Cornerstone Bank CEO: more growth ahead for Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Cornerstone Community Bank has a leader, Frank Hughes, who runs a rather tight ship. Yet he leads with compassion and a sense of humor, too. As president and CEO, Hughes rules the bank and its five branches with the solid business sense he has gained over more than 30 years in the financial services industry. He served as a senior investment officer with SunTrust — formerly American National Bank & Trust — from 1983 to 1991, and then as vice president and investment officer with Pioneer Bancshares from 1994 to 1998, where he managed the bank’s investment ...
Chesapeake’s impresses with seafood, desserts
[caption id="attachment_1361" align="alignleft" width="300"] Name: Chesapeake’sAddress: 500 Henley St.Knoxville, TN. 37902Phone: (865)673-3433FAX: (865)673-3435E-mail: info@chesapeakes.comEst. 1982Owner: Michael ChaseOffers: Fresh seafood, grilled chicken, filet mignon, specialty items. Lunch, dinner and brunch menus as well as gluten free items. Private banquet and private dining rooms available. Extensive beer and wine offerings.Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11a.m.- 2:30 p.m., 4:30-10:00 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Saturday 4:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.RATING: CCCCC[/caption] By Christina Girgis ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Knoxville’s choice of seafood eateries are few and far between. It is often difficult for seafood ...
Dead End BBQ a favorite for Knoxvillians
By Christina Girgis ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Knoxville, Tenn. — Sandwiched alongside a stretch of gas stations and ethnic food markets, Dead End BBQ is quickly earning a spot in the hearts of local diners. Founded by co-owners George Ewart and Robert Nutt, the restaurant opened its doors in early October 2009. The duo sought to bring the atmosphere of a small, hometown barbecue to Knoxville, after years of competing in both local and state competitions. According to the assistant manager, Garrett Beeson, in 2003, the Dead End Society barbecue team, consisting of several key members including Greg Midas, Ewart and Nutt, ...
Lake Winnepesaukah to open water park in 2013
ROSSVILLE, Ga. — As Lake Winnie begins its 88th year, amusement park officials have announced that its five-acre expansion will be used for a new water park. Construction will begin in January 2013, and the park should be ready by summer. To promote the new attraction, Lake Winnie is offering a “Passport to Fun” for $88.88 through Dec. 31, 2012, discounted from the regular price of $109.95. The pass is valid for eight visits to the park during 2013, with unlimited rides and use of the watermark. The Passport to Fun can be used as holiday gifts for friends ...
Zoo offers half-price tickets during Penguin Discount Days
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Zoo is offering half-price admission to the zoo until Feb. 28, 2013, making this one of the areas “best buys” for the holiday season. East Tennessee offers a plethora of exciting venues for the holiday season, and Zoo management is doing all it can to make visits to the Knoxville Zoo affordable for families with its Penguin Discount Days. Employers can also purchase the discounted tickets as well as gift certificates. “Black tie isn’t required just put on a warm jacket, a pair of mittens and come see why winter is a great time to visit ...
Old Dominion Freight Line helps the world keep promises
[caption id="attachment_1044" align="alignnone" width="578"] David Congdon, president of Old Dominon Freight Line, left, speaks with U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, MD, regarding a book about the history of Old Dominion.[/caption] WHITE PINE, Tenn. — Old Dominion Freight Lines’ facility near Morristown, Tenn., is “as busy as the Atlanta Airport,” says one of the company’s employees. And things just got even more exciting with a recently completed expansion to the state-of-the-art facility. Old Dominion (OD) spent one year and over $1 million on it’s recent expansion, which was completed in last month and then celebrated Oct. 21 at an event attended by local dignitaries, ...
First Volunteer Bank completes merger with Gateway
Chattanooga, Tenn. — First Volunteer Bank and Gateway Bank & Trust finalized their merger according to bank officials. First Volunteer Corporation, parent company for First Volunteer Bank, acquired Gateway Bank & Trust in April, 2012. The merger combines two strong,community-centered banks into one, totaling $880 million in assets with 280 employees and 24 banking offices. “Today marks the start of an exciting new era for First Volunteer Bank,” said Patti W. Steele, president and chief executive officer for First Volunteer. “We are excited to be a part of the growing northwest Georgia market. Our customers in Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe and LaFayette will ...
Gerdau donation benefits Knox Area Rescue Ministries
Employee food drive nets nearly two tons of “much needed” food for area hungry [caption id="attachment_944" align="alignnone" width="585"] Knox Area Rescue Ministries President Burt Rosen and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Tracy Hicks accept a donation of 3,846 pounds of food products from Gerdau Knoxville shop superintendent Matt Wahl and ZBAR production supervisor Roger Hipsher. The donation is the result of a month-long employee food drive held at Gerdau Knoxville Downstream Knoxville Reinforcing Steel and Gerdau ZBAR Division.[/caption] KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Gerdau Knoxville Downstream Reinforcing Steel and Gerdau ZBAR Division jointly held an employee food drive resulting in a donation of 3,846 ...
Capitol Hill
Budget week in Washington, D.C.
March 31, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Even in Washington, miracles can happen. For the first time since 2009, the Democrat-led Senate Budget Committee actually met to discuss their budget proposal, and it is scheduled to be debated. But not all talk is cheap. We need leadership The Senate budget would increase spending by $265 billion and increase taxes by $923 billion — and their budget never balances. When looking at this proposal, it’s clear that we’ve yet to see leadership from the Democrats in the Senate or President Obama. Last year, the president’s budget didn’t receive one single vote of support in the House or... [Read the full story]
Legal Briefs
USCIS revises Form 1-9
March 31, 2013 · Leave a Comment
On Friday, March 8, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use by employers. All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States. According to USCIS, improvements to the new Form I-9 include new fields, reformatting to reduce errors and clearer instructions for both employees and employers. Effective March 8, 2013, employers should begin using the newly revised Form I-9 (Rev. 03/08/13) for all new hires and reverifications. However, employers may continue to use... [Read the full story]
Your Financial Planning
Planned giving provides all-around benefits
September 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment
There’s certainly something to be said for spontaneous and random acts of generosity. But when it comes to making charitable donations, it may be wise to give some thought to the matter to try and get the most out of every dollar. Planned giving, usually arranged with the benefit of financial and legal experts, refers to strategies that can help you maximize your giving in a way that can be financially beneficial to everyone involved — including you, the donor. A little planning can make charitable donations go a long way When you think through and compare various options for charitable contributions,... [Read the full story]
Opinion / Editorials
Let’s privatize health care for true reform
March 31, 2013 · Leave a Comment
By the time you read this, spring break will be over along with the traditional Easter egg hunts. In case you missed it while sunning yourself in Florida or skiing in Aspen, the big news back here in Tennessee came from Gov. Bill Haslam who said “no” to expanding TennCare under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Instead, he announced March 27, he will work to leverage available federal dollars to purchase private health insurance for Tennesseans who would not otherwise have access to coverage. Pointing to the State of Tennessee’s success in reforming education, and his administration’s... [Read the full story]
USCIS revises Form 1-9
On Friday, March 8, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use by employers. All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States. According to USCIS, improvements to the new Form I-9 include new fields, reformatting... Read more of this article
Talking About Tennessee
A colossal failure of presidential leadership
You’ve heard a lot about the automatic spending cuts as a result of the sequester,...
More Posts From Talking About Tennessee
Your Financial Planning
Planned giving provides all-around benefits
There’s certainly something to be said for spontaneous and random acts of generosity....
More Posts From Your Financial Planning





