This week’s featured charity at the Chattanooga Market is Pennies for Vicki, a nonprofit organization founded in remembrance of Vicki Connor, an employee of KZ-106’s oldies station, GT-108, who died of breast cancer in January 2001.

“This is our charity of choice here at the radio station, so any time we have a chance to tie an event to Pennies for Vicki, we jump at the chance. We think of Vicki often. We do a lot of other events in the area throughout the year, and this event is a just another wonderful chance to get together with Vicki’s family and friends, which keeps her memory alive,” said Kelly McCoy, Director of Promotions for Citadel, and a close personal friend of Vicki’s.

Since 2001, Pennies for Vicki has helped make a difference in the lives of thousands of women with breast cancer. “The first year, our goal was to raise $1 million pennies, and we ended up raising $3 million pennies.” said McCoy.

Pennies for Vicki supports women with breast cancer both nationally and locally and has made donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Why Me of Chattanooga, and the Helene DiStefano Fund. “There are a lot of things insurance doesn’t cover,” said McCoy, “and often women still have to work to support their families, so we are able to step in and help women in these situations.”

BUCKTOWN KICKBACK formed in the fall of 2002 to showcase songs written by Adam Brooks Dudding. With extensive tours and two highly acclaimed self-produced albums, the band has blazed an impressive trail through the richly diverse Americana landscape with these Alt.Country/Bluegrass/Folk-Rock originals. Headlining concerts throughout the Midwest and Southeast as well as opening up for the likes of Alabama, Junior Brown, Railroad Earth, Todd Snider and Stacey Earle, Adam and his band (a revolving cast of amazingly talented musicians and artists) electrify listeners with their live performances and studio recordings.

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The Sweet Georgia Sound is a 20-member ensemble that has played in the Chattanooga area since 1994. SGS plays a variety of listening, dance, and ballroom dance music that includes classic and modern big band, swing, Latin, and waltz tunes.

In the Chattanooga area, Sweet Georgia Sound has earned the respect of accomplished ballroom dancers. However, Sweet Georgia Sound is also known for its ability and willingness to customize the musical program to meet the needs and preferences of its audience. Songs are selected and tempos are adjusted in order to accommodate the dancing abilities of those in attendance.

“Upon first listen to the New Binkley Brothers, my immediate thought was ‘There is indeed still hope for country music’. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about that canned crap coming out of Nashville nowadays (pop stars in cowboy hats). I’m talking about honest to goodness southern music which incorporates the gritty, shuffling fiddle of the famed North Georgia string bands of the 1920’s, the driving clawhammer banjo and the mountain harmonies that make your hair stand on end. These boys get it right. Hailing from Chattanooga, TN, this old-timey trio know just when to whoop it up, stomp and swerve out a fiddle tune, as well as break it down with old religious standards. In true southern fashion, these gents perfectly toe that line between saints and sinners; get down and get right and are as refreshing as cool corn liquor on a hot summers night.” –Leo Chancy TN Dept of Transformation

We have over 120 vendors scheduled for the Mother’s Day Market, including approximately twenty antique dealers to benefit the charity of the week (Pennies for Vicki).  All vendor reservations/requests previously received are currently being processed, and you will be notified by email next week with your booth assignment.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Market and selling a unique product or service, we look forward to hearing from you - but it will most likely be June before new booth space becomes available.

Local is better!

For the second week in a row, the Chattanooga Market is officially sold out of vendor booths! With over a hundred craftsmen, artisans, farmers, chefs, florists, sculptors and other local merchants offering their products direct to the consumer, this weekend looks to be a strong one.

With charitable activities benefiting La Paz de Dios, the Latin Fair event will offer a variety of Hispanic foods, music, merchandise and information for the entire community.

This weekend has traditionally been one of the most well-attended and commented-on weekends all year, so bring out the family and enjoy an afternoon of cultural fun, food & festivities.

Local is Better!

La Paz de Dios works toward the inclusion of Hispanics into our community while celebrating their cultural heritage. La Paz was founded in 2004 to be a bridge between the needs of the Hispanic community in Chattanooga and the organizations and agencies that are available to help them.
For more information, visit their website at www.lapazdedios.org

By Abena Williams, WDEF TV:

The kettle corn pops and the lemonade is freshly squeezed, it must be Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.
Shoppers can find all kinds of goodies at the market, from fudge to candles to artwork. Photographer Stephen Cochran is thankful to be back. Cochran says, “I think the people who have taken it over are doing a very good job. The first day has gone rather smoothly.”

Cochran says he was shocked to hear that the market had been sold and would not return in 2008. But shortly after that announcement, Chris Thomas bought the market franchise and now it’s back in business. Turnout on opening day looks good. But some vendors worry about how an unstable economy and rising gas prices will affect shoppers.

Cochran, “It’s going to be hard to do with the prices these days and art has always been a luxury not a necessity.”

This year’s market theme is Local Is Better. Organizers and vendors hope Chattanoogans will take that motto to heart.

Cochran says, “What happens to the market is going to depend on the people in Chattanooga. If the people come and they buy things and not just come and look then it’s going to turn out well.”

Artist Marian Heintz is back for her third year at the market. She says she feels optimistic about the season. “Everything is going up but I just want to keep doing my best so when people do spend their money they’ll spend it with me.”

Heintz says she’s had to make adjustments to keep her business going. Heintz says, “I’ve had to raise prices a little bit and be a little more competitive. A lot of people do this as a hobby, but I do this for a living. Everybody else’s cost of living is going up so is mine. My expenses are going up so we do have to pass that on.”

from the Chattanooga Times Free Press

Chattanooga Market will open its seventh season from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at First Tennessee Pavilion, 1826 Carter St. The openair market features locally grown produce, handcrafted arts, live music and prepared foods.

It will be the first market under new owner Chris Thomas and his staff. Thomas said the theme for the market this year is “Local Is Better.”

In addition to the nearly 100 expected vendors, Sunday’s market will feature twotime Grammy winner Gary Nicholson, Australian Anne McCue and Texan Amy Cook performing throughout the day.

Representatives from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be collecting coins for their Coins for Kids program at their booth during the day. Among items for sale Sunday will be handcrafted

jewelry, locally designed and handmade clothing and produce, original paintings and local carpentry. According to Thomas, marketgoers also can find fresh-baked breads, handmade pizza, made-toorder tacos and hometown barbecue.

The EBP stage will feature talent from all over the world every Sunday with everything from Americana music, big band, rock ’n’ roll to dance troupes, he said.

Visit www.chattanooga market.com for more.

The 2008 season opener of the Chattanooga Market, to be held this Sunday, April 27th from noon-5pm, is officially sold out of vendor booths! With over a hundred craftsmen, artisans, farmers, chefs, florists, sculptors and other local merchants offering their products direct to the consumer, this weekend is set to break all records.

Come out with your family and enjoy the live music, great food and top-quality goods & artwork — and be sure to support your local community by purchasing your groceries, gifts and household goods from the Chattanooga Market.

A note to our vendors: you will be notified of your confirmation and booth assignment no later than Wednesday at noon; a complete list of vendors to appear at the season opener will also be posted online.

Local is Better!