Powell/Norwood Shopper-News 010417

VOL. 56 NO. 1

www.ShopperNewsNow.com |

FIRST WORDS

Powell students receive

A closer look at 2016

musical treat

By Scott Frith

To page A-3

Christmas tree recycling

Knox County residents can bring their unwanted, formerly live Christmas trees to participating Knox County Convenience Centers for free disposal through January at Dutchtown, Halls, John Sevier, Karns, Powell and Tazewell Pike centers.

Info: knoxcounty.org/ solid_waste/christmas_ treecycling.php

Layout changes

For 2017, Shopper News will have a leaner, meaner look as we work to make each inch count. Looking for your favorite columnist? Start at the back with “Last Words.”

Looking for a bright community writer? Start here with “First Words.” In between, find news you can use about the place you call home.

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Music teachers Rebecca Humphreys and Becky Gentry are all smiles with singer Emily Ann Roberts and principal Reba Lane.

By Ruth White

Kathy Hanna and daughter Abby enjoyed having Emily Ann Roberts sing for them and lead some Christmas carols at Powell Elementary before the break. Photos submitted

Students at Powell Elementary received a special treat right as the winter break began when principal Reba Lane surprised them with a visit by local celebrity Emily Ann Roberts.

Lane has known Emily Ann through church (where Lane was her children’s choir leader years ago) and asked the singer to stop by the school and lead the children in a selection of carols.

Keeping up with Ed Francisco

By Margie Hagen For Pellissippi Community College professor and writer-in-residence Ed Francisco, it’s a family affair. He recently co-authored a children’s book with great-niece Mallory Dillon.

Francisco has written numerous books, poems and articles, and was twice a Pulitzer Prize entrant. His books include novels and scholarly works, but his collaboration with Mallory was very special. “Mallory’s World from A to Z” was published in 2016. Both are animal lovers, so many of the poems are about their favorite creatures.

“We worked together and it was a lot of fun,” says Francisco. “Mallory drew the illustrations and I wrote the poems, sometimes switching roles.” She was 9 years old at the time, but wise for her years, telling her great-uncle, “I hope we don’t get rich, it might change me.”

Being an English professor and writerin-residence at Pellissippi State Community

Author Ed Francisco at a book signing in December.

College keeps Francisco busy. “As writer-inresidence I get to work harder, but without more pay,” he says.

That’s not the only thing that keeps him busy; for the past four decades Francisco has been a devotee of the martial arts. As a boy of 10 he won the President’s Youth Council National Fitness Award and was a silver gloves boxing champion. Later he began practicing Okinawan Karate and then Burmese Bando.

The training and discipline he acquired have served him well throughout his career in academia, even changing his view of life. “I’ve worked hard to cultivate the warrior spirit in everything I do,” says Francisco, adding, “I’m now interested in larger victories of the human heart and spirit.”

His goals include deepening the ideas of faith, hope, charity and generosity of spirit.

“It’s a lifetime’s work for which martial arts have helped prepare me.” Francisco’s books are available at amazon.com.

Nick Pavlis won’t run for mayor

By Betty Bean Nick Pavlis has been city council’s Energizer bunny for the past six years, showing up for neighborhood meetings all over town and making himself available to anyone who calls him. He’s Knoxville’s longest-serving council member and has long been assumed to be aiming at a run for mayor in 2018.

But he now says 16 years in city government is enough.

“People just get tired,” Pavlis said. “I was first elected in 1995 and served eight years in an atlarge seat, sat out six years – serving two years on MPC during that time – then ran for the 1st District seat in 2011.

“I think it’s my time not to have the obligation as an elected official – I’m 62 now and I’m just ready to enjoy my life.”

What Pavlis didn’t mention is that serving as mayor is a full-

Nick Pavlis

time job, and would force him to leave his job as state director of governmental affairs with Charter Communications, a position that keeps him on the road between Knoxville and

Nashville.

“I’m in Nashville every week when (the Legislature is) in session, and sometimes when we’re not in session,” he said. “I love what I do for a living. It’s tailormade for me, and I don’t want to give it up.”

Pavlis feels good about the job he’s done for the city and for his district, and although he gives mayors Victor Ashe, Bill Haslam and Madeline Rogero great credit, he believes he played a part in Knoxville’s progress, as well.

“I believe I’ll be leaving Knoxville better off than I found it. It wasn’t that long ago that you could have held a Frisbee contest in the middle of downtown and there wouldn’t have been anybody getting in the way. Nobody’d care.

I’m very proud of what we’ve done with the Urban Wilderness projects in South Knoxville.”

He says he’s a “little concerned” about the direction city council could take.

“I feel we need to have a good mix of people on the council. A good council member can’t be just a business-oriented person, nor should it be strictly a neighborhood-oriented person. We need a healthy mix on there.”

He cares deeply about who’s going to step in behind him, but hasn’t heard any names yet.

“I have not heard a thing about a successor. I’ve spoken to folks, kind of wanting to stir the ashes a

little bit, but I’m not hearing much back. It’s hard to run for office these days. You kind of have to be retired, or have a job (with flexible hours) like mine. It’s difficult to effectively shepherd a district and have a full-time job with the hours you’ve got to put in.”

He is enthusiastic about a potential candidate in another district – former state Rep. Harry Tindell, who is considering a run for the 4th District council seat now occupied by Nick Della Volpe, who is also term-limited.

“Harry is a brilliant person. I learned that when I’d go talk to him about issues. He was always knowledgeable and prepared. If he runs, I’ll support him.”

And for mayor?

“Too early – it’s still two years out. But knowing me, I’ll be involved. We’ve got the city headed in a pretty good direction and we need to keep the momentum going.”

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We all know that 2016 was a great year for Republicans (and a not-sogreat year for Democrats), but let’s take a closer look at what happened and what’s ahead in 2017.

Scott Frith First, while the biggest political story of the year was Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race, some observers were surprised by the size of Trump’s win in Tennessee. Trump won Tennessee by nearly 25 points – a higher margin than Mitt Romney’s 20-point win in 2012 and John McCain’s 15-point win in 2008.

Locally, few have noticed that Gloria Johnson has now lost three of four state elections. (Johnson lost a state Senate special election in 2011, re-election in 2014, and lost again in 2016. Johnson’s only win was in 2012.) Democrats are expected to find another candidate to take on Rep. Eddie Smith in 2018. Nonetheless, Johnson would be favored for city council next year and would be a strong candidate for Knoxville mayor in 2019.

The other big story was Republican state Rep. Martin Daniel winning re-election despite being criminally charged with assault for shoving former

January 4, 2017

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health & lifestyles

Subtle signs, safe hands There was nothing unusual about that Wednesday in March.

It was a typical workday for Karen Russell. There was no indication that anything extraordinary was about to happen, and certainly no indication that she was about to have a stroke.

Russell, 62, processes data at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, with the end goal of using the results to ensure quality care and patient safety. As she wrapped up her duties at the end of her day, she had no idea that she would soon be on the receiving end of that quality care.

On the drive home from work that Wednesday in March, Russell began to experience numbness in her mouth. The possibility of a stroke never entered her mind, and her first thought was that it must have been the result of something she ate.

“I thought I was having an allergic reaction, Russell says. “It was so subtle I could explain it away.”

Later in the evening she fell asleep in the recliner, and woke to discover her arm and hand had gone numb. “You know how sometimes your hand and arm will get numb while you’re asleep,” Russell says. “I just decided that’s what it was, and so I explained it away, again.”

It wasn’t until early the next

morning in the shower that Russell began to realize something could be so wrong that it would require medical attention.

“It dawned on me that I couldn’t feel anything on my right side,” Russell says.

“I couldn’t feel my toes, my leg was numb, and I decided I might b e

having a stroke.”

She informed her husband that she was going to stop by the emergency department at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center on her way to the office. Her husband wisely insisted that he take the wheel. Russell also called her boss to explain what was going on.

“I might be a little late,” Russell told her, “ I

WARNING

“This is not only my choice of employment,” Karen Russell says. “This is my choice of health care, too.”

Signs of

Stroke When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost, so it’s important to understand the warning signs of stroke and how to reduce your risk.

If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, call 911.

Sudden severe headache with no known cause Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes All nine Covenant Health hospitals are part of our stroke network, so when seconds count, you can trust that our elite teams can provide the comprehensive stroke care you need.

www.covenanthealth.com Claiborne Medical Center | Cumberland Medical Center Fort Loudoun Medical Center Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center LeConte Medical Center | Methodist Medical Center Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Parkwest Medical Center | Roane Medical Center

have to run by the ED (emergency department) and make sure I’m not having a stroke.”

At the time she was half joking, but the minute she came into the emergency department and explained she was there because of stroke symptoms, things got serious, and the team went into action.

“As soon as I said it, there was a wheelchair behind me, and then everything happened so fast,” Russell says. “I just put myself in their hands, and I felt safe.”

She was asked many questions, and while she never lost her ability to speak, it frightened her that she wasn’t able to answer the doctor correctly when he asked her what month it was. “I ought to be able to remember March,” Russell says, “because that’s my birthday month.”

Screenings and tests were conducted, revealing high blood pressure and evidence of a stroke. It had been 16 hours since Russell’s first symptoms, so she had already passed the window for standard emergency stroke treatment.

But in the limited period of time she was there, Russell felt well informed and completely cared for as a stroke patient. “They told me what it was, where it was, and I had a plan of care,” Rus-

sell says.

That plan of care got Russell on the road to recovery, and she was able to return to work the following Monday, in the place where she says she’s most happy in life.

“This is my hospital, and I love it,” Russell says. “I’ve been here 33 years, and I feel like I own part of it.”

Russell laughs when she shares her grandchildren’s response to her treatment at Fort Sanders Regional. “They said, ‘Gosh, Mamaw, that place is the bomb diggity!’”

Russell says.

She is inclined to agree. “This is not only my choice of employment,” Russell says, “this is my choice of health care, too.”

Fort Sanders Regional has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Heart/ Stroke Association, the largest independent health care evaluation system in the nation.

The certification recognizes hospitals that meet high standards in treating the most complex stroke cases with advanced imaging, personnel trained in vascular neurology, neurosurgery and endovascular procedures, availability of personnel and facilities around the clock, and both experience and expertise treating stroke patients.

To learn more about Fort Sanders Regional’s certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, signs of a stroke, and an online checklist to find out your level of stroke risk, visit www. fsregional.com/stroke.

The first Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in East Tennessee Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center serves as the hub of Covenant Health’s stroke hospital network, and offers advanced care and rehabilitation services to patients who experience a stroke.

Fort Sanders Regional was the first in the Knoxville area to earn an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification by The Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 20,500 health care programs in the United States.

This “gold-seal” advanced certification means that Fort Sanders is recognized as having the most advanced and effective treatments available for stroke today. Certification through The Joint Commission involves extensive training for the staff, documentation of effectiveness and inspection of the hospital by The Joint Commission.

Part of certification is having a team of “neurohospitalists” on staff. These physicians treat only stroke and neurological cases in the hospital, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Instead of waiting for a doctor to have time from his or her private practice, Fort Sanders Re-

gional has neurologists on hand.

“It makes access to specialized neurologists easier,” said James Hora, MD, one of the neurohospitalists at Fort Sanders. “We have 24/7 coverage, and this provides rapid access to a neurologist for acute neurologic problems.”

Arthur Moore, MD, was hired in July 2014 as medical director for the center. “With our Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Certification, we offer the highest level of care for all patients. Whether they’re able to have surgery or not, we’re there to give their bodies the

best chance to heal and recover,” he explained.

Most stroke patients need followup care after the initial event, and patients at Fort Sanders have access to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, an award winning rehabilitation center. About one-third of the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s patients are stroke patients, according to the center’s medical director, Mary E. Dillon, MD. “Our specialists begin determining as soon as possible what level of care the patient will need,” said Dillon. “Patients have access

to rehab services from the time they arrive in the emergency department, throughout their care here and through all the postacute levels of care.”

Having everything – speedy emergency care, advanced surgical techniques and the best in rehabilitation – makes Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center the smart choice for stroke care.

“We’re equipped to handle all stroke cases, from the most complex to the least,” said Dillon. “Our patients don’t have to go anywhere else to find help.”

stroke: LIKE IT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED. Leading the region’s only stroke hospital network www.covenanthealth.com/strokenetwork

Certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

0094-0093

No comprehensive stroke and rehabilitation center in our region does more to reverse stroke’s devastating effects than Fort Sanders Regional Medical Fort Sanders performs Center. That’s why hospitals clinical trials and procedures for stroke not available across East Tennessee refer their most complex stroke patients to anywhere else in our region. us. And only Fort Sanders Regional is home to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, East Tennessee’s elite rehabilitation hospital for stroke, spinal cord and brain injury patients.

Powell/Norwood Shopper news • January 4, 2017 • A-3

Martha Godwin’s music students are dressed for a recital. Betty Bean is the señorita on the far left. On her left (the girl in the white dress and hat) is Betty Berggren. Bobbye Sue Bates is the ballerina next to her, and two more unidentified girls are to her left. Ginny Lou Thompson is the tall girl in the white shirt and blazer behind Freddie Godwin (Martha Godwin’s younger son), in heavy pancake makeup and some kind of exotic Middle Eastern costume. The boy on the far right with the guitar is Betty’s brother Butch Bean.

Martha Godwin: Fountain City’s music teacher

By Betty Bean When Bob Godwin called just before Christmas and said he’d found a bunch of old pictures I might be interested in, I showed up at his office within 24 hours and spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the stack of late-’50s photographs of kids dressed up as cowboys and soldiers and colonial dames and sheiks of Araby. Bob kept the one of himself got up as Felix Mendelssohn, but turned the rest over to me. I spent the rest of the holidays studying faces and remembering Martha Godwin’s costume recitals.

I was 4 years old when my parents bought a house on Lynwood Drive, a couple of doors down from Central Baptist Church. By the time I was 6, I was walking to Mrs. Godwin’s house on Conner Avenue for weekly piano lessons, plus monthly Saturday sessions for music theory and history, where Mrs. Godwin brought the Moonlight Sonata and the Hall of the Mountain King and Papa Haydn’s Surprise Symphony to life for a room full of fidgety kids.

“She always said she taught music, not piano,” said Bob Godwin, who was known as Robert in those days. He can’t count the number of students his mother taught over a period of some 25 years, but says it’s “hundreds and hundreds.”

“I’m astonished at the

John Bean, the toy soldier in lipstick, white pants and a tall hat our mother made out of an oatmeal box, had some swagger because Mrs. Godwin introduced him as “that big fellow” in the program.

people I meet in my late stage of life who say, ‘Do you know I took music lessons from your mother?’”

One of her first students, he has vivid memories of getting “roped into” making phone calls for her when there were schedule changes and helping to run off endless mimeographs.

But it was his father, George Godwin, a World War II veteran who was an executive at East Tennessee Packing Company, who did most of the real heavy lifting, dressing up as Santa Claus for the Christmas recitals and toting bags full of gifts.

“I will never forget the time she was going to make some rhythm instruments.

My dad had a 50mm cannon shell that he was trying to drill a hole through to use it as a gong. Turned out that

the cap was still alive. He was down at the drill press, and BOOM!!! Boy, that was exciting.”

Mrs. Godwin, who was also my Sunday school teacher at First Methodist Church, started me out on the black keys. It wasn’t that she was singling me out – that’s where all the little kids started. The first song I learned was “A Birdie with a yellow bill.” More than 50 years later, I could play it, in the unlikely event that anyone should anyone ask me to demonstrate.

I could probably also figure out how to play The Spinning Song, Kerry Dance and a misbegotten version of Für Elise. Mrs. Godwin taught most of my siblings, too, but my brother John was the only one who showed any real talent (years later, long after he died, a song he wrote was named one of Tennessee’s official state songs).

Robert Godwin remembers his mother sending him to an integrated day camp in his early childhood, and he and his brother Freddie were among the Webb School of

Knoxville’s first students. After the boys were grown, the Godwins adopted two girls, moved to Broadacres and raised a second family. Mrs. Godwin quit teaching, but tapped her vast knowledge of children’s music to open a store called “Just Music” on Kingston Pike and developed a national customer base.

She also went back to UT, got a degree in fine arts and became an accomplished painter. After she died in 2011 at the age of 94, Robert found

state Rep. Steve Hall during a campaign event. Even more absurd is that the mess isn’t over yet. Daniel’s criminal charges remain pending as legislators return to Nashville next month.

Here are some other things to watch in 2017: Knoxville City Council district seats (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6) will be on the ballot this fall, but few will notice. On average, only 5,000 people bother to vote in a typical city election. (Knoxville has a population of about 185,000.)

Also, although the Republican primary won’t be held until May 2018, two heavyweight candidates are lining up to be the next sheriff: assistant chief Lee Tramel and former chief

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Benny Miller is the drummer boy. tration day was that craziness at Alumni Gym, and they’d go together. My son would come home and say, ‘Daddy, they pay attention to Mam-Mama.’ She was so talented in so many ways.”

Closer look at 2016

Jointhe Jointhe Jointhe Jointhe Jointhe

Robert A.Tino dealer & many other local artists

paintings of stylized tropical fish she’d done before she was married.

“We ended up giving those to the aquarium in Chattanooga and they display them periodically in a rotating display of artwork,” he said. “Just think – she put all of that on hold, raised her kids, taught music then went back and got a degree in fine arts in later life. She went to UT at the same time as her grandson.

This was back when regis-

From page A-1

deputy Tom Spangler. Tramel will have the blessing of current Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones (who is term limited). Spangler will raise a lot of money from his political connections in Blount County, where he is employed part-time as director of training.

Of course, political posturing is also underway in the race to succeed county Mayor Tim Burchett (who is also term limited).

Rumored and announced candidates for mayor are Commissioner Brad Anders, Law Director Bud Armstrong, county GOP leader Buddy Burkhardt and Commissioner Bob Thomas.

The wild card in the race is Glenn Jacobs (the professional wrestler formerly

known as “Kane”). Celebrities win elections. Jacobs would be a strong candidate for mayor or Congress.

Rumors continue to swirl around the political futures of Burchett and U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. Both have been around a while.

2018 will be the 30th anniversary of Duncan’s election to Congress and the 24th anniversary of Burchett’s first election to the state Legislature.

According to a Federal Election Commission filing this month, the “Duncan for Congress” campaign account has $974,058.05 in available cash. That’s a lot of money.

2017 will be an interesting year.

Scott Frith is a local attorney. You can visit his website at pleadthefrith.com.

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A-4 • January 4, 2017 • Powell/Norwood Shopper news

Youth resolutions

By Stacy Levy When you think of New Year’s resolutions, you probably think of weight loss plans or joining a gym.

Well, I wanted a different perspective, so I asked some of the youth I’ve interviewed over the past few months their thoughts.

“As a Christian youth, what is your New Year’s resolution?” I got some pretty interesting answers.

Allison Farr of Faith Promise North Knox campus said, “I have a lot of positives about this past year, too. I think the New Year isn’t just about the new and resolutions. It’s a good time to remember the good in this year that is coming to an end, and if it wasn’t the best or just not a lot of positives in itself that God teaches us through our rough times and makes us stronger. I trust he has a plan for me.”

Emily Sweat of Powell Church said, “I want to complain a lot less and be more thankful for the things I have and for the people in my life. I also want to be more intentional with people and put them before myself.”

Lindsay Hackworth of One Life Church’s Powell campus said, “Our Christmas program this year at One Life had a great message. Our preacher talked about in the New Year not only to believe in, but to also really receive Jesus’s love, blessings and guidance.

Jacob, Megan and Luke Dunsmore This year my resolution is to do more volunteer work and helping others. I want to help spread his word, love and compassion to others.”

Also from the One Life Powell campus, Ian Wheat said, “I have a couple of things I would like to accomplish for my New Year’s resolution. One being that I need to help my community by volunteering, serving and spreading the word of God to ones that may need it. Second being, that I want to work hard in my academics so that I have success in my life.”

“To stay kind to people even when they are not kind to me,” said Kathleen Levy, Grace Baptist Church.

The Dunsmore triplets from First Baptist Academy Powell: Jacob wants to “start a quiet time every evening before bed.” Megan said, “I want to become more devoted to helping others around me and listen to God’s voice in my life.” Luke said, “I want to spend time in prayer every

Martha Raper and Andrea Chaney of the Emory Road Chapter DAR prepare to lay wreaths on graves at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. The chapter helped sponsor Wreaths Across America.

Cummings gets 25-year certificate Lindsay Hackworth, Ian Wheat day instead of only praying when something bad is happening around me.”

Noah Case, youth pastor for Faith Promise North Knox campus, sums it up pretty well.

“Our prayer is that we are making an impact for eternity in the next generation.” And 1 Corinthians 9:24 is his verse for the year: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

Cummings

Finchum

League, which sponsored the first powwows in Knoxville. In 1991, he received the Sequoyah Award from the League for “Promoting American Indian Heritage through Educational and Cultural Activities.” He is also a past member of the

Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs.

Martha Cummings, the chapter’s registrar who helped organize the Emory Road Chapter, received a 25-year certificate from Diana West, regent. “Martha is viewed as the mentor and the rock of the chapter,” West said.

Membership is open to women who have a lineage to an American Revolutionary War soldier. Apply for membership by attending a monthly meeting at the Powell Branch Library. Info: EmoryRdDar@gmail.com or 865-719-3239.

FAITH NOTES

SENIOR NOTES ■■ All Knox County Senior Centers will be closed Monday, Jan. 16. knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday Hours vary

The Emory Road Chapter DAR was busy with various activities in December.

Sherry Finchum, a Jefferson City resident of Cherokee descent, spoke in December, discussing Cherokee women. She has served as the kids day chair for the East TN Indian League Powwow for several years.

She was elected the Member of the Year in 1997.

Formerly a kindergarten teacher, she now works as director of federal programs for the Jefferson County school system. Sherry’s husband, Mark, attended. He founded the East Tennessee Indian

■■ The Heiskell Senior Center 1708 W. Emory Road.

Info: Janice White, 548-0326 Upcoming: Mobile Meals each Wednesday; $2

donation requested; RSVP by noon Tuesday.

■■ Knox County Senior Services 215-4044 or knoxseniors.org

MAKE YOUR MARK Giving Back, 20,000 Hours of Community Service for 20th Anniversary

■■ Dante Church of God, 410 Dante School Road, will distribute “Boxes of Blessings” (food) 9-11 a.m., or until boxes are gone, Saturday, Jan. 14.

One box per household. Info: 689-4829.

■■ Ridgeview Baptist Church, 6125 Lacy Road, offers Children’s Clothes Closet and Food Pantry 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each third Saturday. Free to those in the 37912/37849 ZIP code area.

■■ Fountain City UMC, 212 Hotel Road, hosts Griefshare, 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. The support group is offered for those who are dealing with the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Cost: $15 for workbook. Info: 689-5175.

■■ Powell Church, 323 W. Emory Road, hosts Recovery at Powell each Thursday. Dinner, 5:45 p.m.; worship, 6:30; groups, 7:40. The program embraces people who struggle with

addiction, compulsive behaviors, loss and life challenges.

Info: recoveryatpowell.com or 938-2741.

■■ St. Paul UMC Fountain City, 4014 Garden Drive, hosts Agape’ Café’ each fourth Wednesday. Dinner is served 5:30-7 p.m., and the public is invited. Jan. 25 program: Knoxville News Sentinel columnist Ina Hughs will speak on the church in transition.

Info: 687-2952.

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Powell/Norwood Shopper news • January 4, 2017 • A-5

West Haven Elementary principal Connie Smith knows who to call when she needs a hand – retired teachers and friends. Pictured at the winter carnival with Smith are Chellie Jones, Kathy Brothers, Becca Toppins and Mary Kerr.

A fun start to winter

West Haven assistant principal Cindy Sanford joined the carnival fun and posed for photos with Peanuts character Snoopy.

Families at West Haven ceeds from the event will Elementary were thrilled to help purchase needed items help beat the chill of winter for the school. with a fun carnival. ProThe event featured food, lots of games, face painting

New Year’s resolutions

By Kip Oswald Last week we celebrated New Year’s Day and learned about traditions here and around some parts of the world. Kinzy and I found that almost all people use the New Year to plan to do better with something in their life by making a resolution to improve themselves. I listened to Mom and Aunt Becky make their promise to lose weight and exercise again this year, and both of them started a Kip diet on Monday.

After living with Cassie for several weeks now and realizing how different her life is, I decided to figure out what might be some important resolutions for parents, teachers or anyone who works with kids. So the kids in my family and their friends helped me do a survey of almost 200 others with these three questions.

■■What do you want your mom or dad to know about you?

■■What do you want your teacher to know about you?

■■What do you worry about; or what are you afraid of?

For the first question, almost everyone

Aiden Clevenger was thrilled to meet Captain America at the carnival.

Elizabeth Wotten stopped by the gym to meet her favorite character, Snow White, at the carnival.

wanted their parents to know they loved them and were really working hard in school. There were also many who wanted their parents to know that they needed help at home with schoolwork, and several said they needed “hugs like when a baby.”

In answer to the second question, teachLanden Byrd takes a break from playing carers were told a lot of personal things that nival games to decorate a sugar cookie at could help them understand the students West Haven Elementary. Photos by Ruth White better. Several said they wanted their teacher to know they were hungry or not getting sleep because they were babysitting a little brother or sister. Many also told their teachers they were trying really hard to do their best, and one even said, “I want you to know I read faster than you think.”

Question three showed a lot of fears, much like I came to know from being around Cassie. There were a lot of kids afraid of the dark, clowns and bugs, but also many were scared something was going to happen to their mom, dad or family member. There were also answers of worry about parents fighting and leaving.

Mom and Aunt Becky asked all of us to answer question one and three and then they changed their resolution according to how we answered those questions. If you have a relationship with a kid, what is A group of superheroes stopped by West Haven Elementary to take photos with kids and greet your resolution? guests. Pictured are Batman (Steve Allen), Black Widow (Ari Kazer), Wonder Woman (Kristen McComments to oswaldsworldtn@gmail.com Intosh) and Rey with BB-8 (Haley McCullough).

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A-6 • January 4, 2017 • Powell/Norwood Shopper news

Harper Lee the border collie is excited to join the New Year’s Eve party. Looking on are Ben and Kaitlin Faust from South Knoxville, and the dog’s owner, Anthony Wilson, who lives near Market Square and said he planned to watch the ball drop from his own window.

Baneen Altameemi, who attends Bearden Middle School, gets in some more of a favorite activity before the new year. “I was here skating yesterday,” she says. With her are her parents, Silvana and Adio. The family enjoys the countdown and the ball drop. “We come every year!” says Baneen.

Frank Murphy (right) of WNOX is the master of ceremonies. With him is Elaine Frank, who is with the city of Knoxville’s department of special events. “Her last name is Frank and my first name is Frank,” quips Murphy. “Now, figure that one out if you can.”

Ringing in

2017 in Market Square

Brian Sommer, who says he hasn’t skated “for 30 years,” gives his daughter Teagan her first lesson. The Sommers are visiting from Indiana. “My girlfriend lives here, and my parents have a condo on Norris Lake,” he says, “so we come here a lot.”

Bob Maddox and his singing saw are found at the corner of Union and Gay Streets. “I’ve been playing the saw for 67 years – since I was 13,” he says. He first heard someone play a saw when he was a boy. “My parents took me to a stage show and I thought it was so neat; I went home and got my dad’s saw and messed around with it ’til I could make some notes!”

Hannah Long and her pal Ally Collins join Julie and Marcus Long, all of Grainger County, for the fun. “We’re probably not staying ‘til midnight,” says Julie, “but we’ve got two teenage girls with us, so you never know!”

Lacing up for some icy fun are Tiekiesha Sharp, Nya King, Julion Santos, Cita Garrett and Kierra Santos, while Jalen Sharp looks on behind them. The group, from Athens, Tenn., had stopped for some skating before continuing on to Gatlinburg for the night.

The man who makes the start of 2017 official is Russell Taylor of Pyro Shows of LaFollette, who is in charge of dropping the ball at midnight. With the company for “eight to 10 years,” Taylor also stays busy doing fireworks shows. “I work a full-time job; this is my extracurricular activity,” he laughs. “I’ve been all over the place doing this. It’s a lot of fun.” Photos by Emily Shane

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN ■■ Authors Guild of Tennessee (AGT) meeting, 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, Faith Lutheran Church, 225 Jamestowne Blvd., Farragut. Published authors invited. Info: authorsguildoftn.org.

■■ Auditions for all voice parts with the Knoxville Choral Society, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5. Location provided with appointment.

Appointment: 312-2440 or membership@ knoxvillechoralsociety.org. Info/audition form: knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

■■ Knoxville Writers’ Group meeting, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 5, Central UMC, 201 E. Third Ave. Speaker: New York Times best-selling author Bob Mayer. Admission: suggested $2. Public invited.

■■ First Friday reception for “Meandering Mythologies” exhibit by Timothy Massey and Gary Monroe, 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St. On display through Jan. 28.

■■ Opening of “Opportunity Knocks” art exhibit, 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 N. Broadway.

Info: BroadwayStudioAndGallery.com or BroadwayStudiosAndGallery@gmail.com.

■■ Public reception for three new exhibits, 5-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Exhibits include: The O’Connor Senior Center Painters: “Breaking Ground – What You Want to See”; Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths: “Beautiful Iron”; and Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission Gallery of Arts Tribute. On display through Jan. 27. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

■■ Opening reception for Art Market Gallery’s January featured artists exhibit, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 6, 422 S. Gay St. Featured artists: mixed-media artist Lynnda Tenpenny and fiber artist Julia Malia. On display through Jan. 30.

Info: 525-5265 or artmarketgallery.net.

■■ Opening reception: “The Alley Cat Series”

by Knoxville photographer Marianne “Ziggie” Ziegler, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, Tori Mason Shoes, 29 Market Square. On display through January.

■■ Children’s Hospital Winter Fundraiser, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, Open Chord Music, 8502 Kingston Pike. Featuring Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, Dee Dee Brogan. Admission: $10, includes two complimentary drinks from bar. All proceeds go to Children’s Hospital. Info/tickets: openchordmusic.com; on Facebook.

■■ Auditions for the Middle/East Tennessee District Metropolitan Opera National Council, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, Powell Recital Hall of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, UT campus. Hosted by the Knoxville Opera Guild. Public invited to the competition. Free admission. Info: knoxvilleopera.com/knoxvillemet-opera-auditions-2017/.

■■ Gatlinburg Wildfire Benefit, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, Open Chord Music, 8502 Kingston

Pike. Featuring music by WarClown, Divided We Stand, Killing Grace, Among the Beasts, Inward of Eden and the Holifields. Minimum $8 donation requested for admission; more greatly appreciated. All proceeds go directly to Sevier County Rescue Squad. Info: on Facebook.

■■ Oz with Orchestra, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, Civic Auditorium, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performing score to “Wizard of Oz” film on the big screen. Info/tickets: knoxvillesymphony. com.

■■ Ijams Outdoor Academy: Wilderness EMR Certification, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 7-8 and 14-15, Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. Also meets one additional date (TBD) for final certification test. Instructor: Russ Miller. Registration deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 4. Info/registration: Benjy Darnell, bdarnell@ijams.org.

■■ Finding Flannery: The Life and Work of Flannery O’Connor: screening of “Flannery O’Connor: Uncommon Grace,” 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

■■ Longstreet-Zollicoffer Camp 87, Sons of Confederate Veterans, meeting, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay St. Before the meeting, Bill Heard will present a program on the Confederate

Raiders. Presentation is free and open to the public.

■■ All Over the Page: “LaRose,” 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 9, Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Facilitated by Brandon Hollingsworth. Info: 215-8750.

■■ Claxton Country Squares beginning square dance lessons, 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. For 12 weeks. Info: 551-Y’ALL (9255.)

■■ Auditions for the Tennessee Stage Company’s New Play Festival, 7-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 9-10, Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. No appointments necessary. Info: 546-4280.

■■ “Lessons from Ansel Adams in the Digital Age” workshop, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Cost: $5, Arts & Culture Alliance members; $8, nonmembers. Info/registration: knoxalliance. com or sc@knoxalliance.com.

■■ Finding Flannery: The Life and Work of Flannery O’Connor: “Good Country People,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

■■ Knoxville Civil War Roundtable meeting, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike. Guest speaker: Jim Lewis; topic: fighting at Hell’s Half Acre. Dinner, 7 p.m.

Lecture only, $5; lecture and dinner, $17. RSVP by noon Monday, Jan. 9: 671-9001.

Powell/Norwood Shopper news • January 4, 2017 • A-7

Training wheels:

Austin-East High School senior Jamesha Fain, foreground, and Bearden High School sophomore Endasia Puckett, interns with the YouthForce program at the Haslam Boys & Girls Club, do some cleanup work at DreamBikes. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Seniors fear rising health costs if ACA is repealed

By Sandra Clark

DreamBikes provides job experience, sweet rides

By Betsy Pickle With all the bike clubs, bike shops, greenways, mountain-bike trails, bike lanes, sharrows, bike races and bike festivities Knoxville has, you’d think the city would have the entire spectrum of bike entities covered.

Well, now it does.

DreamBikes, 309 N. Central St., had its “soft opening” on Monday to get on the local radar from the beginning of the new year. A registered 501(c)(3) organization founded in Wisconsin in 2008 and now operating in four states, DreamBikes is a double-sided dream: It trains teenagers in bike mechanics and repairs, providing job skills and experience in the workforce, and it offers the community a retail outlet for moderately priced, safe, refurbished bikes as well as a full-service bicycle-repair shop.

The local DreamBikes shop is coordinating with the Haslam Family Boys & Girls Club to put teens from the YouthForce program to work. The student interns are paid through a grant.

“After that internship is up, if we think that they really worked well at DreamBikes, then we’ll hire them

on, so then we’ll pay them,” says Preston Flaherty, DreamBikes manager.

Five teens are working at DreamBikes right now alongside Flaherty, assistant manager Mitchell Connell and mechanic Dalton Manning. After two weeks, Jamesha Fain, a senior at AustinEast High School, thinks she’s a good mechanic.

Endasia Puckett, a sophomore at Bearden High, is a little less confident.

“I’m getting there,” she says.

The DreamBikes model runs on donations, with all gifts tax-deductible. So far, 100 bikes have been donated to the local nonprofit.

“We really need more bikes,” says Flaherty. “We take all bikes and all bike accessories. Also monetary donations.”

Bikes that are too far gone will be used for parts.

Flaherty says now would be a good time for those who got new bikes for Christmas to donate their old ones, or to clear the clutter of dusty bikes out of the garage.

“We definitely need some more bike donations so we have bikes for these teens to work on.”

DreamBikes has received

donations from all sorts of people and from organizations such as Kick Stand.

South Knoxville-based Borderland Tees donated DreamBikes logo T-shirts to the group.

Part of DreamBikes’ mission is also to donate 100 bikes a year to needy kids in the community. By the end of 2016 – without officially being open – DreamBikes had donated 25 bikes. Eventually, Flaherty expects DreamBikes to have a mobile repair van that visits neighborhoods and fixes kids’ bikes free.

Members of the community who want to purchase bikes will find all types – road, hybrid, mountain bikes, kids’ bikes, beach cruisers – at prices ranging from around $150 to around $500. Flaherty says the majority of the bikes are $200$250.

“It’s a great opportunity for college kids or anyone who needs to commute to come get a bike, or get starter-level mountain bikes,” he says.

DreamBikes’ hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

The official grand opening will be in the spring.

When the sloganeering Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20, his supporters will expect three things: ■■Drain the swamp; ■■Build a wall, and ■■Repeal and replace Obamacare.

That third goal is a sticky wicket, complicated by Trump’s insistence on the word “replace.”

Repealing Obamacare is a straight up/down vote.

The House of Representatives voted to do it 50 or 60 times (depending on who’s counting). Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a bill to repeal it outright. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promises, “The Obamacare repeal resolution will be the first item up in the New Year.”

But not all senators see a simple solution, even the Republicans.

Sen. Lamar Alexander said full repeal and replacement could take years. And Sen. Bob Corker doesn’t like the idea of a quick repeal with deferred implementation while the replacement is hammered out. “It might make sense to repeal and replace at the same time. It’s not really repeal if it’s still in place for three years,” he said Dec. 6 after a meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

Into the fray comes Gloria Johnson, former state representative and Obama organizer. She convened a meeting of seniors last Thursday at the Time Warp Tea Room.

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Photo by Shannon Carey

“Repeal of the Affordable Care Act will create chaos, raise costs and limit protections for seniors,” Johnson wrote in the invitation.

Mary Linda Schwarzbart said, “Thanks to the ACA, we paid 11 percent less in 2014 than 2013 for our Medicare premiums and saved almost $900 on prescription costs.”

In 2013, Schwarzbart fell into the so-called doughnut hole in early June.

Linda Haney of Halls said she and husband Dan saved $3,000 in 2016 and expect to save $2,000 this year. With the ACA, they pay $700 of the cost of Dan’s insulin; without the ACA, they would be required to pay almost $1,700.

Richard Henighan, a family nurse practitioner

from Sevier County, said, “If you are in the doughnut hole now, you are paying only 45 percent for brandname drugs. If we repeal the ACA, we are looking at paying 100 percent for that same drug.”

Johnson added: “55 million Americans are covered

by Medicare. Enrollees have benefited from lower costs for prescription drugs; free preventive services including cancer screenings; fewer hospital mistakes and more coordinated care.”

Will “repeal and replace” become law during Trump’s first 100 days? During his first term? And then what?

That still leaves the wall building and swamp draining. We live in interesting times.

M.W. Rhyne Jr. OD

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Gloria Johnson stands with Mary Linda Schwartzbart during a roundtable discussion of the Medicare “doughnut hole.”

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A-8 • January 4, 2017 • Powell/Norwood Shopper news

A holiday birding treat Our 520-plus National Wildlife Refuges, covering 93 million acres, offer great opportunities for folks to get out and enjoy nature.

Their rivers, lakes, swamps, fields and mountains are home to a myriad of varieties of trees and flowers, bushes and grasses. That means they are also home to innumerable critters that people like to watch – big animals, butterflies and, in the case of birders, birds.

Over 200 of our National Wildlife Refuges were set aside specifically to protect, manage and restore habitat for migratory birds, and one result of that effort has been to yield a list of over 700 species of birds that have been seen in America’s National Wildlife Refuges. And the good people who manage those refuges have made many of them very birder-friendly, with wildlife drives meandering through all their different natural features, plus nature trails, photo blinds and observation towers.

Through the years, Grandma and I have accumulated many fond memories, and some large bird lists, from such places as Santa Ana NWR in south Texas, Savannah NWR in coastal South Carolina, and Malheur NWR, the recently hooligan-occupied but still wild and beautiful refuge in eastern Oregon.

And through those years, one of our favorites has been the reasonably nearby 34,500-acre Wheeler NWR, only a four-hour drive away in north Alabama, spread out along TVA’s big Wheeler Lake. Its headquarters are just east of Decatur, Ala. It was established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese and other migratory

Dr. Bob Collier

birds and consists of woods, water and hundreds of acres of agricultural fields managed partly as bird food.

It also happens to be a convenient 12-minute drive from our son’s home, where we usually find ourselves at Christmas time, the high season for the hordes of water birds that congregate at the refuge in December, January, and February.

The late December weather there in north Alabama can be dicey for birding – we’ve had inches of snow one year, all-day monsoons of rain another. But this year was calm, dry, and a balmy 72 degrees by midday – a great Christmas present from Mother Nature! And a marvelous two-hour birding trip to Wheeler NWR in shirt sleeves on Dec. 24 was a perfect addition for us to add to the holiday festivities.

The best plan for enjoying Wheeler NWR is to start at the Visitors Center, where there are friendly and knowledgeable volunteers to tell you what’s going on out there, plus interesting displays of wildlife, maps and other information. The major attraction, though, is the Observation Building, 200 yards away down a wooded gravel pathway.

Sitting right on the edge of the water, the Observation Building is there for one purpose: observation. You walk in the back side, and there before you are two walls, front and side, facing

out over the big embayment of calm, bird-filled water, one-way glass from floor to ceiling. Most first-timers walk in and say “wow!”

Across the water from the building is a huge farm field managed to produce bird food, lying fallow at this time of the year; beyond that, woods and more water. The numbers of water birds peak out in January; when we were there the refuge personnel estimated that the big farm field held around 11,000 sandhill cranes – it looked like a million to us. This time of year the sandhills are joined by innumerable geese, ducks, white pelicans, gulls and herons, with smaller numbers of less commonly seen species, just waiting to be discovered.

The sandhill cranes set the scene and the mood for the bird drama. Thousands of the big, gray, 5-foot-tall birds stand around in the field and along the shore, making a constant din of Sandhill cranes and other water birds peak in population in December, January and February at background noise with their the nation’s wildlife refuges. strange bugling crane calls.

And more of them are over- there were only 14 or 15 more than a thousand of rarely seen where we are. head, coming and going in whooping cranes left in the them, right there in the wa- The refuge staff had told us V-formations of from three wild, and here we were, see- ter and on the shore outside that there was a Eurasion to 30 or more, flying high ing 15 of the approximately the windows. We identified wigeon around; one fellow and low. That overall pic- 600 whooping cranes in the eight species, loafing, swim- at the Observation Buildture in and of itself makes world today, all in a single ming, eating, occasionally ing had driven down from the visit worthwhile, a scene bunch! And we didn’t have chasing one another, con- Nashville just to see it. And right out of a nature docu- to charter a boat or plane stantly in motion. And in after two hours of looking at trip to go somewhere to see addition to large numbers all those ducks, there it was mentary of some sort. and good close looks, the – close enough to see well But against that backdrop them.

And as if to make things ducks provided us with one and to photograph! Icing on there were more wonders to be seen. One noted author- even better for us, one of the more rare-bird treat for the the birding cake!

A brief scan for small land ity on cranes was quoted big guys decided to come day.

Among all those ducks, birds at the headquarters as saying that Wheeler is over close to the Observaone of the best places in tion Building to hang out the two most numerous spe- feeders and nearby woods, the world to see whooping with a dozen or so of its new cies were ducks called gad- and we were back in our car cranes. And sure enough, in best friends, the sandhill walls, and then American and POOF! Back to the world the far back of the big field cranes. It flew in, sipped wigeons; both are totally fa- of cars and gas stations, fast were 15 white blobs, which, some lake water, worked on miliar to our duck-hunting food places and last-minute with the aid of binoculars, its feathers for a bit, and sat friends; both species were shoppers. But happy to have became 15 big whooping down for a nap – all within there in the hundreds. But had that time outdoors, seecranes! Ironically, back in a couple hundred feet of us then there is another wi- ing a tiny corner of the earth 1941, at their lowest point, in there behind the glass, geon, called the Eurasion as it was intended to be, in awe of seeing, up close, wigeon, that breeds in Eu- and knowing that those refone of the rarest birds in the rope and Asia. It is known uges are there, all across the to winter along both coasts country, saving those treaworld!

Once one has had a full of North America, though sures for us all. So a Happy dose of crane watching, only rarely at inland loca- New Year to you all; get out one turns to the ducks. And tions like the TVA lakes. Not somewhere and enjoy your there they were, probably an especially rare bird, but surroundings!

THE FARRAGUT ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES A CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR THE 2017 FARRAGUT OPEN FINE ARTS SHOW. • Artwork will be accepted Friday, January 20, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive.

• Pickup date is Sunday, January 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Entry fee of $40 for up to three entries.

• Cash awards will be given for the Best of Show; first, second and third place; and People’s Choice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT TOWNOFFARRAGUT.ORG OR CALL 865-966-7057.

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Julia Kestner: Student to teacher in Thailand

By Tom King Julia Kestner is a 16-yearold junior at Webb S c h o o l of Knoxville who is halfway through her year as a Rotary Youth Tom King Exchange (RYE ) student in Thailand.

Last August she arrived in Sukhothai, which is in a very rural area in northern Thailand. She is living with host families there and will return home this coming summer. Julia is the first-ever RYE student to be sponsored by the Knoxville Breakfast Rotary Club.

Her latest report from Thailand is a candid snapshot about her life there.

“I realize now how not only am I impacting people here, but how they’re impacting me,” she says. And interestingly, the student has become a teacher. She is now called “Teacher Ju-

son can do this and receive what they want at this age.”

I’m looking forward to talking with her when she Julia Kestner comes home to see what she learned about herself.

■■ Farragut Rotary

honored

The Rotary Club of Farragut was honored during the recent Woodmen of the World Insurance Christmas banquet with its Community Service to the Youth of Farragut award.

Accepting for the club was Dr. Bill Nichols, who has helped coordinate the club’s work with students for many years. Bill says it was presented by members of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Company’s East Tennessee Chapter.

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lia” after her teacher there asked her to teach a number of her fellow students how to speak English.

Julia says one major difference between American schools and those in Thailand is the relationship between students and teachers. “You can be much more close here without it becoming a scandal. It’s not an issue for your teacher to eat with you, text you, drive you after school. You, as a student, must still be polite, but the culture is too warm to reject innocent actions or conversation.”

We asked Julia what she wanted to accomplish in her year as an Exchange student. Her answer is very reflective. “I want to better myself and that includes finding out what I like, dislike, cherish, loathe, seek and have. I want to face things as I did with the choice of committing to Rotary.

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Joy to the world: Optimism restored Joy to the world. Good times have returned.

Marvin West

All together now, one more round of “Rocky Top” – even with the dreaded woo.

Across all of Big Orange Country, and in several far-flung places, Tennessee football fans are celebrating the new year and the new outlook.

The Volunteer victory in the “meaningless third-level bowl game” made a wonderful impact on orange-andgray psyche. The lingering pain from that loss in November has dwindled. Well, somewhat.

The team bounced back and inspired the multitude to follow. Optimism has been restored. My friend Oscar says he may even renew

his season tickets.

The win over Nebraska was more convincing than the score. Tennessee had more speed. Tennessee had more enthusiasm. Tennessee had Derek Barnett and Joshua Dobbs.

The senior quarterback was not pin-point perfect in passing but he hit the big one. He ran for three touchdowns. He received the MVP trophy. Two harsh critics surrendered and agreed the performance was somewhat better than acceptable. One did keep count of overthrows.

The celebration when Barnett induced the recordsetting sack was one for the ages. If you have a photo, frame it. Save the scene in your memory bank. The entire team ran onto the field to congratulate the warrior and share the moment. He was surrounded with respect. It was beautiful.

I think it is safe to say nothing like that has ever happened at Tennessee.

Through the decades, few have had a Barnett-style en-

gine. He is truly relentless.

Great tailbacks and Peyton have claimed most of the applause. This was different.

I and others said the Music City Bowl did not matter, that the Vols of 2016 had already established their identity. This was not a good team. It struggled with Appalachian State before injuries were a factor. It was not ready to play when the Florida game started. Fate awarded the win at Georgia.

Alabama rubbed faces in the turf. Tennessee suffered two embarrassing upsets.

One cost a trip to the Sugar Bowl, deserved or not.

I and others said the season ended with the loss at Vanderbilt and it was time to begin next year. I and others were wrong. The Vols actually used December. They went after Nebraska with a fierceness seldom seen.

Mistakes gave the Cornhuskers two touchdowns but the defense did not collapse. Josh Malone was tough enough in the clutch.

The triumph was com-

forting, even therapeutic, for Butch Jones. He thanked Tennessee fans who kept the faith. He said the net result was “an illustration of progress.”

I wouldn’t go that far. The Vols finished with nine wins, same as last year, short of expectations. Defensive statistics were a disaster.

The offensive line showed some improvement. Dobbs and the passing game got better. Bowl success pulled the fat from the fire. The hot seat is cool enough for the coach to stop squirming.

The “meaningless” victory was meaningful. Three consecutive wins over Big 10 foes might sway some neutrals. As he did previously, Butch will turn this into another building block, oops, brick.

Winter workouts will have a purpose. Some days may even be fun. Recruiting will get a late boost. Coaches, players and fans can look forward to spring practice.

Some time back, I said eight wins were not enough.

Nine feels some better.

Lies, darn lies and statistics Research shows that teachers don’t improve in their effectiveness after their fourth year.

At least that is what Mitchell Zais, the former South CaroHopson lina state superintendent of education, stated at a recent SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education) event in Nashville.

In this era of “fake news,” it is vitally important that decisions affecting our children be based on facts and a preponderance of all the research, not just cherrypicked data that support a particular agenda.

Although SCORE should be up on the most recent data concerning education, not one person in the room challenged Zais’ statement.

While there are a few studies linking teacher effectiveness to test score data, which back up Zais’ claim, there are many more that do not. In a June review of 30 studies, the Learning Policy Institute concluded that, “Teaching experience is positively associated with student achievement gains throughout a teacher’s career.” Gains continue for teachers in the second and often third decades of their careers and didn’t affect just test scores, but also the absenteeism and discipline rates of students as well.

We know this to be true, however, even without the statistics. I certainly hope I am a better teacher now than I was in the fourth year of my career.

I have learned an abundance of things since then.

When is the last time you thought, “Boy, I sure do hope my kid gets a rookie teacher this year?” I have, in fact, talked several parents off the ledge who were upset that their child was not placed in the classroom of an experienced educator.

I reminded them that we were all new teachers once, and the experienced ones would be there to guide and mentor when needed.

Their children did quite well, thanks to quality teacher education programs, but teaching is like other professions. That fifth-year heart surgeon may be brilliant, but I would bet on the experience of a 20-year veteran should an unexpected situation arise on the operating table. I cannot name a profession in which workers top out on their expertise after just four years.

So when you hear that Knox County ranks in the 79th percentile among state districts for high school math and the 75th percentile in reading, you also need to know that the rate of students who were advanced or proficient was 20.8 percent and 30.3 percent, respectively.

When you hear that only 43.5 percent of our high school freshmen are proficient in English, remember that the new test halved that percentage from last year.

When you hear that Tennessee is the fastest improving state in education, you need to know that we didn’t really improve that much; most other states incurred flat or lower test scores.

When you hear that educators can be held accountable by having test score data included as a part of their evaluation, you need to know that the vast majority of teachers don’t teach tested subjects. That means they are judged on the performance of other teachers and even students they don’t teach or who may not even be in their school.

When you hear that India and China have three times as many mathematicians and scientists as the United States, you have to realize they should. They have exponentially more people.

And when you hear that teachers don’t improve after their fourth year, remember what they say about statistics.

Lauren Hopson is president of KCEA.

A whole new world!

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through him and for him.

He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of the cross.

(Colossians 1:15-20 NRSV) If you are in the habit of skipping the verses of Scripture that always appear at the beginning of this column, stop right now, and go back to the top! Read and reread those six verses and reflect on the power and the wonder of that passage. It is stunning! The magnitude of creation – the centrality of Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection in that creation – is jawdropping! The Apostle Paul captured in those words an astonishing description of Jesus: the Creator, the Son, the Man, the Lamb, the Savior. Sometimes I fear we get so familiar with the Bible

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

we don’t read it with amazement and joy. We read it just like we would read yesterday’s paper: “Oh, yeah, I know what happened. I know all that stuff.” As we start a New Year, let’s try – every day – to remember what God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Let’s live into His promises; let’s be His people on earth!

last words UT breakfast much more than social Mayor Madeline Rogero and council member Nick Pavlis deserve credit for adding to our greenway system with the recent announcement that almost a mile will be added in South Knoxville from the Mary Vestal Park over to the OgleMartin Mill Pike corner.

Now that greenways in the city are under new management, progress is occurring at a faster pace than in the prior five years. Better late than never for Team Rogero. Let’s hope this pace is maintained and even accelerated. This column will keep checking on the actual progress.

The announcement of a greenways maintenance crew under the able leadership of Chad Weth and David Brace is welcomed news as well. Small problems are more easily fixed than big ones, and a dedicated crew to this mission is important.

■■ It is disappointing to criticize the University of Tennessee, but when the President’s office purposefully issues inaccurate information, someone needs to call them on it. One likes to think UT President Joe DiPietro is factually correct and transparent, even on issues where there is division of opinion. As a UT Law graduate, I am proud of our university and feel it is one of Tennessee’s greatest assets, but when the law is ignored one wonders and asks why.

Last month, DiPietro hosted a breakfast meeting for area lawmakers at Andy Holt Towers and closed it to the public, claiming it was purely social. A “social meeting” suggests that serious issues of interest to the public would not be discussed.

Imagine the surprise after the meeting when participants were interviewed. We discovered the discussion centered almost entirely on diversity and the restoration of the Lady Vols name to women’s athletics. Both are issues that could face the UT board and certainly have already faced the Legislature. There are strongly divided views on both topics, and neither could be considered simply a “social” matter.

Two members of the UT board were present at the breakfast, which triggers the Open Meetings law. The law applies equally to the UT Board of Trustees as it does to the Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission. DiPietro, in a letter to a legislator, actually said the number of trustees present does not matter in regard to compliance with the Open Meet-

Victor Ashe

ings law. So on his theory, a majority of the full board could meet, discuss these pending issues with lawmakers and the public be barred. Does he ever confer with UT legal counsel?

Because DiPietro says a meeting is social or hopes it is social does not mean the reality is consistent with the wish or statement.

In this case, the President’s office was not truthful in its statement to the media. It was not a social meeting. After the meeting, participating legislators and UT officials spoke to the media about the issues discussed, which causes one to wonder why did they bar the public from the meeting in the first place if they planned to talk about it later?

DiPietro should be and is better than this. His secrecy achieves nothing positive. He should take charge of the news releases being issued in his name and rewrite them to be accurate.

His own correspondence should acknowledge that the breakfast was far more than social. If not, he runs the risk of people thinking he thinks he is above the law. A big mistake.

■■ Only last week it was disclosed the settlement of the latest Title IX lawsuit exceeds $3.2 million with final resolution nowhere in sight. These are public dollars which could be spent for better purposes than legal fees, media advice and consultants.

This story never seems to end despite UT’s effort to keep the story quiet. But as long as it is someone else’s money the board does not seem inclined to call a halt.

■■ KCDC will pay Ben Bentley $160,000 per year.

He is the new director from Nashville who was chosen by a closely divided vote of 4-3. The outgoing director, Art Cate, was making $184,704. KCDC is doing the smart thing by hiring the new person (under 38) at a lesser salary than the person he replaces and then let his performance determine what pay increase he may receive in a year or two.

The decision was made last Friday at a KCDC meeting.

■■ This writer turned 72 three days ago on Jan. 1.

■■ The Legislature returns for its 2017 session next Tuesday in Nashville.

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