VOL. 9 NO. 8
IN THIS ISSUE
Mitzvah Day!
Slushy roads could have stopped the Knoxville Jewish Alliance’s Mitzvah Day, held on Sunday. Instead, participants were eager to get out of the house and get to work − together.
➤
See Wendy Smith on page A-7
Rockin’ docs This Friday, some local physicians will be throwin’ down for a good cause at two Old City venues, and they won’t be using their usual medical instruments. They’ll be part of the annual fundraiser “Doc Rock for Health,” a fun, rowdy event that benefits area medical charities.
➤
See Carol Shane on page B-2
What’s in a name? Last November, the UT Athletics Department announced the “One Tennessee” initiative, which will abolish the use of the name “Lady Vols” in all sports except basketball. Athletics director Dave Hart said this change was driven primarily by past and present student athletes and secondarily by Nike, which is UT’s new “apparel partner,” replacing Adidas.
➤
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
Lakeshore Park will soon be ‘blank canvas’ By Wendy Smith
Last week, most Lakeshore Park visitors were toting sleds, and they weren’t thinking about sunny picnics overlooking Fort Loudoun Lake. But changes to the park, which was donated to the city by the state in 2013, may surprise those who visit only in warm weather. Seventeen buildings that were part of Lakeshore Mental Health Institute have been removed since NEO Corp. began demolition work last fall. Over 80 percent of removed building material has been recycled. It hasn’t been an easy task, but the work will provide a “blank canvas” for upcoming improvements, says Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh. “I think people will be amazed if they go out there this spring. It will look like a park.” Because the demolition work came in under budget, City Council recently approved a $116,755 increase in NEO’s contract for hazardous material abatement in the former administration building. Using a company that’s already on-site is the cheapest way to get the work done, says Knoxville Director of Engineering Jim Hagerman.
By Betsy Pickle
Having lived a relatively sheltered life, I did not know Wall St. Cheat Sheet dabbled in sports. A treasured reader told me it listed the 10 greatest NFL defensive linemen of all time and that ex-Vol Reggie White is No. 1. I said great. And where is Doug Atkins? There was a long pause. “He didn’t make it.” Do what?
➤
Read Marvin West on page A-4
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
Hollywood Restaurant patrons sought The Pond Gap Neighborhood Association is seeking to contact patrons of the Hollywood Restaurant (also known as Hollywood Crème Bar), which operated on Papermill Road from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s. A history project is planned. Those interested in sharing their memories should contact David Williams at 588-2268.
10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 37932 (865) 218-WEST (9378) NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sherri Gardner Howell Wendy Smith | Anne Hart ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Wendy O’Dell | Sara Whittle
South High School alumni, South Knoxville residents and historic preservationists are happy about action that City Council has taken to save the 78-year-old school building. Council voted unanimously at last week’s meeting to acquire the property from the current owner, by eminent domain if necessary. “I could not be more elated that Council approved, on first reading, the purchase of South High School,” said Nick Pavlis, vice-mayor and First District City Council member. “It will take care of a blighted piece of property in the middle of a nice neighborhood,” said Pavlis, who lives in South Knoxville.
The administration building, which dates back to 1886, is one of five buildings that have been preserved. When restored, the building will house the city’s Parks and
Recreation Department. Walsh available to the general public, he thinks it’s a wonderful building says. and an appropriate location for The other structures that will his staff of 20. A large conference room on the first floor will be To page A-3
“It will preserve a building that means a lot to the graduates of South High. And it will add to the many positive things happening in South Knoxville.” Designed by renowned architect Charles Barber, South High has been on the preservation group Knox Heritage’s Fragile 15 list for many years. “We’ve been working to save South High since 2001,” says Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage. “It went off course with the last person to purchase it, so we’re really glad to see the city getting it back on track for redevelopment with a new owner.” Bahman Kasraei purchased the dilapidated school at auction for $117,700 in June 2008. He
has made no improvements, and the building has sat boarded up, with the roof leaking and the lawn growing wild. City crews have had to mow the lawn. The property, at 953 E. Moody Ave., has been cited for 19 code violations. The city paid to stabilize the building, resulting in a $30,000 lien being placed against the property. Kasraei also owes back taxes to the city and the county. Past-due taxes and liens will be deducted from any sales proceeds he receives. The Abandoned, Blighted and Vacant Properties Committee recommended acquiring the building, which was recently valued at $189,000 in an independent appraisal.
“It was unfortunate that an irresponsible owner got his hands on it for so long and allowed it to deteriorate even more,” said Trent. “It’s good that the city stepped in, or it could have been lost.” In a press release, Becky Wade, the city’s director of Community Development, said the city will hold a public meeting to solicit suggestions for the best use of the building before putting out a request for proposals from developers. “This is a treasured community asset with immense potential for quality redevelopment,” said Wade. “This school is historically significant, it’s iconic, and all of Knoxville is hoping the building will be rehabilitated for the right use in the near future.”
State of the schools, errr super By Betty Bean Knox Schools Superintendent James McIntyre got some unexpected love lately, and not from the usual suspects. Not for his recent presentation before the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, nor for his State of the Schools address Jim McIntyre nor his appearance on WBIR TV’s “Inside Tennessee.” The gusher of gratitude erupting from students who were thrilled about the school-free week occasioned by last week’s bad weather exploded on Twitter, where McIntyre’s face got Photoshopped onto Mt. Rushmore and an “American Sniper” poster. One kid put him in an NBA uniform sinking a Pistol Pete-level trey. Teachers were pretty happy, too. McIntyre’s trip to Washington
GET READY FOR EASTER! Preserve those old reels, slides & vhs tapes today!
20% OFF
Entire Purchase
Bring your VHS, slides, film and more into Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. the digital age. Coupon must be presented at time order is dropped off. Discount will not be applied to previous orders or orders that are being processed.
Audio & Video Conversion
The Lakeshore Mental Health Institute’s former administration building, shown before renovations began, will house the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Photo by Wendy Smith
City Council comes to South High’s rescue
See Betty Bean on page A-4
West says: Don’t forget Doug Atkins
February 25, 2015
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
SN022515 SN 022515 Expires 3/3/15
686-5756
www.DigitizeItNow.com 12752 Kingston Pike, Renaissance Farragut, Ste 103, Bldg E
got some play, and his fourth annual State of the Schools – a slick, heavily scripted event larded with fulsome praise from teachers and students for the superintendent – went off without a hitch under the watchful eye of his PR guru Melissa Ogden, who sat front and center and interrupted her Twitter updates only when she needed both hands to join in the applause lines.
Analysis He wasn’t treated as gently on “Inside Tennessee,” where he declined the opportunity to appear jointly with Lauren Hopson, president-elect of the Knox County Education Association, opting instead to have his own segment after the Hopson interview was done. When grilled about teacher morale by panelists Mike Donila and Don Bosch, he said he doesn’t know how to measure that (apparently forgetting his 2013 survey
ADDICTED TO
that found 70 percent of teachers registering some level of dissatisfaction with his administration). Moderator John Becker attempted to pin him down, as well. Becker: “You were in the wings and heard Ms. Hopson’s concerns, especially about teachers and the workload and testing that continues. What do you make of what she said?” McIntyre: “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear much of what the interview was.” McIntyre concluded his SoS address with seven new “stakeholder conversations” to be held as part of the new five-year strategic plan. He will double down on APEX (the controversial “strategic” compensation plan for teacher raises and bonuses), the “balanced calendar” concept (year-round school) and the Teachers Advisory Committee (which teachers have criticized for being top-heavy with administrators). His seventh new initiative will
PAIN PILLS?
be to assess the “inventory” of tests administered to children with the help of a $40,000 grant from Achieve Incorporated, the only such grant awarded in Tennessee. And what is Achieve Inc.? Here’s the short answer from an Atlanta Journal Constitution story called “Common Core as a brand name: Who is making money off the new standards?” “Achieve Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group that has been heavily involved in writing the (Common Core State) standards, receives funding from corporate titans such as Microsoft, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Chevron and DuPont. Prediction: When it comes time for the school board to discuss the Achieve Inc. grant, count on someone (my money’s on Amber Rountree) to remind McIntyre of the advice of another titan of industry – Warren Buffett: “Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.”
SALES • SERVICE • MAINTENANCE
TIRED OF DAILY DOSING? OUR DOCTORS WILL HELP! OUTPATIENT APPOINTMENTS
865-882-9900 EHCMedical.com
Family Business Serving You for Over 20 Years 5715 Old Tazewell Pike • 687-2520
Cantrell’s Cares Financing available through TVA E-Score program* *Restrictions May Apply