Soaking it all in

 In 2024 Netflix released a film directed by Tyler Perry highlighting the forgotten or unknown history of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the Six Triple Eight. In reading about it, I learned that many scenes were filmed right here in the city in early 2023.    The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum was used for authentic 1940’s-era train and railway scenes. The iconic Chattanooga Choo, Choo Terminal Station dome and lobby were transformed to represent a 1940’s-era Birmingham, Alabama, train station. Scenes were filmed in the downtown area along Market Street with local businesses like Gate 11 Distillery and Nic & Norman's in the Choo, Choo complex serving as crew, cast, and production sites. The production crew sourced props from Chattanooga antique stores like Dirty Jane’s Antiques and The Refindery. In addition to Chattanooga locations, the film was partly shot in nearby Cedartown, Georgia, as well as ...

 As long as I can remember, I’ve always been into classic cars and Hot Rods. I even had a subscription to Hot Rod Magazine during my teenage years. I used to have tons of T-shirts with Rat Fink on them. He is the official mascot of the Hot Rod world created by artist Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. The artist disliked the wholesomeness of Mickey Mouse and created his larger than life, freakish anti-hero version of the iconic Disney mouse. It was his nod to the counter-culture world of custom cars, and Hot Rods, and as a freakish teenager myself, I could relate to Rat Fink. Thank goodness we have the Coker Museum at Honest Charley in the heart of downtown Chattanooga where car geeks like me can explore whenever the mood hits. The Chestnut Street building is the site of the original Honest Charley Speed Shop, which was owned by Corky Coker’s father, Harold, who also founded Coker Tire Company in Athens, Tennessee. Corky started collecting cars at age 20, amassing an impressive collection of...

  As we honor and recognize individuals and communities during Black History Month, we owe it to ourselves to learn more about the past and the trials and tribulations of many who fought for civil rights, equality and dignity.   In Chattanooga there is no better place than visiting the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.    I visited the center and was awed by the exhibits recounting the story of the Big Nine District, a vibrant center of Black commerce, culture and community shaped by determination and vision of Black individuals in the late 1800s through the mid-20th century. T he Big Nine had private hospitals, Black owned beauty stores, restaurants and the first preschool in the city.     As for the music scene the Big Nine District rivaled that of Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Memphis’ Beale Street as the mecca for Black entertainment.   The Bessie Smith Cultural Center sits in the heart of what was the Big Nine District along East Ninth Street now ...