News - Monday, March 13, 2017

As another grueling Level 4 cardio class starts to wind down, seven female fitness enthusiasts of different generations head for the treadmills and stationary bikes facing the massive, second-story window at Vive for Women on the North Shore.

Studio owner and longtime Chattanooga workout guru Jack Silberman paces back and forth, guiding them into the home stretch with characteristic enthusiasm. “Let’s finish this,” he coaches. “We’ve got three minutes left, girls. Good job.”

It’s March, and your New Year’s fitness resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Is it a lost cause? 

Absolutely not, says Jack Silberman, owner of Vive for Women on Manufacturers Road. “It’s never over until you quit and won’t get back up,” he says. “It’s never too late.”

By David Laprad

Chattanooga attorney Alex McVeagh thinks he might be in over his head when it comes to extracurricular activities. He does a quick inventory.

McVeagh lists his volunteer work as the Hamilton County representative on the board of the Young Lawyers Division of the Tennessee Bar Association first. Through that role, he organizes legal clinics covering a variety of focal points, including writing wills for first responders and helping people who want a fresh start in life to expunge their criminal records.

Often dull, but never boring. They might even make you break out into song.

Halfway through the 2017 session, the General Assembly could be accused of lacking sharpness or sensibility, but what it lacks in luster it makes up for with lots of political song and dance.

This past week, when the Chattanooga Lookouts announced their promotions for the upcoming 2017 season, I had to smile. Jackie Mitchell had re-entered my life once again.

After scrapping bobblehead giveaways for the past couple of seasons, the club will, on May 27, give on a first-come, first-served basis, a Jackie Mitchell bobblehead.

The Mid-South Commercial Law Institute has elected Miller & Martin attorney Craig Smith to serve as board member through 2021.

Joining Miller & Martin in 2006, Smith oversees the firm’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group. He helps clients navigate issues arising out of reorganization and liquidation bankruptcy cases, state and federal court commercial litigation, and out-of-court restructurings and enforcement of remedies.

Keller Williams Realty of Greater Downtown Chattanooga has presented Nathan Torgerson of The Torgerson Team with awards for Highest Closed GCI (Gross Commissionable Income) by Agent as well as Most Closed Units by Agent for 2016.

“Each year, we recognize the top groups, teams and individual agents in our office for their accomplishments in the year before,” says Nathan Brown, chief leadership officer for Keller Williams Downtown. “For someone to earn these awards in particular, they have to provide phenomenal service to clients.”

RE/MAX Real Estate Center announced its list of 2016 award winners at the Walden Club on March 8. The recipients include:

Top Listing Volume Sales Associate – Fort Oglethorpe

Brenda Harden

Top Selling Volume Sales Associate – Fort Oglethorpe

Brenda Harden

Multiple years of uninterrupted job gains and hope that the best is yet to come in 2017 are igniting consumer confidence across the country, a new consumer survey from the National Association of Realtors shows.

The survey additionally found a growing disparity among renters who think it’s a good time to buy and homeowners who think it’s a good time to sell.

As I was watching “Kong: Skull Island,” I found myself wondering how much better special effects could possibly become. With each new blockbuster film, it seems the visuals – particularly the creature effects – are looking more realistic than ever.

Butch Jones is about to embark on his most crucial of five seasons as Tennessee’s football coach, and it begins with spring practices starting Tuesday.

Jones is coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons capped by bowl wins, but has fallen short of the SEC East Division title both years. He had the preseason favorite to win the East in 2016, and the previous year had a team with potential to win the division.

Hunter Museum is hosting “(Re)invention,” an exhibition of art from 15 young artists across the United States who are living with disabilities. Ranging in age from 16 to 25, the artists explore what it means to have a disability, yet resist being defined by it. The works range from portraits, to animation, to soft sculpture. The exhibit will be on view at the Hunter through May 21.

Home sales rebounded in February after starting the year with a January decline.

The Greater Chattanooga market closed 642 residential units in the month of February, which represents an 8.6 percent increase when compared to February 2016. This positive result followed a 5 percent decline in year over year sales in January and brings the YTD total into the positive column at 2.4 percent.

While some homeowners might dream of retiring to a tropical island or downsizing to a smaller home, an increasing number prefer to “age in place.” This means they want to continue living in their current home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or limited mobility.

Spring is in the air, even if it’s not quite there on the calendar. This year, as you shake off the cobwebs from winter and start tidying up around your home and yard, why not also do some financial spring cleaning?

Actually, you can apply several traditional spring cleaning techniques to your financial situation. Here are a few ideas:

Tennessee State Parks will host free guided hikes on Saturday, March 18, to celebrate the coming of spring. The hikes closest to Hamilton County will take place at Red Clay State Historic Park and Harrison Bay State Park. To take part in the Red Clay hike, a stroll along the Council of Trees Trail, meet Ranger Logan Cammarata at the park’s gazebo at 10 a.m. To join the Harrison Bay hike, meet Ranger Jordan Brison at the park’s CampStore at 7:15 a.m. Red Clay State Historic Park is located at 1140 Red Clay Park Road SW in Cleveland; Harrison Bay State Park is located at 8411 Harrison Bay Road in Harrison. Information: logan.cammarata@tn.gov, jordan.brison@tn.gov