News - Friday, December 9, 2011

When Michele Pickett was 13, she decided she was going to become a missionary doctor. The youth group at the church she was attending was showing movies about missionaries in Africa, and even though she didn’t know what a missionary or a doctor did, something about the images and the stories touched her heart, and she decided she would someday travel abroad to administer medical care in the name of Jesus.

Federal guidance documents, issued jointly on December 2 by the United States Departments of Justice and Education, aim to provide school districts across the country with the information and tools they need to leverage diversity to achieve educational excellence for all children.

Saturday, December 9

The Womens Hospital Auxiliaries of Erlanger and Childrens Hospitals gave $22,412 in equipment or improvements to the two hospitals and 30,447 volunteer hours of service during the past two years, Mrs. W.B. Gates, president, announced at a meeting at Wimberly Inn Friday.

 Ballet Tennessee’s “The Nutcracker” will take place at the Hayes Concert Hall in the UTC Fine Arts Center on December 16 and 17 at 8 p.m., and December 18 at 2 p.m.  Guest artists Sean Hilton of the Northwest Florida Ballet and Fredrick Davis of Dance Theatre of Harlem will supplement the cast of local dancers and community performers.

Judge Joseph Vance “Joey” Barker, 63, of South Pittsburg, died on December 3.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Matison and Nancy Barker, his grandparents, Judge Vance and Corinne Barker, and James and Imelda McSpadden, and his uncles, Francis and Luther Barker.

Dec. 9-18

Live on Stage: Emperor’s New Clothes

Chattanooga Theatre Centre 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM.  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.

Recently, Patti and I flew to Tampa for the wedding of a friend. We were not able to go until the day of the wedding as our oldest son is still playing football. His team won Friday night and now must play a team in the finals that they put a beat down on in the regular season. The first game was hyped as a test for our team, and it was about as lopsided as it could be.

We lawyers sure are different

Than a lot of other folk

We need to argue with a smile

And put up with a lot of jokes

We have to see the good inside

A lot of rotten yokes

Argue for the greater good

Mixing law, politics and hope

Last week’s column was about speeding. And how some charged therewith find a way to make the issuing officer laugh. By candor, poetry, good-natured jokes, etc. Such stories remind others of their own experiences. A friend who used to prosecute DWI cases recalled an instance in which he was pulled over at 3 a.m.

One day last week, I overheard two ladies talking about where they’d been for lunch. One said, “I got my spinach chicken sandwich at the Terminal. You know I love it.” She didn’t have just any sandwich; she had HER sandwich, the one for which her feelings run deep.

Holiday –  noun\hä-le-da, British. Derived from the notion of “Holy Day.” The word "holiday" comes from the Old English word haligdæg. Originally referred only to special religious days. In modern use, it means any special day of rest or relaxation, as opposed to normal days away from work or school.

Don’t let Stacey Perkinson’s diminutive stature, slight frame, or the fact that she looks like she could have turned 18 yesterday cause you to underestimate her. Part entrepreneur, part teacher, and all dancer, she’s the owner of Scenic City Dance Center, a newly opened studio housed in the former McKay building on Lee Highway. 

Nothing can stop a career in its tracks like a medical setback.  This is especially true when the person whose health has become an issue works all day, every day, and when that person must be available at all times to answer the phone, respond to questions and resolve dilemmas.  Realtors slip easily into this category. 

December is full of celebrations – probably some of which you have never heard. Here are a few: December 12th is National Ding-a-Ling Day, a very special day to “Ring your Bell”, but that’s not the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. Instead, on National Ding-a-Ling Day, you might see bizarre and crazy behavior (different from most times) from all of the people you encounter.

“Martha Marcy May Marlene,” an emotionally damaged young woman escapes an abusive cult and attempts to take shelter with her sister.  The movie stars Elizabeth Olsen, the younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, in the role of the woman. Her performance, and the performances of the other actors, should earn them Oscar nominations.