Happy Friday! Today’s Connections start with a little fun, trivia and a smile before moving into weekend events, useful community resources and good news from Tennessee and beyond.

Friday Fun

Try a five-minute fall scavenger hunt today. Look for something red, something shaped like a leaf, something that makes a crunching sound and one sign that autumn has arrived. Bonus points if you can do it without leaving your neighborhood.

Tennessee Trivia

Question: What is Tennessee’s official state fossil?

Answer: Pterotrigonia thoracica, nicknamed “Ptero,” is a 70-million-year-old fossilized marine shell found in West Tennessee’s Coon Creek Formation. Tennessee designated it the official state fossil in 1998.

Today’s Smile

Why did the book join the gym? It wanted to work on its spine.

National Day

National Comic Book Day is observed Sept. 25, giving readers an excuse to revisit a favorite superhero, graphic novel or comic strip. Comics can make reluctant readers curious, give young artists a place to start and remind longtime fans that storytelling comes in many forms. Today’s challenge: Share a comic book you loved as a child with someone younger.

Today in History

Sept. 25, 1974: Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery on major-league pitcher Tommy John. The procedure became so closely associated with the pitcher that it is now widely known as “Tommy John surgery.”More Sept. 25 history.

Today’s Highlights

  • Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee has received a $390,000 donation from Publix Charities to support hunger-relief efforts across its 18-county service area. The Sept. 24 media release says the funding will help children, families and seniors facing food insecurity.
  • Knox County Schools is inviting families and community members to buy a $20 Honoring Service T-shirt for Veterans Day. Proceeds support KCS JROTC programs. Preorders are due Oct. 14, with pickup Oct. 29.
  • Knox County Senior Services will hold a Senior Job Fair for adults 50 and older Oct. 8 from 10 a.m.-noon at the John T. O’Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St. Job seekers should bring copies of their resumes and be ready to complete applications.

Local Events

  • Fall Warbler Identification Hike — 9 a.m. at Seven Islands State Birding Park. The Outdoor Knoxville calendar lists the guided program at $8; registration is required.
  • Ramsey Branch Hike — 10 a.m. at Obed Wild and Scenic River. The Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning outing is free and includes plant and bird interpretation. Outdoor Knoxville has details.
  • Bike Party — 6 p.m. from Two Bikes in Knoxville. The free social ride heads down Third Creek Greenway; riders should bring lights.
  • CELSIUS x College GameDay Run Club — 5:30-7:30 p.m. at EVER Knoxville, 1919 Lake Ave. The event was supplied to KnoxTNToday as a Sept. 25 game-week community event.
  • Ashley McBryde: Into The Wild Tour — 8 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St.

Featured Resource

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee serves an 18-county region through hunger-relief programs and hundreds of community partners. Readers can use the organization’s website to find food assistance, volunteer opportunities and ways to support local hunger-relief work.

Helpful Community Links

  • Knox County Schools — Find district announcements, calendars, school information and family resources.
  • Knox County Public Library — Check branch hours, digital resources, classes, programs and upcoming events.
  • Knoxville Area Transit — Find bus routes, schedules, rider information and service updates.
  • 211 Tennessee — Search for help with food, housing, utilities, health care and other community needs.
  • Visit Knoxville Events — Browse concerts, exhibits, festivals and other activities around Knoxville.

Across Tennessee

Tennessee has awarded $5 million to 122 senior centers across the state. The Department of Disability and Aging says grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 can support capital projects, programs, activities, marketing and routine operating expenses, helping centers provide wellness resources and social connection for older adults.Read the state announcement.

Across America

NASA is continuing work to modernize commercial aviation systems. Recent agency updates highlighted technology aimed at improving the way aircraft navigate and operate. It is another reminder that some of the research happening above us eventually finds its way into everyday travel.Visit NASA.

Around the World

Scientists have identified two tiny new snail species in Montenegro. The discovery shows that even well-studied parts of Europe can still hold species unknown to science and adds new information about biodiversity in the Balkan mountains.Read more at ScienceDaily.

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