Guten morgen, Chattanooga — today we’re going to tell you about our Sister City: Hamm, Germany. 🇩🇪

In case you missed our last Sister Cities convo — According to Sister Cities International, “A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between 2 communities in 2 countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.”

Hamm became our first Sister City in 1977, and the 2 locations have a lot in common. We both have breathtaking attractions, are tourist cities, and we both had Dupont Chemical facilities back in the day.

Hamm is located in the northwest part of Germany and is home to lots of parks, record-breaking sculptures + buildings, and even a castle. Don’t miss the Glaselefant in Maximilianpark or the Oberwerries Castle.

Another exciting monument you’ll find in Hamm is the Sri-Kamadchi-Ampal-Temple — the second largest Hindu temple in all of Europe. When the temple opened in 2002, 7 masons flew in from India to create 7 shrines filled with various ornaments + figures.

And if you somehow run out of sites to see, you can get to the Netherlands in about 2 hours.

Hamm is just 1 of our Sister Cities in Germany. Wolfsburg — located about 2 hours from Hamm by car — became our Sister City in 2011.

#MUSTDO

Show

Monday Night Blues Jam with Rick Rushing | Mon., Aug. 2 | 8-10 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Company, 1208 King St. | Soothing music from Rick Rushing and guest artists is the perfect cure for the Monday night blues. 🎼

Theatre

Improv Auditions | Mon., Aug. 2 | 8 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater | Free | Get your improv on + audition for the theater — all levels are welcome, but experience is preferred. 🎭

Learn

Make Your Own Dream Pillow | Mon., Aug. 2 | 6 p.m. | The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave. | $25 | Learn about how herb-filled pillows can induce sweet dreams. 🛏️

TryThis

Monday Game Night | Mon., Aug. 2 | 5 p.m. | Chattanooga Cigar Club | Price varies | Upgrade your game night with cocktails, cigars + hookah.

Outdoors

Chattanooga Grotto Monthly Meeting | Mon., Aug. 2 | 7-8 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. | Free | Cavers unite in this monthly meeting where everyone — experienced or not — is welcome.
Partner Program: On My Own 2 Wheels | Mon., Aug. 2 | 8-10 a.m. | Community Kitchen | Volunteers can provide ride support to homeless individuals learning to bike + become more active. 🚲

PlanAhead

Try Archery! | Tues., Aug. 3 | 3-5 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. | Free | This indoor class offers a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the sport of archery. 🎯
Basecamp | Wed., Aug. 4 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Waterhouse Pavilion | Free | Try a coworking day with several professionals from across the city that features complimentary lunch, free coffee + a post-work happy hour. ☕
Local Catch Open Mic Night | Wed., Aug. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | The Comedy Catch | $5 | Check out some of our top local comedic talent.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

ALL THE AUGUST EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

85º | Morning showers | 35% chance of rain 🌧️

Announced

The Ed Johnson Project announced that the memorial’s dedication ceremony will start on Sept. 16 and conclude with the memorial unveiling + dedication on Sept. 19. The event will feature history panels, artist talks, and more.

NowOpen

After closing its indoor dining room for over a year, Sluggo's Vegan Cafe has reopened the space, complete with renovations + a redesign. Sluggo's deck, downstairs patio, and front patio are also open with full service.

Civic

This past weekend, TDOT contract crews began final paving operations on interstate ramps as part of the I-75/I-24 interchange modification project. This work will continue Fri., Aug. 6 through Mon., Aug. 9. 1 lane will remain open on each ramp during these paving operations + I-24 East will be reduced to 1 lane beginning at the Moore Road overpass. 🛣️

Arts

There’s a new mural project in the works as a collaboration between the Chatt Food Center and Gaining Ground Grocery. Gaining Ground Mural Project will result in 2 earth pigment murals, and the project is currently collecting colorful soils + rocks from local farms and neighbors to transform into paint. 🎨
AVA recently announced a new 1 day festival, Between the Bridges, featuring over 30 local artists + live music. The event is named for its location on the riverfront between Veterans and Walnut Street bridges + the timing of the event between annual occurrences of AVA’s main festival, the 4 Bridges Arts Festival.

Coronavirus

As of July 30, Tennessee has surpassed the national average of new COVID-19 case + death rates. According to the State Profile Report for the week of July 23, Tennessee had a 99% increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 persons compared to the previous week, and a 31% increase in deaths per 100,000 Tennesseans. (NewsChannel 9)

Community

United Way of Greater Chattanooga announced $4 million in grants to community nonprofits. The funding is being awarded to 66 grant applications from 41 agencies across United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s funding footprint, including agencies like the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Helen Ross McNabb Center + YMCA Of Metropolitan Chattanooga. 👏

Cause

Siskin Children’s Institute Early Learning Center announced last week that it will be participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provides meals to eligible children + adults at no separate charge. Eligibility is determined by household size and income. (Chattanoogan.com)

TryThis

What do you get when you mix hiking, biking, local brews, and a dash of Chattanooga scenery? Lula Lake Land Trust’s Hike Bike Brew event, which is making a return on Nov. 13. The event will feature beer from 11 local breweries + proceeds will go toward Lula Lake's trail work and conservation efforts. 🍺

Biz

HHM CPAs was named a 2021 Top 200 Largest Accounting Firm by Inside Public Accounting. Coming in at No. 110 on the list, which provides an annual ranking of the nation’s largest public accounting firms in the US, is a big achievement. 👏 Ⓟ

📸 @arethafrankensteins

We're seeing lots of pancake breakfasts in our future.

After much debate about whether or not it was gone for good, Aretha Frankensteins announced that it is back open for limited hours starting today. You can stop by the popular brunch spot for breakfast, lunch, and beers from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

We'll say it — we don't mind waiting in an hour long weekend line for this reopening. 🥞

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THE WRAP

We recently rounded up the top photos on our Instagram page from last month, and we'd be July-ing if we said they didn't paint a pretty accurate picture of how exciting the past month was.

We asked you all to vote on your favorite, and the winning picture was taken by @ortweinsign of the signs going up at Trader Joe's, with 38 total votes. You guys can't get enough of Trader Joe's, huh?

We can't wait to see all of the exciting, beautiful, and fun images to come this month. 🖼️

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