Scenic Roots

Joel Sartore is an award-winning photographer, author and speaker whose lens focuses on endangered species and landscapes around the world. Two years ago, he was named National Geographic Explorer of the Year - and he is a regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine. Tonight, Joel will speak at The Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX 3D Theater here in Chattanooga, starting at 6:30 PM. On his way to...

Singer-songwriter Toby Hewitt shares his stories and his music. Artist Ali Kay on painting and murals in the heart of Chattanooga. 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.

Among the murals in downtown Chattanooga is the little airplane boy. Ali Kay is the artist who painted it as part of the McCallie Walls Mural Project - a collaboration of artists that created the city’s first drive-thru art gallery.   Ali stopped by “Scenic Roots”...

Jeffrey Blount worked in network television for more than 30 years, directing “Meet the Press” and other programs at NBC News - winning an Emmy along the way. These days, he is an author and speaker - and on Wednesday night, he will appear here in Chattanooga, as part of the South Bound Lecture Series - presented by Southern Lit Alliance at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, starting at 6 PM.   Jef...

(Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce) (Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce) “Chattanooga Climbs” is a five-year plan for the city’s economic and workplace future. The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce - along with other community groups - launched the strategy last year.   Its ideas aim to attract more than a billion dollars of new capital investment and boost the average annual pay in the ci...

Christy Gillenwater and Charles Wood on "Chattanooga Climbs." Author Jeffrey Blount coming to the South Bound Lecture Series. Artist Ali Kay on painting and murals in the heart of Chattanooga. 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.

(UTC) One day, Kaylin Underwood had an idea to help people with food allergies:  an app that would alert them if they are buying grocery items with ingredients they are allergic to. Kaylin is a senior on this campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - and she calls her app idea, “AllerX.”   Back in November, she won the “Hatch It” competition for her idea at UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College...

This weekend, it’s Cherokee history revisited at Moccasin Bend National Archeological District in a program titled, “The Want for an Easier Life.”   Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present the program at the Gateway Site, starting at 2 PM.   Brian Autry is a ranger at the park…   

In Soddy-Daisy - on Dayton Pike, beside Food City - is a place that calls itself a “front porch” - providing coffee and social services to people who otherwise would have no easy access to them. The Coffee Community Collective - part of Northside Neighborhood House - includes a coffee shop and offices for agencies such as Children’s Advocacy Center and Consumer Credit Counseling Services.   Rachel...

On Saturday, a fine art show here in Chattanooga will feature works by two artists:  Abdul Ahmad and Lin Buckner, known as “Rogue Poet.”    The show - which includes an artist talk hosted by Rik Hermann - takes place at Wanderlinger Brewing from 7 PM to 9 PM.    Abdul Ahmad stopped by “Scenic Roots” for a conversation about his work - and the show...

It was a “green rush” last year for Tennessee’s hemp industry.   The number of licensed hemp growers in the state soared from a few dozen into the thousands.   One outfit in Sequatchie Valley that got into business ahead of the rush is Haygood Farms, which sells its own CBD products - directly and at stores across Tennessee.   Llew Boyd is co-founder of Haygood Farms...

Dr. Donna Van Natten, author of "The Politics of Body Language." "Southbound" captures "The New South" at The Hunter Museum. Text Request's Brian Elrod - and Hayden Bullington's birthday for others. 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 Chatsworth Times) Hayden Bullington lives in Chatsworth, Georgia. He was born with cystic fibrosis - and tomorrow, he turns 15 years old. His family says he’s able to lead a fairly normal life - because of a regimen of checkups, tests, chest therapies, breathing treatments and daily medications.   Hayden says he is blessed by how fortunate he is - and he’s concerned about others who struggle...

Text Request is a software company here in Chattanooga that helps other businesses to target and use text messages. It is the most recent business launched over the past twenty years by Brian Elrod and his wife Jamey.   Brian stopped by “Scenic Roots”...

“Southbound” opens Friday at The Hunter Museum here in Chattanooga. The exhibition - which runs through April 26th - will feature the works of dozens of photographers, offering their vision of “The New South” in the first decades of this century.   Natalie Mead is with The Hunter Museum...

Donna Van Natten knows the power of body language. She travels across the country to help people present themselves professionally - and coach them on how to read body language.   Her new book - out this month, in time for campaign season - is titled:  “The Body Language of Politics.”   Donna lives here in Chattanooga - and she stopped by Scenic Roots...

(chattanoogafun.com) On Thursday nights here in Chattanooga, you’ll find Toby Hewitt performing at the Backstage Bar on Station Street. The singer-songwriter is a Chattanooga native - and last month, Toby dropped by “Scenic Roots” for a conversation, full of stories and songs, that we bring you for this hour...

Singer-songwriter Toby Hewitt shares his stories and music. His voice - 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.

James McKissic's "Rooted in Color" exhibition at Chattanooga's AVA Gallery. Military historian Louis Varnell's one-man show on World War I at CTC. Alexis Willis of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's INCubator. 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.

If swing is your thing, you can find it on the first Saturday of each month at River City Dance Club here in Chattanooga.   The Club’s Bill Lenzi will take you through the steps...

Susan Spurgeon believes in many forms of hugs:  physical, virtual, a smile, a kind word. She gives them all - and encourages them all - at Chattanooga HUGS.   The “HUGS” stands for “Hearts United Grow Stronger” - and for Susan, all of the positivity is for a purpose:  for all of us to share love and acceptance of each other...

“Rooted in Color” is an exhibition of African-American art now on display at the Association for Visual Arts Gallery here in Chattanooga. The works in the exhibition come from the collection of James McKissic, himself an artist and a long-time advocate for community and the arts.   Last month, he became president of ArtsBuild, which funds and promotes arts and culture programs in this area.   Jame...

Climbers - and those fascinated by them - are drawn to the stories and the scenery of scaling the heights. This evening, The Tennessee Aquarium here in Chattanooga begins special screenings at its IMAX Theater of two documentaries devoted to climbing.   The Aquarium’s Thom Benson joins us - along with Caleb Timmerman of High Point Climbing and Fitness...

The Tennessee Aquarium screens climbing films "Meru" and "The Dawn Fall." James McKissic's "Rooted in Color" exhibition at Chattanooga's AVA Gallery. Susan Spurgeon of Chattanooga HUGS - and Bill Lenzi of River City Dance Club. 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 WoodSongs Dalton Concert Series begins Saturday night at The Wink Theater. Doors open at 6 PM, the music begins at 7.   It’s the tenth year for the gathering of Americana music, which benefits local nonprofits in Northwest Georgia. This year, the proceeds will go to the DEO Clinic, which provides free health care to low-income people who are uninsured.   Tom Brown, the Clinic’s executive direc...