News - Friday, September 20, 2013

As a litigator, Justin Woodward is no stranger to enemy fire. But his experiences in Afghanistan as a member of the National Guard have given him a rare perspective on his courtroom battles.

The military deployed Woodward in 2012. He had joined the Guard in 1997, was commissioned in field artillery in 2003, and was eager to contribute to the war effort in the Middle East.

Tony Mendez, the real CIA agent from the 2013 Oscar winning movie “Argo” was the speaker at the Mountain Education Foundation annual fundraiser Thursday, September 7 at Signal Mountain Middle High School. Ben Affleck played him in the movie. Mendez and his wife, Jonna, also seated at the table, talked about how he helped save six American diplomats with Hollywood’s help during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979, and about the importance of the arts in public schools. (David Laprad)

The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is “Chattanooga’s Transportation Heritage” from local author David H. Steinberg on behalf of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The book contains more than 200 vintage images.

Nothing in life can’t be made better by changing the way you look at it. While this is a simple truth, it’s easier said than done. Assuming it’s true, why don’t more of us simply change the way we look at life so our lives will be better? 

From L-R: Judge Barry Steelman, Judge Lila Statom, and Judge Gary Starnes at the Mountain Education Foundation annual fundraiser Thursday, September 12 at Signal Mountain Middle High School. (David Laprad)

Kyle J. Wilson has joined Miller & Martin’s litigation department as an associate. Wilson represents and counsels individuals and companies in civil litigation matters.  He graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University School of Law in 2007. While in law school, Wilson was senior symposium editor of the “Tulane Law Review” and received the “Class of 2000 Award” for his contributions to the publication. After law school, he worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Most recently, Wilson served as law clerk to the Honorable Harry S. Mattice, Jr. in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee. (Photo provided)

Baker Donelson this month announced the addition of Melanie Prince to the firm’s Chattanooga office. Prince, an associate in the firm’s advocacy department, assists clients in general business-related matters. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, she served for four years as a judicial clerk with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, first as a clerk for the Honorable Harry S. Mattice Jr., United States District Judge, and most recently as a clerk for the Honorable Susan K. Lee, United States Magistrate Judge. A 2009 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Prince was the student materials editor for the “Tennessee Law Review.” She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association. (Photo provided)

Ever get to a place in your life where you want to say, “Okay, stop the ride... I want to get off of this one and try another one.” I think most of us have been there.

My husband and I are in the middle of changing rides. We’ve both decided we don’t need the big house, the big cars, the big yard, and the full-time, all-consuming jobs – we want to live with abandon.

My smartphone was, of course, in my pocket. Apparently, though, I’d unknowingly pressed the button that activates it. Through my judicial robe and the fabric of my trousers. The lawyer in front of me wound up his remarks. There was a longer-than-normal pause.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Chattanooga is hosting “Icons in Transformation,” a stunning 180-piece traveling art exhibit featuring the contemporary icons of abstract expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska. After touring cathedrals and churches throughout Europe and the U.S, the exhibit will be displayed through November 9 at St. Paul’s Church.

Our Rotary Club is celebrating its centennial, and during this week’s meeting, Ted Jones gave some comparisons between today and 100 years ago. Being over a half-century myself, the early part of the 20^th century is familiar to me, partly from studies, but more so from the stories told to me by grandparents, who I remember clearly because they both lived well into their 90’s, and who were both 12-years old in 1913. Yes, times have changed.

Yesterday evening, I made one of the best meals I’ve ever made before. I’m not meaning to brag; it’s just that it was delicious and I ate way too much. But I’m not the only one who thinks this!

My husband tells me, at just about every meal, that it’s one of the best I’ve ever made. Bless his little heart! I can open up a can of Raviolios, sprinkle some fresh grated parmesan cheese over them, warm up some bread, and he’d tell me over and over that it’s one of the best Raviolio meals he’s ever had!

The Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga and the Greater Chattanooga Remodelers Council brought their annual Home and Remodeling Expo back to the Chattanooga Convention Center this past weekend. People attending the expo drew inspiration from displays and talk with experts about the renovations they want to make. Pictured: Jimmy McGowan of Drain Right Guttering speaks with a pair of expo attendees about a groundbreaking new gutter system using a live demonstration. More photos on page 14. (David Laprad)

Scenario one:  A couple wants to renovate the kitchen of their aging home. Their plan includes the works: new cabinets, floors, countertops, and appliances. They take their wish list to a local home store and find out the cabinets and the flooring alone are going to eat up most of their budget.

Fall is here. Autumn. Harvest moon. Festivals. Halloween. State Fairs. Thanksgiving. Pumpkins. Reds, oranges, yellows – colors everywhere. What a beautiful and fun time of the year!

I get inspired when I’m outdoors this time of year. This week, I have a trivia puzzle about autumn and some of the things that occur during this wonderful season. See how high you can score.

Can we agree in any job, position, or career path we pursue, we’re all in “sales.” Don’t think so? Look around. You’re selling yourself every day to a watching world with first impressions, in an interview, on a date, scheduling appointments, or purposing a multi-million dollar acquisition. We are the vessel that delivers the relationship, brand, product, or service. 

The adage, “Lightning never strikes twice in the same place,” isn’t always true in Hollywood. Many sequels not only rise to the challenge of matching the success of the original but in some cases are revered even more than their predecessors. “The Godfather: Part II” and “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” are examples of truly great sequels. Unfortunately, the same will never be said of the two newly released continuations I review this week: “Insidious Chapter 2” and “Riddick.”