North/East Shopper-News 121615 by Shopper-News

NORTH / EAST VOL. 3 NO. 50

BUZZ Friends share memories of Holston Hills Two words bring memories of their teen years in Holston Hills for Carolyn Johnson Ambrister and Betty Ghormley Tarpy: sledding and smooching. The two came of age in the 180-acre subdivision. Both returned in the 1950s – a recurring theme in Holston Hills.

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Snowflakes

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December 16, 2015

shine at Carter couple’s home

By Bill Dockery

A woman’s passion for Christmas lights and her husband’s ability to climb ladders has given the Carter community one of its enduring holiday landmarks. Marty and Larry Acuff have created a distinctive way of decorating their home on Carter School Road that is unlike most other displays of Christmas lights in the

Read Cindy Taylor on page 3

To page 3

Ornaments for literacy coming Friends of Literacy will hold its annual ornament fundraiser 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Marble City Glassworks, 1045 Artella Drive. Participants can make their own glass ornament to cherish while helping to support a great cause. Info/RSVP: 549-7007.

Tour de Lights is Friday on bikes On Friday night, Dec. 18, add lights to your bicycle, come downtown in festive attire, and share holiday cheer with 1,000 or more fellow riders and other Tour de Lights Bike Ride participants. Friday night’s Tour de Lights is a fun, free, casual bike parade, leaving from Market Square at 7 p.m. The ninth annual event – a five-mile tour of downtown, Fourth and Gill and Old North Knoxville – has become a favorite holiday tradition. “I am always so impressed with the energy and creativity people put into their decorations and costumes,” says Kelley Segars, manager of the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission’s I Bike KNX regional bicycle program. “Tour de Lights is such a unique event – it’s as much for the people who come to watch and cheer on the riders as it is for the riders.” Judging for the costume and decorating contest begins at 6 p.m.; prizes are awarded after the ride in several categories, including Best Decorated Bike, Best Decorated Person and Best Group Theme. Free bike safety checks and a first-ever photo booth are also available, starting at 6 p.m. Mast General Store and Three Rivers Market will provide hot cocoa and cookies for participants. Helmets, headlights and rear reflectors are required, and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Info: www.ibikeknx.com/ tourdelights.

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Ninety-six snowflakes speckle the winter walls of the Acuff residence next to Carter High School. “We started off small but it kind of mushroomed,” said homeowner Larry Acuff, who taught driver’s education at the high school for 30 years. Photos by Bill Dockery

Larry and Marty Acuff

Stair calls corridor zoning ‘broken’ By Sandra Clark Led by the Broadway Task Force, the city is considering zoning changes along the main corridors to downtown to reflect current lifestyles. Council member Marshall Stair says the corridors are ugly, and a zoning code designed Marshall Stair for suburban living just doesn’t work in urban areas where residents prefer to walk and bike to nearby businesses. Traditionalists and new wave property owners butted heads last week at Knoxville City Council when Daniel Sanders appealed Ben Kershaw’s variance to reduce parking from 59 spaces to five at 937 North Broadway, a house which previously hosted the Food Co-op. The property is zoned C-3, a designation for areas where commercial

uses are displacing residential. The city’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted Kershaw’s variance on Sept. 17, but Sanders, who owns property nearby, appealed to City Council. “There is nothing in the record to show why he needs a variance,” said Sanders. “The BZA did not look at other uses. They granted the maximum variance for a restaurant – the most intensive use.” Stair asked if there is any use for the property for which five spaces would suffice. Dan Kelly of MPC said only residential, and that’s not allowed in C-3. Stair noted nearby variances and said, “Unless we just want a large surface parking lot all through Central and Broadway, we’re going to have to grant these variances.” He said K Brew and BreadHead are extremely popular and “a tremendous asset to the community,” and they have a variance to four parking spaces.

“Given the drastic reductions we’ve made for others, I can’t support the appeal,” said Stair. Gary Tener supported Sanders. As chief operating officer of Broadway Carpets, located directly across Broadway from Kershaw’s property, he said, “The question is, where will these customers park? The answer is right across the street – at Broadway Carpets.” Tener said the business neighbors are concerned about what type business will go in – a bar or a restaurant? – and added, “The variance forces the customers to encroach upon nearby businesses.” Broadway Carpets is located on a huge lot, the former Cliff Chrysler auto dealership. Tener told BZA earlier that his company is prepared to spend $500,000 to upgrade the exterior and landscape the site to conform to the new corridor plan. Adjacent businesses, KCDC and McCoy Motors, have refused

West High parents call threat response

too little, too late By Betty Bean

Only 845 of West High School’s 1,300-plus students showed up for school last Monday, Dec. 7. Some of the other 450 may have been legitimately ill, but most stayed home because they’d been frightened by rumors of a threat scrawled on the wall of a boys’ restroom. The ominous graffito – “I will cleanse this school on Monday” (punctuated with a happy face) – was real, although the threat turned out to be a hoax, and parents and teachers who spoke with the Shopper News about the incident believe the administration bungled its response, which they called slow and inadequate. Principal Katherine Banner

said she believes she did a good job after the threat was discovered. On Friday, she called in Knoxville Police Department investigators, who determined it was a hoax. She asked for extra security on Monday. She emailed her staff Banner on Sunday and thought the matter was under control until she checked her Twitter account Sunday night and discovered that the issue had “blown up on social media.” To page 3

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to sign parking agreements with Kershaw. Kershaw spoke convincingly on his own behalf. “Variances are granted to businesses and homes that have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from complying with the code. We only have five (parking) spots. If we demolished the building and paved it to turn it into a parking lot, we’d be lucky to get 12 spaces. He said Tener’s parking lot is not his responsibility. “It’s Broadway Carpets’ responsibility to police it whether by gates, signs or towing. However he wants to do it is entirely up to him, but it is not my concern.” Sanders said Kershaw failed to prove a hardship. “He says, ‘the property I purchased is not big enough to do what I want to do so I need a variance.’ If this is how you grant a variance, everybody gets one.” To page 3

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2 • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Back on the road

Bus driver credits caring rehabilitation staff with recovery Ruby Hall’s next day was going to be a busy one. She was switching to an early shift at the Knoxville Area Transit where she has worked as a bus driver for the past 35 years. Afterwards, she would swing by her son’s house to babysit. “I knew as soon as my head hit the pillow I’d be asleep,” she said, adding that she had even purchased an extra alarm clock to make sure she didn’t oversleep. She never had that chance. Before that next day would come last May, the 65-yearold widow would be severely burned in a kitchen grease ﬁre and unable to care for herself. But thanks to an extensive rehabilitation at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center (PNRC), Hall is back at work and eternally grateful to the caring staff of PNRC. “I don’t know how many times I am going to say this, but if it hadn’t been for Patricia Neal, I would be sitting over there in my house on Drybrook Lane not able to walk and drawing disability,” said Hall, who was back behind the wheel at KAT 127 days after the May 5, 2014, incident. That was the day when she had no sooner gotten home, put on a pot of French fries, drew a bath, undressed and lay across her bed to write out a birthday card for one of her long-time passengers that she nodded off. “My brain must’ve went to sleep,” she said, recalling how she had forgotten the fries on the stove and awakened just in time to see a raging grease fire in her kitchen. “I went through the hall and looked down the steps, and I saw out my right eye, the flame. And it was blazing! The microwave over my stove had already melted down onto the stove. That’s how long it had been burning. All I could think of was, ‘Get the fire out!’” “I panicked,” she added. “I had my uniform blouse in my hand, and I threw it onto the pot which knocked the pot off onto the floor, and set the floor on fire. When the grease hit the floor, it must’ve hit me in the face too, because I looked down and my legs were on fire.”

Just when it looked as if things couldn’t get any worse, Hall did the unthinkable: she grabbed the water sprayer from the kitchen sink and began spraying, something one should never do to a grease fire. “I knew I shouldn’t have, but God was with me because it put all the fire out except for a little flame on the floor,” she said. That “little flame” was extinguished when Hall slipped in the grease and water, plopping her down on the flame. By the time the flames and fury had died down, Hall had second-degree burns on her face, chest, abdomen, both legs and the top and bottom of both feet. Rushed first to UT Medical Center, she was given morphine to relieve the pain and quickly transferred to the Vanderbilt Burn Center. There, doctors and nurses treated her burns with skin grafts, bandages and

hydrotherapy. After 13 days in intensive care, she was transferred to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center where she became fast friends with Christy Williams, who manages PNRC’s rehab services, and occupational therapist Kelli Morelock. “Ms. Ruby may be one of the sweetest ladies I have had the pleasure of working with at Patricia Neal,” said Williams. “Her smile would brighten anyone’s day.” Of course, it wasn’t always easy for Ruby Hall to smile through the excruciating pain. “A patient with burns requires special consideration to protect what is essentially an open wound, and in Ms. Hall’s case, covering a signiﬁcant portion of her legs and body, while continuing to progress through the learning of functional skills with limited mobility,” said Williams. “Though her burns were dressed with bandages on a dai-

ly basis, the natural progression of healing with burns produces drainage, not to mention the severe pain associated with that depth of injury.” Williams said additional precautions are needed to protect the new, immature skin on healing wounds. “Recovering range of motion is vital to restore function,” she said. “However, this process can be painful – and detrimental, if done too quickly with recently burned tissue.” For Hall, who had not walked in the two weeks since the ﬁre, walking was particularly challenging because of burns on her feet and around major joints. “I could not walk when I got here, and although I thought, ‘I can’t do this,’ they walked me, they exercised me every day and got me to where I could walk on my walker,” she said. “Christy made sure that I could do housework. Kelli made sure I could cook on my own, and take a bath on my own. Christy made sure that I could sweep and make a bed … they are just wonderful out there.” “I just can’t say enough good things about them, especially those two,” Hall went on as tears glistened in her eyes. “Everybody up there was great, but Kelli and Christi – they were the best. “They treated me like I was a child. They protected me. We were like family. And they didn’t let up on me just because I was old. I knew they were being paid, but it was like they were doing this because they cared, not because of the pay. “I have this opportunity now to thank them all: the doctors, the technicians, the nurses, all the staff at Patricia Neal, and especially Kelli and Christy. I love them. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here today at KAT driving, I would have had to go on disability. If it hadn’t been for Patricia Neal, I wouldn’t be walking today. I hope this never happens again, but if it does, or if I ever have to go to rehab again, Patricia Neal would be the one that I would want to go to.”

Program seeks to prevent injuries through education It’s more than looking before you leap. It’s using your mind to protect your body. It’s ThinkFirst, a nationwide injury prevention program that strives to teach how life can change in the blink of an eye. Just ask Ashley Hamilton, state director of the Tennessee ThinkFirst chapter and a recreational therapist who daily sees patients come through the doors of the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center with brain or spinal cord injuries that could have been prevented. “You know the old saying is true: ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ and we at Patricia Neal see that every day,” said Hamilton, recalling the countless people she has seen whose lives have been irreparably altered by failing to wear a seat belt or a helmet, texting while driving, diving into shallow water or giving in to peer pressure. “This is a lot of what ThinkFirst teaches. Our motto is ‘Use your mind to protect your body – ThinkFirst!’” ThinkFirst does just that by using knowledge, demonstrations and speakers who have sustained injuries to advance its message at schools, health fairs, community pools, festivals and oth-

er community events. Funded locally by the Fort Sanders Foundation, ThinkFirst has three curricula for students: ThinkFirst for Kids (grades 1-3), ThinkFirst for Youth (grades 4-8) and ThinkFirst for Teens (grades 9-12). This message of prevention is delivered in a fun, non-threatening way to the youngest audience and with a realistic approach in our high schools, but always with the aim of teaching how truly fragile the human body can be in the hope of shaping decisions. In fact, an estimated 1.7 million persons in the United States sustain a brain injury, and thousands more sustain a spinal cord injury. Injury is the leading cause of death among people between the ages of one and 44. “The presentation content varies greatly based on the type of presentation requested,” said Hamilton. “Principals and teachers can choose which topics they’d like to have their students learn about, be it pedestrian and bicycle safety, water safety, sport safety, play safety, violence prevention, concussions, or any combination of these.” “They can also choose how big – or how small

– they want us to go,” added Hamilton. “For example, a teacher may prefer a small, classroomtype presentation in which we may only have 30-45 minutes to present to a single classroom of 30 students, or they may want to get together with several teachers or a full grade level and have us do a larger assembly that would last 6090 minutes with 100-200 students. The difference between presentations will be small, such as the amount of time spent with the students or hands-on activities for each student versus a hands-on activity for a few volunteers to show the whole group. Otherwise, they will all have a health care professional teaching about the body systems and how our choices affect our body in various ways.” “It could be considered an outreach program primarily for schools, simply because the school year comprises of most of the year and that is what our curricula are centered around,” said Hamilton. “But it is certainly not limited to schools. It’s also been presented at various afterschool and summer programs as well as the Girl Scouts. We are looking forward to renewing those relationships as well as establishing several

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

more such as the Emerald Youth Foundation, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club, etc. The possibilities really are endless as our curricula can be adapted and modified to fit any number of needs.” The ThinkFirst for Teens program can also be adapted for other community presentations such as adult drivers’ education, Alcoholics Anonymous, college presentations and other groups or events. Soon, the ThinkFirst national office will be launching a falls prevention program geared toward seniors. “Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center sees the repercussions of the lack of education and application on a regular basis,” said Hamilton. “We teach people how to live with the consequences of their risky behaviors. By partnering with ThinkFirst to help to educate on the consequences of these habits, we can not only help to prevent lifechanging injuries but we can ultimately help save lives.” Interested in holding a ThinkFirst program at your school or event? Want to start a ThinkFirst chapter in your town or facility? Contact Ashley Hamilton at (865) 541-1356 or email apinkert@covhlth.com.

community

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • 3

Sledding and smooching Two words bring back memories of their teen years in Holston Hills for Carolyn Johnson Ambrister and Betty Ghormley Tarpy: sledding and smooching.

Corridor zoning

Longtime Holston Hills residents Betty Tarpy and Carolyn Ambrister

Council member George Wallace moved to deny the appeal (to leave Kershaw’s variance intact). The vote tied with Stair, Daniel Brown and Mark Campen voting with Wallace, while Nick Della Volpe, Brenda Palmer, Nick Pavlis and Finbarr Saunders voted no. Duane Grieve abstained. Mayor Madeline Rogero said she was not prepared to

Cindy Taylor

The two came of age in the 180-acre subdivision. Both left the area when they married, but each came back in the 1950s. That seems to be a recurring theme in Holston Hills. People grow up, leave and then return to raise their own families. “One of my favorite memories of growing up here was the sledding,” said Ambrister. “We would all take our sleds to the (Holston Hills) country club, sled for a while and have hot chocolate after.” Tarpy said that when she was growing up on Crestwood Drive there were only about five or six houses, and the street was a dead end. It was a good place for teens to go for a bit of sport. “We would drive down to the end, park our cars in a circle and leave the headlights on,” said Tarpy. “We would turn on some music and dance. There might have been some smooching going on, too.” She says that when she moved back to Holston Hills it hadn’t changed a whole lot. “I lived in the city for a while, so when I came back to Holston Hills it was so dark and quiet it was very different.” Ambrister has a favorite memory involving a celebrity and a nickel. “Me and two of my friends would ride our bikes down to the grill at the country club where we could get a candy bar for a nickel,” she said. “Sometimes we would see Archie Campbell. He would give us each a nickel to buy our candy bar. He was always so nice to us.” Tarpy raised four boys in Holston Hills. The four had the paper route covering 18 years. “I still have door keys hanging in my house that I don’t know who they belong to,” said Tarpy. The two women joked about having fun listening in on conversations back when most phones had party lines. Both of them have memories of helping make bandages with the community club during World War II, and both remain active in the community today. They say that between the country club and the community club there is always something to do. One thing to do in Holston Hills is coming up Dec. 19. The community is invited to the Pollock home for a Christmas tour. The 1925 house was the first built in Holston Hills. The Pollock family purchased it in 1955. The home has most

Snowflakes area. Their home is speckled with giant white snowflakes — 96 in all — that make for a one-of-a-kind display. “I always want my Christmas lights. It’s our Christmas gift to the community,” Marty Acuff said. “Everyone seems to enjoy it as much as we do.” “It’s one of the things my wife really enjoys,” Larry said. “We do it as much for her as for the community.” The couple has collected a variety of snowflakes at after-Christmas sales over the years. They are currently displaying 96, though they admit that there are more on reserve in case of snowflake malfunctions.

Threat response

John Pollock stands in the front hallway of his 1925 home. The hallway runs the length of the house. Photos by Cindy Taylor

River view of the Pollock home

From page 1 “There are five or six different sizes, and they range from 12 to 42 inches across,” Larry said. “They are not all uniform – that’s one of the reasons they display so well.” Putting up the snowflakes is a four-day task, Marty Acuff said. They used to decorate with strings of ice sickle lights – with all the angles, gables and eves, the house was quite showy, they say – but as ladderclimbing has gotten harder, they’ve given that up. The couple have scaled back their displays in recent years, cutting out the autumn and Easter decorating and limiting themselves to Christmas and Halloween.

break the tie. Della Volpe then moved to approve the appeal, and his motion failed 5-3. With only Palmer and Saunders joining him. Ben Kershaw keeps his variance, and the Broadway Task Force will continue to look for ways to improve the accessibility and looks of commercial corridors.

From page 1 that KCS has no plan. None at all. “I will not wait for the bus to wreck. My daughter will not be at school until this is resolved.” Others said the scare was just the latest in a string of troubling events. “Things aren’t going well,” said Drema Bowers, whose daughter is a senior. “And they’ve not gone well for awhile. My goal was to get my daughter out of there without saying a lot, but yesterday’s incident was one of those things where I decided somebody needs to help us figure out what is going on. This young man writing that message on Thursday or Friday, and none of us knowing what was going on till it got on social media?” Bowers said her daughter woke her up late Sunday night and told her she was afraid to go to school the next day. “She’d gotten a call from a classmate and she asked, ‘What am I going to do? I’m afraid to go to school, and I’m just lying here thinking about each of my classes – where would I hide? What would I do?’” Bowers told her daughter that she wouldn’t force her to go to school the next morning. “We got a call from Katherine Banner at 7 a.m. Monday saying they think it was a prank: she only got that out because somebody had called Channel 6. They knew about it on Friday and never said a word to us? We heard that the young man who did it finally confessed, and he was actually in school – that’s the irony of it.” Banner, who got a call from the principal of West High School in Victoria, Texas, Monday morning, asking her what was going on, said she has learned something important from the difficult weekend: “This has taught me the far-reaching effects of social media.”

COMMUNITY NOTES

Santa waits for Christmas in the garden of the Pollock home. of its original features. “This is an interesting house,” said John Pollock. “The exposed interior beams are raw cut and more than 100 years old.”

She recorded an automated phone message to reassure parents that went out at 7 a.m. Monday. “School security is on my mind every single day,” she said. “I think about it when I walk in the door. I’m sorry there were some people who were not happy, but I’ve had at least 20 emails from parents thanking me for the way I handled it. My West High School Foundation gave me a round of applause this week.” Leslie Kurtz, whose daughter transferred into West to participate in the acclaimed International Baccalaureate Program, isn’t applauding. Kurtz said she was horrified to watch the rumor grow into a full-blown crisis that weekend and attempted to intervene on Sunday via an email to Superintendent James McIntyre: “As I am sure you are aware by now, social media is exploding with discussion about a threat at West High for tomorrow. There is a discussion among parents as to whether this was known about on Wednesday or Friday or if it’s two incidents. The wall painting was still visible on Friday (who would leave that up for two days if the situation were resolved!). Either way, there has been no official communication since then or ever. That is not acceptable. It is your job to investigate and resolve this issue. That includes communicating with parents and students. You may put into place whatever safeguards you think necessary. However, and I mean this in the strongest possible terms, it is MY decision if it is safe. “These kids are teenagers. And there is this little thing called social media. Your inability to understand this is unbelievable. These kids are scared, maybe over nothing, but in light of the ZERO information they have received, what do you expect? “This lack of communication only shows parents

From page 1

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

The history of the home is included in a book published by the community club that will be available before Christmas titled “Memories, Meals and

More.” The book will contain history and include recipes from years past. Info: ■ Beaumont Community Organization. Info: Natasha karen.bacon58@gmail.com.

Larry was born and raised in the Carter community and graduated from Carter High School. Marty is a Fulton High School graduate. After a stint in the Army and graduate studies in safety at the University of Tennessee, he began teaching drivers education for Knox County Schools, first at three high schools and then exclusively at Carter High, just across the school driveway from the couple’s home. Since his retirement in the 1990s, the Acuffs have operated M & L Antiques, and Marty has a large collection of postcards for sale. The holiday lights are not the couple’s only contribution to the community. They collect supplies for Carter public schools, an outgrowth of Larry’s career as a teacher.

“My wife and I kind of adopted the schools in the community, especially Carter Elementary,” Larry Acuff said. “We stockpile school supplies all year round. At the start of school this fall I took a van load and a half to the elementary school.” With the start of the new term in January, the couple will make a second delivery of supplies. “At the beginning of the school year, individuals and churches help out, but nobody does anything about the second semester.” Additionally, Larry has taken on litter patrol duties and picks up trash along neighborhood roads. He also empties the trash cans at nearby Carter Mill Park and keeps the community space clean.

Contact Cindy Taylor at ctaylorsn@gmail. com.

Murphy, 936-0139.

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

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

■ Inskip Community Association meets 6 p.m. each fourth Tuesday, Inskip Baptist Church, 4810 Rowan Road. Info: Betty Jo Mahan, 679-2748 or bettymahan@knology.net.

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

■ Oakwood Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each first Monday, Community Club House, 916 Shamrock Ave. Info: Bill Hutton, 773-5228 or s_wlhutton@ yahoo.com.

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

■ Old North Knoxville meets 6:30 p.m. each second Monday, St. James Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway. Info: Andie Ray, 548-5221. ■ Parkridge Community Organization meets 6:30 p.m. each first Monday except holidays, Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St. Info: Jerry Caldwell, 3299943. ■ Second District Democrats meet 6 p.m. each second Thursday, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 2504 Cecil Ave. Info: Rick Staples, 385-3589 or funnyman1@ comic.com.

4 • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • Shopper news

Kirkland football is full-time job The story of college football in the higher elevations… Young linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. started and played well for Tennessee against Southeastern Conference foes. Butch Jones says Kirkland has exceptional instincts for a freshman, “great instincts.” The coach says Kirkland had great parenting, great training at the high school level and he’s a high-character young man with a great love for football. To make additional use of one of the coach’s favorite words, great! Defensive coordinator John Jancek sees Darrin Kirkland greatness from another point of view.

Marvin West

“He has a lot of potential. His upside is huge and exciting. We’ve just got to keep working, the rest of this year and the offseason.” And next year. And the year after. And all the time in between, spring drills, summer improvement, work, work, work, be nimble, be quick, read keys, anticipate, run to the ball, deliver a blow. College football is an

almost full-time job. If a player isn’t playing football, he is preparing to play. He is thinking football, studying football and, meanwhile, working to get stronger to become a better football player. He is eating according to directions from the food coach and sleeping with a magic monitor to be sure he is getting real rest. Not incidentally, football players also go to school. Many make excellent grades. Several achieve academic all-star status. Be reminded of Bob Johnson, Mike Terry, Tim Irwin, Mack Gentry, Tim Priest, Joshua Dobbs … there is a considerable list. Now and then one wins everything except the Heis-

man and graduates in three years instead of four. And stays and plays some more. Think Peyton Manning. Darrin Kirkland Jr. likes the idea of being an accomplished football player. He says he takes a lot of pride in playing well. He says being competitive and getting to the ball is his game. Darrin has a pep line he directs at linebacker star Jalen Reeves-Maybin: “I always tell Jalen when we’re on the field, ‘I’ll meet you at the ball and we’ll see what happens.’” What happens is the culmination of ability, training and effort. It appears college players go far beyond the NCAA-limited 20 hours

per week in football development. The latest survey I’ve seen says the average is 44.8 hours a week playing games, practicing, training and recovering. The group of Northwestern players who thought they wanted to form a union said they were spending 50 hours on football. The survey says football players in power conferences invest a little less than 40 hours a week on academics. That doesn’t leave much time for video games or dancing with darlings. Complex forces affect the voluntary commitment: motivational coaches, personal pride, winning spirit, desire to excel, investment in the

This year, the city spent $5,000 on new lights and $40,000 on the new tree at Krutch Park. “The squirrels love to sparkles at the Holiday Fes- Department EMS staffing. tival of Lights at the Cove This year, sponsorships for chew up the lights,” she and parades at Halls, Pow- the seven events totaled laughs. Even if you favor Jimmy ell, Gibbs, Corryton, Karns $130,000. Figures aren’t available Cheek’s approach, it’s hard and maybe a few we missed. Judith Foltz, the city’s yet for this year’s Christmas to deny that Christmas in special-events director, events, but last year, the the City is good for business estimates that the num- city’s portion of the Regal and the community. Holidays on Ice has been ber of community and Celebration of Lights was extended through Jan. 18 civic Christmas events has $6,900, not including police because the ice-skating rink doubled since she took up and fire department labor her post five years ago, and costs. Theoretically, the city some require a taxpayer incharges for services provestment. The city pays expenses vided to community groups. ■ Pilot Flying J should hire that aren’t covered by spon- Organizers of this year’s Rickey Hall from the UT Office sorships for six Christmas Fountain City Christmas for Diversity for a similar job in the City events – Regal Parade were flummoxed at the company. It would Celebration of Lights, the when they received a $1,500 benefit both institutions. WIVK Christmas Parade, bill for KPD traffic control ■ Flout: to treat with disdain, Xfinity Christmas in Chil- for the first time in nearly scorn, or contempt. howee Park, Tour de Lights, five decades. ■ Flaunt: display ostentatiousThe goal is to charge Holidays on Ice and New ly, especially to provoke envy. Year’s Eve on the Square – community groups con■ It’s best not to confuse those as well as Festival on the sistently and find as many words, as this writer did last Fourth. Total costs include sponsors as possible for week, especially in a column Knoxville Police Depart- city-sponsored events, says that calls someone else’s acment traffic control and Foltz. But the upkeep of all tions “flat-out dumb.” security and Knoxville Fire those baubles is expensive.

Christmas: Let’s keep it Dedicated readers may have noticed odd extremes during this year’s “Holiday Season.” On one hand, University of Tennessee students and faculty were encouraged to eschew Christmas parties so that those who don’t traditionally observe a holiday that celebrates rampant consumerism and a fat man who breaks into homes could feel included. On the other hand are Tennessee legislators who are so committed to their Christian faith that they’d rather see UT’s seventh chancellor tossed out of office on Christmas Eve than encourage inclusivity at a university that draws students from over 100 countries. The whole kerfuffle could make dedicated readers think that Christmas celebrations will soon be a thing

Wendy Smith

of the past. But that would be incorrect, especially in Knoxville, Tenn. The city now has three Christmas parades – downtown, in Fountain City and in the Rocky Hill neighborhood. There are more tree lightings than you can shake a stick at, as well as Christmas events featuring buildings made of canned food, lighted bicycles and sugar plum fairies on ice skates. There are reindeer-themed road races, nativities with live animals and Christmas bazaars galore. Venture out to the county and you’ll find a spectacle of

YES!

perceived future (NFL). Darrin Kirkland gets the full load. He hears the word “potential” and wants to move that up a notch. He is fueled and driven by a natural desire for excellence. He wants to play as a pro. Darrin was recruited to be Tennessee’s middle linebacker. He has all the necessary tools, size, strength, speed, smarts – plus toughness and a high-RPM motor. Considering what he has accomplished as a rookie, try projecting his likely performance as a sophomore. Wow! Oh, wait, there is a postscript: If he keeps working, Jancek says. Marvin West invites reader reactions. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

attracts customers to Market Square. Such events instill community pride, draw out-of-town visitors and help locals get comfortable with parking downtown. It makes Knoxville look good, Foltz says. “We’re trying to make the city as attractive as possible. That’s first and foremost to us.” Bah, humbug to the haters, I say. Christmas is here to stay.

GOSSIP AND LIES

WE WANT TO HELP SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, AND PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR REGION.

■ The Legislature is coming after UT, led by Knox County reps who should be the university’s defenders. ■ Roger Kane, on TV Sunday, said, “The university only understands power and money.” ■ Becky Massey called the removal of the name Lady Vols “a solution looking for a problem.” She said the UT Board of Trustees should grant a public hearing if people request it. – S. Clark

government

Shopper news â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 16, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 5

Democrats field commission candidate The 6th District of the Knox County Democratic PartyÂ (Karns, Hardin Valley, Solway, part of Powell) welcomes Knox County Commissioner Amy Broyles to a work session for candidate Donna Lucas.Â Pictured are campaign treasurer Clay Mulford, Lucas and Broyles.Â Photo by Elizabeth Vacanti

The Sanger surprise James McIntyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $1 million severance package will be a ready-made campaign issue in the upcoming school board elections, right? Not necessarily, given the fact that nobody who voted for it will be on the ballot in 2016. How we got to this point in history is another illustration of the difficulties of pr e d ic t i ng the political future, and Tracie Sanger board member Tracie Sangerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11th hour decision not to run is one of the more surprising events in local politics since state Rep. Loy Smith pulled out of his reelection race, leaving his protĂŠgĂŠ Jimmy Kyle Davis as the only contender as his successor in 1984. On Monday, Nov. 30, the school board called a special meeting to vote on Superintendent McIntyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for a two-year contract extension, which would ef-

Betty Bean fectively award McIntyre a $1 million severance package should the board decide to dismiss him without cause in the near future (he makes $227,000 a year and Knox County must pay out the full term of the contract â&#x20AC;&#x201C; think UT Athletic Department paying off discarded coaches). After a three-hour discussion, the vote came down 5-4 in favor of the extension, which surprised exactly nobody, since this is how votes involving McIntyre always end up. This board is so polarized that they could have saved themselves two hours and 54 minutes by voting immediately after their minute of silence. It wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have mattered. The only extraordinary thing about the meeting was the behavior of the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vice-chair Tracie Sanger,

who has been in office for a single year, and who ran on a platform of being an apolitical young mother, neither pro- nor anti-McIntyre. She was unusually aggressive that night, both in her defense of McIntyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extension request and of his $227,000 annual salary, which she said is not out of line with salaries in other school districts. Her attacks on the competence of Law Director Bud Armstrong and the integrity of board colleague Mike McMillan raised eyebrows, topped off by her attempt to summon her only announced competitor, Jennifer Owen, back to the podium during public forum. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know what she would have said, since she was informed that board members arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allowed to question speakers. That Monday night, Sanger was acting like an incumbent gearing up to defend her office. Next day, Dec. 8, Grant Standefer, executive director of the Compassion Coalition, picked up a peti-

tion to run for the Second District school board seat, two days ahead of the Dec. 10 deadline. Sanger, who did not return a completed petition, said she was having health problems and was happy to pull out of the race when she learned that someone of whom she approved â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Standefer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; had decided to run. Standefer is an ordained minister who has served as director of the non-profit Compassion Coalition since 2006. He purchased a residence in the Second District in January 2015 and lived in west Knox County prior to that time. School board chair Doug Harris (a strong McIntyre supporter who is not seeking re-election) is a current and founding member of the Compassion Coalition. Election officials are predicting a 300 percent voter turnout increase for the March primary elections, driven by a hotly contested Republican primary. It remains to be seen how this will impact down-ballot contests.

Christmas open house Former Knox County Commissioner Wanda Moody visits with retired Knox County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office chief of detectives Bobby Waggoner at the buffet. The annual event at Princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in West Knoxville has long been an opportunity for GOP friends to gather informally to talk politics and enjoy a sumptuous buffet.

U. S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan entertains a group of longtime friends at the annual Christmas open house hosted by former Knox County GOP chair Mike Prince. From left are retired Chancellor Sharon Bell, Law Director Bud Armstrong, Duncan and former GOP chair Gerald Turner. Photos by Anne Hart

Contest forms for vice mayor Council member Duane Grieve says he will seek the post of vice mayor this Saturday at the called meeting to decide this issue. Current Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis plans to seek a third term. The nine council members will decide between the two, who both are serving their final two years on council. Could range from a 6-3 vote for Pavlis to a 5-4 vote for Grieve unless one of them withdraws. Most council members are not talking. Rogero might face a tie vote, which she can break if one of the nine abstains and it is split four to four between Pavlis and Grieve. Pavlis backed Grieve for interim mayor after Bill Haslam resigned in January 2011. â&#x2013; Knox County school board, County Commission and the legislative delegation will meet to go over 2016 legislative issues 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 (tomorrow), at Louisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at 4661 Old Broadway. The meeting is open to the public under the open-meetings law. The delegation, if past years are any indication, will meet separately with Mayor Rogero and the UT president and chancellor prior to the legislative session starting Jan. 12, 2016. Dates have not been set. â&#x2013; Over 200 people showed up Dec. 6 at the news conference and rally to restore the Lady Vols name by state legislation. It was held near the Pat Summitt statue on campus. In addition to state Reps. Roger Kane and Martin Daniel, Nick Pavlis was there, showing his backing of the name restoration. Kane said he had support from state Reps. Jason Zachary and Eddie Smith and Sens. Becky Duncan Massey and Randy McNally. This is a separate issue from the Diversity Office controversy, which only seems to get worse. Calls for Chancellor Cheek to resign seem misguided and inappropriate to me. Nothing he has done warrants that action. He and his wife are active and well liked in the community. They make a positive contribution. However, ultimately Cheek has to resolve it. Final responsibility goes to the UT Board of Trustees, chaired by Gov. Bill Haslam. The vice chair is energetic Knoxville business owner Raja Jubran. Other local trustees are Sharon Pryse and Charlie Anderson. All are close friends of the governor.

Victor Ashe

Vice Chancellor for Communications Margie Nichols will now oversee postings on the Internet from this office. Some students and faculty are unhappy over this. Board meetings are typically scripted with little conversation or dialogue among members. One is told the real work goes in committees. The board would be wise to add a public forum to each of its meetings so the public may address them as occurs at KUB, TVA, City Council and County Commission. Recent controversy on gender-neutral pronouns and now Christmas celebrations has only weakened legislative backing for UT. This could not come at a worse time given the additional funding higher education seeks in the upcoming legislative session. This issue has legs and will continue in Nashville. â&#x2013; Knoxville lost a grand lady with the passing of Henrietta Grant. Several hundred people attended the receiving of friends at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church including Mayor Rogero, former Chief Justice Gary Wade, council member Marshall Stair, former state Reps. Bob Booker and Dick Krieg, former Republican House Leader Tom Jensen and former mayors Ashe and Daniel Brown. Grant was active in many civic activities and left a strong legacy of good works. She served on the Knoxville Airport Authority, succeeding her husband, Lorenzo. Rogero will name a successor subject to City Council approval. â&#x2013; Tank Stricklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retirement next month leaves a void on the city mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff. Strickland was first hired by this writer 19 years ago. He is calm, effective and in touch with the community. Replacing Strickland will not be easy. Joshalyn Hundley, also on staff, resigned to go to First Tennessee Bank a few weeks ago. Only Avice Reid, the PARC director, will remain in the Community Relations Department. It will be down to one person. Lots of turnover here.

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6 â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 16, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ NORTH/EAST Shopper news

SENIOR NOTES â&#x2013; Carter Senior Center 9040 Asheville Highway 932-2939

Dawn Davis serves hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres to guest Andrea Lane.

Offerings include: card games; exercise programs; arts and crafts; movie matinee each Friday; Senior Meals program noon each Wednesday. Guitar Jam â&#x20AC;&#x153;Holiday Hoedown,â&#x20AC;? 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. Christmas Eve Movie Marathon, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23. Register for: Lunch Bunch: Cracker Barrel, noon Monday, Dec. 28. Potluck: meatloaf and mashed potatoes, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30. â&#x2013; Corryton Senior Center 9331 Davis Drive 688-5882 Monday-Friday Offerings include: exercise; card games; billiards; Senior Meals, 11 a.m. each Friday. Main Munch Potluck: Honey Baked Ham, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. The center will be closed Dec. 24-25. Register for: Christmas Movie Matinee: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miracle on 34th Street,â&#x20AC;? 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, with hot chocolate and popcorn snacks. â&#x2013; Larry Cox Senior Center 3109 Ocoee Trail 546-1700 Monday-Friday Offerings include: exercise programs; bingo; arts and crafts classes. â&#x2013; John T. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday Offerings include: Card games, billiards, senior fitness, book club, Senior Savvy computer classes, bingo, blood pressure checks 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Creative Endeavors holiday sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. KAT Q&A session, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22. The center will be closed Dec. 24-25.

This little swag, complete with burlap owl, is perfect for a small interior door.

NHC wishes everyone Happy Holidays with a wreath inspired by the great outdoors.

Elmcroft hosts Festival of Wreaths Elmcroft of Halls hosted an event to beneďŹ t Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tennessee called Festival of Wreaths. Area businesses and family members of residents got crafty and created beautiful wreaths just in time for the holidays. Guests were able to browse through the great selection of wreaths and bid on their favorite(s), enjoy sangria and hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and hear the UT choir sing festive carols.

Smoky Mountain Hospice donated this gray swag with faux fur flowers to the auction.

Lucy White picks out her favorite wreath, donated by Wilson Auto Parts. Photos and text by Ruth White

News from Clover Hill Senior Living

Clover Hill Senior Living announces pre-leasing and Foundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club benefits Move-in will begin in January 2016 Maryvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest assisted living facility, Clover Hill Senior Living, will open its doors in January 2016 but is accepting pre-leasing immediately. The stateof-the-art 26,000 square-foot assisted living community is nestled in a private, pastoral setting, and the surroundings echo the natural beauty of Blount County. The land surrounding the campus offers breath-taking views of the Smoky Mountains, an 18-hole, par-72 golf course and a quiet retreat for residents, staff and visitors. Just south of downtown Maryville at 2317 Highway 411 South, Clover Hill Senior Living is a $5.5 million, 40 room/60 bed facility that will employ 35 and will serve as a local resource for senior focused seminars, workshops and wellness clinics. Clover Hill Senior Living is an assisted living community that offers Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and dementia care in a secure environment. Both private and semi-private ďŹ&#x201A;oor plans are available, and all include complimentary electrical and gas utilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to bringing our personalized, expert memory care services to the area, and we know that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a positive impact on the lives of many seniors and their families,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Taylor, president of Clover Hill Senior Living. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every detail, activity and amenity in the community will be chosen to create a safe, friendly and peaceful environment where relationshipss can be built among residents and staff. Our goal is to make each day meaningful byy enriching the lives of our residents and their families, offering a true sense of purposee and understanding.â&#x20AC;? One unique amenity will include licensed nursing staff on-site 24 hours a day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wee will have the ability to provide diabetes care and support for many other chronic con-ditions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a level of care not always found in assisted living,â&#x20AC;? said Taylor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The nursess will administer medications, including insulin, perform wellness checks, communicatee with physicians and attend to any health concerns that arise.â&#x20AC;? Other amenities will lll include an emergency response system, medication management services, wellnesss programs, pharmacy services, beautician and barber services, housekeeping/linen// laundry services, full time maintenance staff and much more. While the campus also will offer technology and programming specially designed to o assist those with various memory impairments such as Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disease, the facilityy is not exclusively dedicated to those with memory impairment. The philosophy at Clover Hill is that quality dining with home-style cooking helpss make meals a convivial social event. Also, the community employs only trained chefs fss with the experience to provide the best dining options for residents. Most unique is itss all-inclusive monthly rate structure, which provides an affordable option that cuts out utt the instability that level- and point-based pricing methods can create. For a limited time, Clover Hill will offer Foundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club beneďŹ ts to those who aree Founding Residents. These beneďŹ ts include a waived community fee of $1,500, ďŹ xed d rate for 15 months, free beauty or barber service quarterly for the ďŹ rst year, four freee guest meal coupons quarterly for the ďŹ rst year and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Welcome Homeâ&#x20AC;? basket. Found-ersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club reservations are accepted with a $500 deposit which will be applied to thee ďŹ rst monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rent. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call (865) 238-5338 or r visit www.cloverhillseniorliving.com.

Making a difference in the lives of those we serve. t "MM JODMVTJWF NPOUIMZ SBUF TUSVDUVSF t 4UBUF PG UIF BSU BTTJTUFE MJWJOH XJUI "M[IFJNFS T t 'PVOEFST $MVC CFOFÄ&#x2022; UT GPS Ä&#x2022; STU BOE EFNFOUJB SFMBUFE NFNPSZ DBSF BWBJMBCMF PG QSF MFBTFT JODMVEJOH XBJWFS PG t $PNQMFUF BSSBZ PG JO IPVTF TFSWJDFT BOE $PNNVOJUZ 'FF BNFOJUJFT t %FEJDBUFE BOE USBJOFE DBSFHJWFST t 0VS NJTTJPO JT UP IPOPS (PE UISPVHI TFSWJDF JODMVEJOH IPVS OVSTJOH UP TFOJPST Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re considering assisted living or memory care for yourself or a loved one, we invite you to schedule your personal tour today.

865-238-5338 64 4PVUI .BSZWJMMF 5/ cloverhillseniorliving.com

Accepting pre-leases for January 2016 move-in

faith

Shopper news • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • 7

Happy birthday, Beethoven He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. (Isaiah 35:4-5 NRSV)

Anne Greenbaum, Stephen Nagler and Scott Hahn visit beneath a giant menorah during Menorah Madness at the Arnstein Jewish Community Center. Photos by Wendy Smith

Menorah Madness at AJCC By Wendy Smith Menorah Madness 2015 celebrated the last night of Hanukkah with food, singing and gelt (chocolate coins) falling from the sky, and a giant tiki-style menorah lent a glow to the outdoor festivities. Chabad of Knoxville and the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) host the annual event at the Arnstein Jewish Community Center, 6800 Deane Hill Drive. The family-friendly celebration is the “grand finale” of the eight days of Hanukkah, says KJA interim director Deborah Oleshansky. While the holiday has deep meaning, Hanukkah

doesn’t require going to synagogue and primarily revolves around festivities, she says. “Everybody in the community comes together.” Oleshansky was pleased that the weather cooperated when a helicopter dropped 40 pounds of gelt onto the center’s front lawn. Children scrambled to pick up the chocolate coins. Inside, kids enjoyed crafts, inflatables and story time using books from PJ Library, a free children’s book club that features Jewish literature. Adults were treated to music, eggplant Parmesan and lots and lots Kate Orthoefer helps Mender Perlstein build a dreidel out of of latkes − with applesauce, of course. toothpicks and candy.

I have always had a special love affair with Beethoven. One of the first piano pieces I learned as a child (second grade, as I recall) was a (very) simplified version of his “Ode to Joy.” I knew his story of increasing deafness, and knew that when that was first performed, at the close of the debut of the Ninth Symphony, a friend turned him around so that he could see the audience’s response, even though he could not hear either the music itself or the thunderous applause of the crowd. There was a period of about four months when I was in college that I was having ringing in one ear and some fairly serious vertigo. I lost some range of hearing in one ear, and felt it was another link with the great composer. I love to sing his “Ode to Joy” which is in the United Methodist Hymnal with two different

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

sets of words. I am also proud of the fact that the Methodists got it right in starting the last line of the text on the fourth beat of the measure instead of the first; that one beat gives that line of the music a sense of importance and urgency that it would otherwise lack. We don’t know with certainty the date of Beethoven’s birthday, but his christening was recorded on Dec. 17, 1770, and given the custom of the day, to christen a child at the earliest possible time (infant mortality being incredibly high), historians have assumed that he was born on Dec. 16. So, happy birthday, Herr Beethoven!

FAITH NOTES ■ First Comforter Church, 5516 Old Tazewell Pike, hosts MAPS (Mothers At Prayer Service) noon each Friday. Info: Edna Hensley, 771-7788.

CALL FOR ARTISTS ■ Arts in the Airport: juried exhibition allows regional artists to compete and display work at McGhee Tyson Airport secured area behind the security gate checkpoint from March 17 to Oct. 12. Theme: “Smoky Mountain Air Show.” Entries deadline: midnight Sunday, Feb. 7. Info/application: knoxalliance.com; Suzanne Cada, 523-7543 or sc@knoxalliance.com.

Lev Gross-Comstock encourages the crowd to sing along with Knoxville Jewish Day School students during Menorah Madness.

Singing with authority By Cindy Taylor Ashley Boruff has been singing in church since she was 6 years old. Now 13, Ashley decided to use her talent to raise money for the building fund at her home church, Clear Springs Baptist. With the help of local musicians and businesses she has cut a CD that should be released in time for Christmas. The teen speaks with authority, but wait until you hear her sing. “Making a CD to help raise money for my church was a good experience for me,” she said. “I hope people will listen to it while they are in their car.” Ashley sings lead on every song including the title track, “Everything’s Fine.” She says the different types of music on the CD should attract a number of listeners. “The CD has gospel, bluegrass and contemporary music,” she said. Parents Tim and Candy Boruff footed the bill to purchase blank CDs. Many others involved donated their time, energy and resources to complete the CD. Ashley

Ashley Boruff during rehearsal plays violin and piano but not on this album. “I’m not ready,” said Ashley. “The people who played the music have the skills for that.” The CD “Everything’s Fine” was truly a community effort. Clear Springs’ music minister, Mike Tipton, accompanied Ashley on piano. Wayne Goforth played accompaniment on guitar, used his expertise to finalize tracks and wrote one of the songs. The production team had assistance from Roger Fortner, Todd Span-

Photo by Cindy Taylor

gler and Makayla Mounger. Bobbie Wyatt designed the cover art. These volunteers have spent months bringing the project to market. “We are grateful that Ashley is willing to use the talent God has given her,” said Tim Boruff. “I know all parents say this, but we could not ask for a better daughter.” “We are very proud of Ashley,” said Candy Boruff. “When she asked to sing in the choir when she was so young, Mike told her it would be work, and she was willing.”

“We have seen Ashley grow exponentially since she started this recording,” said Goforth, who has often accompanied Ashley during worship services at the church. “We have made this CD a bit unconventional and with a variety of styles.” “She is a tremendous talent whose heart is in the right place and who has a love of music,” said Tipton. “God has His hand on her and has blessed her with an immense capability to sing and get the message of the song across.” Tipton says Ashley has a bright future in music. Other ministries are already requesting Ashley sing at their events. For now she doesn’t seem extremely anxious to get her name out there. “I am grateful to everyone who put their time and effort into this, but I didn’t do this for me,” said Ashley. “It’s for God and for my church.” The Boruffs have set up a Facebook page to keep people posted on a release date. FB info: Ashley Boruff-Everything’s Fine.

■ Dogwood Arts Festival: juried artists are selected to exhibit and sell their original work in mixed media, clay, drawing/pastels, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, painting, photography, sculpture and wood in April. Info/application: dogwoodarts.com.

■ Gallery of Arts Tribute: a juried exhibition developed to recognize local artists and honor the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Artwork should be delivered 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 4-5. Entry form: knoxalliance.com/MLK.htm; or SASE to Arts & Culture Alliance, P.O. Box 2506, Knoxville TN 37901. Info: Suzanne Cada, 523-7543 or sc@knoxalliance.com. ■ Scruff y City Art Contest: a juried art exhibit competition celebrating Knoxville’s blend of Southern history and modern development on the banks of the Tennessee River. Free and open to all artists. Submissions deadline: Feb. 15. Info: liz-beth.com/contest.

kids

8 • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

Austin-East presents ‘Steel Magnolias’ I am no fi fillm/play / l critic, iti I admit it. I know something good and extremely funny when I see it. That was the case with Austin-East Magnet High School’s production of “Steel Magnolias.”

Ruth White

Annelle (Mayra Osorio) and Clairee (Catyana Davis) listen as Shelby tells a story about Christmas during the play.

Clairee (Catyana Davis) tells a colorful tale of her adventures to her friends in Truvy’s salon.

Ouiser (Ashton Ahern-Cook) enters the salon in an eye-catching red dress, ready for the Christmas festival in a small Louisiana town.

Based on the movie of the same name, the play takes place in Truvy’s beauty salon where it is proclaimed that “there is no such thing as natural beauty” and the lives of six women unfold through laughter and tears. The play is filled with one-liners that are funny on their own, but add delivery by Ashton Ahern-Cook in a dress and they become even funnier. Ashton played the part of the cranky Ouiser, and honestly, he gave Shirley MacLaine a run for her money. It was impossible for the audience to keep a straight face every time Ashton opened his mouth to say his lines. The entire cast delivered a performance with great Southern style. Ashton is a senior at Austin-East, where he is active in Ethics Bowl, Robotics and forensics. “Steel Magnolias” marks his fourth stage performance and his first as a woman. M’Lynn, Shelby’s mom, was played by sophomore Anna Heneise. She is active in Ethics Bowl, Student Council (Ambassadors Captain) and forensics. Annelle, the shy new girl in town, was played by Austin-East junior

Shelby (Rebecca Gomez), Truvy (Sherridan Smee) and M’Lynn (Anna Heneise) chit chat in Truvy’s salon during Austin-East’s performance of “Steel Magnolias.” Photos by R. White Mayra Osorio. She serves as president of the Student Council. This was her first production but hopefully not her last. Clairee was played by junior Catyana Davis. She is active in Student Council (Community Service captain) and in forensics. This is Catyana’s second play on the A-E stage. Joining the student cast were Sherridan Smee and Rebecca Gomez. Smee played salon owner Truvy. She is a local theatre artist attending the University of Tennessee. Gomez, another local theatre artist and teacher at Nature’s Way Montessori School, played Shelby. Support for the play included stage manager Faith Lowrance, soundboard operator Makayla Fisher and costumes/props coordinator Tiayra Davis. Next semester the theatre department at AustinEast will have a film production class for the first

time. If you’ve ever been interested in creating a movie or starring in one, stop by

performing arts teacher Doug James’ room, PA 114, for more information.

Wyatt Bentley and Tory Beaufort listen to instructions from gym teacher Hugh Powers prior to the walk.

Winter is here.

Jinglin’ in jammies By Ruth White Students at Ritta Elementary School spent encore time recently to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation while enjoying a day in comfy pajamas. The event, Jingle in Jammies, allowed students to dress in pajamas, tie bells to their shoes and walk the track at the school to raise money and awareness to help find a cure for arthritis. The school has done the walk for three years because a couple of students at Ritta have been affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and they wanted to focus on something that impacted their school family. Students and staff members raised $1,400 for the Arthritis Foundation and were surprised to learn that the foundation donated 10 percent of the money back to the school.

And so is cold and ﬂu relief – right here at Southern Medical Group – so you can continue to care for the ones that matter most all season long.

Shelby Martin dressed in a festive Mrs. Claus outfit to walk the track at Ritta Elementary School for Jingle in Jammies Day. Photos by R. White

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Jalease Logan, Bang Lam and Maddy Ratcliff help ring in the holiday season with colorful and festive pajamas.

Shopper news • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • 9

Fans expected to stay up all night for

weekender

By Betsy Pickle Poe Dameron. Finn. Rey. Will these names become as beloved as Han, Luke and Leia? That’s one of the questions teasing “Star Wars” fans as they (OK, we) await the debut of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The official opening day is Friday, Dec. 18, but the first screenings begin around 7 p.m. Thursday. How popular is “Star Wars” locally? The “Star Wars” marathon – screening all six of the previous films beginning at 4 a.m. today at Regal Pinnacle – was sold out well in advance. Many of Pinnacle’s primetime Thursday show times are sold out, and the film will play all night. In addition to Pinnacle, the film will be shown at Knoxville Center, Riviera, Wynnsong, Foothills in Maryville and Tinseltown in Oak Ridge.

Old friends Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) return in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) run for their lives in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Other mysteries fans can’t wait to be revealed include the plot, which has been a tightly held secret, and the relationships of the new characters to the characters in the original series. Film critics who attended the press junket weren’t allowed to see the film, but the story picks up 30 years after the end of “Return of the Jedi.” To many fans, “A New Hope,” the postdated subtitle

for the original “Star Wars” (1977), should have been reserved for this seventh entry in the series. Though there was great hoopla for “The Phantom Menace” (1999), “Attack of the Clones” (2002) and “Revenge of the Sith” (2005), all are considered lesser entities than the original, “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983). When director J.J.

Abrams picked up the reins on “The Force Awakens,” the fans went wild. Abrams, one of the creators of the TV phenomenon “Lost,” revitalized the “Star Trek” bigscreen series and is beloved by fanboys and fangirls around the globe. Great things are expected from this entry, which was written by Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt.

‘Sisters’ “Baby Mama” and “Saturday Night Live” buds Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite on the big screen in “Sisters.” Poehler plays the perfect sister, and Fey plays the one who’s not, but they are on the same page when it comes to throwing one final, epic house party in their childhood home before their parents sell the place. James Brolin and Dianne Wiest, who play a married couple on TV’s “Life in Pieces,” portray the parents. The comedy also stars Maya Rudolph, John Cena, John Leguizamo, Bobby Moynihan, Rachel Dratch and Samantha Bee. It’s rated R for crude sexual content and language throughout, and for drug use.

Having Kasdan on board is also seen as a plus. He co-wrote both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” It doesn’t hurt that the stars of the original trilogy reunite for “The Force Awakens.” Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) are back, as are Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). The newcomers – who hope to avoid the curse of Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman – are Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux and Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke. Oh, and there’s some kid named Max Von Sydow as Lor San Tekka.

According to the Box Office Mojo website, when adjusted for ticket-price inflation, the highest to lowest moneymakers have been: “Star Wars,” “The Phantom Menace,” “Return of the Jedi,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Revenge of the Sith” and “Attack of the Clones.” Cumulatively, the “Star Wars” universe has raked in $2,217,773,310 ($4,777,153,300 in adjusted dollars) over the past 38 years. The upcoming “Star Wars” films, following the trend of recent spectacle series, won’t keep fans waiting the way the first two trilogies did. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is due out in 2016, followed by “Star Wars: Episode 8” in 2017 and “Star Wars: Episode IX” in 2019. As for this week, if you’re one of the millions planning to attend “The Force Awakens,” arrive early and let it be said of you, “Patience is strong in this one.”

Holiday bells and whistles By Carol Shane

True fans of a certain 1964 Rodgers & Hammerstein movie musical featuring the von Trapp family shouldn’t consider their education complete unless they’ve also seen the stage version. Fortunately they’ll have eight chances to do so when “Broadway at the Tennessee” presents “The Sound of Music.” The show runs Dec. 1520. Info: www.tennesseetheatre.com or 684-1200. They stand in the back and move around a lot. Their instruments often have no pitch. They can startle you with a crash, soothe you with a shimmer or set your feet to tapping. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra percussionists are the ones who give the Clayton Holiday Concerts their snap, crackle and pop. Timpanist Michael Combs, who’s been with the KSO since 1968, when David Van Vactor was on the

podium, has a Dickensian sense of “Christmas past, present and future.” “There was not always a holiday concert,” he says. “We used to have a regular subscription concert in December. Then Jim Clayton stepped up to support the holiday concerts. “Until then, percussion was drab for sure. No bells and whistles.” And even the first Clayton Holiday Concerts weren’t that exciting for the percussionists. “We brought books to read,” says Combs with a grin. Subsequent conductors began to realize that more holiday flash meant more fun for the players and the audience. “We moved from snare drum, bass drum, cymbals and a pair of timpani to a major percussion workout!” says Combs. Bob Adamcik, who was principal percussionist for many years and is now the KSO’s principal timpanist,

says, “So much of what the percussion section does sets the mood. In the Christian tradition, people often think of bells to celebrate holidays and joy. We use chimes, bells, triangles, sleigh bells and other ringing things to add a bright touch. The tambourine is an important part of the tradition of Hanukkah, so we usually get to play at least one piece on that instrument.” They’re sometimes asked to come up with out-of-thebox ideas. Jay Oberfeitinger, a KSO percussionist since 1995, remembers that “one year with Lucas Richman we played a composition of his that had some sort of African inspiration or connection. We had to use our ‘standard’ drums to emulate African tribal drums.” And, of course, they do sound effects. “We are the sounds of the horse hooves and the whip in ‘Sleigh Ride,’” says

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra percussion section looks forward to the upcoming Clayton Holiday Concerts. Shown are Bob Adamcik, Scott Eddlemon, Wes Palmer, Carol Shane, Clark Harrell, Andy Adzima and Jay Oberfeitinger. Photo by Cindy Hicks Adamcik. “We also provide loud pops with a special 2-foot-long pop gun.” An important part of the job is setting everything up so that each player can get to the desired instrument or noisemaker in time. Usually things go pretty smoothly, but Andy Adzima remembers a moment of high drama once when something went awry with the Civic Coliseum’s physical plant. “We had to evacuate during a performance because the basement was flooding and the boiler and

electric rooms were filling with water. Had to come back two days later and collect our instruments.” He’s enjoyed the musical variety over the years, “from Celtic to Appalachian to musical stories and reading ‘The Night Before Christmas,’ to dancers, different singing groups, bagpipes and bluegrass. Oberfeitinger enjoys the audience sing-alongs of traditional carols. He admits that he sings along, too, and occasionally gets “a bit teary-eyed.”

“Regardless of the piece,” says Adamcik, “it’s always rewarding to be invited to be a part of someone’s holiday tradition.” The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents the 29th annual Clayton Holiday Concert, “An Appalachian Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Info: http://www.knoxvillesymphony.com or 523-1178. Send story suggestions to news@shop per newsnow.com.

Adopt a new friend! Trooper is a gorgeous, short haired, brown tabby male kitten about 9-monthsold. He got his name because he was rescued from a Knoxville Sherriff ’s car. The officer thought he heard mewing and discovered Trooper in the front grill of the car. Although he was dehydrated and had a small burn on his neck, he has recovered fully. He is very outgoing and social. He loves to play with toys or other cats and is never bored. He likes to be held and to snuggle. He gets along well with cats, and I think he'd be great with dogs and kids. He is healthy, happy, and ready for a permanent home. He is negative for feline leukemia and aids, current on his distemper and a rabies vaccines, been wormed, had advantage for fleas, and been vet checked and neutered.

Peaceful Kingdom/Stray connection 579-5164 Trooper needs a home!

Please contact Holly with the Stray Connection at 865-671-4564 or hhfrey1@tds.net Space donated by

10 • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

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THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 20 “Cinderella and Ebenezer,” Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Info/tickets: 208-3677; knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com; info@ childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

kee Caverns. Info: cherokeecaverns.com. Clayton Holiday Concert: “An Appalachian Christmas,” Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Featuring: Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Choral Society, GO! Contemporary Dance Works and local folk musicians. Info/tickets: knoxvillesymphony.com.

Advance screening of the first hour of “Downton Abbey” final season, 2 p.m., Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Free. Info: 684-1200.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19

MONDAY. JAN. 4

Christmas Craft Bazaar and secret Santa shop, 1-3 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Baptist Church. 400 E. Beaver Creek Drive. Fundraiser for several Girl Scout troops. Market Square Holiday Market, noon-6 p.m., with farm vendors selling until 3 p.m. near the Market Square stage, and craft vendors and food trucks open until 6 p.m. on Union Avenue adjacent to Market Square and along Market Street. Info: MarketSquareFarmers Market.org or NourishKnoxville.org.

Mighty Musical Monday with Kukuly and the Gypsy Fuego, noon, Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Free. Info: 684-1200.

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

THROUGH THURSDAY, DEC. 24

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”: A solo performance by Mark Cabus, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6500 Northshore Drive. Info: 584-3957. Family Friendly Drum Circle, 3:30-5 p.m., Ijams Nature Center Miller Building. Bring a snack to share. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 577-4717.

Christmas in Old Appalachia, Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton. Info: 494-7680 or museumofappalachia.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 16 Creative Endeavors Holiday Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., John T. O’Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St. Includes handmade and upscale items from local artisans. Open to public. Info: 523-1135. Dine and Discover, noon-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Adam Alfrey, East Tennessee History Center, and Steve Cotham, manager of McClung Historical Collection, will present “An Inside Look at Lloyd Branson.” Free and open to the public. Info: knoxart.org. 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. KSO Library Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552. Santa Storytime Celebration, 3-4 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Open to children 0-10 years old. Info: 525-5431.

MONDAY, DEC. 21 Monday Night Book Club: “A Land More Kind Than Home” by Wiley Cash, 6-8 p.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681. Polar Express pajama party and Santa visit, 2:30-4 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552. Robotics at the Library, 5 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. For teens ages 12-15. Building kits provided. Info/registration: 525-5431.

TUESDAY, DEC. 22 Santa visits the Library, 6-7 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 16-20 “The Sound of Music,” Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Performances: 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Info/tickets: Ticketmaster outlets, the Tennessee Theatre box office, and 800-745-3000.

THURSDAY, DEC. 17 Plainview 7th District Neighborhood Watch meeting, 7 p.m., Plainview Community Center. Info: 992-5212.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 18-20 Christmas in the Cave, 5-8:30 p.m., Historic Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Highway. Cost: $10 ages 3 and up; kids 2 and under, free. Proceeds benefit the maintenance and preservation of Historic Chero-

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. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, 7 p.m., Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Info/tickets: Ticketmaster outlets, the Tennessee Theatre box office, and 800-745-3000.

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

THURSDAY, DEC. 31

Church Inc., 4611Central Avenue Pike.

SUNDAY, JAN. 3

MONDAY-TUESDAY, JAN. 4-5 New Play Festival auditions for Tennessee Stage Company, 7-10 p.m. Monday and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. No appointment necessary. Info: 546-4280.

TUESDAYS, JAN. 12, 19, 26, FEB. 2, 9, 16 “Reflections, Light and Magic” class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $150/nonmembers $175. Materials list provided. Info/registration: knoxart.org.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 5:30-9:30 p.m., AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Four-hour course helps reduce points for traffic offenders and teaches how to reduce risk while driving. Cost: $30 members/$35 nonmembers. Must preregister. Info/registration: Kate, 862-9254, or Stephanie, 862-9252.

SATURDAY, JAN. 16 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Eight-hour course helps reduce points for traffic offenders and teaches how to reduce risk while driving. Cost: $40 members/$50 nonmembers. Must preregister. Info/registration: Kate, 862-9254, or Stephanie, 862-9252.

WEDNESDAYS, JAN. 20, 27 “Beautiful, Vibrant Alcohol Inks” class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $50/nonmembers $65. Info/registration: knoxart.org. “Mosaics Keepsake Box” class, 2-4 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $50/nonmembers $65. Info/registration: knoxart.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 1, 8, 15 “Mask Making and Face Jugs” (clay sculpture) class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $90/nonmembers $110. Info/registration: knoxart.org.

New Year’s Eve Gala, 10 p.m., World For Christ

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Shopper news â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 16, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 11

News from the Rotary Guy

Knox Rotary plays Santa with 600 new books By Tom King Christmas

2015 came early for Beaumont M a g n e t Elementary School when the Rotary Club of Knoxville used a $10,000 Tom King grant to buy 600 new books for the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s library. A group of more than 25 volunteers helped unload, catalog, place stickers in and shelve the books on Nov. 21. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like Christmas is here early,â&#x20AC;? said Beaumont librarian Molly Moore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ours was a really old collection, with books that went back to the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;60s and â&#x20AC;&#x2122;70s. So many of our materials are not relevant to kids today.â&#x20AC;? Beaumont has 515 students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been amazing and this is really transformational for our library,â&#x20AC;? Moore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a diverse population of students and we want them to see themselves in the books â&#x20AC;&#x201C; women, minorities and everyone. The kids are clamoring for these news books.â&#x20AC;? She says they have updated their biography collections with books about people the students know in different fields â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sports, history, entertainment, business leaders and political figures plus fiction and non-fiction and books on careers. Of the 600 new books, 100 are e-books, a first at Beaumont. Teachers can use the e-books on their classroom active boards

North Knox BPA gives awards The North Knox Business and Professional Association awarded the Non-Profit of the Year to Ladies of Charity for their work in the community. President Art Cate (above) presents Nancy Knoxville Rotarians Andrew Murr, Frank Rothermel, librarian Molly Moore, Dave Baumgartner, Scheurer and Susan Unbehaun with a plaque and check for and Bill MacGrath with a few of the new books donated to the Beaumont School library. $500. Other non-profits recognized were Wesley House, the Baby Falcons, CTE Foundation and the Salvation Army, each and students can read them chosen for its project the be located on the grounds receiving $200. Broadway Carpets was awarded Business of on mini iPads in the library Knoxville Botanical Garden called the Center for Urban the Year The company was represented by president John Maor at home if they have the and Arboretumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fitness Agriculture and will include cLellan, chief operating officer Gary Tener and secretary Larry Kelsay. Photo by Ruth White Internet. Loop Trail.â&#x20AC;? The trail will outdoor equipment. In addition to the 600 books, members of the club are reading to students once a week at the Book Club after school on Wednesdays. There are two groups of about 15 students in grades K-1 and 2-3 in this program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Words canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do justice to our appreciation for Knoxville Rotary. This will have *4 9, an impact on our students *: 9, for years to come, not just now,â&#x20AC;? Moore said.

â&#x2013;

News and Notes

Farragut Rotarians delivered 148 Angel Tree Christmas gifts for 50 kids at the Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley. Past President Jonathan Johnson headed up this project and helped Ernie Brooks load the truck. Ernie is vice president of corporate relations for Boys & Girls Club â&#x20AC;Ś Knoxville Rotary Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mainstream Committee has

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â&#x2013; Dan Sines has joined Hedstrom Design as landscape designer. He comes with five years of experience in the industry, including work with firms in Illinois and Washington. He earned a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in natural resources from the University of Illinois and a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in landscape architecture from Iowa State University. Sines lives in Sequoyah Hills and regularly bikes to work. A newcomer to the area, he plans to get involved with the local bicycle community and said that safe and well-maintained bike infrastructure is important to him as a commuter and parent. His Dan Sines wife, Bree, and three children currently reside in Chicago and will join him in Knoxville in the spring.

BIZ NOTES

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Jim Wright accepts gift cards from Food City manager Barry Horn on behalf of Vestal Methodist (Fish Program) and Fish Hospitality Pantries. Each organization received the gift cards to help feed hungry individuals this holiday season. New Life United Methodist Church Food Security program was unavailable to attend but will receive assistance from Hornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store. The campaign in a collaboration between Food City stores and Kelloggâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, which raised $397,500 during the 2014-2015 year.

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Joe and Bobbie Hancock accept a donation from Jason Jones of Food City on behalf of the Strawberry Plains United Methodist Church. The donation, in the form of gift cards, is part of the storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race Against Hunger campaign. Other organizations receiving assistance from Jones were Sand Branch UMC food pantry, Piedmont Baptist Church, Marbledale Baptist Church and Eastminster Presbyterian. Jones also presented gift cards to North Acres Baptist Church on behalf of the store manager at the Millertown Pike location. Photos by R. White

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12 • DECEMBER 16, 2015 • Shopper news

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