker” - “The Little Princess” - “Bye-Bye Birdie.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Richard Winham shares a conversation with Don Bentley, author of “Tom Clancy Target Acquired: A Jack Ryan, Jr. Novel.”

At her home on Signal Mountain, Kate Kinnear cares for dozens and dozens of squirrels. She is a wildlife rehab expert, certified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency - and her home is a sanctuary for squirrels from newborns to weeks or even months old.

Kate Kinnear on a sanctuary for squirrels on Signal Mountain. Talking Writing: Don Bentley on “Tom Clancy Target Acquired.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

Richard Winham shares the second half of a virtual show by Kim Richey, Grammy-nominated songwriter, from her home in Nashville - along with her friend, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry - for the Mountain Spirit Acoustic Series at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC.

These days, early childhood educators in the Chattanooga area face staffing challenges, which could impact the care they have provided during the pandemic. Katie Harbison is president of Chambliss Center for Children - and Sumer Arispe is its executive director.

When we talk about infrastructure, we talk mostly about roads and bridges - but very little, if anything, about rivers.