News - Friday, May 6, 2016

The scenario is not uncommon: a family comes to a law firm seeking help with the legal matters surrounding an aging parent. A will is drawn up, a trust is established, and power of attorney is assigned. All of these pieces of tending to the changes that take place in a person’s life as they grow older are important. But they don’t address the questions that remain after the documents have been signed and tucked into a folder.

Junior League of Chattanooga (JLC) next month will host a new fundraiser: the Designer Showhouse. This inaugural event will feature a variety of local design talent at a home on historic Missionary Ridge. Tours will be held Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. beginning June 4.

Phishing, hacking, wire fraud - these are all ways people attempt to steal from others online. As real estate searches and transactions move more and more online, the chances of being caught up in a cyber scam have become even greater.

The home ownership rate made gains in the second half of 2015, but that progress was muted in the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The first quarter of this year saw the home ownership rate back on the decline, plummeting to 63.6 percent, the third lowest on record.

Mother’s Day is almost here, so start shopping for the flowers or candy for Mom. But this year, why not also go beyond the traditional? Specifically, if your mother is still working but getting close to retirement, consider providing her with a gift that can help make her days as a retiree more pleasant.

Chattanoogans of different faiths and from different walks of life braved the rain and even a few claps of thunder Monday night as they gathered at Coolidge Park to pray for peace in the city and then march for the same across Walnut Street Bridge.

Death comes quickly and without remorse in “Green Room,” a blood-spattered thriller starring Patrick Stewart as the head of a group of white supremacists. While Stewart’s performance runs superbly against type for the Shakespearean actor, the poorly executed action often left me wondering what I had just seen, and turned a potentially good film into a slightly frustrating experience.

Noontunes, a new weekly, mid-day music series is making its way to Miller Plaza. Every Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. starting in May and continuing through July, local artists will showcase their musical skills in free public performances.

The Lookout Farmers Market will be open Fridays from 4-7 p.m. through Oct. 23 at the Incline in St. Elmo.

A special street market will be held the last Friday of every month in front of the Incline and across from 1885. This special market will be open until 9 p.m. and include live music sponsored by MetroTone, a health and wellness tent sponsored by Erlanger, a children’s activity tent sponsored by TVFCU, a community outreach tent sponsored by Tennessee American Water, a food demo tent sponsored by Lodge, an alternative health tent sponsored by Centered Health, and food trucks.

The Better Business Bureau conducted its annual meeting last week. The purpose of the meeting was to recognize businesses with the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and to award Student of Integrity scholarships.

Gov. Bill Haslam was the keynote speaker. The governor addressed many of the difficult decisions that must be made as the chief executive in the State of Tennessee. He said decisions guided by trust and “doing the right thing” are critical.

Chattanooga 2.0 will host a community forum to discuss education in Hamilton County May 16 from 4-8 p.m. at Bessie Smith Cultural Center.

The forum will explore the data presented in the 2.0 report and seek community feedback on early childhood education, K-12 schooling, and college and career readiness solutions.

In honor of National Bike Month, Bike Chattanooga and the City of Chattanooga will host a series of cycling-themed activities and challenges in May.

In Celebration of National Protected Bike Lane Week, join Bike Chattanooga for a family-friendly Friday the 13th Superstition Shakedown theme ride at 5:30 in front of the Bike Chattanooga Station on the corner of Main and Rossville. Riders are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superstition or worst nightmare. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed and most unique costume. Riders will cruise down Main and then loop through Broad Street’s protected bike lanes before ending at the Nightfall concert in Miller Plaza. Participants can bring their own bike or grab one from Bike Chattanooga. A few Bike Chattanooga bikes will be available at no charge from the meet up station. Reserve one by emailing Joannah@bikechattanooga.com.

Eight local restaurants will put their best wing forward during Gig City Productions’ ESPN 105.1 Wing Zone at Tennessee Whiskey Festival, to be held Saturday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the First Tennessee Pavilion.

The wing-off winner will be announced after the festival ends. Festival participants will be allowed to sample 10 wings.

The Mid-South Symphonic Band will celebrate its 25th anniversary season with a concert May 15 at 3 p.m. at the Ringgold High School Performing Arts Center, located at 28 Tiger Trail in Ringgold, Ga.

The concert will be open to the public, free of charge. The Mid-South Symphonic Band is comprised of 75 musicians from the greater Chattanooga area who perform under the direction of Jim Souders.

Make Music Chattanooga is a community-wide event showcasing the local music scene.

On Make Music Day, which is a worldwide celebration, musicians of all ages and levels will be performing live on streets, sidewalks, rooftops, venues, and parks throughout the city.

Several years ago—and I do mean several—my good friend Fred Harrison tipped me off to a pair of cases from the Mississippi Supreme Court. They were prominently featured in “Perry’s Dead! (And the ‘Juice’ is Loose),” 1995. Because of their lasting merit, I present them again in today’s column.

Saturday, May 7, 1966

Several hundred Senior Neighbors from throughout the area converged on Warner Park Field House Friday for the second annual Senior Citizens Picnic. It was a day of constant entertainment, friendship, and information. Pat St. Charles was master of ceremonies. The affair was sponsored jointly by the Senior Neighbors and the Chattanooga Kiwanis Club.

Saturday, May 6, 1916

Prof. John Roy Baylor announces the Baylor Commencement will be May 27 at 4 p.m. John Howe Peyton, president of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, will be the Commencement address.

Ms. Charles Willingham is ill at her home on Vine St.

I recently purchased a new cookbook. I have many from earlier years that I hardly ever use. Before the great World Wide Web became our all-inclusive recipe book, I used them religiously. Also, through the worn and sometimes messy-due-to-food-spills pages, I have recipes tucked here and there of family and friends favorites.

Lord, guard and guide the men who fly

Through the great spaces of the sky;

Be with them traversing the air 

In darkening storms or sunshine fair