News - Friday, January 11, 2019

Some days are like any other. They proceed from dawn to dusk and end without distinction. Other days redefine lives. The members of the Lawrence family have just had a day that has irrevocably changed their bearing.

It’s 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, and Doug, Sherry, and Michael Lawrence are taking a moment to let what they have done sink in. Doug, the father and a veteran of the corporate world, looks as calm as quiet waters; he’s been through a thing or two in his day, and he’s handled rougher seas.

The board of directors of Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison has elected attorneys Brittany Thomas Faith and Cody Roebuck as directors of the firm.

Faith is a member of Grant Konvalinka’s immigration group. She focuses her practice on family based immigration petitions, employment-based petitions, and humanitarian relief.

 Members of the Justices Ray L. Brock Jr. - Robert E. Cooper American Inn of Court recently presented Legal Aid of East Tennessee with a check for $11,040. The Inn raised the money in just one hour during its annual holiday party and auction.

When Melanie Molander left the profession of teaching, she walked away from a piece of her heart. To her surprise, she returned to it when she became a Realtor.

Education was Molander’s passion, and for 15 years, she poured herself into the job she believed she was meant to do.

Real Estate Partners Chattanooga has tapped Diane Burke to be the managing broker of the company’s “East” location. Burke will continue to grow her personal real estate business with her business partner, Christa French, while serving as managing broker, says Darlene Brown, president and founder of Real Estate Partners.

With each new year comes a time of reflection and planning, both personally and professionally. As I take over the reins from 2018 President Geoff Ramsey, I’m grateful for his leadership and excited to be part of the ever-evolving role that Realtors play nationally and in our local communities.

It’s becoming clear that you’d like a kitchen where two of you can cook at the same time. Or a playroom that’s not the living room. Increasingly, it seems like there are too many people and not enough bathrooms. Or maybe you’re looking ahead and want your place to be more safe and usable as you age.

When I purchased a ticket to see “Vice,” I was worried I didn’t know enough about its subject, Dick Cheney, to judge the accuracy of the film’s portrayal of the 46th vice president of the United States.

Then came the scene in which Cheney and his wife, Lynne, speak to each other in Shakespearean verse about his first meeting with George W. Bush, and I relaxed. Clearly, writer-director Adam McKay (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) didn’t create a factual blow-by-blow of Cheney’s political career, but rather used fabrication to get closer to the truth as he perceives it.

The phone rang as I was driving up Eighth Avenue, just past Zanies, on the way home from some Christmas shopping.

“Is this Joe Rogers?” the guy on the other end asked. I told him it was.

“My parole officer told me to call you,” he said.

For many years, employees of companies that offered 401(k) plans only faced a couple of key decisions – how much to contribute and how to allocate their dollars among the various investment options in their plan.

But in recent years, a third choice has emerged: the traditional versus Roth 401(k). Which is right for you?

Croy, a multi-discipline consulting firm and provider of design solutions, has announced the expansion of its operations into Tennessee with the opening of a Chattanooga office.

In addition to the expansion, Croy announced the hire of Russell Moorehead, who will lead the new office. A former public works director for the City of Marietta, Georgia, Moorehead brings 33 years of experience in design, engineering, and project management to the firm.

Outdoor Chattanooga’s winter workshops return to offer a series of classroom-based, outdoor-education, and skill-building workshops that are free and open to the public.

No reservations or experience are required to attend. Workshops take place Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. through Feb. 28 at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park (200 River Street).

BASF recently donated five bins filled with hundreds of toys, as well as two bikes, to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Marines from Chattanooga’s Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Regiment dropped by BASF to collect the toys, which were delivered to families across the community.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is encouraging everyone to test for radon in their home.

Long-term exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

First Tennessee Bank has named Lebron Womack senior commercial relationship manager of its commercial group in Chattanooga. Womack will be responsible for the acquisition, retention, and expansion of First Tennessee’s commercial business clients.

Learn to play disc golf with Outdoor Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Flying Disc Club Saturday, Jan. 19 from 1-3 p.m. at Portland Park. This free event is open to all ages and skill levels. Topics will include rules, objectives, scoring, equipment, lingo, safety and etiquette. Discs will be available. Reservations: 423 643-6888.

The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club have expanded the franchise with a League Two team.

Beginning in 2019, the Dalton Red Wolves will join the ranks of the United Soccer League as a stepping stone for soccer players in pursuit of professional careers.

Certain accomplishments can only be described as “singular.” These rarest of achievements are so fundamentally incredible, they seem unrepeatable.

Fortunately, cameras were rolling on June 3, 2017 when Alex Honnold secured his place in the rock climbing pantheon by scaling the 3,000-foot vertical face of Yosemite National Park’s legendary El Capitan without ropes or other safety equipment.