Hello Friday.
April 19 2024
“Oh the lights? They’re run by our electric eel, Miguel Wattson.” That was the first response we got when talking with Thom Benson, the Tennessee Aquarium’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, about the story behind the aquarium’s popular exterior lights that display different colors throughout the year.
The Aquarium peaks are a major part of the Chattanooga skyline. | Photo via NOOGAtoday
No, he wasn’t being serious.
The lights are actually run by a computerized system that requires a bit of programming. Back in 2012, the aquarium switched from the cathode-ray tubes that were formerly strung along the building’s peaks — and only stayed white — to an LED system that allowed for different colors + greater energy efficiency.
How are the colors chosen?
The Aquarium’s LED lights actually allow for practically any color imaginable, but they often stick to bolder, brighter ones that show up well + look best at night.
According to Thom, the lights are often changed to celebrate holidays (like Valentine’s Day), commemorate events (such as the anniversary of the Fallen Five), or support community-wide efforts (like Breast Cancer Awareness month). Here are some colors to look out for atop the peaks:
- Red + white | Throughout the month of December (Thom pointed out that this makes the building look a bit like a gingerbread house)
- Blue + white | Hanukkah
- Red + green | Kwanzaa
- Red | Valentine’s Day
- Pink | Breast Cancer Awareness
- Green | St. Patrick’s Day
- Red, white + blue | Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Fallen Five Anniversary
When The Aquarium isn’t celebrating or commemorating a particular day, the lights shine their standard “Aquarium Blue” that we all know + love.
LED us en-lighten folks on the Aquarium's colorful peaks — use the buttons below to share this story.
Today
- O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels | Fri., Jan. 7-Sun., Jan. 9 | 3 p.m. | Chattanooga Convention Center | $5+ | Car lovers can get together at this indoor show full of hot rods, race cars, antique cars, and celebrity guests. 🚗
- Carpetbagger's Comedy Night | Fri., Jan. 7 | 9 p.m. | Bode Chattanooga, 730 Chestnut St. | $10 | Watch NYC comics from Netflix, Comedy Central, SiriusXM, BuzzFeed, and NPR fame join Southeast favorites — tickets include one beer. 🍺
- First Friday Open House | Fri., Jan. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Area 61 Gallery, 721 Broad St. | Free | Mix + mingle with local artists and check out their artwork.
Saturday
- Curating the Perfect Playlist for Your 2022 Vision | Sat., Jan. 8 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Chattery | $30 | Give your 2022 vision board a soundtrack — hint: if “All Too Well (Taylor’s version) (10-minute version)” is on there, your year might be a bummer. 🎵
- Over Easy EP Release Party | Sat., Jan. 8 | 8 p.m. | Songbirds Foundation | $10+ | This show and EP release party is for those ages 21+.
- Open Gate Day | Sat., Jan. 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Rd. | $16 | With 8+ miles of trails, bluff views, and a 120-foot waterfall, adventure awaits you at Lula Lake. 🥾
- Monthly Empowerment Circle | Sat., Jan. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | The Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. | Free, RSVP | The Royal Circle of Sisters host this educational evening of female empowerment.
- Vulture Adventure | Sat., Jan. 8 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Rd. | $15+ | Take a walk around Reflection Riding’s campus with Vlad the vulture — long pants + close-toed shoes recommended.
Sunday
- Wild Trails Chattanooga Creek Cleanup | Sun., Jan. 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Meet at Clumpies, 3917 St. Elmo Ave. | Free | Help volunteer to keep Chattanooga beautiful + enjoy pizza and beer at the post-cleanup party. 🛶
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.
Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Chattanooga. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.
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Weather
- 36º | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain ⛅
- In anticipation of bad weather conditions, Hamilton County Public Work Crews remained on standby yesterday. Hamilton County currently has 2,000 tons of salt, 800 tons of sand, and ~15,000 gallons of brine ready for the rest of the winter.
Announced
- Due to the current spike in COVID-19 cases, the Lookout Wild Film Festival has been moved to the weekend of Feb. 4-6. If you already have tickets, they are still valid, and the Tivoli will email you about refund options if you can’t join for the new dates.
- CHI Memorial Foundation announced that it is postponing its annual “Pink!” gala, which was originally set to take place on Jan. 22, due to risks presented by the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The organization plans to announce a future date soon. (NewsChannel 9)
Community
- As a part of the Creative Discovery Museum’s current fundraising campaign, the popular RiverPlay exhibit is getting an upgrade: a new tow boat that includes an engine room, galley, and pilot house. Submit your ideas for the tow boat’s name — the lucky winner’s idea will be displayed on the boat. 🛥️
Sports
- The Chattanooga Lookouts recently revealed their 2022 game schedule. The season opens near Knoxville on April 8 against the Tennessee Smokies, and the team’s first home game will take place on April 12 against the Birmingham Barons. This season also marks the return of Fireworks Fridays, starting on April 15 + ending in September. ⚾
Cause
- To protect those experiencing homelessness from recent inclement weather + below-freezing temperatures, The Salvation Army and the Chattanooga Community Kitchen opened their overnight shelters yesterday. The shelters provided warm beds and hot meals to community members in need. Both organizations are currently accepting donations to help continue serving the local community. (WRCB)
Noogan
- Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod is the newest member of the National League of Cities’ 2022 Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee. Councilwoman Coonrod is the only member in the 44-person committee representing Tennessee. Congrats, Councilwoman. 🎉 (WDEF)
DYK
- Rainfall across the Tennessee Valley was 20% above normal last year. Nearly 63 inches of rain fell in Chattanooga during 2021, which is ~eight inches more than in an average year. The National Weather Service is already forecasting another wetter-than-normal start to Chattanooga’s new year. ☔ (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Ranked
- According to U-Haul’s 2021 Growth Index report, Tennessee ranked No. 3 in the list of top destinations for out-of-state movers in the US. The ranking is based on the company's analysis of the growth of one-way entry to states during 2021. 📦 (NewsChannel 9)
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Florida transplant, new record store, and contender for most colorful spot in Chatt, St. Pete Records opened up for business yesterday.
The new vinyl record spot is located at 4639 Shallowford Rd. + sells new and vintage records, CDs, cassettes, music collectibles, and T-shirts.
As one commenter mentioned on their Instagram page, the new store gives off serious 90s Nickelodeon vibes, and the flooring brings us right back to middle school skating rink parties — aka, we can’t wait to check it out for ourselves.
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Editor's Pick: How’s everyone holding up out there? The first week of 2022 has been a little wild, with an extremely quick switch from summer temps to snow, Omicron ramping up, and an almost overwhelming number of new business announcements. Here’s to a hopefully calmer remainder of the year, and a restful weekend. I know we could all use a minute to breathe.
Missed yesterday's newsletter? We’ve got lots o’ spots to grab drive-thru or curbside pickup food + coffee.
NOOGAtoday Team
Editorial: Brianna, Kristen, Dayten, Josh, Gabriella
Sales: Sarah
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