News - Friday, January 19, 2018

Few diseases are feared more than Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disorder that steals memories, leaves no survivors and has no cure or real treatment.

But some of Tennessee’s top minds are working urgently on a way to treat the minds of the 5.2 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s – including 110,000 in this state.

To Allen Curtis, the signs of dementia in his father were subtle … until the day they weren’t.

“My father had always been a farmer and very common-sense,” Curtis says. “But when he lost his truck on his own farm, I knew we were in trouble.”

Alzheimer’s disease currently affects at least 5.2 million Americans, including about 110,000 Tennesseans. That number is expected to reach 14-16 million people by 2050 as more member of the baby boom generation reach 65, the age at which risk of developing Alzheimer’s begins to increase.

Get informed: The Alzheimer’s Association is the primary organization offering education, support and referrals to Alzheimer’s sufferers and their caregivers. You can learn more about the illness and get help at www.alz.org/altn or its 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900. The National Institute on Aging is an excellent resource to learn about the disease and keep up with the latest scientific developments. Its website is www.nia.nih.gov

While announcing the Realtor of the Year award at Greater Chattanooga Realtors’ 2018 Installation & Awards Reception, Sabrena Smedley only made it as far as “they adopted two teenagers” before Becky Cope English knew she was the recipient.

Hixson-based law firm Baker, Kinsman, Hollis & Clelland has joined Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, a firm with offices in Memphis, Jackson and Nashville. The merger was official Jan. 1.

Rainey Kizer is a business and litigation firm with lawyers licensed to practice in Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia.

Former presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney William “Bill” Killian has joined Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel. Killian will concentrate on assisting clients with regulatory investigations, white collar criminal defense and governmental law.

Springfield resident Felicity Palma struggled mightily when she moved to Tennessee from Florida two years ago after suffering health problems and losing her job.

The 47-year-old former social worker became homeless for a period when she came here, and now she finds herself in a health insurance coverage gap as she tries to get treatment for ulcers, sciatica, fibroids and thyroid disease. Debt is piling up on her, too, for the care she does receive.

The forecast for the end of the holiday season this year looks bleak as cold air and snow move throughout much of the country. This type of weather report will likely give people more reason to stay indoors and not venture outside for much other than to meet up with friends to watch football or kick off a healthy new year with a visit to the gym.

RE/MAX Co-CEO Adam Contos offers his perspective on what’s ahead for the 2018 U.S. real estate market.

A few weeks ago, as we wrapped December’s RE/MAX National Housing Report and looked back at the year, we noticed one glaring anomaly: there were no real anomalies for 2017. No real valleys and no big peaks other than the expected seasonal ebbs and flows.

Most home owners are lucky enough to be able to start each day with a hot shower and a fresh cup of coffee. You might even take a few minutes to water your lawn or garden before heading off to work. This is all second nature, and you probably don’t spend much time thinking about your home’s water consumption.

If you could accomplish all your financial goals just by putting your paycheck into the bank every couple of weeks, you wouldn’t need the services of a financial advisor. But life isn’t that simple – and so, at some point, you may realize you need some professional assistance. But when?

Liam Neeson expands his action repertoire in “The Commuter,” in which he plays a man who’s roped into a murder conspiracy after meeting a mysterious woman on a train. The film tries to offer a nail-biting experience but is hampered by a muddy script and shoddy special effects.

New suicide rates in Tennessee are the highest recorded in over 35 years of record-keeping and above the national average.

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Health Statistics reports there were 1,110 recorded suicide deaths in Tennessee in 2016, up from 1,065 the past year, representing a four percent increase.

Real Estate Partners Chattanooga has named Chris Todd its director of professional development. In this new position, Todd will serve as director and facilitator of the Partners Work2Win agent career development program.

The new Work2Win program will join the ongoing core curriculum taught by veteran real estate educator Pam Duffy, director of training, and the popular “Mornings with Mary” workshops facilitated by Mary Sanders.

EMJ Corporation welcomes Brent Clark as controller. In this role, Clark will oversee all accounting operations within the family of construction services companies and assist with financial affairs and analyses of operations to support financial decision-making.

Dr. Fred Gregg and wife Vicky Gregg have donated an original George Rodrigue “Blue Dog” painting to be hung in the new Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center at Erlanger when it opens later this year.

The Gregg have been involved in local health care for many years. Dr. Gregg is a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Vicky Gregg began her career as a nurse in Erlanger’s Emergency Department and retired as CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee in 2012.

In partnership with Atrium Medical Center, CHI Memorial is expanding its services in East Hamilton County.

Atrium Medical Center has provided physician office space and a variety of medical services to the community for 25 years. CHI Memorial’s new vision for this space includes primary and urgent care for children and adults, specialty care for cardiac and breast health, a regional sleep center and corporate offices for home health and provider services.

The Chattanooga Bach Choir will continue its Barnett & Company Cantata Series on Sunday, Jan. 21, 4 p.m., at Christ Church Episcopal, 663 Douglas St. Admission is $15; students are free. The program will feature Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Lord, as you will, so let it be done with me,” written for the third Sunday after Epiphany. A motet by Renaissance master Josquin des Prez, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” and J.S. Bach’s “Come Holy Ghost,” from the Leipzig Chorales for solo organ, will complete the program. Guest soloists will include: Cynthia Johnson, soprano; James Harr, tenor; and Zachary James Cavan, bass.