The census numbers are in, and state representatives + local county commissioners have started the redistricting process. Let’s break it down.
✔️ What’s redistricting?
Redistricting (v.): the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries that determine who represents the people of your county commission, school board, and city council — this process happens every 10 years after census data has been collected.
✔️ Redrawing lines
Why would we redraw lines? Right now in Hamilton County, there are 9 county commissioners who represent more than 40,000 people in each of their districts + Districts 7, 8, and 9 are seeing rapid population growth.
What does that mean for us? There could be additional districts drawn in Hamilton County due to the population increase.
How can we get involved? Glad you asked. There isn’t a law that enforces county commissioners to be transparent about the redistricting process, so local + state advocates are calling for community-led redistricting this time around.
Draft of Hamilton Co. map with 11 districts | Photo via Hamilton County Commission
Draft of Hamilton Co. map with 12 districts | Photo via Hamilton County Commission
✔️ Community-led redistricting
Why would the community get involved? To have a say in what they believe is fair, inclusive, and transparent redistricting, since a new map will have a huge impact on the community. It’s how local communities could avoid gerrymandering.
How can I get involved? Attend this morning’s Hamilton County Commission's Redistricting Workshop at 10:30 a.m. (625 Georgia Ave. No. 401) or check out the workshop schedule and plan to attend at a later date.
I’d like to learn more before getting involved. Great, check out this resource from local group UnifiEd, take a locally-focused Redistricting 101 class + learn more from Think Tennessee, a nonpartisan think tank.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your neighbors, fellow PTA parents, and anyone else who might be interested in how the county will redraw district lines.
Have a civic question you're eager to ask?
We'd love to hear your Qs and dig up some answers.
Today
- Patty Griffin and Gregory Alan Isakov | Wed., Oct. 6 | 8 p.m. | Tivoli Theatre | $35+ | Enjoy a laid back evening of folk music + great songwriting. 🎶
- Lunch and Learn: Can I Recycle This? | Wed., Oct. 6 | 12-1 p.m. | Green Spaces, 63 E. Main St. | Donations, RSVP | Ask questions + learn current information about municipal solid waste, recycling, and composting. ♻️
Thursday
- Music for the Mind Fundraiser | Thurs., Oct. 7 | 7-11 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Co. | Donations | This family-friendly night of music benefits the Alzheimer's Association of Chattanooga.
- FIRESIDE: Outdoor Concert Series | Thurs., Oct. 7 | 7-9 p.m. | Greenway Farms | Free | This family-friendly outdoor music series will take place ‘round a campfire, with tonight’s music coming from Lou Wamp and The Bluetastics.
- Fall Mocktails 101 | Thurs., Oct. 7 | 6-7 p.m. | The Chattery, virtual | $20 | Learn how to make a concentrated syrup that combines fruit, sugar + vinegar, and how to combine flavors to create the perfect fall mocktail. 🍸
Friday
Saturday
- Downtown Chattanooga Pedal, Paddle + Picnic | Sat., Oct. 9 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pedego Electric Bikes, 157 River St. | $95 | Enjoy a day of pedaling electric bikes along the Tennessee Riverwalk, plant-based picnicking in the park, and paddling down the Tennessee River. 🚲
- Chattanooga Oktoberfest | Sat., Oct. 9-Sun., Oct. 10 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. + 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free | Put on your German garb and enjoy a selection of over 100 seasonal + local beers. 🍺
- Last Market on the Left | Sat., Oct. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | The Coffin Company, 2405 Lyndon Ave. | Free+ | A horror-themed art market featuring local vendors, trick ‘r treating, and a costume contest. 👻
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.
Weather
- 76º | Rain | 92% chance of rain ☔
Community
- Thanks to an anonymous donor and private landowner, Reflection Riding acquired ~3 additional acres just outside its gate + will put this land into a permanent conservation easement to preserve it for the community. Through this acquisition, the organization has also secured permanent public access to popular adjacent trails.
- The American Society of Landscape Architects recently awarded WMWA Landscape Architects and Genesis the Greykid an Honor Award in Urban Design for their Market + Georgia Public Space project in downtown Chattanooga. The project focused on a community-first design process for the plaza and sidewalks at Market St. and Georgia Ave. 👏 (Chattanoogan.com)
Biz
- Blue Orleans Seafood Restaurant recently received a grant from Black Kitchen Initiative — a partnership between The LEE Initiative, Heinz, and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice. This initiative has awarded grants to 71 Black-owned food businesses around the country, totaling over $1,000,000 in grants.
Traffic
- The Wilcox Boulevard Tunnel will be closed for maintenance on Thurs., Oct. 7-Fri., Oct.8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 10 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Detours will be posted + CDOT advised to plan additional time while traveling. 🛣️
Coronavirus
- Beginning Mon., Oct. 11, the Hamilton County Health Department will no longer require appointments for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot at the Tennessee Riverpark. The Health Department also recommends getting the flu vaccine, which is available through most primary care providers, local pharmacies, and some grocery stores.
Cause
- Tennessee American Water is currently accepting grant proposals — due Oct. 29 — for its Firefighting Support program, which provides financial assistance to uniformed, professional, and volunteer fire departments. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to cover costs of equipment or training. 🚒
Talk
- World renowned ultra-runner + mountain athlete Anton Krupicka will present his latest adventure in backpacking and trail running, "Sage and Summits," at Rock Creek Riverside on Thurs., Oct. 7. The event will also feature the California Smothered Burrito food truck and free beer from Chattanooga Brewing Co.
Cause
- Local artist Maggie Vandewalle + Area 61 Gallery are teaming up to support The Alice Fund — an organization that provides medical care and supplies to cats in need. Vandewalle is offering a reproduction of her piece “Catkins,” on display at Area 61, for a donation-based raffle drawing on Nov. 30.
Try This
- Grab your helmets. Bike the South announced that it is reducing its prices by 50% for fall foliage tours in Mountain Cove, Sequatchie Valley, and the Tennessee Overhill. Bonus: NOOGAtoday readers can get an additional 25% off on any tours booked by Oct. 15 by entering the code NOOGA25. 🚲
Drink
- Drink LMNT replaces essential electrolytes with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, or any other junk found in conventional electrolyte drinks. Get your free LMNT Sample Pack and only cover the cost of shipping. Ⓟ
Sit, stay ... good dog.
Local Northshore hot dog restaurant Good Dog is officially reopening today. The initial menu will offer all-beef hotdogs + veggie dogs, 6 beers on draft, all of the classic recipes, and a few new twists and favorites.
Hours will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for now, but are subject to change once the restaurant is fully back up + running. 🌭
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Trista here, and if you've noticed that we're hiring a City Editor, it's because my last day signing off of this newsletter will be Fri., Oct. 8.
I'm going to save my farewells for Friday but wanted to give you all a heads up before my last day. 💚
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