🌱 Showered W/ Hope Mobile Trailer + First Black History Festival

Hey, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Chattanooga Daily, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a little rain; cooler. High: 50 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. A South Chattanooga community church will be providing hot showers to local unhoused residents through its "Showered w/ Hope" Mobile Shower Trailer. Bridge City Community Church will provide showers every Saturday morning in April and, once a month, they will host Pop Up Care Villages with other local businesses, churches, nonprofits, and service providers. Pastor Ryan Perry explained this initiative would help those living in the streets by continuing to improve "health, and well-being, and restoring one's dignity in themselves." (Chattanooga Pulse)
2. Culture Books is partnering with Rhyme N Chatt Interactive poetry organization to present Chattanooga's First Black History Festival. The event will be held on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Lake Community Center, where there will be art, live performances, crafts, vendors, food, and more. Culture Books will be hosting a book giveaway, and every book sold will be from a local Chattanooga author. (Chattanooga Pulse)
3. The East Lake Community Center reopened its space on Sunday after a three-year closure due to COVID-19 and other renovations. The 16,000-square-foot space focuses on providing safe spaces for youth, which includes education and resources through learning labs, tutoring, and other activities from the office of community health. Mayor Tim Kelly explained community advocacy is high on his priorities because he wants to reach out and help young men get connected to mentors. (News Channel 9)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Baby Bounce At Chattanooga Public Library – Eastgate Branch (10:00 AM)
• Interview Skills In-Person Class At The Chattery (6:00 PM)
• Free Weekly Open Mic Stand-Up Comedy At Pax Breu Ruim (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Chattanooga Public Library and the Hunter Museum of American Art announced all library locations now have museum passes which can be checked out for free with a library card! Passes are good for one week, and they cover admission for two adults. (Chattanooga Pulse)
• The Chattanooga branch of NAACP is endorsing a new piece of criminal justice legislation inspired by Tyre Nichols, who was killed by Memphis police officers. The bill has been filed in the Tennessee legislature; read the full statement at the link. (WDEF.com)
• The 27th annual Mardi Gras celebration is being hosted by The Mystikal Krewe of Indulgences at Chattanooga's The Read House on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $69.25, and the age requirement is 21; more details are available here. (News Channel 9)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.