LISA DENTON: Barry, Hamilton County students are on fall break this week, so maybe we should think about a few things they could be doing.
The Tennessee Aquarium’s new “Monster Fish” exhibit is definitely worth a visit. This National Geographic offering shows some extremely large freshwater fish. Yes, freshwater. I expect fish to grow to mammoth sizes when they’ve got the whole ocean to swim in, but these are fish that are found in lakes and rivers. You know I live near a lake and I don’t like to think about things in there that could swallow me whole, even if they would spit me out.
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: You could put a saddle on some of those critters. Why you would want to do that I have no idea, but you could. But it should be pointed out for parents that kids can actually climb up on some of the exhibits, such as the giant sawfish.
LISA: The exhibit is based on the “Monster Fish” show that airs on Nat Geo Wild where host Zeb Hogan immerses himself in the local culture and, at some point, can be found wrestling monster fish out of the water so he can show them on camera. I didn’t know what to expect when we met Hogan when he was here for the opening, but he didn’t smell swampy at all.
BARRY: Hogan was cool and he obviously likes his job. He talked about those fish and his life’s work the same way we talk about food. And it was nice to see the old Visitors Center space being used. It’s like the space was made just for such an exhibit.
LISA: Also this week, there’s a special screening of “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” tonight at East Ridge 18. This one might take some explaining.
It’s a new animated film, but it features the voices of the stars of the “Batman” television series that ran on ABC from 1966 to 1968. So viewers of a certain age will recognize the voices of Adam West as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Burt Ward as Robin/Dick Grayson and Julie Newmar as Catwoman. Holy throwback, Batman!
BARRY: Hang on a second I’m having a Julie Newmar-in-a-Catwoman-costume moment. Holy throwback, indeed. ZAP! POW! WHAM!
LISA: I tried to wear a catsuit costume once, but I looked more like Garfield than Catwoman.
BARRY: Speaking of throwback, the Chattanooga Public Library is showing “Bad News Bears” as part of its 40th on Broad Movie Night on Thursday. There’s a movie that wouldn’t get made today like it was then. Hilarious but politically correct it is not.
LISA: Yeah, it’s a movie about a little-league baseball team that’s being shown to adults. The kiddies can watch a Disney animated film, “The Rescuers,” at the same time.
And don’t forget that Thursday night is Artoberfest at Chattanooga Market. Local artists and high school students will be creating masterpieces in chalk on the concrete floor at First Tennessee Pavilion, then Oktoberfest will be held two days, Saturday and Sunday, with German food and polka dancing.
Rock City is also having an Oktoberfest celebration every Saturday and Sunday in October, so there’s plenty of time for you to hunt out your lederhosen. Unless you want to borrow my catsuit.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.