Scenic Roots

What looks like a community library box - but instead of filling it with books that people can borrow and share, you fill it with food? It’s called a “community pantry” - where you can donate canned goods and other items that anyone who needs them can access. NeTasha McClure lives in East Chattanooga - and she set up a “Community Pantry” in her neighborhood...

Have you ever heard of the “apple core theory”?   Tish Gailmard is director of wildlife at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center here in Chattanooga - and she can tell you all about it...

(Vanderbilt University) Next week, a philosophy professor at Vanderbilt University who writes about refugees will speak on this campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. (UTC) Kelly Oliver will give a lecture - titled, “The Special Plight of Refugees - hosted by UTC’s Center for Women and Gender Equity as part of Women’s History Month.   Talia Welsh is a UC Foundation Professor in Philos...

Around for nearly a decade, The Performing Arts League here in Chattanooga promotes youth involvement in theater, dance and music - both instrumental and vocal.   The League - which includes active professionals and retirees - offers scholarships, grants, dance camps and instrument lessons to youths who might not have the funds otherwise. Margaret Green is a past president of PAL. Sasha Hitachi is...

(The Tennessee Aquarium) It’s “The Year of the Turtle” at The Tennessee Aquarium here in Chattanooga - and next month, there will be … yes … a Shellabration when the Aquarium opens its new Turtles of the World gallery on March 18th. Dave Collins is the Aquarium’s director of forests and animal behavior.  He and the Aquarium’s Thom Benson stopped by “Scenic Roots”...

Opening soon:  The Tennessee Aquarium's Turtles of the World gallery. Margaret Green & Sasha Hitachi of Chattanooga's Performing Arts League. "The Special Plight of Refugees" - Community Pantry - and more. These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

The Tivoli Theatre here in Chattanooga is midway through its Broadway season. Nick Wilkinson is executive director of The Tivoli Theatre Foundation - and he dropped by “Scenic Roots” for a look back and a look ahead...

Robert Gilliam served as a Marine in Vietnam - and ever since, he has struggled with PTSD and anger management. He channels his emotions by painting - and tomorrow night, he will start teaching a free art class for veterans on Thursdays at American Legion Post 214 in Rossville, Georgia. Robert calls his class “Paint To Slay Demons” - and he stopped by “Scenic Roots”...

During our recent conversation with amateur historian Sam Hall, we were reminded of The Chattanooga History Collections - home to photos, personal papers, administrative records, books and other objects from this city’s past.  The co-curators of the Collections are The Chattanooga Public Library - and this campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Late last year, we spoke with Corinne Hi...

(josiahgolson.com) This year is the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City - and this weekend, a free celebration here in Chattanooga will revisit that landmark era for African-American culture. The 800 Collective will present “A Studio in Harlem” - Saturday at The Edney Innovation Center, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Josiah Golson is an artist, lawyer and writer here in Chattan...

Josiah Golson of The 800 Collective on "A Studio in Harlem." Corinne Hill & Carolyn Runyon on Chattanooga History Collections. A painting class for veterans with PTSD - and, Broadway at The Tivoli. These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

If you’re curious about using your voice to make a few bucks or maybe even a living, Nicole Porche can tell you how to get started. She has starred in series on Lifetime, The Food Network and Spike TV - with various credits behind the camera, too.   These days, Nicole is a voiceover coach - and tonight, she is visiting Chattanooga, to teach a class at The Chattery starting at 6 PM.   Before coming...

(Juliet Johnson) Five hundred years ago, a young tree was growing outside of Chattanooga:  the hemlock. Hemlocks have been called “the redwoods of the East” and the “iconic evergreen of the Appalachians” - but in this area, they are also in danger of being wiped out as a species by an invasive insect. Juliet Johnson is a wilderness advocate who teaches conservation and foraging - and last month, s...

(IAM Haiti) For more than thirty years, International Allied Missions Haiti - or IAM Haiti - has been providing medical care to those who need it most and are the hardest to reach in that country. The nonprofit service ministry is based here in the Chattanooga area.  Madeline Boulware is a nurse - and the administrative director of IAM Haiti...   

(New Bloom Labs) New Bloom Labs here in Chattanooga is a testing facility for hemp growers in this area and beyond. The business was launched back in the fall - amid the hemp industry boom here in Tennessee and elsewhere. John Kerns is CEO of New Bloom Labs, which he runs with his brother Jesse...

John & Jesse Kerns of New Bloom Labs on testing hemp crops. Madeline Boulware of IAM Haiti's medical work for people in need. Juliet Johnson on saving hemlocks - and, Nicole Porche on voiceovers.  These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

Here in Chattanooga, Dionne Jenkins works for Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, where she is vice president of diversity and inclusion. Tomorrow morning, she will share her insights at this month’s “Coffee Talk” at The Chattery, starting at 8:30 AM.

TVFCU's Dionne Jenkins talks about diversity and inclusion in business. Podcast Partners is back:  McCallie's "Ridge" interviews Jon Meacham. Drew Holcomb talks Moon River with Richard Winham and Haley Solomon. These voices - and more - on this encore edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

(Back Alley Productions) Tonight, Back Alley Productions in LaFayette, Georgia opens its 2020 season with the premiere of “Arsenic and Old Lace” - starting at 7:30 PM at The Mars Theatre. Crystal Dawson is the director of the dark comedy, Bobby Daniels plays Jonathan Brewster - and Kaylee Smith is executive producer of Back Alley Productions...  

Hannah Rials writes about vampires.   This weekend here in Chattanooga, she celebrates the release of her latest book - “Reclamation” - the final installment in a trilogy of young adult novels. Hannah will appear tomorrow afternoon at Star Line Books - starting at 4 PM - for a conversation, a Q-and-A and a book signing.   She joined us by phone for a conversation of our own...

(Hunter Museum) Hunter Underground goes glam here in Chattanooga next week. The annual fundraiser for The Hunter Museum - held in its rarely-seen basement - takes place next Friday night, starting at 8 PM. Aly Haugland with the Hunter - and Rob Praino, the chair of this year’s event - dropped by “Scenic Roots”...

(The McCallie School) Last summer, our own Will Davis introduced us to Podcast Partners, highlighting established - and emerging - podcasters here in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. With podcasts roaring in popularity these days, Will is back with Podcast Partners...

(UTC) The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution says all citizens of this country are entitled to equal protection under the law.   A free film screening on Monday night at Barking Legs Theater here in Chattanooga expands the conversation about the Amendment in practice, with graphic reminders of daily violence against African Americans - from photos of lynchings decades ago to video of...

  Nicole Brown & Jonathan McNair on "The 14th Amendment:  All A-Cryin.'" Podcast Partners is back:  McCallie's "Ridge" interviews Jon Meacham. Hunter Underground - author Hannah Rials - and, "Arsenic and Old Lace."  These voices - and more - on this edition of "Scenic Roots." Ray Bassett is the host of "Scenic Roots" - produced by Haley Solomon, Karley Dodson and Will Davis.

Perhaps you’re a fan of cosplay - or gaming - or comics - or all of the above. You’ll find those genres - along with anime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and more - at this year’s Con Nooga. The gathering of genre fans starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Alexis Montclaire is on Con Nooga’s board of directors - and Meagan Frey is co-owner of the Infinity Flux com...