News - Friday, July 8, 2016

If Mac Hibbett had listened to the dissenting voices when he said he was thinking about going into real estate, he might not be a Realtor today. But as an entrepreneur, he knows a thing or two about feasibility analysis, and he believed real estate was the right choice for him - even in 2010, when the downturn was in full swing.

In 1985, the United States Supreme Court ruling in Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts opened the door for state courts to entertain multi-state and nationwide class actions that had traditionally been filed in federal forums. The following decade witnessed a significant increase in the number of multi-state class actions being adjudicated in the state courts. The American Bar Association (ABA)’s release of the “The Law of Class Action: Fifty-State Survey 2015-2016” offers an examination of class action law in each of the 50 states.

Brittany Thomas Faith of the law firm of Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison has been elected by her peers as secretary of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Mid-South Chapter and as a member of the Association’s executive committee.

BTI Consulting Group included Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel in its nationally scoped BTI Power Rankings 2016: The Law Firms with the Best Client Relationships, released in June. The Chattanooga-based law firm is listed as a Clientopia Standout, and is one of only 16 other law firms with Clientopia relationships in the consumer goods industry.

Pendleton Square Trust and Family Office has hired Hugh Brown as principal trust officer, the company announced last week. Brown joins Pendleton Square following a 20-year career in corporate and commercial banking.

Listing agent Mac Hibbett of Crye-Leike has begun pre-sales of Market Street Lofts, a downtown Chattanooga condominium project. Located in the Southern Railway Building, a nearly century-old red brick structure, Market Street Lofts is a purely residential development.

As I speak with investors who own rental property, they tell me they’re receiving rental applications even before prospective tenants see their properties. Kent Property Management reports that, in some cases, properties have an executed lease prior to the current tenant vacating the property. Local media recently reported that Chattanooga’s rental rates have risen by 21 percent since 1980. What’s fueling that growth?

Heat isn’t the only weather issue we’re having in the Chattanooga area. As summer sets in, the likelihood for severe weather increases, too. Heavy rains, flash flooding, and even tornados all threaten to wreak havoc on homes in our community during the warmer months. Taking the time to prepare your home now will help ensure that you are ready when the forecast calls for severe weather.

There are two kinds of people: those who like orange juice with pulp, and those who prefer it without pulp. I must be a pulp kind of guy, because I enjoy the bits and pieces of orange. I feel the same way about Tarzan movies. If I’m going to watch a film about a man raised by apes, I want the pulp – Tarzan wrestling tigers, saving Jane from a shameful villain, and filling the jungle with his trademark ululating bellow.

Mayor Andy Berke, on behalf of the City of Chattanooga, receives a Navy Employer Support Certificate of Appreciation from Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin Braun during a ceremony in Norfolk, Va., June 24.

The Navy Reserve presents the certificate to selected civilian employers of Navy Reserve sailors.

When you retire, will your cost of living decline? Some of your expenses may indeed drop, but others won’t. Plus, you may have some new ones to consider. 

So, all in all, it’s a good idea to think about ways to boost your retirement savings now, before you’re retired. And once you do retire, you’ll need to be adept at managing your income. 

EVENTS

Virginia College BBQ

competition

Virginia College will host a BBQ competition on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the competition will be held at the Virginia College campus, located at 721 Eastgate Loop. The event will be open to the public, and will feature live music and activities for children and families. ACF will be providing food for sale at the event. The proceeds will benefit the Zion Project, an organization that works to stop human trafficking in the Chattanooga area. Representatives from the Zion Project will be at the event to share information about the organization.

Saturday, July 9, 1966

The Family Service Agency staff took the first step Friday night toward establishing the “Leah James Foundation,” which is named to honor their retiring executive director and organized to make scholarships available to graduate students in social work. The staff has presented their $300 check as their first donation.

Saturday, July 8, 1916

Miss Maude Bowser leaves today for Jacksonville, Fla., to visit her sister, Miss Earl Cook. Miss Frank Luther, who has been the guest of Miss Bowser, has returned to her home in Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Judson Buchanan have returned from a stay at Rhea Springs.

On a Saturday in February, 1962, Owen gets ticked when he sees that Gravesend Academy school psychiatrist, Dr. Dolder, has again left his VW Beetle in the circular driveway by the Main Academy Building. The Zurich-born shrink is known for driving the easily walkable distance from his home to that of the headmaster. Where he’d have a few drinks, then walk home, to prove how responsible he was.

Everyone has problems. There’s so much that can get in the way of what’s real in our life that it’s extremely difficult to stay focused.

Since I cook a lot, I prepare one particular food I can directly relate to life and its problems: boiled potatoes.