News - Friday, May 31, 2013

The newest addition to Chattanooga’s growing skyline, Liberty Tower, was unveiled Thursday, May 16 with a dedication celebration that included city, state, and international VIPs and the unveiling of an 11-foot Statue of Liberty replica. The statue is owned by the Berry Family and has been loaned to Liberty Tower for display in the lobby by Jim Berry, president and managing partner of Liberty Tower.

Mayor Berke this month announced his selection of Ron Swafford as City Court Clerk. “Ron has decades of experience as well as an outstanding reputation in our court system. I am confident ... [he] will work hard to ensure that city functions and services are delivered in the most effective and efficient manner for our community,” said Berke. Swafford served in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court for close to 30 years, including as Juvenile Court Clerk from 1998 to 2010. He also served as Administrator of Human Services for the City of Chattanooga and in the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults as the crime victim outreach coordinator. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Swafford served on the Chattanooga City Council for five years, representing District 5. (David Laprad)

Volkswagen Chattanooga this week announced that its workforce has produced the 250,000th Passat midsized sedan. The car, produced in Volkswagen’s LEED Platinum-certified factory, is Night Blue with black leather interior. It is powered by Volkswagen’s high-mileage TDI clean-diesel engine and features navigation, a sunroof and 18-inch alloy wheels. It also offers a sonic experience provided by the Volkswagen Fender premium audio system.

Court of Appeals Judge Patricia J. Cottrell and Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Joseph M. Tipton have notified Gov. Bill Haslam that they will not be seeking retention in the August 2014 election.

The announcements create vacancies on the two appeals courts as of September 1, 2014 and the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) has elected to complete the nominating process for these two openings prior to June 30, 2013.

Imagine two people equally skilled in a particular way. Whatever it is, they both do it very well. They could be great athletes,artists, or even yodelers. Whatever the particular skill, they are both equal. Now imagine one was born with the skill, and the other had worked his entire life to perfect it. Who impresses you the most? How many of you would be more impressed by the person with natural talent?

This article was originally published in the Hamilton County Herald on May 15, 2012.

Cancers of every type abound in today’s society, and as we move further away from homemade meals made with fresh meats, fruits and vegetables to fast foods and prepared, packaged meals, the threat of developing this life-changing and sometimes fatal disease increases, despite new advances in medicine.

Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block recently received a $2,500 grant from Chattanooga Kappa Delta Alumnae Association to help continue to provide personal safety education programs including child abuse prevention programs to local and area children.

In December 2012, the Nolan Elementary PTA held a Citizenship Essay Contest.  The theme was “My American Hero.”  One of the school›s 5th grade students, 11-year-old Morgan Sizemore, wrote about ABC Good Morning America Anchor Robin Roberts and her battle with cancer. Morgan’s essay won 3rd place in the Nolan PTA contest and 3rd place in the Hamilton County PTA contest. Local ABC affiliate WTVC News Channel 9 and their reporter Drew Bollea did a story on Morgan and her essay about Roberts. Julie Baumgardner, executive director of First Things First, saw the story and sent it to ABC, who delivered it to Roberts. Roberts wrote Morgan a note on her essay, signed it, and sent it back to Baumgardner, who presented it to Morgan during 5th grade graduation. (Photo provided)

We drove north on highways 64 and 180 in Arizona in search of the Grand Canyon. It would be hard to miss, first because the National Park rangers stop you at the gate for some money. In our case, it was 25 dollars for two people. And even if you do somehow get around the entrances, it’s a pretty big hole.

This article was originally published in the Hamilton County Herald on May 18, 2012. 

For the past few weeks, our family has been celebrating graduations: Kindergarten graduations, high school graduations, and this past Saturday evening, a college graduation.

John Jewell had two weeks to market, sell, and close a commercial building in downtown Chattanooga. If he couldn’t find a buyer, the wrecking ball was going to arrive as scheduled. Fortunately, the sellers picked the right Realtor for the job.

Low inventory has characterized the housing recovery for several months, but might be finally showing signs of improvement. The number of homes for sale in April inched 1.6 percent higher than the number seen in March, the first monthly increase since June 2010. At the same time, Closed Transactions and Median Prices both remained 10 percent higher than last year’s levels.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau, TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill, and Senator Bo Watson this month unveiled new electric golf course equipment at the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Golf Course.

The event showcased the new maintenance equipment while demonstrating its positive environmental impacts and energy savings. Attendees included members of the community, golfing enthusiasts, power industry representatives, equipment manufacturers, and local park supporters.

Things to do and places to see. School is almost over, so it is time for you and the kids to hit the road! Try on some of these mountains for size. Although some of them are not so kid friendly!

1. One of the world’s tallest peaks, the Matterhorn, is a part of which European Mountain range? Alps; Caucasus; Carpathians; Sudetes.

I must be a snob. What else can you say about someone who doesn’t like the new Fast & Furious movie?

Written by Chris Morgan and directed by Justin Lin, Fast Six follows the criminal gang led by Dominic Toretto as its members attempt to clear their names in exchange for helping U.S. Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs take down a skilled mercenary organization led by Owen Shaw and Dominic’s presumed dead lover, Letty Ortiz. Brian O’Connor, Mia Toretto, Roman Pearce, Han Lue, and the rest of the crew have remained wanted fugitives since their successful heist in Fast Five, and are looking for a way to return home.

Dear EarthTalk: 

The three-year anniversary of the 2010 BP oil spill just passed. What do green groups think of the progress since in restoring the region? 

~ Mary Johannson, New York, NY

Monday, June 3

Admitting that flood control in Chattanooga will be expensive, the Engineers Flood Study Committee in a report Monday said “the real question is whether it is economically feasible” and formally requested the City Commission and the County Council to take the necessary steps to find out, Lewis Schmidt, chairman of the committee, said.

Sunday, June 1

A most exciting trip up the Tennessee River was given in honor of 200 University of Chattanooga students and various preparatory and high school students by Mr. John A. Patten on the steamer James N. Trigg. Cap’t Wilkey of the Trigg was assisted by Dr. Race, Dean Bovard, Miss Duffy, Miss Grace McCallie, Miss Annetta Trimble, Prof. W.A. Evans, and Prof. and Mrs. George Davis. Refreshments were served by the boys of the University YMCA, with Creed Bates in charge.

The posting sent to the members of the cruciverbal community read, “We’re looking for seasoned ... puzzle creators to help us build puzzles for our game, [which] uses a unique crossword-influenced style of word puzzle where the answers are hidden in ... famous quotations. We’re [a small outfit] and ... can’t create puzzles fast enough for the players.” 

Friday, May 31

Neighborhood block party

Orange Grove Center will celebrate its 60th anniversary by hosting a neighborhood block party in collaboration with Memorial Hospital. Area families are invited to the free event on Derby Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Zumba and face painting, massage therapy, Tai Chi, and a variety of health screenings and health awareness booths will be available. Tents will be set up for guests to have dental, blood pressure, BMI, hearing, and foot health screenings, and receive information on Alzheimer’s and other end of life care planning. Individuals who wish to give blood will be able to do so through Blood Assurance. Children are invited to participate in putt-putt, basketball, ring toss, and face painting. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 308-1160.