Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium brings a new alternative feature to the dome-screen starting Saturday, November 3. “Planetary Visions” will run through December 31.

Revisit this beloved program the planetarium first showed a few years ago on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through the end of the year. “Planetary Visions” is a fantastic, interactive program that is best described as an adventurous tour of the Solar System. With its whimsical, flying robot main character, Toggle, and the interactivity of the operator with the show and the audience, this is a treat for all who attend.

This program was produced by Bays Mountain Productions and highlights the incredible talents of the exhibits and planetarium staff. The program includes a live tour of the current night sky from the planetarium operator, who can answer any questions guests might have about what they see in the stars. The show runs about 40 minutes. All planetarium show tickets are $5.

The ongoing main feature at the planetarium, “Sunstruck,” plays Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 4 p.m. In this show, discover how the sun came to support life, how it threatens life as we know it and how its energy will one day fade away. This show also includes a night sky tour, and runs 40 minutes.

Bays Mountain also offers evening observing sessions through the end of November, called StarWatch. This free outdoor program allows the public to enjoy the splendor of the night sky at the park’s observatories. Visit the park Saturday evenings in November at 6 p.m. to gaze the moon’s craters and witness the celestial cycle of star birth and death. If the weather is uncooperative, an alternative activity will be held in the planetarium.

For more information on Bays Mountain’s planetarium shows, please visit baysmountain.com or call 423-229-9447.

Kingsport’s 39^th Annual Christmas Connection, a free admission event, is to be held November 9 – 11 at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Sponsored by the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts, Christmas Connection hosts some of the region’s best arts and crafts vendors.

The Civic Auditorium will be filled with holiday wreaths & floral arrangements, primitive & country crafts, Christmas ornaments, pottery, stained glass, woodcrafts, handmade soaps and lotions, fabric crafts, needlework, doll clothing, jewelry, dichroic glass, handmade greeting cards and paper art, leather crafts, paintings, figurines, candles, baked goods and much much more!

In 2018, courtesy of Bubba’s Book Store, several regional authors will be on hand each day to sign their books in the Civic Auditorium West Side.  Also in attendance this year are the artists from Kingsport’s Senior Artisan Center & Senior Center. Their crafts will be set up in the Civic Auditorium West Room.

Outside, attendees will find kettle corn and other food items available for purchase. Country favorites will be served on stage at the Christmas Connection Café, and baked goods from Kingsport Ballet and Suzuki Talent Education will be at the entrance of the Civic Auditorium.

With the holidays fast approaching, Christmas Connection is a great place to find unique gifts and support master craftspeople in our region.

DATES/HOURS:
Friday             Nov. 9              12 Noon – 7 PM
Saturday        Nov. 10            10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday           Nov. 11            12 Noon – 4 PM

For more information on the Christmas Connection event, please visit www.EngageKingsport.com or call 423-392-8414.

Kingsport’s City Clerk Angie Marshall accepted a new role as president of the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders (TAMCAR) last week.

Since 2010 Marshall has worked as the City Clerk and has been a member of TAMCAR. She has steadily climbed her way up TAMCAR’s chain of succession since being elected as secretary several years ago.

“When I was elected as secretary, I knew the role of president was inevitable and I have anxiously been looking forward to the challenge,” Marshall said. “I have forged so many valuable friendships across the state during the last eight years and I know that these relationships will help me move our organization forward.”

Marshall has a long resume of public service. She holds degrees in criminal justice and public management from ETSU and has worked for three different municipalities since beginning her career in 1996. Her career has included not only clerking, but a long stint as a police officer in Oak Ridge. She came home to Kingsport when the City Clerk/Deputy City Recorder position opened up eight years ago.

TAMCAR provides continuing educational opportunities and certification credits to clerks across the state of Tennessee. Marshall’s ambitions as president include increasing membership, as well as attendance at TAMCAR’s twice-yearly conference.

While Marshall is excited to serve as TAMCAR’s president, she’s not done moving upward. She has her sights set on the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) as well, from which she received a Master Municipal Clerk designation last year.

“My goal is to eventually serve on the IIMC board as well, so that I can benefit not only clerks in Tennessee, but around the world,” Marshall said.

Create your own unique hand-crafted gifts while learning about three new craft styles – resin, alcohol ink and acrylic pouring.

Instructor, Elena Corradino will be teaching a hands-on class about how to create 9 pieces of art using these three styles. Each participant will make two acrylic pour bisque coasters, four porcelain alcohol ink coasters, and three silicone mold coasters.

Participants will be allowed to keep the provided respiratory mask and silicone mold. Project safety, mixing techniques and possible mistakes – all while creating your own hand-crafted and practical works of art!

The cost of the class is $98 per person and includes all materials. The class will be held on October 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the 2^nd level studio space at the Kingsport Carousel, 350 Clinchfield St.

Pre-registration is required. To register for the class or for more information, please visit EngageKingsport.com or call 423-392-8414.

Come celebrate the harvest season at the first annual Farm to Table Dinner at the Kingsport Farmers Market on November 1^st. Enjoy a meal prepared by Dobyns-Bennett Culinary Arts students and instructors to raise funds for the Dobyns-Bennett Career and Technical Education Programs.

The Kingsport Farmers Market and Kingsport City Schools will host the farmers’ market-themed event focusing on community connection, locally grown food awareness and a fun fall celebration.

The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Kingsport Farmers Market, 308 Clinchfield St.

The menu will be comprised of regional and seasonal food featuring salad, baked spaghetti with roasted vegetables, fresh bread and apple crisp for dessert. All ingredients for the meal are locally sourced from the Dobyns-Bennett greenhouse, school garden or the Kingsport Farmers Market – a true Farm to Table experience.

Tickets are $25 per person in advance only. All event proceeds support the Dobyns-Bennett Career and Technical Programs. Tickets are now for sale at the Kingsport City Schools Office at 400 Clinchfield St., Suite 200.

For more information, call Misty Keller at 423-378-2147.