North/East Shopper-News 080515

NORTH / EAST VOL. 3 NO. 31

BUZZ Sales tax holiday

Tennessee’s annual Sales Tax Holiday is Friday-Sunday, Aug. 7-9. During the holiday, shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school and art supplies and computer purchases.

Shoppers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item and computers with a price of $1,500 or less.

Examples of exempted items: ■ Clothing: Shirts, dresses, pants, coats, gloves, hats and caps, hosiery, neckties, belts, sneakers, shoes, athletic and non-athletic uniforms, jackets, jeans, socks and underwear ■ School supplies: Binders, book bags and backpacks, calculators, tape, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, pens, pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, paper, pencils, rulers and scissors ■ Art supplies: Clay and glazes, paints, paintbrushes, sketch and drawing pads and watercolors ■ Info: www.tn.gov/revenue/article/sales-tax-holiday or 1-800-342-1003.

Un-tax yourself

After you’ve run yourself ragged taking advantage of tax holiday bargains, head to Tea & Treasures to rest and relax.

T&T’s Second Saturday Marketplace, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., will offer laid-back browsing in the store along with outdoor vendor booths featuring arts and crafts, antiques, plants, books, food and music. Old Time Mountain Pickers will perform 1-3 p.m.

Find the fun at 4104 W. Martin Mill Pike.

Back to School

Parents and kids are invited to Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett’s Back to School Bash 3-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway. The free event is an opportunity for students to get free school supplies and health screenings and to enjoy activities, special programs, vendors and more.

Shoney’s will host a free KidCare Photo ID at the event. The IDs include a color photograph, fingerprints, physical description and a 24-hour hotline for missing and exploited children.

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August 5, 2015

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Haslam shoots confetti at Carter Middle

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam prepares to shoot confetti as the band looks on at Carter Middle School on Monday. Haslam and others were at the East Knox County school to celebrate both the middle and high school being designated as rewards schools. See more on page 5. Photo by Ruth White

Rollins honored

By Betty Bean There was a big turnout on Cherry Street for the ceremonial dedication Friday of the Avon W. Rollins Sr. Overpass, which has renamed the span of I-40 that crosses Cherry Street.

The Knoxville Police Department blocked off a lane of Cherry Street and stopped traffic coming off the I-40 exit ramp to allow pedestrian access to the dedication site. The multiracial crowd included dignitaries and private citizens of all ages. It grew steadily as the 10 a.m. dedication approached.

The event and the naming ceremony were sponsored by state Sen. Becky Massey and state Rep. Joe Armstrong, both of whom have close historical connections to Rollins and the cause of his life – civil rights.

Before Knoxville native Rol-

Sheryl and Avon Rollins at the bridge dedication

lins was director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center or a TVA executive, he was one of Knoxville’s most prominent civil rights activists in the early 1960s and was a founding member of the

St udent Nonviolent C oord i nat i ng Committee.

Knoxville in those days was sharply divided along racial lines. AfricanAmericans attended segregated schools, couldn’t attend movies at

the big downtown theaters or eat at downtown restaurants or lunch counters. If they needed in-patient medical treatment, they could get it only at UT Hospital.

Rollins was one of a group of young African-Americans who worked to change all that. He was arrested dozens of times and found himself working closely with Massey’s father, Mayor John J. Duncan Sr., who wanted to bring about peaceful change.

A few years later, after Duncan had gone to serve in Congress, he got letters from Cas Walker, who didn’t appreciate Rollins picketing one of his stores and urged Duncan to use his influence to get Rollins fired from his job at TVA. Armstrong, who represents most of East Knoxville in the General Assembly, also represents the generation that has been able to walk through doors opened by the movement to which Rollins has dedicated his life.

Lonsdale celebrates

summer with parade

Transitions

Sixth- and ninth-graders are invited to visit their school from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 7, to help these students transition into middle or high school. Bus service will be provided.

Students officially return to Knox County Schools on Monday, Aug. 10, for a half-day.

7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Bill Dockery

Maurice Clark, Lonsdale Homecoming Committee president, and Mayor Madeline Rogero

ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Alice Devall | Shannon Carey

Jermon Bishop Jr. with mom Ashley Bishop and dad Jermon Bishop Sr. at the annual Lonsdale Parade on Saturday. More pictures

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2 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Small spot, big worry

Plan of action eases woman’s fear of melanoma It was small. Tiny really – about the size of a pencil eraser. But it itched…and itched…and itched. So Vicki Heidle did what comes naturally – she scratched it.

In doing so, she set in motion a chain of events that not only gave the 67-year-old Clinton woman the scare of her life but also the strength to face it, thanks to an understanding and empathetic Covenant Health oncology team from Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Thompson Oncology Group.

The itch was the only hint Heidle would ever get before the small lesion just right of her spine was diagnosed as Stage III melanoma, the rarest form of skin cancer but also the most aggressive.

After the biopsy, her dermatologist sent her to Dr. Paul Dudrick, a surgical oncologist at Fort Sanders Regional.

“I had never met him, but he sat there and talked to me like there was not another person in the world he would ever have to see,” said Heidle, a program specialist at Oak Ridge Associated Universities. “He explained what it was, what the staging was, what I could expect. I went in scared to death, and I came out feeling not quite so frightened because he was absolutely wonderful.”

“The bottom line is you’ve got to put yourself in their position,” said Dr. Dudrick. “There’s an impact to this illness that you have to take into account. All good doctors do that. My medical school (St. Louis University School of Medicine) was Jesuit and they really wanted everybody to have that empathy that you really only get by asking what you would do if you yourself were sitting on the other side.”

Not only was Dudrick’s relaxed demeanor reassuring to Heidle, but so was his professional knowledge.

“He had a plan. He set up a plan for what we were going to do and how he was going to address it,” said Heidle. “That is so much better than trying to deal with it in a vacuum. It was realizing that he was going to be able to do something to help. That made it not so much of a mystery, knowing that he had a plan of action.”

In a single, same-day surgery on July 1, 2014, Dudrick removed the lesion and took tissue samples from sentinel lymph nodes under her left arm. Within days, the sampling revealed the melanoma was also in the lymph nodes under Heidle’s right arm. A second same-day surgery to remove those lymph nodes took place days later.

Vicki Heidle is thankful to Dr. Paul Dudrick, Fort Sanders Regional surgical oncologist, for the “seamless, coordinated” care she’s received since being diagnosed with stage III melanoma in 2014.

Working in cooperation with Thompson Oncology Group’s Dr. Thomas Repine, who had previously treated Heidle for unrelated iron infusions, Dr. Dudrick then placed a port for Heidle’s chemotherapy treatments.

“Dr. Repine did the same thing as Dr. Dudrick,” said Heidle, praising the oncologist’s reassuring professionalism.

“He said, This is not a death sentence. This is not good, but it could be worse.’ He took the time explain the staging and what actions we’d take.”

Dr. Thomas One of those actions was to Repine enroll Heidle into a clinical tri-

al as quickly as possible. The adjuvant treatment trial compares ipilumumab, an up-and-coming medicine that boosts the immune system through activation of “T” cells, to Interferon (IFN), the protocol drug given ve days a week for four weeks via infusion, followed by self-injections three times a week for a year.

“Interferon works by mainly turning up the immune system to ght the cancer,” said Dr. Repine. “It involves one month of daily intravenous therapy, followed by subcutaneous shots for a year. During this time, multiple side effects are expected, including low blood counts, feeling like you have the u all the time and sometimes, dysfunction of the liver.”

Interferon also can cause signi cant depres-

sion. “It’s a dif cult part of managing a patient on IFN because the patient often cannot distance themselves from their own situation enough to recognize that it is affecting them,” said Dr. Repine.

Because of the excitement around the newer trial medicine’s possible effectiveness and potentially less toxic side effects, Dr. Repine had hoped Heidle would receive the newer medicine. As it turned out, she did not receive the new cancer drug and is now nearing the end of those thriceweekly injections. But by participating in the trial, she has found herself the center of attention.

“It was an unknown and it did make me a little nervous,” she said. “But I thought, ‘You know, if there’s a chance that it’ll be good for me and help somebody else, then why not? I have to go through this anyway.’ I was so fortunate Dr. Repine knew about it.”

“The importance of participating in clinical trials, both for potential personal improvement and especially for altruistic gain cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Repine. “People like Ms. Heidle are helping all of us advance the ght against cancer.”

“I think I am getting a different level of attention and care because of the clinical trial, and Dr. Repine was all for that,” Heidle said. “I see my dermatologist every three months, I see Dr. Repine once a month, I see the clinical trial people once a month. It’s pretty awesome the level of care that I’ve had – it’s pretty amazing.”

That’s the way a multi-disciplinary approach is supposed to be, says Dr. Dudrick.

“If she had a problem, we’d present her case at conference and talk about what we would do,” he said. “We meet weekly as a group with the oncologists, radiologists, pathologists. It’s a multi-disciplinary conference and that’s where we discuss the care of patients who have new diagnoses or new developments, so that it’s not just one doctor handling their care. That’s pretty standard here.”

“Everything has been so seamless, so coordinated since Day One. They all work so well together. They really, really have,” said Heidle.

“There are a lot of times I have to trot out to the doctor, but that’s OK. Every little thing, every little blood level and count, they check. They’re really on top of things. To not even be in the same of ce, they communicate really well. You know, if you have to have cancer, this is the way to do it – with all of the support.”

Fair Game: Is your skin type ‘ripe’ for melanoma?

With her auburn hair, freckles and fair skin, Vicki Heidle never was one to lie around in the sun.

“I went through a phase when it was the thing to do, but I didn’t do it much because it’s not comfortable – it’s yucky!” said Heidle. “I just fry. My daddy did too.

Daddy had really black hair and blue eyes, but really fair skin. All he had to do was walk outside and he would burn. I got a couple of real bad sunburns when I was little, and I guess that’s partly where this melanoma came from. I just have that type skin. So, I was just ripe for it, I guess.”

Heidle’s skin is identi ed on the Fitzgerald Skin Type chart as Type 1, a classi cation highly susceptible to sunburns and, of course, the most dangerous of all skin cancers. In comparison to the

3.5 million cases of basal cell and squamous cell cancers per year, melanoma is considered rare with 73,000 cases per year.

Yet, Dr. Paul S. Dudrick, Heidle’s surgical oncologist at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, says not a day passes that he doesn’t see at least one case of melanoma.

“I’ll either see a new patient or someone who’s had it every day,” said Dr. Dudrick.

“The incidence of melanoma is going up rapidly, rapidly enough that it’s almost ‘epidemic.’ I know that’s a word typically used for infectious diseases, but it’s because of the exposure to sun that middleaged Americans got when they were kids.

Back in the 1920s, no one was out in the sun. In the 40s and 50s, people were out

in the sun. Of course, in the 1960s and 70s everybody was out in the sun. And now those people are 50, 60 and 70 years old – a combination of aging and their whole sun experience.”

“Now younger people are getting melanoma – almost certainly related to tanning beds,” he added. “For most people, the cause is a combination of burning as a teenager and 30 or 40 years of age beyond that, which causes changes within those cells to become malignant. It’s not like people come in with 10 melanomas – it’s usually just one. It’s a relatively rare event. The number of people getting it have a history of lots of sun exposure. Fair skin, reddish hair, bluish eyes, those who burn and don’t tan – that almost always is the skin type that gets melanoma. When

you see anybody between 20 and 30 and 60, they almost all have those traits.”

Worse yet, said Dr. Dudrick, even tiny melanomas, such as the one Heidle had removed, are extremely dangerous.

“Just about any other cancer that size, you wouldn’t worry about,” said Dr. Dudrick. “If you had a colon cancer that big, it tends to be in an earlier stage. But for melanoma, that’s huge. It takes about a millimeter of lymph duct penetration for the risk of metastasis. Breast cancer you don’t even worry about until it’s a centimeter. That’s when you start thinking about cancer. Melanoma that big, it’s already off the scale.”

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NORTH/EAST Shopper news • AUGUST 5, 2015 • 3

Water’s not rising on Prosser Road

A passing car speeds through the low spot on Prosser Road that used to flood before the city re-engineered the street. Photo by Bill Dockery

“How high’s the water, Mama?” Johnny Cash sang half a century ago.

On Prosser Road, the answer for years has been “too high,” but a recent project to re-engineer the vital cross street has changed all that.

An unusually wet summer has tested the city of Knoxville’s work to reconstruct the street, and so far the roadway is way above the old high-water mark.

Prosser Road is an important connector from Burlington to Chilhowee Park, the Knoxville Zoo and Buffat Mill Road on the ridge to the north.

Construction on nearby Interstate 40 changed the drainage of several interconnected sinkholes in the area, and the lowest point on the street was often flooded with three to five feet of water, sometimes stranding drivers who tried to ford it. It frequently remained closed for weeks.

“The situation is hugely different from recent years past, when small showers would create flash flooding

Bill Dockery

that might close the road for days or weeks,” said Eric Vreeland, city communications manager.

In April 2014, the Knoxville City Council voted to fund reconstruction of the street, and the work was completed in December at a cost of $1.4 million. The re-engineered street includes a roadbed that has been significantly built up, new storm drains, and sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The street was reduced from four lanes to two, and bike lanes were added.

“More room was created on each side of the road to accommodate any standing water,” Vreeland said.

The project was put to the test this summer by several days of heavy rain. A TVA rain gauge in Knoxville shows a total of 6.9 inches

for July, while the National Weather Service measurements at McGhee Tyson Airport totaled 6.49. Weather Service statistics show that since June 1, the normal average of 8.89 has been exceeded by almost 3 inches. Unofficial observations in the Burlington/Holston Hills area showed July accumulations of at least 8 inches in parts of the community.

To date, there has been no ponding on the re-engineered road.

Robin Tipton, the city engineer who oversaw the project, said that raising the roadway is not a guarantee against future problems, but she said the city is periodically pumping excess water from a nearby sinkhole on Timothy Street that is connected to the low spot on Prosser Road. Vreeland said the city would continue to monitor water problems in the whole area, from Chilhowee Park to Prosser Road.

“The residents in that area are very satisfied,” Tipton said. “They got their road back.”

community New teacher learns to multitask Andrea Nagamoto, a new second-grade teacher at Belle Morris Elementary, juggles her materials – and a complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnut – as she heads into the opening session of Knox County Schools’ New Teacher Academy at Dogwood Elementary School. Elementary teachers attended the academy at Dogwood last Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for welcoming students on Aug. 10. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Lonsdale celebrates

From page 1

Lonsdale Parade coordinator Cecelia McDowell

Many of the parade units were filled with people wearing “Thompson Family Reunion” T-shirts.

4 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

Oops, there is a game before Oklahoma

Have you heard the wonderful news? GameDay may be coming to Knoxville for the Oklahoma game. The whole world will be watching.

Big chance for Butch to establish big-game credibility.

Neyland Stadium will be filled to overflowing. Joshua Dobbs can take his first real step toward the Heisman Trophy – unless Jalen or Alvin jumps in front of him.

You know how young people are these days: full-blast ahead, not much time devoted to respect for elders.

Oklahoma at Tennessee will bring back football as it used to be in Big Orange County – big buildup, peak enthusiasm, not much sleep on Friday night, excitement you can really feel. Tailgate parties will be standingroom only. Tickets will be prized possessions.

“I think the Oklahoma weekend is going to be off the charts,” said Dave Hart.

Marvin West

Go Vols! Sic ’em, Smokey!

Do what? You say there is a game before Oklahoma?

Oh my, I and thousands of others have completely overlooked Bowling Green State University, Titans’ stadium, Nashville, 4 o’clock on Sept. 5.

Sure enough, there it is on my magnetic UT schedule.

The legendary Robert R. Neyland once lectured at length about getting the cart in front of the horse, about overlooking a minor foe while focusing on an upcoming major. Take nothing for granted, said the General. Fear Chattanooga – and even Vanderbilt.

Bowling Green is probably better than Vandy.

Last season the Falcons had eight wins, including the Camellia Bowl. I don’t know where it was or who they beat. Don’t expect me to know everything.

I do know Bowling Green has 15 returning regulars, including two starting quarterbacks. I know the team gave up more points than it scored in 2014 but did not let that disparity cause an inferiority complex.

The coach, Dino Babers, is in the second season of teaching the Houston offense, as taught by Art Briles. That means wideopen hurry and throw the ball around.

I know something else: Former Notre Dame safety Eilar Hardy will play his one remaining year of college eligibility at Bowling Green.

Defensive lineman Malik Brown, transfer from Ten-

nessee, had two sacks in the first quarter of the Bowling Green spring game. You do remember Malik? He was a high-school teammate of Curt Maggitt in West Palm Beach.

Come to think of it, I know some other things you may not know: Senior kicker Tyler Tate is on the Lou Groza Trophy watch list. Center Tim McAuliffe is on the Rimington Trophy watch list. Tennessee is not represented.

Bowling Green wide receiver Tim Tupa is the son of Tom Tupa, former Ohio State star and NFL punter and spare QB for seven different teams.

Bowling Green provided Urban Meyer his first headcoaching job, initial step up the stairs to Utah, Florida and Ohio State.

Dave Clawson, former Tennessee offensive coordinator who put the finishing

touches on Phillip Fulmer’s career, used the Falcons as a springboard to the Wake Forest job.

Perry Stadium at Bowling Green seats 23,724. It is possible to purchase a season ticket for five home games for $40. That’s $40

total, not per game. Bowling Green is a different world.

That is no excuse for any of us looking ahead to Oklahoma and risking an absolutely awful upset. Pass the word: first things first.

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

GOSSIP AND LIES ■ Dennis Francis got the best line of the Sunday talk shows when he quoted the late Leona Helmsley commenting on Donald Trump: “I wouldn’t believe him if his tongue was notarized.”

■ Cecil the Lion was killed in Zimbabwe after being lured outside his game preserve by a Mitt Romney-donor dentist from Minnesota.

■ Meanwhile, Dr. Walter Palmer shuttered his practice after protesters appeared.

His comment: If I offended anyone, I’m sorry.

■ Foster Arnett returned from vacation and held a press conference about his ugly Facebook posts. His comment: “If I offended anyone, I’m sorry.”

■ Reports that Arnett was hunting lions with Palmer in Zimbabwe were exaggerated.

■ Kim Bumpas and the board of Visit Knoxville have killed Boomsday – the signature attraction that draws the most visitors to Knoxville. But if they’ve offended anyone (other than the 400,000 visitors), they’re sorry.

Love affair with Knoxville runs in the family She stops short of saying that she’s following in her father’s footsteps, but Janet Testerman, who plans to kick off her campaign for the Knox County Commission seat from District 4 in September, says former Knoxville Mayor Kyle Testerman’s legacy resonates more as she gets older.

“One person’s abilities and actions can make a difference,” she says.

He had a love affair with the city, and she does, too.

But she had to get out of Tennessee for a few years before she could settle down in her hometown. After graduating from Webb School of Knoxville, she attended Southern Methodist

Wendy Smith

University, where she studied communications. She left Dallas to take a job with Ernst & Young in Los Angeles.

She moved briefly to Atlanta before deciding to attend law school at UT. But she took a summer job in catering the summer before classes began and “bagged law school.” She worked for Childhelp Tennessee before turning to

catering full-time.

The current director of Childhelp Tennessee, Hugh Nystrom, is also a candidate for the seat, along with incumbent Jeff Ownby. All are Republicans.

Testerman owned her own catering business, Testerman Cooperative Catering, for eight years. She later launched “skirt!” magazine and served as editor for “Knoxville” magazine. She is currently manager of corporate communications at Scripps Networks Interactive.

She believes that owning her own company taught her to manage people and money, and her experience in the creative sector helps

her see the big picture.

Knox County needs to focus on the big picture, she says.

She doesn’t have a problem with Ownby, but she says she wants to bring integTesterman rity back to the district and represent business owners.

The county has a rich history and a vibrant future, and its government needs to get creative with efforts to broaden its tax base, she says.

Responsible development is a big issue. Her fam-

ily’s background in development and her interest in historic preservation allow her to be objective.

The 4th District is just one piece of the picture, and she’s excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively, she says.

Testerman was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and went public in order to support other cancer patients.

“That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But I never let it define me. I created an amazing network,” she says.

Her network has also been expanded by time spent on numerous local boards, including Dog-

wood Arts, Young-Williams Animal Center, Leadership Knoxville, Appalachian Ballet and Champions for a Cause.

Her family has always been supportive, she says.

She’s married to Joey Creswell and has two young stepdaughters. She and her two siblings grew up with politics, so they’ve encouraged her, too.

“We’re all cut from the same cloth.”

Even with all of that support, she doesn’t take running for office lightly. She’s spent six years thinking about it.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time and seat, and this feels right.”

NEWS FROM GENTRY GRIFFEY FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Ahead….

About Pre-Planning

By Eric Botts In recent years, there has been somewhat of a shift in the tone of funerals. Traditionally, funerals have always

elements of the process are covered based on a variety of factors. The VA’s website (www.va.gov) is a valuable resource to learn the benefits of your specific situation if you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran.

Q: How do I benefit from pre-funding my arrangements?

Eric Arnold Botts, Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory Managing Partner and Licensed Funeral Director. been a somber occasion, but more and more families are opting to incorporate elements that celebrate the life of the deceased. In part, this is due to pre-planning funeral arrangements allowing for the wishes of the person who has passed away to be carried out.

Q: Do I have to be embalmed if I am cremated?

A: The only time embalming is required is if there is an open casket during a public visitation. If you wish to be cremated, this is not necessary.

Q: Are my funeral expenses paid for by the VA if I am a veteran?

A: Many people are surprised to learn that funeral expenses are not paid for by the VA, although certain

A: The funeral home will accept in writing the goods and services chosen at the time of the pre-arrangement and will provide the current costs of those goods and services. Regardless of whether the cost of the traditional funeral or cremation service increases by the time a death occurs, it is automatically locked in at the price when the pre-arrangement was originally written.

Q: Can I pre-pay for my death certificates and my obituary?

A: Death Certificates and the obituary can be pre-paid by the customer but are classified as non-guaranteed cash advance items. These items are called cash advance items because they require cash on hand to pay for them and can include expenses such as the following: death certificates, obituary, clergy honorariums, vocalist, clothing, police escort, flowers, grave opening / closing, cemetery or crematory charges, cremation permits, catering, and other unforeseen expenses.

By setting aside funds today, they can grow along with your pre-paid funeral or cremation contract.

Q: Do I have to pay for my pre-arrangement all at once or can I make payments?

A: At Gentry Griffey, we offer the following payment options: single pay, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually. The payment amount is based on the following criteria: amount of funeral, age, and number of payment terms.

Funerals help family and friends who are left behind cope with the loss, while at the same time commemorating a life well-lived. However, often it is after the funeral when the real grieving begins.

We are proud to announce our newly formed Grief Support Group, BLOOMS (Bringing together Losses Of Others Mourning Sadness). This is a free service that we invite anyone to participate in, whether or not you have used Gentry Griffey. For the launch of the BLOOMS group, we will be meeting on Thursday, September 10 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

G entry Griffey has been a source of comfort and peace of mind to families for more than 60 years. If you are interested in planning a special memorial or Celebration of Life ceremony or learning more about the pre-planning funeral services, contact Bethany Fields, Pre-Planning Funeral Specialist, at 865689-4481 or bethany.fields@gentrygriffey. com.

The ultimate peace of mind

• decisions to your family during their time of grief • • Protect your insurance so that it provides for your survivors and not for funeral expenses

Bethany Fields*, Pre-Planning Funeral Specialist, and Eric Botts, Managing Partner and Licensed Funeral Director.

and Crematory assist you with one of the most important decisions you may ever make. *Non licensed personnel

Announcing A free service that we invite any family (not just those using Gentry Griffey) to participate in, because we believe when the funeral is over, the real grieving begins.

Thursday, September 10, 2015 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory 5301 Fountain Road, Knoxville, TN 37918 Please call 865-689-4481 or e-mail bethany.fields@gentrygriffey.com to reserve a space.

Knox County’s Only On-Site Crematory 5301 Fountain Road | Knoxville, Tennessee 37918 | (865) 689-4481

government

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • AUGUST 5, 2015 • 5

Wade resignation leaves questions The resignation of Justice Gary Wade from the Tennessee Supreme Court effective Sept. 8 is unexpected and disappointing to many of his supporters and donors who counted on him serving most if not all of the eightyear term he worked so vigorously to win. It raises many questions that are largely unanswered.

Mike McMillan, school board chair and District 8 representative, stands with Carter High School principal Ryan Siebe and Gov. Bill Haslam. They were at Carter Middle School on Monday to recognize both Carter High and Carter Middle were among the six Knox County schools designated rewards schools by the state. Photo by Ruth White

Governor, school board celebrate at Carter

By Ruth White Gov. Bill Haslam visited Carter Middle School on Monday to announce (and celebrate) that Knox County Schools is one of 12 of the state’s 144 districts to be named “exemplary” based on academic testing.

Specific schools honored were Carter Middle, Carter High, Copper Ridge, Farragut High, Gap Creek and Sequoyah.

School board chair Mike McMillan said the recognition was a testimony to the hard work of teachers. “Our teachers are willing to go above and beyond what is required. Even when expectations and standards were

raised, the teachers kept the focus on providing excellent education.”

Tennessee Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen said, “Knox County is a model for others to follow. Your students gained more than anticipated and it wasn’t possible without the hard work of the teachers.”

Haslam said the award was based on both growth and achievement in Knox County Schools. “Great results don’t just happen.”

In statewide results released earlier, the 2015 district-level TCAP results showed strong gains in high school and overwhelming gains in grades 3-8 math.

A majority of students in nearly 100 districts were proficient in math, compared to 2011 when the majority of students were proficient in math in only 24 districts.

Districts showed significant gains, specifically in grades 3-8 math with 121 districts out of 144 improving.

In addition, for the first time since the test was given in 2011, the majority of students were proficient or advanced in algebra II in more than 65 percent of districts.

The majority of Tennessee districts continued to make gains in science across grade levels. Notably, nearly

100 districts made gains in chemistry.

Growth in grades 3-8 English language arts declined across districts, while the majority of districts made gains the high school courses English I and English III. Black, Hispanic and Native American students narrowed gaps in both math and English language arts in the majority of districts.

Economically disadvantaged students also narrowed gaps with their peers in high school, making gains in English II in 65 percent of districts and making gains in algebra II in 77 percent of districts.

‘Feeling the Bern’ for Sanders Knoxville was Feeling the Bern last Wednesday as two standing-room-only groups on opposite ends of town participated in what is being billed as the biggest grassroots political organizing event ever. More than 100,000 people nationwide RSVPed to Bernie Sanders’ invitation to come hear his live-streamed stump speech, and the Knoxville groups attracted far more

Mary Headrick prepares for Bernie Sanders’ live stream at the North Knox rally.

Betty Bean than 200.

Sanders is a two-term U.S. Senator from Vermont seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Nobody seemed to mind that their guy is 73, a socialist and looks a lot like the old guy in “Back to the Future.”

He’s caught a wave, and his support is surging.

On the north end of town, Mary Headrick booked a room at the Days Inn, sent out announcements and said she’d had to keep upgrading the venue because the response she got was so enthusiastic.

“I had to increase the capacity from 50 to 100,” she said. “This meeting is for Sanders supporters and for folks who just want more information.”

The live stream was scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and by 7:10, the room was almost full. Headrick, a newly re-

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 5 Computer Workshop: Introducing the Computer, 2 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info/registration: 525-5431.

How to Study Smart workshop: Organization and Time Management Skills, 2-3:15 p.m., Goins Administration Building, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Free and open to the public. Info/RSVP: 539-7160 or gwood@pstcc.edu.

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

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, AUG. 5-6

tired physician from Maynardville (she officially retired last November but said she’s having second thoughts about that decision because she misses her patients so much) and former congressional candidate, was asked why she’s not on board for Hillary Clinton. She said she hasn’t made a firm decision about whom to support in the Democratic primary.

She doesn’t believe Clinton has gotten enough credit for blazing the trail that led to the Affordable Care Act, but she wants to hear particulars.

“I want to see Hillary fill in the blanks. I want to know more about her position on the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership – NAFTA really gave away our manufacturing jobs – and I’m hoping to hear a more progressive populist message from Secretary Clinton. I’m not happy about our rigged capitalist system.”

While Headrick worked on the computer, a woman named Anna from Sweetwater who said she’d been attending Bernie Sanders

meetings in Chattanooga, took command of the room and reminded the growing audience that the Veterans of Foreign Wars had given their guy its Legislator of the Year award and said they should plan to participate in something called Chalk the Block for Bernie on Aug. 8. And then she said something that is echoing through all the Sanders organizations: “Nobody’s in charge here.”

Meanwhile in the Old City, Andrew Wynn, U.S. Air Force veteran, University of Tennessee graduate student and organizer of the Sanders party at Barley’s, said he counted 25 additional people after the supply of 100 name tags had been given out. He said the Sanders campaign will be different than anything anybody’s ever seen. He repeated something the candidate says: “The people are taking ownership … there is no centralized leader.”

“For me, what that means is each different town, city or state is responsible for do-

auditorium on Tazewell campus of Walters State Community College. Speaker: State Apiarist Mike Studer.

Info: A.C. Mann, 356-6033.

End of Summer Library Club Dance Party, 3-4 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road.

Celebrating the conclusion of Summer Library Club.

Info: 922-2552.

How to Study Smart workshop: Classroom Study Skills for Academic Success, 2-3:15 p.m., Goins Administration Building, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Free and open to the public. Info/RSVP: 539-7160 or gwood@ pstcc.edu.

FRIDAY, AUG. 7

AARP Driver Safety class, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Oak Ridge Senior Center, 728 Emory Road, Oak Ridge.

Info/registration: Carolyn Rambo, 382-5822.

Book-signing event: “It’s Not Harder Than Cancer” by Michael Holtz, 5:30-7 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway. Free and open to the public.

Union County Farmers Market, 4-7 p.m., 1009 Main St., Maynardville. Info: 992-8038.

THURSDAY, AUG. 6

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 7-8

AARP Driver Safety class, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., New Tazewell Methodist Church, 965 Old Knoxville Highway, New Tazewell. Info/registration: Carolyn Rambo, 382-5822.

Bee Friends beekeepers group meeting, 6:30 p.m.,

The Russell Biven Summer Clayfest Tournament, Chilhowee Sportsman’s Club in Maryville.

Flights: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday.

Benefits Helen Ross McNabb Center. To sponsor the event or register a team: Jennifer Boyle, 329-9120, or

Wade is a popular figure in East Tennessee who waged a hard-fought statewide campaign (raising over $1 million) last summer to win another term on the court. He quits after serving one-eighth of the eight years to become the dean of Lincoln Memorial University Law School here in Knoxville. Why? One of his reasons for quitting the court was to slow down and have more free time. But his new job will be more demanding than the one he leaves as he will have to raise money for the school while working diligently to maintain its accrediting standards.

He also will have considerable administrative duties.

LMU has had a search committee for a new dean over the past few months. As the new dean, Gary Wade can certainly do well for them.

Sources in Sevier County had heard rumors of his retirement months ago but did not take them seriously.

This writer heard them, too, but could not verify them. Wade was reported to have said serving on the court now was not as much fun as it used to be.

Wade also has said when the court was challenged

by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey he would not retire and leave under pressure. Now he is leaving on his own terms.

Perhaps that is the real reason. Who knows?

However, no one knows whom Gov. Haslam may appoint to replace Wade (that will be a subject of a future

column). We do know the Wade vacancy will last five to six months. The court will have only four justices on Sept. 9. The court also meets then to hear cases.

Had Wade opted to remain on the court to the convening of the General Assembly on Jan. 13, 2016, that lengthy vacancy could have been avoided.

A recent state constitutional amendment provides that the General Assembly must confirm the governor’s choice. He cannot appoint a member of the General Assembly. However, the General Assembly failed in the last session to agree on a procedure for both houses to confirm an appointee.

The amendment also provides that if an appointee is not approved or rejected within 60 days of being nominated to the General Assembly then he/she will be considered confirmed. In other words, no legislative action means confirmation. March 13, 2016, may be the earliest a nominee can be seated to perform his or her duties.

Wade should have waited at least until 2016 to resign to prevent such a long vacancy on the court that he once led as chief justice.

What was the rush to depart four weeks from now?

Wade is an able and popular figure who will be an asset to LMU’s Duncan School of Law. But it seems clear he had been planning to serve only a brief period on the court.

■ Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam will headline the opening of the new Visitors Center at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at 2743 Wimpole Ave. in East Knoxville. The public is invited. Mayors Burchett and Rogero will participate, too.

The gardens, which are the former Howell Nursery, are a significant part of the floral landscape of Knoxville.

■ The public is also invited to the Karen CarsonJason Zachary debate at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Farragut Town Hall. This is their only debate before the GOP primary. Early voting ends the next day, Aug. 7.

ing its own organizing. That can be troubling for someone who wants to run for president in a traditional sense.”

When asked how well a socialist can be expected to do in conservative Tennessee, Wynn predicted that his man will do very well, indeed.

“This movement is growing because Bernie Sanders is unique and has a long, impeccable record. I think that when Bernie makes it to Tennessee, we’ll have a very large crowd show up for him. People will take notice as he becomes less of an outlier.”

Victor Ashe

mcnabbcenter.org.

SATURDAY, AUG. 8 Auditions for Powell Playhouse production of “A Day at the Java Shop and Greyhound Bus Depot,” 1-3 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info/ list of characters: powellplayhouseinc.com.

Daughters of Union Veterans of Civil War, Lucinda Heatherly Tent 3, meeting, 1 p.m., Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Ave. Grace Full Gospel Baptist Church Mission Team fundraiser, Union County High School. Events include: motorcycle ride, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., cost: $15 single or $20 double riders; spaghetti supper, 5-8 p.m., cost: $5; silent auction closes, 7 p.m. Info: Kendal Hoskins, 278-0402.

Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Info: feralfelinefriends.org.

Performance and Presence with The Alexander Technique, 11:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 313 N. Forest Park Blvd. Cost: $85. Preregistration with confirmation required. Info/registration: Lilly Sutton, 387-7600.

The Spirit of Nations Powwow and American Indian heritage festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Patriot Academy, I-40 at Exit 417 in Jefferson County. Admission: $5, adults; $1, children. Info: indiancreekproductions@ gmail.com.

interns

6 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

Intern finale!

July 28 was our last day of Shopper-News interns for the summer. While the parting was bittersweet, interns got some special treats this time around, including beauty services at Paul Mitchell School of Knoxville, pizza and laser tag at LaserQuest, a tour of

Rural/Metro Station 41, and a chance to try out Tennova’s surgical robot.

If you know an 8th grader who would be interested in becoming a Shopper-News intern, email Sara Barrett at sara.barrett@shoppernews now.com.

Betty Mengesha enjoys the opportunity to sit in the cab of the Rural Metro fire engine at the Farragut station. Photo

Interns Anne Marie Higginbotham and Maggie Williams get ready to play laser tag.

Photo by R. White

Interns get Paul Mitchell experience

by Amanda McDonald

One minute to respond

By Shannon Carey

Everyone the ShopperNews interns met at Paul Mitchell School of Knoxstressful. ville was friendly, upbeat

By Shannon Carey “A boring day for us is and stylish. But the diverse One minute.

When a call comes in, a good day for everybody crowd had something else in that’s all the time emergency else,” said Yager. “When common: they all love going responders at Rural/Metro’s you go out there, you’re re- to school.

Our interns were treated Station 41 have to stop what sponding to the worst day of to an exclusive tour of the they’re doing, grab their gear somebody’s life.”

Station 41 responded to school, an overview of the and get on the road. In fact, Shopper-News interns got the recent train derailment program and a chance to a demonstration when an in Maryville. Yager said it experience the services emergency call came in at turned into a four-day call. offered by students. No But for him, the most stress- apologies to parents necthe end of our tour.

Lieutenant Lee Yager ful time was right after the essary, wild haircuts and gave the interns a thought 9/11 attacks. Even though colors didn’t happen. But exercise. Imagine your Knoxville was far from the group looked stunning parents wake you up at 4 the attacks, “everyone was when they were done.

Jessica Carothers and Jaa.m., then give you a test on scared,” he said. “It was like something you learned 10 somebody pushed the go son Turner greeted interns at the door. Carothers said years ago. How well would button.”

But the job is rewarding, the cosmetology program you do?

“When it’s a pass or fail too. Around the holidays, offered at Paul Mitchell can with life, it’s different,” he the station kitchen is packed be full-time or part-time and with gifts of food from peo- includes study of anatomy, said.

Some Rural/Metro staff ple who are grateful for the sanitation, history of cosmemembers live in the sta- service they or their loved tology, and a myriad of skills and techniques the students tions. Others work 24-hour ones received.

Info: www.ruralmetro will use in their careers. shifts 10 days each month.

“It’s about making evThat kind of pressure can be south.com

Maddie Murphy gets her hair curled by Paul Mitchell student La’Jai Kee and Anne Marie Higginbotham tries out a new style, thanks to student Kelsie Carlton. Photo by R. White

and Mitchell were so poor they couldn’t afford clothes in colors.

Now, the school is also focused on giving back to the community.

“We’re more of a culture than anything,” said Turner. eryone see their uniqueness the Paul Mitchell brand out “We’re not just a school. and find their own beauty,” of the back of a car. The Paul We’re a family.”

Info: knoxville.paul she said.

Mitchell dress code is black Turner spoke about and white because DeJoria mitchell.edu Paul Mitchell, the school’s founder, who passed away in 1999. He and his partner, John Paul DeJoria, started

Stay ahead of the game.

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Maggie Williams (right) tries her skills at a game on the DaVinci surgical system with guidance from Allison Peek. Photo by Aman-

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Robotic surgery more precise

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The thought of robots doing surgery on a human might be scary at first, but if you do some research it might change your opinion.

This doesn’t mean that a robot alone will perform a surgery, but a human surgeon will be aided by a computer during surgery.

Starting in the early 1990s, NASA and the U.S. military were researching telepresence surgery, which means a robotic surgery which is performed by a surgeon from a different location. This would help out with injuries occurring on the battlefield or to astronauts in space. A few surgeries happened this way, but it didn’t become regular practice. Instead, on-site surgeons can use computer assisted technology to perform surgeries the human hand cannot.

In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration approved the da Vinci Surgical System to operate com-

plex surgeries. Since then, around 2 million surgeries has been performed by surgeons using the da Vinci.

The da Vinci is used for different types of surgeries, including prostate, lung and throat.

The statistics of the surgical robot are remarkable.

The duration of the surgery and the recovery time for an average person are reduced by a big amount compared to a regular surgery. The surgery is also more precise and accurate compared to regular surgery. The da Vinci also slows down human motion during the surgery to make the motions as smooth as possible.

This machine costs around $2 million, but it is worth it in the long run.

Thank you, Dr. Michel Fields and Tennova Health Systems for showing us this great advancement in the medical field. As more and more of this technology develops, health care will be more advanced in the future.

weekender

Shopper news • AUGUST 5, 2015 • 7

The beloved community

By Carol Shane

The Fourth of July, our country’s birthday and summer’s biggest celebration, has passed for this year, but there’s still plenty to celebrate about our great nation.

The Eighth of August, for example.

You may not know (I didn’t) how large that date looms in local AfricanAmerican history. On its website, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center – East Tennessee’s primary repository of black cultural history – gives this backstory: “While history records that on Jan. 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all slaves held in locations in conflict with the United States were henceforth free, Tennessee Military Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves on Aug. 8, 1863. This date became known as Emancipation Day throughout the region, and annual celebrations dating back to as early as 1871 in Greeneville, Tenn., have taken place in recognition of this sig-

The day begins at 9 a.m. with a ceremony at the Freedmen’s Mission Historic Cemetery located at First United Presbyterian Church at Knoxville College, the burial site of former slaves owned by Jackson. Ned Arter, a descendant of one such former slave, will be in attendance. Then a motorcade will proceed to Chilhowee Park for the jubilee.

Indoor and outdoor festivities include food vendors; live music featuring gospel, rhythm and blues, and rap; a fashion show; African dancers and drummers; line dancing and Zumba. In the Youth Pavilion there will be face painting, a bounce house and water fun and games.

V. Lynn Greene, memberThe Beck Cultural Exchange Center kicks off its inaugural “Eighth of August Jubilee” this week- ship and volunteer chair for end at Chilhowee Park. Photo submitted the Exchange, stresses that anyone can participate in nificant date in our nation’s in 1948, when park access organization will host its any part of the day, includhistory.” became available to people inaugural “Eighth of Au- ing the graveside ceremony One such celebration was of all races. gust Jubilee” celebration at and motorcade, but registhe opening of Chilhowee This year marks the Chilhowee Park this coming tration is required. It’s easy Park to African-Americans Beck Cultural Exchange’s Saturday. It’ll be a full day to do so online. Those who – but only on one day per 40th anniversary, and in of music, food, entertain- choose to attend the Chilyear. You guessed it. Aug. 8. commemoration and cel- ment, games and fun for the howee Park portion of the day must also register and This tradition was lifted ebration, the distinguished entire family.

can do so online or on-site.

“Since this is our first celebration of this type,” says Greene, “we’re trying to get a headcount for future events.”

In a time when our nation is often torn by racial strife, it’s significant that the Beck Cultural Exchange is inviting the whole city to this celebration. As the website says, “It is a tremendous opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to join together in fellowship and friendship; the end is the creation of the beloved community.”

Plus, it sounds like a howling good time.

The Beck Cultural Exchange’s “Eighth of August Jubilee” begins at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Aug. 8, at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville (following the graveside ceremony at 9 a.m.) and runs to 8:30 or 9 p.m. with a live Motown-influenced concert.

The event and parking are free to the public. To register, visit www.beckcenter.net or call 524-8461.

Send story suggestions to news@ShopperNewsNow.com.

Streep shows musical chops as ‘Ricki’

By Betsy Pickle Five new flicks arrive in town this week.

Meryl Streep hits the rock ’n’ roll wall in “Ricki and the Flash.” Decades after leaving her husband and children behind to pursue her dream of rock stardom, Ricki (Streep) returns home to Indiana to face the consequences and seek redemption.

Kevin Kline plays her exhusband. Streep’s real-life daughter, Mamie Gummer, plays her troubled daughter and Sebastian Stan her engaged son. Rick Springfield plays the bandmate in love with Ricki. Jonathan Demme directed from a script by Diablo Cody.

Seems like it was just yesterday that Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis were the “Fantastic Four,” but nope, that was 10 years ago, so it’s time for a reboot.

Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Mi-

Rick Springfield joins Meryl Streep in “Ricki and the Flash.” chael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell take over the roles of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm in this version directed by Josh Trank.

The four find themselves

with new and unusual abilities after teleporting to a dangerous alternate universe. They have to get a grip on their new talents in order to save Earth from a friend turned enemy.

The past rears its ugly head in “The Gift,” a psychological thriller written and directed by actor Joel Edgerton (“Exodus: Gods and Kings”).

Jason Bateman and

Rebecca Hall play Simon and Robyn, a lovely couple whose lives are on a comfortable track. As they move into their dream house in a new town, they run into Gordo (Edgerton), who went to high school with Simon. Simon barely remembers Gordo, but Gordo has been thinking about Simon for years. Things get creepy fast.

An armored-car driver gets drawn into a huge heist by half-witted criminals in “Masterminds.”

Zach Galifianakis plays the driver, David, who in spite of a poorly schemed plan makes off with $17 million. He then has to figure out how to avoid taking the fall for his supposed

friends. Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis and Kate McKinnon also star for director Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite”).

The Aardman folks (“Wallace & Gromit”) are back in action with “Shaun the Sheep Movie.” Based on the UK television series, the movie follows Shaun and the flock on their biggest misadventure yet.

Shaun is tired of the monotony of life on the farm.

He decides to head to the big city, but he has to make sure the Farmer doesn’t find out about his absence. Naturally, the flock follows him, and it takes skill and luck to get them away from the urban mayhem and back to the farm.

Joanne Bland to speak Thursday at Voting Rights celebration Joanne Bland was just 11 years old when she joined the march across the Edmund P e t t u s Bridge in Selma, Ala., 1965.

Joanne Bland in She was the youngest marcher on the day that came to be known as “Bloody Sunday,” and she

witnessed first-hand the beatings and abuse of her fellow marchers, including her older sister.

Bland will bring her lifetime of experiences and civil rights advocacy to Knoxville this Thursday, Aug. 6, as part of the city of Knoxville’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965.

Bland is the keynote

speaker of a Thursday program at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave. Doors will open at 5:30, with refreshments.

The program begins at 6.

Also speaking will be Sally Liuzzo-Prado, daughter of Viola Liuzzo, a Detroit housewife-turnedactivist who was murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan while volunteering in the marches from Selma to Montgomery.

Bland is co-founder and former director of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma.

She is owner/operator of Journeys For The Soul, a touring agency that specializes in the Civil Rights tours with a focus on Selma.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed voting practices that had been widely used since the Civil War to limit African-Americans’ right to vote.

DAR aids Museum of Appalachia The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has awarded a grant to the Museum of Appalachia to aid with the Peters Homestead Roof Preservation and Restoration Project. Pictured are Susan Thomas, state regent, Tennessee Society DAR; Elaine Irwin Meyer, museum president; and Daryl Fansler, museum board chair. Photo submitted

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8 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

Rotary PolioPlus campaign hits another milestone without a new case of polio.

By Anne Hart Rotary initiated its PoBeth Stubbs, new govlioPlus proernor of Rotary’s District gram, the 6780, brought some great first effort news to Bearden Rotarians to tackle at last week’s meeting. global polio Stubbs told the group eradication that Rotary International’s through the PolioPlus project, which mass vachas nearly wiped out the cination of dreaded disease around the children, in globe, has one more success Beth Stubbs 1985. Since story: the country of Nigeria has reported one entire year then, Rotarians around the

world have contributed more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

Every dollar contributed by Rotarians is matched two to one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, up to $35 million annually through 2018.

In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played

a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $9 billion to the effort.

At this time, only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan – have been unable to stop the transmission of the polio virus.

Perhaps the greatest champion of the PolioPlus campaign was Knoxville’s own Bill Sergeant, a veteran

Former Gator is Knox sports guy

By Bonny C. Millard WVLT news anchor Alan Williams never had aspirations to be in television news and, in fact, was incredibly shy growing up.

“I certainly didn’t plan to be a television broadcaster,” Williams said during a recent visit with the Rotary Club of Farragut as part of its lunchtime program.

“This was on the far end of the spectrum.”

As life often does, it presented him with new opportunities, and now he’s been on television for 36 years.

“We don’t know where

life is going to lead us from one day to the next,” he said.

Williams started as the weekend sports anchor for WBIR and later became WATE’s sports director. He was hired in 1988 for the noon program at WVLT (then under different call letters.) For many years, he was the 6 and 11 p.m. anchor. Now he does days and the 5 p.m. newscast.

The Knoxville native has always been a huge University of Tennessee football fan, but he ended up playing for

the rival Gators, University of Florida – a fact that brought a few friendly laughs as well as applause.

After college, Williams was drafted by the New York Jets as a punter but was cut.

A short stint with the Green Bay Packers ended the same way.

“I thought I was going to be a big NFL star. It didn’t happen that way.”

“I’m thrown into the real world,” Williams said.

“What am I going to do?”

The popular anchor said he looked at several options

until he finally applied with WBIR. “If you knew me back then, I was a pretty shy guy. Speaking in front of people, I Alan Williams was scared to death.”

In addition to his anchor duties, he does series pieces, Tennessee Traveler and Keeping the Faith.

“I feel very blessed that I’m a part of those kinds of things.”

AREA FARMERS MARKETS ■ Dixie Lee Farmers Market, Renaissance|Farragut, 12740 Kingston Pike. Hours: 9 a.m.noon Saturdays through Oct. 31. Info: dixieleefarmersmar-

ket.com; on Facebook.

■ Ebenezer Road Farmers Market, Ebenezer UMC, 1001 Ebenezer Road. Hours: 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays through late

November. Info: on Facebook.

■ Knoxville Farmers Market, Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike. Hours: 3-6 p.m. Fridays through late

November.

■ Lakeshore Park Farmers Market, 6410 S. Northshore Drive. Hours: 3-6 p.m. every Friday through Nov. 20. Info:

of World War II and the Korean War who passed away a few years ago at age 91.

Known worldwide as “Mr. Rotary” for his dedicated work as chair of the PolioPlus committee for 12 years, Sergeant’s life and contributions are celebrated with a statue in Knoxville’s downtown Krutch Park.

Sergeant’s son-in-law, Tom Daughtrey, is the new president of the Rotary Club

of Bearden.

Stubbs reminded the group that Oct. 24 is World Polio Day, commemorated with various events and service projects around the world.

“Service projects make a club,” Stubbs said, adding that Rotarians “are leaders who come together and exchange ideas and go out in our communities and make things happen.”

Tip from management chief The new head of the Department of Management at UT’s Haslam College of Business says boring is good.

Anne D. Smith says, “I have a mantra which reflects a bit of how I manage – boring is good. That does not mean boring in the classroom but moving forward without drama. It applies to me anticipating and heading off potential problems and being prepared and clear.”

A faculty member at UT since 2001, Smith succeeds Terry Leap, who Anne Smith served as department head for four years. She has won numerous teaching awards, both at UT and in her previous posts at the University of New Mexico and McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Her research utilizes qualitative methods to study strategy, process in medium-sized organizations, and top management teams. She pioneered the use of photography in field research with Josh Ray, a former doctoral student in organizations and strategy.

on Facebook.

■ Market Square Farmers Market, 60 Market Square.

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturdays through Nov. 21. Info:

marketsquarefarmersmarket. org.

■ Maryville Farmers Market: Church Avenue. Hours: 9 a.m.-sellout, Saturdays through Nov. 17.

Susan R. Williams on national council The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has announced the app oi nt me nt of Susan Richardson Williams, founder of SRW & Associates in K nox v i l le , Williams to its Advisory Council. The council provides input to EPRI’s management and board of directors to ensure the institute’s research and development programs address societal needs and provide public benefit. Williams will serve a four-year term.

SRW is an association of independent public affairs and public relations professionals that offers strategic guidance and services to businesses, nonprofits and political campaigns.

Prior to launching SRW & Associates, Williams managed the Knoxville office of The Ingram Group, a statewide public relations firm. She has been in the cabinet of two Tennessee governors and on the staff of a third.

In 2006, she was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s board of directors.

WSCC offers class for personal trainers Walters State Community College is offering a course to prepare individuals for careers as certified personal trainers through its Center for Workforce Training.

The college will host a free information session 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Call 423-585-2675 to reserve a seat.

“The training can create a tremendous opportunity for individuals as America becomes more focused on fitness,” said Dr. Nicole Cardwell-Hampton, coordi-

Southeast

Call

nator of workforce training.

“This is a six-week class that builds from the basics up. No prior experience or knowledge is required.

Graduates will be able to lead group exercise, senior fitness, youth fitness, aqua fitness and personal training sessions. The six weeks are challenging. Each student also completes an internship with a local gym,” Cardwell-Hampton said.

The class will meet 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 19-Nov. 14, at Walters State’s Morristown campus.

The cost is $769, which includes the cost of certification exams.

While the class is not eligible for most financial aid, the cost may be covered by veterans’ educational benefits, including the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

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Sat., August 8 • 10:00am 104 Baltimore Drive,Oak Ridge, TN Viewing 9am - 10am Personal property of Mrs. Charles Maberry. Franklin stove, vintage tricycle, working vintage Hot Point fridge, Broyhill DR suite, 50s BR suite, 40s Oak Ridge dorm furniture, Cole pottery, Cairn figurines and much more.

For pictures go to WWW.AUCTIONZIP.COM and enter Auctioneer ID #22892.

FL 5626 TAL 2386 CHEROKEE REALTY & AUCTION CO 10015 Rutledge Pike, STE 101 Corryton, TN 37721

865-465-3164

Sun, August 9 • 1:00PM Viewing Noon -1:00pm

CHEROKEE REALTY & AUCTION CO 10015 Rutledge Pike, STE 101 Corryton, TN 37721

865-465-3164 Great selection of clocks including a vintage grandfather clock, 14kt diamond heart pendant, ninja turtles — some dated in the 80s, cherry china cabinet, vintage beds, sewing rocker, vintage radios, lots of albums, trains, furniture, Bernhardt DR suite, Harden brass and glass tables, vintage curio, large wooden toy box, pictures, lamps and much, much more.

For pictures of these & other items go to: WWW.AUCTIONZIP.COM & enter Auctioneer ID # 22892.

FL 5626 TAL 2386

business

Shopper news • AUGUST 5, 2015 • 9

Jokes, insight from Joe Johnson

By Sandra Clark The University of Tennessee is in “pretty good shape right now and the quality of students is phenomenal.”

That’s the verdict of former UT President Joe Johnson, who spoke last week to the North Knoxville Rotary Club at Litton’s.

Incoming freshmen have an average high school grade point average of 3.8 and an average ACT score of 27 (on a 1-36 scale), he said.

And UT is “moving toward 70 percent” on its six-year graduation rate. In-state tuition and fees are about $25,000 per year, he said.

So if you can get your kid to graduate in four years rather than six, “you’ve just saved $50,000.”

UT is important to Knoxville, providing jobs and en-

said, noting that within seven years all old dorms at UT will be torn down and replaced with dorms offering private bedrooms in more apartment-like living.

What advice did he give a new coach?

■ Play and coach with a touch of class ■ Follow all the rules ■ Remember, all athletes are students, too ■ Win a lot more than you lose or we’ll fire you.

“That may sound harsh, but you don’t pay a coach a multimillion-dollar contract to be average.”

Declining state funding is Max Reddick listens as Dr. Joe Johnson speaks to the North a problem for higher educaKnoxville Rotary Club at Litton’s. Photo by S. Clark tion, Johnson said. “During Lamar Alexander’s second tertainment, with construc- new student center alone is term as governor, students were paying about 30 pertion underway on campus in $170 million. excess of $700 million. The “The world changes,” he cent of the cost of their edu-

cation (and complaining),” he said. “Today, a student pays 55 percent.

“The state spends $30,000 a year to keep a person in prison but $5,000

a year to keep one in college.”

Johnson was informative, comprehensive and entertaining – a bit like UT itself.

Wine tasting for Hardy scholarship The Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals will host Cork Savvy, a wine tasting and silent auction to raise money for the Dr. Walter C. Hardy scholarship.

Scholarships, starting at $1,000, are granted to area college students who are pursuing degrees in health professions.

The event is 6-9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 13, at

Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

The public is invited.

Bring your business cards. The event includes four-course dinner, wine tasting, door prizes featuring small businesses, silent auction featuring local businesses and a live auction featuring exclusive autographed items.

Info: corksavvy2015. eventbrite.com

NEWS FROM PROVISION HEALTHCARE

Kentucky family seeks out proton therapy in Knoxville Pediatric cancer patient travels for treatment at Provision

A

s with all of her children, it was when Linda Ferrell saw the first image of her tiny daughter that it felt like she was really hers.

That initial connection came not through a sonogram but a photograph of her fourth child, Emma, who made her entrance into the family from China a few months later.

“The picture is what’s pretty amazing,” says Linda Ferrell. “It was love at first sight.”

Fifteen-month-old Emma joined a seven-year-old sister, also from China, plus two older brothers, Linda and husband David’s biological children, to complete the family. And life was good as Emma excelled in school, played softball, grew up.

Then in the spring of 2014 she got sick.

There were headaches. She lost her voice.

She lost 10 percent of her body weight.

Her pediatrician kept insisting it was a virus.

“That went on almost a month,” Linda says.

When Emma was finally admitted to the hospital, an MRI showed a brain tumor encasing her entire left ventricle and making its way toward the right.

“You immediately think of the future — a future possibly without her,” Linda says. “But that is so brief. We’re a family that wants to find solutions, and we’re not going to waste our time crying. We’re going to find out how to help her. She didn’t deserve anything less than that.”

Emma’s doctors didn’t mention proton therapy, but Linda did her research online and discovered it as a treatment option particularly ideal for pediatric patients.

Unlike conventional radiation, protons deposit their energy directly at a tumor target, sparing much of the surrounding,

Eleven-year-old Emma Ferrell is looking forward to getting back to her life after receiving chemotherapy, surgery and proton therapy treatments. Photos by Andrew Tessier healthy tissue — especially important for a growing, developing brain.

Originally planning to travel to Seattle from Kentucky, she called Provision Proton Therapy Center and spoke with Dr. Matt Ladra about Emma’s tumor, which she describes as “relatively rare and very aggressive.”

“One of the biggest reasons we chose Provision is that Dr. Ladra really did his due diligence,” Ferrell says. “He spent a lot of time talking to experts who knew about Emma’s cancer.” He concluded she was a candidate for proton therapy.

First, there was surgery — which removed a “good portion” of the tumor.

Six rounds of chemotherapy, followed with a subsequent high-dose round in an attempt to further reduce the cancer cells remaining in her body. Then there was a stem cell transplant to boost recovery of her white blood cells.

After this physical onslaught, including months spent in and out of the hospital, Emma and her Mom made the five-hour journey to Knoxville where they stayed for seven weeks of proton therapy treatment at Provision Proton Therapy Center. Treatment at Provision provided welcome relief. Emma responded well to

proton therapy, experienced only minor fatigue and retained a good appetite most of the time, gaining weight she had lost during chemo.

“It was pretty wonderful,” Linda says.

“Emma’s been through quite a bit over the last year. With the treatment at Provision, it was pretty easy. I’m a huge advocate for proton therapy.”

The Hospitality Department at Provision helped the Ferrells arrange their

travel plans, suggested activities around town such as the Knoxville Zoo, and was there for them every step of the way during their stay in Knoxville.

“The guidance that we received from everyone at Provision made the hardship of being away from home a little bit easier,” said Linda.

The road to recovery is not over yet.

Emma still struggles with her appetite.

This year she goes back to school, a process Linda knows will be challenging as she battles the lingering effects of chemo and a year practically lost because of her illness. But she has endured amazingly so far.

“She’s stoic, she’s stubborn, and that’s really what got her through it,” Linda says. Unselfconscious over her scar and hair loss, through the surgery, chemo and physical challenges, ‘she never shed a tear,’ she says.

The experience has brought the family closer, especially Emma and her older sister, Sarah, now 19 and a junior premed student. Since Emma got sick, Linda says, Sarah has decided to specialize in pediatric cancer.

With a diagnosis like Emma’s, “your whole life changes,” says Linda. “It doesn’t end once you’re treated. We don’t know what the future’s going to bring.

“But we’re so thankful to have her.”

Emma Ferrell and her family are such advocates of proton therapy that they agreed for Emma to appear in a television commercial and print ad on behalf of Provision Proton Therapy Center. The ads will run in the Photo by Jack Parker East Tennessee area with the goal to increase awareness about proton therapy being available right here in Knoxville. A website featuring Emma and other local proton therapy patients was just launched. Visit ProtonStories.com to read about their proton therapy experience.

Provision center perfect destination for doctor and his young patients

When Matt Ladra learned of the opportunity to practice radiation oncology at Provision Healthcare in Knoxville, Tenn., he was a bit skeptical.

“I had been thinking about California,” his home state, Ladra said. But the avid outdoorsman, who’d never visited East Tennessee, didn’t realize how well it would suit him — both personally and professionally.

“Provision is a pretty unique model for proton centers,” says Ladra, who came from a Pediatric Proton fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. His experience also includes a master’s degree in public health and a research fellowship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at a project in Rabat, Morocco.

In 2005 he received the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award at Tulane School of Medicine for students who embody ideas and attitudes lend-

ing to humanism in medicine.

Provision’s innovative approach to cancer care appealed to Ladra, whose experience includes a number of articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, particularly focusing on pediatric cancers.

Proton therapy is recognized as a uniquely ideal alternative to conventional radiation for pediatric cancer, in which the goal is to spare as much of the child’s growing, developing body as possible from damage caused by the treatment. Protons, unlike x-rays, can be specifically targeted to a tumor, resulting in no exit dose of radiation to the patient and a reduction of the impact on healthy surrounding tissues and organs.

Ladra works with a patient’s primary care physician and pertinent specialists to obtain records and learn about the case. Then he takes time with each

patient and his or her family to determine the best route of treatment. Ladra was the leading radiation oncologist in the care of Ehkam Dhanjal, a pediatric patient who traveled from England to Knoxville for proton therapy treatment of his brain tumor. In Dhanjal’s case, the consultation was done via Skype to limit the amount of travel time required for his family.

“We walked around the center with the computer so they could see everything,” Ladra says.

For pediatric patients in particular, Provision works closely with partner health care providers to ensure that all of their needs are met. Pediatric endocrinologists, medical oncologists, nephrologists and anesthesiologists are among those who become involved in children’s care.

“There’s a much more multi-disciplined approach with pediatric cases,”

he says. Depending on the rarity of the cancer, he will consult with experts across the country to determine the best course of treatment for a particular patient.

And, as it turned out, Ladra found Tennessee a pretty nice place to live, too. He enjoys weekends hiking and flyfishing in the nearby Smoky Mountains, as well as the lifestyle of Knoxville’s vibrant downtown.

He says patients appreciate Knoxville as an ideal place to come for treatment. For out-of-towners, it is easy to navigate and offers many options for recreation and relaxation when patients aren’t in treatment. When they are, he says, the ambience and friendliness of a smaller health care campus helps patients and their families feel at home.

“Everyone makes them feel like they’re part of our family,” he says. “You can’t beat that.”

For more information, visit Provision online at www.provisionproton.com or call 1-855-566-1600

10 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

Hunters huddle in small groups waiting for registration to end. The dogs and their owners are grouped in casts of four and go out to wooded areas across East Tennessee to hunt raccoons. Each pickup contains a dog cage. Photos by Bill Dockery

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On Gov. John Sevier Highway about a mile from where it dead-ends into Asheville Highway, a weathered green-and-white sign points toward a one-lane track that skirts a yard and disappears into the woods.

Follow the track around a couple of potholes, past a stack of logs and around a blind curve. Where the driveway to a house forks uphill to the left, keep right through a tight tunnel of overgrowth, past a pasture waist-high in weeds and wildflowers, into another blind curve, and finally to a well-mown clearing surrounding a blue tin shed with a single door.

The Tri County Coon Club and also the Byerley’s Bend club call this place home, including the 90-odd acres of surrounding woodlands they lease from a local landowner.

“Our clubs date back to the early ’70s. Byerley’s Bend used to be in Mascot, but they moved down here several years ago,” said Marty Bollinger, who in his other life works for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

On the evening of July 4, the hillside has filled up with men in pickup trucks as the clubs host a regional qualifying event for the United Kennel Club’s world championship coon dog competition.

The UKC is an international organization based in Kalamazoo, Mich., that sponsors events for hunting dogs of all breeds. In the past, the Tri County group has been one of UKC’s top 10 clubs for sponsoring regional qualifying events.

“Tonight’s event will determine who advances to the UKC’s world hunt in Indiana,” Bollinger said.

The men make their way a few at a time to the brightly lighted shed, registering for the event at $20 a dog.

Then they spread out across the clearing, clumping in small groups to talk quietly one to another.

There is little barking from the cages in the trucks until one hound lets loose in a strong baritone that a few other dogs begin to answer.

Off to one side, Martha Hayes has set up a display of bright collars, leads and other hound gear she and husband Tony sell. Her son stays busy making ID tags to attach to dog collars. The family lives in Seymour, and Tony Hayes has a dog in this hunt.

“We started going to shows this year, hoping to make a business of this,” Martha Hayes said. She is one of the few women on the hillside.

Another is Jasmine Carrigan, a trainer and handler who is showing off Waylon, a 6-monthold Treeing Walker pup.

She hopes the dog will catch the eye of one Carrigan of the coon hunters who might need another dog.

“His registered name is ‘Ladies Love Outlaws,’ but we call him Waylon for short.”

As the sun sets and shadows of the surrounding woods begin to darken the clearing, the men gather for the formal start of the night hunt. They take their baseball caps off as Bollinger offers a prayer; then he reviews the rules for the hunt.

The men will go off in casts of four, taking their dogs to remote woodlands in rural counties across East Tennessee. There they will release the dogs to search out a raccoon and give chase till they tree the animal. The dogs are trained to “open” or bark as they follow the scent of their quarry. When the raccoon climbs a tree, the dogs’ barking alerts the men, who come and verify the treeing.

“The raccoons aren’t killed. The men take the dogs to another location and start a new hunt,” Bollinger says. “No animal is harmed in this hunt.”

A judge scores the dogs’ performances by which dog barked first and treed the raccoon first. The dogs’ barks are distinctive, allowing the judges to determine which dog was most prominent in a given cast. Scorecards must be returned to the Coon Club shed by 5 a.m. Sunday.

As Bollinger finishes speaking, another hunter steps up and thanks the Tri County Coon Club for its work. “Thank you for hosting the qualifying event and for all your work. I’m sorry this is your last hunt.”

The men gather around the door to the shed as Bollinger begins to call out the men in each cast. They hurry away to their pickup trucks, and within 10 minutes the clearing is almost empty.

“We are shutting down both clubs. The lease on our land has gotten too expensive for us to continue,” Bollinger explains. “Some of us may transfer to the Holston club in Kodak, but this is the end for these two clubs.”

With that, he walks back into the shed to sit through the night with others who will accept the scorecards that come in around 5 a.m.

Shopper news • AUGUST 5, 2015 • 11

NEWS FROM MISSION OF HOPE

Taking Hope to students in impoverished rural Appalachia

By Anne Hart

Only $10. It’s less than many of us living in urban areas spend on a week’s worth of fancy coffee. But to a child living in poverty-stricken rural Appalachia, that $10 can represent a life-changer.

Mission of Hope’s army of volunteers marshal their resources this time of year

of each school year. “It was such a thrill.

I still remember the brand new smell of those binders.�

Backpack delivery days are spread out through the month of August, when teams of volunteers travel to the mountains with trucks loaded with the backpacks and supplies.

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Mission of Hope Executive Director Emmette Thompson, at left, with volunteers Ken Turnbough and Danny Green, hard at work loading backpacks that will be donated to school children in impoverished areas of rural Appalachia. Photos by A. Hart

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Johnnie Barry, a fulltime volunteer herself, is the volunteer coordinator for Mission of Hope. She and Executive Director Emmette Thompson have been overseeing the assembly of hygiene kits that will be given to the students. to work a miracle with that $10 donation.

They transform that small amount into a brand new backpack ďŹ lled with items that delight the heart of a child who has never owned such wonderful things.

For pre-school and kindergartners there are crayons, pencils, safety scissors and glue sticks. First through third graders receive all of that plus folders and notebook paper. And for the children in grades four through eight, there are colored pencils, regular pencils and ink pens, along with folders and notebook paper.

Each child also receives a package of hygiene products – toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo.

This is the 18th year for the Mission of Hope’s school backpack project. They will be given to more than 11,500 children in 27 schools tucked back in the remote mountains and hills of northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky.

These children live far from any town, and certainly a great remove from the easy shopping experience we know here – both in distance and in ďŹ nancial ability to buy such things. The large majority of them are on the federally-funded free school lunch program.

These gifts mean the world to those students, and, of course, the hope of the donors is that they will help promote a lifetime of learning.

The total cost of the backpacks and the supplies that ďŹ ll them “is well over $100,000 now,â€? says Emmette Thompson, Mission of Hope executive director, “and we rely on donations. The need in those impoverished rural areas is so great.â€?

Thompson says one of the greatest aspects of the program “is that every child starts off the school year on an even plane.�

A native of Salisbury, N.C., Thompson says he remembers the excitement of getting a new three-ring binder at the start

One of those teams, led by Betty and Ken Holland and Mary Emma and Mike Bunch, heads out to BurchďŹ eld Elementary School in Scott County. The two couples and their many volunteers are members of the Legacy Leaders, the senior adults group at First Baptist Church of Concord.

Betty Holland says all of the items are placed on large tables at the school and as the children ďŹ le in by grade, a volunteer greets each one and walks along visiting with the child as they choose their backpack and ďŹ ll it with the items provided. “It is a very special school and the staff and children are so appreciative of what we do. We have a wonderful relationship with the teachers there, and in the spring, we go back and host a luncheon for the teachers and give each one gifts they can use in the classroom.â€?

Thompson says over the years Mission of Hope’s back-to-school program “has moved far beyond the blue barrels� that used to be placed around town to collect items for students.

While funding still comes from individual donors and corporations and also from the annual golf tournament, now the program is organized down to the last pen and pencil.

Today, the Mission of Hope warehouse is stacked full of boxes earmarked for speciďŹ c schools, ďŹ lled by dozens of volunteers.

Thompson says volunteers work in assembly lines there, “age 80 to teenagers side by side,� to get the job done.

And in the days ahead, expect to see those Mission of Hope trucks headed north to put smiles on the faces of 11,500 grateful students.

Mission of Hope is a 501(c)(3) organization.

To make a donation, go to www.missionofhope.org or mail to P. O. Box 51824, Knoxville, TN 37950.

Info: 865-584-7571.

12 • AUGUST 5, 2015 • Shopper news

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