News - Friday, May 27, 2011

The “Stars and Stripes” proudly wave in the city of Ringgold in celebration of Memorial Day.  Set against the backdrop of the destruction the

tornado caused, they serve as a reminder of the resiliency and fortitude of the people of this region.

To prove he was not yet over the hill, Chattanooga-based attorney Hu Hamilton picked the tallest hill in Africa and climbed it. In a moment of poetic triumph, he reached the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro on his 60th birthday.

At 19,300 feet above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest non-technical mountain climb in the world, meaning those who wish to scale its scenic heights do not need ice picks, clamp-ons or other special equipment. But that does not mean the brave souls who attempt to reach the volcanic crater at its peak can simply stroll up to the base of the mountain and keep walking. Rather, due to Kilimanjaro’s high elevation and steep terrain, one needs to be in prime physical condition to make the trek to the top, and commit almost nearly a week to taking on the mountain in small chunks.

Saturday, May 27

The third annual glaucoma clinic examined 4,208 people at the First Christian Church. Of that number, 236 were found with indications of glaucoma.

Sunday, May 28

The City of Chattanooga has completed the purchase of a site in the Rivermont area for the future construction of a Junior High School to cost upward of $1,000,000. The property adjoins the north side of the Rivermont Country Club. The 31-acre tract was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Carter for a consideration of $75,000.

From June 10 to 18, the Riverbend Festival will celebrate its 30th year as the biggest party in town by bringing more than 100 artists, entertainers and performers to downtown Chattanooga. Nationally known artists Huey Lewis and the News, the Beach Boys, The Machine, John Lee Hooker, Jr., Casting Crowns, Miranda Lambert, Brian McKnight, Allen Jackson and Kellie Pickler will each headline their own night of the festival. Local bands like WTM Blues Band and The Beaters will join other artists from across the nation to perform on side stages.

Despite how easy it looks on television, the law can be scary: an oral argument at the Court of Appeals, or maybe if a lawyer is lucky enough, an argument at the U.S. Supreme Court; or consider an argument in front of a judge known to be cantankerous, and you don’t even have a particularly good argument to make in the first place.

It was a beautiful Tennessee spring morning when I pulled in the long gravel driveway of Uncle Sid and Aunt Sadie’s farm. The hills behind their house this year are once again bathed in hues of deep greens due to all of the rainfall that we have received. But their drive did show the signs of a whole lot of rain with some pretty deep ruts cut by over eight inches of rain that used their gravel drive for a riverbed the first few weeks in May.

The importance of one’s family connections is something that I believe we are losing in America. With each generation there are fewer individuals who live close to their extended families, unlike the days when grandma and grandpa lived just in the next room or uncles, aunts and cousins were a short walk down the road.

Christine Heyne, et al. v. Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education.

Davidson County – This is a common law writ of certiorari review of a student’s ten-day suspension for a violation of the Student-Parent Code of Conduct for reckless endangerment. The student was suspended by the school principal following an incident where he drove his vehicle toward a group of students resulting in injury to one student.

In trying to save a few bucks every month, I decided to take a look at my cable bill the other day. I currently have what they call the Digital Preferred Plan, which runs $65.94 a month.

I have this plan because a couple of years back my television set broke down on me and I headed over to Best Buy where I was easily convinced that my next TV should be High Definition. I ended up buying the only one that would fit into the entertainment center we have in our den, which was actually the smallest HD TV they had in stock at the time.

I’ve been browsing “Peter’s Quotations: Ideas for Our Time” (1977).

I’ve owned two copies for years and years. It’s never more than arm’s length away. It’s the most valuable quote book ever, bar none!

“American Idol” contestant Lauren Alaina Suddeth rolled into town this month for an interestingly composed homecoming parade. Returning from a trip out of the country the day before her arrival, I couldn’t figure out why parts of Walnut Street and Frazier Avenue were closed, or why flags hung all down Market Street, or even why a tow truck was ominously observing the Walgreens pharmacy parking lot on the Northshore.

I’ve wanted to go to Nashville, Tenn., the ‘mecca of country music,’ since I was about five years old. Seriously, I was raised on Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks and Randy Travis. At one point in time I even wanted to be a country singer.

It’s all about the fit.

When you’ve been shopping for just the right thing, that’s all you want: for that perfect article of clothing to look good on you. As long as it’s not stretching across the shoulders, too long or too short, sagging or making your butt look big – as long as it fits – you’ve had a productive day at the mall.

This time I couldn’t make up my mind on a general issue to puzzle you about, so this one is “a little of this and a little of that.” Have fun.

1. According to the National Safety Council, which of the following is responsible for causing the most burns in a home? Improper bathtub temperature; Mixing of cleaning chemicals; Working on the family car; Improper placement of pots and pans on a stove.

Wouldn’t it be great if babies didn’t have to whine and cry to communicate, and instead could quietly and effectively sign their needs or wants? Baby sign language makes this a reality, with offering children a language, before they learn language, to communicate and simultaneously build their vocabulary.

While other children were learning to read or how to tie their shoes, four-year old Haley Popp was rafting down the Ocoee, “getting wet and having fun.” Today, 18-year-old recent high school graduate Popp is still heavily involved in kayaking aboard her one-of-a-kind polka-dotted kayak and has two national titles in the junior division of wildwater kayaking to her name.

The Greater Chattanooga Area of Realtors has launched a campaign to increase public awareness of the Open House feature of its Web site. The effort includes marketing endeavors timed to coincide with National Open House Weekend in June, online ads, the launch of a mobile compliant Web site, and free videos for Realtors.

Last September, Realtor Deanna Lindsey was all set to enjoy a relaxing Labor Day weekend with her husband and son when her cell phone rang. On the other end was a family that had moved from Iowa to Tennessee with the intention of buying a certain home. When they arrived, however, they discovered the driveway onto the property was so steep, their moving truck wouldn’t scale the hill.

Most of us don’t have the resources – or the guts – to own stocks in really large quantities. That’s what makes your home such great “risk capital.” It’s not the stock market, and you shouldn’t look at buying a home as a way to get rich, but if the economy picks up, real estate values will eventually follow. Building equity in your home is like linking your investment portfolio to the growth of the economy – without the sleepless nights.

Memorial Day, considered a “bookend holiday,” is the official opening of summertime activities. This three-day weekend traditionally is a time for celebration and family outings.

Observed on the last Monday in May, it is a time to remember the brave men and woman who lost their lives serving our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, it was established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War. Over the years, it has evolved as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars. The last few years have given Americans even greater reason to celebrate! Marked by picnics, out-door parties, and parades, one of the biggest hits in food preparation is grilling outdoors. One of our favorites – the all – American hot dog!

Before leaving to see “Bridesmaids,” I told the others in the office I was going to review a movie I was averse to watching. The trailers made the movie look like a female version of “The Hangover,” complete with vulgar jokes, gross out humor, and graphic sex. Plus, bits and pieces of the ads made me think most of the dialogue was improvised, and that it was really dumb.

Six benefits a buyer receives from an appointment with you:

Them understanding the marketplace better.

Them receiving a higher level of service by meeting with you.

Gaining them an advantage in negotiating.

Them securing a better lender for a smoother transaction.