Want to learn more about using digital tools? Not sure where to get started with a research paper? Managing a project feels more like a mystery? Kingsport Public Library is now partnering with Grow with Google to deliver virtual computer classes to the community. Brush up on digital tools or learn to use new ones. These are useful skills for job seekers, small business owners, students or anyone that wants to become more comfortable using digital tools.

The first series of classes, beginning August 4, covers how to use digital tools for everyday tasks. The second series of classes, beginning September 8, covers how to write using online research. The last series of classes, beginning October 20, covers how to manage a project with digital tools. Google Classroom is being used to provide the lessons. Attendance at all of the series is not required, so feel free to select the series that will be the most useful to you.

Sign up by calling the library at 423-224-2539 or go online to the events calendar at https://www.kingsportlibrary.org/ and click on Events. Make sure to provide an e-mail address to receive class login information.

Using Digital Tools for Everyday Tasks
Class 1 (Tuesday, August 4 @ 3:00 p.m.): Create a Google Account
Class 2 (Tuesday, August 11 @ 3:00 p.m.): Record and Share Ideas for Things to Do
Class 3 (Tuesday, August 18 @ 3:00 p.m.): Search for Activities
Class 4 (Tuesday, August 25 @ 3:00 p.m.): Email Your Friend or Classmate
Class 5 (Tuesday, September 1 @ 3:00 p.m.): Personalize Emails and Manage Your Inbox

Write Using Online Research
Class 6 (Tuesday, September 8 @ 3:00 p.m.): Plan Your Paper
Class 7 (Tuesday, September 15 @ 3:00 p.m.): Assess Source Credibility
Class 8 (Tuesday, September 22 @ 3:00 p.m.): Pre-Write
Class 9 (Tuesday, September 29 @ 3:00 p.m.): Write a Draft
Class 10 (Tuesday, October 6 @ 3:00 p.m.): Revise
Class 11 (Tuesday, October 13 @ 3:00 p.m.): Publish Your Work

Manage a Project with Digital Tools
Class 12 (Tuesday, October 20 @ 3:00 p.m.): Create a Project Charter
Class 13 (Tuesday, October 27 @ 3:00 p.m.): Track a Project Using a Spreadsheet
Class 14 & 15 (Tuesday, November 3 @ 3:00 p.m. & Tuesday, November 10 @ 3:00 p.m.): Create a Budget in a Spreadsheet
Class 16 & 17 (Tuesday, November 17 @ 3:00 p.m. & Tuesday, November 24 @ 3:00 p.m.): Present a Progress Report

You can still go outside. And so can astronomers across the state! Enjoy the night sky through their telescopes on Friday, July 24, as they share their views of the sky from Kingsport to Memphis during the Tennessee Virtual Star Party.

Tune in to a YouTube Live video feed from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. for this free virtual event. Led by Warner Park Nature Center in Nashville, the Star Party is a cooperative effort from observing sites across the state to show off what our Tennessee skies have to offer.

Each astronomer on the panel will focus on a different celestial object—from the Moon, to Jupiter, to Saturn, and even nebulae and galaxies. Bays Mountain Park’s planetarium director, Adam Thanz, will take a look at two of our Solar System neighbors, Jupiter and Saturn.

To watch the program, visit the Warner Park Nature Center YouTube channel on July 24 (https://bit.ly/TNStarParty). Viewers will also have the chance to submit comments and questions to the astronomers during the livestream.

The Tennessee Virtual Star Party’s astronomer line-up includes the following:

• John Kramer, Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, Nashville
• Adam Thanz, Bays Mountain Park Planetarium Director, Kingsport
• Theo Wellington, Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, Nashville
• Mary Kidd, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville
• Steve Robinson, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville
• Billy Teets, Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, Nashville
• Dave Maness, Pink Palace, Memphis

While you’re getting excited for the Tennessee Virtual Star Party, head out into your own backyard to get a look at Comet NEOWISE! This comet is currently visible in the evening skies in East Tennessee—all you need are your eyes if the sky is dark, or a pair of binoculars for dark or dim skies. Visit https://bit.ly/Comet_NEOWISE for a video from Adam Thanz about the comet and how to view it.

For more information on Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium, please visit baysmountain.com or call (423)229-9447.

Keep It Clean – We’re All Downstream!

The local art contest raising awareness about stormwater is now accepting entries

 

KINGSPORT, TN – Are you passionate about keeping the environment and Kingsport clean? Do you have an artistic talent for conveying a message within your art? The City of Kingsport Stormwater Department, with the help of the Office of Cultural Arts and Engage Kingsport, is seeking local artists and creative minds to paint five storm drains to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our rivers, stream habitat, and aquatic wildlife.

To enter the contest:

• Send a color sketch of your proposed artwork around a storm drain. Entries will be accepted via mail or email. See flyer for details.
• Artwork may include the street, sidewalk or both.
• Text is encouraged to convey the educational stormwater message.
• Be sure to include name, phone and email.

The deadline to submit entries is August 7. The winners will be selected by August 21. The five winning artists will receive $100 and their chance to leave their artistic talents on the streets of local Kingsport neighborhoods.

Sponsors for the contest this year include Bishop & Company, Kingsport Imaging, Now or Never Tattoo Gallery, Mattern & Craig, Hazen and Sawyer, Barge Design Solutions and Gresham Smith.

The artists will each receive one quart of red, yellow, blue, white and black. Artists will start painting in September and are encouraged to practice social distancing when painting their drain. For complete rules and guidelines, please visit kingsporttn.gov and search ‘storm drain art contest.’

“Even in troubled times, we must never forget the importance of clean water, for our health, recreation, and wildlife,” said Amanda McMullen, stormwater quality control technician for Kingsport Public Works. “Every one of us can help to reduce pollution and litter in our waterways.”

What is Stormwater?

As Kingsport grew, the ground became covered with asphalt, concrete and buildings. Without realizing it, an important part of the water cycle was disturbed. Instead of rain naturally filtering into the ground, it flows over roofs, driveways and streets as stormwater. Stormwater can pick up pollutants and transport them into local waterways via the storm drain system. Pollutants include everyday items like pesticides or fertilizers in our yards, oil in our cars, and even soap. When introduced into the waterway, pollutants have a harmful effect on aquatic life and the health of our rivers.

Be sure to like and follow the ‘Kingsport Public Works’ Facebook page to see progress pictures once the artists get started!

For more information on the storm drain art contest and stormwater in Kingsport, please visit this link: ‘storm drain art contest.’

 

The City of Kingsport 2020 Fourth of July Celebration will be a drive-in fireworks extravaganza! The fireworks will begin Saturday, July 4, around 9:45PM for a 10-15 minute display. They will be set off in two areas, a downtown vicinity and an Eastman Road vicinity, to maximize the viewing area. Fireworks will be visible from many surrounding homes and parking lots.

In accordance with Sullivan County Regional Health Department recommendations, you are asked to remain in your vehicles while viewing the fireworks. If necessary to be outside of vehicles, safe social distancing should be maintained. Also, viewers are encouraged to wear masks.

Tune your car radio to 98.5 WTFM to enjoy patriotic music along with the fireworks displays.

Due to the drive-in nature of the show, road closures will apply – see below map. The following closures will be in place by 9:30PM until the conclusion of the event: Eastman Road between East Center Street and Ft Henry Drive, Berry Street from Fuller Street to Eastman Road, East Center Street from Park Street to Eastman Road (Fort Henry Drive will remain open).

Have you completed your 2020 Census? If you haven’t, there is still plenty of time to do so. There will be two more Census events happening in the next week to help answer questions about the Census or assist those who need help filling it out.

• June 27: Farmers Market, Kingsport Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Pick up your veggies and complete your Census! Staff will be present with a laptop and be ready to help and answer any questions. Attendees who visit the table who haven’t completed their Census are encouraged to do so at the table. There will also be free Census swag items for those that stop by! (Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield Street)
• June 29: Girls Inc. of Kingsport from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. At this event, a Bays Mountain educator will be attending, so be sure to bring the family! You will be able to learn about the importance of the 2020 Census and will receive help completing it if you have not done so. Refreshments and pizza provided! (Girls Inc., 1100 Girls Club Place)

You can find both of these upcoming Census events on the Kingsport Alerts Facebook page.

*Please note, at the events, social distancing is recommended and masks are encouraged.

Getting an accurate count in next year’s U.S. Census is important to Kingsport and Sullivan County. By completing the 2020 Census, you can help our communities receive the funding, services, and business support they deserve and need. Over the 10-year span until the next Census is conducted, tens of millions of dollars are at stake.

Please be sure to attend one of these upcoming events to ensure that all of our neighbors are counted in the 2020 Census. For more information about the 2020 Census or to fill out your Census online, please visit 2020census.gov.