Fabulous, Sometimes Infuriating, But Never Boring

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It’s been a memorable decade in a very memorable place

The second day after I moved to Chattanooga in 2006, I was walking across the Walnut Street Bridge with the Chattanooga Cares “Strides of March.” My dear friend Dr. Rick Pimental-Habib had signed us up for the event. As we walked, I came alongside a friendly couple, and in the course of conversation, the gentleman asked, “Are you a Democrat?”

“Since age 18,” I said. “Would you like to work on an election campaign?” Terry Stulce inquired. “You bet,” I said—and launched myself into a decade of involvement in multiple causes, passions and jobs that has been one of the most satisfying of my life.

So now, as I prepare to leave Chattanooga to return to California, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to some of the people and organizations that have made my time here so worthwhile.

Terry and Kate Stulce, Paul Smith, Stephen Harper and Martha Emery, Rev. Kenneth Love and selected other HamDems. It’s been real, hasn’t it? But we continue to care and fight on.

The infamous Recycling Task Force, which, while a fiasco in many ways, introduced me to Betsy Bramlett (miss you), Sandy Kurtz, Dave Porfiri and other wonderful people.

Terri Rieth, Arthur Stovall and my good friends at the Chattanooga Zen Group. My practice has deepened immensely through the opportunity to sit with and learn from you. Gassho.

Leadership Chattanooga and the friends (Kathie Fulgham, you know who you are) I made there… Take Root forever!

Chattanooga State, the administration and staff of the Humanities/Fine Arts Department for the chance to teach, which I’ve loved. 

My clients (and friends) from OpenLines Communication. I’ve so enjoyed working with you and hope you flourish for many years to come. A special shout out to Gary Watkins and the IBEW 175, also Jenni Berz, who’s a super business partner.

Stephanie Smith, Steve Disbrow, and all the folks who have made Shakespeare Chattanooga projects possible. There are good things to come in 2016—the Bard in the Back Yard!

Richard Winham and everyone at WUTC. What a great station you are. Thanks for all the support for projects.

Bob Stagner, Ernie Paik, the late Dennis Palmer and the Shaking Ray Levi Society…you guys rock in so many ways, not least in how I always felt right at home with you and your amazing projects. Long may you reign! (I will never forget how Dennis used to tease Ernie at meetings by making up things Ernie supposedly had said or was going to say…none of them within the Ernie Universe but totally within Dennis’s. Miss you, good friend.)

All my neighbors and fellow members of the 21st Century Neighborhood Association. I adore my house and my neighborhood and I’ll always remember your kindness and generous welcome.

The volunteers at the fledgling League of Women Voters chapter. You are doing really good work. Hang in there!

Zach Cooper and Michael Kull for hiring me first as a freelancer, then as The Pulse’s contributing editor. Guys, that Rossville Avenue office sucked—but the work we did didn’t. Gary Poole and all my friends at Brewer Media Group for the years after The Pulse changed owners—you’ve meant an important community voice continues.

And last, but absolutely not least, Dr. Rick, who has been the most loyal and loving friend imaginable. Our friendship has survived many moves and locations, as it will for a lifetime.

Thank you, Chattanooga and Chattanoogans. If you get out to the Golden State, look me up. You’ll always have a place in my heart.