Chattanooga, TN

Day Two of Riverbend 2009 brought Train, with Calling All Angels and a favorite song of mine, Drops of Jupiter in her hair. I really want to meet the lady who inspired that song, as well as Virginia.

Train of course is a well known group, but I was not expecting how good they are in concert. A great concert band. They played to the audience, even twice bringing people on stage and letting them sing and dance along. Their show got better as it went, and it started very good.

Drops of Jupiter

Meet Virginia

Calling on angel opens concert

Train Sand Sculpture

Playlist for Train

Willie Nelson was on the road again, this time to the Chattanooga Riverbend Music Festival.

 Since the announcement that Willie Nelson was coming to Riverbend, I have just not been able to wait. Friday's opening act for the main stage did not disappoint. The crowd was ready and so was Willie.

Willie Nelson opens with Whiskey River

On the road again and a Hank Williams medley

Willie Nelson Playlist

The Riverbend Music Festival is a 9 day event with a wide variety of music acts.  Chattanooga has held the festival since 1981, and it seems to get better each year. A first this year the Riverbend Beach, featuring expert sand sculpturing. The crowds are able to watch the artists and to see the progress each day.

 Riverbend Festival is 9 days of live music with continuous acts performing on from 5pm on, on 4 stages. These are in addition to the main stage act, on the Coke Stage, from 9:30 to 11. Every night you are treated to some of the best new acts and some more established acts, all in very intimate settings.

Friday my treat was Infinite Orange. This is a local phenomenon with 3 young men from Soddy Daisy, a neighboring community to Chattanooga. Folks, I had not heard of them before. But I was by myself in not knowing this group.

It is special to see talent at the beginning. Infinite Orange is that.They have a huge following, and they added one old man Friday night.

Visited Art ‘til Dark this afternoon. It is a regular outdoor art showing sponsored by Winder Binder Gallery. Some talented folks. Sculpture, painting, glass blowing, handicrafts. The originality of these artists always amazes me.

Today I met Charles McFarland, a local sculptor. He has worked in steel for over 2 decades, but had only recently turned his skills into creating art. His pieces are both large and small. He works both freelance and by commission. His customers include many corporations in Chattanooga, but also individuals.

Today I also met Gypsy Hundley, a painter from North Carolina. As we talked, I mentioned that last week at the Who-Fest I met another artist whose work used the bright colors and imaginative drawing. Gypsy said, "Yes, my sister, Kim."

Two very talented ladies. With striking use of beautiful colors.

David Smotherman runs Winder Binder Gallery on Frazier Avenue, where the regular Art ‘til Dark shows are held. He also sponsored the Who-Fest last weekend.

Give him a visit and see these great and inspired pieces. The next show is June 6, at the start of Riverbend.

Winder Binder Gallery
40 Frazier Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone: 423.413.8999

The Chattanooga Market had a first last Sunday with its Beast Feast BBQ Cookoff. Some of the best BBQ chefs in the area set up shop. Despite the weather, the crowds came and stood in line to taste the best. We could buy a plate or a ticket to sample all.

The categories and results were:

People’s Choice

v Southern Smokehouse

v Hillbilly Willy’s BBQ & Catering

v Big Ben’s BBQ

Best Chicken

v Hillbilly Willy’s BBQ & Catering

v Moss Place BBQ &Catering

v Lockhart’s Fire & Smoke BBQ

Best Beef

v Hillbilly Willy’s BBQ & Catering

v Southern Smokehouse

v Kenny’s smokehouse BBQ

Best Pork

v Kenny’s Smokehouse BBQ

v Hillybilly Willy’s BBQ & Catering

v Dixie BBQ

Best Beast

v Hoss’s (Almost Famous) BBQ by Terry

v Kenny’s Smokehouse BBQ

v Southern Smokehouse

This Sunday is Big Band Day. As part of the EPB CFL Day Electric Power Board (EPB) will give away 3,000 free CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs) bulbs. You can also return used CFL bulbs. Also come and learn from the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County "to give you the "dirt" on gardening and answer any questions you may have about your plants and gardens at home."

It is great to live in Chattanooga.

The tax credit down payment is back. Well maybe not so much.

HUD announced today the details of the "new" program that have been much anticipated and in the news recently with a lot of false information. I expect that today's announcement will add to the dissemination of false information.

The policy allows certain entities to offer tax credit advances with second liens. This is the approach already taken by THDA for Tennessee purchases. Other states have similar programs.

The purchaser may not receive cash back as a result of the tax credit advance.

The second lien may not exceed the total amount needed by the borrower for down payment, closing costs, or prepaid escrows.

As an alternative to a tax credit second mortgage, approved entities may PURCHASE the anticipated tax credit refund.

More information is available in the reissued Mortgagee Letter 09-15.

News articles are already out on this HUD announcement, but in actuality I cannot find very much in the mortgagee letter that is new. There seems to be more in the headlines than in the details.

Maybe someone else can find more. It looks to me like the last paragraph in the announcement is almost a threat. "FHA will monitor the purchase of tax credit transactions closely." The primary concerns are overcharges for the tax credit advances and use of this program by entities involved in the transaction. This last is a nod to the former seller funded down payment programs that were discontinued this past fall.