North/East Shopper-News 032515 by Shopper-News

NORTH / EAST VOL. 3 NO. 12

BUZZ McIntyre at ETBA The East Towne Business Alliance (ETBA) will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the New Harvest Park Community Center. Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre will speak. Everyone is invited. Come a few minutes early and join the group for breakfast.

Budget forum Knox Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre will host a community forum regarding the fiscal year 2015-16 budget process at 6 p.m. Monday, April 6, at Amherst Elementary School, 5101 Schaad Road. The meeting will be streamed live at knoxschools. org/kcstv and broadcast live on Comcast Channel 10 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

Easter egg hunts

■ Big Ridge State Park annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 4. Includes 12,000 eggs with candy or prize tickets and four separate hunts: 10 a.m., 2 years and under; 10:30 a.m., 3-4 years; 1 p.m., 5-7 years; 1:30 p.m., 8-10 years. Info: 992-5523. ■ Fountain City Park, bounce house, magic shows, Easter Bunny. Hunts for ages 6-8, 9:30 a.m.; ages 3-5, 10:15 a.m.; walking to two years (no parents allowed), 11 a.m.; ages 9-12, 11:45 a.m. Saturday, March 28, Hotel Avenue. Admission is free. Bring a basket. Info: www.fountaincitybusiness.com ■ Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 28, Beaver Ridge UMC, 7753 Oak Ridge Highway. Breakfast begins 9 a.m.; egg hunt begins 10 a.m. Info: 690-1060 or www.beaver ridgeumc.org.

INSIDE Priorities? On this month’s County Commission agenda, commissioner Jeff Ownby has a proposal to modify the local animal welfare ordinance. Ownby claims the proposal will help authorities better protect pets in extreme weather conditions. But is County Commission ignoring humans in need?

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See Scott Frith’s story on page 4

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March 25, 2015

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Bill Cook sculpts for the future By Anne Hart When this year’s first graduating class at Knoxville’s L&N STEM Academy decided to leave behind something memorable to inspire future generations, the seniors asked the experts at LizBeth & Co. fine art gallery for advice on who could best carry out their legacy project. As a result, they commissioned local stone artist Bill Cook Jr., who is now busy sculpting what by graduation time will be a stunning limestone replica of a Griffin, the mythological creature that is half eagle and half lion and whose purpose is to guard priceless treasure. When Cook completes his sculpture, the Griffin will perch atop a stone book bearing the title “Carpe Scientiam,” which translates to “seize the knowledge.” The Griffin and the pedestal on which it stands will be placed in the triangular-shaped garden at the school’s front door as a gift from the senior class. This sculpture isn’t taking quite as long as Cook’s first effort. That one took five years from start to finish. When Cook and his wife, Kelley, lived in south Florida in the 1990s, an ad in the local paper got his attention. “It said something like ‘learn how to carve stone.’ I thought that sounded like fun. It was a community class at a school on Saturdays. I was in my 30s, and about 40 years younger than anyone else

Bill Cook Jr.’s colorful Möbius-design heart, a wedding gift for friends, made out of Tennessee Light Rose Marble found in Friendsville Photos by A. Hart

torso. Then I learned I was going to be a dad, and I decided to make the torso a pregnant woman and give it to Kelley on Mother’s Day.” That first piece took a little longer than Cook had anticipated. “Jump ahead five years. We had twins due in a month, Lauren was 5 years old, and that piece of alabaster was kicking around someArtist Bill Cook Jr. uses an air hammer to chisel a piece of limestone in the where in the garage. I picked it up shape of the half eagle, half lion mythological figure, the Griffin, to grace the again, got back to work on it and front entrance to the L&N STEM Academy, a legacy gift from this year’s first finished it in time for Mother’s senior class at the school. Day. After five years, you would think it would be as large as Michelangelo’s David, but it’s just a there. But I thought, ‘That’s good “I bought a piece of white alasmall piece and we still have it.” because they’ll know what they’re baster, which is softer than marJump ahead a few more years. doing.’ ble, and started work on a female To page 3

‘Your Health is in Your Hands’ Health fair is Saturday

Everyone in need of a health screening is invited to attend the Knoxville 100 Health Fair “Your Health is in Your Hands” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Cansler Family YMCA, 616 Jessamine St. This communitywide health fair brings free health screenings and health information to those who need it the most. Now in its ninth year, the health fair is the creation of 100 Black Men of Greater Knoxville Inc. and is sponsored by United Healthcare Community Plan, Publix, UT Medical Center, YMCA of Knoxville, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Trust, Three Rivers Market, E3 Performance Training and Division Dental. Everyone, re-

gardless of age, race or gender, is encouraged to attend. “Our goal is to remove the challenges and obstacles that prevent people from receiving health care and learning more about their personal health,” said Bernard Bradley, health and wellness chair of 100 Black Men of Greater Knoxville. “We’re offering free screenings and health information on a Saturday to every man, woman and child in our community because we don’t want a lack of time or resources, or anything else, to stand in the way.” “For individuals in our community to have the opportunity to gain a baseline understanding of their personal health situation is really important,” said Jim Ragonese, who oversees public relations at

UT Medical Center and volunteers on the Knoxville 100 Health Fair committee. “The Knoxville 100 Health Fair brings local health care providers and experts together to help provide that understanding for those who really need it. That allows participants to begin taking charge of their health.” Light refreshments will be available. Organizers will hold multiple drawings for gift cards throughout the event and will provide free bicycle helmets and helmet fittings, as well as bike safety information, for children in attendance. Parking at the YMCA is free. The following health screenings and information will be available during The Knoxville 100 Health Fair: blood pressure screenings, HIV testing, Afford-

able Care Act information, affordable medical options for seniors, orthopaedic health information, hepatitis C education, cardiac rhythm interpretation, nutrition information, comfort/palliative care, Tai Chi and kidney health. In addition to the sponsoring agencies, partnering organizations include Walgreens, Knoxville-Knox County CAC Office on Aging, Covenant Health, Tennessee Anti-Tobacco Advocacy Initiative, Epilepsy Foundation, Smoky Mountain Hospice, Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic, Helen Ross McNabb, Virginia College, West Knox Lions Club, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Community Nutrition, TN Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association and BlueCare. Info: 776-0471.

Powerful play “A Shayna Maidel,” by Barbara LeBow, has generated so much buzz that all performances are sold out. However, there may still be hope for those who don’t yet have tickets.

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See Carol Shane’s story on page 7

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City sets public talk on downtown report By Bill Dockery The Knoxville mayor and city staff will hold a public panel discussion on a consultant’s report that suggests how to keep momentum building on development in the city core. Mayor Madeline Rogero will lead a discussion of the recent report from the Urban Land Institute that focuses on five sites in Knoxville’s downtown, including the Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, the former state Supreme Court building, the Henley Street corridor, West Jackson Avenue and World’s Fair Park.

The meeting will take place in the East Tennessee History Center at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 30. The proposal suggests: ■ Razing the auditorium/coliseum and relocating other civic structures around it while developing the site as mixed-use residential neighborhoods ■ Use of the vacant Supreme Court building for commercial and performance space and upper-level residence ■ Restricting traffic flow on Henley Street so that it can accommodate shops and pedestrian use while connecting the down-

town to the university area ■ Redevelopment of the warehouse sites on West Jackson Avenue by a master developer ■ Development of World’s Fair Park open space as a recreational space for downtown dwellers. The report suggests that the Clarence Brown Theatre might be relocated to the former Knoxville Convention and Exhibition Center and that Muse Knoxville – the children’s museum formerly known as the Discovery Center – be relocated from Chilhowee Park in East Knoxville to a vacant space in World’s Fair Park.

The advisory panel from the Urban Land Institute visited Knoxville in early October 2014 and talked to various stakeholders about the future of downtown. The institute, which takes as its mission the responsible use of land and the creation of thriving communities, has served as an adviser to the city on development issues in the past. The institute is international, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. The report is posted on the Internet at cityofknoxville.org/ urbanlandinstitute/KnoxvilleTN _PanelReport_FINAL.pdf

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2 • MARCH 25, 2015 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Still losing weight – ‘and that’s cool!’ It’s been more than three years since Pat Benn of Knoxville, 49, underwent weight loss surgery with Dr. Jonathan Ray, a bariatric surgeon now practicing at the Fort Sanders Center for Bariatric Surgery. In May 2011 Benn had gastric bypass surgery, a procedure in which the stomach is made smaller, Down more than causing food to bypass part of the small intes230 pounds and tine. This enables her to feel full quickly very active, Pat is and eat far less. “The moment I start wearing clothes to feel full, I stop eating. I never she couldn’t wear overeat, and I think that’s a tool before and is takthey gave me,” she said. ing center stage Benn eats several small, highsinging in her protein meals each day. At first, the church choir! weight came off quickly – 100 pounds in the first three months. “But then it slows,” Benn said. “Surgery helps with 70 percent of what you need to lose, but what people don’t realize is you have to put effort into it. Weight loss surgery does not change you, you have to change you! It takes work and dedication to stay changed. Actually, I’m still losing weight, which is a really cool thing.” A big part of that is her dedication to an active lifestyle. “I try to get more exercise. I drink more water than I used to and I don’t drink soda at all. I also like to walk, swim and dance. I like moving, period.” Benn has lost more than 230 pounds off her highest weight of 392 and has reduced her risk for major health problems. “I’m a nurse, and I come from a family with a history of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. I knew it was only a matter of time before that was present in my life. I didn’t want to go down that road,” Benn said. Benn chose Dr. Ray based on a recommendation from a friend. “I just fell in love with him and the whole staff. Walking into the office is like walking into a family home. They’re so loving and welcoming.” “Pat has done excellently with her surgery. She is full of life and can do more As a nurse, Pat Benn knew she was than she used to do. Her outlook on life headed for major health problems. She is greatly improved,” said Dr. Ray. “It’s decided to undergo gastric bypass sura privilege for us to see people’s lives gery with Dr. Jonathan Ray. change for the better.”

Tips for social eating success For everyone trying to lose weight, attending a social event can often cause anxiety. Whether it is dinner with friends or a girls/ guys night out, remember, being social and overeating don’t have to go hand-in-hand. Here are some tips to consider:

inhibitions, making “bad choices” hard to resist.

Chew gum. Chewing sugarfree gum can satisfy your oral ﬁxation and curb your appetite.

Chew slowly. Eating a meal quickly inhibits the release of horNever arrive hungry. Eat ev- mones in the stomach that induce ery three to four hours, and al- feelings of being full, resulting in ways have a healthy snack with overeating. you such as a protein bar or raw Put your food on a plate. almonds, so you don’t arrive feelPicking foods from one plate to the ing famished. next can add up quickly. Seeing Eat protein ﬁrst. Protein helps how much you eat will allow you with metabolism, keeps you full better control your caloric intake. longer and may help you cut down Remember, socializing is about on those carbs that are so temptfamily and friends instead of eating. ing. If you end up overindulging, Drink water or other non- give yourself a break. Get right caloric beverages. Coffee and back on track the next meal – not tea, which are very low in calories, the next week – by recommitting are staples. Avoid alcohol and sug- to healthy eating and regular exerary drinks. Alcohol can lower your cise.

Learn the facts about bariatric surgery Informational seminars will be held in Classroom 1 on the Lobby level at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, 1901 Clinch Ave., in Knoxville. Dates and times are as follows:

Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m.

A Life Changing Decision For many patients, making the decision to undergo a bariatric procedure is a process. Some are driven by health concerns while others are seeking changes that will enhance their life experiences – playing with their children, traveling comfortably or enjoying the great outdoors. Patients must weigh the beneﬁts of the surgery with the lifetime changes they will need to make in order to be successful. Anyone who undergoes weight loss surgery will tell you –the actual surgical procedure is only a small part of the puzzle to regaining a life of health and happiness. A lot of the hard work actually comes into play prior to and after surgery. Each potential patient begins by attending a free educational seminar to learn about surgical weight

loss options. Upcoming seminar dates, times and locations are listed above, and on our website www.fsregional.com/bariatrics. If, after attending a seminar, you decide to begin your bariatric journey you will have appointments with your surgeon, a ﬁnancial counselor and patient advocate. Please note that every insurance company is different in their coverage of bariatric procedures. Meeting with a ﬁnancial counselor on the front end of the procedure helps

you understand your financial responsibilities. The actual surgical procedure is fairly quick and, with no complications, patients will be in the hospital one night for a sleeve gastrectomy and two nights for a gastric bypass procedure. Follow-up care for bariatric patients will continue for several months. Our certified bariatric nurses will lead support groups and coordinate nutritional counseling to help you navigate your continuing journey. We also offer a free, six-month fitness center membership to help jump-start your exercise goals. Though the decision to have bariatric surgery may be a difficult one, just ask anyone who has been successful if they’d do it again. The answer will be an overwhelming YES!

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community

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

River Rescue needs a hand Volunteers are still needed for Ijams Nature Center’s 26th annual River Rescue of the Tennessee River on Saturday, April 11. The cleanup covers 30 different sites along the river and creek tributaries. Last year, an estimated seven tons of trash was removed. The River Rescue will be augmented by the Tennessee River Tour, a collaborative river cleanup in eight cities in three states, led by 2013 CNN Hero of the Year Chad Pregracke and his organization, Living Lands and Waters. The Living Lands and Waters barge will be docked at Volunteer Landing April 9-15 and will display all the trash removed from Knoxville’s waterways, along with hosting “floating classrooms.” For info on how to volunteer for the River Rescue, call 577-4717, ext. 124 or visit www.ijams.org. For the Tennessee River Tour schedule, visit www.tennesseerivertour.org. Bags and gloves are provided to volunteers for the cleanup. All participants receive a River Rescue T-shirt. From 6 to 8 p.m. April 11, River Sports Outfitters will host a “Pint Nite” at Ijams. Volunteers from the rescue will receive their first drink free. There will be live music, and proceeds will benefit a new program at Ijams called River Rangers.

Mary Pryor poses with a few of her colored-pencil portraits and her canine companion Baby Dancer. A painting by Pryor hangs on the wall. Photo by Cindy Taylor

COMMUNITY NOTES

Creative in her 80s Meeting Mary June Pryor, you’d never know that she’s 87 years old. Her looks belie her age, creativity and talent. Pryor is a resident at Northgate Terrace and often plays the piano there, including during Sunday morning worship. Her preference for classical music comes across with a dreamlike playing quality, yet she strikes the keys with absolute authority. Pryor says that when she was a child, her mother decided that she should take piano lessons and practice

Cindy Taylor

at least an hour every day. But her heart wasn’t always in it. “When I used to practice at home, the piano was next to a window where kids would call me to come out the window and play with them,” she said. “One day I climbed out the window and played with my friends

Bill Cook sculpts

instead of practicing, but I didn’t know my mother could see me.” When the hour was up, Pryor went to her mother and told her she had finished her practice. Knowing the truth, her mother sat her right back down to practice for another full hour. Pryor says she didn’t try that again. “My mother wanted me to learn so I could attend and play at parties for people to dance. That was a big thing back in the day.” But, the multitalented Pryor says, her chosen

From page 1

field was painting. She was awarded a Hallmark scholarship to attend Kansas City Art Institute. After graduation, she chose not to work for Hallmark because she didn’t care for the artistic constraints their greeting cards required at the time. In later years, the company changed to allow more of what she considered to be her style, but she had already moved on to other things. She taught piano in her neighborhood for many years, played in church and was a commercial artist. Now, Pryor’s interest lies in creating portraits from photos using colored pencils. She’s a living testament to the agelessness of talent. Contact Cindy Taylor at ctaylorsn@gmail. com

Lauren is 15 now, and twins Connor and Sophie are 10. The family lives in West Knoxville, and Bill Cook has a studio about 10 minutes away from home in rented space on Westland Drive close to Pellissippi Parkway. The studio is going to once again be on the Dogwood Arts Studio DeTour of artists’ studios April 11 and 12. The event allows the public to visit artists where they work to meet and talk with them and even purchase some of the art. Cook says it’s an event he always looks forward to. A visit to his studio is both educational and enjoyable as he points out different pieces of stone, most of it reclaimed, and tells

Park Day at Mabry-Hazen House Mabry-Hazen House will participate in the 18th annual Park Day 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, with almost 100 other historic sites across the country. In conjunction with the Civil War Trust, HistoryTM and Take Pride in America, history buffs, community leaders, preservationists and other volunteers will help remove leaves and brush, mulch and do general spring cleaning. Some tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring rakes, pitchforks, tarps and other yard tools. The Mabry-Hazen House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to housing three generations of the same family from 1858-1987, it served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. The property will be included in the Blue and Gray Reunion and Freedom Jubilee April 30-May 3 in conjunction with Tennessee’s closing ceremonies for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Info: www.mabryhazen.com.

the story of each. He has beautiful works in various stages of completion and a shelf of not-yet-fi nished carvings he calls “my shelf of lost toys.” That group includes a likeness of Winston Churchill. A native of Hancock County, Cook says he started whittling on soft cedar wood as a child, often joining his grandfather on the front porch of the small family farm. “I carved a pair of cowboy boots once to see if I could do it, and I remember carving a set of golf clubs about as big as toothpicks. He went on to earn a degree in art and architecture from the University of Tennessee. Today he has a

CARTER SENIOR CENTER ■ Wednesday, March 25: 8-10 a.m. Weekday Walkers; 10:30 a.m. Inspiration class; 11:30 a.m. Veterans Services, Potluck; 1 p.m. bingo; 2 p.m. History of Knoxville class, Wii Bowling; 3 p.m. Conversational Spanish. ■ Thursday, March 26: 8-10 a.m. Weekday Walkers; 9 a.m. pinochle; 11 a.m. Tai Chi for Beginners; 11:30 a.m. Tai Chi Arthritis; 12:30 p.m. Cardio Craze; 2 p.m. SAIL exercise; 3:15 p.m. Wii Bowling. ■ Friday, March 27: Basketball Hall of Fame Trip; 8-9 a.m. Weekday Walkers; 9 a.m. poker; 9:45 a.m. Super Stretchers; 10:30 a.m. SAIL exercise; 11 a.m. Mayor’s meeting; 2 p.m. Guitar Jam. ■ Monday, March 30: Harrah’s Casino trip; 8-9:30 a.m. Weekday Walkers; 9 a.m. euchre; 10 a.m. quilting; 11:30 a.m. beading; noon Lunch Bunch; 1 p.m. art class, diabetes class. ■ Tuesday, March 31: 8-10 a.m. Weekday Walkers; 9 a.m. rook; 12:30 p.m. Cardio Craze; 2 p.m. SAIL exercises, dominoes; 3 p.m. corn hole toss time; 3:15 p.m. Wii bowling. ■ Info: 932-2939.

fulltime job in architectural sales and says sculpting is “a hobby that has become more of an obsession.” Cook’s work has appeared in juried exhibitions, and he has numerous awards to his credit. Dorothy Parker, the clever writer, poet and humorist of New York’s literary Algonquin Round Table, famously decreed that her tombstone should bear the words “Excuse My Dust.” Those visiting Cook’s studio will see a good amount of dust from all that chiseling and sculpting, but there are no tombstones, and no excusing is necessary. It’s all a part of his art. And Bill Cook Jr.’s art is truly remarkable.

Regatta to benefit Pat Summitt Foundation A canoe and kayak regatta will be held Saturday, May 2, in Tazewell to benefit the Pat Summitt Foundation. The race will begin at the Well Being Conference Center and end 12 miles downstream at Riverside Rentals. Cash prizes will be awarded, and non-racers are welcome. Entry fee before April 2 is $25/single and $45/tandem canoe or kayak. Return shuttles will be provided. Info: www.facebook.com/ PowellRiverRegatta.

Hospice webinar rescheduled The Hospice Foundation of America’s 2015 Annual Living With Grief® Program “Helping Adolescents Cope with Loss” has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 26. The webinar will be shown 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sevier Heights Church Apex, 3232 Alcoa Highway. Three hours of continuing education credits are available for a wide range of professions. Info or to register: Kelly Berry, 577-6666 or kelly.berry@ dignitymemorial.com.

■ 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 Neighborhood 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. ■ Oakwood Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each third Thursday, Community Club House, 916 Shamrock Ave. Info: Bill Hutton, 773-5228 or s_wlhutton@yahoo.com. ■ 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 • MARCH 25, 2015 • Shopper news

Josh Richardson is a winner I’m not as good as I used to be at determining which college stars will make a living in the NBA. I was certain Bernard King would cash in big if he avoided trouble. I would have bet the house on Dale Ellis. I thought Ernie Grunfeld would be an extra coach on the floor. If they didn’t hide the goal, Allan Houston was going to hit it. Tom Boerwinkle surprised me. He got more rebounds than points in a 10-year career and rattled dentures with giant-oak picks. Chicago loved Michael Jordan but realized Boerwinkle was a very valuable Bull. I guessed right on Scotty

Marvin West

Hopson. He was marginal but may yet … . When Chris Lofton didn’t make it, I started losing confidence. He had the shooter’s touch and was great from long range. Maybe he wasn’t strong enough or fast enough. Something blocked the NBA path. Now is the time to say yes or no on Josh Richardson, 6-6 guard who can run and jump. He is a terrific athlete

with a burning desire to excel. Coaches say he is the type who can and will do whatever you need. One said he is the best all-around Tennessee basketball player in years and years. Much was made over Josh having to play the point as a senior Volunteer. That was no big deal. He was a point guard in high school. Asked as a Tennessee freshman what he thought his greatest strength was, he said handling the ball. Hard-nosed defense being the cornerstone of Cuonzo Martin’s philosophy, the coach turned Richardson into a defensive stopper and role-player on offense. Josh was fourth scoring op-

tion behind Jordan McRae, Jarnell Stokes and Jerome Maymon. Josh broke out of that shell in tournament play last year. This year, he was heart and soul for Donnie Tyndall’s ragtag team. Josh is good, better than two or three people on Tennessee’s all-century team. You don’t hear much about it, but he may be a better man than basketball player. Shawn Schenk, coach at Santa Fe High in Edmond, Okla., said something like that four years ago. He talked about Josh being a bright student with great understanding of the game, about versatility, that he could play anywhere on

the floor, that he was an unselfish star and would contribute in all aspects – score, rebound, lead the offense, block shots, steal the ball, stop the best opponent. I remember thinking that scouting report was 100 percent pure coach talk, smoother than mountain honey on fresh-baked bread. If he was that good, where were Kentucky and Kansas? Schenk had it right. Richardson did all that and more as a senior at Tennessee. The high school coach offered one other assessment for my believe-it-or-not notebook. He said something else separates Josh from the crowd, that as great a player as he is, “He may be an even better kid. He lives right. He’s not out

at night partying and drinking. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s living a clean and moral life.” The coach left out some things. He didn’t mention that Josh could make lasagna, play the piano and was a daredevil on a skateboard. He didn’t say anything about Alice Richardson, retired Air Force colonel and Baptist minister who knows exactly how long Josh’s hair should be. Coach Schenk didn’t say Michael Richardson, retired firefighter who owns a remodeling business, might not miss even one of his son’s games. I do believe Josh can play pro ball. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll succeed at something else. He’s a winner. Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.

Pet ordinance reflects misplaced priorities On this month’s County Commission agenda, commissioner Jeff Ownby has a proposal to modify the local animal welfare ordinance. In media coverage, Ownby claims the proposal will help authorities better protect pets in extreme weather conditions. Of course, pets already have legal protections. State law prohibits a person from failing to reasonably “provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal.” If you fail to do so, the police can issue you a citation and seize the animals until the matter can be addressed in court. Even further, Knox County has an ordinance making it unlawful for a person to fail to provide an animal “sufficient shelter and protection from the elements” and medical attention “when it is sick, diseased or injured.” A cynic might say that the commission’s current pro-

Scott Frith

posal is more about politics than pets. Helping abused and neglected animals is politically popular, and politicians (especially those with an election next year) rarely miss the opportunity for some good publicity. Unfortunately, too many local leaders seem more interested in vulnerable animals than vulnerable people. In recent years, county officials have continually stalled the development of a proposed safety center for low-risk criminal offenders and inmates who suffer from mental illness. Keeping the mentally ill in jail is expensive, and law enforce-

ment officials and mentalhealth advocates believe a safety center can not only save money in the long run, but can also result in better outcomes for the most vulnerable folks in our community. County commissioners could have already passed a budget to build and operate a safety center. They haven’t. Remember the proposed Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness? The joint city-county proposal, published (ironically) 10 years ago this October, outlined recommendations to local officials to address the community’s homeless problem. As the proposal itself explains, “many homeless individuals and families go largely unseen … there are others who are very visible, sleeping on streets and suffering from sickness and mental illness.” A key part of the Ten Year Plan was housing. “If

a chronically homeless individual is able to quickly obtain stable, appropriate, permanent housing,” the plan argued, “then the issues of mental illness, chemical addictions, education and employment become eminently more manageable.” County commissioners could have already implemented those recommendations. They haven’t. (By the way, in case you were wondering, Knox County has an operating budget of more than $700 million. Don’t be misled into believing it’s just about the money. It’s also about priorities.) Now don’t get the wrong idea. I have nothing against helping animals. In fact, we adopted our dog Ollie from Young-Williams Animal Center last year. Ollie is part of the family, goes hiking with us, and we love her. But when politicians

jump at any opportunity to It’s time for County Comhelp pets but shy away from mission to do more to help helping the most vulnerable people and not just pets. people in our community, Scott Frith is a local attorney. You can contact him at scott@pleadthefrith.com. enough is enough.

Neighborhood Conference: Crime and safety Note: The city’s recent Neighborhood Conference drew more than 700 citizens to the Knoxville Convention Center to gather information on how to improve their communities. With 30-odd breakout sessions in three time slots, no one could possibly absorb everything, but the Shopper will be offering a look into three workshops that offered some of the basic and most popular subjects. Concern about crime unites neighborhoods in every geographic and economic area of Knoxville and

Betsy Pickle

Knox County. The workshop “Getting Organized To Fight Crime” brought together city and county law-enforcement officials and neighborhood leaders to talk about problems, successes and strategies. One good first step can To next page

Shopper news â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 25, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 5

Allen sets low bar for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tough on crimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lots of folks are wondering how former Knox County Trustee Mike Lowe got such a light sentence after pleading guilty to theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from county taxpayers.

Victor Ashe

While he got 10 years, he serves only one year, which will be reduced to seven months assuming good behavior. He was assessed a $200,000 fine, but no schedule was announced for paying it over the next 10 years. What happens if he fails to pay in a timely manner or at all? Frankly, I do not have a credible explanation for why District Attorney General Charme Allen, in her first major policy decision, proudly proclaimed her pride in the Lowe settlement at a news conference. Lowe did not just steal. He also hired ghost employees including Delbert Morgan, who was convicted by a jury but will serve only one month for his crime. Misde-

meanors get tougher penalties than this. Lowe showed no remorse when the media found him, and he described it all as â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfortunate.â&#x20AC;? Not once did he apologize to the people who elected him. What Lowe regrets is that he got caught. Entering the City County Building with a smile on his face makes a mockery of his regret. Allen, the new DA, is unknown to most Knox County citizens as she was unopposed and waltzed into the office via an unopposed election last August. Her official website says she is â&#x20AC;&#x153;tough on crime and strong on prevention.â&#x20AC;? If the best she can secure for an admitted thief is seven months, then that is a new definition for â&#x20AC;&#x153;tough on crimeâ&#x20AC;? and sends a signal, along with the Morgan one-month sentence, that the penalty for public corruption in Knox County is pretty low. She owes the public an explanation as to why this matter did not go to trial. This plea bargain was a bargain only for the guilty in this case. Lowe was smart to have Greg Isaacs as his attorney. Isaacs got the trial postponed several times over three years just as he

has done with Troy Whiteside, whose trial has been delayed almost six years now. Was the DA fearful she would be outgunned by Isaacs in the courtroom? Surely not. She states publicly it was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;most significant public corruption case in Knox County history.â&#x20AC;? What does this say for other public corruption cases if seven months in the local jail is the result? Does she honestly think the time that her news release says went into investigating this case has been justified with this sort of wrist slapping? With only six months in office, General Allen has been a major disappointment on this case. â&#x2013; Mark Brown: Friday night, March 20, was a bittersweet moment at the Beck Cultural Center as many friends and admirers of Knoxvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former vice mayor, Mark Brown, and his wife, Chenile, gathered to wish them well as he moves to Nashville to be closer to his new wife and to go to work for TennCare. Brown has been an important figure in the community for years and made positive contributions going back to serving on the Bernstein Commission, which recommended the police civilian review board be es-

tablished. He was chosen twice by the GOP-dominated County Commission to be a magistrate while he is Democrat. His ability was more important than partisanship. He will be missed. â&#x2013; House Speaker Beth Harwell acted quickly and wisely to halt the ill-advised practice of holding unannounced legislative meetings prior to the official meetings to discuss legislation. The practice never should have happened, and Harwell stepped up quickly to end it. This shows leadership that will help her in a potential 2018 race for governor. â&#x2013; MPC: Three finalists for MPC director are being interviewed through April 1. They are Alan Travis from Atlanta, who once worked for MPC; Steve Park from Skokie, Ill.; and Gerald Green from the Asheville area. Green and Travis went to the University of Tennessee. Park met with mayors Rogero and Burchett. MPC pays their travel costs, but the choice is made by the two mayors. The process is being conducted in secret at the direction of Rogero aide Bill Lyons. A decision is expected in mid-April. There has been little transparency in this matter.

The hard-working Jim McIntyre Jim McIntyre is the hardest-working guy in Knox County. Check. He needs to be because he has so many personal traits that keep him from connecting. Check. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, do you always work during spring break?â&#x20AC;? I asked when he finished speaking to a Halls business club last week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just three days (of five),â&#x20AC;? he answered, looking puzzled at the question. McIntyre was in Halls to sell his proposed budget, which the school board will vote on in April and Mayor Tim Burchett will tear apart in May. The superintendent of schools made a rare admission in response to a question from Carl Tindell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could have done

Sandra Clark

some things better,â&#x20AC;? he said. After years of turmoil fueled by Race to the Top federal funds (for which McIntyre wrote the grant for former Gov. Phil Bredesen), the money is gone. Also gone are most of the TAP schools, where teachers were eligible for extra compensation; McIntyre is pulling back from strategic compensation, another name for merit pay based on dubious evaluation tools; and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s asking for a 4 percent across-the-board raise for teachers.

Problem is, the raise will cost about $10 million with just $4.4 million coming from the state. So the school board will ask the mayor for a 3.7 percent increase in a $444 million budget. Now, flash forward. Tim Burchett is not the hardest-working guy in Knox County. Check. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be because his personal traits keep him connected with the people he serves. Check. Burchett doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to dig into McIntyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget, and he wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. He just needs a couple of hot-button topics to rail against to keep from funding the requested increase. It will play out like this: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shucks, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the money right now to give this

Clifford Davis

Russ Oaks

raise if they would just manage their resources better. â&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why just last month Dr. McIntyre layered another top administrator onto a bloated bureaucracy. â&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why do they need a chief of staff (Clifford Davis), a chief operating officer (Russ Oaks) and an assistant superintendent for administrative services (Bob Thomas)?â&#x20AC;? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good question.

government â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Monster computersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scientist returns The man who brought Jaguar and Kraken to East Tennessee is coming back to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Bill Dockery

ORNL has announced that Thomas Zacharia will return to the lab as deputy director for science and technology, a post he left in 2012 to become executive vice president of Qatar Foundation. Zacharia was deputy director for science and technology when ORNL became a world power in high-performance computing in the first decade of this century. On his first watch, the U.S. Department of Energy funded the installation of Jaguar, a machine that was for a time the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest supercomputer. It has since been upgraded and renamed Titan. In the meantime, the Oak Ridge area has become home to other supercomputers, including facilities for the National Security Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Zacharia was also the rainmaker when the University of Tennessee won $65 million from the National Science Foundation in 2008 to build and operate Kraken, which was billed as the fastest academic supercomputer in the world when it was completed in 2009. The NSF award was also the largest grant the university had received to that time. Kraken employed technology developed by supercomputer maker Cray Inc., and at its peak was ranked third fastest among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-performance computers. By 2010 it had fallen to eighth as newer, faster machines were developed worldwide. Improvements in tech-

nology ultimately doomed Kraken. More modern processors used just a fraction of the electrical power needed by Kraken (its electric bill was roughly $300,000 a month), and in April 2014 it was officially taken offline. Cray Inc. recently agreed to haul away the scrapped components of the machine. It remains to be seen whether Zacharia will be affiliated with UT again. When the university was preparing its Kraken proposal for the NSF, one of the requirements was that its principal investigator â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zacharia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be tenured at UT. In a rather parochial move the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department of electrical engineering and computer science refused to grant him the necessary status because â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even though he was busy architecting one of the most powerful computing complexes in the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; his Ph.D. is in materials science. To forestall the loss of the $65 million award, the UT System stepped in to create a systemwide tenure for Zacharia and a couple of other key personnel that let the university meet the NSF requirements. In recent years, UTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s links to high-performance computing have weakened. Because of the budget sequestration and other congressional dithering over the past two or three years, the NSF has had to narrow the scope of its large grants for supercomputing, and the few that have been made have been won by powerhouses like the University of Illinois and the University of Texas. And Zacharia may not have time for a university connection. ORNL insiders speculate that he is a likely prospect for lab director when and if current director Thom Mason moves on. After all, lab watchers note that though he moved halfway around the world to take a new job, he never sold his house in East Tennessee.

Crime and safety be a Neighborhood Watch. The panelists recommended getting the pulse of the neighborhood to see if there is interest in such a group. Captains responsible for 10 to 18 houses should be recruited. Food is a good enticement to get people to come to meetings. Katy Davis, education coordinator/crime prevention for the Knox County Sher-

From previous page

iffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, said there are 300 neighborhood watches in the county, and they are the eyes and ears of the community. They are the ones who see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on and can communicate with their neighbors and with officers. Davis suggested creating a neighborhood directory, but many people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel they know their neighbors

and might be hesitant to cast a wide net. She pointed out that people establishing a Neighborhood Watch arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t obligated to invite everyone to join. Most neighborhood crimes are crimes of opportunity, she said. Generally, criminals are not professionals and are looking for a quick in and out to steal items such as pre-

scription drugs, guns and electronics while people are at work. Davis said residents should acknowledge any knock at the door, even if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t open the door, so that would-be intruders will know someone is at home. Deterrents such as lighting, landscaping, not letting mail or newspapers pile up, keeping garage doors shut

and locking vehicles are also good strategies. Susan Stewart of Riverbend Peninsula Homeowners Association said raidsonline.com is a good resource for finding out what crimes are taking place in your neighborhood. Neighbors can help law enforcement by writing down or taking photos of the license plates and mark-

ings of strange vehicles. An email or Internet group can help not only with theft, but also with missing pets. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Neighborhood Watch, a community organization or a homeownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; association, neighborhood groups are a way to let criminals know that residents care about their community and are on the lookout for them.

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6 • MARCH 25, 2015 • Shopper news

Convicted of fraud, hedge-fund manager James (Will Ferrell) works out to prepare for his upcoming jail term, with clueless Darnell (Kevin Hart) as his adviser, in “Get Hard.”

Misfits abound on the big screen also star for first-time director Etan Cohen, By Betsy Pickle Figuring out where you belong is a per- best known for co-writing “Tropic Thunder.” vasive theme in this week’s new movies. The weirdest pairing of the week has to Will Ferrell starts with how to belong as he joins forces with Kevin Hart for “Get belong to Jim Parsons (TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”) and singer Rihanna in “Home.” Hard,” a comedy about going to prison. To be precise, the R-rated comedy is With animation, anything is possible. Parsons provides the voice of Oh, an about preparing to go to prison. Ferrell plays James, a millionaire hedge-fund alien who’s being hunted by his own kind. Rihanna voices Tip, an manager who is livadventurous Earthling. ing the good life and They end up changing each They end up changthen some. When he’s ing each other’s worlds caught with his hand in other’s worlds and realizing and realizing the true the cookie jar and conmeaning of home. victed of fraud, James the true meaning of home. The vocal cast also is frantic. includes Steve MarHe has 30 days to put his affairs in order, but his biggest con- tin, Jennifer Lopez and Matt Jones (TV’s cern is finding out how to survive a stint “Mom”). The director is Tim Johnson, who in San Quentin. He assumes that Darnell co-directed “Over the Hedge” and “Antz.” (Hart), a car detailer who works in his office Knoxville-based filmmaker Paul Harbuilding’s garage, is familiar with the penal rill’s acclaimed feature-film debut, “Somesystem because he has an apparently lousy thing, Anything,” was released on Netflix job and, well, he’s black. last Friday. It is also available on iTunes, Darnell is incensed by James’s racist as- Vimeo and Googleplay. sumptions, but he figures getting paid is the “Something, Anything,” which debuted best revenge, so he cooks up an incarcera- last fall at the Knoxville Film Festival, is tion-readiness program for James. It turns about a young woman (Ashley Shelton) out that some of his assumptions are also whose life takes a sharp turn after a tragerroneous. edy. The film was shot primarily in the Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie, Tip “T.I.” Knoxville area and also stars Bryce JohnHarris, Paul Ben-Victor and Greg Germann son and Linds Edwards.

Tip and Oh embark on a global adventure in “Home.”

Taffy Jada

Antawn Taffy, Antawn and Jada Taff y is a 6-year-old female domestic shorthair mix available for adoption at Young-Williams Animal Center’s 6400 Kingston Pike location. Antawn, a 2-year-old male dwarf rabbit and Jada, a 6 1/2-year-old female pit bull, are both available at Young-Williams’ 3201 Division St. location. All three animals have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Info: 215-6599 or www.young-williams.org.

weekender

Shopper news • MARCH 25, 2015 • 7

FRIDAY-SUNDAY By Carol Shane Clarence Brown Theatre productions are always top-notch, but right now the venerable organization is experiencing a phenomenon. The CBT lab theatre’s current production of “A Shayna Maidel,” by Barbara LeBow, has generated so much buzz that all performances – including some extra ones that were added – are sold out. However, there may still be hope for those who don’t yet have tickets. According to the CBT website, the drama is “a powerful and deeply affecting portrait of a family in the aftermath of the Holocaust: Two sisters, one a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, the other brought up as an American, meet in 1946 after a separation of almost 20 years.” The play opened in 1985 and quickly became a nationwide hit. A 1992 television adaptation, “Miss Rose White,” featured Kyra Sedgwick, Maureen Stapleton and Maximilian Schell. Referring to a 1992 production by Massachusetts’ New Repertory Theatre, critic William Chuang wrote, “The ability to appreciate this powerful drama is not limited to the Jewish community, as some may believe. This play will appeal to people of all ages and religions.” The CBT production is directed by Terry Silver-

■ Big Ears Festival, featuring contemporary classical music, indie rock bands, leading jazz greats, visionary folk artists, and more. Info/tickets and weekend passes: bigearsfestival. com; all Ticketmaster locations. ■ Funny Ears Fringe Festival, featuring local rock ’n’ roll bands and performers. Info: 524-2224; scruff ycityhall.com; Funny Ears Fringe Festival on Facebook.com.

FRIDAY ■ Big Ears Festival Kick Off, 5:30 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Info/tickets: bigearsfestival. com; all Ticketmaster locations. ■ Bijou Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 803 S. Gay St.: The Bad Plus, 7 and 8:45 p.m.; Demdike Stare, 11:30 p.m. ■ Knoxville Museum of Art Big Ears Festival performances, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive: Hildur Guðnadóttir, 10:30 p.m.; Tyondai Braxton, midnight. ■ Tennessee Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 604 S. Gay St.: Harold Budd & Keith Lowe, 7:30 p.m.; Kronos Quartet, 9 p.m. ■ The Square Room Big Ears Festival performances, 4 Market Square: Ryley Walker, 8 p.m.; SQÜRL, 9:15 p.m.; Steve Gunn, 10:45 p.m. ■ The Standard Big Ears Festival performances, 416 W. Jackson Ave.: Rival Consoles, 7:30 p.m.; Nosaj Thing, 8:30 p.m.; Clark, 10:15 p.m.; Jamie xx, midnight. ■ Preservation Pub Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 28 Market Square: Maps Need Reading, Stryplepop, Three Star Revival, Grandpa’s Stash. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m.

Rachel Finney and Sophia Shefner play sisters united by blood but separated by life experience in Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of “A Shayna Maidel.” Photo submitted Alford, who can usually be found on the podium in the orchestra pit. The multitalented Silver-Alford is in his 10th year as CBT’s music director. “A Shayna Maidel” will play in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s lab theatre March 26 to April 12. A wait list

will be in effect for all of the sold-out performances, as tickets are often turned back in and may be available for those shows. An open captioned performance will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29. A talkback with the cast is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, immedi-

ately following the matinee. Free and convenient parking is available in the McClung Tower garage on Volunteer Boulevard. The production is sponsored by WUTK and WUOT. Info: clarencebrown theatre.com or 974-5161. Send story suggestions to news@ shoppernewsnow.com.

Calhoun’s

Hickory Smoked Barbecue Ribs By Mystery Diner Novices want to pick up a barbecued rib and have the meat fall off the bone. True connoisseurs will tell you that “falling off the bone” is a sign of an overcooked rib. Melt-in-your-mouth goodness, however, is a sign that all is right in heaven. Calhoun’s is famous across the country for barbecue, and the pinnacle of barbecue is ribs. A plate of ribs – whether half-slab or full – at the restaurant leaves no doubt that the reputation is well-deserved. There are now eight Calhoun’s in East Tennessee: the original at Kingston Pike and Pellissippi Parkway, Bearden Hill, Turkey Creek, On the River (down from Thompson-Boling Arena), Fort Loudoun (Lenoir City), Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Maryville. The restaurant began in Octo-

ber 1983 as Calhoun’s Rib Barn. Shortly after opening, the barbecue team traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, and brought home the title of Best Ribs in America at the 1984 National Rib Cookoff. The restaurants are part of the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants, which now includes the eight Calhoun’s, two Copper Cellars, Chesapeake’s, Cherokee Grill, four Smoky Mountain Brewery establishments and a Calhoun’s Banquet/Copper Cellar Catering facility. Several of the Calhoun’s now include microbreweries in the restaurants. Choosing between ribs and pork barbecue was difficult, but the opportunity to check out whether accolades from barbecue contests would translate into onthe-plate greatness was just too tempting. My companion chose the sampler platter that included

chicken strips, ribs and smoked sausage and declared each dish to be “delicious.” My half-slab of baby-back ribs was tender and meaty. The sauce was smoky, with just the right combination of spice and sweetness. The ribs passed the gnawthe-bone test, and the sauce passed the lick-your-fingers test. (I guess watching Mystery Diner eat ribs might not be a pleasant endeavor.) Side dishes are a pleasure at Calhoun’s, for the choices are plentiful and all very good. Slaw is a must to accompany ribs, so that left one choice from the dozen offered. Tennessee Corn Puddin’ was the perfect selection, although something green would have been prudent. Starches aside, the corn pudding was lip-smacking good. Gosh. I guess I’d better work on my table manners.

■ Scruff y City Hall Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 32 Market Square: Wesley, Sang Sarah, DAMS, Red Is Blood, Far Far Away, The Tom Pappas Collection, Skytown Riot, Senryu, Magma Blood. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY ■ Bijou Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 803 S. Gay St.: SQÜRL, 1 p.m.; Tanya Tagaq, 4:15 p.m.; Max Richter, 8:30 p.m.; Sam Amidon, 10:45 p.m.; Ben Frost, 12:30 a.m. ■ Knoxville Museum of Art Big Ears Festival performances, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive: Loscil, 1 p.m.; Coupler, 3 p.m.; Jozef Van Wissem, 5 p.m.; Tyondai Braxton, 9 p.m.; Bing & Ruth, 10:30 p.m.; Harold Budd & Keith Lowe, midnight. ■ Tennessee Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 604 S. Gay St.: Kronos Quartet: Folk Songs with Rhiannon Giddens & Sam Amidon, 1:30 p.m.; Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet, 7 p.m.; tUnE-yArDs, 10 p.m. ■ The Square Room Big Ears Festival performances, 4 Market Square: Wu Man, 12:30 p.m.; Nels Cline & Norton Wisdom, 3:30 p.m.; William Tyler, 7:45 p.m.; Hildur Guðnadóttir, 9:30 p.m.; Grouper, 11 p.m. ■ The Standard Big Ears Festival performances, 416 W. Jackson Ave.: A Winged Victory For The Sullen, 4 p.m.; Holly Herndon, 5:30 p.m.; Amen Dunes, 9:15 p.m.; Omar Souleyman, 11:45 p.m.; Tyondai Braxton, 1 a.m. ■ Preservation Pub Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 28 Market Square: Corn Bred, Sidecar Symposium, Zach and Kota’s Sweet Life, R.A.L.F., Dank. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m. ■ Scruff y City Hall Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 32 Market Square: Ghost Cab, mare vita, BOXSET, O Youth, The New Romantics, Yung Life, Faux Ferocious, EX GOLD. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY ■ Bijou Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 803 S. Gay St.: Rhiannon Giddens, 2 p.m.; Bill Frisell & Bill Morrison, 5:30 p.m.; Little Annie and Swans, 8 p.m. ■ Knoxville Museum of Art Big Ears Festival performances, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive: Tyondai Braxton, 2:30 p.m.; Terry Riley with Gyan Riley & Tracy Silverman, 4 p.m. ■ Tennessee Theatre Big Ears Festival performances, 604 S. Gay St.: Perfume Genius, 6:30 p.m.; Max Richter with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra & the American Contemporary Music Ensemble, 8 p.m. ■ The Standard Big Ears Festival performances, 416 W. Jackson Ave.: Kronos Quartet, 3 p.m.; Zs, 5:15 p.m.; Silver Apples, 7 p.m.; Kronos Quartet with Nels Cline, 10 p.m. ■ Preservation Pub Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 28 Market Square: Hans Stein Und Zee Yodelers, Kukuly and the Romani Fuego, Bliss on Tap, King Super and The Excellents. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m. ■ Scruff y City Hall Funny Ears Fringe Festival performances, 32 Market Square: Glazzwvrks, Keep Quiet, Demon Waffle, The Royal Buzz, Ulaanbastards, Yak Strangler, Ebony Eyes, Fire at the Marquee. Doors open 4 p.m.; music, 5 p.m.

kids

Eddys Garcia

Jayden Arthur Jatoria White

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

Xavier Hill

SMG reporters: Getting better School’s back and today’s guest at the Sarah Moore Greene newspaper club is a fellow who emigrated here from China. We’ll be writing about Jerry Cheung next week (we hope). Meanwhile, our last interviews were with two kids from each group. Growlers: Eddys Garcia-Arias and a newcomer, Jayden Arthur, were our subjects. “Eddys is a helpful member of the newspaper club,” wrote Safari Bahati. “Eddys said she likes doing dance because it inspires her,” wrote Malaya Thomas. Destiny Woods calls Eddys “an art lover” who loves both visual arts and dance. She often drops her last name, Arias, because folks around here have trouble pronouncing it. She demonstrated rolling the R and others in the group practiced with her. Eddys has an older sister and younger brothers. She helps keep her brothers safe. Jayden Arthur joined his friend Safari Bahati in the newspaper club because he “thought it would be fun.” He likes science, wrote Safari. Malaya Thomas wrote that Jayden enjoys playing outside during vacations from school.

All reporters were asked to find a “money quote” that summed up the interview. “Ms. Ruth and Ms. Sandra have trapped another victim (Jayden Arthur),” wrote Destiny Woods (with a touch of irony). “Jayden has five brothers and two sisters. He is funny sometimes,” wrote Mirna. “He likes to have fun at anything he does.” Sharks: Jatoria White and Xavier Hill “volunteered” to be interviewed. Jatoria White enjoys swimming, wrote Madison Thomas. “She really likes waterparks,” added Wesley Mills. Jordynn Santos said Jatoria is her BFF. “That means best friend forever,” she explained to the elderly editor. Xavier Hill’s grandmother works at Sarah Moore Greene as a custodian. She works an afternoon and early evening shift, Xavier said. When she got married this year, teachers and staff gave her a shower, wrote Jatoria White. Jordynn Santos noticed that Xavier likes video games. Wesley Mills got an important fact: Xavier’s grandmother won a banana pudding contest at her church. Thus ended another day and we’re off to find more victims, errrr subjects.

Adrian Roberson touches an animal pelt brought to the school by members of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photos

Teacher Dennis Groenke shows a parent the DNA extracted from a strawberry during science night at Whittle Springs Middle School.

by R. White

Tanner Claiborne receives assistance from his dad, Ted Graves, while making a parachute. Clairborne’s creation was dropped from above and the speed of the fall calculated.

Whittle Springs students explore science activities Where can students extract DNA from a strawberry, convert sunlight to energy or make their own catapult? At Whittle Springs Middle School Science night, of course. Thanks to great partners such as CURENT (Center for Ultra-wide-area Resilient electric Energy Transmission networks) led by UT, Great Smoky Mountain National Parks and Spectrum, students were able to visit booths and explore energy conversion, create paper rockets, build a catapult and learn about animals, all while having fun with their parents. “This is one of the most

Ruth White

popular nights at the school,” said principal Nadriene Jackson. “The students really get into the experiments, and it’s great to see them share it with their parents.” Jackson stated that the night’s success is thanks in part to sponsors who come out, set up experiments and work with the students.

Sarah Moore Greene recognizes top teachers Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy teachers Angela Childers, Susan Parker and Mitzi Burnett are recognized at the annual Knox County Schools Teachers of the Year dinner. The trio was selected by their peers and honored for their work with students in the classroom. Photo submitted

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Shopper news • MARCH 25, 2015 • 9

One word for candy store: Yum! Jeff and Melissa Roberts started in the candy business about eight years ago with homemade cinnamon glazed pecans, almonds and cashews at arts and crafts shows. Through customers they met at the shows, they started providing tins and baskets to corporate offices for attorneys, insurance agents and others to give as gifts year-round. Jeff says he always dreamed of having a candy store. He didn’t think it was feasible until he was shown a location just off Chapman Highway in Seymour. Before long, he and his wife, Melissa, were remodeling the space, transforming it into the candy wonderland that is Seymour Sweets N Treats. Open since July 2014, Seymour Sweets N Treats greets customers with a beautiful mural. Created by Melanie Fetterolf, it features a bright, color-

Nancy Whittaker

ful background and small surprises hidden throughout. On the right side of the mural, Fetterolf painted a complete family tree for the Robertses that includes their eight grandchildren (soon to be 10 with the addi- Jeff Roberts with daughter McKenzie and wife Melissa at Seytion of twins). While there, mour Sweets N Treats Photo by Nancy Whittaker check out Fetterolf’s framed artwork, too. Chocolate is definitely also high on customers’ pri- sible he loves to pick fresh strawberries himself. Mea main food group at Sey- ority list. Jeff says their peanut lissa was dipping strawbermour Sweets N Treats. The display cases show a vari- butter buckeyes and peanut ries while I was there, and ety of chocolate-covered butter cookies are two of as soon as she finished, a customer was walking out goodies. Caramels, pecans, their top sellers. White or milk chocolate- the door with them. cashews, malted milk balls Seymour Sweets N Treats – all in either milk choco- covered strawberries are late or dark chocolate – will sold year-round. Jeff says also has lots of baskets and definitely make your mouth they have a great produce barrels for the kids. Basket water. But peanut butter is supplier, but whenever pos- candies start at just a nick-

business el each. Dime and quarter candy are also available for a fun mix-and-match experience. Rental space for birthday parties for up to 16 kids is available with many different options. Tables and chairs are provided; optional goodie bags, cupcakes and drinks can be provided, or bring your own. What a treat to be able to skip cleaning up after a party! Melissa has just started experimenting with glutenfree treats. Chocolate and peanut butter cookies are two recipes she has already perfected. Since many customers have asked for more gluten-free offerings, Melissa plans to keep expanding those to build up a good selection. Shipping is available for gift items. Simply call and let Melissa or Jeff know what you want or the amount you want to spend; a gift basket or tin will be created and

shipped directly to the lucky recipient. Seymour Sweets N Treats is at 101 Husky Valley Road, just around the corner from Chapman Highway, next door to Treasures of the Heart. Check them out on Facebook or call 850-4063. ■

McIntyre to speak at ETBA

The East Towne Business Alliance (ETBA) will meet at 8 a.m. Wed nesday, April 1, at the New Harvest Park Community Center. Knox County Schools Jim McIntyre Superintendent Jim McIntyre will speak. Everyone is invited. Come a few minutes early and join the group for breakfast.

Ramsey, DiPietro push for UT budget UT president Joe DiPietro was joined by financial adviser Dave Ramsey and members of the board of trustees at UT Day on the Hill in Nashville. DiPietro’s message: The University of Tennessee is heading into uncharted territory, seeking to cut costs while maintaining excellence in the face of projected funding gaps, and successful navigation can secure the state’s future. At a breakfast gathering, DiPietro told legislators that an analysis based on UT’s current funding structure projects a funding gap of $377 million developing over the next 10 years.

UT Law offering free tax help As part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, UT Law students will offer free tax preparation help and electronic filing to qualifying members of the community. The program is available to those who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. The services are available 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 15 in Suite 157 of the College of Law, 1505 W. Cumberland Ave. Appointments not required. Visit www.tiny.utk.edu/vita to learn what documents are needed. Info: Morgan, 9742492 or rmorgan2@utk. edu.

Home Federal seeks hometown heroes The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 27, to nominate someone as a hometown hero in the fifth annual Home Federal promotion. Potential honorees include those who mentor kids, support seniors, advocate for the most vulnerable, care for animals, expand the region’s cultural opportunities, and serve in other ways to make East Tennessee a great place to live. Eight honorees will be recognized for their volunteer work in the community. Each will select a local nonprofit for a $2,500 donation in their name. From these finalists, an overall honoree will have an additional $2,500 donation given to his or her chosen nonprofit. Anyone may nominate a hometown hero. Details and a nomination form are at www.homefederalbanktn. com or can be picked up at any of the bank’s 23 offices.

“We don’t want to rely on tuition increases to close the gap, so we’ll find ways to cut costs and increase revenue, but as we go through this process, we will need your support,” DiPietro said. “That’s because this is about securing Tennessee’s future. The University of Tennessee is critical to our state’s future and economic success.” Ramsey, who earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1982, noted that about 50 percent of UT students graduate without student debt, and those who graduate with debt have levels of debt below the national average.

Ramsey, wife Sharon and their three children are UT grads, as are several nieces and nephews. Ramsey said he and his family are proud of their UT legacy and he supports DiPietro’s efforts to lead change needed to resolve funding shortfalls. “Leading is willingness to fight for what’s right,” Ramsey said, challenging elected officials to fight for education. While DiPietro praised Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and said he hopes to see it approved by the legislature, a long-term approach to achieve sustainable funding remains

critical. “We’re very grateful for the budget Governor Haslam has proposed,” DiPietro said. “This would be a good budget year, and if it is, it will make this the second good year I’ve seen in almost a decade. “The problem is, we can’t continue to pass on tuition increases to cover funding gaps that accumulate in all the years that aren’t good budget years. “We have to solve this problem. Doing so is critical to the future of Tennessee because I believe a better UT leads to a better life for all Tennesseans.”

NEWS FROM PREMIER SURGICAL

Surgery Relieves Rare Swallowing Disorder By Kimberly O’Neal Wilson For years, every bite or sip Steve Abbott took was a struggle. Food and liquids wouldn’t go down his esophagus, instead they would back up into his throat, causing pain and nausea. “It felt like everything I ate was stuck in the top of my neck Steve Abbott says his surgery to treat a rare in my throat,” says the swallowing disorder was North Knoxville man. “Even when I drank a lifesaver. tea or water, it would fill up in my throat and I would have to wait for it to eventually go down. It was very uncomfortable.”

has extensive fellowship training in laparoscopic surgery. He performed a laparoscopic Heller myotomy on Abbott in January at Fort Sanders Regional. The procedure involves releasing a layer of muscle from Joel F. “Trey” Bradley, III, the lower esophagus and upper stomach MD, Surgeon that causes it to be too tight. This is all done with minimally invasive techniques using only a few small incisions. This allows the patient to recover faster with less pain and discomfort. “It’s essentially the opposite of what we do with laparoscopic acid reflux surgery

“I was losing weight and swallowing was painful, so my doctor suggested I talk with a surgeon at Premier Surgical about surgery” ~ Swallowing disorder patient Steve Abbott After multiple diagnostic tests, Abbott’s Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jeffrey Brown, diagnosed the 57-year old with a rare disorder called achalasia. It is a condition in which the valve at the bottom of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter, doesn’t completely relax and food can’t easily move into the stomach. The normal propulsion of food down from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach is also reduced with the disease. Achalasia does get progressively worse and affects an estimated five out of every 100,000 American adults. Over time Abbott tried medication and underwent three balloon dilation procedures to stretch his esophageal sphincter, but the treatment only gave him temporary relief. “I was losing weight and swallowing was painful, so Dr. Brown suggested I talk with a surgeon at Premier Surgical about surgery,” explains Abbott. “I was relieved that I could have the surgery here in Knoxville, because my other choice was to go to the Cleveland Clinic.” Abbott met with Dr. Joel “Trey” Bradley, III, of Premier Surgical Associates, who

where we make the sphincter tighter,” explains Dr. Bradley. “With achalasia the sphincter is too tight, so you have to loosen it and allow it to relax.” Now, food is able to pass from Abbott’s esophagus to his stomach without getting stuck. For Abbott, it’s made all the difference. “The surgery has been a lifesaver. Dr. Bradley was great and explained everything to me before and after,” says Abbott. “I’m not having the swallowing problems I did before – I’m doing fine now.”

UT graduate Dave Ramsey and UT president Joe DiPietro at UT Day on the Hill in Nashville Photo provided by UT

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10 • MARCH 25, 2015 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

NEWS FROM EMERALD YOUTH FOUNDATION OF KNOXVILLE

Motivated city teens gain edge on ACT skills H igh school students at the Baptist Center at Western Heights are working with Emerald Youth Foundation to get ready for college. About eight students who attend Fulton and Central high schools have been attending a weekly ACT preparation class. Baptist Center coordinator Natalie Myers, volunteer John Thomas, AmeriCorps member Tess Woodhull, and Emerald Youth curriculum

and evaluation manager Christi Cardwell have met with the students on Thursday evenings since October. Cardwell said the students have been working on mastering skills in the four subject areas covered on the ACT: English, math, science/ reasoning and reading. Additionally, they have focused on test-taking strategies such as skimming a passage quickly, reading graphs and charts, and managing their time.

Cardwell said the students’ speed on exercises has clearly improved. Besides upping their chances of success on the ACT, the students are improving their grades at school and their college readiness, too, she said. “All of high school curriculum is now centered around ACT standards. All end-of-course tests are centered on ACT standards. This will help them in everything.”

Emerald Youth’s Tess Woodhull and Christi Cardwell, along with Natalie Myers of the Baptist Center at Western Heights, work with students Paul Bodio and Steven Nix.

Dedication and skill lead 13-year-olds to regional volleyball win

Coaches Taylor Call (far left) and Tyler Hardin (far right) lead their 13U Emerald club volleyball team to a tournament win in Bristol. Hard work and focused training vaulted Emerald Youth Foundation’s 13-andunder club volleyball team to a jubilant win recently. The 13U players, the youngest of Emerald’s five club volleyball teams, won the Bristol Extreme Velocity Tournament on Feb. 14 in Bristol, defeating five other 13U teams from around the region. “They played very consistently and passionately

all day. We never lost a match, and we only lost one game. They just flatout competed all day,” said Tyler Hardin, team coach along with Taylor Call. The win was special for a lot of reasons. Most of the girls have only been playing for a year or two, drawn to the sport when Emerald launched it at their middle schools. Also, the girls say volleyball is a matter of heart as well as athleticism.

“I play volleyball because it is really fun and I get to be with my friends. It helps me to communicate better. I don’t mind the time it requires,” said Holston seventh-grader Megan Turner. She and her teammates practice two nights each week. “Volleyball keeps me in good shape. We run, work out a lot and do conditioning. Without volleyball, life would seem boring,” said Kallie Powell, a seventhgrader at Carter Middle School. Emerald athletic director Dwayne Sanders, who oversees five Emerald club teams age 13-17 this season, said he is pleased at the growth of volleyball in urban Knoxville. Hardin, who is from Bristol, can’t stop talking about the 13U team. “I am so proud of them. They have grown so much. Every one of them is a motivator. Every one of them is like a coach.”

A Visit to Beck Cultural Exchange Center While cold and dreary days may soon be a thing of the past, they did allow for uplifting and educational activities this winter. Middle school youth from Mount Zion Baptist Church recently enjoyed a trip to the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Pictured are (front) JeTori Howard, Treasure Rowe, Destiny Ragland, Amya Alford, Lourdes Robinson; (middle) Jhmias Rice, Tiana Couch-Cox, Trinity Turner, Mya Winton, Beverly Bonds; and (back) Mya Simmons and Emerald Youth AmeriCorps member Neil Tate.

A Message from Steve Diggs, Emerald Youth President and CEO Sierra Smith, a defensive specialist on her 13-andu n d e r club team, describes it best: “I Steve Diggs love playing volleyball. It’s fun,” she said. “It helps me stay close to the people on my team. And it brings me closer to God. We have devotions, and our coach always prays with us before the games.” The girls on Emerald Youth’s five club volleyball teams, now practicing two evenings a week at our gym, are pumped up. Their teams are winning regional matches and

tournaments. Some of the girls first played volleyball only a year or two ago. I am prouder of them all than I can say. I pray for God’s grace to reach many urban kids’ lives through all our sports, which include soccer, swimming, baseball, basketball and track. Today, more than 200 girls each year play volleyball on teams through Emerald Youth – at Whittle, Vine Magnet and Holston middle schools, on 12 EY recreation league teams, and on five club teams for girls ages 13-17. As their skills improve, girls can move up to higher levels of play. The girls are staying active and physically fit. They are gaining athletic skills they can use through

college and beyond. And they are flourishing from conditioning, teamwork and spiritual support. This is a healthy reversal for participating kids in an urban area where youth are at increased risk of obesity, inactivity, isolation and general bad health. A recent Emerald study found that more than 80 percent of Knoxville’s urban youth are not engaged in recreational sports, and more than 40 percent of our city’s teens are overweight and obese. I invite you to learn more about Emerald Youth at our annual prayer and fundraising breakfast on Friday, May 1. Join us as we celebrate our city youth and the church!

Emerald Youth Foundation hosts 22nd annual breakfast May 1 7 a.m. event (doors open at 6:45 a.m.) sponsored by Home Federal Bank, Graham Corporation and Tennova Healthcare. Proceeds raised during the event support Emerald Youth Foundation, a nonprofit ministry that serves nearly 2,000 city children, teens and young adults through its faith, education and sports programs. The breakfast is compliThe Emerald Youth choir will lead worship at the Emerald mentary, and an offering Youth prayer and fundraising breakfast May 1. will be collected. For reserEmerald Youth Founda- at the Knoxville Expo Cen- vations contact Kelly Winck at (865) 637-3227, ext. tion will host its 22nd an- ter. nual prayer and fundraising More than 1,000 guests 115 or email breakfast@ breakfast on Friday, May 1, are expected to attend the emeraldyouth.org.

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