South Knox Shopper-News 122315

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SOUTH KNOX VOL. 32 NO. 51 1

BUZZ

Christine Jessel won the Tour de Lights costume contest for adults. That’s her husband, Michael Grider, at right. How did he get his wife to dress as a tree? “I think the art of persuasion came into play when I convinced her to marry me,” he says. Photo by S. Clark

SOUP ahead Proposals are being sought to compete for funding for the next SOUP dinner 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Vestal United Methodist Church. Knoxville SOUP is a dinner and micro-funding event designed to raise money for creative projects that are proposed, voted on and enacted by members of the community. The most recent Knoxville SOUP, held Nov. 7, raised money for the Joe Hill Roadshow. SOUP also showcases a local artist at each dinner. Applications may be completed online at KnoxvilleSOUP.org Project proposals should be submitted online no later than Dec. 31. Proposals can be for anything that will benefit the community or society in general.

Holiday deadlines Shopper News will be on an abbreviated schedule for this week and next. Ad and copy deadlines are noon Thursdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Papers will be delivered as usual on Wednesdays, Dec. 30 and Jan. 6. Also, we are changing our office setup in both Halls and Farragut. Details to follow. Meanwhile, if you need us, just call Sandra Clark at 865661-8777 and we’ll make whatever you need/want happen. We appreciate everyone who reads the Shopper. Your time is limited, and we strive to give you a product that’s worth reading. Merry Christmas from all of us at Shopper News!

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NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Betsy Pickle ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Beverly Holland | Amy Lutheran

at Tour de Lights

was also a significant Star Wars By Wendy Smith There were the usual suspects presence − storm troopers and at the 9th annual Tour de Lights − Darth Vaders − as well as a rare Santas, elves and bikes festooned herd of Christmas zebras. The annual bike ride, sponsored with lights and bows. But there

by the city and the Knoxville Re- cold, but participation seemed in gional Bicycle Program, took par- line with last year’s event, which ticipants through downtown, the drew 1,000. 4th & Gill neighborhood and Old To page 6 North Knoxville. The weather was

City hails first leg of Knox/Blount Greenway By Betsy Pickle A new greenway adjacent to Alcoa Highway was cited as an accomplishment and yet as a first step. Mayor Madeline Rogero led the ribbon cutting last week for the Knox/Blount Greenway, a nearly two-mile paved trail from the J.E. “Buck” Karnes Bridge to Knox County’s Marine Park that has been in the works for years. “Boy, have you ever seen such a glamorous view of the waterfront?” Rogero asked as she started her pre-cutting remarks. “Pretty good, huh? The amazing thing is not only that we see the waterfront here, but Alcoa Highway is just a stone’s throw away. “I know many of us have probably driven by this point hundreds of times and never realized how close we were to such amazing natural beauty.” To page 6

Brian Hann speaks at the opening of the first section of the Knox/Blount Greenway at Cherokee Farm along the Tennessee River. Behind him are City Council member Duane Grieve; Jeremy Pearson, chair of the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council; and Mayor Madeline Rogero. Photo by Betsy Pickle

Zaevion Dobson’s death must make a difference

Zaevion Dobson left this selfie on teacher Russell Mayes’ iPad.

Clarence Mitchell was “Coach Scooter,” to Zack and Zaevion Dobson and their brother Markastin Taylor, and to a lot of other Lonsdale kids whom he coached in city recreation league basketball. Zaevion wasn’t really old enough to be a Laker, and his chunky physique wasn’t ideally suited to basketball, but Mitchell took Zaevion on as a

favor to his hard-working mother, Zenobia “Tinkerbell” Dobson. There was a caveat, though. “I told her I was going to be hard on him, and I told him the same thing – ‘Now don’t you go crying on me.’ He told me he’d work hard, and he did. He worked as hard, if not harder, than the bigger boys, and he stuck with me the whole year and never complained. He became one of my key players off the bench. Tinkerbell trusted me to get the best out of her kids because I didn’t baby them.” Mitchell was at work last Thursday when the dispatcher said there’d been another shooting, but

gun violence has become so common that he didn’t get really pay attention until he heard it happened in Lonsdale. He messaged a friend, and an hour later, he got the news. “She said, “One of Tinkerbell’s sons got shot in a drive-by’. My heart just dropped… This is a good mom, and I was thinking this will kill her because she’s so close to her kids. At that point, I didn’t even know Zaevion had saved a young lady.” Zaevion, who grew up to linebacker size, got hold of Fulton High School radio broadcasting teacher Russell Mayes’ iPad and left something tangible to remember him by – a smiling selfie.

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Kelley Segars of the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organiza- zebras: Jaques Palin, Susie Isaac and Steve Bacon. Bacon owns the Bike Zoo tion presents the award for best group costume to Santa and his team of in Homberg with his wife, Laura.

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Mayes got a chuckle out of it, but now he considers the 15-year-old sophomore’s gentle prank a treasured keepsake, a memento mori of the smart, funny kid who’s been proclaimed a national hero after he was killed protecting his friends. “Our hearts are broken, but they’re filled with pride at what he did,” said Mayes, who is also an assistant football coach and overseer of the school’s student-run radio station. “There was something that was special about Zae. The class was kind of small, and he got along well To page 3

2 • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Time’s awastin’

Relief comes quickly for active Maryville outdoorswoman Marilla Cable had suffered long enough. After years of on-again, off-again bouts of sciatica, spinal injections and physical therapy, she was ready to take the proverbial bull by the horns. “I had done everything, but none of it was working,” said Cable. “So finally, I just stood on my doctor’s toes and said, ‘We’re doing an X-ray today because I refuse to live like this another day.’ “I had to get this fixed – I had a life to live,” said Cable, whose job as dispatcher at a Louisville-based charter company is to make sure the buses and limos run on time. “I have Girl Scouts I work with every week, I have three grandchildren. I don’t have time to be down.” Without hesitation, her primary care doctor ordered the X-ray and didn’t like what he saw. After ordering an MRI, he wanted to refer her to a new neurosurgeon in town. Cable, however, knew who she wanted – Dr. Joel E. Norman, a neurosurgeon at the Fort Sanders Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and the long-time partner of the recently retired Dr. William Reid. “They said, ‘You’ll never get in there,’ but they called and I got in at his Maryville office the next day – the very next day!” said Cable. “We try to make sure that patients are seen in our office usually within a week of calling,” said Dr. Norman. “We use nurse practitioners (NPs) to perform initial patient evaluations on people who have not already undergone the imaging procedures necessary for us, as physicians, to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

My partner (Dr. Barrett Brown) and I are each in the office at some point four days a week and our NPs see patients every day. We do not require a referral to be seen.” “We often open up additional patient appointment slots in order to take care of our patients in a timely manner. I certainly wouldn’t want to spend a month in agony waiting for a doctor’s appointment, and I try to keep our patients from going through that as well.” “In this case, we were even able to place Ms. Cable on the surgery schedule within two weeks of her initial evaluation,” Dr. Norman added. “We are committed to providing prompt care for our patients in all aspects of their neurosurgical care.” If Cable thought that getting an appointment was fast, she was even more startled when Dr. Norman scheduled her surgery on June 30, just 11 days later. According to Dr. Norman, Cable’s clinical history and neurological exam strongly suggested a radicular component to her pain, meaning it was likely originating from a spinal nerve compression. Follow-up Xrays of her lower back confirmed that there was significant instability at the L4-5 disc space, and the L4 bone was clearly seen to slide forward on L5 when she bent over. A review of her MRI confirmed the diagnosis of a spondylolisthesis, or slippage, of the L4 vertebrae over the L5. “This significant instability led to the formation of a synovial cyst, or ‘outpouching’ of the material providing the cushioning of the joints in the spine,” said Dr. Norman. “This cyst was compress-

there was no longer ing the nerve roots any compression leaving her spine of those nerves. He and running into also passed a probe her leg.” While Cable exalong the course of pressed some reserthe nerve to confirm no compression was vations about surevident, even outside gery, Dr. Norman his field of view. The said she had “reached disc between L4 and a point where her pain was no longer L5 was then completely removed on tolerable.” both sides. Dr. NorWhile the traman then placed a ditional, open ap“cage” or spacer into proach would require a large midline the disc space to help incision in the back, hold that space open, and put material in stripping muscle tisthe cage to help the sue away from the patient to grow new bone and placement bone across this disc of large retractors, Dr. Norman offered space and form a solid fusion. a minimally invasive “Her surgery went surgery known as very well,” said Dr. TLIF (transforamiNorman. “I was able nal lumbar interbody fusion). The minimally invasive apMarilla Cable is back to hiking, kayaking proach from Cable’s and loving an active life after finding releft side used small lief at the Center for Minimally Invasive incisions around the center Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional of the spine and state-ofMedical Center. the-art intraoperative image guidance to allow for less tissue damage and retraction. to completely decompress the neuDuring the 3-to-3.5 hour surgery ral compression. In her case, I was at Fort Sanders Regional Medical even able to bring the vertebral bodCenter, Dr. Norman placed pedicle ies back into normal alignment.” screws into the L4 and L5 verteCable was in the hospital only bral bodies on both sides. He then overnight, but it was long enough removed the diseased facet joint that she was impressed by the hospifrom the left, and removed the sy- tal staff. “When I was in holding and novial cyst. This allowed him to beginning to get woozy I asked them, directly visualize the nerves as they ‘Could you please pray with me?’ And leave the spine and ensure that they did,” she said. “They were just

incredible. They took care of my every need before I needed it. I was very well pleased with everyone there. I was very impressed. Everyone was very nice, very accommodating. They knew I was a little apprehensive – they had me in there and put a little heater blanket on me, and they’d come by and talk to me and they were just really, really good.” By the time of her one-month follow-up visit with Dr. Norman, Cable was already feeling better. At her two-month follow-up, she realized that she had been hurting even worse than she first thought. “When I went back for my threemonth visit, Dr. Norman asked what all I had been doing. “I said, ‘Oh, a little mountain hiking, a little kayaking, a little paddling my boat and playing leap frog with my granddaughter.’ He said, ‘You were playing leap frog?! I don’t even play leap frog!’ “I said, ‘All I know is I can walk, I can sit, I can cross my legs and it doesn’t hurt.’ “I recommended Fort Sanders and Dr. Norman to a friend of mine a couple months ago,” Cable added. “I told her that she has to go see Dr. Norman, and she said, ‘I’ll never get in there.’ I said, ‘As soon as I hang up the phone, please call because I’ve been praying about this and it will happen.’ She picked up the phone and she got in to see him the very next day, and she had surgery two weeks later. It was amazing.” For more information about the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional, call 865541-2835 or visit fsregional. com/minimallyinvasive.

Meet Dr. Joel Norman – local neurosurgeon and Seymour native Dr. Joel Norman is a local native who returned to East Tennessee after medical school and now cares for patients in the place he calls “home.” He recently talked about his journey from local boy to well-educated neurosurgeon, Dr. Joel Norman and the minimally invasive spine surgery that is changing the lives of his patients. Tell us your story – where did you go to school, and how did you decide to become a neurosurgeon? I was born in Knoxville, and raised in Seymour. After I graduated from Seymour High School, I went to college at MTSU in Murfreesboro, then moved to Johnson City to attend ETSU Quillen College of Medicine. I completed neurosurgery residency in Lexington, Ky., at the University of Kentucky. I’ve always had a keen interest in the sciences. I found neuroscience intriguing and challenging. Once I found my way into the op-

erating room, I knew I had found my calling. Combining my love of neuroscience with my love of the operating room, neurosurgery was a natural extension. What do you like about this area? In other words, why are you still here, instead of in a larger city? East Tennessee is my home. I love the scenery here, the people here, and the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me. I appreciate the hometown feel here and the value that word-ofmouth retains in this community. The greatest compliment I receive is when someone tells me they heard about me from one of my patients. What are some common problems your patients have, and how do you help them? We treat an expansive variety of patients from brain tumors to herniated discs. Many of my spine patients have seen several different medical providers and some have undergone several different treatments for their back and leg pain before they arrive in my office.

Most have complaints of back pain coupled with sciatica or nerve pain, typically running down the back of their legs. These patients benefit from the minimally invasive approaches to lumbar discectomies and spinal fusions. Which patients might be candidates for the surgery? The ideal candidate for minimally invasive spinal fusion is someone suffering from back and leg pain due to a spondylolisthesis, or slippage, of the lumbar vertebrae. This is a condition sometimes missed on an initial workup as it often requires specialized x-rays with the patients bending forward or backward to clearly visualize. Often, patients are pain-free while lying on their back, such as during their MRI scans, but upon standing their pain returns. Can you explain how it works? What are the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery? Minimally invasive spine surgery uses specialized technology within the operating room to allow for smaller incisions and more precise placement of instrumenta-

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

tion. We are able to actually obtain a CT scan of the patient while they are asleep on the operating room table and customize our surgical approach to the individual patient, in real-time. This allows for much smaller incisions and less damage to the tissues surrounding the spine. Ultimately, this approach gets people back on their feet sooner than is generally necessary for a more traditional, open approach to the spine. What makes the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center the best choice for this surgery? Fort Sanders Regional has demonstrated a true commitment to excellence in spine surgery, and especially minimally invasive neurosurgery. The hospital has been instrumental in purchasing stateof-the-art intraoperative image guidance that allows minimally invasive surgery to be possible. We have a dedicated team of nurses and technicians in the operating room who are experienced and specially trained to as-

sist in these minimally invasive procedures. Post-operatively, our nurses are also hand-picked and specially trained in the management of our patients who have undergone minimally invasive spinal procedures, and we have a dedicated floor of the hospital reserved for neuroscience, and especially spine patients. What’s it like to also practice medicine in the place where you grew up? Many of my friends and family still live nearby and it’s been great to reconnect with people I hadn’t had the opportunity to see in the years I was away for training. It’s also been an honor and a humbling experience to take care of people who watched me grow up in a small town. I’ve taken care of my school teachers, old friends and family members of friends who knew me in high school. I have a relatively unique experience in that I graduated high school with many of the same people I started kindergarten with. I’m honored that those people who watched me grow up trust me now with their health.

community

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • 3

Zaevion Dobson From page 1 with everybody, even when he was picking on people. It was always done playfully, in friendship and love, and those kind of things stick with people. What people will always remember is that personality. You just knew he was something special, and when he found the key to unlock all that potential, he was going to do something great.� Millions of people, including the President of the United States, believe Zaevion Wrapping it up Santa and Mrs. Claus trade their reindeer for the horsepower of Seymour Vol- did something great when unteer Fire Department Truck 503 as they mark the end of the Seymour Christmas Parade. he died trying to protect his friends from gunmen who Photos by Betsy Pickle opened fire on them. He and Zack had just gotten home from a Fulton basketball game and walked over to a neighbor’s front porch to The 22nd annual Seyjoin some other friends. Evmour Christmas Parade was erybody was festive because packed with the expected Christmas break was to start kids, floats, old-timey autos, the next day. horses and farm equipment. The excitement turned to horror when men with guns – authorities say there were five of them – probably gang members bent on revenging Betsy a shooting that none of the Pickle Fulton students had anything to do with, walked up and started shooting. The But it also featured somekids scattered. Zaevion and thing you don’t see in every three girls attempted to run Christmas parade: cancerinside, but the front door was awareness ribbons. Throughlocked, so Zaevion told them out the parade – which took to get down, and he threw about 35 minutes to step off himself on top of them. from Valley Grove Baptist The next day, one of the Little Chloe Kelly and Carrie Kelly ride in the back of an oldChurch as it made its way to girls, Faith Gordon, wrote timey truck. the Seymour Kroger – riders, on her Twitter account: walkers and vehicles were “He died laying on top decked out with a spectrum of me. I love him that’s my of cancer-awareness ribbons. brother man. Rest easy The theme of the Dec. Zae. I’LL NEVER FORGET 12 parade was “Lighting YOU.� the Way for those affected Zack also reached out to by cancer.� It was a serious social media for comfort: message, but the parade “I swear man I’m losing was lighthearted and full it. I’m lost without you bruh. of character – er, make that I’m telling you I’m gonna characters, as in the Grinch, make it for you.� Rudolph, Yoda, Darth VadJonathan Egert, who er, Minions, the “Toy Story� teaches social studies at gang, Ninja Turtles and, of Fulton, is mourning the course, Santa Claus. Retired broadcaster and cancer survivor Dave Folk Santa is joined by a timely trio – Yoda and Darth Vader from was grand marshal for the “Star Wars.� parade, sharing the road with schoolchildren, church groups, majorettes, danc- travelers on Chapman High- had been posted for days ers and pageant winners. way had excellent views. and were delayed for an Crowds gathered along the They apparently hadn’t seen hour as the parade made its route to watch, and many the road-closing alerts that way across the highway.

Santa and survivors

Zack Dobson, mom Zenobia Dobson, Zaevion and Markastin. future Zaevion will never have, both on and off the football field. “He was a really intelligent kid. If you engaged him in the material, he would ask about a million questions – it was like being in a lightning round of a TV quiz show. Usually you can overcome freshmen in those battles of wit, but Zaevion went toe-to-toe. Such a display of intelligence! He was one of those kids that you wished would believe in himself as much as we believed in him� Zenobia Dobson’s name comes in every conversation about her boys. “His mom is one of my all-time favorite parents,� Egert said. Russell Mayes agrees. “She is one of our most involved parents. We don’t get much turnout at open houses, but she’s always there, and there’s not much that goes on with her boys that she doesn’t know about.� Fulton’s head football coach Rob Black and team chaplain Steve Diggs arrived at the Dobson house as soon as they heard what had happened. Black described Zaevion as a talented, promising young athlete with a quick wit and an engaging personality. “He was just one of those guys that everybody flocks to. A friend to everybody,

and just so well liked. He had a very, very bright future. The only silver lining is that he’s going to be remembered as a hero and his story is going to be one that lives on.� Clarence Mitchell believes that Zaevion has another chapter to write. “He’s not the baddest or the biggest, but he’s the man with the biggest heart. He’s my hero, and I see the bigger picture, the gift he gave. “Sometimes we need something to put the fire to us, and he’s going to make something happen in this community. We’re going to love on our kids and fight this gang activity. Just like he saved those young girls, Zaevion’s going to save those other kids and save our community. “Something big is going to happen because of Zaevion and his mother. Something good’s coming out of the projects, and these kids are going to know it. We needed this hero.� Funeral services for Zaevion Dobson will be noon Saturday, Dec. 26, at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street. To donate to the Zaevion Dobson Scholarship Fund: gofundme.com/9yfmfu5b To help fund Zaevion Dobson’s funeral arrangements: gofundme.com/ longlivezae

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4 • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • Shopper news

Four bowl games were big As Farmer Charlie might say to Butch Jones in the next Farm Bureau commercial, let’s sing along in the same key this time, hi-ho, the merry-oh, a bowling we will go. In Tennessee’s century and a fifth of football, the Volunteers have played in 50 bowl games. Some were delightful. Many were meaningless. Four were monumental. The 1938 team went 100. It scored 293 points and gave up 16. It won the Southeastern Conference championship. The 17-0 victory over previously undefeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl validated those accomplishments. The romp helped the rest of the world

ties (16 for 130 against Tennessee) levied for clipping, slugging, kicking, profane taunting and irreverent Marvin quarreling with officials. West Cafego never said much about his spectacular knockout block of Sooner star end Waddy Young on the first accept the fact that Tennes- play but he was very proud of how the Vols dominated – see was pretty good. As the late Hall of Fame 268 in total offense to 94 for tailback George Cafego said the Sooners. Cafego’s favorite example more than once, that game from the combat zone: Robin Miami was one of the ert R. Neyland sent in secroughest (and maybe dirti- ond-team center Joe Little to est) in bowl history. Some talk to the team in the huddle holiday outings are just va- and “settle everybody down.� cations and vigorous verThe message was “The sions of tag. This one was Captain says cool it, guys, bone-bending fierce. There keep your poise.� were 242 yards in penalTwo seconds after his

first snap, Little got into a scuffle with two Sooners. One went down hard from a right hook. Officials immediately concluded Joe had been dispatched as the designated troublemaker. He was ejected. Neyland’s reaction was classic: “What the hell is going on out there?� The 1951 Cotton Bowl was significant because it set the stage for a national championship. A pre-game moment was unforgettable. I heard this one from Hall of Fame tailback Hank Lauricella: “We were in the locker room and the General was talking to us but we had a hard time hearing him because their

band was just outside the door playing ‘The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You.’ “The General paused, listened for a minute and said: ‘When this game is over, they’ll be playing ‘The Tennessee Waltz.’� He got that right – only it was the Pride of the Southland doing the playing. The Vols went to Dallas as No. 4 in the country. They defeated No. 3 Texas, 20-14. Lauricella had a legendary 75-yard run. Andy Kozar scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Tennessee fans have lifted the 1986 Sugar Bowl well above reality because it was such a joy to behold. Secondranked Miami, brashness personified, thought it was really No. 1 but fretted that a rout of the mismatched Vols might not provide enough

boost to take the title from Oklahoma. There was a rout, alright, as in 35-7 Tennessee. Daryl Dickey was better than Heisman hopeful Vinny Testaverde. The Ken Donahuedesigned defense picked off three passes and sacked Hurricane quarterbacks seven times for minus 84. What a night in New Orleans! The 1999 Fiesta Bowl qualifies because we now know national championships are few and far between. Tee Martin threw well. Peerless Price caught four for 199 yards. Dwayne Goodrich picked off a Florida State pass and hauled it back 54 for a score. The Vols won, 23-16. Ah yes, those were the days. Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

UT’s forced food plan makes New York Times Two weeks ago the University of Tennessee made the front page of the Dec. 6 Sunday issue of the New York Times, dateline Knoxville, with a story about UT student Michael Miceli and his 35-mile commute to UTK for classes. Miceli, 23, is a linguistics major. He is upset because UT has imposed a $300 per semester dining fee on him and 12,000 other undergraduates including commuters who do

Victor Ashe

not purchase other meal plans. He has no need for the meals. He does not use them. However, his photo is on page 18 of that issue of the New York Times. One has to wonder about

the fairness of charging students and adding to their college costs for services they do not seek or use. Miceli’s debt is already exceeding $22,000 according to the article. UT will point out that he can get a refund on the $300 for the amount not used for food at the end of the semester. However, even that forces Miceli, in effect, to make UT a forced loan of $300 for the duration of the semester which he may not wish to do or

have the funds to lend without borrowing himself. It all comes about due to the food contract with Aramark which offers commissions and signing bonuses to UT to pay for campus improvements and academic programs. According to the Times, the Aramark contract, which runs to 2027, gives UT 14 percent of all food revenues plus $15.2 million in renovations to dining facilities. There are costs to this

which Miceli and other students get to pay off against their wishes. The state Legislature may decide to enact a ban on mandatory fees for unwanted meals. It is not a lot different from workers at a plant who do not belong to a union being required to pay the equivalent of union fees. That triggered Tennessee’s right to work law many years ago. Why should a student pay for food he does not eat or need?

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■State Rep. Jason Zachary has endorsed Susan Horn in the March 1 Republican primary for the school board seat now held by Karen Carson who is retiring. Horn was active in Zachary’s unsuccessful race for Congress in 2014 and his winning race for state representative in August 2015. Horn has been PTA president of both Farragut primary and intermediate schools. ■Mayor Rogero over the past three months has been meeting quietly with members of the Knox County legislative delegation to push her agenda in Nashville. She has advocated passage of Insure Tennessee and an increase in the gas tax among other issues. Joining her in the meetings have been Bill Lyons, her deputy, and Jesse Mayshark, her communications director. The city’s paid lobbyist, Tony Thompson, was not part of the meetings. She has also voiced regret that laws allowing annexation have been weakened. By meeting separately with the legislators, she avoids any legal requirement to open the meeting to the public or media and they were not on her public schedule. However, she will be meeting with the 10-member delegation at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 6, for breakfast in the City County Building Room 691. It is unclear whether the media and public will be included in that meeting but it is hard to imagine anyone would be turned away if they came. It is unclear whether city council members are included or not. If they are then the open meetings law would apply. While her backing for Obamacare expansion is well known and backed by 3 of the 10 Knox lawmakers (and opposed by the other 7 members), her advocacy of the gas tax hike is less known to the public. No news release has been issued on it. In the recent special election for state representative, the winning candidate, Zachary, opposed both. His opponent, Karen Carson, also opposed the gas tax but backed Insure Tennessee. Rogero is viewed cautiously by the overwhelmingly GOP delegation because she actively worked to defeat several of them, especially Richard Briggs and Eddie Smith. Rogero was a key Gloria Johnson backer (against Smith) and a Cheri Siler supporter in 2014 (against Briggs). She also backed Anthony Hancock against then state Rep. Steve Hall. Rogero, who is generally a strong backer of diversity, has not yet publicly backed UT’s Diversity Office. Will she urge the Knox lawmakers to support it at the January breakfast? No word at this time. Merry Christmas to all. Happy Hanukkah. Season’s Greetings.

Shopper news • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • 5

Christmas cookies Two years ago I quit covering the Knox County school board, turning it over to Betty Bean. I decided, instead, to go hang out with some kids.

Neat: Taleah Beal

Jamarian Chambers and Taleah Beal

Enterprising: Maurice Jacobs

Kind: J’Kaija Hughes and sister

(who knew?) and gathered several dozen jelly beans, M&Ms and sprinkles. My plan was to read Christmas stories (it is the Authors Club, after all) while the kids quietly decorated cookies. Perhaps we would play soft music in the background. It was not to be. I’m shouting “The Christmas Cat� over howls of delight as kids poke their fingers in icing, try to balance sprinkles on a plastic knife and just can’t return to their seats because they might miss a chocolate drop. I gave up, laying the book on a chair. J’Kaija Hughes had painted a tree with lush branches and fruit. Under-

neath it said, “Thanks for helping us grow.� Teacher Krista Rines framed it and the kids gave it to me. Wow! J’Kaija (it’s taken me four months to say her name right) brought her younger sister to the party. She demonstrates sensitivity and kindness that’s rare. Taleah Beal is a teacher’s kid – probably bearing similar burdens to a preacher’s kid. Taleah is quiet, careful and conscientious. Maurice Jacobs is all over the room. To heck with artistry. His game is to cram as many sprinkles onto his cookies as possible. He even had one multi-layered one. But when you think Maurice has left the room on a sugar high, he comes over

and says, “That was a pretty good story.� “What story?� “The Christmas Cat.� “But I didn’t finish it.� “I did. He gets adopted.� Maurice had found time to pick up the book, finish the story and then report to the group. He also found time to bring along his younger brother, Micah. The personal growth in this once-a-week group is going both ways. And I honestly don’t understand why that school is not packed with community volunteers every day from 3:30-5:30. Know this. I’ve not missed those school board meetings at all. Merry Christmas! Sandra Clark is publisher of Shopper News

Local Democrats face challenges in ’16 It has to be tough to be a Democrat in Knox County. The governor is a Republican. Both U.S. senators are Republicans. No Democrat has represented Knoxville in Congress since 1855. A Republican super-majority controls the state Legislature. No Democrat currently serves in a countywide elective office. Democrats rarely win. Even worse, they rarely even run. Lately, Republicans have won on Election Day by simply showing up on the ballot. That may be changing. Many Democrats were giddy last week when the candidate withdrawal deadline passed and their party had fielded candidates for six of the seven county commission seats on the ballot next year. They surprised nearly everyone. In the first district, two Democratic candidates, Ev-

Urban greenways: slow, expensive,

worth it

Sandra Clark

Luckily, Susan Espiritu had just been appointed principal at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy with the intention of starting a community school. I had known Susan since she and Charlie lived in Halls and Susan taught, I believe, second grade at Gibbs Elementary. She was an outstanding principal at Pond Gap Elementary, leading Knox County’s first (and model) community school. “Sure,� she said, when I emailed her to volunteer. Crazy me. I thought a community school meant people from the community volunteered to do after-school programs. What I discovered is that I’m apparently the only one over at SMG running rogue. The others are organized by a leader who takes roll and makes it seem ever so much like school. Flash-forward a year and a half. We wrapped up our semester last week with a party. We bought some blank gingerbread people and some fancy cookies at Rita’s Bakery and a bunch of plain cookies from Food City. My friend Kathy Fitz stirred some green food coloring into white cake icing

government

Scott Frith

elyn Gill and Rick Staples, are running to replace the Democratic incumbent, Sam McKenzie. In the second district, Laura Kildare and Cheri Siler are running in the Democratic primary to replace that Democratic incumbent, Amy Broyles. Recruiting candidates to run in either of these contests shouldn’t be much of a surprise. In both races, Democrats are running to replace Democrats. More unusual are the Democratic candidates running in the other commission districts. In the fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth districts, the Democrats have candidates on the ballot. At

a minimum, this ensures that the Republican candidates will have an opponent. Some Democrats may even be dreaming of taking over county commission. That’s not going to happen. It’s a testament to how bad things have been for Democrats lately when there’s excitement merely by having a candidate on the ballot. Democrats are like UT football fans a few years ago. The results on the field were so terrible that fans could only sit around and dream of potential recruits. Democrats may be finding candidates, but they’re a long way from relevance in county government. Don’t believe me? Democrats failed to find any candidates for the only two countywide offices on the ballot next spring, Property Assessor and County Law Director. There are

plenty of qualified lawyers, who are also proud Democrats, who could have run for law director. They didn’t. It’s too tough to win as a Democrat. Also, it’s entirely possible that Democrats could put forth all these candidates for County Commission and yet still end up with fewer Democratic commissioners after the election. How so? The only commission districts currently represented by Democrats are the first and second districts (two out of 11). Both seats are on the ballot next year. Due to redistricting and changed boundary lines, the second district now has more Republican voters than the previous version which elected Democrat Amy Broyles. Put simply, the second district is now winnable for Republicans. Although highly unlikely, it’s not impossible to think that next

When I was a kid, my parents played a game with me called Dots and Boxes. It starts with a grid of dots, and the object is to draw lines between the dots while avoiding giving your opponent the opportunity to complete a box. When you complete a box, you put your initial in it, and the one with the most initials at the end wins. This is how parents kept children quiet before cell phones. The game is easy at the beginning. You have to draw a lot of lines before it becomes a challenge. That’s sort of where we are with city greenways. We’ve already drawn the easy lines, like the Will Skelton Greenway along the Tennessee River and the scenic Third Creek Greenway. The next lines require more thought. That’s why Mayor Madeline Rogero asked for an additional $45,000 for a study examining the feasibility of 13 proposed urban greenways at the Dec. 8 City Council meeting. Council unanimously approved the amended agreement after District 4 representative Nick Della Volpe asked if it was time to stop studying and start building. It was a valid question, but it reveals a lack of understanding of the complexity of building urban greenways. David Craig of Ross/ Fowler is working on the feasibility study, and every one of the 13 proposed greenway corridors is challenging, he says. Acquiring property is the biggest obstacle; steep topography and buildings that are too close together are other physical challenges. Many current greenways run along creeks or through pastoral settings, but urban corridors don’t offer as many natural perks. Now, the goal is to find small scenic opportunities between point A and point B, he says. He’s in the process of making revisions to the study based on feedback from the Greenways Commission. It’s a process that takes time. “Anything in the public realm takes longer than

Wendy Smith

what you expect,� he says. More hard work will come after the feasibility study is completed. That’s when planning for the next five to 10 years begins, says Parks and Greenways coordinator Lori Goerlich. Deciding how to progress will be one of her challenges in the coming year. Factors to be weighed include connectivity (connecting current greenways to destinations or other greenways), equity (making sure everyone in town has access to quality greenways) and available grants and partnerships. One section that’s expected to be completed in 2016 will take advantage of TDOT funding. The .6mile section of First Creek Greenway, from Woodland Avenue to Edgewood Avenue, has an estimated price tag of $1.225 million. A TDOT grant will cover $768,000, says Knoxville chief civil engineer Tom Clabo. The project began before Goerlich took up her post 3.5 years ago. It shows how slow, and pricey, greenway projects have become. The urban greenways are a huge investment, but Goerlich thinks the city, Ross/ Fowler and the Greenways Commission will produce a high-quality product. “It’s unique for a city of this size to take on such an ambitious project. It’s 25 miles, and literally, block by block, everything is being explored.� It’s also an evolving process. During the next 10 years, things will change and there could be new opportunities for greenway alignments, she says. She’s looking forward to delving into the project in the coming months. “We’re excited to be part of Knoxville’s growth. Greenways have gotten a lot of attention lately, and that shows that the community cares.�

year Democrats could be be an uphill climb for loswept off county commis- cal Democrats. They’re not there, yet. sion entirely. Returning to relevance Scott Frith is a local attorney. You can contact him at scott@pleadthefrith.com in county government will

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www.ShopperNewsNow.com

6 • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • Shopper news

Knox/Blount Greenway

Christine Jessel and Michael Grider arrive early for the Tour de Lights. Photo by S. Clark

Tour de Lights

John Ferguson of Knoxville and Jennifer Nunn of Statesboro, Ga., honor Charles Dickens as the ghosts of Christmas past and future at the Tour de Lights. Their costumes are completed by Christmas present(s) and a stuffed fox named Descartes. Photos by Wendy Smith

From page 1

Because the route was hilly, riders stayed warm, said Angela Wampler of Lenoir City. She participates in the ride every year with a group of friends, but several “wimped out” this year due to low temps. She was glad she showed up to win runner-up in the “best helmet” category of the costume competition. Kelley Segars, principal planner with the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, organizes the free event. The TPO’s Bicycle Program guides the implementation of the 2009 Regional Bicycle Plan for Anderson, Blount, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon Sevier and a portion of Cocke counties. She’s encouraged by the growing number of cyclists in the city. Lately, she’s noticed more people biking in street clothes. They look hip, like people you see biking in magazines, she says. “When I see that happening, I know we’ve made

The ceremony was held at an entrance to the greenway on the University of Tennessee’s Cherokee Farm Innovation Campus. People and their pets could be seen in the background enjoying the beautiful day, the natural scenery along the trail and the view of homes across the Tennessee River in Sequoyah Hills. City Parks and Recreation director Joe Walsh singled out key players in the creation of the greenway, including “the father of Knoxville greenways,” Will Skelton, and the city’s first greenways coordinator, Donna Young. He let Jeremy Pearson, a planner for the city of Alcoa and current chair of the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Greenway Council, describe what completion of the trail meant. Pearson said the opening was “making history.” “The shared vision of this greenway … is the construction of a completed trail stretching from Knoxville to the Smokies,” he said. “This goes back two decades, the vision of this trail, and it really represents strong efforts and persistence of many individuals.” Pearson painted a picture of “an exceptional greenway” that ultimately will forge south through Knox County, into Blount County and into the AlcoaMaryville trail network. After leaving the urban areas, it will head into the rugged

COMMUNITY NOTES Meagan Langford, Adam Humphreys, Andy Lane, Jenny Burgett, Jackson Hullander, Jordan Simmons, Laura Stair and Debbie Stair, dressed as residents of the Island of Misfit Toys, were recognized for their costumes at the Tour de Lights.

it. You want regular people biking.” Former school board member Indya Kincan-

Shopper s t n e V enews

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

THROUGH THURSDAY, DEC. 24 Christmas in Old Appalachia, Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway, Clinton. Info: 494-7680 or museumofappalachia.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23 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. Ornament Craft Party, 10 a.m.-noon, Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

non biked most of the race but dropped out when she passed her home in 4th & Gill. “I didn’t see any rea-

son to bike downtown only ■ Knoxville Tri-County Lions Club meets 7 p.m. each to bike back home,” she exsecond and fourth Monday, plained. Kincannon often Connie’s Kitchen, 10231 Chapcommutes via bicycle.

Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org.

SUNDAY, JAN. 3 Advance screening of the first hour of “Downton Abbey” final season, 2 p.m., Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Free. Info: 684-1200.

MONDAY. JAN. 4 Mighty Musical Monday with Kukuly and the Gypsy Fuego, noon, Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Free. Info: 684-1200.

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.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6

THURSDAY, DEC. 24

Jazz Lunch at the Square Room, noon-1 p.m., 4 Market Square. Featuring “Kayley Farmer sings the Rodgers and Hart Songbook.” Admission: $15; includes lunch buffet. Info/tickets: knoxjazz.org.

Christmas Carol Sing-along, 6:30-9 p.m., Windows on the Park in downtown Knoxville.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7

SATURDAY, DEC. 26 Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org.

FRIDAY, JAN. 1 Opening reception for Art Market Gallery’s January featured artists painter Lil Clinard and fiber artist Julia Malia, 5:30 p.m., 422 S. Gay St. Info: 5255265 or artmarketgallery.net. UT Arboretum Society New Year’s Day morning hike, 9 a.m., UT Arboretum, 901 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge. This is an easy walk on the trails and is suitable for all ages. Free program. Info: utarboretumsociety.org or 482-4836.

SATURDAY, JAN. 2 Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West

■ Colonial Village Neighborhood Association. Info: Terry Caruthers, 579-5702, t_caruthers@hotmail.com.

“How to Self-Publish Any Written Project” presented by Marilyn Smith Neilans, 2:30 p.m., Farragut Branch Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Road. Info: 777-1750.

FRIDAY, JAN. 8 Opening reception for “Gallery of Arts Tribute”: a juried exhibition developed to recognize local artists and honor the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 6-8 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org. Saturday Stories and Songs: Dancing Spider Yoga, 11 a.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750. Saturday Stories and Songs: Jodie Manross

man Highway, Seymour. Info:

From page 1

terrain of Walland Gap, then into Townsend and the Smokies. “The seeds were planted many years ago, and let’s just keep on moving forward,” he said. Rogero and Walsh both spoke of the complexities of creating the first section of the greenway and the partnerships that brought it to fruition. Brian Hann, chair of the city’s Greenways Commission, noted that those partners recognized “the value of a community that’s really walkable and bikable” and called it “a model greenway.” Rogero said the Tennessee Department of Transportation “funded the lion’s share of this project with a $1.45 million enhancement grant, which included the city match of $330,000,” as well as a supplemental alternatives grant of $200,000. The next phase of the greenway, which will be implemented by TDOT and Knox County, was discussed recently at a public meeting on plans for widening Alcoa Highway. It will also be complicated and timeconsuming. Rogero put the forecast for greenways in perspective. “We’re well aware that all of this started before us, and the baton was handed off to us, and we’re going to do as much as we can in the next four years and then hand off the baton to the next person.” facebook.com/TriCountyLions/info. ■ Lake Forest Neighborhood Association. Info: Molly Gilbert, 209-1820 or mollygilbert@yahoo.com. ■ Lindbergh Forest Neighborhood Association meets 6:30 p.m. each third Wednesday, Graystone Presbyterian Church, 139 Woodlawn Pike. Info: Kelley DeLuca, 660-4728, kelleydeluca@gmail.com.

and Laith Keilany, 11 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Info: 470-7033. The Tennessee Stifflegs Old-Time String Band, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $14, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org.

SUNDAY, JAN. 10 Pen to Podium: SAFTA Reading Series, 3-4 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Featuring: George David Clark and Jeni Wallace. Info: 215-8750.

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. Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org. Roux du Bayou Cajun Dance Music, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $12, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org. Saturday Stories and Songs: David Blivens, 11 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Info: 470-7033. Saturday Stories and Songs: Kindermusik, 11 a.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. For ages birth to 5. Info: 215-8750.

TUESDAY, JAN. 19 Computer Workshop: Introducing the Computer, 2 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Preregistration required. Info/registration: 215-8700.

faith

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • 7

Don’t forget the baby! … the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NRSV) The combined choirs of Christ Covenant and Community Evangelistic perform “How Great Our Joy.”

Harmonious voices bring ‘Joy’ to East, West Knox churches By Carolyn Evans Two local churches are using music to more diversity to their congregations. The result has been amazing, say the ministers of music who made it happen. Twenty choir members from East Knoxville joined 30 choir members from Farragut to present a two-hour concert, “How Great Our Joy! – a Gospel Christmas.” A total of 600 people turned out for the Friday and Saturday performances in Farragut and 400-500 people saw it on Sunday evening in the East Knoxville. The ministers of music from the predominately white Christ Covenant Presbyterian in Farragut and the predominately black Community Evangelistic Church in East Knoxville had known each other for a long time, but paths crossed again about a year ago at a local coffee shop. “I’ve known John Jackson for about 20 years,” said Gabe Loving with Christ Covenant. “I’ve been wanting to partner with his church.” That was music to Jackson’s ears. “My ministry in Knox-

ville since coming here as a student has always been about bringing people together,” said Jackson. “Through other ministries in the city I had already been a part of reconciliation ministries that bring people of various races and socioeconomic levels together. I love doing multicultural worship.” As they rekindled their friendship, they began to plan a special event. “In the midst of talking to him, all this craziness in Charleston happened. That seemed very close to us,” Loving said. “There’s a lot of tension in some areas of the country between blacks and whites. John and I wanted this to be more than just a concert. We wanted it to be an opportunity for our churches to get to know each other. We wanted to build friendships.” The two exchanged names and numbers of church staff and leaders, but the largest connection point was one-on-one among choir members, Loving said. “We gave one alto another alto’s name, and they communicated back and forth.”

The choirs met to rehearse and fellowship with food at a breakfast and a dessert event. The result was a twohour production that had the congregations on their feet. Songs included black gospel Christmas pieces as well as traditional carols for all to sing. Some selections were sung as a united choir, and others were sung separately. The concert opened with a united choir singing “How Great Our Joy.” Later Loving sang a solo with his choir to “Jesus is King” and Jackson sang one with his choir to “Glory to God in the Highest.” Teresa Pratt, longtime staff member and music associate at Christ Covenant, sang in the choir for this event. “Presbyterians are normally reserved,” she said, “but in this program there was much more freedom in expression. There was more movement than normal. We physically, visibly worshipped. We clapped, swayed, raised our hands, things that some of us do but most don’t.” The congregation got involved, too, she said. “The

last song we did, ‘Now Behold the Lamb,’ is so incredibly worshipful. Evelyn Jack was the soloist. People were standing and clapping on other songs, but during this song, hands were raised, people were on their feet visibly worshipping. It was amazing.” “We were able to worship together,” Loving said. “Just before we left the other night, we were saying ‘We want to get back together.’” Jackson said his congregation loved it. He got a text from a church member after the concert. “It was a breath of fresh air,” the text read. “It was reminiscent of who we were when we started as a church.” “We’re guilty of staying in our little area here,” Loving said, “It’s so easy to stay within your community with people you know. But we have important things in common. We have a love of Jesus in common. Even though we’re both Presbyterians, the churches have some differences. Differences in worship style. One of the things that someone said was, ‘This is a touch of heaven.’ If we love Jesus, we’ll be in heaven together.

There is a story that lives in my family lore. I had not thought of it in years and years, until this Christmas. I was stunned and saddened by how true and relevant it is in this season. All of this happened almost a hundred years ago. In those days, cars were scarce, telephones (at least in the country) were rare and television was not yet invented. Neighbors visited each other by walking from one house to another, and in nice weather, their visit was most likely to occur on the front porch. One evening, when the visit was over, the neighbors said their goodbyes and went home. My grandfather and grandmother and assorted children stayed on the front porch a while. A bit later, their neighbors returned, sheepishly. It seems they had forgotten to retrieve their sleeping baby who had been

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

deposited on Papa’s bed for the duration of the evening visit. I have known that story for most of my life, but it wasn’t until recently that I began to think of it in terms of today’s Christmas celebrations. Too often, I think, folks are more concerned about Christmas shopping and gift giving and parties and festive food than they are about the birth of “a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” They forget the Baby who was born in a stable because the inn was full. They forget because their lives are too full of other thoughts, other things. Please, don’t forget the Baby this Christmas!

If we don’t like being around each other now, heaven’s not going to be too good.” Loving and Jackson are meeting for coffee soon to ■ St. James Episcopal Church, talk about another joint 1101 N. Broadway, will host special services: Thursday, event. The choirs are lookDec. 24, Nativity Pageant ing forward to a potluck toand Holy Eucharist, 4 p.m. gether in January. and Choral Prelude and Holy Jackson said their chance Eucharist, 10:30 p.m.; Friday, meeting in the coffee shop a Dec. 25, 10 a.m., Holy Euchayear ago was no accident. rist. Info: 523-5687. “God arranged for us to cross paths.”

FAITH NOTES

SENIOR NOTES ■ South Knox Senior Center: 6729 Martel Lane 573-5843Z knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Offerings include: dulcimer and guitar lessons; arts and crafts classes; dance classes; exercise programs; Tai Chi; card games; Joymakers practice; free swim 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Senior Meals program noon each Wednesday and Friday. The Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25, and Friday, Jan. 1. ■ South Knox Community Center 522 Old Maryville Pike 573-3575 Monday-Friday Hours vary ■ John T. O’Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 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. The Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24-25, and Friday, Jan. 1. ■ Senior Citizens Information and Referral Service 2247 Western Ave. 524-2786 knoxseniors.org Provides information about services for persons age 60+ and those with disabilities who live in Knoxville or Knox County and referrals when needed: health services, employment services, housing, transportation, legal services, recreation, support groups, emergency assistance, in-home services and minor home repair.

Four senior members who were instrumental in getting items sewn for Safe Harbor children are Joyce Davis, Taffy Kanipe, Mary Daugherty and Pat Needham.

A merry Heiskell By Cindy Taylor It doesn’t take much for folks at the Heiskell Senior Center to have fun. During the Christmas season fun comes through the door with each member. At the Dec. 10 meeting/ Christmas party seniors donned their gay apparel, brought gifts for each other and enjoyed a Christmas lunch together. It was also a good opportunity to bless others. Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center “COPE” coordinator Renee Poole joined the festivities. Poole was invited to come pick up quilts, dolls and hats handmade by members of the center. A group has been working together at the center since January to complete the gifts for the children. “This is the best part of my job, she said. “It is so special for us to be able to give these items to the children who come to the center. They need something to take home that is a comfort to them.”

According to Poole chilHeiskell Senior Center memdren seen at Safe Harbor ber Roberta Fogle is a happy are there to report abuse. It Christmas elf right down to is a difficult time for them. her toes. “We always give them a gift,” she said. “And these items are their gift. Those Renee Poole happily accepts of you who have made these items for Safe Harbor. should feel really good about the help you are giving to these children.” People have been busy all year buying tickets in hopes of winning the quilt completed by center member Mary Kate Smith. The drawing was held during the meeting. Retha Bass was the lucky winner. This was Bass’ first time at the center since having back surgery. Money collected from the quilt raffle goes toward the new senior center. The regular monthly meeting of Heiskell seniors is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each second Thursday at the Heiskell Community Center. Speaker at 11 a.m., lunch at noon, Bingo at 1 p.m. No meeting if Knox County Schools are out for weather. Info: Janice Retha Bass wins the quilt that was quilted by Mary Kate Smith Photos by Cindy Taylor White 548-0326.

business

8 • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • Shopper news

News from the Rotary Guy

New business boosts nonprofits Max Reddick, president of the North Knox Rotary Club, pres- Babalu Tacos & Tapas on Dec. 17 presents a check for $7,266.28 to Beardsley Farm and The Pat Summitt Foundation. The money ents a big $17,000 check to Bob Sexton, executive director of was raised by the new Gay Street restaurant during pre-opening parties Nov. 20-21, and the donation was split evenly between the two nonprofits. Pictured are Maggie Callahan and Warren Weiss of Babalu Tacos & Tapas; Patrick Wade and Adam Waller of the Cerebral Palsy Center. Photo by Tom King The Pat Summitt Foundation; and Maya Carl, Khann Chov and Rachel Newcomb of Beardsley Farm. Photo submitted

North Knox gifts $17K to CP home By Tom King

The back room at Harby’s Pizza was packed on a recent Friday, filled by the 10 residents plus sta f f of the Tom King Cerebral Palsy Highland Park Group Home and members of the North Knoxville Rotary Club. It was billed as a Christmas Party – but it was much more than just a party. The Rev. Max Reddick, president of the North Knox

club and pastor at Fountain City Presbyterian Church, presented a $17,000 check to Bob Sexton, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Center that supports the Highland Park residents. Club member David Dooley and two others started the North Knoxville Rotary Golf Tournament at Three Ridges Golf Course 17 years ago to raise money for the group home. Since then the club has donated approximately $200,000 to the home. “I am overwhelmed each year with Rotary’s support and you all are responsible for the survival of the group

Gerdau donates to Winter Gift Shop Employees of steel recycler Gerdau’s Knoxville mill donated toys and coats for Lonsdale Elementary students as part of the school’s annual Winter Gift Shop. Gerdau employees Carlus Thompson, David Moore, Donald Clark, Matthew Crumley, Katie Wallace, Ronald Fritz, Kenneth Strickland, John Rauhuff, Buddy Wolfenbarger, Wesley Mills, Damien Rose, Rick Christopher, Brian Bowen and Anthony Chaperon display some of the gifts they and other employees donated to the gift shop, held Dec. 14 at the school. Photo submitted home,� Sexton said. “This $17,000 pays for an entire month for operating this home and that’s how important it is.�

Mark Rosser, president of the Cerebral Palsy Housing Corp., says the total budget for the home is $200,000 a year. “We have to raise

about $25,000 a year to help keep the doors open so you can see how important your donation really is,� he said. “If not for Rotary we

could not survive.â€? Mark also turned into Elvis Presley at the party. He entertained the residents and the Rotarians with a great rendition of the Elvis holiday classic “Blue Christmas.â€? The club also presented each resident with a gift card as their Christmas present. â–

Music to shoppers’ ears!

The Salvation Army bells were ringing Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Kroger store in Farragut as Farragut Rotarians manned the kettle from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. But shoppers also were treated to their favorite Christmas carols in the morning and afternoon. Diane O’Brien, wife of Farragut Rotarian Jim O’Brien, played her accordion in the morning. Club president Dale Read entertained one and all on his accordion in the afternoon. The Kroger shoppers were very generous in filling the red kettle and very appreciative of the holiday tunes! Tom King is a retired newspaper editor, a Rotarian for 27 years and past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. He can be reached at tking535@gmail.com

BIZ NOTES â– Meritor Inc. of Morristown has donated $1,500 to the L&N STEM Academy. The company annually recognizes its top engineer and the honoree can choose a school to receive a monetary donation. The funds will go toward CTE and robotics programming.

" " ! ! " ! " " " "

■Two Shoney’s restaurants in Knox County will be open on Christmas Day. The restaurants at 4410 Western Avenue and 100 Walker Springs Road will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with breakfast buffet from 9-11 and a dinner buffet with ham and turkey starting at 11 a.m. and available until early evening. ■Wayne R. Kramer is the president of the Knoxville Bar Association for 2016. Other officers are Amanda Busby, presidentelect; Keith Burroughs, treasurer; and Kramer Wynne CaffeyKnight, secretary. Kramer is a partner at the law firm of Kramer Rayson LLP, a firm founded by his grandfather in 1948. He graduated from Maryville College, attended Perkins School Theology at Southern Methodist University and received his law degree from Seattle University. ■Dennis R. McClane received the highest award of the Knoxville Bar Association, the Governor’s Award.

weekender

Shopper news • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • 9

for all

By Carol Shane

No matter what your holiday traditions are, you’ve got to admit that Friday is a great day for Christmas to fall upon! It’s the start of a long weekend; visiting friends and relatives from near and far will get a chance to breathe a little and have a true visit before they began the trip back home. In our family, it was always a treat when the cousins came to visit. I had builtin playmates close to my own age, and the same is true in any era – kids will be kids, and, to their way of thinking,

the more the merrier. After a while, though, “the more” may need a diversion. Luckily, there’s plenty to see and do this weekend with the small fry. The Knoxville Zoo is offering buy one, get one free admission tickets, sponsored by Kroger, through Feb. 29. Winter is a great time to visit the zoo. Many of the animals prefer the cooler temperatures and are more active. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the zoo will reopen from 10 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, and remain open for those hours every

Many Knoxville Zoo animals such as this Hamadryad baboon enjoy cooler temperatures. With the Knoxville Zoo’s BOGO Days, this weekend is a great time to visit. Photo courtesy of the Knoxville Zoo

day. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth until 3.30. Info: 637-5331 or visit knoxville-zoo.org For a truly spectacular light display, head west to the 2015 Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park. Every evening you and your family and pets on leashes can stroll on the three-quarter

mile greenway to view the lights. Food vendors will offer kettle corn, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, cotton candy, ribbon fries, funnel cakes and other treats. The display happens from 6-9 p.m. every evening except Christmas from now until Thursday, Dec. 31. Info: k n o x c o u nt y.o r g /p a r k s/ events

It is the time of year to count blessings, and with all the talk lately of diversity – both in the national conversation and the local one – I count myself very fortunate to know people from cultures other than my own. As a member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, I get to see people of different races, religions and political stripes come together to make beautiful music. We have talented performers from Venezuela, Russian, China, Japan, Turkey, Korea and other nations, as well as from right here in the U S of A. Most, if not all, have become naturalized American citizens, which says a lot about our great country and the opportunities it offers. But even so, these folks enrich our nation and our lives with their own cultures. They certainly enrich mine. Who knew that “my

life is a casino” means that “things are a bit crazy right now” to my Bulgarian friend? Or that my Russian friend became a childhood fan of the Beatles by listening to reel-to-reel tapes sneaked into his Moscow home – the only way he could hear them? How else would I get to attend a festive ceremonial Korean birthday celebration? Or learn of the hardships my Chinese friend endured when she arrived in this country, just to build a better life for her family here? Knowing people from different backgrounds enlarges our world and helps us develop empathy for our neighbors. It’s up to all of us to bless each other and in turn be blessed. Merry Christmas! Send story suggestions to news@shopper newsnow.com.

‘Danish Girl’ finds itself in truth By Betsy Pickle

Director Tom Hooper won an Oscar for “The King’s Speech,” Eddie Redmayne won one for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything” and Alicia Vikander has been praised for many diverse performances in her short career. And all of that falls away as “The Danish Girl” plays out on screen. A fictionalized biography set in the early part of the 20th century, “The Danish Girl” is a glossy depiction of what no doubt was the much rougher path of a transgender pioneer. But gloss doesn’t diminish the authenticity of the emotional journey and the value of the perceptive storytelling. Redmayne plays Einar Wegener, a rising star in the Danish art world. His series of paintings of the stark landscape of his childhood resonates with critics and connoisseurs, yet he can’t seem to move beyond it, continuing to play with details as memories churn

‘Concussion’ Will Smith delivers a Christmas present the NFL will want to return with “Concussion,” a dramatic thriller about a forensic neuropathologist who makes the link between football injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He finds deep resistance when he tries to get the NFL to own up to the truth. Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Luke Wilson, Adewale Akinnyuoe-Agbaje, Stephen Moyer and Albert Brooks also star. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic material including some disturbing images, and language.

Neighborhood group decorates graves North Knox neighbors decorated veterans’ graves for Christmas, according to Ronnie L. Collins, president of the Alice Bell/Spring Hill Neighborhood Association. “I would like to thank all those whose contribution made this possible,” he said. “We were able to cover all the graves at Lyons View. We

originally thought we would be short, but John Sevier had some left over and brought those to Lyons View.” Collins said volunteers were short on decorations for the national cemetery on Broadway. “Let’s hope that next year we can honor all these men and women who have sacrificed for us.”

The Arts Mean Business. That is the message being delivered by the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville which has joined the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, a national study measuring the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences. In Greater Knoxville, the research study is being conducted by Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the nation’s nonprofit organization advancing the arts and arts

within him. Einar’s wife, Gerda (Vikander), is also an artist, but her talent has yet to be acknowledged on anything approaching a similar scale. She becomes more frustrated with each setback, but she doesn’t take it out in jealousy of Einar. Something clicks – for both of them – when Gerda cajoles Einar into standing in for a tardy ballerina while she works on a painting. Einar feels a connection to the distaff costume he dons, while Gerda unwittingly finds a model who will prove to be her inspiration. From that point the story becomes one of love in the face of transformation. As Einar finds himself – herself – as “Lili,” it would seem logical that Gerda would want to be rid of him, but their bond transcends the traditional marital dynamic. It’s more than loyalty, more than protection. They are two halves of a whole. The passion that the actors put into their work fills

the screen and makes the intimate tale larger than life. As artists, Einar and Gerda interpret the world; Redmayne and Vikander do the same for the world of their characters – as well as for those who face a similar challenge –bravely and compassionately. There are occasional splashes of ugliness, hints of the pain – both mental and physical – that LGBT persons experienced in that era and still face in our own.

Mostly, however, “The Danish Girl” is about beauty, the beauty of unconditional love and the beauty of being true to yourself. Hooper, directing from a script Lucinda Coxon adapted from David Ebershoff’s novel, never lets the luscious visuals get in the way of the message. Until truth finds its way, everything else is not good enough. Rated R for some sexuality and full nudity.

education in partnership with the Arts & Culture Alliance and the Tennessee Arts Commission, the state’s arts agency. This is the fifth national study over the past 20 years to measure the impact of arts and culture spending on local jobs, income paid to local resident, and revenue generated to local and state governments. This will be the Alliance’s first time to participate. As one of nearly 300 study partners across all 50 states plus the District of Columbia,

the Alliance will collect economic impact data from local nonprofits that offer arts and culture programming both formal and informal. “This study will show how nonprofit arts and culture are an important industry in our community – employing people locally, purchasing goods and services from local merchants, and helping to drive tourism and economic development,” said Liza Zenni, executive director of the Arts & Culture Alliance. The Alliance will also collect surveys from attendees at ar ts and cultural events. Previous national studies have shown that the average

attendee spends $24.60 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission. Those studies have also shown that, on average, 32 percent of arts attendees travel from outside the county in which the arts event took place, and that those cultural tourists typically spend nearly $40 per person – generating important revenue for local businesses and demonstrating how the arts drive revenue for other businesses in the community. Surveys will be collected throughout 2016. The results of the study will be released in June 2017. Info: 865-523-7543 or info@ knoxalliance.com

Einar (Eddie Redmayne) helps his wife, Gerda (Alicia Vikander), as she tries to complete a painting in “The Danish Girl,” opening Friday at Downtown West.

Love movies? Then you'll love the Shopper's take on both the local filmmaking scene and Hollywood releases.

Betsy Pickle, East Tennessee's premier film critic, keeps you in the know in Weekender.

10 • DECEMBER 23, 2015 • Shopper news

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