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Articles by David Cook
Election Questionnaire: David Cook-Loudon County Commission District 2, Seat B Original
Name: David Cook Age: 61 Political party: Republican Occupation: Business Owner Office sought (District and seat, if applicable): Loudon County Commission District 2, Seat B First, talk a little about your background, whether that be within local government or in your professional career, and how it informs your ability to be a leader in your community. I am a fourth generation Lenoir City/Loudon County resident and have spent my entire life living in the 2nd District.
Lessons learned: Advice to young lawyers, Part II
This is Part II of a two-part Commentary by David Cook VII. “Don’t be a jerk” Find a mentor that will do more teach you how to navigate the firm or legal technique. Most firms these days assign mentors to young lawyers. If necessary, find an informal unassigned mentor. David Cook Shortly after being admitted to the Bar. I was assigned a case representing Kodak in a claim that they had wrongfully discharged an employee.
The Real Reason You Can’t Quit Porn
“That’s it,” he said. “I’m done with porn.” We’d sat in the same two chairs in my church office and had this same conversation many times—so many times that I had my doubts. Why does repentance often fall flat? One moment, a man can’t see why he’d ever commit a particular sin again. A few moments later, he’s committing it.
Immigrants deserve empathy, not prejudice
After reading Emma Pitts' excellent article on due process and deportation and reading some of the 450+ comments, I feel compelled to share some of my experiences. I am a lawyer and served as a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Latin America. I share just a few of the many real situations that several former missionaries and others have encountered. A 31-year-old man who works in salesfollowed all of the requirements of the law and entered the country legally.
Know Your Burger
A version of this story originally appeared in Food as a Verb, an independent media company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, co-founded by author David Cook and photographer Sarah Unger. Food as a Verb is devoted to spotlighting the people and places within the South’s food landscapes. To eat in modern America is to participate in not-knowing.
Oxford American | A Local Loaf
Photo by Food as a Verb, Sarah Unger A few years ago, Erik and Lauren Zilen began counting hands. The husband-and-wife owners of Niedlov’s Bakery and Café in Chattanooga, Tennessee, were trying to put a number on everyone involved in making one loaf of Niedlov’s bread. “How many sets of hands did it take?” Erik wondered. In 2016, Erik and Lauren bought Niedlov’s.
Resources Of The Month: Good Morning, God: Wake-up Devotions To Start Your Day God's Way And On Charity: 5 Sermons From Northampton On 1st Corinthians 13 (audio) - ChurchTechToday.com | Resources For Today's Church
Beginning your day with God can really make the day rich and meaningful, not to mention successful in ways you never dreamed possible. The time you sow in the morning is a precious seed that brings forth a beautiful day filled with strength, joy, and a love made sweeter because it begins with the One who loves you best.
The Chattanooga Future Fund makes historic investment in the workforce
Beginning this year, every kindergartner and middle school child in Hamilton County will receive a historic, groundbreaking investment. Just how big? Big enough to shape generations. Welcome to The Chattanooga Future Fund, a new pilot initiative that deposits $100 into a new savings account for Hamilton County School students to use for future college or career training.
Chattanooga Chamber outlines 2025 public policy agenda
Just before Thanksgiving, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce approved its 2025 public policy agenda. The timing is perfect. A new legislative season will soon begin in Nashville and the Chamber's newly adopted agenda will guide a significant part of our work in the coming months.
Chattanooga Chamber’s 2024 gift guide keeps it local
With the holidays just around the corner, it's becoming the most wonderful time of the year. Thankfully, it's possible to make this season even more wonderful. When we shop from locally owned, small businesses, we give two gifts rolled into one: A gift to our loved ones. And a gift to our local economy. The Chattanooga Chamber proudly offers gift ideas from four Chattanooga-owned small businesses and start-ups.
Chattanooga Chamber names Berger its Ambassador of the Year
Each year, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce relies on a valuable group of volunteers who devote hours, time and energy to bridging the gap between business and community. We call them Ambassadors. For over 30 years, our Ambassadors have played vital roles as the Chamber's welcoming arm: building close relationships, applauding at ribbon cuttings, shaking hands with community members.
Opinion: What happened to my country?
In June 2013, my wife and I accepted an assignment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to preside over a mission in South America. We left for a country and a world we knew little about. We came to love the people, and particularly, the more than 500 young men and women to whom we became surrogate parents. Our experience changed our lives forever. We had little time to stay connected to news from the United States. We occasionally caught highlights.
‘A consistent voice for business’: Jay Dale discusses future goals for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
When Jay Dale, Chattanooga Market President of First Horizon Bank, assumes leadership over the Chattanooga Chamber board of directors this summer, he'll do so with a very clear understanding of the past, present and future. Looking behind him, he sees giants of the Chamber and business world. "I'm very honored and humbled. I think about the history of great business leaders and equally great leadership that has served the Chamber board," he says.
Chattanooga Chamber explores Komatsu’s generational impact on Chattanooga
As he graduated college, Gerald Street remembers the advice his father gave him: "Find a good company and stay there," he says. So, when the Rogersville native entered the workforce in the late 1980s, he took a job at a newly opened heavy equipment factory on the just-expanded Signal Mountain Road. Very quickly, Street realized: this is a good company. "The Japanese care for their employees," Street says. And he's been there ever since.
Shaw Industries’ Fleurette Fitch honored at Washington DC gala for her outstanding manufacturing career
On April 18, Fleurette Fitch -- a 21-year employee of Shaw Industries -- was honored at a Washington DC gala for her outstanding manufacturing career. That evening, the Manufacturing Institute recognized Fitch as a Women MAKE Award honoree for her outstanding contributions within manufacturing. Fitch is the Senior Quality Director of Soft Services at Shaw Industries in Dalton, Georgia. In her career, she's worked in nearly every aspect of Shaw manufacturing, from the factory floor to plant manager.
FLUIX pioneers cutting edge data centers to boost energy efficiency in the Scenic City
Advertisement Advertisement FLUIX pioneers cutting edge data centers to boost energy efficiency in the Scenic City Today at 12:00 a.m. Contributed photo / Abhi Sastri, founder and CEO of FLUIX On a recent morning, Abhi Sastri, holding a Mean Mug latte in one hand and his iPhone in the other, makes a bold prediction as he looked across the North Shore landscape. In the next five to 10 years, Chattanooga will be known for an emerging industry.
Making the grade: Chattanooga’s Sanofi Consumer HealthcareNorth America achieves prized B Corp Certification
Advertisement Advertisement Making the grade: Chattanooga’s Sanofi Consumer HealthcareNorth America achieves prized B Corp Certification Today at 12:00 a.m. Photography / Edge archives / Empty bottles travel to the production line as Children's Allegra liquid is manufactured at Sanofi Consumer Healthcare North America's facility on South Broad Street.
Buzzi Unicem USA’s Signal Mountain Cement Plant celebrates 100 years in business
Advertisement Advertisement Buzzi Unicem USA’s Signal Mountain Cement Plant celebrates 100 years in business February 1, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. Contributed photo / Luigi Buzzi cuts a cake celebrating his family's 100-year-old business, Buzzi Unicem USA's Signal Mountain Cement Plant. In the early 1920s, as Chattanooga began to develop into the 20th century, local businessmen set out to solve a pressing problem: they needed a local source of cement. Their new idea soon became a new factory.
A new apprenticeship program serving Chattanooga and Hamilton County is helping local companies build from within
Advertisement Advertisement A new apprenticeship program serving Chattanooga and Hamilton County is helping local companies build from within January 1, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. Contributed photography / Apprenticeship Works, a coalition of businesses, local government, schools, nonprofits, foundations and other partners, recently debuted to expand and strengthen the apprenticeship ecosystem in Hamilton County and Chattanooga.
Sumter County wrestlers pick up victories over Crisp County and Hardaway - Americus Times-Recorder
Published 3:50 pm Thursday, December 14, 2023 By David Cook AMERICUS – The Sumter County wrestling team (SCHS) picked up two victories at Wednesdays home match against Crisp County and Hardaway High School. The panther wrestlers won nine of the 14 bouts against Crisp County, leading to a 54-24 victory. The Panthers then faced off against a tough Hardaway team and SCHS came out on top with a 42 – 36 victory.
Slayden’s new mayor bears deep connections, best desires for city
By Chris Gregory | on April 26, 2023 BY DAVID COOK For The Dickson Post A change of leadership took place in Slayden not to long ago as Bobby Ray Gibson, Jr. was appointed to serve as its mayor, and has done so for less than a month. In fact he’s called that city home, having grown up there. Then due to the recent withdrawal of former mayor Mary Smathers, who is moving to Georgia, Gibson was selected to serve.
Habitat for Humanity builds futures one family at a time
By Chris Gregory | on April 25, 2023 BY DAVID COOK For The Cheatham County Exchange Habitat for Humanity had a grand weekend in Cheatham County on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23 at a home being built in Chapmansboro. The first day was dedicated to an endeavored Celebration of Earth Day, and the next witnessed donation-based work honoring the late Donnie Kemp, a long supporter of the county’s Habitat organization.
Spring’s arrival draws people to Dickson parks
By Chris Gregory | on April 19, 2023 BY DAVID COOK For The Dickson Post With the change in seasons, the door has been opened for the enjoyment of our parks. As amid April’s second week comfortable temperatures in the 60s and 70s accompanied those who were out and about at those tranquil locations. In fact, on that week’s first Easter day taking in the solitude of Holland Park was Mona Smith, who sat there quietly reading a book.
Dickson Rotary Club holds annual golf tournament
By Chris Gregory | on April 19, 2023 BY DAVID COOK For The Dickson Post Many were gathered together on Friday, April 14, shouldering their golf bags at GreyStone Golf Club for the Dickson Rotary Club’s annual golf tournament. Among them was Logan Scoggins, who said, this experience was, in fact, his “fifth time” playing in the tournament. He even expressed his gratitude for being there, as well as his own connection to the event, as his grandmother has been a Rotary member for around 30 years.
Getting God's Word into the Hands, Hearts, and Homes of Kids around the World
A 12-year-old boy knocked softly at the open door of a classroom in a Nairobi, Kenya slum. The teacher motioned for the young boy to come in. Her warm smile gave him the confidence to step in and share what was on his heart. “Thank you for giving my brother this small book,” he said softly, holding up a well-worn copy of The Story of Jesus, a colorful booklet that presents the gospel to children in engaging, age-appropriate ways and shows them how to share the gospel with others.
Better Collective shares jump 6% following upgraded 2022 revenue projection
Shares in Better Collective have gained more than 6% in early morning trading after the affiliate giant upgraded its organic revenue growth projection for 2022 to 34%. The firm had previously targeted an annual growth rate between 20% and 30%. Q4 revenue came in at €86.1m, giving a growth rate of 63% year-on-year, of which 44% was organic. In the US, Better Collective reported Q4 revenue of €33.9m, up 71% year-on-year.
Summer Season | Kidnapping the Gods | 02
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MARIO CHRISTODOULOU: I'm about to do something really dumb. Do you mind if I grab the Buddha head as well and bring it out? So, I'm in the dusty garage of a house on the NSW North Coast. Yeah, I'll carry it if you can carry your microphone to the potentially priceless piece of art. I'm going to try and pick up an ancient sandstone statue. Let me take this out first and let's... At the moment it's on the floor, on a black plinth, propping up some firewood. Am I able to lift this up? Take it out.
By Mario Christodoulou Verified, Benjamin Sveen, Dunja Karagic, Ingrid Wagner, Leila Shunnar, Emrys Cronin, David Cook, Alex Mann Verified
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Background Briefing
Former DreamWorks Animation Executive Joins David C Cook as Chief Creative Officer Original
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. , /PRNewswire/ -- David C Cook announced today that former DreamWorks Animation executive Rick Rekedal will join the team as chief creative officer. For more than 145 years, David C Cook has provided resources to help bring God's word to people everywhere. Rekedal brings expertise that will enable David C Cook to harness the power of story to reach a new generation with life-changing messages of hope and inspiration.
Summer Season | Kidnapping the Gods | 01
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ALEX MANN: Hey, Alex Mann here with Background Briefing. This episode -- we're going to be doing something slightly different. We're kicking off a big two-part investigation that we're calling Kidnapping the Gods. For around five months now one of our reporters has been looking into how precious artefacts from Cambodia and Thailand made their way into prominent collections here in Australia, and around the world.
By Mario Christodoulou Verified, Cathy Beale, Dunja Karagic, Ingrid Wagner, Leila Shunnar, Emrys Cronin, David Cook, Alex Mann Verified
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Background Briefing
David C Cook Expands Marketing Team for Ministry Impact Original
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. , /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 145 years, David C Cook has been 100% committed to one single goal: providing resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. During the past year, the ministry has been rapidly remaking its internal marketing team. "We are on a mission for growth, expanding our reach for ministry across all areas. This new marketing organization positions David C Cook to increase its global impact.
How to Deal With the Dreaded Climber’s Hunchback
This article originally appeared on Climbing Boost your resilience and climb smarter with this training program geared for injury-free climbing by "The Climbing Doctor," Dr. Jared Vagy. Dr. Vagy will take you through world-class warmups, workouts, and techniques to strengthen your entire body. Enroll today. Overhead arm mobility is hugely important to a climber’s wingspan, their comfort while climbing, and avoiding injury.
How to Deal With the Dreaded Climber's Hunchback
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today. Boost your resilience and climb smarter with this training program geared for injury-free climbing by “The Climbing Doctor,” Dr. Jared Vagy. Dr. Vagy will take you through world-class warmups, workouts, and techniques to strengthen your entire body. Enroll today.
State of Plate: 5
Big AG, corporate systems dominated by global goliaths, generally prioritize profit over all else. But there’s a better way forward for our culinary ecosystem. Good ingredients make good food. In State of Plate’s final episode, Matthew talks with Colorado-area food producers and purveyors about the importance of sustainable agriculture systems and supporting local growers and ranchers.
How Deep is Their Learning?
Deeper learning. It is a current flashpoint in education. The term is misused and misunderstood, and often results in a focus on the learning experience itself rather than the learning. This is particularly interesting to me recently as I’ve been looking at learning in the context of how we use the word. Like many other words in the English language, “learning” has two meanings. First, as a noun referring to the activity or experience by which learning takes place.
How Deep is Their Learning? Original
By: David Cook “Deeper learning is the outcome that arises from the input of rich, meaningful learning experiences. In other words, the deeper learning occurs as a result of the rich, meaningful experiences.” – Carmen Coleman, Ed.D., Chief of Transformational Learning and Leading, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative Deeper learning. It is a current flashpoint in education. The term is misused and misunderstood. And often results in a focus on the learning experience itself rather than the learning.
A new, exclusive, money-saving program for our Partners
By DAVID A. COOK President Some of you may recall a few years ago we rolled out a local discount program. UFCW Local 655 contacted dozens of local businesses and secured various discounts for all our partners. We found ways to you money on everything from movie tickets to automobile purchases. That program has dried up, and while many businesses still offer some kind of discount to union members, we haven’t seen the kind of robust and significant savings as we once did. Until now.
Thor: Love and Thunder (Waititi, 2022)
By David Cook in Disclosure Disclosure--AS Thor: Love and Thunder tackles the themes of love and faith, but I’m not 100% confident that the filmmakers at Disney and Marvel understand either of these themes. Otherwise, how could they create a film about gods that discredits faith? This irony does not escape me. Meanwhile, this same film advocates that you “choose love,” but that it is important to “feel sh***y” in order to experience that love. If you’re confused, you’re not alone.
Memorial Day at Fort Logan National Cemetery
Scenes from the Memorial Day event at Fort Logan on May 30, 2022. (David Cook for the Denver Gazette)
VIDEO: Fort Logan Memorial Day Event
Scenes from the Memorial Day event at Fort Logan on May 30, 2022 (David Cook, Special to Denver Gazette)
Memorial Day at Fort Logan National Cemetery
Scenes from the Memorial Day event at Fort Logan on May 30, 2022. (David Cook for the Denver Gazette)
OPINION: Another failed legislative year
By DAVID A. COOK President UFCW Local 655 By the time you’re reading this the Missouri legislative session for 2022 will be complete. This year will go down as one of the least productive years in the legislature’s history, but considering the priorities of some of our elected officials, perhaps that’s a good thing.
Another failed legislative year
By DAVID A. COOK President By the time you’re reading this the Missouri legislative session for 2022 will be nearly complete. This year will go down as one of the least productive years in the legislature’s history, but considering the priorities of some of our elected officials, perhaps that’s a good thing.
David C Cook Equips Churches to Extend Faith Formation Beyond Sundays Original
Newly Released Customizable Digital Curriculum Wonder Ink Connects Church and Home COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. , /PRNewswire/ -- David C Cook is reinventing the way kids and families engage in the Bible, and extending faith formation beyond the church walls through a new customizable digital tool kit, Wonder Ink.
Late Wednesday night the winter weather made its way into the county. Missed by the first round of snow, I was somewhat pessimistic that we would benefit from the impending winter storm. I woke up around 1 in the morning early Thursday, dogs were barking at something that had stirred on the front porch. I stumbled out of bed to calm them down and made my way to the window. I looked outside with anticipation and noticed the sleet had begun to transition to snow.
Peace-shalom-salam and hate in the auto parts store
Not long ago, my good friend goes into the auto parts store, looking for a new catalytic converter, when this guy walks in. White. Twenty-something. Shaky, with an unstable energy that says to the world: danger. He looks here, looks there, then walks straight up to my friend, about 5 or 6 feet away, and says this: “I hate Jews.” But says it loud. Really loud. So everyone can hear. “I HATE JEWS.” And he just stands there, staring, the words hanging in the auto parts air like knives.
Learning from someone else's perspective Original
I sat down for lunch with an old friend last week. It almost seems cliche at this point, but it is one of the few times we have seen one another in person since the pandemic. We spent time updating each other on life events. We shared laughs about the memories we made while working in the same office a few years ago. I first met Glenn in 2014. Over the years, I can recount several conversations that have challenged the way I view the world. In a good way.
At the End of the Sentence By: Brenda Guiton
How would you react if you found out that everything you thought was true about your life turned out to be false. A Grand Facade so to speak. Most individuals would understandably react with a fair degree of anger and resentment. However, others may see this as a golden opportunity. A chance to create a better life for themselves in a way they had never imagined. In her novel, At the End of the Sentence, author Brenda Guiton pens just such a scenario.
Putting people before politics Original
Last week was a week of reflection. The hashtag “#10YearChallenge” dominated social media. The idea was to find a picture from ten years ago and compare it to a more recent one. I chose to sit this one out. Those that jumped into the trend did so with a bit of reflection. Seizing the moment as it was, to share how they have grown and how much they had changed personally.
LETTER: Paris should have better manners
Saturday night, I was at the Paris Farmers Market to hear Beto O’Rourke speak. As a resident of Lamar County, I was saddened and embarrassed by the rude and inappropriate behavior of the Trump-flag carrying attendees. Their actions of yelling, horn honking, booing, and disruptive behavior demonstrated their lack of manners and civility towards a visitor to our community. I learned about good manners at home and in grade school many years ago.
Fifty years a float - Buffalo River prepares for its golden anniversary
Early in the spring and throughout the summer months thousands of people from across the country travel through the Ozarks to float the Buffalo River. Thrill-seekers and nature lovers travel down the 153-mile river trail to take in some of the most beautiful scenes in the state. The river flows through portions of Searcy, Newton, Marion, and Baxter counties and is one of the leading tourist destinations in the state.
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