News - Friday, February 22, 2013

Attorney Richard Pettit is no stranger to change. If anything, he’s well accustomed to the feel of shifting sand beneath his shoes.

Originally from upstate New York, Pettit graduated from Covenant College in the mid ’80s with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, which he jokingly calls “a degree in indecision.”

Commissioner Bill Gibbons last week announced the formation of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Foundation. The General Assembly last year passed legislation authorizing the department to enter into a partnership with the independent, non-profit organization to help further the mission of the department. 

Special to Hamilton County Herald

State Sen. Brian Kelsey (R-Memphis) came to politics young, specifically as a second-year law student.

Today, at age 35, he sits in a unique position, sponsoring not one but two amendments to the Tennessee Constitution that appear likely to pass the legislature.

The other day, I was listening to NPR while driving back from court. The topic was Alzheimer’s disease. They interviewed a man with the disease. He was talking about waking up most days and having little or no memory of his past. He made one statement that really caught my attention. He said that even though he couldn’t remember his past, the lack of memory didn’t affect the person he was. This got me to thinking: Do your memories shape you?

You’ve been saving diligently for a vacation to Africa, India, China, or some other exotic destination, and the time has finally arrived! I know someone who’s going to a remote part of Mexico to see the Monarch Migration. These trips can pose some health risks, and the last thing you want is something ruining your trip once you’re there.

The voice mail message on my private office line went like this:

“This is [name omitted] at [address omitted]. Recycling gave me this number. I’m trying to get a trash barrel for my house. It’s been three months since we had one, and I’m using my neighbor’s. Someone get in touch with me as soon as possible at [phone number omitted].”

Dear EarthTalk: 

I understand that many of the world’s fisheries are on the brink of collapse. How did this happen and what is being done about it? – Mariel LaPlante, New Orleans, La.

Many of the world’s fisheries are indeed in crisis due to years of overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, 57 percent of global fish populations are “fully exploited” and another 30 percent are ”overexploited or collapsed.” This leaves just 13 percent in the “non-fully-exploited” category, down from 40 percent less than four decades ago.

The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was a genius. ~Sid Caesar

Kathy had a flat last week. We called AAA had they had her car towed to my favorite mechanic. Then I was told the bad news the next day that the wheel was bent and I needed another. OK, do it. Then it was also recommended I buy another new tire, so I would have two new ones on the front. Made sense.

Two things I love – lamb chops and balsamic vinegar. Well, those are just two things. Seriously, though, anytime we go to a restaurant that offers lamb chops, that’s what I’m going to order.

But I don’t cook them much. I don’t know why, other than maybe I always want them to be a special dinner, so I save them for a nice meal out. Then there are times when I think I could never find a recipe to make them taste as good as a nice restaurant dinner, so I don’t even attempt them. I know that’s crazy because there are some great recipes for lamb chops – like the one below, which I have made.

“The buffet is open!”

With those welcome words, broker Byron Kelly commenced Prudential RealtyCenter’s 28th annual awards day breakfast, which took place Thursday, February 14 in Ballroom H of the Chattanooga Convention Center. The occasion celebrated the successes of 2012 of the company his father and mother, Ben and Karen Kelly, launched in 1983, and looked ahead to the promise of 2013.

The local chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors on Wednesday, February 13 held its first monthly business resource and networking meeting of the year in the elegant Crystal Room at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Presiding over the meeting, and pictured here, were the new officers for 2013, including (L-R): Kim Bass of Remax Renaissance, treasurer; Ann Martin of Coldwell Banker, president; Brenda Pargeon, Crye-Leike, VP of membership; Elaine Boyd Osby, Prudential, president-elect; and Caryl Ann Sikes, Crye-Leike, secretary. Also present at the well-attended meeting were Brenda Brewster, Tennessee chapter president, and Carol Seal, CEO of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors. In her address, Seal spoke about the benefits of GCAR membership – specifically the free continuing education courses for Realtors, which to date in 2013 had already numbered 29 hours. The next WCR meeting will take place March 13 at the Home Builders Association at 3221 Harrison Pike from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kim White of River City Company will speak during a spaghetti luncheon and the annual Spring Basket Auction will take place. (David Laprad)

This installment of Brainbuster is more “fun to read” than “need to know.” I found all of this interesting, but seriously, I probably won’t remember any of it – unless someone comes up to me someday and asks if it is really true that a spectator at a football game was killed by a lawnmower. I might need to know the answer to that!

"A Good Day to Die Hard,” the fifth movie in the prophetically titled series, is not the crushing disappointment it would have been had it been “Die Hard 2.” That’s not because it’s a good movie, but because it’s the latest in a series that has, with each installment, delivered diminished thrills and reduced expectations. Going in, I wasn’t expecting much, and that’s what I got – not much.

Saturday, February 23

A work order has been received for construction of the new firefighting center in the Golden Gateway and work will start at once, weather permitting, Commissioner McInturff, Mayor Olgiati, and Commissioner Dunlap announced Friday. William G. Mabry, contractor, was awarded the contract by submitting the lowest bid – $187,150.

Saturday, February 22

Col. and Mrs. W.D. Spears announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Marguerite, to Samuel J. McAllester. The wedding is set for Easter time. Miss Spears is an attractive and popular young belle. Mr. McAllester is a well-known young lawyer.

Saturday, February 24

Scenic City Half Marathon

The Scenic City Half Marathon and 5K Charity Challenge will start at Finley Stadium at 8 a.m. Half marathoners will receive a technical race shirt and a finishers medal. There is a 3.5-hour time limit. The top three finishers in each age group will receive an award. To give back to the community, a portion of each participant’s entry fee will be donated to a local charity. Additional funds can also be raised through the online fund raising system. To register and for more information, visit www.sceniccityhalfmarathon.com.