News - Friday, December 16, 2011

Attorney Pamela Fleenor can recall the turning point that led to her practicing and teaching law. It’s one of those moments that make one wonder, “What if that hadn’t happened?” “I was going to be a pediatrician or a dentist, so I had majored in biology and minored in chemistry at UTC, and I was burned out on the labs.

As people across Chattanooga open presents on Christmas morning, they might find some unexpected surprises under their trees. From jewelry, to a puppy, to the keys to a new car, the possibilities are endless. But perhaps the most grateful recipients of all will be those who unwrap a lawyer.

What was happening in Chattanooga in 1961?

Saturday, December 16

The Chattanooga Civitan Club on Friday officially opened its Fruit Cake Store at 728 Market Street.  Cakes will be sold from noon unto 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, December 23.  The club hopes to sell 15 tons of fruitcake this year.  Proceeds from the sales will help support a dozen charities.  The club has already sold some 18,000 pounds.

State Sen. Andy Berke says he had no expectations of what public office would be like when he was elected in 2007.  In fact, he says somewhat sheepishly, he “literally had not been to the legislature since my fourth-grade field trip. … By the way, that’s a mistake. I now realize I should have been paying more attention all along.”

December 9-18

Live on Stage: Emperor’s New Clothes

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.  By Maria Chattin-Carter and the cast. Festival season is upon the land and the narcissistic emperor needs new duds. Two con men take advantage of the wonderful emperor and possibly teach him a much-needed lesson. Youth Theatre. Tickets are $8 and $10. 400 River St., Chattanooga, TN 37405 Phone: 423-267-8534.

Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, headquartered in Chattanooga, recently opened in Cleveland, Tenn. The new office location was chosen as part of the firm’s growth strategy, and as a way to better serve its existing clients in the Cleveland area. The office is located in downtown Cleveland.

‘Tis the season…of drinking and attending holiday parties.  Isn’t that how that saying goes?  No? Maybe that’s just my mantra.  Whatever the saying, the season for holiday parties is here and with it comes the pleasing revelation that court appearances and real estate closings are replaced by a full calendar of party events, a belly full of cookies, wine and Cheez-Its (nothing says “Happy Holidays” to me like processed cheese and carbs).

Again it is the time of year that reminds me of Christmas programs.  Such as the one recounted by John Irving in “A Prayer for Owen Meany.” The one directed annually by Rev. and Mrs. Wiggin. The one that made Owen mad, because “the smaller children were disguised as turtledoves.

Scottie Mayfield has a pretty simple philosophy for life: “If you like something sweet, it’ll probably go well with something else that’s sweet.” Or maybe that’s his philosophy for desserts. Whatever the case, it’s simple, and I like it. Scottie is the president of Mayfield and a fourth generation caretaker of the dairy his great-grandfather, Thomas B. Mayfield, Jr., started in 1910.

t’s not a clear recollection, probably because it was over 40 years ago. But I’ll try and summon some of those images from 1967, when my family and I moved back to Lakewood in North Little Rock, after a five and a half year absence. It was during the summer, about a month after my 10th birthday and near mom’s 38th.

Golden. The first American-made gold coin denominated in dollars was the Brasher doubloon. In 1787, Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith and silversmith, as well as a neighbor of George Washington, petitioned the State of New York to mint copper coins. But he was denied when New York decided to not to get into the business of minting copper coinage.

Chattanooga area Sonic representatives on December 8 presented a check for $25,116 to the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate to fight breast cancer.  During October, which was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chattanooga area Sonic Drive-Ins held a Pink Ribbon Fundraising Campaign. 

The INCubator is the new name for the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s program to support the launch and growth of local businesses.  Located in the newly renovated Hamilton County Business Development Center, the INCubator is a development program designed to help small businesses reach milestones of growth.

The Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors on December 8 announced the establishment of the George Kangles Community Citizenship Award. The award will be presented to a member of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors that meets the specific and challenging criteria set forth by the association.

The Chattanooga chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors on December 7 installed its officers for 2012, announced its annual awards, and showed members how to use an emerging technology to promote their businesses. Held at the Double Tree Hotel Downtown Chattanooga, the meeting was a celebratory seasonal event in which every woman walked out with something new, whether it was a prize, a token of thanks for service performed, or a poinsettia for being a member of the organization.

1. In the song “The Twelve Days Of Christmas”, what did my true love send me on the eleventh day? 2. How many gifts would you receive if you received all of the gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas? 3. In the song “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth”, why do I want my two front teeth?

Christmas is upon us full swing now, and most of us are about to wrap-up (pun intended!) our seemingly endless lists of shopping, whether it is for gifts or food. I still have some food shopping to do, but my husband and I gave up the notion of buying gifts for each child a few years ago in exchange of offering money. No, we aren’t bah-humbugs, just tired parents and grandparents!

Have you ever walked away from a bad movie thinking about one or two things that caught your attention or made you laugh – things that didn’t redeem the experience but formed a silver lining around an otherwise waste of time? I experienced a doubleheader of epic banality last Friday when I took in “The Sitter” and “New Years Eve” back-to-back in the same theater, but in each case, I found one thing I liked.