Geni.com
Genealogy has jumped on the social networking bandwagon, but this time it actually makes sense. Instead of friending is it “relativing?” Maybe you can be related to Obama too!

The Chatt Library hits YouTube
I never expected the two people to lead the library into the 21st century would be the matriarchs of Chattanooga arts scene. It would be a great video if produced in-house, but Comcast should have edited the last :45 or so.

NY Times: Google Takes Step on Video Copyrights
Why police the Internet? Google will do it for us.

Now Is Gone–the book and the blog.
Found this a few weeks ago and forgot about it. It also looks like I need to take a trip to B&N.

Why is it when Chattanooga makes the headlines, it’s for something odd? A crematorium hides bodies, a state senator is arrested on the steps of the state capital, a city council member lies about her residency in order to keep her seat, or the city buys goats to solve the rampant kudzu problem.

Now a group of successionists are meeting in Chattanooga.

Sigh. Why does this stuff happen in my hometown?

I’m all for states’ being able to decide things like education policies, abortion and gay marriage, but succession from the Union is a bit much.

Should I insert a quote from Gone With the Wind? The thought of Hillary Clinton as President is scary, but is it worth forming a new country?

More at Volunteer Voters.

Along with the Scenic City, Chattanooga is known as the Gateway to the Deep South, and it’s very true. Old money and politics dominate the scene.

Reading through the list of donors to the 10th district Senate race is like reading through a list of who’s who in Chattanooga. Not only are there Brocks and Berkes, but Davenports and Decosimos, Thorntons, Pattens, Probascos, Siskins, Chabliss and Mills.

The strange thing is, I can put names and faces together here. This could be a donor list from my old stomping grounds at the Creative Discovery Museum.

Why is this race so political? Andy Berke has all the eager liberals and attorneys in town while Oscar Brock has monied Republicans, Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, and the realtors.

I really like the Berkes. They work closely with CDM and are a pretty awesome family. I was excited when I heard that Andy was running. Since I’m registered in District 11, I can’t vote, but was initially supportive. However, since this has become such a politicized race, I can’t bear to think of the Democrats continuing to reign supreme in Nashville.

And here’s where camp Berke is making a crucial mistake. The elite money may have a D after its name, but the voters are overwhelmingly Republican. The more you tout being a Dem, the more you encourage a Republican turnout.

The results of the primary on October 4th will be interesting. $276k is a lot of money.

I’m not sure if I should be more shocked that the state of Tennessee is watching residents who cross the border to buy cigarettes, or the fact that Stacey Campfield is quoted in an article that is posted on Drudge. I’m simultaneously creeped out by my home state and laughing.

I know that Tennessee is always strapped for cash, but isn’t this wasting our resources? What about the fact that we’re the meth capital of the world? What about TennCare crime or the fields of marijuana grown in remote areas? And as Stacey points out, there’s always the small problem of illegal immigrants pouring into our state and spreading tuberculosis.

I’m also fascinated by how they plan to enforce this. Tennessee is bordered by eight states, and Chattanooga is on the border with Georgia. Are they going to position cops outside every gas station and convenience store in the area? When I lived in St. Elmo, I used to drive a mile into Georgia and tank up my car. Was this illegal?

Are we going to see “Smoke it and Ticket” ads now?

Since I met my best friend Beka in the sixth grade, she’s wanted to work in the ministry. Throughout all our years at Berean and beyond, she trained to work in the children’s ministry and has an incredible rapport with kids.

Then she started dating Dana, and it was amazing to see God bring two people together with such similar goals. Long before they became the dynamic duo of Bekna, both of them dreamed of planting a church and serving their community.

After many years of praying and two years of marriage, it looks like their dream is coming true. Dana and Beka hope to open the doors of Embrace Church this upcoming March in Hixson, the community where we grew up.

It’s pretty amazing to see the dreams of two people you dearly love gradually fall into place.

I’m proud of you guys. I can’t wait to visit this spring!

Chattanooga’s very own Dennis Haskins stopped by UTC on a college tour last week.

Unlike Usher and Mr. Snakes on a Plane, he’s not ashamed to admit he’s from the Scenic City.

Since he’ll earn residuals on Saved by the Bell reruns forever, I guess he has the luxury of being a motivational speaker.

The high-speed train between Atlanta and Chattanooga has been a sore spot for several years with Chattanoogans.

Back in the nineties, Mayor Kinsey of Chattanooga made a deal with Atlanta. The city would open up its water supply to Atlanta. In return, they would agree to the high-speed train (Atlanta’s only water source is a rapidly-depleting aquafer). The train would help turn Chattanooga’s airport into ATL’s satellite, and it would boost the city’s economy.

There was one small problem. Chattanooga’s water company was owned privately and didn’t agree with the terms. The next year was a public battle, complete with warring yard signs in every neighborhood. Chattanoogans, knowing the train would help the city’s economy, sided with the water company and fought any attempts to socialize city resources.

Ever since then, rumors occassionally float around that the train deal is back on. Now it appears that there’s some truth behind it. The Georgia Department of Transportation is conducting a study about the potential of a high speed train from Chattanooga to the aiport in Atlanta.

The Scenic City has more economic opportunities cross its path, yet somehow they always fail. It would be great to see some investment in the city other than condos or tourist attractions.

This week I inadvertantly took a vacation.

Since we have summer flex schedules at work, I flew home Friday with the intention of driving my car back to DC on Tuesday. Then Maven Mom was scheduled to have outpatient surgery on Tuesday, so I asked for another day off. Saturday, Baby the Honda broke down (anyone surprised?), and my return was postponed for another day so my car could get repaired. (A big thanks to my boss  for letting me take off a few extra days!)

It’s been a nice break. I’ve also enjoyed not compulsively checking e-mail, Facebook and Netvibes. Being connected all the time drains you, and I don’t even own a BlackBerry!

A year of living in Georgetown has also given me a new appreciation for middle-class suburbia. Wal-Mart is a wonderful resource, and I’m amazed that I can get across town in 30 minutes or less. I shudder to think about the snob who turned her nose down on suburbs and middle America for the hustle and bustle of the District last year. There’s a lot to be said for living in the Bible Belt and having your family and life-long friends nearby. In many ways I miss not living in a place where I have roots and memories.

That being said, I know that God has me in DC for the unforseen future, and I’m thankful for all the doors that He opened this past year. However, the thought of moving back to Tennessee isn’t the provenical horror that it once was.

Tomorrow, I drive back to the District with my batteries recharged with reality and red stateness.

Down to my final 3 weeks of grad school!

Because of that, I’m pretty busy. All of those changes that I talked about in a previous post–postpone that until the end of August.

I’m sure that there’s some awesome, relevant comm/politics news story out there to link to or highlight, but no time.

So between work, Harry Potter and grad school, posting will be light. Yes Internets, Harry Potter is more important than you.

If you’re in Tennessee, I’ll be making an appearance later this week to retrieve my car. Call me if it involves coffee, a movie, Mojo or Amigos.

While chowing down on my Cheerios this morning, Fox News had a quick news story about the kudzu-eating goats in Chattanooga.

Chattanoogans–are they back? The last I heard, there were issues with zoning of agricultural animals within city limits and then a dog or something killed them. The other alternative is that Littlefield’s staff screwed it up somehow, but we know that would never happen.

I’m happy that the goats are back. It’s an organic way to deal with the kudzu problem that the city faces. Plus it adds another layer of eccentricty to the Scenic City. How many cities have kudzu problems or kudzu-eating goats for that matter?

A few weeks ago, I was trying to describe Chattanooga to a friend from Wisconsin. The only example that came to mind was explaining that Chattanooga is a larger version of Stars Hollow. Doesn’t Littlefield have Tyler Doose traits?