North/East Shopper-News 010616

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NORTH / EAST VOL. 4 NO. 1

BUZZ Ed & Bob in Powell At-large county commissioners Ed Brantley and Bob Thomas will be at Halftime Pizza, 2509 W. Emory Road in Powel, from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, for a community meeting. Several other commissioners may attend. All are invited.

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Mount Olive pastor

January 6, 2016

returns to renewed protests

SOUP’s on again Knoxville SOUP will heat up community spirit at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7. SOUP is a combination of fellowship and crowd-funding. Up to four individuals or groups from throughout Knox County will make a short presentation on planned or current projects designed to benefit the community or society in general. Attendees, who are asked to make a suggested $5 donation at the door, listen and then discuss the projects while enjoying a simple meal of soup and other goodies. Everyone gets to vote on the project they feel is most worthy, and the winner gets the entire take from the door. There will also be a raffle and entertainment. Tomorrow’s event will be held at Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. Presentations begin at 6:30, with dinner starting around 7. Last quarter’s Knoxville SOUP raised around $500 for the Joe Hill Road Show, a community event held in November. Another proposal, by South Knoxville Elementary School, caught the attention of an attendee, who privately donated the money to cover it. Based on a concept that has been growing steadily throughout the country, Knoxville SOUP is presented locally by the South Knoxville Alliance. It is held on the first Thursday of each quarter at alternating locations. Info: knoxvillesoup.org

Political primer Normally held in May, the local primaries have been moved to March 1 to match the Presidential Primaries in other Southern states (the SEC primary). How will an outpouring of voters for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz impact local races?

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By Bill Dockery The Rev. Dr. Valentino McNeal came back to the pulpit at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Sunday after a holiday vacation, and a group of protesting members again demonstrated loudly against the man they say is occupying the pulpit illegally. When the senior minister of the historic black church began to speak after the preliminary worship, some 15 members stood with their backs to him. Other members used a bullhorn and other audio equipment to try to drown out his message. “We occupy the pulpit along with him, and when he gets up to preach, we start singing hymns,” said Theotis Robinson, one of the protesting members. “We’ve equipped ourselves with microphones and sound systems to compete with him.” The church’s central aisle became a dividing line as supporters of the pastor moved to the right side of the sanctuary, while the protesters stayed on the left. The situation has made news recently when Knoxville police were called to the church on several Sundays but took no action. To page 3

A grueling experience for the characters, the actors and the audience, “The Revenant” is a visceral journey through physical pain and mental anguish, but it is worth it on oh so many levels. Read Betsy Pickle in Weekender

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‘Here till God says go’ Valentino McNeal has been the senior pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church-East since August 2011, when the historic black congregation at Dandridge Avenue and Summit Hill Drive called him as its Dr. McNeal minister. He’s a native of Greenville, Mississippi, and became a lay minister at 21. He was ordained in Greenbelt, Maryland, and was a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force for nine years, capping a 28-year career in the military. For McNeal, his position at Mount Olive is a prophetic mission. “God has called me to be his prophet here,” he said in an interview. “I will stay till God says go. I’m here to bring some people out of the darkness.” McNeal sees the work at

Mount Olive as a part of God’s larger plan. “It’s not my vision for the church. The Lord sent me to Mount Olive to enact his vision – not church business but kingdom-building that the world might be saved.” His goal, he said, is “for each individual to be committed to be a disciple, to make every member of Mount Olive a disciple.” McNeal was critical of the Knoxville Police Department for being negligent for allowing the protesters to violate the First Amendment rights of the rest of the congregation. He said he and other church officials have talked with KPD chief David Rausch and that he intends to talk with Mayor Madeline Rogero about the problems. “This is not a civil rights thing,” he said. “If this was happening at First Baptist Main Street, it would have been halted a long time ago.”

By Marvin West After Doug Atkins died, I went back to my book about Legends. I really needed to read Chapter 3 again. This unusual man with the rare combination of size and athletic ability sort of nodded his approval back when it was Doug Atkins written. I suppose, for him, it was pure praise. “If you had put me a little closer to the front of the book, I might have asked for a free copy.” He was serious about “free.” Money was one of the windmills he wrestled in his mind. He never was paid what he was worth. He even got shortchanged in recruiting.

In the spring of 1949, when Doug was just 6-6 and 197, good in basketball and still learning football, a prominent businessman wanted him to attend Murray State. “The oil man was going to give me a used car and $400 a month,” said Atkins. “He said he’d put the money is escrow. If I had known what that word meant, I might have accepted the deal.” The great Bob Neyland sent Tennessee assistant Ike Peel to Humboldt to get Atkins – no excuses, reel him in. Peel chose the soft sell. “We’ll take care of you, Doug.” “Whatever you need, Doug,” The coach even promised that Atkins could try football and basketball and choose whichever he liked best.

Somewhere in the gentle pitch, Doug thought he heard $50 a month in spending money. “I never saw a penny of it.” Years later he asked Peel what happened to his loot. “Ike said it was me or him, that he had a wife and kids to feed, that he had to sign me to keep his job and that he had to tell me whatever it took to get it done.” There is a charming story about dental dollars. Former Tennessee basketball captain Ed Wiener became a dentist. Doug needed repairs. He drove to Memphis to get a “Vol” discount. He asked Wiener if his work was guaranteed. Dr. Wiener couldn’t tell the rest of the tale without laughing. “Thirty years later, a filling fell out. Doug called and said if

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This sign forbids disruptive devices at Mount Olive Baptist Church. McNeal said that some of the protesters are “allowing the devil to use them” and that he hopes to “help them be restored to Christ. “My sorrow is for the people are doing the protesting. They are in a dark place. If they can apologize to the church, we will welcome them back with open arms.”

Remembering Doug Atkins

Read Wendy Smith on page 4

‘The Revenant’

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The Rev. Dr. Valentino McNeal (behind white table) preaches as a dozen protesting members (left) stand with their backs to him. Members seated on the right did not take part in the protests.

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my guarantee was still good, he wanted his money back. I told him there wasn’t any to refund, that he never paid me.” The Cleveland Browns signed Doug Atkins on the cheap. Coach Weeb Eubank met him in a highway diner, paid for two cheeseburgers and eight bottles of beer, and signed the giant for $6,800. The first-round draft choice was budgeted for $10,000. Atkins won fame but not fortune with the Chicago Bears. He went to seven consecutive Pro Bowls but his top salary was $30,000. Money wars with coachowner George Halas were legendary. Money was part of Atkins’ motivation, his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. To page 3

2 • JANUARY 6, 2016 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Gatlinburg man thankful

for East Tennessee’s largest stroke network He heard a voice. Someone was asking questions. As Albert Hernandez began to regain consciousness, he realized the voice was coming from a robot. It sounds like a scene from a science fiction movie, but it’s a modern day wonder in use at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center today. The tele-stroke robot is advanced technology that helped save a Gatlinburg man’s life. Hernandez was on the job at Ober Gatlinburg one day last summer, when he noticed that a trash bin needed to be emptied. He began the very common and simple task of moving trash to a cart so it could be wheeled away, when something uncommon happened. “I started shaking and sweating,” Hernandez recalls, “and I just dumped it.” Hernandez told his supervisor he “felt funny.” Assuming it was a result of the summer heat, she took him to their administrative

offices to let him cool down, rehydrate and have his blood pressure checked. After about 30 minutes, Hernandez felt much better, and decided to get back to work. But it happened, again. He was overwhelmed with a strange sensation of dizziness and shaking. Hernandez didn’t understand what was happening, but he knew something wasn’t right. With permission from his supervisor, he left work so his wife could take him to a clinic. By the time Hernandez got off the tram to meet his wife, he felt even worse. “I looked at her and I said, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it,” he says. Suddenly, what was intended to be a simple visit to a clinic turned into an urgent drive to the emergency department at LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville. On the way, Hernandez complained that he couldn’t feel his left arm. He turned to his wife, and said, “Honey, I love you.”

WARNING Signs of Stroke

When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost, so it’s important to understand the warning signs and how to reduce your risk. If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, call 911. Sudden severe headache with no known cause Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Albert Hernandez lost his mother to a series of strokes. He’s thankful that advanced medicine and technology like the tele-stroke robot were available to give him a better chance of survival.

Hernandez lost consciousness. Kelly Hernandez tried to keep her composure as she raced her husband to the hospital. “I’ve never seen him unresponsive,” she says. “Just seeing him lie there, that was hard.” Hernandez learned in the emergency department that he had suffered a stroke, and a team was already in place to help him. “They had a robot there next to my bed, and there was some person in there asking me questions,” Hernandez says. Stroke medicine was administered, and Hernandez heard the voice in the robot say, “Bring him to Fort Sanders, immediately.” Hernandez was experiencing

the benefits of the tele-stroke robot network, which allowed a neurologist from Fort Sanders Regional to virtually be in the same room as Hernandez at LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville via a video monitor. The robot offers quick and early consultation that can make a critical difference in a patient’s chances of surviving a stroke with minimal effects. “The next thing I knew I was being taken to Fort Sanders,” Hernandez says. Because of the tele-stroke robot network, medical staff at Fort Sanders Regional were completely up to speed on Hernandez’ case. They were in place, and ready to

care for him the very moment the ambulance arrived. In the event of a stroke, minutes matter. Brain cells can die quickly, and that can easily lead to permanent brain damage. “They were all there, waiting for me, working there, asking me questions,” Hernandez says. “There was always somebody there talking to me. They never left me alone.” While his wife waited for reports on his progress throughout the process, she was comforted by comments she overheard in the lobby. People around her were saying Fort Sanders Regional is the best hospital for stroke patients. Not only did he meet additional neurologists specializing in stroke, but he also met someone from Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, who arranged for treatment to help him recover from the effects of the stroke. “Fort Sanders, Patricia Neal – I was surprised at how quickly they helped me come back,” Hernandez says. “Within a week or two I was already out of there and back at work.” Once in a while, Hernandez still feels a few effects of his stroke. But he has a clean bill of health from his doctor, and his heart is strong. He may never understand what caused his stroke, but that’s okay. He’s just glad it’s part of his past, and that he still has a future to invest in the people he loves. “I just want to be here for my wife and kids, and to live for as long as God lets me stay in the world,” Hernandez says. “I thank Fort Sanders and Patricia Neal for helping me come back to my wife and my family, and for allowing me to be with them, hopefully for many years to come.”

The Stroke Center at Fort Sanders Regional: Delivering immediate and excellent care When a stroke happens, timely treatment is critical. The Comprehensive Stroke Center at Fort Sanders Regional is well above the national average in delivering prompt treatment of live saving medication. Clot busting drugs are given to stroke patients through a vein to improve blood flow and minimize potential disabilities. The amount of time it takes for a patient to be brought into a hospital until the moment medications are intravenously administered is referred to as “door to needle time.” While the average door to needle time is a little more than an hour, the door to needle time at Fort Sanders Regional is 30 min-

utes. That’s half an hour faster than the national average. It’s just one of the many advantages a patient has when treated at a comprehensive stroke center. The stroke center exists to provide the highest level of stroke care for complicated stroke cases. “It really exists to provide that next level up from what you can get at your local community hospital,” Dr. Moore, medical director of Fort Sanders Regional stroke program says. “Strokes can often be treated at those hospitals, but finding out why the stroke occurred to prevent it from happening again sometimes takes someone who’s done a lot more work in treating stroke.”

Moore says finding out the “why” takes some digging into a patient’s background, and sometimes it’s not as obvious as the main risk factors. “Stroke centers tend to be better and faster at treating stroke just because we see it all the time,” Moore says. “We have doctors who can go up into the brain and pull a clot out, and that’s a really specialized niche. Most hospitals don’t have access to someone who can do that.” The Comprehensive Stroke Center at Fort Sanders Regional sees patients from throughout East Tennessee, and even from Kentucky. To learn more, visit fsregional.com/stroke, or call 865-541-1111.

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No comprehensive stroke and rehabilitation center in our region does more to reverse stroke’s devastating effects than Fort Sanders Regional Medical Fort Sanders performs Center. That’s why hospitals clinical trials and procedures for stroke not available across East Tennessee refer their most complex stroke patients to anywhere else in our region. us. And only Fort Sanders Regional is home to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, East Tennessee’s elite rehabilitation hospital for stroke, spinal cord and brain injury patients.

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • JANUARY 6, 2016 • 3

Tank Strickland: Waiting on opportunity By Betty Bean Thomas “Tank� Strickland made his first run for office in 1987. His start was promising – he beat Bill Powell in the District 6 City Council primary – but Strickland he ended up losing citywide in the general election. He didn’t try running again until 2002, when he succeeded Frank Bowden on Knox County Commission. “The best thing about politics is helping people. That’s what I always tried to do,� he said. “The worst thing was some of the antics on County Commission.� Strickland had a front row seat to watch those antics, and his tenure on the commission turned out to be a wild ride, punctuated by the notorious Black Wednesday shenanigans of 2007 and his subsequent election as commission chair, something no other Democrat has managed to

do, before or since. He was one of four Democrats on the county legislative body, which then had 19 members and was always chaired by a member of the majority party. In a show of bipartisan graciousness unimaginable today, the commission, in those days, observed the custom of naming a Democrat as vice chair. The easygoing Strickland was popular with his colleagues, so that title belonged to him when attorney Herb Moncier’s relentless hammering forced commission chair Scott “Scoobie� Moore out of office in 2008. Moncier never called on Strickland to testify in the trial that was Moore’s downfall. “I asked him – ‘Why didn’t you come after me?’– because I was ready for him,� Strickland said. “He said, ‘Because I couldn’t find anything on you.’� The month after Moore’s ouster, Strickland’s chastened colleagues set party loyalty aside and voted him in as Moore’s replacement. Miraculously, they did

it again the following year, but not without a bruising fight, which his District 1 seatmate Sam McKenzie described in a 2009 ShopperNews interview. “It took a lot of arm twisting and wrangling, but we ended up electing a Democratic chair, again,� McKenzie said. “This time there was a strong contingent of people that wanted a new chair, and (GOP party chair Ray Hal) Jenkins really lobbied, but at the end of the day, they actually set aside party politics.� Former Commissioner Greg “Lumpy� Lambert was one of the Republicans who stuck with Strickland. “I caught some flack,� Lambert said. “There was a move on to elect Craig Leuthold, but I and a couple of other Republicans voted for Tank. I always liked Tank and have a lot more in common with him than many others who were on that commission.� Lambert says he has never regretted that vote, even though he lost a couple of supporters over it. “Tank was always fair

to me and to everyone, and allowed alternative views to be expressed. No debate was shut down, as opposed to some who try to drive the debate by who they call on and how much time they give them,� he said. Strickland, who has concentrated on his work with the city since stepping down from his commission seat, is a close political ally of state Rep. Joe Armstrong, who was indicted earlier this year in federal court on corruption and tax evasion charges. He said he intends to stand by Armstrong. “Joe has told me that he didn’t do it,� Strickland said. “And he’s my friend.� He says he has no hard and fast plans for future ventures after he leaves his job Jan. 29 as the city’s director of community relations, but has kept his license as a boxing promoter, and knows that he’s going to continue to give back to the community, and will keep his options open. “If the right opportunity turns up, I might jump on it,� he said. “And opportunities come up all the time.�

J Miller: Trail running’s for him

By Carol Shane

People react to physical setbacks several different ways. Some throw in the towel immediately. “Oh well – I’m older now – it’s age and I can’t do anything about it, so I might as well get used to it.� Some go to their doctors with specific complaints, hear some advice, and then either follow it or not. And then there are those who make up their own cure. James Miller, who lives between Norris and Halls, is one those folks. Miller, who goes by “J,� works for his family’s business, Miller Equipment Co. Inc., which sells and services commercial refrigeration and food service equipment. “My knee issues started about 18 years ago when I was working on a fryer in a restaurant kitchen,� he says. “I was on the floor on my knees, and bent them too far for too long. I never went to the doctor. I knew numerous people who had had knee pain and had surgery, most of whom told me it was the best thing they had ever done. So I was pretty resigned to having to

Doug Atkins “I thought they got paid enough to take whatever I could give ’em.� After he’d caught more than his fair share and alarmed several others, after his knees went really bad, after he bowed out at 38, Doug spent the second half of his life out of the limelight. He was pre-fab manager for a home-building company in Panama City. He recruited pipefitters for a Louisiana shipbuilder. He trained to be an Orkin man but found he

Trail runner J Miller enjoys the view from the top of Mount LeConte. Miller cured his knee pain on his own by running on soft mountain ground. Photo by Melony Dodson have surgery someday but it wasn’t something I felt like rushing into.� Miller, still a young man and much younger then, decided simply to live with the pain. “Then one night about six years ago I had chest pain such that it kept me up all night,� he says, “so the next day I thought I should go to the doctor. They found my blood pressure was high and wanted to put me in hospital

From page 1 didn’t fit where termites often lived. He called on freight terminal managers for a trucking company. He sold caskets, actually hauled around a sample in a station wagon. He sold eye-glasses. He dabbled in the coal business. He worked for a beer distributor, sometimes carrying in cases, sometimes just batting the breeze with tavern owners. He was an assistant tax assessor. He ran the campground in Concord. He did not get rich. When Doug finally set-

COMMUNITY NOTES â– Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association. Info: Ronnie Collins, 637-9630. â– Beaumont Community Organization. Info: Natasha Murphy, 936-0139. â– Belle Morris Community Action Group meets 7 p.m. each second Monday, City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave. Info: bellemorris.com or Rick Wilen, 524-5008. â– Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each last Tuesday, Administration Building, Knoxville Zoo. Info: Paul Ruff, 696-6584. â– Edgewood Park Neighbor-

hood Association meets 7 p.m. each third Tuesday, Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail. Info: edgewoodpark.us. â– Excelsior Lodge No. 342 meets 7:30 p.m. each Thursday, 10103 Thorn Grove Pike. Info: Bill Emmert, 933-6032 or w.emmert@att.net. â– First District Democrats meet each first Monday, Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: Harold Middlebrook, haroldmiddlebrook@ gmail.com; Mary Wilson, marytheprez@yahoo.com. â– Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization meets 6:30 p.m. each second

then and there.� He didn’t stay, but returned soon after to undergo a battery of tests. “There were no blockages or anything, just high blood pressure. But it was enough to scare me into wanting to take better care of my heart, something I had never worried about too much.� Growing up near Norris, Miller had always been fairly active. He especially loved mountain biking. But adult life imposed time restraints,

tled into old age, he discovered pensions sounded better than they were. He was embarrassed to say how little the NFL sent each month. Long, long ago, I thought I bought two used camping tents from Doug for a scout troop. He wouldn’t take the two $20s. He said money wasn’t everything. Much later he asked if I remembered the tents. He said he was relieved when I offered to pay. “I thought I was going to have to pay you for helping clean out my garage.� Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

and he found that he didn’t have the spare time for twohour-minimum bike trips. “I decided I should try running again as I could get more exercise in a shorter time. I say ‘again’ as I had tried running numerous times when I was younger. Running to me was something you did on roads or sidewalks or whatever. Every time I tried it I hated it. “At this time I was living in the town of Norris within walking distance of some great trails, and it suddenly hit me – I could go running in the woods! It was a lifechanging revelation!� The hilly terrain made it difficult at first. “But with my heart scare, I was determined to make it work. Plus, I just really love being in the woods. I found that after about four attempts at running my body was getting used to the idea. Within about two months I was getting quite proficient at it. I then realized that I was no longer having any knee pain!� And his blood pressure dropped accordingly. Miller, who also plays percussion for Clarence Brown Theatre productions, sings the praises of trail running. “The ground is softer than pavement so you don’t get all that jarring shock on

community Mount Olive pastor

From page 1

“Your arms are too short to box with God,� McNeal preached last Sunday. “Jesus and his people will always win.� Going into a traditional rhythmic preaching style punctuated by grunts and sharp intakes of breath, the pastor advised the congregation that “Christ is telling us to examine ourselves and tell the truth.� Near the end of the hour-long sermon, he came down the aisle and addressed the protesters directly, inviting them to repent. “I still want Christ to be in your heart. Will you come? Will you come?� The discord is the result of a long-simmering dispute over McNeal’s leadership that has led the unhappy members to file suit in Knox County Chancery Court seeking to wrest control of church property and accounts from the pastor and the church officials he has chosen. Church member Juanita Cannon said that some members had taken abuse from the pulpit while their complaints were not being attended to. “We have so many concerns,� Cannon said. “The church’s line of credit was being used without a vote on it.� These and other issues led Cannon and 34 other longtime members to ask for a meeting of the church in February 2015. Opponents of the pastor claim that he has failed to follow the church constitution and bylaws in replacing church officers who don’t support him with people who do. They also claim that he has failed to vacate the pulpit after members met May 18, 2015, and voted 86-5 to fire him. They say that the church budget expenditures have dropped from $654,000 in 2011-12 to $397,000 in 2014-15, that membership is dropping and that church staff have resigned. McNeal disputes those

claims, saying the church deacons did not find reason to call a meeting over his leadership. He said that the church books are regularly monitored by an external auditing firm and that he has fired no church staff. He attributes declines in revenue to the actions of the dissenters. Lisa Wagoner, a church member and employee of Knox County Schools, has written that the church “is virtually being held hostage by Rev. McNeal and his 25 supporters. “The issue at hand is that MOBC [the church] has transitioned from a democracy to a dictatorship where Rev. McNeal makes all the decisions and the congregation does not have a voice.â€? McNeal has supporters in the congregation. After another recent service, deacon Jimmy Hunter expressed his support for the controversial pastor and complained that news reports have been one-sided. “As long as this man preaches what’s in this book [indicating his Bible], I’ll support him,â€? Hunter said. Referring to the demonstrations that have taken place, Hunter said that they were disrespecting God’s house and that was the same as disrespecting God. An announcement on the door of the church advises that “Persons who deliberately disrupt the service ‌ will be ordered off the premises.â€? It also bans bullhorns, other noisemakers and firearms. “Some have a personal vendetta against our pastor,â€? Hunter said. “It’s the duty of the deacon to undergird the pastor. I have seen him live what he preaches, and we should honor him.â€? Hunter was critical of those members who took the dispute to civil court, noting that the New Testament advises Christians to set their differences without calling on the secular government.

your joints and entire body. Also, the unevenness of the running surface seems to work more muscles, giving a superior all-around strengthening of the legs and knees. I have had a number of twisted ankles due to this but those are very minor and go away quickly. “The bottom line for me is that I no longer have knee pain. Ever! Except when I go

a few weeks without running, then it can creep back up.� He also enjoys hiking and running in the Great Smoky Mountains National park and other scenic venues. And he’s careful to point out that the story of his “cure� is “very much just opinions and personal experience with no actual medical experience to back it up. “But very real for me.�

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Monday, Central UMC, 201 Third Ave. Info: Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, lizupchurch1@ gmail.com. â– Inskip Community Association meets 6 p.m. each fourth Tuesday, Inskip Baptist Church, 4810 Rowan Road. Info: Betty Jo Mahan, 679-2748 or bettymahan@ knology.net. â– Oakwood Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each first Monday, Community Club House, 916 Shamrock Ave. Info: Bill Hutton, 773-5228 or s_wlhutton@ yahoo.com. â– Old North Knoxville meets 6:30 p.m. each second Monday, St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway. Info: Andie Ray, 548-5221.

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4 • JANUARY 6, 2016 • Shopper news

Outlook depends on NFL lure The knockout of Northwestern boosted expectations two more notches and reminded us that Jalen Hurd has the heart of a champion. One co-star of the Hardees coffee club says the future of Tennessee football is so bright, he’s going to start selling sunglasses. Another said the outlook is favorable enough that he can put away the crutch, “Just wait until next year.� This is next year. This is the year the Volunteers do more than talk about defeating Florida, winning the East and competing for the Southeastern Conference championship. This is the time to do it.

Marvin West

Butch Jones, four-million-dollar-man, has done the brick-by-brick thing, created the culture, recruited superior talent and nurtured it through the growing stage. The coach is a splendid motivator. The players, constantly focused, have learned a lot. Butch and his staff are wiser in the ways of the big league. Experience is said to be priceless.

Tennessee now has an almost finished product. Butch said a few days ago that it actually takes six or seven years to build a winning program in the SEC. That is coach talk, just in case of a calamity. The third year should have been at least one victory better than it was. This fourth year should be outstanding. How outstanding will depend in part on the lure of the National Football League. If the pro prospects eligible to leave early – Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Cam Sutton and Alvin Kamara – dive in, three other future stars must move up on the depth chart. Jones has surely

planned for this eventuality. It appears SEC coaches may even be using “early out� as a recruiting tool. Come to our place and we’ll get you ready for a big payday after three years instead of four. With or without the three big names, the Tennessee schedule is no picnic. It never is. The red meat is packed from the last Saturday in September to the third Saturday in October. Florida and Alabama come to Neyland Stadium. The Vols go to Georgia and Texas A&M. Playing in the SEC means one tough test after another. If you find that intimidating, you do not believe the lofty evaluations of the past

three recruiting classes. The Vols have been among national leaders at gathering talent. It appears sales is Butch Jones’ strength. It is now time for the Vols to be among the national leaders in results. Top 15 in August, until they have demonstrated strength, top 10 in December when they are in a big bowl. Hurd is good enough at what he does. The defensive line has tremendous potential. Praise be to the departing Kyler Kerbyson but the offensive line should continue to improve. Joshua Dobbs must refine downfield passing accuracy. Practice does not make perfect but it helps.

There is a need for depth at linebacker. The secondary, even with Sutton, is cause for moderate concern. Safeties are gone. New safeties are moving up. The big jump has to come from receivers. They are the under-achievers of recent seasons. Blame them or coaching or pass protection or Dobbs. Special teams? Wow! Net results are not accidental. This is another Butch Jones strength. This is not a national championship prediction. This is an acknowledgment that good times have returned to Tennessee. Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

Primary primer for March 2016 January’s the time for deciding what excess clutter needs to be pitched, and I’m not talking about the antimacassar Aunt Zelda gave you for Christmas. I’m talking about Knox County’s March 1 primary elections. (If you don’t know what an antimacassar is, look it up. If you don’t know who’s running for which office, read on.) Normally held in May, the local primaries have been moved to March 1 to match the Presidential Primaries in other Southern states (the SEC primary). How will an outpouring of voters for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz impact local races? Onward Christian Soldiers: The advantage may go to school board candidates Grant Standefer (executive director of Compassion Coalition) and Susan Horn (Jason Zachary’s

Wendy Smith

ally and children’s minister at Christ Covenant Church). Jim McIntyre won’t be the issue. He guaranteed that by agreeing Monday to step down in July. Elections matter. McIntyre acknowledged that the majority of school board members come September will prefer a different direction and a new leader. Coupling the non-partisan school board races with the Presidential Primary, which will turn out a huge Republican vote in Knox County, causes a trickledown effect which will enhance the majority of con-

servative, even pro-charter, school board members. New broom sweeps clean: Incumbent County Commissioner Jeff Ownby might be swept away by stiff competition from wellknown Republicans and Webb School grads Hugh Nystrom and Janet Testerman. The District 4 race will be the hardest fought and most expensive. And one more thing: It’s ridiculous to make March 1 winners, like unopposed school board candidate Tony Norman, wait until Sept. 1 to take office. Other school board candidates who capture 50 percent plus one on March 1 are effectively elected. They at least should be included in the search for a new schools superintendent. Here are the matchups: School board (non-partisan) – District 2: Jennifer

Owen vs. Grant Sandefer; District 3: Tony Norman, unopposed; District 5: Buddy Pelot, Susan Horn, Lori Boudreaux; District 8: Mike McMillan, unopposed. County commission (partisan; general election in August) – District 1: Michael Covington (R), Evelyn Gill (D), Rick Staples (D), Tyrone LaMar Fine (I). District 2: Michele Carringer (R), John Fugate (R), Laura Kildare (D). District 4: Jeff Ownby (R), Janet Testerman (R), Hugh Nystrom (R), Marleen Kay Davis (D). District 5: John Schoonmaker (R), Sheri Ridgeway (D). District 6: Brad Anders (R), John Ashley (R), Donna Lucas (D). District 8: Dave Wright (R), Donald Wiser (I). District 9: Carson Dailey (R), James Hamilton (D),

Ownby

Nystrom

Tom Pierce (I). Pierce’s interesting political agenda, advertised on Facebook, says that those who practice Islam, Judaism or other “foreign religions� will “simply have to get over it.� Property assessor: Andrew Graybeal, Jim

Testerman

Davis

Weaver and John Whitehead, all Republicans. Law director: Bud Armstrong and Nathan Rowell, both Republicans. Several races will be decided by the primary, so don’t skip it. The General Election is Aug. 4.

GOSSIP AND LIES â– Tony Norman is scarier than you think. Just the threat of him joining the school board eight months out is enough to send Jim McIntyre packing. â– The political climate is just fine. School board elections

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are the voters’ way of setting public school policy. ■What do folks want? A superintendent appointed by a board that’s appointed by the superintendent?

– S. Clark

CONTINUING EDUCATION January-March

Business and Community Services is your one-stop provider of training, offering an array of solutions that will enhance your performance—regardless of your industry—and generate real results. Training can be custom designed for your needs and can be delivered at any of our campuses or in your plant or business. For a complete list of courses and schedules at all campuses, visit www.pstcc.edu/bcs. Registration can be completed online for your convenience or call 865.539.7167. To be placed on the mailing list, please submit your request online at http://www.pstcc.edu/bcs/mailing_list.

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Adult Beginner Guitar (Ages 13+) Have guitar lessons been on your “bucket listâ€?? Here’s your chance to give guitar a whirl!! You will first learn to play guitar in a way that you will use only 1-2 fingers to play your chords. From there we will play a few well-known songs, and you will surprise yourself how good you sound! Then you will learn some of the regular, basic guitar chords and strums, learn to read and understand tab, do a little fingerpicking, play a little basic blues, and play some all-time favorite tunes. You will be picking and grinning in no time! All that is required is willingness to learn and have a great time doing it. It’s going to be fun. You will need to bring your own acoustic guitar. Class size is limited, so register now! $99, instructor: Anna Uptain Tuesdays, January 19-February 23, 6-7:30 p.m. Quick-Pickin’ Mandolin for the Adult Beginner (Ages 13+) Start at the very beginning ‌ with the basic chords. We will then move on to learning to read tablature, and when all is said and done, we will quickly be picking and chording our first couple of songs. Yes, you will be playing before you know it! By the end of the class, you will be playing many of the traditional favorites like “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,â€? “Old Joe Clark,â€? “Ragtime Annieâ€? and a few more to boot! No musical experience is necessary. Required book available from instructor the first night of class at an additional cost. Mandolin to be furnished by participant. $99, instructor: Anna Uptain Tuesdays, March 1-April 5, 6-7:30 p.m. Dueling Banjos for the Adult Beginner (Ages 13+) Have you wanted to play banjo for a while? Here’s your chance! In this six-week program, we will learn two styles of banjo playing. We will learn an old style called up-picking and familiarize ourselves with chords, reading

tablature and rhythm. You will be picking the first night of class and will never look back! Because this is an easy style of playing, it is a great lead-in to the most popular and well-known style ‌ bluegrass/three-finger/Earl Scruggs style, which is what we will work on the last three weeks of class. You will learn the basic roll patterns and learn some familiar and popular tunes ‌ a few in both styles! Come join us for the fun and pickin’. No musical experience necessary. Required book available from instructor the first night of class at an additional cost. Banjo to be furnished by participant. Class size is limited, so don’t delay. $99, instructor: Anna Uptain Tuesdays, April 12-May 17, 6-7:30 p.m. Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income Learn important rules and strategies for claiming Social Security benefits. Emphasis will be placed on coordinating the various types of benefits (retirement, spousal and survivor) in order to maximize your benefits over a lifetime. Discussion will include the following: • Five things to consider regarding when to apply. • When does it make sense to delay benefits? • Why you should always check your earnings record for accuracy? • How to estimate your benefits. • Innovative strategies for benefit coordination between you and your spouse. • How to maximize taxes on Social Security benefits. • How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income. Plus: Valuable insights to help make the best Medicare decisions possible. $59 (includes spouse), instructor: Morgan Kuhn Tuesday & Thursday, March 1 & 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Many more classes available! For a complete list of non-credit classes for all campuses, visit www.pstcc.edu/bcs.

Shopper news • JANUARY 6, 2016 • 5

2016: Bring it on! Jake Mabe called Wednesday to check in and catch up.

Sandra Clark

We commiserated about our ailments. I told him about a Wufoo form somebody decided would help our efficiency. How can you take it seriously if it’s named Wufoo? Jake recalled the good old days when we worked in a tiny office in Halls with an assortment of friends and characters dropping by to show us oddly-shaped vegetables or giant pumpkins. There was Hubert Ma-

jors, who tried to convince me and Betty Bean that his shaggy animal was a rare “sheep-goat.” Joe Smelser: “Hey, Jake, jump in the truck. Gotta show you this cemetery.” And he’d tear out on two wheels. Tud Etherton: “Hey, Sandra, my good friend Jerry Cheung is cooking up something special tonight. Bring your camera.” (And after dinner at the Mandarin House, Jerry might come out to play “Rocky Top” on his urhu.) Jesse Butcher: “Hey, I’m taking these gourd seed over to Mynatt’s (Hardware). Giving them away. Let people know. Hollow out the gourds to make houses for purple martins, and those martins will keep

your place mosquito-free.” Lula Mae Winegar: “Hey, I found this bat at my house.” She dragged a pet carrier into our office. “Hey, get that thing out of here,” I said. “I don’t like bats.” Jake leapt up and dragged the crate outside. Our office was in a log cabin with a front porch. Lula wanted us to photograph the bat (or maybe she just wanted it gone from her place), so she opened the crate. The little bat flew out and immediately attached itself upside down under our red paper box. While I climbed the gutter downspout, Lula tried to coax the bat into flight so Jake could snap a picture. The bat literally disappeared, probably under the porch.

Jim McIntyre: Not a good fit By Sandra Clark Jim McIntyre made a wise choice to leave Knox County Schools. I’m just sorry that he’s asking for a year’s pay as a buyout. And why the battle over a four-year contract just two months ago? Fact is, one doesn’t walk away from a job he loves because his enemies don’t like him. He walks away when his friends stop liking him. I think the 12 white guys

that we used to joke ran K nox v ille have been dow n si z e d through the recession to the 7.5 white guys. Better McIntyre late than never, I suppose, but if the white guys (if you’re not certain who they are, review Tracie Sanger’s donor

list) had been paying attention, they would have seen this “dysfunctional political climate” brewing for some time. When 300 teachers wear red shirts to the school board, many in tears, they represent probably 3,000 teachers who are upset. When veteran teachers quit in droves, you’ve got a problem. And when principals are churned through schools without even a

“Jake,” I said. “Those folks have one thing in common. They’re all (except Jerry) dead.” Pour another round, bartender. The Halls Shopper was Facebook before Facebook. We created community by sharing information. Now folks just post their sheepgoats and ballerina squash directly online. And that’s OK. We never owned the information, Jake, just the mechanisms for sharing it. Imagine a couple of dusty monks discussing that newfangled printing press back in the day. “Why, Brother Anthony, you’ll have folks writing whatever comes into their heads and claiming it’s straight from God. Woe, woe.” Ha! 2016 will bring more change to our business. I, for one, am past ready. Here comes Gannett, a company that actually makes money in the information business. Bring it on!

chance to say good-bye, morale has tanked. That’s Jim McIntyre’s legacy with Knox County Schools. We cannot run a modern school system on stress and fear; when teachers feel like the evaluation system is a “gotcha.” On at least one occasion, he demoted a principal by saying, “You’re a nice guy, but you’re not a good fit.” So on behalf of my friends who are educators, let me say, “Good-bye, Jim. You’re just not a good fit.”

Democrats’ rookie chief not raising white flag After a long series of election beatdowns, Knox County Democrats are at their lowest ebb ever, and Republicans are prepared to administer the coup de grâce in 2016. Not one single countywide elected officeholder is a Democrat. County Commission is down to two Democrats (in the center city first and second districts) and the only Democrat left in the county’s legislative delegation, Joe Armstrong, is facing trial in federal court. So why would Cameron Brooks, a young guy with a full-time day job, want to spend 2016 chairing the Knox County Democratic Party? His answer is simple: Fighting uphill battles is what he does. “Throughout my life I’ve felt like an underdog,” said Brooks, who took office in 2015, and spent his rookie year recruiting County Commission candidates – a distinct change from the Democrats’ usual practice of allowing those races to be decided in GOP primaries. He’s also planning a vigorous attempt to take back the 13th District House seat that fell to Republicans

Betty Bean

in 2013, and there will be Democrats on the ballot in six of the seven contested commission districts, leaving Republicans to fight it out amongst themselves only in the deep red eighth district of East Knox County where Dave Wright now serves. “The first thing I wanted to do was make sure we recruited candidates to run in as many open slots as possible. The Republicans have targeted the first and second districts, but we’ve recruited great candidates, and they’re going to have to spread their resources out. I don’t know what the result will be, but they will not sweep us out,” Brooks said. As a student activist in economic justice issues, he got involved in the formation of United Campus Workers (UCW), which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). After he got his degree he went to work in

the School of Social Work’s Office of Research and Public Service, and in 2003, took a job as an organizer with UCW and worked in the Living Wage campaign. In 2011, he was promoted to a staff position with the national CWA, moved to the D.C. area and hit the road. After a year and a half of exhausting travel, he came back to Knoxville and went back to work for the campus workers for a year or so before taking a job as an agent with Coldwell Bankers Wallace & Wallace. When he looks back, he is most gratified by the “living wage” battle, which worked for salary increases for workers on the bottom of the pay scale. “We made a lot of progress during my tenure, and wages did go up,” he said. “The biggest thing was having an organization that could go to Nashville and build relations with the Legislature.” Brooks had good working relationships with former legislators like Harry Tindell and Tim Burchett. “Tim was like a hero to a lot of UT employees. I’m a Democrat, but can see when someone genuinely does care and does connect

Cameron Brooks with rank-and-file blue collar guys.” And the admiration is mutual. “I’ve got nothing but respect for Cameron,” Burchett said. “He worked for those people who were over at UT scrubbing toilets. He’s a stand-up guy, and we were both tilting at similar windmills. As a Republican, though, Cameron is the kind of guy I hope is not successful.” Brooks says it will be better for everybody for Democrats to grow stronger. “We need two-party government. And it would be great to elect some women – we need more gender diversity. That is a no brainer. If we can do that in Knox County, government will work even better.”

government Remembering Zaevion Dobson, John Bynon The funeral service at Overcoming Believers Church for Zaevion Dobson on Dec. 26 was one of the saddest and most moving I have attended. He was killed while saving the lives of two young girls in Lonsdale. Local officials were represented by Mayor Rogero who spoke, as well as Police Chief Rausch, former Mayor Daniel Brown, former Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis, Council member Finbarr Saunders, former Council member Larry Cox and School Superintendent Jim McIntyre, along with former school board chair Sam Anderson and state Rep. Joe Armstrong. The irony of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ one day and saluting one of his children in death the next day was not lost on attendees. Hopefully, out of this darkness will emerge a new and effective way to eliminate violence in our neighborhoods. Giving powerful messages were Mark Brown Jr., son of former Vice Mayor Mark Brown, and the Rev. Walter Cross. Had this tragedy occurred in military combat, Dobson would be an obvious candidate for the Congressional Medal of Honor. ■ Over the Christmas holidays several wellknown Knoxvillians who made substantial contributions died, but did not receive the special mention they merited in this writer’s view. They included John Bynon, for whom West Hills Park is named, along with prominent businessmen Tom Bell and Jim Talley. Bell and Talley in their day were key leaders of the community and the Chamber of Commerce. Few issues arose without their participation. They leave a significant legacy of service and civic leadership. Bynon was a key leader of the West Hills Neighborhood Association. He was a regular attendee at City Council meetings and close friend to Council member Jean Teague. In later years, he moved to Alabama and then Houston where his son lived and where he died two weeks ago. He leaves an interesting article with the East Tennessee Historical Society on his days as a young soldier in Europe in World War II which he had embargoed from public review until his death. ■ The failure of Mayor Rogero to lift a finger to help former Vice Mayor

Victor Ashe

Nick Pavlis keep his position has city hall observers talking in amazement. Pavlis had been there for Rogero on numerous occasions such as sponsoring an ordinance raising her salary by $15,000 a year (and her lifetime pension being increased as a consequence). He assisted her in pension reform. He often defected criticism of her. He was there for her on any issue of importance. This signals to Council, the new vice mayor and the public that there is little appreciation, reward or benefit for being with the mayor. Rogero simply walked away from Pavlis despite four years of him being as loyal to her as Jack Sharp was to me when I was mayor. It is likely that Pavlis, now that he free of the vice mayor office, will chart a different course. ■ The University of Tennessee once again made the national media in a way it may regret. This time it was in the Wall Street Journal on Dec. 23 with a column by Daniel Henninger on the UT diversity office urging readers to “ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise.” The columnist tied it to the trend to secularize Christmas in many commercial advertisements, especially in major stores along New York’s Madison and Fifth avenues. UT officials need to develop a strategy for this story which continues. The Legislature goes back into session next week on Jan. 12 and just as surely as Tuesday follows Monday this will be a hot topic. The real issue is to justify is how the $5 million is being spent systemwide and could it achieve the same result for less. What is a typical day in the life of a diversity office employee? What do they do to justify this sort of expenditure? The University cannot expect Gov. Haslam or the UT Board to stop legislation to restore the Lady Vols name by Rep. Roger Kane or protect the diversity office from budget cuts or further review. They will have to do it on their own. Happy New Year in 2016.

Jones needs a home Jones is a 2-year-old Golden Retriever mix and has been patiently waiting for his forever home. He is full of energy, sweet, gentle and loving. He would love to go running or hiking with you. Jones is good with children and other dogs. Please contact Heartland at www.heartlandgoldenrescue.org

Can’t Adopt? Sponsor a foster! For additional information check out:

www.heartlandgoldenrescue.org Ad space donated by

765-8808

All donations are tax deductible. Heartland Golden Retriever Rescue is a 501(c)3 organization.

6 • JANUARY 6, 2016 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

SENIOR NOTES ■ Carter Senior Center: 9040 Asheville Highway 932-2939 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Offerings include: card games; exercise programs; arts and crafts; movie matinee each Friday; Senior Meals program noon each Wednesday. Edward Jones Breakfast Club: Meet and Greet with Darron Kidwell, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8.

Nola Killion, first place winner, corn hole Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Jean Holloway Emily Jones, first place, coloring page Myra Payne, third place colortoss, pictured with her daughter at decorating cookie class w/Lauren, PEP contest; third place, dart tournament; ing page contest and second tech and Clay, OT, rehab director. pictured with Clay, OT, rehab director. place decorated door.

■ Corryton Senior Center: 9331 Davis Drive 688-5882 knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday Offerings include: exercise classes; card games; billiards; Senior Meals program, 11 a.m. each Friday. Knox County Veterans Services, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Wanda Lippert, first place, dart tournament; with Ling, PT. Skip Paulsen, first place, decorated door entrance contest

Register for: Super Seniors meeting, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12; entertainment by Sarah Dockery. Clear Caption Phones for Seniors presentation: “Ensemble” landline telephone for seniors with hearing loss, noon Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Make a Difference in a Child’s Life

■ Larry Cox Senior Center 3109 Ocoee Trail 546-1700 Monday-Friday Hours vary

Be a Foster Parent

Shannondale ALC resident appreciation celebration Shannondale Assisted Living Center hosted a resident appreciation celebration sponsored by the therapy department. It was enjoyed by residents, family members and staff. Several activities were lined up for all attendees included: Corn hole toss, dart tournament and cookie decorating class. Everybody also enjoyed roaming the halls to check out door entrance decorations and a display of the coloring page contest. Winners of several contest categories are noted here:

The state Department of Children’s Services is in need of foster parents for children/youth of all ages. There is a special need for sibling groups, schoolage children and teens. Classes are free and a new class begins monthly in Knox County. Upcoming PATH training dates are Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. or Saturday, March 5, at 9 a.m. All sessions will be held at the DCS office at 2600 Corn hole toss: Western Ave., Knoxville. First place: Nola Killion For more informa2nd place: Euvena Suggs tion contact Jennifer at 3rd place: Christine 865-329-8879 or jennifer. Woodard stamper@ tn.gov.

Offerings include: exercise programs; bingo; arts and crafts classes. ■ John T. O’Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Offerings include: Card games, billiards, senior fitness, book club, Senior Savvy computer classes, bingo, blood pressure checks 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Knox County Veterans Services, 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11.

Shopper s t n e V enews

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6 International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers.org; on Facebook.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7 Big Ridge 4th District Neighborhood Watch meeting, 7 p.m., Big Ridge Elementary School library. Info: 992-5212. Living with Diabetes: Putting the Pieces Together, 2-4:30 p.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681.

FRIDAY, JAN. 8 Art exhibit by Hanna Harper, 5-9 p.m., Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 N. Broadway. All ages welcome. Light refreshments served. Info: Jessica Gregory, 556-8676; BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com; BroadwayStudiosGallery@gmail.com. Opening reception for “Gallery of Arts Tribute”: a juried exhibition developed to recognize local artists and honor the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 6-8 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

Mary Montgomery, third place, decorat- Jean Holloway, second place, coloring ed door entrance contest. page contest.

Coloring page contest: 1st place: Emily Jones 2nd place: Jean Holloway 3rd place: Myra Payne Decorate Room Entrance 1st place: Evelyn Paulsen 2nd place: Myra Payne 3rd place: Mary Montgomery Dart Tournament 1st place: Wanda Lippert 2nd place:Dot Cowan 3rd place:Emily Jones “It was a successful event and we our grateful to all those who participated and those who generously donated prizes,” said Ling. “We are also grateful for Santa (Tim) who visited us even in his busiest time of the year.” Shannondale’s Assisted

Living Center offers “around the clock” personal a s si st a nc e by licensed nurses and nursing assistants. Dot Cowan And when residents need it, there is access to Shannondale Health Care Center. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared on-site and served restaurant style. While residents enjoy a private room with bath, there are also community spaces such as the recreation/activities room, a beauty shop and barber shop, a sunroom/living room, nursing services and emergency care.

Kayla Webb, RN, w/ Mary Montgomery during dart tournament

Euvena Suggs , 2nd placer, corn hole toss w/ Paige,OT

SUNDAY, JAN. 10

VFW meeting, 7 p.m., 140 Veteran St., Maynardville. All veterans are invited. Info: 278-3784.

Pen to Podium: SAFTA Reading Series, 3-4 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Featuring: George David Clark and Jeni Wallace. Info: 215-8750.

FRIDAY, JAN. 15

MONDAY, JAN. 11 Staged reading of “Last Train to Nibroc,” 7:30 p.m., The Square Room, 4 Market Square. Presented by the WordPlayers. Free admission. Info: 539-2490 or wordplayers.org.

TUESDAY, JAN. 12 Knoxville Civil War Roundtable meeting, 8 p.m., Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike. Speaker: Aaron Astor, associate professor of history at Maryville College. Topic: “The Civil War Along Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau.” Dinner, 7 p.m. Cost: lecture only, $5; dinner and lecture, $17. RSVP by noon Monday, Jan. 11: 671-9001. Paulette 6th District Neighborhood Watch meeting, 7 p.m., Paulette Elementary School cafeteria. Info: 992-5212.

TUESDAYS, JAN. 12-FEB.16 “Reflections, Light and Magic” class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $150/nonmembers $175. Materials list provided. Info/registration: knoxart.org.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13 International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers. org; on Facebook.

SATURDAY, JAN. 9

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org. Saturday Stories and Songs: Faye Wooden, 11 a.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210. Saturday Stories and Songs: Georgi Schmitt, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681. The Tennessee Stifflegs Old-Time String Band, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $14, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www. jubileearts.org.

AAA Driver Improvement Course, 5:30-9:30 p.m., AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Four-hour course helps reduce points for traffic offenders and teaches how to reduce risk while driving. Cost: $30 members/$35 nonmembers. Must preregister. Info/registration: Kate, 862-9254, or Stephanie, 862-9252. Coffee, Donuts & a Movie: “Max,” 10:30 a.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431. Halls Book Club: “The Rocks,” 1 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552. Just Add Color: Adult Coloring Club, 5:30 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.

Steep Canyon Rangers in concert, 8 p.m., Bijou Theater, 803 S. Gay St. Info/tickets: knoxbijou.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JAN. 15-16 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Info/tickets: all Ticketmaster outlets, Tennessee Theatre box office and 800-7453000. Monster Jam, 7:30 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena. Saturday Pit Party, 5 p.m. Info/tickets: tbarena.com; knoxvilletickets.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Eight-hour course helps reduce points for traffic offenders and teaches how to reduce risk while driving. Cost: $40 members/$50 nonmembers. Must preregister. Info/registration: Kate, 862-9254, or Stephanie, 862-9252. “Fantasia, Live!” presented by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m., Knoxville Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Info/tickets: knoxvillesymphony.com. Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org. Roux du Bayou Cajun Dance Music, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $12, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org. Saturday Stories and Songs: Faye Wooden, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681. Saturday Stories and Songs: Sarah Rysewyk, 11 a.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210. “What’s For Breakfast” cooking class, 10 a.m., Clinton Physical Therapy Center, 1921 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., Clinton. Led by Camille Watson, Holistic Health Coach. Cost: $33/$60 per couple if paid by Jan. 13. Preregistration requested. Info/registration: Kelly Lenz, 457-1649, or Camille Watson, 661-9956.

SATURDAYS, JAN. 16-FEB. 13 “Pottery On The Wheel” class for all levels, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Appalachian Arts Craft Center, 2716 Andersonville Highway, Norris. Instructor: Katie Cottrell. Registration deadline: Jan. 9. Bring lunch. Info/registration: 494-9854; appalachianarts.net.

faith

Shopper news • JANUARY 6, 2016 • 7

Three kings In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.� (Matthew 2: 2 NRSV)

The newly renovated sanctuary at Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Halls.

Beaver Dam renovates sanctuary

It is a privilege to join Shopper News in writing about faith, church and ministry happenings in our community. It is a new year, and just as I am opening a new chapter so is Beaver Dam Baptist Church with its newly renovated sanctuary. A renovation committee chaired by Travis Edmondson worked diligently to create a fresh place for the church to worship. The project, which began in June, is now nearing completion. This new worship space

Zach Wishart

seats over 900 with a stage that has removable walls designed by church member Jerry Worsham, enabling the church to have more space for events such as vacation bible school. By God’s grace, the church has been able to complete renovations without incurring any debt. The

words wrapped continuously around the outside hall of the sanctuary showcase what Beaver Dam is all about, “Proclaiming God’s Word to Make and Mature Believers.� A new welcome area features a global map and Matthew 28:19-20 – the great commission. This is a church that will continue fulfilling God’s call in the book of Matthew to make disciples of all nations throughout the New Year. They do this by their ministries and missions, both local and abroad, such as

Love Local which provides food, mentoring and basic needs to over 100 families in the community. Other ministries include Food for Friends that provides food for elementary students during the summer. With a new sanctuary and these continued ministries it is sure to be a great year for Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Zach Wishart is a busy young man. A 2012 graduate of Halls High and a student at Liberty University, he is also minister to students and children at Lincoln Park Baptist Church, special education TA at Halls Middle, tennis coach at Carter High and a licensed Realtor. We’re proud to add Zach to the Shopper’s news team.

A need for accessibility

ously served Morristown’s Calvue Baptist for seven years. He, Cole, and the Gillands have their hopes up for an elevator, though the expense worries them. “But it is more feasible and safer than a chair lift,� says Zavattieri, “because of the children. You know how children are. You can’t watch them all the time.� A chair lift moving up and down stairs would certainly tempt young daredevils. And it would only be able

By Carol Shane Among close-knit church communities, you won’t find a more caring set of folks than those who attend Glen Oak Baptist Church in Old North Knoxville. Many members of the congregation have been coming for 30 years or more, with their children and grandchildren following. The intergenerational bond is strong. But sometimes even that type of bond has its limits when dealing with the physically disabled. The building nestles into a hill and has two multilevel entrances: the lower one in the back leads into the fellowship hall and the higher, main one in front leads into the sanctuary. Inside the building, the only access to the lower floor is by four very narrow, steep, enclosed stairwells, each in a corner of the rectangular building. “All four sets of steps are just the same,� says Rick Cole, a church deacon and member of the building committee. Even an able-bodied person has to be careful negotiating those stairs. The wheelchair-bound have no chance of getting down them, and they’re a danger to anyone who’s physically challenged or infirm. “The stairs have been an issue for the disabled for as long as they have been members, which in several cases is 20 years or longer,� says church member Roger Gilland. “As for the elderly, we have many who have been there for 30 years or longer and have always expressed concerns about the steps.� The congregants at Glen Oak Baptist have been taking care of their own for

FAITH NOTES â– Church Women United of Knoxville-Knox County meeting, 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, 124 S. Cruz St. Info: 546-0651.

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

Thinking about all of this, however, brings me to a smaller, more personal miracle. The God who flung the stars into the heavens, who created all the worlds that are, who keeps the whole universe spinning, who may have created other universes that we don’t even know about, sent a part of God’s own self to live among us as a baby and as a savior for all humankind! God became one of us, in order to save each of us from our rebellion and our disobedience. The first verse of Scripture I ever memorized was John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world‌.â€? The whole world: kings, camel, and a Babe.

to accommodate one elderly person at a time. “I think an elevator would be best-case scenario for our members, but anything to help them would be greatly appreciated,� says Roger Gilland. If you’d like to donate, please call the Compassion Coalition at 251-1591, or visit the website at compassioncoalition.org, and specify your gift for Glen Oak Baptist Church’s accessibility program.

Church members Carl Cole, Gayle Witt, Donna Cole and Rita Taylor with her children Stanley (in wheelchair) and Lisa pose in front of one of the “problem� stairwells. Because the church has many elderly and infirm members, the congregation is asking for help in making their building’s interior more accessible to those with physical limitations. Photos by Carol Shane some time now. At their regular Wednesday night fellowship hall suppers followed by a service in the sanctuary, members who are unable to take the stairs are helped up the hill outside by younger members – in many cases by the youth of the church. It’s a touching and rare opportunity for intergenerational bonding, and the youth gain perspective and compassion in the process. When it rains, adult members drive their cars around to the lower entrance in order to transport

people up to the sanctuary entrance. Everything possible is done to help every church member take part in all desired activities. “We try,� says Jamia Gilland, Roger’s wife. “We try.� It’s worked for a while, but some older members’ recent bouts with illness have made the stairwell problem more prominent and worrisome. Fortunately, Knoxville’s Compassion Coalition – a nonprofit agency which describes itself as “a catalyst to help local churches build capacity and vision for community transforma-

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â– First Comforter Church, 5516 Old Tazewell Pike, hosts MAPS (Mothers At Prayer Service) noon each Friday. Info: Edna Hensley, 771-7788. â– Church Women United of Knoxville-Knox County meeting, 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, 124 S. Cruz St. Info: 546-0651.

In the Christian calendar, Jan. 6 is Epiphany, the day in which the church celebrates the visit of the wise men. Tradition even gives us names for them: Caspar, which means “Master of Treasure,� Melchior, which means “King,� and Balthasar, which means “Protect the King.� The visit of these foreigners has more meaning than simply their own adoration of the Christ Child, however. There were cosmic implications. The Magi (from the Greek, meaning sages) were Persian astrologers, professional star-watchers. So naturally they took notice when a particularly bright star appeared, a star they had not seen before. They were curious – naturally – and intrigued. Modern astronomers have opined that what the Magi saw could have been a super-nova, an exploding star (which, in my opinion, is amazing enough to count as a miracle).

tion� – got wind of the need for a more accessible way of transitioning between Glen Oak’s upper and lower floors. So they’re putting out the call for help. “I would really appreciate the help for the elderly at the church,� says the Rev. Bob Zavattieri, who has been at Glen Oak Baptist for about 18 months, having previ-

Glen Oak Baptist Church members of all ages enjoy their community and the Wednesday night suppers in their spacious fellowship hall. Shown in the back row are Jamia Gilland, her daughters Kaylee, a sixth-grader at Holston Middle School, and Lexie, a 10th-grader at Fulton High School, Tayler Inman, and Bryson Rush, a ninth-grader at Karns Middle School. In front are Evan Hall, who attends fourth grade at Ritta Elementary, and Jamarius Fishback, a sixth-grader at Whittle Springs Middle School. Of the Wednesday night gatherings, Gilland says, “Anybody who wants to join us is welcome.�

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kids

8 • JANUARY 6, 2016 • Shopper news Seventh grader Will Conlon’s favorite piece at KMA was Ansel Adams’ “Dawn, Autumn, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, 1948”. “I really like the black and white scheme, but that it’s still realistic,” he said.

Homeschooled sisters Ana and Ava Berkheimer release some energy on the playground outside The Muse. Ana favors the space ship exhibit and Ava likes the art projects.

Cabin fever easers Children all over Knox County were sweating over the holiday break, and it wasn’t just from the unseasonably warm weather. Cabin fever lured many families out around town to partake in exhibits, day camps, art activities and playground fun during students’ last days of winter vacation before returning to school. The Muse Knoxville held several Winter Wonderlabs that featured crafts, 3D design and printing and code writing. A favorite hot spot was a sensory activity made of boards and thousands of yellow zip ties. Children walked through the ties as if walking through a hallway while the ends of the plastic tickled their skin. More than half of the children at The Muse were accompanied by an adult family member that seemed to have just as much fun as their younger play pal(s). Lucinda Alexander, grandmother to Everett and Edith Alexander, spoke very highly of The Muse’s Grandparent Pass, which allows a grandparent to pay one time and bring all of their grandchildren as often as they’d like. A special presentation also took place at The Muse on Dec. 29 when TVA announced a presenting sponsorship of this year’s third annual Robotics Revolution: A STEM Awareness Event, to be held Aug. 6 at the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park. TVA will donate $10,000

Sara Barrett

to the event, hosted by The Muse. “Robotics Revolution has hosted almost 3,000 attendees in the previous two years,” says Ellie Kittrell, executive director of The Muse. “State-of-the-art corporations always benefit from a well-educated workforce and TVA’s investment in Robotics Revolution demonstrates how events like this are meeting this need in our community.” Info: themuseknoxville.org. The Knoxville Museum of Art’s East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition is on display through Jan. 10, and several students and their families stopped by for a peek. Cain, Libba and Louise Gray Leonard were visiting their grandparents but came by KMA for a scavenger hunt. Their mom printed a list of items to look for in the exhibits, and the children marked them off as they went along. KMA will host its Winter Family Fun Day 11 a.m.3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. There will be artist demonstrations, live entertainment and lots of art activities for kids. The kids will most likely need another break from school by that time. Info: knoxart.org

business

Rains Emery and her big sister, Mary Mac, a first grader at Sequoyah Elementary School, walk through a sensory activity made from thousands of yellow zip ties. Mary Mac seemed to enjoy the experience more than Rains.

Chris McDonald and his niece, preschooler Adelyn Smith, dig for dinosaurs.

Siblings Libba, Cain and Louise Gray Leonard discuss “Snaggles and the Great Battle” by student artist Zachary Hicks.

News from the Rotary Guy

Rotary and Scouts By Tom King

Declutter: Feel the freedom

Pankiewicz

January Council on Aging Meeting: “Dealing with Sentimental Clutter – Feel the Freedom” will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the O’Connor Center. The meeting will feature Mary Pankiewicz, certified professional organizer, who will talk about what clutter to let go of and what to save. She will discuss such items as gifts, greeting cards, family heirlooms and more.

Did you know that Rotary International and the Boy Scouts of America have a long and storied history? They are two of the Tom King oldest organizations in the United States – Rotary was founded in 1905 and five years later the Boy Scouts began in the U.S. Recently, members of the Rotary Club of Farragut heard this story from David Williams, the Scout Executive of the Great Smoky Mountains Council. Williams is a member of the Rotary Club of Knoxville. In his role he leads Scouting in a 21-county East Tennessee area with 10,300 Scouts and their adult leaders. Williams explained the link: “Paul Harris was the

founder of Rotary and James E. West, the first chief scout executive, were good friends in Chicago,” he said. “They traveled the country together establishing Boy Scout councils. And our relationship continues to be strong today. Because of the support of Rotarians, countless young men and women across the nation are able to enjoy the benefits of Scouting.” In 1918, Rotary was the first service club to adopt Scouting. Today, Rotarians remain among the foremost sponsors. Rotary clubs in the United States charter over 1,400 Scouting units (Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing crews) serving about 45,000 Scouts. And then there is the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians, one of more than 50 Rotary Fellowship Groups established to bring together Rotarians with similar interests from around the world. This fel-

Scout Executive David Williams, Farragut Rotarians Andy Luttrell and Chris Thomas, and John Tipton, the new Toqua Scout Executive. lowship is made up of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, Interact and Rotaract members. Williams, who is an Eagle Scout, is an Army veteran, a graduate of the University of Memphis and has worked for 18 years for the BSA. He says the relationship is strong because, “We share strong codes of behavior that define and shape who we are. Rotary has the Four Way Test and those are the same types of principles at work in our Scout Oath and Scout Law

to this day. Rotary has been a part of scouting since the beginning.” Prior to his presentation, Williams introduced John Tipton, the new Toqua District Executive. His district includes West Knoxville and Loudon County. Tipton now has been welcomed as a new member of the Farragut club, again strengthening the ties between Rotary and Scouting. Tom King is a retired newspaper editor, a Rotarian for 27 years and past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. He can be reached at tking535@gmail.com

BIZ NOTES ■ Steven M. Goodpaster, of Woodford & Associates, has been awarded the Appraisal Institute’s MAI membership designation, which is held by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation and evaluation of commercial, industrial, residential and other types of properties, and who advise clients on real estate investment decisions. A Powell resident, he is president of the Broadacres Homeowners Association. Info: 865-686-3300

Thanks for your service David Hutchins is thanked by KCDC chair Dan Murphy for Hutchins’ 15 years of leadership at KDCD. His final meeting was in December. Hutchins began his tenure during the HOPE VI revitalization project in Mechanicsville in 2001 and continued through the ongoing Five Points revitalization in East Knoxville.

Goodpaster

■ Dr. Robert E. Malka, a neurologist and neuro-hospitalist, has joined Tennova Healthcare at Physicians Regional Medical Center. Dr. Malka offers critical inpatient care for individuals admitted to the hospital for stroke, aneurysm, head trauma, brain and spine tumors, and other neurologic conditions. He will coordinate care and treatment for neurologic patients from admission through discharge from the hospital.

Dr. Malka

weekender

Shopper news • JANUARY 6, 2016 • 9

‘The Revenant’ By Betsy Pickle “The Revenant” may be one of the toughest movies you’ll ever love. A grueling experience for the characters, the actors and the audience, “The Revenant” is a visceral journey through physical pain and mental anguish, but it is worth it on oh so many levels. Its story of survival alone raises it above even the best human-vs.-nature tales that come to mind, and yes, that includes “127 Hours.” Mountains, rivers, freezing temperatures and – most memorably – bears besiege the protagonist beyond what mere mortals are expected to endure. Some would mark that off to the revenge that drives Hugh Glass, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, but that would be dismissing the person Glass is – as created indelibly by DiCaprio. Many might feel the burning anger that Glass experiences, but unless they are as full of love for family, respect for nature and honor for the righteous, they could not begin to follow his trail. Glass is a scout in the western wilderness of the 1820s. Leading a party of trappers organized by Capt. Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson), he aims to keep the scruffy group safe from Native Americans who want their pelts and their scalps. He has with him his teenage son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck), whose protection is his top priority. After a Ree attack leaves more than half the trappers dead, Glass hustles them deeper into the woods on a route toward a frontier fort. Reconnoitering early one morning, Glass is surprised by a grizzly bear that thinks he means to harm her cubs. The bear violently mauls him, and when the trap-

Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) refuses to let harsh weather and terrain deter him from revenge in “The Revenant.” pers find him they expect him to succumb quickly to his injuries. The fact that he doesn’t sets up a dilemma for Henry and brings out some of the best and worst of human nature from the others. Directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu from a script by Inarritu and Mark L. Smith, “The Revenant” was inspired by real-life events as well as a novel by Michael Punke. A version of the story was previously told in the 1971 film “Man in the Wilderness.” The brutal portrayal of frontier life comes from a 20th/21st-century sensibility, but the story benefits from that realism. It’s a tough existence with strong emotions driving whites, Native Americans and French traders alike. Hand-in-hand with the violence is a magical realism that surfaces in Glass’s dreams/memories of the past with his Pawnee wife (Grace Dove) and young Hawk (Isaiah Tootoosis), as well as the compassion shown by Henry and young Jim Bridger (Will Poulter). Family is a touchstone for many, and Inarritu never lets the darkness completely overshadow the light. As much as “The Revenant” is a riveting adventure

tale, it also turns out to be a stunning acting showcase. DiCaprio finally finds a role that erases all vestiges of his pretty-boy, urbane persona. Covered in blood, furs and facial hair and communicating primarily with his eyes and grunts, he commands the screen more than he has ever done before, yet because it is all in service to the character there’s never any sign of “acting” to it. Tom Hardy, as the villainous Fitzgerald, is as talkative as his “Mad Max: Fury Road” character was

reticent, and his contribution is outstanding. Gleeson, Poulter and Goodluck are superb as well. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki turns the gorgeous and unforgiving terrain into another character, and Inarritu brings it all together with heart and insight. “The Revenant” is one you’ll want to come back to again and again. Rated R for strong frontier combat and violence including gory images, a sexual assault, language and brief nudity.

An artistic tribute to MLK By Carol Shane

‘The Forest’ Sara Price (Natalie Dormer) goes looking for her identical twin sister in a Japanese forest and finds herself surrounded by paranormal forces in “The Forest,” opening Friday in local theaters. Taylor Kinney, Eoin Macken, Stephanie Vogt and Yukiyoshi Ozawa star for director Jason Zada. The horror film is rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic content and images.

‘Conversations and Cocktails’ ahead The Humanities Center at UT has announced the lineup for its annual “Conversations and Cocktails” series, which will begin 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12. Offered in collaboration with the Grill at Highlands Row, the series provides the community an opportunity to interact with guest scholars as they discuss history while enjoying special dinner and appetizer selections. All discussions are free. Dinner reservations are required and seating is limited. A reservation can be made by calling the Grill at Highlands Row at 865-8517722.

The first discussion will feature UT scholar Charles Maland, J. Douglas Bruce Professor of English and Cinema Studies. Maland The talk is titled “‘That’s What You Think:’ James Agee as Movie Reviewer” and will explore how Agee responded to some of the famous films of his era. Agee, a Knoxville native, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist who was first known for his movie reviews for Time and The Na-

Alan Jones’ painting, “Altar Ego.” Works by Jones and other local artists will be on view at the Emporium Center through the month of January. Photo submitted

tion published in the 1940s. Maland recently completed the editing process of “Complete Film Criticism: Reviews, Essays, and Manuscripts” for the UT Press “The Works of James Agee” series. He will provide guests with an overview of Agee’s movie reviewing career during the event. Other “Conversations and Cocktails” talks include: Feb. 2 – Thomas Burman, professor of history and Riggsby Director of the Marco Institute: “Ignored Model, Admired Enemy: Islam and Christian Europe.” March 1 – Tore Olsson, assistant professor of history: “How East Tennessee

Transformed the World: TVA’s Global Career after WWII.” April 5 – Robert Glaze, doctoral student in history: “‘Hardships, perils and vicissitudes:’ The Army of Tennessee in Civil War Memory.” May 3 – Mary Campbell, assistant professor of art history: “The Mormon Church’s Polygamous Suffragettes.” The Humanities Center supports faculty fellows and graduate students whose work explores what it means to be human, our place in the universe, and our obligation to extend compassion and social justice to one another.

Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that in a world where negativity seems to nab the front page more often than not, good things also tend to grow and flourish. The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission’s Gallery of Arts Tribute is an example. It’s grown so much that it needs a new home. On Jan. 8, in partnership with the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and in celebration of 2016’s very first First Friday, it will be the featured exhibition at the Emporium Building in downtown Knoxville. According to the ACA’s deputy director Suzanne Cada, the exhibition, which honors the life and legacy of the slain civil rights leader, has traditionally been housed at the Beck Cultural Center, and has featured only one or two artists. “This year they wanted to open it up,” Cada says. “It’s a juried show for multiple artists.” In the spirit of making the entry process even more egalitarian, there’s no entry fee. According to the ACA website, “The exhibition seeks to feature: 1) works by African and African-American artists living within 50 miles of Knoxville; and/or 2) works that pertain to the themes of unity, community, love, reconciliation, social justice and civil rights by any artist living within

Love movies? Then you'll love the Shopper's take on both the local filmmaking scene and Hollywood releases.

Betsy Pickle, East Tennessee's premier film critic, keeps you in the know in Weekender.

50 miles of Knoxville.” “When I put the call out,” says Cada, “we had a lot of people respond that they’re making something especially for this exhibition.” The selected works, judged by a panel of three, will be displayed in the Emporium’s atrium and upstairs gallery. The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission’s purpose, according to its website, is “to reaffirm and reflect upon the American ideals of freedom, justice and peace. To that end, we pledge to work inclusively with community partners to: lift and live principles of non-violence, equality and love; tell the stories of the struggles; and provide education and leadership training for adults and youth.” The exhibition kicks off with an opening reception as part of January’s First Friday. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available. “They’re hoping this will grow,” says Cada of the annual art show. “There’s already been a big response.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission’s Gallery of Arts Tribute opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street. The show will run through Friday, Jan. 29. The Emporium will be closed on Jan. 18 in recognition of the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. Info: knoxalliance.com or 523-7543. For info about the Commission, visit mlkknoxville.com

10 • JANUARY 6, 2016 • Shopper news

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