Around and About Chattanooga

In this segment, we hear how David Sedaris's sardonic monologue about being a Macy's elf became a classic holiday play, and we talk to the cast and director of the Chattanooga Theatre Center's The Santaland Diaries (plus Season's Greetings.)  It runs November 23rd through December 8th.

The Quit Your Day Job comedy tour is coming to J.J.'s Bohemia in Chattanooga on November 27th.  In this segment, we talk to three comedians: Grady Ray, who is a former cop; Matt Ward, who is the tour organizer; and J.C. Ratliff, who says he has more fun when his jokes bomb.

What would it look like if the American Civil War happened today in 2012? That's exactly what photographer Gregg Segal depicts in his State of the Union exhibit.

Dan and Amelia Jacobs are newlyweds and co-authors of an unusual children's book. It's called A Brain Is For Eating, and they say it's written "for zombies and their little undead." They've written the book and gotten the first few pictures from the illustrator. Now, they're trying to use Kickstarter to finish the project.

Closed Door Entertainment will offer the holiday season's first Bah Humbug with a Christmas Carol performed at the Tivoli November 23 - 25. 

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has named Chattanooga the Best Outdoor City in the 2012 Best Mountain Towns poll.

People who have science, math, engineering or technology backgrounds and who are looking for a career change can become Hamilton County schoolteachers through Project Inspire.

Just outside the door to the Choo Choo Dog Camp is a giant statue of a French Bulldog that has never been given a name. 

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is putting on Annie next month and there's one character left to cast – Sandy, the dog. The theater center held auditions this week for the part of Annie's fluffy friend, and the competition was stiff. 

Beat Hunger is an annual concert of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Music Depart featuring the Percussion Ensemble that raises money and collects food for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.
 

The local Alzheimer's Association group is hosting two different conferences this month, one designed for medical professionals and another for caregivers. 

High Point Climbing and Fitness is transforming part of Chattanooga's old Bijou movie theater into a place for rock climbers to train and compete.  A 55-foot-high wall outside is planned.

Stephanie Osborn is a scientist and novelist with a love of mystery and science fiction. 

Tom Montague and Trae Moore started the local meat company Link 41 to connect urban Chattanooga with its surrounding farms. The business has been open for about two years now on Main Street. 

This month, the  Pet Placement Center is offering a reduced adoption fee for dogs and cats that are at least 7-years-old.  In this segment, executive director Kerry Moyers-Horton introduces a couple of a the older animals at the no-kill shelter on Dayton Boulevard.