News - Friday, October 21, 2016

Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) on Oct. 18 honored two revered jurists for their long-lasting commitment pro bono representation. In a brief but well-attended ceremony at their Chestnut Street office, LAET inducted Chancellor Howell N. Peoples and Chief Justice William M. “Muecke” Barker into its Pro Bono Attorneys Hall of Fame.

Zombies, Jedi Knights, and rock stars roamed the parking lot behind the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors Tuesday evening, coming face to face with superheroes, princesses, and cowboys.

Children in a variety of costumes trick-or-treated and played games during GCAR’s annual fall festival while grown-ups enjoyed free food and collected freebies at the vendor booths.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area relies solely on volunteers to help build decent, energy efficient, and affordable homes for working families enrolled in the nonprofit’s homeownership program.

On any given weekend, one can find civic, corporate, student, or church groups volunteering on the Habitat for Humanity’s worksites. The most common day for groups to volunteer is Saturday.

It ended last Saturday with the Vols getting beaten and bruised during the 49-10 loss to No. 1-ranked Alabama at Neyland Stadium.

Sure, it was bad for the Vols and their fans.

All is not lost, though.

Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) can still reach its goal of winning the SEC East and earn a probable rematch against Alabama (7-0, 4-0) or Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0) in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3 in Atlanta.

Congress has dedicated the third week of October as National Save for Retirement Week. Clearly, the government feels the need to urge people to do a better job of preparing for retirement. Are you doing all you can?

Many of your peers aren’t – or at least they think they aren’t. In a recent survey conducted by Bankrate.com, respondents reported that “not saving for retirement early enough” was their biggest financial regret. Other evidence seems to show they have good cause for remorse: 52% of households 55 and older haven’t saved anything for retirement, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, although half of this group reported having a pension.

USFN has recognized Wilson & Associates, PLLC, a law firm with offices in Arkansas and Tennessee, as a 2016 USFN Diamond Award of Excellence recipient. The firm has been recognized annually since the award was initiated in 1993.

The Award of Excellence is given annually to USFN member firms that meet rigorous standards involving professional activities, industry volunteerism, and community and charitable participation. Recipients are honored each year at USFN’s Annual Member Education Retreat, held in the late fall.

Over the last several months, the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors (GCAR) has collaborated with the Regional Planning Agency (RPA), the Homebuilder’s Association of Greater Chattanooga, the Association of General Contractors, and the American Institute of Architects Chattanooga Chapter on a study of Chattanooga and the surrounding area. The goal of the study was to see where growth is happening and expected to continue.

Did you know it takes an average of 22 different subcontractors to build a home?

October is Careers in Construction Month, so it’s a perfect time to recognize the contributions of all the professionals working in residential construction as well as highlight the rewarding careers available in the industry.

If the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded an Oscar for the most absurd ending to a movie, “The Accountant” would be a shoo-in for 2016. I didn’t see it coming, but that’s not the point. If I had put together the clues, I would have rejected the idea as ludicrous. The people who made the film thought otherwise, and I don’t know whether to commend them for their bravery or shake my head in wonder at how their denouement made it past the early stages of development. When writer Bill Dubuque turned in the first draft of his script, did anyone say, “I don’t know about this...”

Free rides to the polls

Officials with GoVoteCHA have partnered with a team of pastors and community leaders to offer free rides to the polls to any voter residing in Hamilton County. This transportation service will be provided during early voting, which started Wednesday, Oct. 19 and will continue through Thursday, Nov. 3, and on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). There are four early voting sites in Hamilton County:

Music at St. Paul’s will present six concerts featuring renowned soloists and chamber and vocal ensembles during its 2016-17 Artist Series season. Season subscriptions and single tickets may be purchased in advance through the St. Paul’s website. Tickets for each concert will also be sold at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.stpaulschatt.org.

One of my I Swear Crossword test-solvers – a male musician from San Francisco by way of New York City – wrote, with regard to the current puzzle, “I don’t think I understand the quip.”

My other test-solver – a woman copy editor from Ann Arbor by way of New England – wrote, “Funny couplet!”

Nashville resident Jennifer Murray is caught in the snare of uncertainty looming over Tennessee health insurance coverage.

Self-employed as a health care consultant, the single 48-year-old bought individual coverage through BlueCross BlueShield Tennessee’s marketplace plans each year since the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2014. The company offered the widest range of physicians, and its insurance was accepted in most places.