North/East Shopper-News 121014

NORTH / EAST VOL. 2 NO. 49 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ

Northeast County Sector Plan

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December 10, 2014

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Joint effort creates Holston River access

The Metropolitan Planning Commission will launch discussions in 2015 to update the Northeast County Sector Plan.

Research associate Bryan Berry is seeking contact information for groups and individuals who might want to participate in the process.

The Northeast is one of 12 sectors in Knoxville and Knox County. Focus is on physical development: land use, transportation and community facilities.

The Northeast County Sector is approximately 58,000 acres (90 square miles). The boundaries are the Union and Grainger county lines to the north and east, the Holston River to the south, and Bell and Brown Gap roads and I-640 on the west.

Info: 865-215-3743or www. knoxmpc.org/.

Winter Wonderland in Five Points

Five Points Up, a community-led group designed to beautify and unify Five Points and East Knoxville, is hosting the inaugural Winter Wonderland event 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The event is free and open to all in the Five Points community.

“This event is for Five Points community members to come out, enjoy themselves and realize that there are positive things happening right here where they live,” said Tanisha Baker, Five Points Up member and Project Grad Austin-East team leader.

The Five Points Up Winter Wonderland will feature local church choirs, performers and holiday treats including hot chocolate and apple cider.

Campbell to speak at UMCs

Humorist Phil Campbell will speak at New Life and Hopewell churches on Sunday, Dec. 14. He will be at Hopewell United Methodist Church at 9:30 a.m. and at New Life UMC at 10:45 Phil Campbell a.m. during Sunday morning worship.

Campbell will lead in worship with his harmonica and guitar. Pastor Teresa McClure says Campbell carries on a family tradition as the son of the late Archie Campbell. “He also carries on the tradition with a God-given talent to entertain with his own brand of music and humor.”

New Life is located at 7921 Millertown Pike and Hopewell is at 9300 Millertown Pike.

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

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has completed construction of an access area under the J. Will Taylor Bridge allowing boaters, anglers and paddlers to put in on the Holston River a few miles upriver of its confluence with the French Broad. Here, a lone angler tries his luck. Photo by Bill Dockery

Put-in below Asheville Highway bridge

By Bill Dockery There may not be trolls under the 11E Asheville Highway Bridge, but there are sure to be trolling motors in the future, thanks to a new public boat ramp.

The lower reaches of the Holston from Cherokee Dam near Jefferson City to Knoxville have been notoriously inaccessible to boaters.

The only public access points have been immediately below the dam, downriver at Nance’s Ferry and in Knoxville’s Holston River Park.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett joined representatives from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Transportation to snip the ceremonial blue ribbon and open the ramp on Nov. 11.

“Water recreation is an important part of our local economy, and this access area will allow more Knox County recreationists to enjoy the water,” Burchett said. Harry Brooks, state legislator from District 19, thanked the three agencies for their cooperation in completing the project.

The access area includes a boat

ramp and a generous parking area.

The entrance to the area is just west of the intersection of Asheville Highway and Gov. John Sevier Highway. Users must enter the facility from the westbound lane of Asheville Highway just before it crosses the bridge. Vehicles leaving the area must turn right onto the westbound lane of the bridge.

TWRA official Tommy Whitehead said that the access area had been planned since about 2007, when land for the access road was donated. The TWRA designed the facility, and its heavy equipment crew did the construction.

“The main use for the area is boating and fishing from the bank,” Whitehead said.

A fishing pier is not planned for the site; boats launch directly into the river channel at the ramp. Picnicking is allowed, though the site does not include picnic benches or restrooms. Camping is not permitted.

“While it was under construction, we had a lot of interest in the access area,” Whitehead said. He said the agencies are surveying other possible river access locations.

TDOT provided land rights under the bridge, and TVA provided permitting and funding. Bucky

Edmondson, TVA’s senior manager for public outreach and recreation, praised the cooperation that brought the project to completion,

saying, “Partnerships are really what it’s all about. One person, one organization, one agency can’t do it all.”

Coffey honored for service in Vietnam Rick Coffey, son of Sgt. Jesse J. Coffey, stands by the sign that now marks a bridge on Rutledge Pike named for his father, who was killed while serving in Vietnam in April 1966. Coffey holds a photo of his father from when he entered the Army. At the bridge’s dedication, state Rep. Roger Kane presented a proclamation to Coffey’s family, and Mayor Tim Burchett talked of Sgt. Coffey’s service to his country, calling him a true American hero. Photo by R. White

Let’s pitch in to help families

By Sandra Clark It’s impossible to know the emptiness felt by three Knox County families this Christmas.

Two children and an adult were killed and several others injured Dec. 2 when two school buses collided on Asheville Highway.

When the news came, my thoughts went first to the kids at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy, where some of us volunteer each Wednesday to launch a newspaper club.

News trickled out slowly. Can you imagine the anxiety of those parents and grandparents who gathered at the old Food Lion store to await information about their child?

Finally, the names were released. Dead were Zykia Burns, 6; Seraya Glasper, 7; and teacher’s aide Kimberly Riddle, 46, who left a husband and two young children.

Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre said, “Our families and community suffered an unspeakable tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families and staff members at Chilhowee Intermediate School and Sunnyview Primary School.”

Both schools were closed on Wednesday, and Church Street United Methodist Church held a candlelight vigil.

TVA Employees Credit Union opened funds to receive dona-

Zykia Burns

Seraya Glasper

tions to help the families of Seraya Glasper and Zykia Burns.

Simply call or visit any branch location and refer to your contribution as “For the benefit of Seraya Glasper” or “For the benefit of Zykia Burns.”

Those making contributions will receive a receipt for their donation.

For questions or more information, call 865-544-5400 or email justask@tvacreditunion.com.

Additionally, contributions to the family of Zykia Burns can be made at www.gofundme.com/ukenniaarinze.

There is also a gofundme account for the family of Kimberly Riddle.

Others wishing to help can contact Stephanie Jeffreys with KCS at 865-594-1621.

Money can’t replace their loss, but it’s a tangible way to show the families our sympathy and support.

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2 • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Third straight year Fort Sanders named Joint Commission Top Performer Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center has been recognized as one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, an independent nonprofit organization that accredits more than 3,300 hospitals across the country. The honor is based upon accountability measure data reported during 2013 and it’s the third straight year Fort Sanders Regional has garnered the status. The Joint Commission announced the distinction in its annual report.

Fort Sanders Regional was recognized

for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions. In all four areas – heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care – Fort Sanders Regional met or exceeded target rates of performance.

“The hard work of our employees and leadership team is reflected in this Top Performer status, and I would like to thank everyone who puts our patients first,” says Keith Altshuler, president and CAO of Fort Sanders Regional.

Each of the hospitals named as a Top

Performer must perform at a rate of 95 percent or above in accountability measures. For example, an accountability measures may include giving an aspirin at arrival for heart attack patients or getting that person to the heart catheterization lab quickly, both of which are considered evidence-based practices.

“We know our patients expect safe, dependable care,” explains Altshuler.

“And we are honored to see our efforts paying off. I am proud to be a part of Fort Sanders Regional.”

The Joint Commission is an indepen-

dent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality and reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

For more information about the Top Performer program, visit http://www. jointcommission.org/accreditation/ top_performers.aspx.

Cardiac patients receive consistent, award winning care Fort Sanders is one of only 256 hospitals in the nation to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2014.

The award recognizes Fort Sanders’ commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. It also signifies that the hospital has reached an aggressive goal of treating their patients to Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia congratulates Doug Young, Fort Sanders Engineering and Fa- standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiolcility Services on being named an Everest Award Winner. ogy/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

Fort Sanders employees recognized for commitment

The Covenant Health Everest Award recognizes individual peak performers from throughout Covenant and its affiliates. Nominations are submitted by employees, physicians or volunteers and recognize the employee’s commitment to ensuring quality patient care.

This year, two Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center employees were recognized as finalists for the award: Robert Roebuck (Patient Representative, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center) and Doug Young (Engineering and Facility

Services). Both have shown exceptional commitment to our patients and staff and both deserved the honor.

“Both Robert and Doug are great ambassadors for Fort Sanders and Patricia Neal,” says Keith Altshuler, President of Fort Sanders. “We are fortunate to have them on our staff.”

Only three Everest Awards are given each year and Doug Young of Facilities Services was selected as an Everest Award winner. Congratulations Doug!!

Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation department receives certification The Fort Sanders Cardiopulmonary (CROP) department recently received certification of its program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

CROP was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

Recognized programs help people

with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., COPD, respiratory symptoms,) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

Covenant Health hospitals leading safety initiatives Each year, teams from throughout Covenant Health identify projects to improve the care and safety of our patients. Information is gathered, hypotheses are formed and new processes are implemented. And when an idea works, we share it with the rest of our health system and within our community.

In an effort to reward those teams who go above and beyond in their quest for excellence, Covenant Health created Performance Excellence Awards.

The following are the Fort Sanders departments/projects recognized at the 2014 Performance Excellence Awards: PNRC Fall Risk Assessment and Prevention – This project established a fall-risk model specific to the rehabilitation setting and put processes in place to monitor and reduce all falls. PNRC was recognized as having best practices for fall prevention by The Joint Commission and the Center for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Surgical Site Infection Reduc-

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. fsregional.com • (865) 673-FORT

To receive the ACTION Registry– GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award, Fort Sanders consistently followed the treatment guidelines in the ACTION Registry– GWTG Premier for eight consecutive quarters and met a performance standard of 90 percent for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

tions – Fort Sanders’ physicians and leadership set a goal of reaching top performance in reducing SSI rates among five patient populations: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, hip, knee, laminectomy and fusion patients.

Expanding Door-to-Balloon Excellence into the Community – This physician-driven project involved collaboration among multiple departments, facilities and emergency transport companies in counties throughout East Tennessee to decrease mortality and readmission rates and increase first-medical-contact-to-device times and volumes for patients transferred to Fort Sanders with a STEMI (specific type of heart attack). Submitted by Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Services, this project was also given the Innovation Award.

Congratulations to our winning teams and to those whose projects that received honorable mentions.

community

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • 3

Hope Central − where God shows up

became part of the mix. A culture of mutual support developed, Sprinkle says, and blessings, as well as difficulties, were shared both ways.

Now, the goal is to involve, include and empower parents and help families to become what God wants them to be.

This philosophy will be evident when Hope Central hosts its annual Christmas shopping event this weekend. Supporting churches have donated new toys at $25, $15 and $10 price points. Parents pay $5 per child to be able to pick a toy from each category, and volunteers wrap the gifts. More than 100 children will be served this year.

Sprinkle credits Daniel Watson, executive director of Restoration House, with the idea for the Christmas store. Parents can honestly say they purchased and selected the gifts in a process that builds dignity and respect, she says.

Family portraits are also part of the tradition, and fathers typically come in order to be in the picture.

It creates a lifelong memory they don’t want to miss.

Hope Central offers a three-day-a-week afterschool program for kids and a weekly Bible study for moms.

Craft events, to help moms

By Wendy Smith Last week, Veta Sprinkle wasn’t thinking about her to-do list, which is typically filled with the management of Hope Central, a ministry that serves the Parkridge community. She was just thinking about a young boy who walked away from Knox County Schools bus No. 57 and the family of a girl who didn’t.

The boy attends Hope Central programs, and the girl’s extended family lives in the neighborhood. Sprinkle knows both families through her longtime investment in the area. She doesn’t just serve there. She loves there.

She got to know Parkridge 20 years ago when a small group from the Farragut Church of Christ served there through Volunteers of America. When she had another opportunity to reach out to the neighborhood through the Central Church of Christ at 1932 Woodbine Ave. she jumped at the chance.

Four and a half years ago, that effort evolved into a stand-alone ministry that serves a 50-block area bordered by Hall of Fame Drive, Cherry Street, Magnolia Avenue and I-40. The ministry is primarily run from a house next door to the church.

Jacobi Garrett grins as volunteers cut out circles to make snow art.

Photos by Wendy Smith

Hope Central’s vision is to be a neighbor like Jesus would be, says Sprinkle. “There’s no sign in the yard. We want to be seen as just another neighbor on the block. We’re not coming in to save the day.�

When the ministry began, it was primarily about sharing resources. But gradually, relationships began to form. Much of the outreach was aimed at kids, but soon, mothers and grandmothers

create family “treasures,� are held once a month. The ministry organizes clothingshare events, where neighbors choose from donated items and donate their own outgrown items.

Parents also help out with neighborhood parties, like the Spring Fling, when moms hide Easter eggs. The neighbors are planning their first New Year’s Eve party this year.

The ministry even has its own church service on Sunday afternoons at the Grace and Peace Church on Magnolia Avenue.

It’s a ministry that takes time but pays off with healing. “Many of the neighbors have had lives filled with episodes of pain, hopelessness, challenges, betrayals and rejection. Those hurts don’t heal easily. Quickdelivery ministry opportunities fulfill tangible needs and are valuable, but allowing God to heal deep, lifelong hurt takes time and relationships,� Sprinkle says.

The benefits go both ways. Because Sprinkle has an abundance of resources, God doesn’t have to “show up� in the same way he does for those in poverty, she says. “When you are living in parched area, God showing up is spectacular!�

Sisters Breanna and Alexis McClendon make snowflakes with help from Paul Phelps, minister of the Farragut Church of Christ, during Hope Central’s after-school program.

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North Knox churches join to battle addiction

By Bill Dockery As the time for New Year’s resolutions edges ever closer, John Gargis is counting on that liferenewing urge to bring new people into a recently formed fellowship that promotes recovery from addiction.

Gargis is one leader in Celebrate Recovery North Knoxville, a Christian community offering spiritual support to people battling substance abuse and addictions of all sorts.

Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., Celebrate Recovery opens for an hour of supper, followed by a worship celebration and a breakout into small group counseling sessions. “It’s like a funnel,� Gargis said. “We invite everyone to a meal, followed by a highenergy worship service, and we hope that they will stay for small group talks and ultimately commit to our 12step program.�

He has helped forge a

Bob Ruth takes the pulpit to bring a distinctly Christian interpretation to the traditional 12-step recovery program.

Ruth is minister at Norwood United Methodist Church, one of the eight churches involved in Celebrate Recovery.

In January, Celebrate Recovery will kick off its next 12-step study. Modeled on the iconic 12-step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, the North Knox program takes a more Christian approach to recovery. That approach was

pioneered by the Saddleback Church in California. Several other groups have also brought the Celebrate Recovery ministry to the wider Knoxville community.

Gargis’ enthusiasm for this work has very personal roots. “My dad died of alcoholism when I was 17,� he said. “And I have been sober for 12 years.�

Another Celebrate Recovery North Knoxville pastor also is in recovery, he said.

Gargis is a licensed local pastor and for about two and a half years has been at Lincoln Park, where his small congregation focuses on the spiritual needs of its neighborhood. The joint ministry with the other churches has been a way to reach more people. Pastors from each of the churches rotate speaking and teaching duties.

Randy Fry, another key leader in the ministry, said he is encouraged by folks’ commitment.

“We hope to help people make their resolutions stick,� said Fry, who is pastor of Fountain City United Methodist Church. “Celebrate Recovery is one of the most transforming ministries we have to offer. “We hope to see many peo-

ple turn their lives around, but we are focused on getting one person to commit to a better way of living.�

Gargis agrees: “We all struggle. People often get stuck in their efforts to change their lives. We are here to help them under-

y a d i l Ho e Sal

stand that ‘Life hurts. God heals.’ �

North Knox Celebrate Recovery is held at the North Knoxville Fellowship Church campus, 3203 Tazewell Pike. Info: northknoxcr.org.

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Every Tuesday night service brings together the house band, musicians from several area churches. Blair and Danny Bright attend the Blount County Community Church. Guitarist Caleb Ramsey and drummer Jordan Brown come from Parkwest Church of God, and bassist Barry Rawdon attends Second Baptist Church in Clinton. connection among eight mostly United Methodist congregations in North Knox neighborhoods: Lincoln Park Community UMC (which he pastors), Norwood, Lonsdale, Fountain City, Inskip, Emerald Avenue and Oakwood. The eighth church is Fellowship Church on Middlebrook Pike, which contributes program space at its north campus on Tazewell Pike, in the old Smithwood School building.

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4 • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news

Chris Whittle thrives in the Big Apple Former Knoxvillian, UT graduate and Etowah native Chris Whittle, who left Knoxville after Whittle Communications collapsed in 1992, has rebounded financially from his low point some 22 years ago.

According to the Nov. 21 Wall Street Journal, he and his wife, Priscilla Rattazzi, have listed their East Hampton home including 11.2 acres on New York’s Long Island for $140 million.

When I was first elected mayor in 1987, Whittle was being mentioned as a candidate for governor as well as the life raft for economic development in Knoxville.

He could do no wrong. He walked on water.

It was in 1989 that he renamed his company, 13-30, to Whittle Communications, sold a 50 percent stake to Time Inc. and razed two blocks in downtown Knoxville with city help from the previous city administration.

A few years later it all collapsed, and the city faced the unwanted acquisition of the Whittle building due to the foolish financial agreement that made the city liable in case of collapse. The impossible occurred. I was looking at an unexpected and unwanted $14 million liability as then-mayor.

Luckily, the notion of making this building the home of the new federal courthouse came into play.

The late Judge Jim Jarvis pushed it, and GSA discovered it was cheaper to acquire the Whittle complex than to build a new courthouse.

Just in the nick of time, city taxpayers were saved the surprise gift of a costly building for which the city had no reasonable use.

Whittle has emerged from every setback he encounters more nimble and financially enhanced. Just amazing.

Knox County commissioners Randy Smith, Ed Brantley, Bob Thomas and Dave Wright take questions from the Council of West Knox County Homeowners. Photo by Wendy Smith

County commissioners invite feedback

March 6, 2015, deadline to submit proposals.

Prospective bidders are invited to a pre-proposal conference at the UT Purchasing Office, 5723 Middlebrook Pike, at 10 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 12.

At 4848 Lyons View Pike, the property’s acreage is

between the street and the Tennessee River and includes a 10,000-square-foot house and two-story horse barn. The three-story brick house has been unoccupied since 1983.

Through the RFP, the University seeks to lease the property to “the

individual(s) with the best plan for restoration and care of the property” and who proposes the highest rental payments.

Shopper-News columnist Victor Ashe repeatedly called for attention to this issue.

– S. Clark

Wright explained that commissioners have to take off all the hats they’ve ever worn to work for the county as a whole, rather than working for those in individual neighborhoods. Development is ultimately the decision of property owners, he said.

Later, he said the county needs new middle schools in Hardin Valley and Gibbs.

The commissioners shared different perspectives on a proposed change to Knox County Commission meeting times. Smith said he’s in favor of later meetings that would allow working people to attend.

When it was suggested that evening meetings might be less safe for residents to attend, commissioners pointed out that City Council and school board meetings are in the evening.

They asked for feedback on the appointment of a replacement for District 5 member Richard Briggs, now a state senator.

CWKCH president Margot Kline asked commissioners to support John Schoonmaker, a past president of the organization.

The Board of Zoning Appeals chair is a business owner who wants the area to be prosperous and attractive and have good schools, but not at the expense of individuals and neighborhoods, she said.

is an unflinching guardian of the truth.

A PunditFact survey of 83 Fox statements found only 15 to contain some of the truth, and only eight were deemed “completely true.” CNN was truthful 60 The Gospel of John tells percent of the time, and MSus Jesus was brought beNBC was 31 percent honest. fore Pontius Pilate, the RoThe hillbilly wisdom of Larry Jed Clampett echoes down man prefect of Judaea, who Van signed off on his crucifi xion. the years: “Pitiful.”

Guilder After Jesus told Pilate his Television and the Web mission was to bear witness shape more opinions today to the truth, Pilate asked, than every teacher, preach“What is truth?” er and newspaper columnist I’m not cadging material combined. from Lynn Pitts’ column. becomes true, especially In “Idiot America,” Pilate’s words, cynical as when embedded in a 24- Charles P. Pierce writes of a they were, are more relevant hour media blitz. panel discussion about the Fox News understands “science” of creationism that than ever in the modern this principle better than its aired on “Larry King Live.” world.

The big lie, spoken loudly competitors, but none of the King asked: “All right, enough and often enough, major cable news networks hold on, Dr. Forrest, your

concept of how you can out-and-out turn down creationism, since if evolution is true, why are there still monkeys?”

And, as Pierce noted, “Why, dear Lord, do so many of them host television programs?”

Fueled by lies from Fox, the Tea Party and assorted Obama-haters, congressional Republicans did everything but foam at the mouth over Benghazi, the scandal that never was.

In dozens of prime-time segments, Fox commentators claimed Obama gave an order to special forces soldiers at the American embassy in Tripoli to “stand down.”

It never happened.

Two Fox News contribu-

tors claimed Hillary Clinton faked a concussion to weasel out of testifying about Benghazi.

False and despicable.

Why repeat the lie after it’s been thoroughly debunked? The lie sells quickly, and the truth is rarely easy to tease out.

Viewers and browsers have little patience for nuance. Unless it happens on PBS, no broadcast medium is going to carefully dissect a White House position paper.

Reading engages the intellect like television will never do, but reading by adults has been in freefall for decades. Last January the Pew Research Center released a report showing 23 percent of Americans had not read a

book in the past year.

That number was 8 percent in a 1978 Gallup poll.

Is it any wonder newspapers are struggling?

No political party or philosophy holds a monopoly on expedient lies. Vietnam was the most tragic lie foisted upon 20th-century America, and the deepening and continuation of that war was the work of both Democrats and Republicans.

Communism was a monolithic entity, we were told, and North Vietnam a puppet for the ambitions of Red China and the Soviet Union. That lie ground up 58,000 American lives.

The truth is always out there. Turn off the talking heads and take a look for yourself.

Victor Ashe

Named Briar Patch, it’s one of the most expensive residential listings in the history of the affluent Hamptons. The house is 10,000 square feet with six bedrooms, built in 1931 right after the Great Depression.

According to the WSJ, the Whittles bought the property in 1989 and spent two and a half years renovating it to include a threestories-tall great room in the main house with a separate four-bedroom guest house.

The house was previously up for sale in 2002-03 for $45 million but did not sell and was taken off the market. The asking price has now jumped almost $100 million in 12 years.

Rattazzi is a photographer who has her own website, www.priscillarattazzi. com. Whittle is her third husband, and they are the parents of two daughters.

The Whittles, according to WSJ, “are embarking on a new chapter in their lives as empty nesters.” They plan to spend more time in China, Europe, Palm Beach and New York.

Tell homeowners to attend meetings Knox County is a big, diverse place, and county commissioners are doing their best to represent all of it. That was one of the messages delivered to the Council of West Knox County Homeowners (CWKCH) by three new commissioners and their vice chair last week.

“The four of us all really care, and we love to listen and hear what you have to say,” said at-large member Bob Thomas.

Commission members were invited to speak at the group’s holiday meeting. Thomas, along with atlarge member Ed Brantley, District 3 member Randy Smith and District 8 member and vice chair Dave Wright, attended.

Wendy Smith

Brantley said he’d never appreciated the county’s diversity until commission duties required him to traverse it. While West Knoxville is business oriented, other areas, like Washington Pike, are scenic. The Halls community is its own little world, with little traffic, he said.

Thomas has lived in East Knoxville and Fountain City and has family in South and West Knoxville, so he’s familiar with the entire county.

“We have to take care of it. We want to develop it the way it should be.”

He’s concerned about

West Knoxville’s aging subdivisions, which are peppered with homes that are falling apart as well as rentals. Neighborhood associations are important because they invoke pride, he said.

Brantley agreed. The secret to maintaining good neighborhoods is getting people involved, he said.

All four commissioners expressed a desire to hear from the community. Attending meetings is one way to be heard, said Brantley.

“When we’re going through zoning, we ask if there is opposition. If there’s not, it gets approved.”

Thomas said he thought commission would have a hard time voting against homeowners if they were opposed to a zoning change.

When CWKCH members disagreed, new commissioners acknowledged that there’s been little controversy in the months since they’ve taken office.

UT issues RFP for former Eugenia Williams estate Proposals for restoration, care, occupancy and leasing of a 23-acre property on Lyons View Pike in Knoxville bequeathed to the University of Tennessee in 1998 are being sought.

The University’s request for proposals, or RFP, was released Nov. 24 with a

The truth hurts (your ratings)

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Shopper news • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • 5

Trying week frays tempers, loosens tongues Last week, the school board had important business that stretched Monday’s workshop into a three-hour ordeal. At Wednesday’s voting meeting, board members burned through the long agenda: approving a contract for teachers, who have been working without one since 2011, appointing one another to committees, and discussing board member Karen Carson’s objections to the way the vote to discontinue the SAT-10 test for grades K-2 was conducted.

Monday workshops exist to allow board members to work out differences in the sunshine and ease the process of coming to agreements, so it’s not unusual for the voting meeting to be considerably shorter. But this one was different.

After Tuesday’s school

Betty Bean bus crash that took the lives of two children and a teacher’s aide and sent more than 20 others to the hospital, the nuts and bolts of school governance somehow didn’t appear quite as urgent. That doesn’t mean that the meeting wasn’t emotional. It was memorable for unusual occurrences: The first came after the usual non-sectarian moment of silence, in the form of a prayer delivered by Great Schools Partnership CEO Buzz Thomas (also an ordained minister) begging God’s help in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The second came after a

public forum dominated by pleas from parents of special-education students who say Knox County Schools is not meeting its legally mandated obligations to their children. A couple of teachers spoke, too, hammering home their view that the inherently unfair SAT-10 is not only developmentally inappropriate but produces bad data that is then used to evaluate not only student progress but also teacher effectiveness. Knox County Education Association president Tanya Coats cried as she expressed her thanks for the board’s approval of the Memorandum of Understanding that was three years in the making.

The final jolt came from former board chair Lynne Fugate, who acknowledged that board members normally do not respond to

speakers at public forum but said that handing over the gavel to successor Mike McMillan this fall gave her the freedom to say things she couldn’t say when she sat in the big chair.

And then she had a Howard Beale* “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” moment: “This board has been attacked for over a year as if we don’t give a darn and we don’t care ... Don’t patronize and treat us like idiots. We have gone through hell in this community … We are all here because we are trying to do the right thing, so please.

Do not insult me and assume I am a bitch. Thank you.” *Howard Beale was the fictional news anchor in the 1976 movie “Network” whose epic on-air rant against his network struck a chord with the public and won actor Peter Finch an Oscar.

Ag students are 2014 Persons of the Year

By Betty Bean Picking out poinsettias offered by the Future Farmers of America at the North Knox CTE Center (they can’t call it a sale) is a tradition for residents of Halls and Fountain City, but six months ago, many feared the poinsettias had gone the way of Christmas past. Knox County Schools was Scrooge.

The role of Bob Cratchit was admirably filled by longtime agriculture teacher/FFA sponsor Mike Blankenship, who had been informed that his program was being disbanded because it wasn’t attracting enough students. It was a grim time for the Ag kids and for Blankenship, who found himself facing the possibility of an abrupt end to his award-winning, 37year career with KCS. But his students, led by rising seniors Ryan Cox and James Dunn, decided to fight for their teacher, their club and their future.

Cox, who will attend UT next year (and is waiting to hear about scholarship money), started bombarding administrators with emails. Here’s an excerpt from one he sent to Superintendent James McIntyre and Halls High School principal Mark Duff: “I feel that the Knox County School District should review its policy on teacher cuts. Positions should not only be qualified to be cut based on student enrollment, but by the quality and importance of the education received in the course. For instance, a class offered at Halls High consists merely of watching movies, and writing reviews on them. I challenge the fact that this class has a higher educational value than an Agriculture class.”

Ryan Cox, James Dunn, Mike Blankenship, Jessica Costner and Jonah McMahan File photo by B.Bean Cox wore out Duff, McIntyre and school board members. He contacted the media. He started an online petition. He and Dunn, a Gibbs High School senior and FFA president, went to the June school board meeting and spoke at the public forum. Dunn recited a partial list of the honors the club has won under Blankenship’s guidance.

“We will no longer be able to compete in career development events,” he said.

“We as a class and a chapter are very disappointed. This closure will take away many opportunities.”

What he didn’t say that night is that one of the lost opportunities could be his chance to go to college through an FFA scholarship.

Before long, Blankenship was offered a job at the new Career Magnet Academy on Strawberry Plains Pike, which should have surprised nobody, given his long list of

professional and community accolades, not to mention the fact that CTE supervisor Don Lawson had been one of his first students, back at the old Doyle High School.

Moved by what he’d heard from Cox and Dunn at the school board meeting, Lawson started working on a plan.

Would Blankenship be interested in teaching one class a day on the Halls campus so these seniors could finish out the credits they needed?

Blankenship agreed, and the Ag class was restored.

The FFA crew is having a good year, winning awards and raising nearly $2,000 for homecoming candidate Casey Jo Mitchell. It hasn’t been easy; Blankenship commutes from Halls to Strawberry Plains every day at a time when his family has suffered terrible losses.

His son, Mark, developed a brain tumor and died, and his father is under home hospice care, but he stays on the road and keeps on

teaching. His students appreciate it and say their fight was worthwhile.

“I’m not really positive that Mr. Blankenship will be back at North Knox next year, but they’ve got a biology teacher who went on the field trip with us who took the test to get Ag certified. She’s hoping to teach biology, Ag and a computer class, and continue FFA. Meanwhile, she’s got the best instructor in Tennessee to learn from,” Cox said.

Dunn concurs.

“He’s the same old Mr. Blankenship. He’s a good one,” said Dunn, who has applied for a Tennessee Promise scholarship and hopes to attend Pellissippi State. “Everything was worth it. Everybody learned a little something from it, and I think it showed some people that we’re more than just farmers with pitchforks.”

government Butch sometimes exaggerates Any day now Butch Jones will deliver his best bowl pep talk, how almost all of America is focused on the surging Volunteers and maybe millions will be lining up to secure tickets for 50-yard-line seats.

The coach has great enthusiasm for this bowl game. It is the fulfillment of a yearlong goal. He gets a nifty bonus – $100,000.

Assistants get 8.75 percent of their salary. Young players get additional developmental time. Everybody gets a free ride for a holiday outing and gifts galore.

There is a chance for a winning season.

The coach talks a lot because he has so much to say: new culture, brick by brick, program growth, academic progress, the end of losing.

Some see Butch as a spin doctor, capable of sticking a smiley face on a red-zone fumble. I and others who really enjoy the rhetoric see him as an exciting orator, a colorful storyteller with an interesting background, an extensive vocabulary and fantastic lung capacity. He seldom pauses for air.

Sometimes he exaggerates just a little. On rare occasions he soars over the top.

The other day he got off on the subject of national perception of Tennessee football.

“It is at an all-time high right now. The energy, the excitement, we see it every day because of recruiting and talking to high school coaches, not just in this great state, but across the country.

“We have players coming in from all over. We are going to have another great, great recruiting class, individuals that fit our profile. It is a matter of time.

People know that. They see the energy, they see the vision.”

Jones has recruited well.

Only four SEC schools did better last year. By Tennessee’s recent standards, the 6-6 record is modest progress. Kentucky and Vandy were worse.

Peak of perception? Alltime high? Maybe not.

Even in the context of a

Note: Each year reporter Betty Bean selects her favorite story/people and names them her POY.

Marvin West

sales pitch, suggesting the national view of Tennessee football is atop the mountain is a stretch, considering everything that happened in those so-so years from 1989 to 2004. Sorry the national championship run wasn’t more exciting.

Jones speaks of Volunteer history with great reverence. He gets it “each and every” day. I don’t think he was deliberately stepping on the last third of the John Majors era or the best years of Phillip Fulmer or the pageantry of the Peyton Manning show.

Butch was just talking.

Here is a historical refresher, for evaluating national perception only: 1989: 11-1, SEC champs, AP rank No. 4; 1990: 9-2-2, SEC champs, AP rank 8; 1991: 9-3, 5-2 in SEC; 1992: another 9-3 and 5-3 and the conclusion of the Majors years.

1993: 10-2, 7-1, loss to Florida, symbolic of the Fulmer era; 1994: 8-4, 5-3, romped past Virginia Tech in Gator Bowl; 1995: 11-1, 7-1, AP rank 3, lost to Florida, defeated Ohio State in Citrus Bowl; 1996: 10-2, 7-1, AP rank 9, lost to Florida, beat Northwestern by 20 in Citrus Bowl.

1997: 11-2, 7-1, AP rank 7, SEC champs, lost to Florida, naturally; 1998: 13-0, national champs; 1999: 9-3, 6-2, AP rank 9; 2000:8-4, 5-3, lost to Kansas State in Cotton Bowl; 2001: 11-2, 7-1, lost to Georgia, beat Florida, AP rank 4, mauled Michigan in Citrus.

2002: 8-5, 5-3, lost to Maryland in Peach Bowl; 2003: 10-3, 6-2, AP 15, lost to Clemson in Peach; 2004: 10-3, 7-1, lost to Auburn twice, defeated Texas A&M in Cotton; AP 13.

Ah yes, those were the days and the numbers, with little or no exaggeration.

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

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www.ShopperNewsNow.com North office: 7049 Maynardville Pike • Knoxville, TN 37918 • (865) 922-4136 • Fax: 922-5275 West office: 10512 Lexington Drive, Suite 500 • Knoxville, TN 37932 • (865) 218-WEST (9378) • Fax: 342-6628

6 • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news

Christian Bale plays Moses in “Exodus: Gods and Kings.”

Rosario Dawson and Chris Rock make a connection in “Top Five.”

Moses vs. Chris Rock: Who will be the winner?

By Betsy Pickle “Exodus: Gods and Kings” has drawn controversy for casting Welshborn Christian Bale and Aussie Joel Edgerton as its leads. I say the biggest issue is, why is Hollywood showcasing an Old Testament story during the Christmas season?

Anybody out there have an inflatable or light-up Moses in their yard? I think not.

Out-of-season thinking aside, “Exodus” is exactly the kind of epic studios like to debut during the holidays, when some people have a little more free time on their hands for longish movies.

It tells the story of Moses defying Pharaoh Ramses and leading 600,000 Jewish slaves away from Egypt and some very unpleasant plagues. With Ridley Scott

as the director and Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul and John Turturro in the cast, the film has a solid pedigree.

“Top Five” promises a whole bunch of funny – and early reports say it delivers that along with some hilari-

ous cameos and great performances from the leads.

Chris Rock wrote, directed and stars in this comedy about a comedian turned movie star who’s trying to prove himself as a serious actor. As he prepares for his wedding to a reality-TV star

(Gabrielle Union), he finds himself baring his soul to a reporter (Rosario Dawson) who has always trashed his movies.

Part of the story involves revisiting his old neighborhood and friends who nurtured his comedic start. But

the film is about more than comedy and celebrity – it touches on recovery, reality and what’s important in life.

There’s another little movie opening on Wednesday – actually Tuesday night – that you might have heard of: “The Hobbit: The

Bard (Luke Evans) prepares for battle in the fantasy adventure “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.”

Battle of the Five Armies.”

To prepare for the epic conclusion of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic book, fans are being offered an epic “Hobbit” marathon on Monday.

The nine-hour program begins with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” followed by “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and concluding with “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” a full day before its official opening.

The marathon starts at 1 p.m. at Knoxville Center, Pinnacle, Riviera, Wynnsong, Tinseltown in Oak Ridge and The Forge in Pigeon Forge. It starts at 2 p.m. at Foothills in Maryville. Tickets for the individual movies will not be sold. If you buy tickets on Fandango, you can get a free Nook ebook download of Tolkien’s book.

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Shopper news • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • 7

Nativity Pageant is a local tradition Ernie Roberts knows the Knoxville Nativity Pageant well, having been its assistant director for the past four years.

THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 14 ■ “The Game’s Afoot” by Ken Ludwig presented by Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 N. Gay St. Performances: 8 p.m.

Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: theatreknoxville. com or at the door. Info: theatreknoxville.com.

THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 21

Carol Shane

■ “A Christmas Carol,” Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage, UT campus. Info/tickets/ performances: 974-5161 or clarencebrowntheatre.com/.

Now he’s in the director’s chair.

It’s a big job, overseeing the cast and crew of this enormous annual production. There are large sets, many costumes – both humble and opulent – hundreds of cast members and singers, an orchestra and quite a few animals.

“I get the best view of all from the ‘crow’s nest’ at the top of the coliseum where I can see the entire floor and choir,” Roberts says. “I can see how beautiful the interaction is among our cast members. Every villager, shepherd, wise man, soldier and angel has the specifics of each role in mind and develops the character, telling his or her story as the events leading up to the birth of Jesus unfold.

“I am in awe,” says Roberts, “of the ownership that each individual puts into this production.”

During his time with the pageant, Roberts says, “I have gotten to know the cast, musicians, technical folks and board of directors, which allows me to trust in them as each does a phenomenal job. This is definitely a wonderful team production.”

One part of that team is the orchestra, led by Mark Hill. Mary Ann Fennell, who is in charge of contacting and securing the talented musicians each year, remembers going to

Plate it

weekender

THROUGH SATURDAY, JAN. 3 ■ The Knoxville Watercolor Society exhibit at the Rose Center, 442 W. Second North St., Morristown. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Thursday until 7:30 p.m. Info: www.knxvillewatercolorsociety.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12 ■ Alive After Five concert: “Holiday Dance Party” with The Streamliners Swing Orchestra and The Kayley Farmer Project, 6-9:30 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Tickets: $15; $10 for members/students. Info: 934-2039.

The Knoxville Nativity Pageant’s players include David McDaniel, Karen Robinette and J.T. Sharp. The show opens this Saturday afternoon at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Photo by Leah Berry the very first Nativity Pageant, held in the courtyard of the Civic Coliseum. “The animals were outside, and it was cold and muddy – probably just like the real thing would have been!” she laughs.

Fennell has played violin in the pageant for many years, and even she is at a loss to count them. When asked if she can name any enjoyable details about the show, she immediately answers, “everyone loves the donkey. But he’s not always a sweetie.”

“The pageant will have many humorous moments, in many cases courtesy of the sheep, goats and the infamous donkey,” Roberts says. Having animals in the cast, he feels, adds a touch of realism. “The sheep and goats sometimes like to play, and we use an animal

wrangler dressed as a shepherd to get them on and off stage on time. The donkey, however, is front and center and many times will have a mind of its own.

“The plan is always to get Mary to come in on the donkey with Joseph leading it to the gate. Sometimes the donkey has been known to tell its side of the story with some braying.” There have been times, continues Roberts, when the animal has “stopped in its tracks or begun to make some side steps to force Mary to walk to the gates of the city alongside Joseph.

“We will get Mary to her destination,” he confirms with a grin, “but each year with each performance, the trip is never a dull moment!”

In addition to fine acting and glorious music, each

performance also includes beautiful lighting, says Roberts.

“I am always amazed how everything comes together, but then again I have faith and know that the actors and crew will be ready because they love, cherish and believe in what they are doing.”

The Knoxville Nativity Pageant will be presented at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.

Admission is free. All shows begin in darkness, and audience members are requested to come early in order to find seats and get settled.

Each performance lasts approximately one hour. Info: www.knoxvillenativity.com or 258-9985.

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■ Holiday Sparkles & Spirits!, an evening to benefit The Joy of Music School, 6:30 p.m., Cherokee Mills, 2220 Sutherland Ave. Music, heavy hors d‘oeuvres and cocktails, live and silent auctions. Admission: $75. Info/tickets: 525-6806.

■ John McCutcheon in concert, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $20, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13 ■ Candoro Arts and Heritage holiday open house, 4:40-8 p.m., Candoro Marble Company, 4450 Candora Ave. Info: 470-9344 or http://candoromarble.org.

■ “The Nutcracker” presented by the Appalachian Ballet Company with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville. Tickets: 982-8463; Clayton Center, 981-8590.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 13-14 ■ “The Christmas Song” presented by the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Worship Choir, 6:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary, 4328 E Emory Road. Everyone invited.

■ The Living Christmas Tree, 3 and 6 p.m., Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Merchant Drive. For free tickets: WMBC. NET; from Wallace church members; and at the church during office hours.

SUNDAY, DEC. 14 ■ Candlelight Tour of Historic Ramsey House, 6-8 p.m., Ramsey House Plantation, 2614 Thorn Grove Pike.

Admission free; donations accepted. Info: 546-0745 or www. ramseyhouse.org.

Parkside Grill

Swanson’s was famous when I was a child for one reason: chicken pot pies. My mother did not buy many meals that were “heat and eat.” She always felt they were too expensive because the serving sizes were so small, and my mother only knew how to cook for an army. Things that came in individual portions, like TV dinners or chicken pot pies, were considered a luxury.

One of the few exceptions was Swanson’s chicken pot pies. She really liked them and would comment about how good the chicken was and how flaky the crust was. Kids liked them because they were individual

Mystery Diner

and came in cute little silver bowls that had a multitude of uses after the meal was finished.

Today, chicken pot pies are considered comfort food because they bring back memories of home and hearth and warm dinners on cold nights. Restaurants try a variety of ways to present pot pies, from gourmet pies where the filling is

poured over a puff pastry to more traditional renditions with top and bottom crust holding the creamy chicken and veggies inside.

Parkside Grill, 338 N. Peters Road, slips somewhere in the middle and has one of the best chicken pot pies I have ever eaten. There is no bottom crust, but the top crust is flaky and delicious.

And they serve it in a big skillet so that the crust-tofilling ratio is spot-on. Nothing is worse than coming to

the end of your pot pie and having filling left with no crust to sop it up! There is nothing exotic in the Parkside chicken pot pie, just the basics: chicken, creamy and thick broth, onions, corn, celery, carrots and just a few peas, which is a plus for me because I don’t have to pick them out!

So Parkside has avoided all the pitfalls of taking a comfort food and putting it on a restaurant menu. They haven’t tried to glam it up

A delicious puff-pastry crust tops the old-fashioned yumminess of Parkside Grill’s chicken pot pie.

or deconstruct it or make chicken pot pie. it something it was never Just like Swanson’s … I intended to be. It is just an mean Mom … used to make! old-fashioned, delicious

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8 • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

Blackburn signs to CarsonNewman Nicole Blackburn from Carter High signed a national letter of intent to play softball at CarsonNewman. Pictured in front are mother Amy Needham, Nicole Blackburn and dad Rob Blackburn; in the back are coach Ryan Burkhart, pitching coach Brandon Carr and coach Tim Laycock.

Scott Bacon was honored at a reception last week marking his retirement from Knox County Schools. Bacon is pictured with Ellen Liston, who served with him on the Partners in Education board. Photos by R. White

Farewell to the book peddler

By Ruth White Friends and co-workers gathered to bid farewell to Scott Bacon, who after 24 years is retiring from Knox County Schools. Bacon has been called many things over the years, including a book peddler, coupon book commander and tireless campaigner.

Bacon is best known for heading up the annual school coupon book campaign and has been the driving force for its growth for 20-plus years. He is also the supervisor of Partners in Education (PIE), a program designed to create working relationships be-

tween community organizations, schools and programs in Knox County Schools.

He is also known for his ear-to-ear grin and boundless energy. Mary Kerr, who worked closely with Bacon on the coupon book campaign until her retirement last year, commented that he was “wonderful to work with” and that he had a keen sense of humor. “We worked as a team and complemented each other. I was never comfortable talking in front of a crowd, but Scott could.

He always wanted to help kids have a better education.”

Anita Loy said she knows

Shopper s t n e V enews

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10 Burlington Lego Club, 2 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Grades 1-5. Info: 525-5431.

KSO Musical Storytimes for Kids, 10:30 a.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. For preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Free and open to the public. Info: 922-2552.

THURSDAY, DEC. 11 Heiskell Seniors meeting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Heiskell Community Center, 9420 Heiskell Road. Includes the annual Christmas Party with gift exchange.

Bring a $5-value wrapped gift marked man or woman.

Lunch at noon, bingo at 1 p.m. Bring a dessert and a friend. Info: Janice White, 548-0326.

Joy to the World Luncheon, 10:45 a.m., Buddy’s Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike.

Hosted by Knoxville Christian Women’s Connection.

Complimentary child care is by reservation only.

Costs: $12 inclusive. Info/reservations: 315-8182 or knoxvillechristianwomen@gmail.com.

KSO Musical Storytimes for Kids, 4 p.m., Norwood Branch Library, 1110 Merchants Drive. For preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Free and open to the public. Info: 688-2454.

Read About It, Talk About It: “Life With Charley,” 1 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road.

Info: 922-2552.

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 12 Holiday Sparkles & Spirits! to benefit The Joy of Music School, 6:30 p.m., Cherokee Mills, 2220 Sutherland Ave. Music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, live and silent auctions. Admission: $75. Info/tickets: 525-6806.

SATURDAY, DEC. 13 Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop, 1 p.m.,

Mary Kerr and Alvin Nance share their favorite memories of Scott Bacon. that he will be successful at whatever he does in the future. “He is the same every day. He always has a smile on his face and is very energetic.”

Blenza Davis, former principal at Sarah Moore Greene, recalls how Bacon always got her ready for the challenge of selling coupon books. “He was hilarious and perfect for the campaign.”

Carol Strevel called him energetic, fun and dependable. “He’s a good one,” she said.

“Scott had a great ability

Former Sarah Moore Greene connecting with the chil- principal Blenza Davis and dren, and he gave parents Carol Strevel browse through opportunities to give back to memorabilia. the community,” said Alvin Nance, who has known Bacon since his children were partnerships, but he has left at Spring Hill Elementary. a legacy that will continue.

When Nance first met him, He’s a good man and a good he thought Bacon was the friend.”

P.E. teacher. “He was this Whatever Bacon chooses young, energetic guy that to do during retirement, seemed to be everywhere at rest assured it will be with the school, so I thought he enthusiasm and success. was a teacher.”

PIE board member Ellen Tommy Schumpert Liston called Bacon a great signs a banner at the friend to the community. reception.

“It’s a loss that he won’t be here to continue to cultivate

Historic Ramsey House, 2614 Thorn Grove Pike. Cost: $35. All materials provided. Info/reservations: 5460745.

Thunder Road Gospel Jubilee, 7 p.m., 1388 Main St., Maynardville. All gospel singers welcome. Info: Joe, 201-5748.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 10:15 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681.

MONDAY, DEC. 15

SATURDAY, DEC. 20

Luttrell Seniors luncheon, 10:30 a.m., Luttrell Community Center. Soup by Ted Greene, bring finger foods. Bingo and $5 gift exchange. Thank you to Midway IGA for our monthly birthday cakes this whole year.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 3 p.m., Norwood Branch Library, 1110 Merchants Drive. Info: 688-2454

Old-Fashioned Gospel Singing, 7:30 p.m., Ridgeview Heights Baptist Church, 7809 Ridgeview Road in Corryton. Everyone invited. Info/directions: 712-1835.

Thunder Road Gospel Jubilee, 7 p.m., 1388 Main St., Maynardville. All gospel singers welcome. Info: Joe, 201-5748.

TUESDAY, DEC. 16 Honor Guard meeting, 7 p.m., 140 Veteran St., Maynardville. All veterans invited. Info: 256-5415.

Winter Wonderland event, 5-7 p.m., Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Hosted

by Five Points Up community group. The event is free and open to anyone who lives, works and plays in the Five Points community.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 International Folk Dancing, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road. Sponsored by the Oak Ridge Folk Dancers. Holiday potluck supper, 6:30 p.m. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724 or www. oakridgefolkdancers.org.

KSO Musical Storytimes for Kids, 11 a.m., Carter Branch Library, 9036 Asheville Highway. For preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Free and open to the public. Info: 933-5438.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 3 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.

THURSDAY, DEC. 18 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Downtown Knoxville AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Cost: $30 members; $35 nonmember. Must preregister. Info/to register: Kate, 862-9254, or Don, 8629250.

Burlington Game Night, 5:30-8 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 4:30 p.m., Corryton Branch Library, 7733 Corryton Road. Info: 688-1501.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 3 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 6 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 West Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.

FRIDAY, DEC. 19

SATURDAY, DEC. 27 Thunder Road Gospel Jubilee, 7 p.m., 1388 Main St., Maynardville. All gospel singers welcome. Info: Joe, 201-5748.

MONDAY, DEC. 29 Burlington Lego Club, 6 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Grades 1-5. Info: 525-5431.

SATURDAY, JAN. 3 Thunder Road Gospel Jubilee, 7 p.m., 1388 Main St., Maynardville. All gospel singers welcome. Info: Joe, 201-5748.

THURSDAY, JAN. 8 Knoxville Choral Society auditions for all voice parts, 6-8 p.m. To schedule an audition time: 312-2440 or membership@knoxvillechoralsociety.org. Once a time is set, location and other details will be provided. Info/ audition form: www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 10 Presentation of Harold’s Tours available in 2015, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Halls Senior Center, Crippen Road.

Presentation by Harold Cox. Bring a covered dish. All welcome.

SATURDAYS, JAN. 10, 24, 31, FEB. 7, 14 Advanced Beginner Wheel class, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Appalachian Arts Craft Center, 2716 Andersonville Highway 61 in Norris. Instructor: Katie Cottrell.

Registration deadline: Jan. 3. Info: 494-9854 or www. appalachianarts.net.

Shopper news • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • 9

Knox law director shares vision with ETBA

By Nancy Whittaker

Justin Sterling, president of the East Towne Business Alliance, welcomed members, guests, several politicians and local residents to the Dec. 3 meeting.

Keith Edmonds with Clayton Bank and Trust treated everyone to a delicious breakfast of Richy Kreme Donuts. Edmonds spoke about the importance of giving back to the community.

“Community involvement is most important,” he said, announcing that Clayton Bank was recently rated the No. 1 community bank Bud Armstrong speaks to the in East Tennessee.

Photo by Nancy Whittaker Knox County law director Bud Armstrong delivered an With ties to East Knoxinformative and entertaining talk. Armstrong spoke ville, Armstrong was helpprimarily about education, ful in explaining some iseconomics and legal issues sues he feels people don’t that affect groups such as really understand. “Knox County government doesn’t the ETBA.

“Compared to years ago, education is different. Everything is different,” he said. His analysis of the extent to which technical jobs have changed helped listeners understand why the success rate is low on many automated jobs.

Armstrong is proud of what his office has accomplished. The settlement rate for lawsuits has dropped from $1.8 million to less than $200,000. “We don’t settle very many cases unless it is in the best interest of Knox County. I am kind of like your watchdog,” said Armstrong.

East Towne Business Alliance.

Armstrong shared several tips on making a business successful. He closed have a school system,” said by stating, “The dreams are Armstrong. “The state con- yours to capture.”

The group will meet next stitution states it belongs to the state Legislature. Local at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, people are elected to admin- at New Harvest Park Community Center. ister the state’s schools.

News from Office of Register of Deeds

Mortgage lending surge drives November markets

By Sherry Witt

While real estate sales experienced a typical slowdow n in November, a spike in mortgage lending and refinancing led to a healthy Witt m o n t h overall. An aggregate $313 million was loaned against real estate in Knox County.

That bested last November by nearly $80 million and easily surpassed October’s $288 million.

Mortgage type loans in Knox County lagged during the first half of 2014, but the market has been playing catch-up since the end of summer. Mortgage lending had been nearly $1 billion behind the 2013 pace, but that deficit has been cut recently.

Property sales showed 735 transfers in Novem-

ber, compared to 889 in October. Some 809 parcels changed hands last November. The total value of property sold for the month was $173.8 million, about $34 million short of the October aggregate but only slightly behind last November.

The largest property transfer of the month involved parcels located in the 6700 block of Clinton Highway, comprising much of the development known as Northwest Crossing.

The property sold to DFGKnoxville for $15.5 million. The largest mortgage transaction was the financing of multiple properties in the Fort Sanders area near White Avenue and 17th Street for $46.4 million.

I sincerely hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, family and loved ones, and from all of us at the Register’s office I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Debbie Bell earns surgery management credential Debbie Bell, administrator of UT Day Surgery, has received the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential.

Bell began her career with UT Medical Center in 1991 as a nurse manager in the Endoscopy and Short Stay Nursing Unit. She later served as director for special projects at the medical center including the startup of an outpatient healthcare facility and network development, where she served

as a physician liaison responsible for referral dev e l o pm e nt with referring physicians and facilities throughout the East Ten ne s see service area.

In Debbie Bell 2008, she was named as administrator of UT Day Surgery.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Annual Clayton Holiday Concert presented by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.

Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21. Info/tickets: 521-2337.

■ Brunch with Santa for ages toddler through 12 years old, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20, Christ UMC gym, 7535 Maynardville Highway. $5 per person or $20 for family of five. Reservations required by Friday, Dec. 12, to 922-1412.

■ Christmas Candlelight Tours, 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Marble Springs State Historic Site, 1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway. Suggested donation: $2. Info: 573-5508 or info@marblesprings. net.

■ Christmas drive-thru exhibit: “The Life of Christ,” 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, Fellowship Christian Church, 746 Tazewell Pike in Luttrell. All are welcome.

■ Christmas in Old Appalachia through Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway. Info/schedule of events: 494-7680 or www. museumofappalachia.org.

■ Christmas Lantern Express Trains will run Fridays through Sundays

Neely

Jack Neely’s book details the history of the Tennessee Theatre. It will be available in January. Photo by Bonny C. Millard Hancock

Neely pens book on the Tennessee Theatre

By Bonny C. Millard Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock and local historian and writer Jack Neely offered a glimpse inside Neely’s most recent book, due out in January, that documents the history of the theater.

The theater celebrated its 86th anniversary in October.

Hancock and Neely shared details and photographs of the theatre’s history at the Rotary Club of Knoxville. As the theatre approached its 85th anniversary in 2013, the board of directors of the Historic Tennessee Theatre Foundation wanted something special to commemorate the milestone.

The result is Neely’s book, “The Tennessee Theatre: A Grand Entertainment Palace.” Hancock said the book won’t be out in time for Christmas, but people can preorder it.

Hancock showed some old photos of the construction of the theater from November 1927, when the builders broke ground. It opened in October 1928.

The building, which has seen ups and downs over

through Sunday, Dec. 21. Reservations now available. Features holiday treats, storytime with celebrity readers and a visit with Santa. Info/ schedule/reservations: www.ThreeRiversRambler.com.

■ Christmas Tours of Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Ave., will be held 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Light refreshments will be served. The tours are free; donations are encouraged.

Info: 522-8661 or www.mabryhazen. com.

■ Corryton Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13. Stepping off from Corryton ball field. Lineup at 1 p.m.

Info: Joyce Harrell, 705-7684, or Joe Longmire, 898-9097.

■ East Tennessee History Center Holiday Open House, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Holiday music, refreshments, craft demonstrations, storytelling, ornamentmaking for kids, book signings and free museum admission. Info: www. eastTNhistory.org or 215-8824.

■ A Family Christmas at Dowell Springs, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Provision Center for Proton Therapy, 6450 Provision Cares Way. Free and open to the public. Performances

by Halls High School Madrigals, Holston Middle School Show Choir, Clear Springs Baptist Church Children’s Choir and Brickey-McCloud

the years, was renovated in 2005 and now serves as a performing arts center.

Neely told stories about legendary performers who appeared at the theatre, many times for standingroom-only crowds.

“This project was especially gratifying to me,” Neely said. “Like a lot of people, I grew up at the Tennessee Theatre.”

In the course of writing the book, Knoxville’s historian dug through records, photographs, news accounts and other documentation to bring the theatre’s history to life. The theatre offered performances that catered to many tastes, most of them family oriented, but occasionally a risqué act that opened late at night.

The Ziegfeld Follies, Helen Hayes, the legendary Glenn Miller and Desi Arnaz all made appearances. Tom Mix performed with several live horses on the stage, a show that Neely was able to verify.

“It’s really fascinating to research these things,” he said.

Info: www. tennesseetheatre.com/.

Elementary School; refreshments; visit with Santa. Info: Gretchen Church Crawley, 321-4554 or gretchen.crawley@provisionhp.com.

■ Free pictures with Santa, 2-4 p.m.

Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, the Frontier Office, 2104 W. Emory Road.

■ Historic Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Highway, will be open for public tours 5:30-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21, during “Christmas in the Cave.” Admission: $8, ages 5 and up.

Photos with Santa: $10. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Includes music, vendors, kids’ activities. Info: www.cherokeecaverns.com.

■ Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank through Sunday, Jan. 4, on Market Square.

Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Dec. 18; 1-9 p.m. MondayThursday, Dec. 19-Jan. 4; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1-9 p.m.

Sundays. Info: www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com.

■ “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Free, but seating is limited. Info: www. homefederalbanktn.com.

■ Knoxville Chamber Chorale Christmas Concert, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 11, First UMC, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Free.

business Murphy-Boutwell is coach, mentor, cheerleader Megan Murphy-Boutwell has a background in food ser v ic e and safety.

While working for Bush Brothers, she also w o r k e d part time as an inde p e ndent Murphy-Boutwell Mary Kay consultant. After some serious soul-searching, Megan made the decision to quit her job and jump into her Mary Kay career full time.

Megan says, “I believe in Mary Kay’s philosophy.

You should be able to fully live your life by putting faith first, family second and career third. My priorities were out of order.” She decided the best way to live the life she wanted was to become her own boss.

In the past year, Megan has worked her way up to independent sales director and rose to the top 3 percent in the company. She is following her passion for helping people and describes herself as a “coach, mentor and cheerleader.”

Changing one’s financial structure is one reason to start your own Mary Kay business. However, Megan says a bonus is making new friends. Also, young moms enjoy the opportunity to get out of the house for a while.

With more than seven years’ experience, Megan says she has learned how to make husbands look like heroes when it comes to gift-giving. She also offers executive shopping for business owners and bosses who want special gifts for their employees. She enjoys customizing gifts and offers all price levels for every age group. Free gift wrapping, free shipping and free gifts

Nancy Whittaker

with purchases are bonuses.

A fun 12 days of Christmas promotion is planned Dec. 12-23. A different product will be discounted each day. Just text “12 days” to 865-313-6399 and opt in.

You will automatically get a text each morning with the special of the day.

Mary Kay also offers men’s skin-care products.

Many of them are fragrance free, and Megan says these are hugely popular with her male clients. Her teenage clients enjoy learning about skin care and how to properly use the color line for the younger generation.

Megan says she uses Mary Kay from head to toe.

“I couldn’t sell a product I don’t believe in. I stand behind my products because Mary Kay stands behind me.”

Megan is currently booking her popular “New Year – New You” makeovers for January. She explains, “Women give of themselves so much this time of year.

We need to be pampered and rejuvenated in a relaxing atmosphere.”

Megan welcomes anyone who doesn’t currently have a Mary Kay consultant to contact her. She has her own “store” where all products are kept in stock. Internet shopping is available 24/7.

Just go to www.marykay. com/mmurphy07 and place your order. You can also contact Megan at 865313-6399 or email her at m mu r p h y 0 7@ m a r y k a y. com/.

Michelle Henry’s book details cancer battle Fountain City resident Michelle Ironside Henry has penned “My Anchor Holds,” an inspirational account of her battle against Stage IV colorectal cancer.

Henry Henr y chronicles her four-year journey from diagnosis to restoration of health, including journal entries made during her illness and present-day reflections on those passages written while in the throes of tests

■ “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” will be presented by The WordPlayers, Clayton Performing Arts Center, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets: 539-7529, www.wordplayers.org, or at the door.

■ The Living Christmas Tree, 3 and 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14, Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Merchant Drive. For free tickets: WMBC.NET; from Wallace church members; and at the church during office hours.

■ Living Nativity, 6-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22-23, Christ UMC, 7535 Maynardville Highway.

Everyone welcome.

■ The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13-14 and 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, Knoxville Civic Coliseum. Free performances. Info: www.KnoxvilleNativity. com or 579-5323.

■ Pictures with Santa Claus at Cool Sports, 110 S. Watt Road. Schedule: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14; 8-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec 20. Photos by No Dud Photography. Info: 218-4500 or www.coolsportstn.com.

■ Santa’s Workshop Ice Show, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.

and treatment.

Henry is a writer with Moxley Carmichael public relations firm and executive director of Executive Women’s Association.

She will sign books from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at Advanced Concepts II, 4852 Harvest Mill Way in Fountain City and is scheduling book signings and speaking engagements.

“My Anchor Holds” is published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan. Info: www.

Michel leIron sideHen r y. com/.

20, Cool Sports, 110 S. Watt Road.

Info/tickets: 218-4500 or www. coolsportstn.com.

■ Share Your Sweater holiday contest is being hosted by Goodwill Industries-Knoxville. To enter for a chance to win a $50 Goodwill shopping spree, purchase a Christmas sweater at any Goodwill store and submit a photo of the sweater with info naming the store where purchased by Sunday, Dec. 28, by posting to Goodwill Industries-Knoxville’s Facebook Page, facebook. com/gwiktn; Twitter and tag @ GWIKTN; on Instagram and tag @ goodwillknoxville; or emailing to marketing@gwiktn.org. Info: www. gwiktn.org/events.

■ “Sounds of the Season/ Christmas Time Is Here” production by the Central High School Choral Department, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Central High auditorium. Tickets: Adult/ general admission, $8; student/ senior citizen, $6.

■ Union County Christmas parade, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at Union County High School and going north on Highway 33.

■ Xfinity Christmas in Chilhowee Park, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, Chilhowee Park. Live music, lighting of the tree, kids’ activities, and more.

Info: www.cityofknoxville.org/ Christmas.

10 • DECEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news

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