News - Friday, January 9, 2015

One of Chattanooga’s hardest working real estate agents has been recognized for embodying everything it means to be a Realtor. During the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors’ 2015 Installation & Awards Ceremony, Geoff Ramsey was named 2014 Realtor of the Year.

Hot off the presses, the Tennessee Supreme Court has responded to the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization’s Petition to revise Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 21, which regulates the provision of, participation in, and monitoring of CLE courses and credits. The Supreme Court’s Order, issued Dec. 16, 2014, adopted many of the Commission’s proposed rule changes but also took into consideration the numerous public comments that were filed by practitioners, bar organizations, and law schools. 

Chattanooga firefighters visited homes along the 400 block of North Hawthorne Street recently, knocking on doors and offering fire safety information and smoke alarms if needed. This follows a house fire at 410 N. Hawthorne last Monday. No one was injured in that fire.

Hike to Little Cedar Mountain

Saturday, Jan. 10

Join the Nickajack Naturalist, Bob Butters, for one of his informative hikes on Little Cedar Mountain Saturday, Jan. 10. The 4.5 mile trek will feature newly opened segments of trail and spectacular views of Nickajack Lake. To learn more and to register, call Butters at (423) 991-1548.

If you’re an investor, you probably had a pretty good year in 2014. But what’s in store for 2015?

It’s essentially impossible to make precise predictions about the performance of the financial markets – but it is possible to identify those economic conditions and market forces that may help shape outcomes in the investment world for 2015. By paying close attention to these conditions and forces, you can gain some valuable insights as to what investment moves might make sense for you.

For the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors, Tuesday was a time of looking back at past accomplishments and looking ahead at the work still to be done. During the Association’s 2015 Installation & Awards Ceremony, 2014 president Vicki Trapp and others recognized the members who served in 2014 and installed those who will serve in the year to come.

Happy New Year! The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors is poised for another year of changes and new ventures. 

I follow in the footsteps of 2014 President Vicki Trapp. Many do not realize this position is a volunteer one, or how much time the president spends meeting with fellow leaders and staff regarding specific programs and initiatives. In addition, the president regularly spends time with the media, community leaders, and consumers discussing real estate trends and issues. Vicki’s year was no exception, and on behalf of all our members, I thank Vicki for serving her time and serving us with grace, charm, and endless energy.

You wanna get Capone? Here’s how you get him: He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way, and that’s how you get Capone!

So says Jim Malone (Sean Connery) to Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) in a classic scene in “The Untouchables.” As I waited for my order at Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom at Northgate Mall, I re-imagined Connery’s delicious bit of dialogue like this:

To recap: Sony gave co-directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg a lot of money to make “The Interview,” a movie in which Rogen and James Franco play talk show producers who travel to North Korea to interview the nation’s real life leader, Kim Jong-un. Before they leave, the CIA asks them to assassinate the dictator, whom they say has nuclear weapons capable of reaching the U.S.

^“Life’s a puzzle. Let’s fill in the blanks.” That’s the title of a speech I’ve been giving of late. Without being too literal, I find parallels between crosswords and everyday existence.

An obvious point of comparison is that, just because the clues and answers are numbered, and arranged in orderly fashion, I don’t have to proceed accordingly. Scanning for something I know, then building on that, usually results in more effective use of my time.

Hubby and I are starting out the new year with a move. Hopefully, and God-willing, our last move until we go to our Eternal home!

Not only are we moving, we’re also moving my mother into the house we’re moving out of – so, we’ll be moving the entire month of January. Literally! Please help us by praying for our strength and patience – of which we’ll need a “more than normal” supply!

Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. – Horace

Instead of getting married again, I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and give her a house. – Lewis Grizzard

I think the question should have been, “What’s one thing about your husband that drives you crazy?” I know what most of you ladies are thinking, “Just one?”

At this point, all attorneys have learned that tolerating the insults, barbs, and disrespect many feel compelled to lob against attorneys, judges, the legal profession, and our legal system is part of the modern job description. Long gone are the days of professional respect. The days when mothers told their daughters to make sure they studied hard to go to medical or law school are relegated to the past. Gone as well are the days when fathers told their sons that if they were going to be good-for-nothing layabouts, they should at least play Frisbee on the law school lawn and try to catch the eye of the next great female lawyer. Instead, we’re faced with an ever increasingly mocking general public. It is a cross to bear, but bear it we do.

Last fall, Patti and I were dropped off at an event out of town. We planned on catching a ride afterward with some friends, so we didn’t need a car. Thirty seconds after the car drove off, I realized I’d left my phone in the car. Patti didn’t have her phone, so we had no way to call and get my phone. I immediately panicked. My mind began to swim with the endless problems I’d face spending three to four hours without my phone. I was having trouble breathing and was definitely bordering on a panic attack. Someone I met a couple of times came up to me, and I was having trouble having a coherent conversation because I was trying to figure out how I was going to get my phone back in my hand. I finally had to excuse myself and borrow a phone from a stranger to try to get it. I finally got my phone brought back, but not before almost stroking out.

With the holidays over and the weather being pretty much on the cold side the last few weeks in Tennessee, winter has been the major topic of discussion around every country store, church meeting, and even over at the bank. Just trying to get from your car to the bank lobby with northern breezes whistling around every corner has given a totally new meaning to the term “cold cash.” It hasn’t been any different out on Uncle Sid and Aunt Sadie’s farm either. The other day, as I pulled onto the long gravel driveway at their farm, the winter wind was blowing to beat the band, and the yellow glow of light coming from Aunt Sadie’s “Gone With the Wind” hurricane lamp in the window of their white frame house was sure a welcome sight on that dark cloudy afternoon.

The holidays are finally over and my family is officially exhausted! Shopping during this time has got to be the most challenging and tiring part of the season for me. I have quite a few people in my family and it can be very hard to buy presents for everyone, especially all of the females. There are around 16 necessary buys and this year I had to come up with a different plan. 

Three new national retailers are set to open in the spring of 2015 at Hamilton Place Mall. PINK by Victoria’s Secret will open a new 3,603 square foot standalone store on the lower level of the mall, near J Crew Factory. PINK offers an assortment of sleepwear, loungewear, bras, and panties.

Saturday, January 9, 1965

Chattanooga Big Brothers Association, which has helped more than 400 boys since it was organized in 1956, will observe “Big Brothers Week” beginning Sunday, Irvin J. Richmond, executive director, announced. A recruiting drive for 100 additional Big Brothers to participate in the Chattanooga program will be an important part of the week’s activities.

Friday, January 8, 1915

Mr. and Mrs. DeForest Evans have moved into an apartment in the Magarete on Houston Street.

Saturday, Jan. 9

Members of the Hamilton County Medical Academy staged a big reunion last night at the Mountain City Club. Dr. E.B. Wise was toastmaster. Judge Bancroft Murray presented a book to the newly elected president, Dr. E.B. Anderson. It was a “trick book” that exploded when opened. Dr. W.G. Bogart is the retiring president.

1. England and America started using the Gregorian calendar (today’s calendar) in 1752. Russia did not recognize it until what year? 1916; 1918; 1818; 1900.

2. Who was the attorney general who served under Dwight D. Eisenhower? William Rogers; John Foster Dulles; Charles E. Wilson; Sinclair Weeks.

Fill in the blanks in the quote using the following words:

find, we, with, it, find, we

 beautiful, carry, travel, we, though, over

“_____ _____ _____ the world _____ to _____ the _____, _____ must _____ it _____ us or _____ _____ _____ not.”