CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT WEEK (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, May 24, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic:   “Adobe Acrobat to Set Up Knowledge Base Networks for Manufacturing Environments” - Chris Carson, Environmental and Safety Engineer, Mueller Co.

Knowledge bases are compilations of data, files, and documents, essential to any operation, that are compiled into a readily accessible and easily retrievable system through a computer network.  Through the use of Adobe Acrobat and PDF files, Mueller Co. has been successful in setting up such a system that involves all aspects of their operation.  Chris Carson will give a presentation which takes a look at the variety of documents and files that they have put into this format, the accessibility and wide spread use of the system, and the ways they are growing and testing the future capabilities of the system.

Invocation/Pledge Chair for May:  John Thornburgh

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic:  “The Chattanooga Chestnut Tree Project” - Dr. J. Hill Craddock, Robert M. Davenport Assistant Professor of Biology, UTC

Dr. J. Hill Craddock provided a fascinating perspective on the revival of a late, great forest dweller, the chestnut tree.  In 1904, an orange-colored fungus that kills American chestnut trees by destroying the bark was found in New York.  This “blight” spread in an outward radius at a rate of 30 miles per year.  The fungus created a pandemic and by the 1950s nearly all chestnuts in North America that are forest canopy trees were gone.  It is considered one of the worst ecological disasters since the Ice Age.  Many efforts have been attempted to revive the chestnut population including the Chattanooga Chestnut Tree Project.

The goal of the Chattanooga Chestnut Tree Project is the restoration of the American chestnut to the Southern Appalachian and Cumberland Plateau Regions.  The return of the chestnut to its place in the forest canopy requires a two-part plan of action:  research on biological control of the chestnut blight disease and breeding the trees for disease resistance.  A cross-breeding process of a blight-resistant Chinese species and the American chestnut for its physical characteristics is used.  A secondary goal of the Project is to provide support for the establishment of a commercial chestnut industry for nut production based on improved cultivars.

Thanks to Jim Barrott and Tiffany Gibby for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

May 31:  No Meeting - Memorial Day Holiday

June 7:  “The Tennessee Lottery and Educational Funding” - Jonathon Looney, Financial Aid, UTC

June 28:  “Six Sigma Green Belt Training” - George Aslinger, Aslinger & Associates

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street. 

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or email her at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.