North/East Shopper-News 022515

NORTH / EAST VOL. 3 NO. 8

IN THIS ISSUE

FORE! (degrees)

Back-to-back ice and snow were not kind to Holston Hills Country Club in East Knoxville last week. The most obvious damage from the bad weather was on the club’s tennis courts, where the weight of ice uprooted a large tree on Monday. The tree fell across a fence and broke up on the first clay court near the pool house.

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February 25, 2015

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Mediterranean nation

has presence at Holston Hills home

A tiny bit of Slovenia persists at 4801 Westover Terrace in Holston Hills, where Knoxvillian Lydia Pulsipher maintains the Slovenian consulate. Photos by Bill Dockery

See Bill Dockery’s story on page 3

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.

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See Carol Shane’s story on page 5

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.

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See Betty Bean’s story on page 4

Ice and snow can’t stop Mobile Meals People all over Knox County struggled with weather woes during last week’s ice and snow extravaganza, but a few pressed pause on their own hardships to help folks who were worse off. Mobile Meals’ volunteer coordinator Shelly Woodrick said the program welcomed more than 40 new volunteers within 48 hours when the weather was at its worst.

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By Bill Dockery The view from Lydia Mihelic Pulsipher’s home on Westover Terrace in Holston Hills encompasses the best of East Tennessee. As you take in the long blue range of the Smokies, the panorama is spectacular. The view is a backdrop for a flagpole in Pulsipher’s yard that proudly flies a red, white and blue flag.

But the flag is not Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the Grand Old Flag. It has three bold horizontal stripes – white above blue above red – embellished with a badge featuring three stars, mountains and sea. It is the national flag of Slovenia, and it directly links Knoxville and East Tennessee to the small European country on the east end of the Mediterranean Sea.

“Any time we have Slovenians here, we make them available to the wider university,” she said.

An exhibit of woodworking from a village that was once home to Pulsipher’s family is now touring Tennessee Board of Regents universities and will visit Knoxville’s Emporium Gallery in the fall.

She sponsors traveling exhibits of Slovenian art and promotes wines and other products from Slovenia. Her preparation of potica (pronounced “poteetsa”) has become a holiday tradition in the Holston Hills neighborhood. Potica is a traditional eastern European nut roll with a sweet lemonflavored yeast dough filled with walnuts and honey or yellow raisins and spices. The consulate also

Lydia Pulsipher and one of her critters stand by the Slovenian flag that flies at her Holston Hills home.

To page 3

See Sara Barrett’s story on page 4

State of the schools, errr super

West says: Don’t forget Doug Atkins

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?

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Pulsipher’s home is one of Slovenia’s three consulates in the United States, and the retired University of Tennessee geography professor is an official representative of the country, which broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991.

“My ambition is that Knoxville will feel a bit of connection to central Europe,” Pulsipher said.

“Slovenia is a great place to travel or study. The people have many of the same interests that we Knoxvillians have.”

(Former school board chair Indya Kincannon, husband Ben Barton and their daughters are living in Slovenia for a year while Barton teaches law on a Fulbright Fellowship.)

Pulsipher helps students from Slovenia find study opportunities at UT and other U.S. schools.

Read Marvin West on page 4

7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Bill Dockery ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Wendy O’Dell | Sara Whittle

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

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

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

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.”

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2 • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Recovering step by step

PNRC patient back on his feet after near fatal traffic crash Life can change unexpectedly in an instant. Just ask Sam Owens, 58, of Miamisburg, Ohio.

In December of 2013, Owens’ car crashed into the back of a utility trailer near Clinton. He and his wife were on their way home from a visit with family in Florida. “Neither one of us remembers the accident, which is in itself a blessing,� Owens says. “We started spinning and eventually ended up on the other side of the interstate.�

While Bonnie miraculously walked away with only a few cuts and bruises, her husband was injured much more critically. He had a broken back, a dozen broken ribs, broken sternum, broken hip, his right lung collapsed, there was radial nerve damage to his right arm and his right femur was destroyed.

There were other injures, but those were the worst. Owens required seven units of blood, and he spent ďŹ ve and a half weeks at UT Medical Center. On a respirator, he often communicated with Bonnie by tracing letters into her hand.

When Owens was ďŹ nally released, he still had a long way to go before he could function on his own, so he was referred to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center. “I was pretty much immobile at that time,â€? Owens says. “I could not get up, I couldn’t even roll over in the bed.â€? He couldn’t put any weight on his right leg nor use his right arm, and he’d had to lie in a hospital bed for so long that his muscles had atrophied.

From the start, understanding that Owens was going to be there for an extended stay, PNRC staff offered to bring a bed into his room for Bonnie. “The staff at Pat Neal took care of her as well as me,â€? Owens says, “and I think that’s important because it deďŹ nitely helped Bonnie deal with our situation.â€?

And the situation was still dire.

Owens had both physical and mental hurdles to cross before he could go home.

“I was never afraid of anything that happened at the hospital or the rehab center,� Owens explains. “But whenever I would move or was being moved, I was overly cautious about being careful not to add to the injuries.�

His primary therapist, Christy Williams, says that’s a common concern for new patients at PNRC. “In inpatient rehab, our No. 1 priority with a multi-trauma patient is to transform this mentality on movement,� Williams says. “Once the fear of movement lessens, most patients are very eager to learn to move independently, and Sam was no different.�

Williams says Owens’ ďŹ rst transfer out of bed required the assistance of three people – one for each leg and one for his upper body. After 30 minutes of slow readjustments and progression toward sitting on the edge of the bed, he was transferred into a wheelchair for the ďŹ rst time and was able to be wheeled down to the therapy gym. “They got me into a harness device that lifted me out of the wheelchair and actually had me walk down a little path with parallel bars,â€? Owens remembers, “just to get my body in an upright position and have my legs move in as close to normal manner as possible without any weight on them.â€?

These were just the ďŹ rst steps on a long road to recovery. Although recovery happened slowly, it did happen. “I started noticing improvements pretty much from the very beginning,â€? says Owens.

After three weeks Williams told Owens he had ďŹ nally reached the level most patients are at when

Sam Owens’ journey at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center started with him being wheelchair bound after a horrifying car crash in December of 2013. A year later, he’s now walking the beaches of Florida with his wife, Bonnie, and seeing the benefits of his intensive therapy sessions. they are ďŹ rst admitted. The physical therapists at PNRC were skilled, and Owens was determined. “Though Sam was a very medically complicated patient, he was determined to return to his baseline level of mobility,â€? Williams says. “With this determination, great family support from his wife, Bon-

nie, and his willingness to overcome his fears and try new methods, he progressed smoothly from a level of total dependence to a level high enough for him to be discharged.�

While Sam Owens was obviously a special case, his method of care was no different than what any patient could expect from PNRC. “We

meet each person where they are; we consider each person’s daily medical status, their daily mood and motivation, and current physical limitations, and create a plan to promote functional mobility,� Williams says.

Each plan is modiďŹ ed daily and if necessary multiple times per day.

However, the ultimate goal is always the same: progression toward safe and independent mobility. “As the patient,� Owens says, “I was fully aware of what the progression plan was and the goals I needed to reach each week to graduate to the next step.�

Those steps eventually led to Owens being discharged. Today he’s able to continue physical therapy near his home and improved enough to make a return trip to Florida. “Yesterday, I walked a little over half a mile on the beach without the use of a cane,� Owens says. “I see that as a pretty major milestone compared to where I was – it was awesome.�

Owens says his next goal is to walk without a limp. It’s a pretty safe bet he’ll be able to reach that goal, considering what he’s already accomplished.

During his six weeks at PNRC, Owens saw many patients admitted and discharged. Being something of senior resident after awhile, Owens was asked if he had any advice to share with the newer patients. “You’ve just got to keep a positive attitude,� Owens told them. “Whatever the therapist asks you do to, do it if you can, because you have to take ownership of your health and rehabilitation.�

Owens says attitude is everything. “Not one single day throughout this whole process have I been depressed or down in the dumps,� he says. “I wake up every morning, and I smile when I open my eyes.�

Owens says he has nothing but “praise and thankfulness� for the staff at PNRC, and with each new day, he’s happier than ever just to be alive.

Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center serves Covenant and beyond nal cord injury,â€? says Dr. Mary Dillon, medical director of PNRC since 2003. “We were able to rehab the patient well enough that they could make the 24-hour ight home with this new disability. Then, coordinating with international, socialized medicine was also quite a learning experience.â€?

Navigating the many twists and tangles of red tape, however, is hardly new to the scores of health professionals involved in caring for PNRC patients. Since 2010, the government-mandated guidelines for admission to rehabilitation centers have become increasingly stringent, making it more challenging for patients to get the care they need. “When a patient is admitted for inpatient rehabilitation at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, they

have to meet admission requirements established by the government for ‘medical necessity’ as well as rehab needs,� said Dr. Dillon, a physiatrist. “You have to be sick enough to require a hospital level of care but well enough to participate in an intensive, multiple-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary therapy program.�

Helping smooth that process is the relationships Dr. Dillon and her team have built with physicians throughout the Covenant network, a network that continues to grow and now serves 23 counties in East Tennessee. As new facilities are added, such as Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville and Claiborne Medical Center in Tazewell, Dillon and her team work to develop relationships with the new facilities to better un-

derstand their capabilities as well as offer PNRC’s services when needed.

Another important role in maneuvering government guidelines is that of the admissions liaison, specially trained registered nurses and social workers assigned to each Covenant hospital to evaluate and process referrals from those facilities to PNRC. “That’s a vital role,� said Dillon. “We have licensed persons in that role to collate the referral data. The ultimate decision for admission or not admitting, however, has to be made by a physician with training in rehabilitation. A lot of it is semantics. It’s knowing how to capture the medical intensity of the care needed.

The goal is to get the patient to the level of care in the post-acute continuum that will best meet their needs

and best utilize their resources.�

Each year about 750 to 800 patients with a variety of illnesses or injuries are admitted to PNRC. About 80 percent of those come from Parkwest Medical Center, University of Tennessee Medical Center and Fort Sanders Regional with the balance mostly coming from other Covenant facilities although referrals often come from Nashville, Chattanooga, the Tri-Cities in Tennessee and many other states as well.

Countless others, whose condition does not qualify for inpatient care, receive help as a PNRC outpatient or may be referred back to a Covenant therapy center closer to home. Still others may be referred to a skilled care nursing facility or home health care.

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It’s a place for those whose lives were changed forever in the blink of an eye. It’s where the sickest of the sick come to be treated, and where each year, hundreds of people come to have their lives rebuilt and abilities restored.

It’s Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, the 73-bed acute care rehab hospital that serves not just Fort Sanders Regional within which it is located, but all Covenant Health facilities, East Tennessee and beyond.

Way beyond. “We had a paMary Dillion, MD tient from Australia who was in an accident while visiting this country and had a spi-

community

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • 3

FORE! (degrees) By yB Bill ill il ll Dockery Docke Doc Do ckery Back-to-back ice and snow were not kind to Holston Hills Country Club in East Knoxville last week.

“Obviously we haven’t been able to open for business at all,” said Chris Dibble, the club’s director of operations.

“We’re used to that this time of year, and we plan for that, but it’s unfortunate we haven’t been able to serve our members with food and beverage or with golf.”

The most obvious damage from the bad weather was on the club’s tennis courts, where the weight of ice uprooted a large tree on Monday. The tree fell across a fence and broke up on the first clay court near the pool house.

“We won’t know the extent of damage until we get the tree cleared,” Dibble said. “The only concern is if there is damage to the watering system under the court.”

Dibble also said that any ice damage to the course itself won’t be evident until the premier grass comes out of dormancy in the spring.

COMMUNITY NOTES ■ Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association. Info: Ronnie Collins, 637-9630.

■ Beaumont Community Organization. Info: Natasha Murphy, 936-0139.

■ Belle Morris Community Action Group meets 7 p.m. each second Monday, City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave. Info: www.bellemorris.com or Rick Wilen, 524-5008.

■ Chilhowee Park Neighbor-

hood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each last Tuesday, Administration Building, Knoxville Zoo. Info: Paul Ruff, 696-6584.

■ Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association meets 7 p.m. each third Tuesday, Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail. Info: http://edgewoodpark.us.

■ 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.

■ First District Democrats meet each first Monday, Burlington

Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: Tony Brown, 973-4086, or Evelyn Gill, 524-7177.

■ Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization meets 6:30 p.m. each second Monday, Central UMC, 201 Third Ave. Info: Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, lizupchurch1@ gmail.com.

■ 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.

Mediterranean nation hosts wine-tasting parties to introduce Tennesseans to the region’s robust wineries.

Pulsipher’s own connection is through her father, who was the son of a Slovenian immigrant who settled in Minnesota. Pulsipher’s father was an academic, and she followed in his footsteps, taking graduate degrees in geography at Tu-

From page 1

lane and Southern Illinois University.

She came to UT in 1981 and specialized in the slave history of the Caribbean region. A volcanic eruption in 1995 put an end to her research project on Monserrat, though she occasionally revisits the island to follow up on the project.

Meanwhile, she flies

the Slovenian flag over her home as a constant reminder of her connection to the homeland of her family.

“Slovenia is a tiny country, but the people have a strong ethical system and work ethic,” she said. “People from Knoxville who go there are always entranced and want to go back.”

private banquet room available!

South-Doyle seniors who made their college playing commitments official on National Signing Day are (front) Jocquez Bruce, Malik Lundy; (back) Mason McNutt, Brody Rollins, Shoan LaBeaux, Logan Mathes, Aaron Rummel and Harley Wheeler. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Athletes look ahead

By Betsy Pickle The hoopla is over. Reality is setting in.

Seven South-Doyle High School football players and one SDHS soccer player have signed letters of intent with seven different colleges. This fall, they will no longer suit up as Cherokees.

Some of them will even be opposing each other on the playing field.

In certain respects, it will be a difficult transition.

“We bonded,” says Malik Lundy. “I feel like these are my brothers right here.

“We’re all going our separate ways – I’m gonna miss these guys. We all shared blood, sweat and tears out there on that field.”

On the other hand: “Good luck,” says Harley Wheeler, grinning as he addresses his fellow signees in the conference room at the South-Doyle office.

“Hope to see y’all on TV,” quips Shoan LaBeaux.

The recent National Signing Day brought the players, family, friends and classmates to the South-Doyle auditorium for the formality of signing the all-important letters. For the players, in a way, it was their commencement.

Running back Jocquez Bruce, son of Nikki Bruce, signed with the University of Tennessee; Wide receiver Shoan LaBeaux, son of Shoan and Tyra Scott, Austin Peay State University; Running back Malik Lundy, son of Anita Riley, Carson-Newman University;

Punter Logan Mathes, son of Jack and Kristi Mathes, the University of the Cumberlands; Left guard Mason McNutt, son of Jeff and Cheryl McNutt, East Tennessee State University; Quarterback Brody Rollins, son of John and Sherry Rollins, Gardner-Webb University; Outside linebacker Harley Wheeler, son of Chris and Heather Wheeler, CarsonNewman University; and Soccer left midfielder Aaron Rummel, son of Reeve and Kristi Rummel, Maryville College.

But the student-athletes from the South-Doyle football team will always be tied to their school – and each other. The Cherokees finished the regular season with a record of 10-0 for the first time in the school’s history. They went on to dominate in two playoff games before falling to West High.

Their determination and success inspired the school and the community.

“It’s pretty awesome to see a team from SouthDoyle go that far,” says Rummel.

Many of the seven football signees had played together for years. They had a lot invested in each other, and it all came together in fall 2014. The secret was nothing magical: “We just matured,” says Bruce.

“Yeah, and the seniors before, we saw what they didn’t do and what they

messed up on,” interjects Wheeler.

“We saw that we were making history every year, and we just wanted to take it a step further than what we did last year,” says Bruce.

The young men drown out each other as they brag on their coaches. They also point to improvement in their training.

“We got a new trainer, Denise (Woods),” says Lundy.

“She was an Olympic trainer; she did all our workouts.

I feel like that was a game changer for everybody in the program.”

Most of the signees say they wouldn’t be going to college if not for the athletic scholarships they have received. They’re cautious about expressing their hopes for pro careers, preferring to focus on the value of a college degree.

“If I have another chance to play (after college), of course I’m going to take it,” says Rollins. “My biggest goal is to get that degree.

Let’s be real, not many people make it to the league, so you gotta get that degree to get a good job and, I guess, start a family.”

For now, however, their journey through college sports looks exciting.

“I’m just ready to see what my talent is against people from the next level,” says Bruce. “See if I’m ready or not; see how hard I have to work.”

“I just want to see all my teammates do good,” says LaBeaux. “That’s all I want.”

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government Icy weather doesn’t stop

Mobile Meals

People all over Knox County struggled with weather woes during last week’s ice and snow extravaganza, but a few pressed pause on their own hardships to help folks who were worse off.

Mobile Meals’ volunteer coordinator Shelly Woodrick said the program welcomed more than 40 new volunteers within 48 hours when the weather was at its worst. “Our phones just rang off the hook,” Woodrick said of people calling to help.

Helpers included guys in four-wheel drive vehicles and families with children in tow.

Judith Pelot, senior nutrition program manager for the Knox County Community Action Committee,

Shelly Woodrick, volunteer coordinator for Mobile Meals File photo by Shannon Carey

Sara Barrett

manages the Mobile Meals program and said when the weather is bad, new volunteers are needed daily.

“We have three to four routes every day, and some of our regular volunteers are uncomfortable walking on icy surfaces to make deliveries,” said Pelot. That’s when the new folks come in handy. “We love surprise volunteers,” she said, as long as they call ahead to be included in the day’s gameplan.

“Even if you call last minute, we can fit you in someplace,” said Pelot.

Training takes about 20 minutes, and one route takes about two hours to complete.

Pelot said the “snow plan” is to make at least a phone call to every person who receives meals through the program to make sure they’re safe and warm.

Last week, one such call saved a woman’s life when a volunteer discovered a meal recipient was without power and out of oxygen.

An ambulance was sent to pick her up.

“That phone call to check on them is just as important as the meal we deliver,” said Pelot.

Info: 524-2786.

Hart attack

Note: This story contains a term never used in the Shopper-News: Lady Vols.

Our editorial policy specifically bans the use of such gender-identified terms but will make an exception for this report on the growing controversies in the University of Tennessee Athletics Department.

this change was driven primarily by past and present student athletes and secondarily by Nike, which is UT’s new “apparel partner,” replacing Adidas.

He singled out four-time softball All-American Monica Abbott as approving of the change.

Two days later, Abbott emailed the Tennessean newspaper debunking Hart’s claim, calling the name change “definitely disBetty appointing,” and deploring Bean “the dollar driving all college athletics programs,” an apparent reference to Hart’s contention that Nike was Last November, the UT pushing the change.

Athletics Department anThat was just the beginnounced the “One Tennes- ning of a growing controsee” initiative, which will versy that is playing out abolish the use of the name against a background of “Lady Vols” in all sports increased scrutiny of UT’s except basketball. Athlet- handling of male athletes ics director Dave Hart said being investigated for or ac-

4 • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • Shopper news

Big birthday for Moxley Cynthia Moxley, lead partner in Moxley Carmichael Communic at ions, turns 60 on March 2, but she c e le br at e s with a big splash at H o l s t o n Moxley Hills Country Club with Con Hunley performing on Feb. 27.

Moxley moved to East Tennessee in 1978 working for the Gatlinburg Mountain Press and has stayed for the past 37 years. She was born in Rome, Ga., and moved to Columbus, Ga., in the sixth grade. She attended Catholic schools through the 12th grade.

Her father lives in Gulf Shores, Ala., as does her brother, Jimmy.

While she attended Auburn for one year, she got her undergraduate degree in journalism from the Uni-

On Feb. 4, District 8 state Sen. Frank Niceley hurt 1,389 low income adults of Union County (over 12,000 in the six-county district) who would have been eligible to enroll in Governor Haslam’s Insure Tennessee (IT) program.

Sen. Niceley helped kill IT even though IT would have helped people, hospitals, and jobs.

Maybe enough of us can hold him and our other officials accountable and revive a March 2015 bill for Insure Tennessee.

Where affordable health insurance is concerned, Sen. Niceley is working

against us instead of helping us. Learn more about IT online at tn.gov/tenncare/ insureTennessee.

Gov. Haslam’s proposed Insure Tennessee: to insure 280,000 Tennesseans earning under 1.38 times the poverty level, to create over 15,000 jobs over 10 years, and to save 54 “at-risk-ofclosing” hospitals and their 20,000 jobs. The governor proposed IT at no cost to state government, initially paid for entirely by our own federal tax dollars and, later, with some help from hospitals.

IT could be a win-win for Tennessee but Sen. Niceley said no.

Communications out of her home. At the Journal, she covered the Butcher Bank failure and helped write the series entitled “Borrowed Money, Borrowed Time.”

She met her husband, Alan Carmichael, at a party while he was working for TVA, but he had a journalism background from employment at The Tennessean in Nashville. They have been married 31 years and live in downtown Knoxville.

They now work together at the Moxley Carmichael firm in the Miller’s Building, owned by KUB, where they represent some of Knoxville’s leading institutions including Pilot Oil, KUB, Covenant Health and Summit Medical Group.

At present, she has Harris Company, which figures in the E-911 controversy over radio bids.

Moxley says every member of her team is passionate about their clients. Jim Clayton described them as “street fighters.”

She is proud of their civic involvement, including sponsorship of Masterworks for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and support of the Urban League’s annual dinner.

In the interest of full disclosure, she employed our daughter, Martha, last summer as an intern. Martha graduates this May from the University of Richmond.

■ Gene Patterson, former WATE news anchor, has gone to work for Y12 in Oak Ridge, where he is a community and public affairs specialist. He works for Consolidated Nuclear Security which manages Y12.

Y12 is fortunate to have a person like Patterson

tually charged with sexual assaults and rapes, lawsuits filed by p r o m i n e nt former employees of the women’s athletics depar tment, which was formally abolished Dave Hart when men’s and women’s athletics were combined.

Add that to Hart’s professional history of problems with women, including questionable handling of a rape charge against a football player at Florida State when he was there, and a gender equity lawsuit filed (and settled out of court) by women’s basketball coach Chris Gobrecht, and it is difficult to argue against the proposition that Hart has a problem with women.

The rumble, which Hart’s supporters dismiss as driven by a small group of

people with “an agenda,” is growing.

In the past week alone, these issues have been reported, reviewed, evaluated and in some cases, debunked by the Tennessean (two stories and an editorial), The Columbia (Tennessee) Daily Herald, the Chattanooga Times Free Press (editorial column) and in a comprehensive long form story in Sport Illustrated (www. si.com/womens- college ba ske tba l l/201 5/02/18/ tennessee-athletics-ladyvols-end-protest).

Members of a group formed to pressure UT into restoring the women’s logo have been taking action, including writing to Nike to inquire about its involvement in the rebranding. A response on Nike letterhead signed by “Kelly of Nike Consumer Affairs” denies that the sports apparel giant had any role in the name change:

“Please know that while we support all University of Tennessee athletics, Nike has no decision-making capabilities whatsoever in the choice to phase out the Lady Volunteers nickname for all of women’s sports. This is completely and solely the university’s decision. All feedback and concerns regarding this decision is best directed to the university’s athletics department.”

Despite efforts by UT president Joe DiPietro and UTK chancellor Jimmy Cheek to quell the controversies surrounding their athletics director (who has also been made a vice chancellor), these issues are unlikely to die away. A discrimination lawsuit filed

by Pat Summitt’s highly regarded sports medicine director/head trainer Jenny Moshak (routinely lauded by basketball experts as “the best in the business”) and two of her associates is set for trial this spring and

is guaranteed to draw national attention. The group of former athletes and boosters opposing the logo change is growing.

(Among Moshak’s accomplishments was creating Team ENHANCE, which helped female athletes cope with eating disorders and traumatic events that has been adopted by other teams. One of the recent female assault victims was a UT athlete.)

In what might be the scariest prospect of all for Hart and his supporters, Pat Summitt’s former sport information director Debby Jennings (also frequently referred to as the best in her field), who sued UT after Hart forced her to retire and settled the suit for $320,000, has media connections all over the country.

And in a rare move for a litigant involved with UT, her settlement doesn’t contain a non-disclosure agreement.

“When he rushed the passer with those oak-tree arms way up in the air, he was 12 feet tall. And if he got to you, the world suddenly started spinning.”

While we are talking about the past, Atkins was selected SEC Player of the Quarter Century (1950-74), ahead of such legendary heroes as John Majors, Archie Manning, Billy Cannon and Lee Roy Jordan.

Atkins was the only player to be unanimously named.

Doug never felt that he was paid what he was worth.

He said his signing bonus with the Cleveland Browns was two cheeseburgers and eight beers. His first contract was for $6,800. The numbers sounded low but I never considered challenging.

Atkins retired after 205 NFL games, then a record

for defensive linemen. He had made life difficult for blockers and those with the football for 17 seasons. He played in nine Pro Bowls.

He is in the NFL and college halls of fame.

There is an insightful hand-me-down story from Jim Parker, great offensive guard.

“I considered myself the best guard of the century and I played against some mean ones,” Parker said, “but I never met anyone meaner than Doug Atkins.

After our first meeting, I really wanted to quit football. Finally, my coaches convinced me that not every pro player was like Atkins.”

Kofi Bofah should not have left Doug off his top 10 list. What if they were to meet?

Victor Ashe

versity of Georgia in 1978 after starting as a classics major. In those days her degree was called newspaper management as opposed to journalism.

Her first job paid $11,000 a year, where she worked both advertising and newspaper stories for the Mountain Press. She favored the stories over advertising. By her own admission she was fired over a dispute on a rock slide story.

But she quickly rebounded and got a job with the Knoxville Journal working for Tom Sweeten for $250 a week. She did a large amount of investigative and political reporting until 1991 when she started Moxley

Niceley hurts low income adults

By Mary Headrick, M.D.

All-time greats list without Doug Atkins 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?

“Sorry about that.”

Kofi Bofah, a relative youngster schooled in real classes at the University of North Carolina, a former financial adviser with American Express, has become an expert generator of a few hundred Internet stories.

Kofi did this bad thing.

He obviously never saw Atkins manhandle would-

who is highly respected and extremely knowledgeable about the Valley.

■ The special MPC director search committee is nearing a decision. It meets in secret at the direction of Bill Lyons, deputy mayor to Rogero. But the decision is down to three persons who are now being vetted.

■ State Rep. Ryan Haynes has secured his law degree and plans on taking the Tennessee bar exam this summer.

■ Knox GOP legislators will meet soon to recommend three persons to be election commissioners.

A Republican woman has not served in 28 years, and one is expected this year to be on the list of three.

■ Mayor Rogero is holding a late March fundraiser for her 2015 re-election campaign. All current council members except Nick Della Volpe are on her host committee. This is designed to deter serious opponents from running.

Della Volpe says it is not his job to tell voters whom to support for mayor and he will work with whoever wins.

■ The Troy Whiteside trial for murder has been around for five years with nothing happening. It was supposed to have gone to trial on Feb. 17, but it has now been postponed to May 12. Who knows if it will go to trial then?

These delays have become an embarrassment to the Tennessee judicial system. Clearly a five-year delay is not speedy justice by any standard. Whiteside is well-connected in politics.

An outside judge has been named to hear the case, and perhaps that assures its being heard. These delays only help the defendant as witnesses disappear or lose their recollection of what happened.

the first of November, 1952, Tar Heels at Shields-Watkins Field. Their fullback, leading a sweep, came at Marvin Doug with a cross-body West block.

Atkins caught this fullgrown man with his hands and forearms – and threw him, like a log, at the tailback. It was an awesome be blockers and terrorize show of force. Intimidating. quarterbacks. Alas, that is Don’t come this way! an invalid excuse. He never Great quarterback Johnsaw some of the others he ny Unitas saw that same anointed: Mean Joe Greene, power play in the NFL: “One Deacon Jones, Alan Page, of Atkins’ favorite tricks Carl Eller, Gino Marchetti was to throw a blocker at and Bob Lilly. the quarterback, which does If Bofah, being a North tend to disrupt the passing Carolina man, had re- game.”

Another famous name searched Atkins’ magic moment as a Tennessee Volun- from the past, Paul Horteer, he would have gained nung, appeared as an expert understanding. It happened witness, free of charge: “At-

kins was the best defensive end I ever saw. He was 6-9 and maybe 275 and he could run. You couldn’t block him, and he was such a wild man that George Halas couldn’t coach him.”

That is an exaggeration. Doug is only 6-8. And, what’s more, Halas and Atkins often got along during their 12 seasons of coexistence with the Chicago Bears – when the subject wasn’t Doug’s salary. I have a book in which Halas is quoted as saying, ‘‘There never was a better defensive end.’’

Another NFL name you might recognize, Fran Tarkenton, remembered Atkins as the strongest man in football and also the biggest.

Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.

Shopper news • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • 5

A prescription for fun

Jackson Browne sang “Doctor My Eyes.” Aretha Franklin praised “Dr. Feelgood.” The Beatles told us about “Doctor Robert.”

FRIDAY ■ Danú 20th Anniversary Tour, 8 p.m., Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre, Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. Tickets: KnoxvilleTickets.com, 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

■ Lexus Luxury Performances featuring Kacey Musgraves, 8 p.m., Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Tennessee Theatre box office; Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000.

Carol Shane

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.

Hosted by the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance (KAMA), the event features local medical providers onstage playing roofraising rock. Second Opinion, Funk and Awesome, Remedy and South River Trail are some of the bands on the roster.

“This is the 10th anniversary of ‘Doc Rock,’ and it continues to grow more successful every year,” says Jenny Bushkell, a past KAMA president who now handles social-media publicity for the event.

The whole thing started “with a random meeting at a pharmaceutical dinner,” Bushkell says. The diners found themselves tossing around the idea of combining the musical talents of several physician bands with fundraising for local health agencies. “It reminds me of the Margaret Mead quote: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ ” Over the past 10 years, “Doc Rock for Health” has

weekender

FRIDAY-SATURDAY Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble Spring Concert, Knoxville Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Performances: 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: Civic Auditorium Box Office, 215-8999; KnoxvilleTickets.com, 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY ■ “Schoolhouse Rock Jr.” presented by Primary Players, Lambert Recital Hall, Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. Performances: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: KnoxvilleTickets. com, 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

Second Opinion rocks the crowd at last year’s “Doc Rock for Health.” Pictured are Larry Sheumaker (back to camera,) Melissa Carter, Todd Wright and Tim Comer. Photo by Jenny

■ “Venus in Fur” presented by Maryville College Theatre, Haslam Flexible Theatre, Clayton Center, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. Performances: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Adult content, no children please.

Tickets: KnoxvilleTickets.com, 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

Bushkell

SUNDAY ■ “Appalachian Spring,” 2:30 p.m., Bijou Theater, 803 S. Gay St. Performances by Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra and GO! Contemporary Dance Works. Tickets: KnoxvilleTickets.com, 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

Founder of “Doc Rock for Health” Jacque Prince (with gold mask) joins revelers Michele Carringer, Sharon Griffin, Jenny Bushkell and Shanna Lehman. Photo by Sandra Ange Photography

raised more than $50,000.

Bushkell credits this year’s event coordinator, Jacque Prince, with founding the popular fundraiser.

Prince’s husband, Marty, plays guitar and sings with two bands and has been in on the fun from the very beginning.

“The music is always really good, and the charities are truly awesome!” he says.

Prince, who is a pulmonary critical care physician with StatCare Pulmonary Consultants, lists the Beatles, Elton John and Paul Simon among his influences, along with “a bunch of alternative

and country acts my kids have made me listen to over the past 30 years.”

Audience members will get to vote for their favorite band. They’ll also cast votes for their choice of six charitable organizations, and proceeds will be divided accordingly. This year’s charities are St. Mary’s Mobile Medical Clinic, Hospitality House, Hope Resource Center, Vine Middle School Clinic, KAPPI (Knox Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative) and Interfaith Health Clinic.

“For everyone who has come before, please come

again this year, and if you have never attended you will have a great time, so don’t miss it,” says Dr. Prince.

“Doc Rock for Health” will take place this Friday, Feb. 27, at NV Nightclub and the Bowery, located side by side at 125 E. Jackson Ave., across from Barley’s in the Old City. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the first band onstage at 7:30. Tickets, available at the door, are $15. For limited $100 VIP seating, contact Susan Brown at kamalliance@ gmail.com.

Plate it

Connors Steak & Seafood

Send story suggestions to news@ shoppernewsnow.com.

Will Smith cons; Olivia Wilde aims for creep-out This weekend, you can expect some of Sunday’s Academy Award winners to return to or make their debut at local theaters.

Betsy Pickle

Otherwise, there are two wide releases that probably won’t be getting any love at next year’s Oscar ceremony.

“Focus” stars Will Smith as a con man who’s looking for a big payday in the highstakes world of auto racing.

When the apprentice (Margot Robbie) he once loved turns up in his life again, his plans are put in jeopardy.

Rodrigo Santoro, BD Wong and Gerald McRaney also star for directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the team that brought us “I Love You Phillip Morris” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”

Olivia Wilde stars in “The Lazarus Effect,” which reads like an unholy mashup of “Flatliners” and “Pet Sematary.”

Wilde plays a university researcher whose team is working on bringing the dead back to life. They’re excited when their first experiment, on an animal, works, but the university’s dean isn’t pleased. He shuts them down and confiscates their materials.

When they decide to try to start up again in secret, things go terribly wrong.

The smoky flavor of the Applewood duck at Connors Steak & Seafood is a perfect complement to the dark cherry glaze. Photo

by Mystery Diner

The two concepts at Connor Concepts bring diners to expect great quality beef Mystery and seafood at the estabDiner lishments of the locally owned restaurant family.

With The Chop House and Connors Steak & Seafood names on the doors of 15 locations in six states, the Connor restaurants are I am now, however, a huge known for beef – from fan of this dish. The persteaks to burgers. fectly proportioned slices Venture off that track of breast were a beautifor an incredible dish re- ful pink with expert grill cently added to the menu at marks. The glaze made the Connors Steak & Seafood, whole dish glisten and my 10915 Turkey Creek Drive. mouth water.

The Applewood Smoked The Applewood Smoked Will Smith connects with MarDuck Breast will make you Duck Breast has just the got Robbie in “Focus.” a duck fan if you aren’t and right amount of smoky flacement your love of the bird vor. When dealing with if you are. meats that might lean toGetting the duck wasn’t ward having that slight in the plan when Mystery “gamey” flavor, it’s easy to Diner walked into the res- try to mask that with too taurant. The battle of the much smoke. The chefs at taste buds was between Connors did not fall into Mia Wasikowska and Julianne Moore both have trou- two of the restaurant’s sig- that trap. Topping the tenbled pasts in “Maps to the Stars.” nature dishes: crab cakes der breast slices with a dark and the boursin fi let. cherry demi-glace gives the But a wait for a table put meat a flavor combination me near the grill where the that should not be missed.

Olivia Wilde and Donald Glover get into creepy science in “The Lazarus Effect.” chefs were preparing the The dish is served over food. As the plate of smoked mashed potatoes with a duck breast slid down the side of grilled asparagus. line, I was intrigued. By Both accompaniments were Naturally. Evan Peters, Actress and director David a stage mom (Olivia Wil- the time the chef was add- good, but nothing was takDonald Glover, Mark Du- Cronenberg nominated for liams), a bratty child star ing the sauce, I was asking ing the attention away from plass and Sarah Bolger also the Palm D’Or. (Moore won (Evan Bird) and a troubled what was on the plate, and the star of the show. If you have ever considered trying star for director David Gelb. the Best Actress Oscar for daughter (Mia Wasikowska) the decision was done.

This is unusual because duck, this introduction is A third film with some “Still Alice” Sunday night.) who has befriended a limo awards cred should be arMoore plays an aging driver (Robert Pattinson) I am not a huge duck fan. starting you at the top. riving in limited release ei- actress who wants to do a who wants to break into the ther this week or very soon. remake of the movie that film industry.

“Maps to the Stars” earned made her mother a star. She This is Cronenberg’s first praise at last year’s Cannes becomes entangled with the film since 2012’s “CosmopoFilm Festival, with star Ju- family of her analyst (John lis,” which helped Pattinson 865.922.4136 www.ShopperNewsNow.com lianne Moore winning Best Cusack), which includes shed his “Twilight” image.

Glad you found us!

kids

6 • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • Shopper news

Judge Tim Irwin (center) makes an impression on South Knoxville Elementary students: (kneeling) Sydney Lee; (front) Marick Carathers, Keavon Morrison, Isaiah Whaley; (second row) Christopher Lazare, Juvino Delgado, Mason Johnson, Patrick Venable, Lillian Snead; (back) Principal Tanna Nicely and South Knoxville Community School site coordinator Susan Martin. Photo submitted

VIPs give SKES Student Council the lowdown Eighth-grader Audrey Cardwell and seventh-grader Angel Baker strike a pose at the SDMS dance. Photos by Betsy Pickle ■

Dance combines fun, fundraising

They must have had a premonition.

South-Doyle Middle School planned a dance for the afternoon before Valentine’s Day – kind of a sweet spin on Friday the 13th. Students filled the lunch area: chatting at tables, posing at the photo booth, running from one side of the room to another and – occasionally – dancing.

They were able to burn off steam and hang out with their friends before

the long weekend that turned into the Great Freeze of February 2015.

Talk about foresight: This was the perfect vaccine to the cabin fever that was about to strike.

The dance was actually a fundraiser organized by Student Council to support the school’s Science Olympiad program. With ticket and concession sales, they raised more than $600 to help one of the school’s most outstanding programs.

Dylan Raison, Jewel Johnson, Paul Wright, Akilo Griggs and Kaylee Henderson have fun at the photo booth.

■

By Betsy Pickle Members of the Safety Patrol at South Knoxville Elementary School serve double duty – they’re also the Student Council.

They arrive extra early for their monthly council meetings so they can take care of their patrol responsibilities as well. But they were wide awake for special back-to-back meetings featuring two VIP guests.

Joe Walsh, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation, came to talk to the students about plans for Suttree Landing, the park being developed just a few blocks away from the school.

The next day, Tim Irwin, Knox County Juvenile Court judge, came by to speak about leadership.

Walsh said that Suttree Landing, when it opens, will be Knoxville’s 66th park. Perched on the banks of the Tennessee River, it will offer a boat launch as well as a playground, a versatile grassy area and a gre-

enway trail.

“Eventually, it will go all the way to Island Home Park and Scottish Pike Park,” Walsh said of the greenway at Suttree Landing.

He asked the students what features they’d like at the playground and heard responses ranging from basketball and football to monkey bars and rope bridges. The size of the five-acre park will preclude some amenities, he said.

Creating the park is going to be “a slow process,” he added.

“There are a lot of environmental issues because it’s a former brownfield,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot of heavy equipment as you’re trying to teach and learn over here.”

Walsh said bids have gone out and a contract will be awarded in March, with construction on the eightmonth project most likely beginning in April.

Irwin’s mission was both pickup and delivery. He picked up two large garbage bags filled with stuffed animals collected for his court by the students, and he delivered a message about leadership and the importance of reading.

He also gave the students a brief history of his own connections to South Knoxville. He attended nursery school at SKES, and his grandfather owned the store across from the school. His mother was a member of the King family, and relatives once owned Ye Olde Steakhouse.

Irwin talked about playing football for the University of Tennessee and the Minnesota Vikings as well as going to law school while playing ball. He asked about the Boys & Girls Club based at the school and told the council members that he had been in the club as a child.

He asked the students what their favorite subjects were and was excited when Patrick Venable replied, “Reading.”

“I am so glad you said that,” Irwin said. “Reading unlocks so many doors.”

He said he reads every night before bed, and he encouraged the kids to find something they loved and read everything they could on the subject.

Cohn is Mooreland Heights Teacher of the Year

Lindsey Cohn has been named Teacher of the Year at Mooreland Heights Elementary School.

Cohn, who teaches first grade and is a LEAD teacher, has been at Mooreland Heights for seven years.

She is also an arts mentor at the school.

Cohn grew up in Roanoke, Va. The daughter of Lindsey Cohn a preacher, she enrolled at Johnson Bible College (now

Johnson University) and graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. before earning her master’s degree in holistic education.

Cohn’s family includes one sister and “two amazing nephews.” Her own “babies” are her two dogs, both of which she adopted from Young-Williams Animal Center.

Both “mutts” are certified by HABIT (Human Animal Bond in Tennessee), and Cohn brings Muffin to school as a full-day HABIT therapy dog. Muffin spends the day in Cohn’s classroom and helps students Joe Walsh, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation, shows South Knoxville Elementary Stuwith their reading – as a good listener. dent Council members – plus Community School site coordinator Susan Martin and SKES Principal Tanna Nicely – the plans for nearby Suttree Landing Park. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Carl Perry Construction, LLC

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Kit offers SS appliances, 5-burner gas cooktop stove/grill, & granite tops. Mstr suite on main loaded w/garden tub, tiled shower 9' & tray ceiling, walk-in closets, & much more. $340,000 MLS#898570

2012 Serene Cove Way, Knoxville, TN 37920. Courtyard, stamped driveway offers character & parking at this gorgeous Frank Betz new construction, all brick & stone.

Great rm offers 12.5' ceilings, soaring stackstone FP, hdwd flrs, dbl crown moldings, & open floor plan. Kit offers upper-end cabinetry, SS appliances, 5-burner gas cooktop stove/grill,& granite tops. Mstr suite w/garden tub, tiled shower, 9' & tray ceiling, walkin closets, & much more. Enjoy a guest suite 4th BR w/full BA. $323,900 MLS# 898583

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Bojangle, Meadow and Lola Bunny Bojangle is a five-year-old male coonhound mix, Meadow is a three-year-old female domestic medium-hair mix and Lola Bunny is a beautiful two-year-old female Californian/American Rabbit mix. Each animal has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. They are available for adoption at Young-Williams Animal Center’s 3201 Division Street location. Info: 215-6599 or www.young-williams.org.

business

Shopper news • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • 7

News from Food City

Food City honors volunteers Each year Food City recognizes employees for their volunteer efforts in the community. Ten district winners are selected from store winners; two divisional winners are then chosen.

This year Howard Robb, a meat cutter at the Fairfield Glade store in Crossville, won the Tennessee division, while Doris Banks, floral manager of the Whitesburg Donations, including nonperishable foods, are needed at Angelic Ministries. Photo by Nancy Whittaker Food City, won the Kentucky division.

Food City donated $250 to a nonprofit supported by each district winner and another $500 to those supported by divisional winners. One overall winner will receive the Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award with an additional can fluctuate as much as There’s a drop-off site near I have had the privi$1,000 charity contribution $1,000 per month. You can the corner of Oklahoma lege of meeting with staff made on their behalf. probably guess which end of Avenue and North Central. and volunteers of Angelic Local store winners and that spectrum they’re expe- Call 523-8884 to have large Ministries over the past 18 their nonprofits included: Nancy items such as furniture and riencing right now. months. The work they do is ■ Seymour, Kennedy Melson, So what can we all do to mattresses picked up. a vital part of our commu- Whittaker Meridian Baptist Church Earl says that monetary help? nity. Families in crisis are ■ Strawberry Plains, Rebekah would also First and foremost, the donations provided with essentials to Brown, The Love Kitchen pantry of nonperishable be appreciated.

The help them get back on their ■ N. Broadway, Terri Lynnhott, food needs to be restocked. organization is run almost feet and become indepenFriends of Wool, Project Linus When you shop this week, completely by volunteers, dent. Founder Betsy Frazier ■ Mountain Grove Drive, Josedescribes many of the peo- Shelves are getting bare, pick up a few extra cans of but there are two paid phine Jurkovac, Clothe My ple they help as “the work- but the needs don’t stop. food. Next, take a few min- staff members. However, Children, Live It Ministries I caught up with the Rev. utes to go through your with the high utility bills, a ing poor.”

■ Fountain City, LeeAnn Families who have been Tony Earl to see what our house and select items you recently replaced HVAC unit Johnson, United Methodist are no longer using; tow- at one of the group homes, helped include those who readers can do to help.

Women’s organization, Founregular operating Earl says the cold weath- els and washcloths, linens, plus have lost everything in a fire tain City UMC or other disaster. Those who er has really put a strain gloves and warm hats are expenses, extra funds are ■ Millertown Pike, Kris Keahey, have lost their jobs and are on the ministry. Not only a top priority now. Toilet- needed. You can go to www.

Young-Williams Animal struggling, or families who were people unable to get ries, kitchen and household angelicministries.com and Center click on donate. are in the midst of any type out to make donations, but items are always needed.

■ Halls, Autumn Brooks, AYSO, Located at 1218 N. CenPack up everything that of crisis, are also referred by expenses are unusually FOTL, Fantasy of Trees and high. Utility bills for their is in good condition, select tral, Angelic Ministries is other agencies.

GHS community service ware- a few canned goods and a nonprofit, nondenomiThis past week’s ice and 6,500-square-foot snow kept the normal week- house, and group homes drop off between 8 and 3:30 national ministry, helping ly donations to a minimum. provided by the ministry, Monday through Thursday. people since 2002.

Ice + snow = bare shelves at Angelic Ministries

ETBA to meet on March 4 The East Towne Business Alliance (ETBA) will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the New Harvest Park Community Center. Sarah Griswold, Knox County nutrition manager, will be the guest speaker.

Griswold will speak on employee wellness and the impact on the bottom line of a business. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend a meeting, come on out and learn why this group has accomplished so much in a short time. Come early and have breakfast.

NEWS FROM PREMIER SURGICAL

Walking a Mile in their Shoes When Tim Muncy gets dressed for a day on the job at Premier Prosthetic Center in Knoxville, the most important thing he puts on isn’t his medical scrubs uniform, it’s his prosthetic left leg. Muncy, like the patients he works with, is an amputee.

As a Prosthetist Assistant, Muncy helps fit those who have lost a leg or an arm with

Free tax assistance available Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation by certified volunteers to low- to moderateincome families and households, is available at three locations.

■ Goodwill, 5307 Kingston Pike: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesdays through Thursdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, through April 15.

■ Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays through April 10.

■ Westside Unitarian Universalist Church, 616 Fretz Road: 5-8 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, through April 14.

Documents needed include: Social Security card and birthday for each person on the return; taxpayer photo ID; original W-2s, 1099Rs, SSA1099s, etc., for all income; proof of health insurance – a new requirement. Optional documents: last year’s return, proof of account for direct deposit and expenses for deductions.

Info: www.irs.gov.

and the fit,” explains Muncy. “Since I was a new amputee, I didn’t know there were different types of foot options for different activity levels.”

When Muncy and his family moved to Knoxville in 2013, he learned of the Premier Prosthetic Center and consulted with Prosthetist Carey Bunch to develop a lighter socket and foot system that better suited his lifestyle.

“Tim is an incredibly active guy. He hikes and spends time outdoors with his family,” explains Bunch. “His prosthesis was a good everyday foot, but was not designed for active use. Tim isn’t satisfied with a sedentary life and wanted to be able to run in races. So we looked for a foot system that would allow him to reach his goals.”

Muncy is reaching goals. In October, he and his family completed the Komen Race for the Cure, participating on the Premier Surgical Associates team. And, in addition to getting a new leg, Muncy has also found a new career, working with patients at Premier Prosthetic Center. For Muncy, it’s a perfect fit.

“I tell patients, ‘Don’t let your amputation hold you back.’ It’s too easy to stay in a wheelchair or recliner. Don’t give up. Keep moving and your possibilities are endless.”

Take chargee of your

Howard Robb won Food City’s Tennessee division award for volunteering. Photo submitted ■ Hardin Valley, Haley Powell, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, The Love Kitchen, The Water Angels Ministry ■ Middlebrook Pike, Larry Holtz, Cornerstone Church of God ■ Bearden Center, Kathy Davis, East Tennessee Bloodhound Rescue ■ College Homes, Marcia Hickerson, Knoxville Fellows ■ Clinton Highway, Rosline Waller, AYSO soccer, American Breast Cancer Association, Association for the Blind ■ Cumberland Estates, Cynthia VanRiet, KARM ■ Deane Hill, Keri Neston, American Diabetes Association ■ Powell, Mona Napier, Powell Playhouse, Sharon Baptist Church

Lunch for growers Food City’s luncheon to honor local growers has been reset to noon Friday, March 6, at the Jack C. Smith Conference Center in Abingdon, Va. This year’s Wayne Scott Memorial Grower of the Year award winner will be announced.

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Tim Muncy demonstrates his new AllPro foot prosthetic with Prosthetist Orthotist Carey Bunch.

a prosthetic limb that will allow them to best meet their mobility and activity goals.

He also helps encourages patients as they adapt to life as an amputee. It’s a journey Muncy knows well.

“From a peer support perspective, it’s definitely a benefit to patients,” explains Premier Prosthetic Center Prosthetist Orthotist Carey Bunch. “Tim has personally been through that process.”

While living in Kentucky February of 2009, Muncy’s leg was severely injured in a car crash when he swerved to miss a deer. He didn’t lose his leg immediately.

“I kept hoping it would heal. I had eleven surgeries and fought for three years to save it,” remembers Muncy. “Basically, I had a dead foot and it was eventually amputated.”

After the amputation, Muncy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, but it wasn’t a good experience.

“I wasn’t happy with the heavy socket

SPECIALS OF THE WEEK! Tim reached his goal of completing the Komen Race for the Cure with his son Jordan and wife Denise.

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8 • FEBRUARY 25, 2015 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

NEWS FROM EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION OF KNOXVILLE

T

he Emerald Force girls’ club volleyball teams are enjoying much success on the court this winter. About 50 girls, ages 13-17, play on five teams which compete in regional tournaments.

The league claimed its first tournament win ever on Feb. 7, when the 14-andunder team won first place at the K2 Wilderness in the Smokies Tournament in Sevierville.

“That was a huge win,” said Dwayne Sanders, Emerald Youth sports director. Two other teams placed at the tournament; the 17-andunder team was second in their division and the 13-andunder team was third.

And boys from Whittle Springs Middle School have begun their third season playing on the Warriors baseball team, sponsored by Emerald Youth. The players recently enjoyed attending an event at Northview Academy in Kodak to hear Luke Hochevar. The Kansas City Royals pitcher and University of Tennessee alumnus spoke to more than 100 youth baseball players about his experiences in the sport.

Old man winter doesn’t stop

Emerald Youth Athletes

The Warriors baseball team with Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar, back left.

A Message from Steve Diggs, Emerald Youth President and CEO

Emerald Force Soccer Club players Jayzon Thompson, left, and Kyrin Tyson.

US Soccer Foundation awards grant to Emerald Youth Emerald Youth’s soccer program was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

“We’re thrilled to receive this grant,” said Derrick Long, general manager, Emerald Force Soccer Club Academy and Club Leagues. “Soccer continues to grow in popularity with Knoxville’s urban youth, and this generous funding from the U.S. Soccer Foundation will help Emerald serve more than 600 city youth soccer players this year.”

The U.S. Soccer Foundation awards grants to support soccer programming and field-building initiatives as it strives to grow the game of soccer and utilize it to improve the well-being of children in under-resourced communities.

“Our goal at the U.S. Soccer Foundation is to grow the game of soccer and help create safe places to play in communities nationwide,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, president and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Emerald Youth is fortunate to work with many wonderful or g a n i z a tions including the We s ter n Heights Baptist Center.

The Baptist Center Steve Diggs is an active ministry partner carrying out amazing work with city youth, such as a weekly ACT preparation class. The participating students attend Fulton and Central high schools and are making a powerful investment in their future.

Each student’s immediate goal is to earn a good score on the ACT given in March. But the skills they learn are also improving their high school academic performance. In their diligence and attention to what educators call “higher order thinking,” they are developing college readiness as well as ACT test-taking skills. They are improving their own chances of success in college.

As March arrives and spring break draws near, we are reminded of how quickly the school years pass. In just three months, we will watch our high school seniors

subjects: English, reading, math and science.

Yet, investment – by stu■ The U.S. economy will dents themselves, families, require an estimated 22 communities and volunmillion new employees with teers like ACT Prep tutors college degrees in the next – is helping city students decade. prepare for the future and ■ U.S. Department of Labor succeed. statistics show that to earn At Emerald Youth, the a decent wage in today’s benefits of investment in economy, most students will kids include improved ACT need at least some postsectest scores … but also betondary education. ter grades in school, stron■ Fewer than half of American ger families, strengthened students – 46 percent – finfaith, and success in colish college. (Eli and Edythe lege. Our greatest joy is Broad Foundation) seeing city youth grow In the city of Knoxville, into confident leaders and only one in 50 high school healthy adults. students graduates ready I invite you to invest in for college in all four core Knoxville! graduate.

The future they will face is daunting:

Sharena Domingo, a 2012 Emerald Youth Fellow, shares about her experience as a University of Tennessee student during a reception honoring the 2015 class of EY Fellows.

2015 class of Emerald Youth Fellows honored A reception was recently held at All Occasion Catering to honor the 2015 class of Emerald Youth Fellows.

The 13 high school seniors accepted as EY Fellows will receive mentoring and leadership training to help them successfully navigate the transition from high school

into college and career.

The 2015 EY Fellows are: Dijon Andrews, Adam Diggs, Elicia Faulkner, Jasmine Jackson, Nesha Jackson, Jerrion Joy, Jaron Mack, Qkirajah Robinson, Zachary Sain, Simmone Smith, Ashley Toepfer, Ayanna Troutman and

Jasmine Wilson.

The first class was accepted in 2012; there are now 47 young adults in EY Fellows.

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