Bays Mountain Park’s night sky observing sessions – StarWatch – has returned for the spring season.

StarWatch sessions allow the public to enjoy the splendor of the night sky at Bays Mountain Park’s observatories. If the weather is good, attendees can typically see star clusters, nebulous gas clouds, colorful multiple-star systems, distant galaxies and the Moon and planets.

If the weather is poor, the park will have an alternate activity in the planetarium theater.

StarWatch sessions will be held on the following dates:

• March 1 and 8 at 7 p.m.
• March 15, 22, and 29 at 8 p.m.
• April 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Note – please arrive at the beginning of the program so you can find your way to the observatories.

Be sure to dress for temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler than expected and do not use white light flashlights at the observing grounds. This is a free event and does not require registration.

StarWatch is hosted by the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club & Bays Mountain Planetarium. For more information, visit www.baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is getting in the baking spirit next month by hosting its first-ever Sourdough 101 course.

Sourdough 101 is a hands-on introductory class that covers the basics of maintaining a healthy starter, mixing and fermenting dough, shaping loaves, and achieving that perfect crust and crumb.

So, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your baking skills, this class will give you the confidence you need to bake delicious-tasting sourdough bread at home.

Sourdough 101 will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 8 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street). The cost of the class is $20 per person.

No equipment is necessary, and all supplies will be provided. Open for participants ages 16 and older.

You can register by going to the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) or by going to the following website at https://bit.ly/4jTmGiK. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “sourdough” in the search bar.

For information about other programs, activities and classes offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is embracing the Irish Spirit this spring by hosting a special week-long St. Patrick’s Scavenger Hunt.

The scavenger hunt will take place from March 10 through March 16 and participants who register for this free online event will receive a virtual scavenger hunt card to track down four sneaky leprechauns hiding in our parks.

Participants who manage to find all four of the leprechauns will be entered for a chance to win a free pavilion rental. The winner will be randomly selected on St. Patrick’s Day.

“We wish you all the luck of the Irish in your hunt,” said Program Leader Milly Marmalade.

Registration date is March 10. To register, visit bit.ly/4hjidUp. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on “CivicRec,” then search for “scavenger hunt” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

The City of Kingsport is continuing its work to craft a new strategic plan, which once done will serve as the city’s guiding document for operational and capital investments for the next three to five years.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, along with key city staff members, held a day-long workshop earlier this week to review the results of a community survey and use citizen feedback to refine and adjust the city’s seven strategic focus areas for the future.

Kingsport leaders also provided specific examples of projects, programs and initiatives the city should focus on for the next three to five years.

“A new strategic plan will make sure our goals and objectives are in alignment, and we’ll be able to measure our success based on the investments we make,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “This plan will help keep us on track with the desires of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the community and city staff.”

Last fall, Kingsport enlisted the services of Raftelis to help craft the city’s strategic plan. The plan includes seven focus areas – efficient and responsive government; sustainable infrastructure; quality of life; safe and welcoming community, thriving local economy; strong and vibrant neighborhoods; and quality education.

The community survey took place in December and January and yielded 2,089 respondents with people offering their opinion on the seven focus areas and the community’s priorities.

“We’re thrilled with the number of responses we received from the community survey,” McCartt said. “It’s satisfying to know this many people are interested in Kingsport’s future and are willing to offer their opinions on the big ideas we’re working on.”

According to the survey, respondents ranked “A Thriving Local Economy” as the most important focus area. “A Safe and Welcoming Community” was second and “An Efficient and Responsive Government” was third.

Approximately 93% of the respondents live within the city limits with more than 1,000 having lived in Kingsport more than 20 years. Fifty-five percent of respondents were women and 22% of total respondents were ages 55 to 64.

Raftelis will now take the results of this week’s workshop, finalize the strategic plan and present it to the BMA for approval in early spring.