News - Friday, November 9, 2018

In 2010, a young African-American professional named Karlene Claridy was participating in a board meeting at a Chattanooga nonprofit when a startling realization hit her like a tossed brick: Of 30 board members in the room, she was the only person of color.

Clients and peers awarded 26 Chattanooga area law firms 87 Tier 1 rankings for the 2019 edition of Best Law Firms.

Best Law Firms recognizes each firm for its professional excellence. “Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise,” reads a press release from Best Lawyers.

Three years before Carey Norwood was born, her father walked through the woods of Flat Top Mountain, climbed a tree and picked the view his daughter would grow up seeing.

Positioned at the end of a dead-end road, the home B.A. Skiles built was surrounded by undisturbed land and tall trees. Tiny creeks snaked through the family’s vast acreage, feeding the land and giving frogs a place to lay eggs. Norwood laughs at the memory of gathering the eggs with her cousins and trying, unsuccessfully, to hatch them.

While challenges face many of America’s commercial real estate markets, Realtors specializing in the sector should have confidence for growth to remain steady in the coming year. That’s according to the sentiments of two economists who spoke at a commercial economic issues and trends forum this month at the 2018 Realtors Conference & Expo in Boston.

You might think it’s inevitable – the colder weather in the Chattanooga area means your home’s energy bills will rise. Whether you’re turning up the heat or turning on the holiday lights, energy usage tends to increase during these cooler months.

I went into “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a film about the rock band Queen that focuses on singer Freddie Mercury, with low expectations. You might say that’s not fair, but my pessimism was not without merit.

The production of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was disastrous due to the movie’s original director, Bryan Singer, being a frequent no-show on the set. When he was there, he was said to have steered the ship with an unsteady hand.

Last year set records for charitable giving, with donors across the United States contributing some $400 billion to nonprofit organizations.

But changes in the federal income tax code, which take effect for the 2018 tax year, might mean itemizing deductions – including charitable deductions – no longer makes sense.

Chattanooga State Community College sophomore Jessica Klovensky is the grand prize winner of the 2018 Staples for Students scholarship sweepstakes.

She will receive a $50,000 scholarship to be applied toward completing an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.

If you spend a lot of time on the internet, you’re not just shopping, being entertained, following the news or participating in an online community. You’re probably also dealing with accounts and information that eventually can become part of your digital “estate.”

The Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association has honored Rob Gagliano, director of BASF’s Chattanooga sites, with the 2018 C.D. Mitchell Award. The CRMA presents the award to a member who exemplifies practices resulting in manufacturing excellence.

The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club has opened ticket deposits for its inaugural 2019 season of professional play in USL League One.

Deposits ensure soccer fans get to pick their preferred seats early for group, season and individual tickets. By placing a deposit, spectators will also have access to priority seating for the new soccer-specific stadium being built for the 2020 season.

The American Water Charitable Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association have selected the City of Chattanooga as a Building Better Communities grant recipient.

With this grant, the city will install a new natural play space and outdoor classroom in East Lake Park. These features will occur in conjunction with the restoration of the East Lake Park spring-fed pond.

Eaves Formal Wear is up for sale following a tragic event in April that led to its shuttering.

Eaves closed its doors following the shooting death of 47-year-old Charles Forte by his father, 66-year-old Billy Forte, the owner of the business. Billy Forte has admitted to shooting his son.

The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness has expanded its Healthier Tennessee Neighborhoods initiative with the launch of the program in Chattanooga.

Six neighborhoods have been chosen as pilot communities that are now working toward the “Healthier Tennessee Neighborhood” designation.

The Tennessee Hospital Association has bestowed Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System, with the Diversity Champion Award.

Prior to joining Parkridge Health, Ozburn served as CEO of TriStar Southern Hills, which is located in one of Nashville’s most diverse immigrant and refugee communities. Recognizing the community needs, Ozburn launched a campaign to make the hospital more accessible by posting Spanish-language signage.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has awarded the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office a 2018-2019 RIDD grant for $85,000.

The RIID (Remove Impaired-Intoxicated Drivers) grant gives the HCSO additional federal funds to remove impaired and intoxicated drivers from state roads.

Kelly Richardson, M.D., has joined the staff of cardiologists at the Chattanooga Heart Institute at CHI Memorial.

Richardson received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She completed her residency and internship in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and completed fellowships in cardiovascular medicine, electrophysiology and biodesign innovation at Stanford Medical Center.

White House volunteer decorator Brandon Carruth will host decorating clinics on two Saturdays – Nov. 10 and 17 – at The Great Christmas Shop in Chattanooga. The clinics will focus on how to decorate a tree, mantle and wreath. The events are free but require registration. 6240 Perimeter Drive. Information: 423 892-3128.