News - Friday, January 17, 2020

Brandi Pearl Thompson’s installation as the 2020 president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors began with a phrase not used before in the association’s 108-year history: “Mom, please raise your right hand.”

Thompson’s installation by her 8-year-old daughter, Vivian, was one of the highlights of the association’s annual installation and awards reception, which took place Jan. 9 at the Turnbull Building on Fort Street. The event featured an expansive gallery of local real estate history, global cuisine, a cash bar and a DJ.

Even before Chattanooga Realtor Brandi Pearl Thompson was installed as the 2020 president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors last week, agents were asking for her predictions for the upcoming year.

Her short response was simple: Real estate is still going to be a great investment.

Anyone who has met Lynda Hood has encountered a force of nature. Between what Chattanooga Bar Association President Steve Jacoway calls her “diligent and vigorous work” as the executive director of the CBA and her tireless efforts to raise money for local nonprofits, she’s earned a reputation as an energetic and passionate community advocate.

Miller & Martin has elected attorney April Holland to firm membership. As a member of the firm’s corporate practice group, Holland specializes in mergers and acquisitions. She joined Miller & Martin in 2013.

Holland works with privately-held companies through all stages of mergers and acquisitions matters on both the buy and sell sides.

Baker Donelson’s shareholders have elected shareholder Jim Levine to serve as a member of the firm’s board of directors for a three-year term.

Levine practices in the areas of commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions, business organizations and commercial contracts.

Even as firearms instructors, gun sellers, gun owners and potential owners get used to a new law that cuts the cost and level of training required for a concealed-carry gun permit, state lawmakers are preparing to push a bill to make it possible to carry a weapon with no permit at all.

Enhanced carry: Permit was available before 1-1-20

• Required eight hours of training

• Application fee of $100 ($65 if active or honorably discharged military)

• Allowed open or concealed carry.

• Permit issued for eight years.

Tennessee handgun carry permits issued

658,138: Number of holders of valid Tennessee handgun carry permits as of December 2019

Tennessee population: Approximately 6.8 million in 2018

Nashville permit holders: 35,627

Permit holders in counties surrounding Nashville

Nashville is giving away guns to criminals, and it’s the legislature’s fault.

I should probably clarify that statement.

By “Nashville,” I don’t mean the Metro government, which as far as I know has no program for arming bad guys. I refer instead to the residents of the city.

January is a tricky month for new doughnut shops.

After indulging over the holidays, many people have sworn off sweets and are focused on diet and exercise, making this a tough time for even the tastiest treats.

That said, if you count yourself among the strong and able, then get ready for a true test of your resolve. Duck Donuts has opened and, man, they’re good.

Chattanooga-area homeowners are following national trends by remodeling their kitchens to fit new lifestyles and new design preferences.

Kitchens are one of the most popular rooms in the home for gathering with friends and family. An upgraded kitchen can make your time together more enjoyable and increase the value of your home.

After watching “1917,” a war film co-written and directed by Sam Mendes (“American Beauty” and two James Bond pictures), I stepped outside the theater and took a moment to appreciate the relative safety of my surroundings.

No enemy of war was gunning for me from across the parking lot, and there were no hidden dangers lurking in crumbled buildings. For the first time in a couple of hours, I was enjoying a view of the world that did not make me feel the hot breath of my mortality on the back of my neck.

You’re probably aware this is an election year. The candidates will discuss issues that should greatly interest you as a citizen during the next several months.

But as an investor, how concerned should you be with the results of the presidential and congressional elections?

SmartBank has named Travis Lytle its director of community development officer. Lytle will work with SmartBank associates to identify community involvement opportunities, promote diversity efforts and assist in the coordination of SmartBank’s charitable giving program.

For much of the last few seasons, Tennessee’s offensive line has been the subject of ridicule and frustration.

But thanks to a big announcement, solid recruiting and a severed pinky finger, the unit might transform into the team’s biggest strength in 2020.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present Beethoven’s fifth symphony on Thursday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Tivoli Theatre.

The performance will mark the beginning of a yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.

 The CHI Memorial Foundation and Breast Cancer Support Services have joined to ensure the continuation of supportive services to women and men undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Elaine Hill and Martha Lee founded Breast Cancer Support Services 27 years ago to provide services and resources to women, men and families living with breast cancer.

Outdoor Chattanooga has announced the details of its 2020 Cumberland Trail Hiking Series.

The series will consist of several guided hikes along the Cumberland Trail, where participants will explore geological formations, discover seasonal flora and fauna and trek over creeks and across suspended bridges to the tops of ridges with waterfalls and scenic overlooks.

Some rock faces loom so large, they dominate the surrounding landscape. Yosemite’s Dawn Wall and the Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru in the Himalayas are two such places.

A pair of documentaries that capture ascents of these natural wonders will fill the six-story screen at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX Theater during 7 p.m. screenings Jan. 24 and 25 (“Meru”) and Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 (“The Dawn Wall”).