Around Town

Thursday, January 26, 2012

(To add your event to Around Town, email us the information at news@chattanoogan.com)

Feb. 4
Pistons and Fendors, a motorsports celebration benefiting the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Food, open bar, entertainment, silent and live auction, unveiling of Ducati 1199 Panigale and more. Corker Tire Museum. 6 p.m. www.hatcherfoundation.org/pandora

Feb. 7

Hunter Lecture Series presents Robert Pinsky, three time U.S. Poet Laureate. The Lecture, "The Value of Arts and Humanities in Education and Society," will be at UTC's Roland Hayes Auditorium at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. www.benwood.org 

Feb. 10

USA Dance ballroom dance at Allemande Hall, 7400 Standifer Gap Road, 7:30-11:00 p.m. Tango with Denny Lennon: 7:30-8:30. Dance party includes showcases provided by Denny Lennon: 8:30-11:00. All ages and dance levels welcome. No experience or partner necessary. Admission: $6 members, $10 non-members, $5 under 21, first-time guests $5. For more info: 423 499-5738 or www.chattanoogadanceinc.org

Feb. 10 

The Share America Foundation will host Award-winning Gospel Hall of Fame member Archie Watkins, formerly of the Inspirations, on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 in Ringgold. Pianist Ryan Stinson will also perform. Randall Franks from TV's "In the Heat of the Night” will emcee. The event is a fundraiser for the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund helping musicians achieve higher education. Donations for tickets are adults: $5, Children 5 and under free with adult. Tickets may be purchased locally in advance during business hours at SonShine Christian Books 706 861-7675 in Fort Oglethorpe. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/shareamerica or www.shareamericafoundation.org.

Feb. 11
Chattanooga Room in the Inn has Mardi Gras Magic fundraiser party. At the Car Barn. 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $60 and couples are $100. www.chattanoogaroomintheinn.com.

Feb. 18

The local AIA chapter's annual CANstruction event starts early with six middle-school teams and their mentors building structures at Warehouse Row. At 7 p.m., grown-up fun commences with the CANstruction Ball, with a Mardi Gras groove this year. There will be drinks, food by Events with Taste, music by DJ Issac, and viewing of the inventive structures. Cost: $41.50 in advance, $45 at door. All ticket proceeds and all food in structures go to Chattanooga Area Food Bank. www.aiachatt.org/calendar

Feb. 22
Chris Waddell will be the guest speaker at the 9th Annual “Possibilities: Siskin Hospital Celebrates Life Beyond Disability” Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Individual tickets to the event are $75. 634-1208, showell@siskinrehab.org, www.SiskinRehab.org.

Feb. 24-26
Houston Museum Antiques Show & Sale, Chattanooga Choo-Choo Centennial Hall, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Preview brunch with early buying privileges Friday, 8:30-10 a.m. More than 30 well-known antiques dealers who display and sell antique furniture, glass, ceramics, paintings, prints, linen and jewelry. $15 for show; $30 for brunch, which also includes show. All proceeds benefit the Houston Museum for Decorative Arts. 267-7176.



April 21
Girls Just Want to Have Fun 10 Hour Scrapbook Crop. Sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 40109. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. White Oak UMC, 2232 Lyndon Ave. $50 per person. Includes breakfast (muffins and coffee/tea), lunch (soup and side), dinner, raffle/door prizes. Classes will be available. Vendors will be on-site and make and take: Stampin’ Up, Creative Memories, Close to My Heart, Pampered Chef, Avon, Tastefully Simple, Premier Jewelry. Bring own snacks or shop from bake and beverage sale. Accepting silent auction donations. Register By March 1. thatmommy@yahoo.com, 290-3153.

May 19
Interfaith Homeless Network 2nd Annual 5K to End Homelessness and 1 mile Fun Walk. At the Tennessee Riverwalk, Shelter #3. www.chattanogatrackclub.org. Awards will once again be the birdhouses. Contact Race Director Jane Webb at janewebb08@yahoo.com.


World Refugee Day Open House Is Thursday

A World Refugee Day open house will be held Thursday from 12-4 p.m. at Bridge Refugee Services, 4791 A Hal Dr.  World Refugee Day, observed June 20 each year, was established by the United Nations to honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. The community ... (click for more)

Forum On Child Support Program Set For June 27

Rep. JoAnne Favors has scheduled the second in a series of community meetings regarding issues related to the Child Support Program.  This meeting will be held on Thursday, June 27, from 1-8 p.m. at the Kingdom Center, 730 East M.L. King Blvd. Assistant Commissioner David Sanchez, for the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Child Support Program and additional program ... (click for more)

Claude Ramsey To Retire As Deputy To The Governor

Governor Bill Haslam on Wednesday announced that Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will retire at the end of August to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren in Chattanooga. He said the former Hamilton County assessor and then county mayor "has been integral to me on several key initiatives, including civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce ... (click for more)

Westfield Gives Emotional Testimony About Fatal Shooting Of Friend Bernard Hughes

An emotional Timothy Westfield on Wednesday told a Criminal Court jury how he was shot and how his friend Bernard Hughes was murdered almost three years ago at the British Woods Apartments. The witness identified Harold Francis "Bam" Butler, III, 33, and John "Cut Throat" Simpson as the gunmen. Simpson pleaded guilty earlier to second-degree murder and is expected to be a ... (click for more)

Our Criminal Justice System Is Broken

Today’s news that after a man was shot while coming to the aid of a friend, four were arrested (including two 13-year-olds) for robbery and attempted murder, followed by additional news that one of those arrested had previously pled guilty to aggravated burglary and was given a three-year suspended sentence, is further indication that our system of criminal justice is absolutely ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Colonel: ‘Tell My Sons’

In the Broadway play, “The Civil War,” there is an emotional song called “Tell My Father,” the words that a dying Union soldier on a distant battlefield asked to be delivered when the other troops got back home. The reason Lt. Col. Mark Weber sang that very song with his oldest son Matt was because the highly-decorated officer was fighting Stage IV intestinal cancer at the ... (click for more)