Ruth's Chris Steak House will be open for lunch from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm on Fridays during November and December with the exception of the Fridays after Thanksgiving and Christmas. The restaurant is encouraging businesspeople and office parties to consider it as an option during the holidays.

Ruth's Chris has also created a special lunch menu for the period. Please see it below:

Lunch Features

Soups

Louisiana Seafood Gumbo $8.5
Lobster Bisque $9
Entrée Salads

Chilled Shellfish Salad
Jumbo shrimp and jumbo lump crabmeat tossed with a roasted tomato vinaigrette dressing and served on a bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes and diced peppers. $19

Seared Ahi Tuna Salad
Fresh field greens, red onions and crunchy vegetables served with slices of our blackened Ahi tuna and a ponzi sauce. $16

Chicken Caesar Salad
Fresh crisp Romaine hearts tossed with Romano cheese and a creamy Caesar dressing. Topped with Parmesan & Black Pepper Crisps, grape tomatoes, and a half free-range chicken breast. $14

Sandwiches

Prime Hamburger
Grilled Prime hamburger with Swiss or Cheddar cheese served with our hand-cut julienne fries. $15
Crab Cake Sandwich
Hand-made jumbo lump crab cakes, served with remoulade sauce and fresh greens with our hand-cut julienne fries. $20

Entrées

Luncheon Filet (6 ounces)
The most tender cut of corn-fed Midwestern beef $

Luncheon N.Y. Strip (12 ounces)
This USDA Prime cut has a full-bodied texture that is slightly firmer than a ribeye. $31

Mixed Grill
Three guest favorites - a 4 oz. sliced tenderloin filet prepared to your liking, an oven roasted free-range chicken breast stuffed with garlic herb cheese, and our home-made jumbo lump crab cake baked until golden brown. $29

Filet & Stuffed Lobster Tail
The perfect combination - a five ounce Caribbean lobster tail stuffed with succulent crab meat and garlic herb cheese, paired with a six ounce filet. $39.95

NOTE: The following release is from the University of Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE -- Professor Joe Carcello of the University of Tennessee College of Business Administration will talk about the ailing economy as part of a series of brown bag lunch lectures offered by the UT Professional MBA Program.

Carcello's lecture, "Making Sense of the Financial Crisis," will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Center for Executive Education, Classroom 601, of the new James A. Haslam II Business Building at the corner of Andy Holt Avenue and Volunteer Boulevard.
Attendees should bring their lunches. Bottled water, soft drinks and dessert will be provided. Cost is $20 per person, and registration is required by calling (865) 974-1660.
Parking will be available for $5 in the University Center Parking Garage on Phillip Fulmer Way.
Carcello is the Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting and director of research at the UT Corporate Governance Center.
The Lunchtime Lecture Series will feature faculty from the College of Business Administration discussing a variety of compelling current events and issues.

NOTE: The following release was sent from ansleydesignfab.com, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

ansleydesignfab.com is pleased to announce the addition of large scale 3D scanning to its suite of design, engineering, and fabrication capabilities. "The ProCollector from SL Laser gives us the ability to collect accurate full size dimensional data in the field" reports company owner Donald Ansley, "This data can be quickly imported into any one of several 3D modeling tools we use to create finished geometry for our clients ."

Sister company Interior Yacht Systems, LLC (IYS) is using the ProCollector to scan the mega yacht superstructures within which it installs exterior overhead systems. The accuracy of the data collected enables IYS to develop the detailed geometry necessary to drive NC cutting equipment in the creation of the supporting grid and finished panel elements. “Best part is it eliminates the onboard trimming and fitting typically associated with this type installation” Ansley reports.

ansleydesignfab.com is a specialty design, engineering, and fabrication company in East Tennessee with facilities off Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville while Interior Yacht Systems provides comprehensive engineering and component fabrication services to large yacht builders worldwide - additional details available at www.ansleydesignfab.com and www.interioryachtsystems.com.

NOTE: The following release was sent from representatives of ES&H, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

ES&H, Inc. has been recognized as a “Hot100” company in the Nov/Dec issue of BusinessTN magazine. “Selection is based on numerous factors, ranging from revenue and employee growth to growth over a period of years, growth as compared to industry average, projected growth and projected pitfalls, among other criteria,” said Drew Ruble of BusinessTN magazine. The Hot100 list represents those companies, big and small, in Tennessee that are emerging as leaders in the business community.

“We are honored to be recognized by BusinessTN magazine. Like any business, ES&H, Inc. has gone through many challenges over the past few years. Getting this recognition from BusinessTN, gives us great reassurance that we are doing what it takes to stay competitive,” stated Bill Garibay, President of ES&H, Inc.

ES&H Inc. has achieved rapid growth in the consulting, disaster and construction markets. In 2001, ES&H supported management of safety compliance for the World Trade Center disaster. In addition, the company has been instrumental in disaster response for hurricanes that have hit the U.S., including Ivan, Katrina and Rita, as well as the recent Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

ES&H, Inc. is an award-winning 8(a), small, Disadvantaged Business Entity (DBE) that provides Environmental, Safety and Health, Construction, Disaster Response, Engineering and Training Services. ES&H, Inc. prides itself in the development of intelligent, result-driven solutions to each client’s need.

NOTE: The following release was sent from Elizabeth Eason Architecture, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Elizabeth Eason Architecture is proud to announce that the firm has earned the designation of Best Workplaces for Commuters.

This is a voluntary partnership program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation designed to cut traffic congestion and traffic related air-pollution. The program recognizes employers who provide benefits that help their employees pursue environmentally friendly commuting strategies.

As part of the company’s comprehensive commuter benefits program, Elizabeth Eason Architecture offers parking buyouts and convenient bike racks. “We are proud to make this commitment to our employees and to the environment,” said Elizabeth Eason. “Our firm includes sustainable design in all our architectural projects. The Best Workplaces for Commuters program is one of many ways that we make our office and the business itself more sustainable.”

Elizabeth Eason Architecture is only the fourth business in the State of Tennessee to earn the Best Workplaces for Commuters designation. The company would like to challenge other employers in Knoxville to join this program. “We must all do our part to reduce our demand on fossil fuels and to improve the region’s air quality,” said employee Monika Miller who commutes by bike every day. “It’s great to have your employer support your efforts to do what is right for the environment.”

NOTE: The following release was sent from representatives of Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

ZweigWhite, a management consulting and research firm, today ranked Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates (FMA) No. 131 in its prestigious list of the 200 fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms. The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List features the design and environmental firms that have outperformed the economy and competitors to become industry leaders.

Mark Zweig, founder and director of ZweigWhite, says, "The firms that made this year's Hot Firm List should be proud. Even with the challenges many firms are facing in this economy, it was still an incredibly competitive and successful group. Firms that commit to revenue growth while investing in marketing, information technology, and other infrastructure are usually the most successful in our industry. They have shown they have the ability to sustain their success, year after year. The hottest firms in the business- those with consistent growth and success at outperforming the economy and their peers- are the ones that attract top staff and the best clients."

FMA, the only Knoxville based firm who made the annual list, was founded in 2003 by Billy Fulghum, P.E. and Mike MacIndoe, P.E. as they set out to create a civil and environmental engineering company that provided more than just the average services. “Before we even opened our doors for business we hung a banner at the front entrance that lists our company’s 11 core values. They include things like humility and integrity as well as teamwork and having fun,” says Fulghum, FMA co-owner.

“It is quite an honor to be included among some of the best firms in our industry,” says Mike MacIndoe, FMA co-owner. “I think our rapid success can be directly attributed to the very talented group of employees at our firm. Each of them bring a wealth of multi-disciplinary experience and share our vision to be a client focused firm dedicated to meeting deadlines and budgets no matter how large or small the project,” adds MacIndoe.

To learn more about Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates please visit www.fulghummacindoe.com.

NOTE: The following release was sent from the Fort Loudoun Lake Association, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Host: Rick Angel, Jerry Amiot and the Fort Loudoun Lake Association

Location: Home of Rick Angel and Jerry Amiot, 8303 Alexander Cavet Drive, Knoxville ,TN 37909

When: Thursday, December 4th, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Phone: FLAA 865-523-3800

Cost: $15 per person

Come toast the Holiday Season, invite your family and friends to see an incredible collection that you will not want to miss. At the same time, help to support the work of the Fort Loudoun Lake Association. There is no better opportunity for getting in the Spirit of the Season than viewing our hosts' unbelievable collection of ornaments by various European Designers and from the Joy of the World and actress Betty White collection. This collection of ornaments, adorning over twenty five trees with table top and floor displays, has taken over 25 years to assemble.

After planning a Joy to the World event in Knoxville, our hosts sold their business and year round Christmas shop in California and moved to Knoxville and continued their work with Joy to the World from East Tennessee. They also continued their tradition of giving during the Holiday Season by allowing the public to see this special collection and by benefiting the Fort Loudoun Lake Association.

Please call the FLAA office to reserve a spot. You can send a check or pay via PayPal on our website, www.FLLake.org.

Refreshments will be served. Carpooling is suggested.

NOTE: The following release is from LBMC, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms, has added Connie L. Leggett in its Knoxville office.

Connie Leggett, previously office manager for Anesthesia Consultants of Knoxville, joined the accounting firm in a staff position in the tax division. She will be working closely with physician and medical practice clients providing a multitude of services. Connie is the treasurer of the Knoxville Chapter of Executive Women’s International (EWI) and an active member of the Knoxville Area Medical Group Management Association (KAMGMA).

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting and assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com .

NOTE: The following release was sent from LBMC, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms, has added Logan D. Laug in its Knoxville office.

Logan Laug joined the accounting firm in a staff position in the audit division. He is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s of accountancy.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting and assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.

NOTE: The following release was sent from Decosimo, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Joseph Decosimo and Company, PLLC (Decosimo), a leading regional accounting and business advisory firm, announces the expansion of its Knoxville office's audit and assurance practice with the addition of Audit Manager Josh Rudd, CPA, and Audit Senior Jamie Hill.

Prior to joining Decosimo, Josh Rudd spent more than six years with another regional accounting firm where he managed assurance engagements including audits, compilations, reviews, financial management, agreed-upon-procedures and consulting for both publicly traded and privately held companies. Industries served include government, not-for-profit, manufacturing, distribution, restaurant and entertainment, as well as employee benefit plans. He has also served as a partner in a family-owned restaurant where he directed operations.

Mr. Rudd has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Harding University and a Masters of Accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jamie Hill's audit experience includes overseeing engagements for not-for-profit and for-profit healthcare organizations, as well as for financial institutions, employee benefit plans and manufacturing clients. She has also served as the acting controller for a Knoxville boat manufacturer.

"With the expansion of our tax team in 2007 and the addition of an experienced assurance team, Decosimo‚s Knoxville office has the capacity and technical ability to serve virtually any industry with a full range of audit, tax and advisory services," said Managing Principal Nick Decosimo.

Decosimo initially entered the Knoxville market in 2006 with the merger of FIS Associates, a Knoxville-based accounting and physician services practice.

Decosimo is a nationally recognized firm, perennially ranked as a Top 100 accounting and advisory firm. The regional firm has eight office locations in the United States and the Cayman Islands, with more than 300 professionals and staff. Each of Decosimo's offices provides a full range of accounting and advisory services to each industry we serve. Additionally, Decosimo is an independent firm associated with Moore Stephens International Limited. With over 600 firms in more than 90 countries, Moore Stephens and Decosimo provide clients with access to an unmatched depth of resources and expertise. Together, the firms of Moore Stephens International Limited make up the 6th largest CPA firm association in the world.

For more information about Decosimo‚s professional services, contact 865-546-0021 or visit www.decosimo.com.