Shamrock City
Irish festival returns to Rock City at Lookout Mountain
Rock City in Lookout Mountain, Ga., is expecting lots o’ luck in March as it opens the 13th annual Irish festival Shamrock City. All things green return, even the waterfall, Saturdays and Sundays March 13, 14, 20 and 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“Rock City was unable to host our award-winning St. Patrick’s celebration last year at the start of the pandemic, which makes opening this season even more exciting,” See Rock City Inc. President and CEO Susan Harris said. “It is a joy to start our event season in 2021 with many of our guests’ favorite, Shamrock City. We are planning to bring back all our special events this year and are thrilled to be able to do so safely, with changes and additions that include fun and engaging experiences while also keeping guest and partner (employee) health and safety as our key priority.”
New this year is a show in the amphitheater with Jerry the Mime, as well as new food offerings and surprise “pop-up” Irish dance performances. Bagpipers and harpists return to Shamrock City, playing favorite Irish tunes. See Suffolk sheep and a Scottish Highland cow with Bagby’s Critter Corral from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids can also enjoy an online scavenger hunt with Rocky by scanning hidden QR codes found on objects throughout the gardens.
Taste Irish-themed food at various eateries throughout the park, including green funnel cakes, Irish potato soup, corned beef and cabbage sandwiches, Shepherd’s Pie stuffed baked potatoes, green fudge and limeade. Café 7 is serving Irish nachos, reubens, collard green melts, Scotch eggs, Guinness Stout cake and more.
Specialty beer from Chattanooga Brewing Co. is also on tap.
An Irish concert add-on ticket
is available for $16 featuring live band performances with three daily showtime options to choose from, including a meal of Cottage Pie, Irish Soda Bread and a drink. Enjoy some Irish, Celtic, Scottish and Highlands music with the Molly
Maguires on Saturdays and Olta on Sundays. Visit www.seerockcity.com/shamrock to purchase concert tickets and regular event admission.
Rock City is continuing to operate at limited capacity to allow physical distancing for guests, so online reservations are highly recommended as entry times can sell out. Masks are required for entry and must be worn on the ticket plaza, inside any building and outside anytime distancing cannot be maintained. Rock City continues to follow local and state guidelines to help
ensure everyone’s safety.
Shamrock City’s annual community partner is the Chattanooga district of the
Muscular Dystrophy Association. Green shamrocks are available for $1 and gold shamrocks for $5 to help
raise needed funds to support local families with MD.
Chattanooga’s Spring Break Safari is happening
March 5 to April 11. A RockQuest Adventure package is also offered exclusively at Rock City, this year with a Geode Crush activity. For more info and to participate in the virtual scavenger hunt, go to www.seerockcity.com/springbreak.
Shamrock City has been a repeat Top 20 Event by Southeast Tourism Society. Located six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a 14-acre natural and scenic attraction with unique rock formations and gardens atop Lookout Mountain.
During Feb. 16-28, 2021, the health department conducted inspections at 30 food services in Walker and Catoosa counties, including 14 businesses: three businesses earned a perfect score of 100; 10 earned a score in the 90s (A); 1 earned a score in the 70s (C). Also, food services at a church and a jail were inspected. Also, 14 school cafeterias (listed at the end of this article) were inspected and all earned a perfect score of 100.
WALKER COUNTY WANDA’S RESTAURANT
20 PIN OAK DR ROCK SPRING Inspection date: 02-18-2021 Score: 97
Points: 1
Inspector’s notes
Observed food containers stacked wet on drying rack. Had PIC allow food containers time to dry before stacking. (1 pt)
Observed self closures missing on both restrooms. Had PIC replace self closures on restrooms. (1 pt)
Observed front doors and back door with heavy wear. Doors need to be painted to make easier to clean. (1 pt)
AMIGOS MEXICAN CONCINA LLC
555 MCFARLAND AVE ROSSVILLE Inspection date: 02-19-2021 Score: 95
Inspector’s notes
Observed raw meat left uncovered in walk-in cooler. Had PIC cover meat with plastic wrap. (4 pts)
Observed chip container with damaged lid. Had PIC replace lid. (1 pt)
THE GRIND COFFEE SHOP
104 CRITTONDEN AVE CHICKAMAUGA
Inspection date: 02-19-2021 Score: 100
OAKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH
115 OAKWOOD ST CHICKAMAUGA
Inspection date: 02-19-2021 Score: 100
SKATE AND PLAY
1951 HWY 136 E LAFAYETTE Inspection date: 02-19-2021 Score: 100
CAFFEINE ADDICTS ROCK SPRING
96 FIELDSTONE VILLAGE DR LAFAYETTE
Inspection date: 02-23-2021 Score: 96
Inspector’s notes: Observed microwave not clean to sight or touch. CA: Had PIC clean microwave and discussed with PIC that food contact surfaces must be cleaned every four hours. (4 pts)
STATION HOUSE-CHAISIMPLE LLC
123 N CHATTANOOGA ST LAFAYETTE
Inspection date: 02-23-2021 Score: 93
Inspector’s notes
Observed various spices and toppings containers without tight-fitting lids or sealable bags not sealed. Had PIC seal foods tightly with lids or seals. (4 pts)
Observed flour scoop left down in flour with handle touching. Had PIC store scoops with handles up. (1 pt)
Observed equipment with build up (microwaves, shelving, etc.) Had PIC clean equipment more frequently. (1 pt)
Observed floors and walls in kitchen with build up. Had PIC increase frequency of cleaning kitchen. (1 pt)
CANDIE’S CATERING & CONCESSIONS
1105 MCFARLAND AVE ROSSVILLE
Inspection date: 02-26-2021 Score: 100
CATOOSA COUNTY HARDEE’S
5486 ALABAMA HWY RINGGOLD Inspection date: 02-17-2021 Score: 96
Inspector’s notes: Observed food contact surfaces of microwave not being cleaned at a frequency to maintain clean to sight and touch. CA: Discussed with PIC that food contact surfaces must be must be cleaned at least every 4 hours. PIC had microwave cleaned and sanitized during inspection. (4 pts)
COOK OUT
BATTLEFIELD PKWY FORT OGLETHORPE
Inspection date: 02-18-2021
Score: 90
Inspector’s notes
Observed facility not using the approved written time as public health control procedures. The initial temperatures of food for hot and cold holding are not being taken or recorded. The approved procedure states that a log will be maintained and kept available with initial start temperature of TCS foods using time in lieu of temperature (must be 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below for cold holding). CA: Suggest updating time procedures with PIC. (9 pts)
Observed food debris on shelving in walk-in cooler. CA: PIC will have shelving cleaned. (1 pt)
SPRINGHILL SUITES (CONT. BREAKFAST)
155 GENERAL LEE ST RINGGOLD Inspection date: 02-19-2021 Score: 77
Inspector’s notes
Observed PIC did not demonstrate knowledge of proper food safety practices (handwashing). PIC also stated that she did not have knowledge of who is the Certified Food Safety manager who is over the facility. CA: Will need to verify CFSM certification and who is responsible for establishment when CFSM is not present. (4 pts)
Observed no documentation displayed for public view of Certified food safety manager responsible for food safety of facility. CA: PIC was unsure of any documentation pertaining to food safety. PIC will contact general manager and provide this information to the health department. (4 pts)
Observed no handwashing cleanser available for hand washing at the handwashing sink. CA: PIC attempted to open dispenser and stated she had no key. PIC will need to obtain key to dispenser in order to properly supply handwashing cleanser. (4 pts)
Observed no paper towels available for hand drying at the handwashing sink. CA: PIC will obtain key to replace hand drying provision in order for it to be readily available. (4 pts)
Observed microwave not clean to a frequency to be maintained clean to sight and touch. CA: CFSM will create cleaning log to ensure food contact surfaces are cleaned every four
hours and are maintained clean to sight and touch. (4 pts)
Observed boxes of whole fruits (oranges) stored on main kitchen floor. CA: PIC will ensure all boxes containing food product will be stored at a minimum of 6 inches above floor level. (3 pts)
TACOS EL GORDO
400 DIRECT CONNECTION DR ROSSVILLE
Inspection date: 02-20-2021 Score: 91
Inspector’s notes
Observed the CFSM certificate not posted in public view. CA: PIC posted the CFSM certificate in public view. (4 pts)
Observed multiple TCS foods being stored over 24 hours that did not have a proper date-mark (rice and beans) CA — PIC discarded all TCS foods not date-marked. (4 pts)
Observed heavy grease build-up on hood vents. CA: PIC will have hood vents cleaned. They state it has been 6 months since they were last cleaned. (1 pt)
FRUTERIA EL GORDO
400 DIRECT CONNECTION DR ROSSVILLE
Inspection date: 02-20-2021 Score: 99
Inspector’s notes: Observed water bottle being reused to store food/liquid for food. CA: PIC discarded water bottle. (1 pt)
EL CACTUS RESTAURANT
90 BATTLEFIELD STATION DR FORT OGLETHORPE
Inspection date: 02-22-2021 Score: 98
Inspector’s notes
Observed sealant/caulking on handwashing sink missing and in bad repair. CA: PIC will repair the sealant/ caulk between the back of the hand
washing sink and the wall. (1 pt)
Observed dust debris on dry storage wall shelving above prep table and steam table. CA: PIC will clean shelving. (1 pt)
HAMPTON INN (CONT. BREAKFAST)
6875 BATTLEFIELD PKWY RINGGOLD
Inspection date: 02-24-2021 Score: 91
Points: 9
Inspector’s notes: Observed hotheld TCS food (sausages) not being held at a temperature of 135 degrees or above in front food service and main kitchen area. CA: PIC chose to discard TCS foods.
CATOOSA COUNTY JAIL
5842 HWY 41 N RINGGOLD Inspection date: 02-24-2021 Score: 96
Inspector’s notes: Observed no handwashing cleanser available at handwashing sink. CA: PIC replaced handwashing cleanser to be readily available. (4 pts)
SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
Cafeterias at 14 schools were inspected, with all earning a perfect score of 100. In Walker County: Saddle Ridge Elementary/Middle School, Chattanooga Valley Elementary School, Chickamauga Elementary School, LaFayette High School, Naomi Elementary School and Gilbert Elementary School. In Catoosa County: Boynton Elementary School, West Side Elementary School, Cloud Springs Elementary School, Graysville Elementary School, Performance Learning Center School, Battlefield Primary School, Battlefield Elementary School and Tiger Creek Elementary School.
Can we really be energy independent using alternative energy like President Biden wants us to believe? Can alternative energy save the planet? President Biden thinks so as he signed us back into the Paris Accord. The Paris Accord’s goal is to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. President Biden believes that getting electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel vehicles will stop global warming. Will it?
Will windmills and solar power replace fossil fuels? The financial costs of building a 100% renewable energy world are massive. Sufficient area is another problem. It would take 650,720 square miles to install solar and wind farms, almost 20% of the lower 48 states. This is close to the combined areas of Texas, California, Arizona, and Nevada.
A 1000-megawatt wind farm would need up to 360 square miles of land to produce the same amount of energy as a 1000-MV nuclear plant. The price tag on a modern wind turbine ranges from $1.3 million to $2.2 million for every megawatt. Wind energy operates at an efficiency rate that is frequently below 40%. Not only are the windmills inefficient, they are unable to store the converted energy in large amounts. In addition, the turbines are so large and imposing, that they affect local television and radio signals in a negative way.
To replace just 440 MW of U.S. energy that will be replaced over the next 25 years, it would take 29.3 billion solar panels and 4.4 million battery modules. These panels would need an area equal to that of New Jersey. It would take 929 years to produce this many panels, assuming they could be built at the pace of one per second.
Will all of this stop global warming? I doubt it. Do humans affect global warming or should we view global warming as a natural cycle? In the natural cycle of our environment, the world can warm, and cool, without any human interference. For the past million years this has occurred over and over again at approximately 100,000-year intervals. Throughout history, there were around 90,000 years of ice age with about 20,000 years of warm period — give or take a few thousand years.
An article in the journal, Nature, stated that 55 million years ago the Arctic was once a lot like Miami, with an average temperature of 74 degrees, with alligators and palm trees, according to scientists. This conclusion was based on core samples extracted from 1,000 feet below the Arctic Ocean floor.
The reversal of this is the Ice Age, which began about 110,000 years ago and ended around 12,500 years ago. During this time, approximately 10 million square miles of the earth was covered by ice. In North America, all of Canada and portions of the United States were covered by ice sheets as far south as the Missouri and Ohio Rivers.
During both the warming of the earth and the Ice Age, humankind (politically correct word) certainly did not influence these changes. What makes the government and Biden think we humans are influencing environmental changes?
Is the environmental issue “the blind leading the blind”? Is the environmental movement just a way to make the rich richer? Is alternative energy really the solution or is nature in charge?