Instructor Elena Corradino will teach a hands-on class about how to use the exciting and trending art medium of resin.

The All about Resin class will be held on March 23 in Room 228 of the Kingsport Renaissance Center (1200 E. Center Street). The class runs from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. with a 30 minute break for lunch (bring your own or eat local).

Participants will learn techniques to create their own abstract resin coasters, crafting nine beautiful and functional pieces of art over the course of the class, perfect for gifting. Each participant will make different kinds of coasters, including alcohol ink coasters and resin mold coasters, and will leave being able to use resin safely on their own.

Corradino will go over safe mixing techniques and mistakes that can cost resin. The cost of the class is $98 per person and includes all materials. Participants will also be allowed to keep their respiratory mask and silicone mold.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/48qfeVj. Online sales will end 48 hours prior to the class. For ages 18+ and limited to five participants. For information about other classes, programs and activities of the Kingsport Cultural Arts, visit www.artskingsport.org.

In light of the renovations taking place at Bays Mountain Park, officials are announcing a temporary change to how visitors access the Nature Center.

Beginning March 11 and continuing to April 5, visitors wishing to attend a planetarium show will access the nature center through the left side glass doors at the main entrance. Park staff will then check tickets and usher guests through the lobby, down the hallway to the planetarium’s side door.

The main entrance to the planetarium will not be open at this time. The upper level restrooms will be accessible from the outdoors. The lower level of the Nature Center will be open to the public, along with a portion of the ramp (to just past the beehive).

These adjustments are necessary for GRC Construction to perform the latest phase of renovations taking place at the Nature Center. Crews are finishing up work in the office and gift shop areas this week and will be moving to the upper side of the gallery next week.

During this phase, crews will be installing new flooring and lighting throughout the main floor gallery. Once complete, the Nature Center will have an expanded gift shop, renovated employee offices, vinyl flooring throughout the main level and a new, more pronounced entrance to the planetarium.

Construction costs for phase one is approximately $650,000 and work should wrap up later this spring. The renovations were made possible through a generous donation of $1 million from the James and Laura Rogers Foundation during the 50^th anniversary of Bays Mountain Park. A future phase of improvements will focus on the ramp and downstairs area of the nature center.

For information about events, activities and programs offered by Bays Mountain Park, visit www.baysmountain.com.

The City of Kingsport has unveiled its legislative agenda for the 113^th Tennessee General Assembly, with the top priorities being the Kingsport Dental Clinic, the Brickyard Development, the Interstate 26 Corridor Study and the state industrial access road for Eastman.

Each year, Kingsport crafts a legislative agenda for the upcoming session of the Tennessee General Assembly. The agenda includes a list of projects, priorities and funding requests city officials want our state representatives and senators to be aware of. Kingsport presented the agenda to its legislators during a trip to Nashville in mid-January.

Kingsport’s priorities for the 113^th Tennessee General Assembly include:

• $6.5 million in funding for the Kingsport Dental Clinic project. This funding would assist in the purchasing of the facility and complete the buildout for phase two of the project.
• A $500,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Area Grant for Cement Hill Park.
• A Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant for improvements to Bays Mountain Park, new mountain biking trails at Cement Hill and additional parking at the Scott Adams Skate Park.
• Implementing the recommendations from TDOT’s Interstate 26 Corridor Study, such as installing animal fencing along the interstate, creating an I-26 safety fund and advance large safety projects to a 10-year plan.
• Fully funding the Eastman Chemical Company’s state industrial access road project.
• Opposing efforts to restrict local government’s ability to raise property taxes.
• Supporting the Tennessee Comptroller’s efforts to move reassessments to a two-year schedule.

“The agenda is a way for Kingsport to maintain an open channel of communications with our legislators, which they want and appreciate,” said Deputy City Manager Ryan McReynolds. “It’s meant to bring them up to speed on a number of projects in the works and to let them know our funding priorities for the coming legislative session.”