Chattanooga Pulse

Google Earth, We Are Here

“Putting Chattanooga on the Map—in 3D” (C3D) is one of the first citizen-inspired initiatives to emerge from Chattanooga STAND, itself one of the largest community-visioning processes in history.  C3D launched November 13 at 48HourLaunch, hosted at CreateHere.

C3D wants to bring the Chattanooga downtown and region to life in Google Earth. Local entrepreneur and sponsor Stephen Culp says the idea is quickly taking on a life of its own.  “It’s becoming clearer every day that this project can make our city more accessible to all kinds of people and organizations,” he says.  The project will likely be staged in “layers,” corresponding to Chattanooga’s diverse architecture, downtown art, attractions, businesses, parks, greenways, and other civic sections.

The C3D project also continues to take on new volunteers and partners, emerging from the local design, architectural, academic, and entrepreneurial communities, as well as early partners in organizations like RiverCity, CreateHere, 48HourLaunch, and Smart Furniture.  The project will be supported by the Google Sketchup/3D design team from Smart Furniture, led by Karen Liwanpo, and Chris Wilson, who led a similar and successful effort with the “Main Street McMinnville” project.

Anyone interested is invited to join the team of volunteers, including Google SketchUp users, photographers, and other creative folks.  Laptop and camera are desirable equipment, as the team will be zipping around the city, photographing, drawing, and “pushing up” the city in 3D.

For questions about the C3D project, or to sign up, contact Karen Liwanpo via e-mail at kliwanpo@smartfurniture.com or call her at (423) 822-2266.

Banging The Hunger Drum

For the tenth year, the UTC Percussion Ensemble will present its “Beat Hunger” concerts, for which admission is two non-perishable food items, or a $2 donation to the Community Kitchen.

Pieces to look forward to in this year’s concert include “Head Talk” by Mark Ford, played entirely on drum heads—without the drums attached;   “Dragoon” by Lynn Glassock, a Chattanooga premiere of a piece for a large percussion ensemble inspired by the sounds of horse-drawn artillery, and “Supercell”, another Chattanooga premiere, a concerto for alto saxophone and percussion ensemble. The alto saxophone for this piece will be played by special guest Clint Schmitt, a music professor at UTC as well as a sought-after performer throughout the Southeast.

The concerts have become a tradition, and this year, hungry families need your help more than ever. Here’s your chance to start out the holiday season with real giving.

The Annual “Beat Hunger” Concert by the UTC Percussion Ensemble
Sunday, November 22, 7:30 p.m. & Monday, November 23, 7:30 p.m.
Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center, corner of Vine & Palmetto Sts.
(423) 425-4601. www.utc.edu/music