Rise and shine, Chattanooga! In today’s planning-your-week edition: Juneteenth jubilee, Chattanooga film festival, and pollinator celebration + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Honoring a vital legacy: The Bethlehem Center hosted the Southside Juneteenth Jubilee in Chattanooga, celebrating emancipation with live music, food trucks, and local vendors, as organizers emphasized teaching younger generations the holiday’s significance -- see the Juneteenth jubilee.
Community soccer celebration: A free three-day Soccer Live! watch party will take over Chattanooga Green June 19–21 with matches on an outdoor screen, food and drinks, plus a soccer field for all ages -- get the full event details.
Construction momentum takes a hit: New homebuilding slowed in the Chattanooga metro, as 2025 residential permits fell nearly 18% from 2024, the second-biggest drop among Tennessee’s major metros, signaling a cooler construction market -- see the housing slowdown.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*.
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan -- see how it works.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need a cozy reset? Chattanooga Yarn Company is your friendly local yarn shop, stocked with Malabrigo, Berroco, and indie finds like Queen City Yarn, plus classes that turn “someday I’ll knit” into “look what I made”. Pop in this week, pick a project, and let their crew help untangle whatever your pattern throws at you.
Local forest fix: Enterprise South Nature Park is the easy button for a midweek reset, with shaded walking paths, legit mountain bike loops, picnic spots and an actual lake when you want to stare at water instead of screens. Bring a friend or just your headphones, either way you’ll come out lighter.
Patchwork pick-me-up: If your stash is feeling stale, Lavender Lime Quilts and Designs has fresh fabric, clever patterns, and kits that turn “one day” into “today.” Their fun classes and Mystery Five-0 sew-alongs make meeting local quilters easy... and yes, your next gift can actually be finished on time.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
A practice that strengthens how you move and how you think: Tai Chi walking works on two fronts at once. The slow, coordinated steps build lower-body strength and balance, while syncing your breath and movement quiets a busy mind and sharpens your focus. Create a personalized plan that adjusts as you settle into rhythm. *See your starting point →
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Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Our favorite events this weekAll the best things to do this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐝 Pollinator Celebration @ Renaissance Park | Wednesday (6/17) at 4:30 PM – Think you know your backyard VIPs? Renaissance Park hosts a celebration of the bugs we usually shoo, with finger puppet crafts, a DIY bee house, a quick park clean-up, and native seed packs to take home, all the wholesome fun your inner naturalist secretly craves.
🍵 Love Thy Neighbor: High Garden Tea x Leah Larabell @ Mad Priest Coffee Roasters | Wednesday (6/17) at 6:00 PM – Mad Priest is hosting a neighborly night with Leah Larabell of High Garden Tea, a clinical herbalist who actually knows her nettles. Come for ecological herbalism, stay for the breezy Q+A, and revel in the rare magic of a truly free event.
🧠 Understanding the Journey: Navigating Parkinson's, Dementia & Aging @ Martin Boyd Christian Home | Thursday (6/18) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve been Googling symptoms at 2 a.m. as a family caregiver, this free seminar is the sanity check. Two seasoned neurology nurse practitioners break down Parkinson’s and dementia progression, share practical tools, answer the tough questions, and connect you with folks who get it.
🎉 Breakthrough Gala @ The Hall @ 2nd | Thursday (6/18) at 6:00 PM – Trade your usual routine for the Breakthrough Gala, where local artists and program alumni share a creative journey of healing, hope, and recovery. Expect interactive moments, live and silent auctions that might outbid your restraint. Plus an elegant dinner with real stories at the table.
✊ Juneteenth Freedom Celebration @ New Zion Missionary Baptist Church | Friday (6/19) at 1:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a reason to celebrate freedom with your neighbors, Juneteenth’s your cue. Head to MLK Boulevard for live music, history with heart, and the kind of community vibe that feels like a family reunion, minus the folding-chair politics.
🏞 Ruby Falls Lantern Tour @ Ruby Falls | Friday (6/19) at 9:30 PM – Skip the crowded patios and see Ruby Falls after hours, lit only by hand-held lanterns. Small groups, extra time at the waterfall, and just enough uneven paths and 36 stairs to make your knee brace feel useful. Ages 10+, sturdy shoes, dry sense of wonder.
🏷 The Great Chattanoooga Community Yard Sale @ Tennessee RiverPark | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – This sprawling community yard sale at Tennessee Riverpark is basically Chattanooga’s attic, with locals unloading antiques, bikes, crafts, and the odd conversation piece, plus food trucks. Hunt for bargains, donate pantry goods to the Food Bank, and feel smugly thrifty, generous, and well fed. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Chattanooga report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 63°F — Precip: 5%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis under-construction Northshore Heights home pairs main-level living with sweeping mountain views and a rare three-bay garage. Three bedrooms sit on the main floor, while a partially finished lower level adds flexibility for guests or hobbies. A chef’s kitchen, scullery pantry, bi-parting glass wall, spa-like primary suite, and covered porches elevate everyday living.
Take a peek inside → |
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