NOOGAtoday

Clear your schedule for Friday night because Nightfall is back. The downtown music series features 14 weeks of free concerts at Miller Plaza and Miller Park, and it all starts this Friday, May 1. Local opener FlashDrive will take the stage at 7 p.m. and Sinkane will headline at 8 p.m., blending Afrobeat, pop, reggae, and jazz.

Ever been stuck waiting on a train on Hamill Road? Chattanooga leaders are working on a fix — and it could mean never waiting again. This week, City Council approved $323,750 to go towards a rail overpass between Sarasota Drive and Crescent Club Drive. It would separate train and vehicle traffic, allowing drivers to pass underneath without waiting. According to the city, the Hamill Road crossing has been ranked among the worst in Tennessee for train blockages.

Celebrate innovation + entrepreneurship at TVFCU’s Chattanooga Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition, happening on Thursday, May 7 at The Signal. Networking opportunities, drinks, and snacks kick off the Chambliss Startup Social at 4:30 p.m., followed by five local startup finalists vying for $75,000 in grant funding at 6 p.m. ($30,000 grand prize, $15,000 for second place, and $10,000 each for three runners-up).

Blood supplies are running low, and Chattanooga donors are being offered some pretty compelling reasons to help out. Starting Friday, May 1, donors who give blood at Blood Assurance’s downtown location (705 E 4th St.) can get free comprehensive lab testing through Goodlabs. The testing includes common panels like metabolic, lipid, hormone, and kidney function — services that typically cost up to $500 out of pocket.

Want to make the most of your summer? Registration is open for ChattState’s summer term, with courses beginning Monday, May 11. Summer classes range from three-week to 13-week sessions, both online and in person, providing flexible opportunities to: Catch up or get ahead on your full-time education Finish your degree or go back to school Start or complete a certificate Browse degree programs and apply to start your next chapter.

April showers bring May flowers, but May flowers bring... allergies. Here are some tips to avoid letting sneezin’ season keep you inside: Start allergy meds two weeks before your symptoms begin Track the daily pollen count and plan outdoor activities for lower-count days Keep pollen outside by changing clothes and showering after being outdoors Physicians Care Walk-in Clinic is open seven days a week. Just walk in, use Hold My Spot®, or schedule a virtual visit.

If you like shopping local, learning new skills, and pairing coffee with a pastry, you’ll want to check out Studio Ours in Southside. The space includes a makers market and classroom area, and was the brainchild of Chan Sok, founder of the screen printing business Chan Design. As a maker herself, she wanted to give artists an affordable place to sell their work and teach. This is the perfect place to find local gifts for friends, family, and yourself.

Before summer gets into full swing, it’s a great time to check in on your health. A quick round of routine visits — like dental cleanings or a primary care check-up — can help you feel your best for all those warm-weather plans. Chattanoogans can explore a range of options to support their health journey at Cempa Community Care. You’ll find primary care, dental, and behavioral health services all in one place, so you can get what you need without running all over town.

Did you know? If you’ve earned 12+ college credits, you could qualify as a UTC transfer student — giving you the support you need to finish your degree.

Chattanooga, it’s finally here — Opening Day at Erlanger Park. The Lookouts will play their first game in their brand-new stadium at 7 p.m. tonight. Here’s what you need to know before heading out the door. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and if we were you, we’d get there early to check out the park, kids zone, and pregame ceremonies before the first pitch. The game starts at 7 p.m. against the Montgomery Biscuits. Reserved seats are sold out, but as of Monday afternoon, $9 concourse passes were .