News - Friday, July 22, 2011

The Chattanooga Bar Association has added six more reasons to the list of why an attorney should become a member of the organization. Each one falls under the category of free perks. While lawyers, judges and paralegals appreciate the opportunity through the Bar to work for the betterment of their professions, to take an active interest in government affairs, and to kindle feelings of respect, esteem, and good fellowship among their colleagues (paraphrased from www.chattbar.org), they are also grateful for the benefits.

This year is an exciting time for the Southern Environmental Law Center. This non-profit organization is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with the same mission as in 1986 of using law and policy to protect the environment of the South.This year is also exciting for the SELC because it is opening a new office in Nashville, Tenn., an addition to their current offices in Charlottesville, Ashville and Atlanta.

Saturday, July 22

The City Commission agreed on a budget of $15,753,825 for the fiscal year that started July 1, keeping the tax rate at $2.30 per $100 valuation.

Sunday, July 23

The 10th annual five-day convention of the National Association of Legal Secretaries opened Sunday at Hotel Patten with registration and a get-acquainted party. More than 200 secretaries registered Sunday with representatives from 47 states, and Puerto Rico.

This afternoon I am tired of fighting. You see, I woke up fighting. First was the irritating alarm clock. I won that one, I think.  Then, I opened the bedroom door and one of the little dogs out maneuvered me and ran into the hall. A domestic loss. Downstairs the air conditioning was on, and our son was relaxing on the back porch, talking over life with his girlfriend, with the porch double doors wide open. I sat that one out.

For the last couple of weeks, the weather has been the perfect source for a continuous supply of those “it has been so hot that…” jokes. The temperature and the heat index have become the general subject of conversation in most groups, and the dog days of summer have given all of us a true appreciation of modern day air conditioning.

I recently heard with great sadness of the passing of one of my fiddling heroes and a friend, Kenny Baker (1926-2011), following a stroke. As I look back upon those who influenced me with their fiddling, he is definitely in my personal top five, and when it comes to the industry as a whole; he was the most respected and prolific of his generation.

I was the first one to arrive in the classroom so I began taking things out of the bin and trying to look like I had some clue as to what I was doing. Finally some parent arrived with their child and looked at me suspiciously. The last time a mother had looked at me that way was when my daughter Alexis was four and I was picking her up after dance.

For some time I’ve wanted to write about “Friday Night Lights.” I’ve been streaming it on Netflix for a while, watched the first four seasons, became a fan. Now I learn that it’s over. ‘Sup with that? I’ve done some research, and I’ll tell you ‘sup with that. You blew it, you guys out there in TV land!

I’ve often wished that the fast food industry would provide more healthy options for its patrons. Some fast food eateries are getting on board with this by offering apples as an alternative to fries and other such attempts, but apples instead of French fries doesn’t sound very appealing to many.

My best friend is getting married. I know it sounds like a title to a new movie, but it’s not. This is happening in the real world. We met our freshman year in college, and over the past six years, she has become the sister I never had. In fact, we are so alike; I sometimes wonder if we were separated at birth.

Everyday there are people who make a difference in everyone’s life, someone who cares not just for the country, but also for all the people in it. All of our military personnel are such people; however, we don’t know all of them in a personal-sort of way. Walter Cronkite was such a person – and what he said affected all of us. We all trusted him.

The meeting is at 4. You’re giving a presentation. It’s not done. But you know what to do: you go online, type a few words into a rectangular box, hit “enter” and – ta da! – find what you need and save your own bacon. Oh, and you also find the annual migratory patterns of Tibetan yaks, a voice-cast list of the Monchhichis, and a funnel cake recipe like Grandma used to make.

Chattanooga police officer Stephen Coleman is keeping two eyes on how fast drivers are traveling down East Brainerd Road. The speed limit is 40, but Coleman is giving drivers 10 miles per hour leeway. Yet when a car exceeds even that limit as it zips under the I-75 overpass, he doesn’t budge.

Fourteen years after the first Harry Potter book was published and seven movies later, the final Harry Potter film premiered at midnight on July 15. Fans of all ages stayed up late to see the conclusion of one of the most popular movie series of all time. The film grossed $43.5 million dollars in midnight showing sales alone, the best showing of all time, according to Hollywood Reporter.com.

Becky Worley, owner of Classic Cabinetry, says Realtors will tell you, once you get past the front door, the kitchen is typically the number one make or break selling room. Often, the master bedroom will have great impact on a buyer as well, she says. These are both rooms that can benefit tremendously from proper use of cabinetry, Worley says.

From stamps, to model cars, to ceramic frogs, there are nearly as many things to collect as there are items in which people are interested. What’s more, the origins of each collection are as personal and unique as the owners. Some collections begin with a childhood present that blossoms into a lifelong pursuit. Other collections start with the purchase of a trinket in a souvenir shop. The one thing all collectors share is a willingness to devote considerable resources to their hobby.

Just as setting a listing price is ultimately your decision, so is whether to accept an offer. These days, it can be difficult to decide if an offer is a good one, because there are so many influential factors. Getting an offer is the first positive step. Now take a deep breath and consider your options.

I guess it seems like I am on a corn kick here lately since my last few articles have been “corn inspired,” but actually, I am just enjoying the fresh vegetables that we are getting a plentiful bounty of right now! One of the reasons I love the fresh vegetables and fruits of the summer is because I feel like no matter what I eat, if it is fresh and is a vegetable or fruit, then I am eating well. (Forget the chocolate chip cookies I make for later on!)