Happenings


Carla Pritchard Heading Own Company - Chattanooga Presents

Planning New River Rocks Event In October

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Carla Pritchard, who has headed the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership for the past 10 years, has started her own firm to promote and enliven downtown - Chattanooga Presents.

Ms. Pritchard and Kim White, CEO of the RiverCity Company, said by mutual agreement RiverCity is phasing out its Downtown Partnership section and focusing on economic development and bringing new retail downtown.

RiverCity will continue to sponsor the popular Nightfall summer concert series at Miller Plaza and contract with Chattanooga Presents to operate it.

Mr. Pritchard said her firm will also continue to stage the Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival, which is in its fourth year at Ross's Landing. The festival this year is Oct. 1-2.

Chattanooga Presents will also be producing a new event for Chattanooga called River Rocks, which will be Oct. 1-9. She said it will include a variety of activities and venues related to the outdoors and being environmentally conscious.

Ms. Pritchard said her firm will not be involved in the 4 Bridges Art Festival this year. It is handed by the Association of Visual Arts.

Ms. Pritchard said her staff will include Ann Ball, who was also previously at the Downtown Partnership.

Chattanooga Presents has offices on the second floor at 720 Cherry St. in the Fidelity Trust Building.

It will operate as a private business and not as a non-profit group.

Ms. Pritchard was at the Downtown Partnership a total of 20 years.

Ms. White said RiverCity staff will continue the program of downtown banners as well as the lighting of downtown businesses at Christmas.


Weekly Road Construction Report

I-24 resurfacing beginning west of Chattanooga Creek (LM 6.18 / MM 177) to near Crest Rd. (LM 11.35 / MM 183), including bridge deck repair:  The contractor has completed all contract items. The contractor may need either one lane or two lanes closed (only 10 p.m.-5 a.m.) to address punchlist items.  At least one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times.  THP ... (click for more)

Doonby Opening Feb. 24 At Wynnsong 10

The independent film "Doonby" is set to open on Feb. 24 at the Wynnsong 10. The story surrounds a mysterious drifter who arrives in a small Texas town.  Featuring an all-star cast including John Schneider, who made Bo Duke a TV heartthrob during the early 1980s, will play a modern George Bailey; Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Law and Order) Joe Estevez (Soultaker), Robert ... (click for more)

Judge Hollingsworth Rules Littlefield Recall Effort Invalid, Cancels August Mayoral Election

Circuit Court Judge Jeff Hollingsworth on Friday afternoon ruled that the effort to recall Mayor Ron Littlefield was invalid and he canceled a planned special mayoral election in August to replace him. He said the city had not properly enacted the recall provision in its charter and said, even if it had, the city did not have power to set up a two-step recall provision instead ... (click for more)

12 Attorneys In The Running For Judge Appointment

Twelve attorneys have applied for an interim appointment as judge in General Sessions Court. The deadline was noon today. Attorneys Valerie Epstein and Ron Powers were the latest to enter their names.  David Norton and Mike Acuff applied on Thursday. Others to apply are attorneys Bryan Hoss, Lloyd Stanley, Gary Starnes, Rob Philyaw and Patricia ... (click for more)

In Defense Of Discretionary Spending

Dear Roy,   I am flattered that you and I think a lot alike and that we both use the same 'Rule Book.'  I also agree with you that it is healthy to offer differing opinions.  However, I disagree with you on the issue of discretionary spending.   I did not see you at the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club meeting on Monday.  Sorry that I did not see you ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: Stop The Emissions Hoax

Eva Milligan, just one of very many across the state who are fed up with Tennessee’s ridiculous auto emissions effort, wrote a letter to Chattanoogan.com last week that painfully told how she had spent over $1,000 to get her 1997 Ford Ranger through the scam and how she was still unsuccessful. She also pointed out such testing is fruitless – except to government coffers – and ... (click for more)