Producers of popular TV show "Restaurant: Impossible" travel to struggling restaurants around the country to help them turn it around with a new menu and restaurant renovation. "Restaurant: Impossible" is hosted by Chef Robert Irvine, whose challenge is to turn the restaurant around in two days with only $10,000 and the help of the community!
 
Restaurant: Impossible is coming to Chattanooga on December 19th & 20th! This popular show’s producers are seeking enthusiastic individuals who would love to work with Robert Irvine and his talented renovation team as design and construction volunteers on the show!
 
Volunteers may be any licensed or certified individuals in painting, crafting, constructing, remodeling, cleaning, decorating etc. (depending on your skill set).
 
The volunteer schedule is as follows:
 
Shift #1 – Thursday, December 19th: 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Shift #2 – Thursday, December 19th: 7:00PM to 2:00AM
Shift #3 - Friday, December 20th: 10:30AM to 6:00PM
 
- Only interested volunteers need reply; however, meals will be provided.
- You must be 18 years or older to volunteer.
- All volunteers must sign an appearance release and volunteer agreement on site.
- Please wear sneakers or boots and work clothing with no logos.
 
If interested, please email volunteer@restaurantimpossiblevolunteers.com by Monday, December 16th, at 12:00PM (PST) with your preferred day(s), full name, email address, cell number and skill set/ related profession (ex: plumber or painter). Please use the following subject line: 1611 TN Volunteer
 
Anyone who replies to volunteer is guaranteed a spot. Confirmation emails will be sent the day before each day you intend on volunteering.
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By Helen Barrett
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Once upon a time in America, there was no television. Only a few had telephones - sometimes on a party line - and cell phones did not appear, even in dreams. Families gathered around the radio to listen to the daily news, and father read the newspaper every day after work. And sometimes there was radio theatre . . . or was it real?

The MACC will transform into Station WMAC on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1, for a stroll down memory lane with two radio programs that caused a wee bit of consternation in the United States. Three thrillers from that long-ago time will again fill the airways and the MACC auditorium, returning to that time when voices on the radio seemed to bear the ring of truth, and panic filled the world at the arrival of aliens in Orson Welles’ chilling treatment of the news the day the Martians landed. The show begins at 7 p.m. each night and is free to the public as the MACC celebrates some of the work of the Signal Mountain Preservation Fund as it restores the building. Although there is no charge for admission, a hat will be passed in hopes that attendees seeing what has been accomplished and what else needs done will  want to help. A bit of sweat equity is also much appreciated.

If that isn’t blood-curdling enough, every person who was ever on the receiving end of a prank phone call can revisit those moments of fear in the radio drama “Sorry Wrong Number.” And think about it. Aren’t we often fooled by articles we see on Facebook or Twitter? What happens when the information that emerges blurs that thin line between fiction and truth? What do you believe? And why?

Also on the horror theme, “The Hitchhiker” gives new meaning to a cross-country trip as a driver takes off, despite his mother’s worries about his safety. Who is the hitchhiker who seems to be only a stop ahead of him as he takes to the road?  Set in the 1940’s, we are reminded that in those days, communication was rare, and our protagonist leaves with a promise to wire his mother immediately upon his arrival in California. We follow him from New York and share in his adventures.

Think about it. Do you want to spend Halloween gorging on candy and besieging the neighbors?  Or would you rather be frightened into spasms by what might even be real?  The MACC Players will recreate those spine tingling presentations guaranteed to scare the geewhillikers out of the audience.

Imagine October 30, 1938, as millions listened to an adaptation of H. G. Welles’ well-known book, “War of the Worlds.”  The news bulletins seemed so real that panic erupted and people all over the country began to quake as they imagined that the next stop after New England might be … here!  The book was adapted to the time constraint of an hour - including commercials. But the repercussions lasted until the present. It’s only fair to note that the introduction to the program included an announcement that Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre program was on the air. But if you sat down a few minutes later? Suffice to say, Welles set the scene, the weather report came on, and a musical program began, only to be interrupted by a newscaster breaking in to interview scientists and explore events.

Strangely, no one paused to ask if the events weren’t moving rather fast. In the current day of instant news, this doesn’t seem strange, but evidently in 1938, people were more gullible. Want to hear what happened next? Tune in to WMAC to find out.
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In “Sorry, Wrong Number,” a wealthy New York invalid uses her phone as her lifeline. When she calls the operator because she is unable to get a call through to her husband, she is inadvertently connected to the wrong number. She learns of a murderous plot, but the police do not believe her.  As she tries to track down the events, she finds out some disturbing truths. Tune in to see what happens when someone else answers her phone and says, “Sorry.  Wrong number.”

By Scottie Summerlin

Calling all former jocks, yuppies, posers, airheads, geeks, hackers, valley girls, preps, dudes and chicks. You’re invited to this year’s totally awesome Celebration for Education at Stratton Hall on Friday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. Though the creative theme designed by the volunteer event committee is ’80s focused, all are invited and welcome to attend this annual fundraiser night for our schools.

Like … join the Mountain Education Foundation as we celebrate good times at Signal Mountain public schools at this adults-only event. Party to the max with a totally excellent silent auction, open bar and awesome food by Food Works as we bust a move to the tunes of ’80s cover band Rubiks Groove. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. for VIPs and sponsors, then it’s hammer time at 7:30 p.m. for all. Start thinking about your party attire now!

We’re totally stoked about this event! Have you seen Rubiks Groove at Riverbend, Songbirds or somewhere else? It’s an incredibly fun ’80s and ’90s tribute band. You can’t help but sing and dance to all the songs from your younger days. Thanks to our band sponsor, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga.   
Just so ya know, there’s not a SMMHS football game on Friday, Oct. 25, so it’s a perfect parents’ night out event.  

Tickets start at just $100. VIP tickets are $200. Don’t be a loafer! Prices increase on October 16. Get your tickets now at meftoday.org. Tickets are limited.

Thank you to these babes and studs on our committee: Kate Harwood and Laura Malone (co-chairs), Becca Atchley, Shannon Bielcik, Anna Branam, Lisa Davis, Andrea Holmes, Lindsey Jones, Melissa Jones, Emily Keene, Kurt Keene, Jodie Kimling, Katie Ledbetter, Jessie Lewis, Gina Mitch, Sarah Ramsey and Kelly Salmons.   

Who ya gonna call for more information? You’ll find info at the MEF office at (423) 517-0772 or email Sarah Provonsha at sprovonsha@meftoday.org.

Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?  Our community has come to depend on MEF to raise the funds each year to cover the teacher salaries and programs that support our students in educational excellence beyond what public funding provides. All proceeds from this event benefit MEF and Signal Mountain public schools. 
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The Mountain Education Foundation (MEF) is a nonprofit public education foundation dedicated to serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade at Thrasher, Nolan and Signal Mountain Middle High. MEF is an advocate for all of the Signal Mountain public schools, working to ensure they are well-funded and that educator requests for funding to enhance programs are adequately addressed. These schools rely on donations to MEF for annual allocations that cover 12 staff positions, along with technology, professional development, student activities, teacher recognition, and more. Visit www.meftoday.org to learn more and invest with a recurring or one-time donation.  You can also drop a donation in the mail to MEF, PO Box 81, Signal Mountain, TN 37377 or call MEF at (423) 517-0772. 

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, and the Signal Mountain Fire Department will be hosting a Fire Prevention Open House on Saturday, October 12 from 2-5 p.m. The Open House will be held at SMFD Station No. 2, located at 5240 Shackleford Ridge Road. There will be many fun and educational activities for the children. Sparky The Fire Dog will make a guest appearance, and our fire experts will host safety demonstrations, tours of the fire station, fire trucks, and much more.  

The Signal Mountain Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” The campaign works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

“These numbers show that home fires continue to pose a significant threat to safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of outreach and advocacy. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes from the time the smoke alarm sounds to escape safely. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Chief Eric Mitchell. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously, and exit the building immediately.”

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Signal Mountain, please contact the Signal Mountain Fire Department at (423) 886-7075 or at smokedetector@signalmountaintn.gov. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org.

Don your Halloween duds and get ready for some high-flying family fun on October 26 (rain date October 27) from noon to 6 p.m., when the skies at the 33-acre Sculpture Fields will be filled with colossal and colorful kites, stunt kites and Rokkaku battle kites at the Spooktacular Sculptures in the Sky event. Sculpture Fields is partnering with River City Kites for this free event, which takes place at the park, 1800 Polk St., which turns off of Main Street on the Southside.

In addition to kites, visitors will enjoy music, activities, a costume parade, local food trucks and a beer tent. Public figures will be battling it out from above with Rokkaku fighting kites.

 Some kites will be massive, spanning 20 feet and so large they must be anchored to the ground. Kids will be able to race parachute-like kites (bols) in what fliers call Running with the Bols. Visitors also will be able to make or purchase their own kites. 

For further information, please contact at anne@sculpturefields.org or (423)266-7288 or go to sculpturefields.org.

Sculpture Fields is helping transform Chattanooga’s Southside and is making a noticeable difference in the entire community. The international sculpture park includes nearly 50 monumental-scale sculptures, almost two nmiles of walking paths and 100 trees in its Commemorative Forest. The park also hosts school tours and weekend events such as artist demonstrations, yoga, kite flying demonstrations, music and dance performances.   ​