South Knox Shopper-News 120314

SOUTH KNOX VOL. 2 NO. 48 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Pie supper

Sweet treats took the cake at the Young at Heart Club’s annual pie supper.

The Young at Heart Club is open to anyone, but community center recreation director Debbie Beeler says it attracts mostly seniors, who come to a variety of programs.

Money raised at the pie supper helps to subsidize activities for club members.

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See Betsy Pickle’s story on page 3

What about JJD? U.S. Rep. John “Jimmy” Duncan will be 69 years old with 28 years in the House before the next election in 2016.

His father died in office at that age, a fact that surely hasn’t escaped his son’s notice.

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December July 29, 3, 2013 2014

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Decking the halls with

Christmas joy

By Betsy Pickle If you were worried when you saw that the Halloween decorations in front of McLemore Florist stayed up till Thanksgiving, never fear. Karen Christian is back on track and ready for Christmas.

A co-owner of McLemore Florist and the shop’s main outdoor and showroom designer, Christian threw her back out a few weeks ago and wasn’t able to create a Thanksgiving tableau. It takes something major to stop this decorating machine.

“I’ve just always been interested in it since I was a kid,” says Christian, who grew up in Bluefield, Va. “I started taking art lessons before

Read Larry Van Guilder on page 4

Karen Christian surrounds herself with Rudolph and his friends at McLemore Florist.

Photos by Betsy Pickle

To page 3

Night of the Arts If there’s such a thing as having too much fun, that was the case at the New Hopewell Night of the Arts. The school was abuzz as families came to support their students as they showed off their knowledge and creativity.

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Read story on page 8

Bernstein to retire One of Knoxville’s most distinguished attorneys, Bernard Bernstein, is retiring from law practice the end of the year, less than 30 days from now.

Bernstein, 83, will maintain an office at the Bernstein, Stair and McAdams law firm on Agnes Street in West Knoxville.

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Read Victor Ashe on page 5

Turkey at Buddy’s You thought it was enough.

You swore you would never eat again. Still, here you are, almost a week after the tryptophan-laced turkey has worn off, and you are craving a turkey sandwich.

The Mystery Diner visits Buddy’s for a turkey sandwich.

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Farewell to WAVE

By Bill Dockery Bob Kerr was a young man in 1975, fresh out of Vietnam and about to graduate from the University of Tennessee, when he signed up to work on a program helping high school dropouts.

On Dec. 19, Kerr will close down that program after almost four decades dedicated to helping thousands of dropouts complete a high school Krysten Nieves equivalency diploma, find employment or continue their education.

UT WAVE (stands for Work Achievement Values Education) has provided individualized tutoring for young dropouts seeking a GED diploma and help in plotting their career strategies.

“Dropouts bring a lot of baggage,” Kerr said. “The stigma is that dropouts are stupid, but ac-

Bob Sharp helps Jeremiah Zupsic refresh his knowledge of graphing equations for his upcoming GED exam. Sharp, a retired math teacher from Halls High School, began tutoring WAVE students so he could conBob Kerr and Michelle Love will be leaving the UT WAVE office when it closes tinue to help people. permanently on Dec. 19. Kerr started the program 39 years ago to help dropouts get high school equivalency diplomas. Photos by Bill Dockery tually there are 100 different reasons they drop out.”

The program has worked with about 100 students a year, with half of that number successfully getting their GED. The male-female ratio has been roughly 50-50 from year to year, and about 30 percent of the students are black.

Students between 17 and 24 who

wanted to get into WAVE were tested to see if they have sixthgrade academic skills.

“If they bomb the test, they can’t enter the program,” Kerr said, “but we hate to weed someone out.

That’s what we were about: second chances.”

Jeremiah Zupsic is seeking just that second chance. Zupsic ex-

pects to take the test before the program closes. He also represents something Kerr sees often: a second-generation WAVE graduate. His mother got her GED during the early 1990s from a WAVE program in Ohio.

Krysten Nieves, a recent dropout from South-Doyle High To page 3

Read the review on page 7

RAM premieres Making the documentary “Remote Area Medical” was a learning experience for first-time filmmaker Farihah Zaman.

“People are more than just the sum of their struggles,” says Zaman.

RAM, which was founded by Stan Brock and based in South Knoxville until a recent move to Rockford, provides free, high-quality medical, dental and vision care to people who cannot afford it.

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UT dropout education program to end

Read Betsy Pickle on page 6

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Dunn breaks with Haslam on Common Core

By Betty Bean State Rep. Bill Dunn is a key member of the House Education Committee and has generally supported Gov. Bill Haslam’s education reform measures. But he broke ranks last session by passing Bill Dunn a bill to reel back the Common Core State Standards, which have grown increasingly unpopular among conservatives as well as teachers.

Dunn said the new law (which Haslam signed) puts Tennessee in control of its standards while requiring the state Board of Education to notify members of the House and Senate education committees and post information online before it can vote on standard changes.

The law also limits the application of the standards to language arts and math, limits the data that can be collected from students and

parents, and requires Common Core-aligned tests to be bid out.

“Basically I’ve tried to make the standards process very transparent,” Dunn said.

He also has a plan to get teachers a raise but isn’t ready to say what it is.

“The governor may have a different plan, but I’ve got a backup plan to reward teachers for their hard work over the years.”

He admits his plan could be complicated by the reality of a tight budget year. “That’s going to rule a whole lot of things.”

When asked if he’ll join his conservative colleagues who want to repeal the Hall tax on investment income, he hedged his answer, pointing out that he has supported tax cuts like the small sales tax decrease on food (“People have got to eat”) but saying he’s leery of cutting off vital revenue streams.

“I think we have to look at the budget long term. When you weaken yourself financially as a state, you become beholden to the federal

government. Why would we weaken ourselves?

“When someone comes forward and says we need to repeal this tax, they need to show how that’s going to affect the budget. When we repealed the inheritance tax, we benefited because it encouraged more people to stay in state. With the Hall tax, I think you start by looking at who you’re hurting. If it’s a retiree who depends on this for income, you could raise the exemption, but I think we should distinguish between an elderly couple depending on their investments and a billionaire who’s investing.

“My main point is, as long as we have the financial means, we call the shots. When we don’t, the federal government calls the shots.”

After 20 years in the House, Dunn is kind of a big deal, particularly since the Republicans ended the Democrats’ majority in 2008. Dunn became chair of the Calendar and Rules Committee, the last stop for committee-approved bills before they hit the House floor.

Traditionally, some legislation doesn’t make it, and when it doesn’t, it’s usually the decision of the chair.

But Dunn says it’s not like the old days, when the Speaker of the House dictated outcomes.

“I’ve got the gavel, and I’m the one who determines what the vote was, if it’s a voice vote. What I like to do is work with individuals to get the bill where it needs to be. Has the bill been properly vetted in committee? That used to come from the speaker, but I go through all the bills to make a determination whether they should be on the consent calendar, make a list and give it to the Democratic leadership.

“A couple of times I’ve used my gavel to do what needed to be done. … There was one time when nobody wanted to call for question and I just got up, grabbed my gavel and left. Everybody said, ‘What?’

But if I hadn’t, we would have spent another two hours just going on and on. I think the bill ended up failing.”

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2 • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Brain tumors take many forms, cause differing outlooks There are more than 120 types of brain tumors. A diagnosis of any of them is very specific and individual to the patient. It’s also life-changing, life-threatening and often a shock.

“Brain tumors can be insidious,” said Dr. Paul Peterson, a neurosurgeon at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

“Initially, many people think their symptoms Paul Peterson, MD are a stroke.

There can be Neurosurgery headaches, and subtle personality changes can occur even before the headaches occur.

“But unlike stroke symptoms, which are sudden, brain tumors can enlarge silently for a long time,” Peterson added.

Each year, an estimated 200,000 people are diagnosed in the United States with some type of brain tumor, according to research by the National Cancer Institute. Most tumors, about 160,000 of them, are spread from cancers in other parts of the body. These are called “metastatic” tumors.

Cancers of the lung, breast, kidney and melanoma skin can-

cer are the most likely types of cancer to spread to the brain.

Working with Thompson Cancer Survival Center, physicians at Fort Sanders use a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to treat metastatic tumors.

“We customize a treatment program for each patient,” said Peterson. “It just depends on what they need.”

A smaller portion of brain tumors, about 40,000 per year in the U.S., originate within the brain. These are called “primary” tumors. Of those, less than half are cancerous, although they still may be life-threatening because the tumor presses on the brain.

“Not all brain tumors are cancerous,” explained Peterson.

“But benign tumors still need to

be followed and may need to be removed because of pressure on the brain.”

After removal, most benign tumors do not grow back or spread further, but serial followup with a neurosurgeon may be needed to watch for potential recurrence. Under a microscope, benign tumor cells usually have distinct borders and almost a normal appearance, according

to the American Brain Tumor Association.

“We do a CT scan and an MRI and these may provide good clues, but sometimes you need a piece of the tumor before you know it’s truly benign or cancerous. You can tell something’s going on but not the specifics about what it is,” said Peterson.

“Some benign tumors are classic looking, others we’re not sure. Sometimes tumors can look benign but they turn out to be metastatic cancer.”

A malignant primary tumor is one that is cancerous. These tend to be fast-growing and send out tentacle-like tissue into the rest of the brain, or shed cells that travel throughout the brain.

No one really knows what causes primary brain tumors, although excessive radiation exposure does increase the risk, as do a few rare genetic conditions, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“Some speculate head trauma can cause certain benign tumors, but how many times do you hit your head over a lifetime? One thing we can say is that there’s no association with cell phones or living near power lines,” said Peterson.

“Really the term is multifactorial, because there is no one thing associated with brain tumors,” he added.

Symptoms and treatment of brain tumors Symptoms of brain tumors can be subtle at first, but they increase as the tumor grows larger.

“The symptoms of brain tumors are weakness; headache, especially one that’s worse in morning; nausea; and vomiting, if the tumor is big enough,” said Dr. Paul Peterson, neurosurgeon with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Fort Sanders Neurosurgery and Spine.

There are four main types of treatment for brain tumors, and most patients receive a combination of therapies, depending on their specific needs.

■ Surgery – The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the surrounding brain tissue. At the very least, the surgeon will get a sample of the tumor for a biopsy, but in many cases the tumor can be removed. The biopsy reveals whether the tumor is cancerous or not.

■ Radiation therapy – Using X-rays, gamma rays or pro-

ton beams, radiation therapy either is used to shrink tumors before surgery or as a follow up to surgery to get rid of any residual cancer cells left. Some types of radiation are used on non-cancerous tumors as well.

■ Chemotherapy – Medications that kill cancer cells are often used after surgery to reduce the chance the tumor will grow and spread.

■ Targeted therapy – New medicines being tested in clinical trials work differently than standard chemotherapy. Instead of killing all cells, they target certain types of cells in an effort to stop tumors.

■ Watchful waiting – For slow-growing tumors, this approach involves regular monitoring of the tumor without actively removing it.

For more information about treatment options for brain tumors at Fort Sanders Regional, call 865-673-3678 or visit fsregional.com.

Gamma Knife – a treatment option Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Thompson Cancer Survival Center work together to offer the latest in surgical and nonsurgical brain tumor treatment options.

“Thompson is just across the street from Fort Sanders, so we work together for radiation treatment and chemotherapy,” said Dr. Paul Peterson, a neurosurgeon at Fort Sanders. “Plus, we treat with the Gamma Knife, we do biopsies

and brain tumor removal.”

Fort Sanders has the region’s only Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion unit, the most advanced and widely used radiosurgery treatment in the world, which uses focused radiation to target cancerous tumors precisely, without damaging nearby tissue.

This technology is most often used on metastatic brain tumors and to supplement traditional brain surgery or in cases where

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community

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • 3

Sweets for Young at Heart Sweet treats took the cake at the Young at Heart Club’s annual pie supper.

Betsy Pickle

Between the pie (and cake) auction and a cakewalk, baked goods were on the minds of everyone at the annual party/fundraiser at the South Knoxville Community Center. Sure, there was also a hot-dog supper, but dessert was the main event.

The Young at Heart Club is open to anyone, but community center recreation director Debbie Beeler says it attracts mostly seniors, who come to a variety of programs. Money raised at the pie supper helps to subsidize activities for club members.

The event also serves as a recruiting session. More than 20 people joined during the festivities. Beeler expects membership to wind up around last year’s number, 101.

Upcoming gig It’s always a pleasure to hear South Knoxville’s own Kevin Abernathy and his band perform, but it’s hard for some of us to get out at their usual late-night time. They’ll play at a “decent hour” this week: 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Open Chord Brewhouse & Stage, 8502 Kingston Pike. Doors open at 8 p.m. Also on the bill is Finkelsteen.

Participants in an ornament-making class created Christmas ornaments for a silent auction, and the ceramics group made door prizes. The club’s quilters made a quilt that was raffled off.

The dessert auction brought in big bucks, with some items going for more than $40. Auctioneer Joe Malone spun out the drama in his quest to get higher bids.

Christmas joy I even started kindergarten.

I guess it was just born in me.”

Christian and her husband, Jeff, moved from Virginia to Seymour 20 years ago in search of a better economy and more opportunities for their young daughter, Megan. As Megan, who now works at McLemore, and their son, Dakota, grew up, Karen redecorated their rooms frequently. She made decorations for their teachers and for friends. And at Christmastime, she went overboard.

“I had a tree in just about every room,” she says.

“Each one of my trees had a different theme. The one in my kitchen was gingerbread men, or Mr. and Mrs. Claus. In the living room, I had vintage Santas in red and green. The one down-

From page 1

“Didn’t I ever tell you about Bumbles? Bumbles bounce!” stairs in our den, it always had the stuff my kids – and my nieces and nephews – made as they were growing up. My kids’ trees matched whatever their room was.

Dakota’s one year was Harley-Davidson. I think if you go with the same theme in

■

Tree Board gets new leadership

The city of Knoxville’s Tree Board is going through a few changes. Board member Sam Adams has been elected chair while immediate past chair David Vandergriff is the new co-chair.

The Tree Board has 11 members, who serve fouryear terms. There are a cou- Vandergriff ple of openings at present,

every room, it can get boring. I just like different.”

Since buying the flower shop with her partners in April 2012, she hasn’t had time for extreme decorating at home. She pours all her energy into the décor at the shop – where she changes the hay-bale decorations seasonally – and at the South Knoxville Post Office, where she has been a rural carrier for 15 years.

Christian volunteers her time and the materials for the post office tree. She sees it as a win-win. “I work there, and I want people to keep coming into my post office,” she says. “It keeps my shop noticed, too.”

The flower shop is just a few doors down from the post office on Young High Pike. She doesn’t technically advertise the shop at the post office.

“When people come in, they see the tree and they

WAVE program to close School, started the program around Halloween but expects to pass the test before the Dec. 19 closure.

“I like the one-on-one tutoring,” the New York native said. “You get more attention.”

She hopes to pursuing nursing or other health care work.

Originally funded by CETA, the Comprehensive Employment Training Act of the 1970s, the program that is now UT WAVE has undergone several changes of name and funding sources.

After CETA came the Workforce Investment Act. Private support has come from Dollar General, United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, the program has switched from the GED Testing Service to the HiSET Program, which is less expensive to administer.

Kerr said a change in federal funding priorities is forcing WAVE to close. Money that once went to help high school dropouts complete their education is now being channeled into school programs intended to keep teenagers from dropping out in the first place. Kerr said that most school systems still have dropout rates that are too high.

“A program doesn’t last 40 years unless it’s needed,” Kerr said. “We’re not closing because of a lack of need or an ineffective program. It’s

From page 1

a shame people are spending the money on other things.”

The program has also provided opportunities for volunteers. Bob Sharp, a retired math teacher from Halls High School, found his way to WAVE through Knoxville’s Friends of Literacy. In recent years, the mentor for language arts has been Jan Avent. A retired Knoxville News Sentinel journalist, Avent first volunteered in memory of a fellow reporter and writer, the late Jim Dykes, who wanted to help people learn to read.

Michelle Love, the education coordinator for the program, shows off a wall of photos showing recent individual grads on a bul-

letin board surrounded by framed pictures of whole classes of GED recipients.

All are wearing academic caps and gowns. Love, who has worked at WAVE for eight years, has started taking the pictures down. She will be without a job when the program closes.

Kerr isn’t calling it quits yet, though. In the next weeks he will start working in adult basic education at Roane State Community College, helping adult learners chart out their career paths.

Knox County Schools will have the only GED program remaining when WAVE closes. That program is the Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy, located in Knoxville Center Mall.

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Carrie Tipton, Justapearl Brown, Jewel Brewer, Waltzie Hartsell and Fonda Hopkins hold the quilt they made for a raffle to benefit the Young at Heart Club. Photos by Betsy Pickle

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and those will be filled with the approval of the mayor.

The November meeting included a discussion of potential new members, suggested bylaws revisions, work on an urban forestry management plan, training programs for urban forestry

workers, a new logo for the Tree Board, saving a tree on private property near Holston Gases and tree concerns in North Hills.

The Tree Board meets at 8:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Ijams Nature Center.

wholesalers, but she also shops at Hobby Lobby.

“They seem to have higher quality, higher end and better prices.

Online, sometimes you really don’t know what you’re going to get.”

Decorations don’t always have to focus on foliage.

She’s a big fan of Mason jars, which she fills with items ranging from greenery and artificial snow to Christmas ornaments and candy canes.

This year, with the U.S.

Postal Service promoting the 50th anniversary of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Christian is leaning on Rudolph and his friends.

“I’m very particular with my stuff, especially if I’m doing it for somebody,” says Christian. “I kind of go above and beyond and usually over budget. I don’t want to half do it. I want to be happy with it, and I want people to enjoy it, and I want it to last forever.”

Adams

ask questions, and the people who work there know me, so they kind of fill in the blanks for everybody.”

Because her husband and daughter are allergic to live trees, Christian has always decorated with artificial ones. She says there’s no reason to feel guilty about using such greenery.

“You pay more, but there are some silks out there that look as real as fresh arrangements,” she says.

Christian buys from

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4 • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • Shopper news

Sneak preview of 2015 At my age, I don’t win many foot races, but, by jumping the gun, I might be first with a Tennessee football outlook for 2015.

Marvin West

Next year is when the Volunteers are supposed to take a giant step forward. Some teams that have been pushing Tennessee around for the past several seasons should rethink the situation. The big bullies know who they are. They know the scene is changing. There will be no more sand flipped in the face of the 105-pound weakling.

The boy is now a man.

No, no, not a giant, just bigger and stronger and tougher and smarter.

It is logical that returning Vols, just because they are a year older, will be improved.

Development is part of what coaches do for their money.

Dave Lawson, in charge of muscles, will guide contin-

ued growth this winter. He is already seeking a preventative solution to high ankle sprains and torn labra.

The key to next season is what made the Vols better in most of November. There should be no quarterback confusion. Joshua Dobbs is a potential star.

There was a time when I thought recruiting was the front end of long-term projects. Butch Jones taught me something. I now think recruiting, at the level these guys do it, is an immediate patch and sometimes a fi x – for every ailment except the offensive line.

Tennessee played 23 freshmen with minimal embarrassment. In some cases, it was a matter of necessity. In other cases, talent prevailed over experience.

I suppose it will happen again, to a lesser degree.

Example: Jalen Hurd, running back, emerged as a future all-American if he stays well. Marlin Lane became one notch up from incidental. For 2015, Derrell Scott may be a solid backup.

Somebody new must help.

SEC contenders need four tailbacks. Alvin Kamara,

apparently inbound from Hutchinson, Kan., is the primary prospect.

Tennessee projects to look more like Wide Receiver U. next season. It has the reputation but fell short of expectations. There are genuine playmakers among wideouts and slots. They will block better and drop less.

I do believe Marquez North will bounce back.

Josh Malone will eventually grasp what he is supposed to do. Jason Croom is big with big potential. Pig Howard and Von Pearson will add refinement. There are others. This is the deepest segment of the team.

Josh Smith can play. I think Jonathon Johnson, Vic Wharton and Ryan Jenkins can help.

Tight ends? Capable but should get much better.

Tennessee has one or more joining the three with established credentials.

The offensive line will remain a work in progress.

Tackle is enough of a question mark to cause concern.

Maybe Dontavius Blair will become what he was supposed to be. Charles Mosley? Possible. There is mini-

They’re always hungry The calendar says it’s still three weeks till winter begins, but it sure feels like winter today, Thanksgiving, as I hunt and peck this column. Gloomy, sprinkles, 40 degrees.

Well, here’s a quiz question for you: What wintertime outdoor activity can best be enjoyed indoors, and usually improves, the worse the weather gets? I know everyone got the right answer: watching the bird feeders, of course.

Grandma and I don’t keep our feeders going during the summer months, generally closing down around the start of hot weather in June.

There is plenty of natural food all around in the summer. We’ve found that summer feeding, at least at our location, seems to attract flocks of undesirables, namely starlings and pigeons.

So we start feeding again as the cooler weather returns in mid-October. Anyone who is a regular bird feeder understands the satisfaction one gets when the usual cast of characters begins to show up. Chickadees and titmice immediately, then soon thereafter the cardinals, blue jays and woodpeckers.

The colder-weather customers aren’t here yet at our feeders: sparrows, towhees, juncos and the like.

They seem to prefer their still-abundant natural weed seeds and berries for now,

Dr. Bob Collier

and some haven’t arrived in these parts yet. But just you wait till that first decent snowfall. The gang will all be here!

Many a new first-time feeder person is amazed at the array of birds they can attract, and at how much they can observe and learn about them from the warmth of their living room.

Almost without realizing you are learning things, you become familiar enough with the common species to be able to recognize them at a glance, just by their size and behavior. Thus, titmice and chickadees grab a seed and fly away; house finches park themselves on the feeder and nibble away.

We here in East Tennessee live in a good part of the country for bird feeding.

We’re midway between the deep-freeze snowy north where winter feeder birds are a small (but hardy) crew, and the semitropical coastal areas like Florida and Texas where the feeders are visited by hordes of colorful and exotic species reminiscent of an aviary at the zoo.

In our winters here, we

enjoy a familiar and fairly stable population of resident birds that have been here all year long but seem to need us for a boost through the long, tough winter. Some of them we seldom see, such as brown thrashers or field sparrows, except for under the feeder in the winter.

These birds are joined in the winter by migrants from farther north, here to enjoy the food supplies of our milder winters, such as the white-throated sparrows (a very common winter bird here, gone in the spring), as well as purple finches, darkeyed juncos, pine siskins and the like.

And then there is the great fun of finding an unusual or out-of-place bird there amongst the usual ones. It happens every year, and people get the word out and head on over to see the rare visitor. For example, the first part of this last February, in the dead of winter, there appeared at a feeder in Maryville an amazing sight: an adult male painted bunting, a small, spectacular red, blue, green and yellow bird of the summertime Carolina and Georgia coast.

We drove over there on a cold rainy morning and saw and photographed the bird, hundreds of miles from its usual haunts and months out of season!

East of the Mississippi, the only species of hummingbird that nests is the

mal depth and freshmen are not easy plug-ins.

Three pretty good players are gone from the defense, but that unit will be better instead of worse.

Replacing A.J. Johnson will be the first order of spring business. If Jakob Johnson can’t do it, Dillon Bates can.

Justin Coleman never was fast enough, but he refused to yield his spot in the secondary. Tennessee is not overflowing with DBs. It would be really good to bring in more corners.

Assuming Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle arrive as scheduled, both will be seen and heard. They might achieve at defensive tackle some of what Derek Barnett did at end. That would take care of the void created by Jordan Williams’ departure.

We know who will kick placements. We think incoming Tommy Townsend may emerge as punter. Evan Berry will get better on returns. Cheers!

The 2015 outlook is exciting. This next team might be good for eight or nine wins, even with Arkansas coming onto the schedule. If it hits 10, send me an email about being old and too conservative.

Marvin West’s address is westwest6@ netzero.com.

ruby-throated. But more and more every year, folks around here are hosting overwintering rufous hummers at their feeders. Normally western birds, the rufous hummers nest in the Pacific Northwest and winter in Central America. But for some reason the little guys are showing up here in the fall, and people keep their feeders filled all winter for them, rigging up light bulbs to keep the feeders from freezing.

We hopped over to a lovely, feeder-filled yard in a local neighborhoodl last winter and stood there enjoying the surreal experience of watching a beautiful rusty-brown male rufous hummingbird, thousands of miles from its normal winter habitat in Costa Rica or Belize, happily feeding.

A good way to enhance your feeder enjoyment is to keep your bird bath open all winter. Water can be scarce in winter, especially in times of freezing temperatures. You can purchase small bird bath heaters that will do the job. You’ll be surprised to see how many of your feathered customers that will attract, with water flying everywhere and others waiting for their turn.

It’s almost winter! Get those bags of black oil sunflower seed (it’s cheaper this year) and white proso millet, nyger (thistle) seed and suet cakes, and settle down to enjoy your own flock of appreciative feathered entertainers. It’s way more fun than shoveling snow.

Catching up Bill Johns of Farragut and Mike Palazzolo, mayor-elect for the city of Germantown, Tenn., catch up on community leadership, trends and partnerships at Huey’s in Germantown over Thanksgiving holiday week. Both Palazzolo and Johns were members of the inaugural class of Leadership Germantown in 1996. Photo submitted

What will Jimmy do?

This is a special time of year for Congressional representatives. Election winners can chill for several weeks before beginning 22 months of fundraising for the next contest.

For U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr., “Jimmy” to his admiring constituents, campaign finance is almost an afterthought. A breakfast here, a luncheon there, a boat cruise, a reception for some well-heeled donors and he’s good to go.

And why worry? Since 2000, when he polled better than 89 percent against a Libertarian candidate, Duncan’s tally has not fallen below 72.5 percent of votes cast. In an era when the average Congressional candidate raises close to $2 million, Duncan’s take peaked at $731,000 in 2006.

John J. Duncan Sr. held the seat now occupied by his son from 1965 until his death in 1988. As we ring in 2015, a Duncan will have represented Tennessee’s Second Congressional District for 50 years.

That’s family job security in a way the nation’s architects never conceived, but that’s another story. For now it’s more instructive to consider the dark clouds stalking the sun-drenched Duncan dynasty.

Duncan will be 69 years old with 28 years in the House before the next election in 2016. His father died in office at that age, a fact that surely hasn’t escaped his son’s notice.

Any thought of slipping into a comfortable retirement with the Duncan sinecure untroubled by pretenders to the throne probably vanished when the heir apparent, John Duncan III, stumbled badly after winning election to the Knox County Trustee’s office in 2010.

Maybe it’s something in the water in that office. What-

Larry Van Guilder

ever the reason, the apple of Dad’s eye sold his birthright for a few thousand dollars in unearned “bonuses.”

So, absent serious rehabilitation of John III’s image, the elder Duncan must hold serve for a while. Could anything break it?

Maybe.

Duncan is a member of the party whose goal for the next two years is to fiddle while Rome burns and hope the flames engulf the White House. Shutting down the government, impeaching the president and refusing to raise the debt ceiling are a few of the stratagems being touted by the likes of Sen. Ted Cruz and other escapees from the asylum.

If the Republicancontrolled House and Senate run the country over a cliff in the next two years, will Duncan follow? Would the backlash be painful enough to make a race for the Second District competitive?

Duncan artfully maintains a low profile. He defied the Republican leadership in opposing the Iraq war, but he’s generally stayed loyal.

But it’s not hard to imagine Cruz and company, mainly through inaction, triggering a deep global recession or worse, and folks will want to know where Duncan stands.

And then there’s Tim. Is Burchett a potential rival when his mayoral term expires in 2018? Does it rain in Seattle?

To Mr. and Ms. Local Loyal Republican: That “WWJD” bracelet you’re wearing could soon be asking, “What will Jimmy do?”

11,000 readers right up the road.

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

Shopper news • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • 5

Johnson versus ‘Nashville-centric’ mentality Gloria Johnson is a glutton for punishment, as evidenced by the fact that she’s running again, this time for Te n n e s s e e Democratic Party chair, a position that some Johnson might consider even less enviable than the one she lost last month.

It would have been her second term in the House of Representatives, where she was one of just 27 Democrats in a 99-member body.

Her chief opponents are Nashville radio personality and progressive activist Mary Mancini, who lost a primary bid for state Senate, and Knoxville lawyer Terry Adams, who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary for the privilege of facing Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander. They were selected by a committee

Betty Bean that whittled down a field of about a dozen contenders.

The three were slated for public vetting in a series of six meetings (two in each Grand Division).

In typically chaotic Democratic Party fashion, there could be other candidates as well. Lenda Sherrell, who spent a huge wad of money trying to unseat ethically challenged incumbent Scott DesJarlais, showed up for East Tennessee meetings in Morristown and Sweetwater. Others could materialize and probably won’t be barred from running.

This time around, the voters Johnson must woo are the 72 members of the Democratic Executive Committee, composed of one male and one female committee representative from

each senate district plus six ex-officio members. There is an appropriate sense of urgency around this election, acknowledging the party’s endangered status.

The traveling candidate road show is a response to growing complaints that the party’s leadership is too Nashville-centric. Rural Democrats (truly an endangered species) complain that they are being ignored.

Johnson, whose district tilts Republican by a 53-47 margin, agrees with them.

She was identified as the GOP’s top target this year, and despite running a wellorganized campaign lost by 183 votes to Republican Eddie Smith. Two years ago she won by a narrow margin.

She says the primary difference between 2014 and 2012 was early help from Nashville two years ago, when the party sent two field organizers to Knoxville to help set up the campaign.

“Roy Herron (the present chair) has a different philos-

ophy,” Johnson said. “He’s got the idea that you raise a whole bunch of money and give it to the candidate at the end. But it’s better to organize, determine who the persuadable voters are. The field organizers did that and really helped activate volunteers.”

“I’m a proven fundraiser,” she said. “I raised more in my area for a state race than ever (a little over $200,000). There are people who still think you just need a ton of money. I don’t think that. I think you need a ground game.”

Johnson also believes the party leaders didn’t understand Knox County voters’ crossover voting habits.

“They were looking at my numbers as if they were Nashville numbers and didn’t realize how close it really was. They haven’t had a race like mine. You look at Knoxville numbers differently because we just don’t have Democratic primaries.”

New life for blighted properties Last week, City Council approved the $10,000 sale of a blighted property on East Quincy Avenue. In recent years, the property had racked up 31 lot violations, and a tree was growing through the front porch of the crumbling home.

Wendy Smith

The sale will be finalized through the city’s Homemaker Program, and the pending owner is a neighbor who plans to rehabilitate the property for her mother.

The sale of five Homemaker properties was approved during the meeting. Four will require purchasers to rehab existing structures or build new ones. One is an empty lot that will be taken over by an adjacent homeowner.

Kathy Ellis, senior project specialist, has overseen the program for seven years. She has run off vagrants and raccoons during her investigations, and she’s witnessed the rehabilitation of 19 properties.

While most view life “from the cradle to the grave,” Ellis sees things backward.

“In my case, I go from the grave back to the cradle.”

The Homemaker Program was established in the 1980s to acquire and sell blighted properties in Mechanicsville. In 1995, it was expanded to address the rest of Knoxville. It is

Now stabilized, this East Quincy Avenue property will be sold and rehabilitated through the city’s Homemaker Program. currently a disposition program rather than an acquisition program.

But Ellis also works to acquire blighted properties. Abandoned properties are brought to the city’s attention by neighbors, law enforcement, the fire department, or tax and codes authorities, and her goal is to negotiate a sale − if she can locate the owners. That happens about 10 percent of the time.

Funds for acquiring blighted properties come from the city’s Chronic Problem Properties Fund. The total cost of staff time, a title search, an appraisal and legal expenses is approximately $50,000 for each parcel.

Mayor Madeline Rogero, and Mayor Bill Haslam before her, have strongly supported programs that battle blight, and it takes money, says Ellis.

“We get almost everything we ask for.”

After last week’s prop-

erty sale, there are no lots with structures available.

But there are unimproved lots for sale − nine in Five Points, 17 in Lonsdale, one in North /Northwest Knoxville, and eight in East Knoxville. Because one of the goals of the Homemaker Program is to provide affordable housing, applications for the purchase of lots must include a plan for a new home. If the lot isn’t buildable, it can be added to an adjacent residential property.

The Homemaker Committee meets monthly to review applications in order to find the best fit for each neighborhood. Applicants with the highest bid aren’t always chosen, Ellis says.

Some are picked because they have rehab experience and ready funds.

Once approved, applicants are required to put down 10 percent of the purchase price. Within 90 days, site plans must be approved

government Bernstein retires … sort of One of Knoxville’s most distinguished attorneys, Bernard Bernstein, is retiring from law practice the end of the year, less than 30 days from now. Bernstein, 83, will maintain an office at the Bernstein, Stair and McAdams law firm on Agnes Street in West Knoxville.

Victor Ashe

As appellate court judge Charles Susano said in regard to Bernstein, “He taught me how to be a lawyer.”

Married over 50 years to wife Barbara, Bernstein has been a leader in many fields. He was president of both the Knoxville Bar Association and Heska Amuna Synagogue. In a 1976 non-partisan election, Knox County voters elected him – by a substantial margin – as a delegate to the 1977 state constitutional convention along with Leonard Ambrose and E. Bruce Foster Jr. During the Korean War, Bernstein served in the U.S. Air Force in intelligence.

He and his wife received the Clayton Award from the Knoxville Museum of Art for outstanding service.

They are strong supporters of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as well as the Museum of Art. They have lived on Corteland Drive in West Hills for many years.

Bernstein has always taken constitutional rights seriously and advocated for liberty and personal freedom. This was clearly displayed over 35 years ago when he picketed a display of items from the Soviet Union at the City County Building due to the mistreatment of Jews in the Soviet Union under Communist rule. He carried a sign on Main Street in front of the building and attracted much attention to the Soviet treatment of Jews and restrictions on their right to leave that country.

Bernstein was the person I turned to as mayor to chair the commission to look at the issue of establishing a

by the Infill Committee, and within 120 days, all financing must be in place. Construction must begin within 180 days of the deed transfer, and the build must be completed within one year.

If the purchaser doesn’t meet any part of the Homemaker agreement, the city can take the property back.

While Ellis enjoys seeing the birth of a new home, thoughts of the original owner are never far from her mind.

“Every home, every lot, has a story. It belonged to a family, and there were happy times and sad times there.

I never go to an abandoned property without thinking about that,” she says.

A list of available lots is on the city website, www. cityofknoxville.org.

Info: 215-2120.

Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, there will be ■ Knox County Republican Party Christmas/Hanukkah no Sign Task Force meeting Gala will be 6 p.m. Monday, on Tuesday, Dec. 8. It will be Dec. 8, at Rothchild Catering rescheduled in January. and Conference Center, 8807

police civilian review board for Knoxville after several persons had died in police custody. His reputation for fairness, integrity and intelligence was such that his chairing that group gave it instant credibility.

I took to heart the Bernstein Commission’s recommendations for the creation of such a board, and I established it by executive order when it became apparent that the then-City Council would not vote for it. Two years later the panel was so successful that the council did an about-face and unanimously created it by ordinance, so a future mayor could not abolish it by a similar executive order.

Bernstein says he will continue to be active in the community and with his family. He is now a grandfather to a granddaughter and grandson who live in San Francisco. While Bernstein’s legal expertise will be missed as a practicing lawyer, his community service will continue, which is good news for Knoxville.

■ Don’t be surprised if more than 55 legislators publicly endorse House Speaker Beth Harwell’s candidacy for another term.

That would be a majority within the 73-member GOP caucus and the entire 99-member House.

One change House Republicans ought to make in their election procedure is to announce the actual vote for the various leaders elected. Current practice announces the result without giving the vote totals.

■ Norris Dryer, the Green Party candidate for Congress, died a week before the Nov. 4 election, but his death did not slow down those wanting to support him. Dryer actually got more votes on Election Day after his death than he did when he was still alive and able to campaign during early voting.

In Knox County early voting, Dryer got 1,493 votes, and after his death on Nov. 4 he got 1,515 votes.

Dryer ran several times for office and was a longtime member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

■ This writer is getting his left hip replaced this week after getting a new right hip over two years ago.

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6 • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • Shopper news

Farihah Zaman

Jeff Reichert

Shot at a RAM clinic in Bristol, “Remote Area Medical” focuses on people whose desperate need for health care complicates their lives.

RAM filmmakers hope to inspire support

By Betsy Pickle Making the documentary “Remote Area Medical” was a learning experience for first-time filmmaker Farihah Zaman.

“People are more than just the sum of their struggles,” says Zaman, noting one of the truths that came from the experience.

RAM, which was founded by Stan Brock and based in South Knoxville until a recent move to Rockford, provides free, high-quality medical, dental and vision care to people who cannot afford it.

RAM schedules clinics all over the country with the help of hundreds of medical personnel.

Zaman and her co-director, Jeff Reichert, were inspired to make the film after volunteering at a RAM clinic in Pikeville, Ky. They were moved by the experience, and after many years working in the film industry they were looking for a project for their directorial debut.

“We wanted to share that story with other people,” she says.

After Pikeville, it didn’t take long to decide to make the film, Reichert says.

“It took a really long time introducing ourselves to RAM and Stan (Brock) and making him comfortable with the idea of doing the film,” says Reichert.

“We had to convince them we don’t have an agenda. We don’t have a policy outcome we’re trying to push.

“Originally, our idea was to show how

you run a clinic, what it takes. Once we started meeting the patients, it changed entirely. You can see Stan on the news and see how big the clinics are, but you’re not hearing as much in depth.”

Zaman says they chose to shoot at the clinic in Bristol because “Appalachia is so incredibly beautiful, and the people are gracious. In addition to that, it’s overlooked by the rest of the country. This was an opportunity to give them a voice.”

The shoot made sense logistically, the filmmakers say, and there was another big factor.

“It took place in a NASCAR speedway – a huge, expensive leisure center hosting something so different,” says Zaman.

“That said a lot without making a big point out of it.”

The filmmakers tried to find patients who had good stories before they started shooting so they could follow them through the process. Zaman says they couldn’t help but get involved at times.

They hope the film opens people’s eyes to some harsh medical realities in this country and makes them think about how they can help, through volunteering or working to cut through the red tape that RAM often experiences.

“Most states don’t allow doctors not licensed in their state to practice,” says Zaman. “They need the out-of-state help.

RAM needs to draw from what exists.”

Post-holiday short list

By Betsy Pickle After the big Thanksgiving push, the movie scene this week is a bit more lowkey.

The documentary “Remote Area Medical,” which was shot in Bristol and had a premiere at the Tennessee Theatre last year, starts a regular run this week.

(Please see the accompanying interview with the directors.)

The widest release belongs to the horror film “The Pyramid.” U.S. archaeologists discover an ancient pyramid buried in the Egyptian desert and, while exploring it, become lost.

As they try to figure a way out, they realize they’re not alone in the pyramid – and they’re being hunted.

The cast includes a bunch of people you’ve never heard of, along with the tre-

mendously talented Denis O’Hare. Gregory Levasseur, known for co-writing “The Hills Have Eyes” (2006) and “High Tension,” directed.

Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will want to check out Rifftrax Live: “Santa Claus,” in which the MST3K guys tear apart the 1959 Mexican holiday nonclassic. It will play at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4, at West Town and Tinseltown.

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weekender

Shopper news • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • 7

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

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

THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 21 ■ “A Christmas Carol,” Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage, UT campus. Info/tickets/ performances: 974-5161 or clarencebrowntheatre.com/.

FRIDAY ■ First Friday Gallery and Kwanzaa Holiday Marketplace, 6-9 p.m., Downtown African American Art Gallery, Suite 106, The Emporium Building, 100 S. Gay St.

David Dwyer as the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer has just given the magical nutcracker to Clara, danced by Harris Wilbanks. Photo by Richard Calmes

By Carol Shane Those who know Amy Morton Vaughn know that she sleeps, eats and breathes ballet. The artistic director of the Appalachian Ballet Company (ABC) is excited about recent changes she’s made to the company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

“This year, the audience will be treated to lots of new choreography, dancers and soloists,” she says.

Acclaimed as an educator, director and choreographer – and a prima ballerina herself in the ’80s and ’90s – Morton Vaughn is tireless in her devotion to the dance.

Right now she’s not only rehearsing her “Nutcracker” cast but also teaching classes as usual at the Van Metre School of Dance, which is the ABC’s official school and one of the oldest businesses in Blount County, having been founded by Cheryl Van Metre in the late 1950s.

Chartered in 1972, the Appalachian Ballet Com-

pany grew out of the school and is now the resident dance company of the Clayton Center for the Arts.

Morton Vaughn took the reins in 1997, and the ABC’s talented dancers perform a three-program season, offering a wide repertory from traditional classics to creative contemporary ballets.

And in an age when more ballet companies are opting for recorded music, “the Appalachian Ballet Company continues to show extraordinary commitment to live music,” says music director Sande MacMorran, who will conduct the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in the upcoming performances.

“Forty-one years of ‘The Nutcracker’ with full orchestra!”

Part of MacMorran’s job is to accommodate the special musical needs of the solo dancers. And this year, he’ll be accommodating a lot of them.

Some starring roles are double-cast, and Morton

Vaughn says, “I have three male guest artists coming for the first weekend and three separate male guest artists coming for the second weekend, which is very exciting! I’ll get to work with six different professional dancers!

“I’ve done lots of new choreography for the Spanish dance, and this year we’ll have both male and female dancers for the Russian dance, so get ready for those big leaps!” she continues. “But I’m most excited about the Arabian dance,” she admits, referring to the sinuous dance set to Tchaikovsky’s exotic music. “I’ve made lots of changes in it.”

Actor David Dwyer, most recently seen in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” and the TV series “Reckless,” reprises his role as Herr Drosselmeyer, the mysterious toymaker who introduces the magical nutcracker to the Stahlbaum family at their annual

Christmas party. Kylie Morton Barry, one of Morton Vaughn’s two professionally dancing daughters, will portray the Sugarplum Fairy.

And of course there’ll be dancing dolls and snowflakes, gingerbread kids, toy soldiers, angels and marauding mice. “We have over 100 performers this year!” Morton Vaughn says.

It all makes for a thrilling family adventure that you don’t want to miss.

This year’s Appalachian Ballet Company production of “The Nutcracker” will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Two further performances will be presented at 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at The Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville.

Tickets and info: www. appalachianballet.com or 656-4444 or 877-995-9961.

Send story suggestions to news@ shoppernewsnow.com.

Plate it

Buddy’s Bar-B-Q

By Mystery Diner You thought it was enough. You swore you would never eat again. Still, here you are, almost a week after the tryptophan-laced turkey has worn off, and you are craving a turkey sandwich.

Tender, juicy turkey … just a hint of mayo … crisp lettuce and a ripe-red tomato … Arghhhh! Why did you turn down those leftovers?

Never fear. The answer is just around the corner, if you know where to look.

Look to Buddy’s Bar-B-Q. Yes, I said Buddy’s.

Buddy’s Bar-B-Q is an East Tennessee tradition

with 14 restaurants stretching from Morristown to Athens. They have been around since 1972 and are known for hickory-smoked barbecue, ribs and hawgback potatoes. I would venture that if you have been in Knoxville for more than a month, you’ve had a Buddy’s pork sandwich.

So let me tell you about the turkey. Like the holiday that made it famous, turkey doesn’t get much attention in the Buddy’s marketing strategy. Understandably so, as you really should dance with the one who brought you, and barbecue is what put Buddy’s

■ KSO Musical Storytimes for Kids, 10:30 a.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. For preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Free and open to the public. Info: 947-6210.

■ Opening reception for the Arts & Culture Alliance 2014 Members Show, 5-9 p.m., Emporium Building, 100 S. Gay St. On display through Dec. 23. Info/hours: 523-7543 or www. knoxalliance.com.

■ Opening reception for Chasing Light: New Works by Kathie Odom, 5-8 p.m., The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike.

Meet the artist, holiday cuisine from Gourmet’s Market, live music by Michael Whitesides. Exhibit runs through Dec. 30.

SATURDAY ■ Dor L’Dor, Klezmer: Music for Hannukah, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $12, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org.

■ Oak Ridge Community Orchestra concert, 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge Sanctuary, on the corner of the Oak Ridge Turnpike and LaFayette Drive. Admission is free; donations at the door to support the orchestra’s routine operating expenses will be appreciated.

■ Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, 9-10 a.m., Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center, 1127 Broadway. For ages 4-5. Cost: $18. Info: 523-1401 or www.cityofknoxville.org/recreation/ arts.

■ Scott Hamilton & Friends on Ice, 5-6:30 p.m., Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. All proceeds will benefit the Provision CARES Foundation and the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation supporting cancer education and wellness, clinical research and patient assistance. Tickets: $22 and $32.50. Info: 684-2616, www.provisonhp.com ■ Vega String Quartet in concert, 7:30 p.m., Pollard Auditorium, 210 Badger Road, Oak Ridge. Presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. Tickets: $10 and $25. Info: 483-5569, www.orcma.org.

■ West Town Mall Holiday 5k race, in the mall parking lot near Charming Charlie. Registration: adult race, 7 a.m.; kids fun run (entry fee is donating toy for Angel Tree), 7:30. All proceeds go to Second Harvest Food Bank’s Food for Kids program and the Simon Youth Foundation, which helps atrisk students stay in school. Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest for attendees. Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. in the amphitheater in front of JCPenney.

■ Winter Concert, 8 p.m., Princess Theatre in downtown Harriman. Features: Roane State Community College Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Celebration Singers, faculty and guest musicians. Donations will be accepted at the door. Info: Brenda Luggie, 354-3000, ext. 4236; or luggieb@roanestate.edu.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY Yes, there’s barbecue. But Buddy’s turkey sandwich, with baked beans and corn on the cob, is just what you need if no one gave you any leftovers. Photo by Mystery Diner

on the map.

Their turkey sandwich, however, is a rare find for those who look for it. It’s real, smoked turkey, thinsliced but still juicy. Served cold with lettuce, tomato and light mayonnaise, the sandwich is everything you dream about on Black Friday, when the mall is calling

your wallet and the refrigerator your stomach.

If the peer pressure is too much, go ahead and order the barbecue. Whisper to the cashier to add a turkey sandwich, and no one will be the wiser.

She’ll even put it in a brown paper bag for you.

■ “The Nutcracker” presented by the Appalachian Ballet Company with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Performances: 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.

Sunday. Tickets: 982-8463 or Knox Tickets 656-4444.

SUNDAY ■ Hard Knox Roller Girls intraleague bout featuring Black Bettys vs Lolitas Locas, 6 p.m., Smoky Mountain Skate Center, 2801 E. Broadway, Maryville. Open skate, 7:308:30 p.m. Ticket prices include skate rental. Info: www. hardknoxrollergirls.com.

■ Knoxville Community Band Concert, 3 p.m., Bearden Middle School, 1000 Francis Road. Free admission.

■ Opening reception for “Sound of Many Waters” art exhibit, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Arnstein Jewish Community Center, 6800 Deane Hill Drive. Exhibit runs through Wednesday, Dec. 24.

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kids

8 • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

Kofi Mowaku, lower left, guides students in a demonstration of rhythm at the New Hopewell Night of the Arts. Photos by Betsy Pickle

First-grader Elizabeth Cogdill leans against her father, Zach Cogdill, after a stint portraying Betsy Ross in the living wax museum.

Katie McMahan, 4, and her brother, firstgrader Trent McMahan, paint self-portraits.

Everyone gets in on the dancing action.

New Hopewell gets excited about the arts

By Betsy Pickle

No baking required South Knoxville Elementary School principal Tanna Nicely shows second-graders how to make “pumpkin pie in a bag,” a treat she has shared with students for more than 20 years. The simple recipe – graham crackers, pumpkin pie filling, vanilla pudding and whipped cream – turns into a dessert that’s a hit with the kids. Photo by Betsy Pickle

If there’s such a thing as having too much fun, that was the case at the New Hopewell Night of the Arts. The school was abuzz as families came to support their students as they showed off their knowledge and creativity.

Artistic endeavors took over most of the elementary school. The cafeteria was

headquarters for hands-on creations as kids posed for crazy photos and tried their hand at various kinds of 2-D and 3-D art, including a self-portrait mural. Previously created artworks by second- and third-graders were on display in the primary hallway.

That was also the site of a living wax museum, with youngsters striking poses as

Shopper s t n e V enews

p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.

THROUGH MONDAY, DEC. 8

Special Holiday Barn Sale at the RiverView Family Farm, located on Prater Lane off Choto Road.

Hours: noon-5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Features: vendors with handmade arts & crafts, jewelry, vintage items, antiques and more; fresh Christmas trees from table-top size to 12 feet, garlands and wreaths.

Free admission. Info: janice865@gmail.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 Knitting Caps for the Homeless, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

“Big Red Bow Project” donation collection for individuals facing Alzheimer’s and dementia in Knox, Anderson, Blount and Loudon counties at Lexus of Knoxville, 10315 Parkside Drive. Info/wish list: www.alzTennessee.org/big-red-bow-project or 5446288.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3 Chanukah Storytime with Laurie Fisher, 11 a.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

Holiday Dance Party with dance instructors, noon-3 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 10:30 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive.

Info: 470-7033.

THURSDAY, DEC. 4 Bingo, 10-11 a.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.

Chanukah Storytime with Laurie Fisher, 4 p.m., Karns Branch Library, 7516 Oak Ridge Highway.

Info: 470-8663.

Dressing Girls for Charity, 3:15-4:30 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.

Free preview screening of “Evolution of a Criminal,” followed by a panel discussion, 6 p.m., Scruffy City Hall on Market Square. Free event. Info: www.

EastTennesseePBS.org.

Holiday Spectacular concert performances, 6 and 8 p.m., Clayton Performing Arts Center at Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Space limited; arrive 30 minutes before performance for complimentary ticket. Free event; donations accepted at the door for the Pellissippi State Foundation on behalf of the Music Scholarship fund. Info: 694-6400 or www.pstcc.edu/arts.

Movie and Popcorn: “A Christmas Story” starring Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, 11:15 a.m.-1

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DEC. 5-6

SATURDAY, DEC. 6 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Downtown Knoxville AAA Office, 100 W. Fifth Ave. Cost: $40 members; $50 nonmember. Must preregister.

Info/to register: Kate, 862-9254, or Don, 862-9250.

Best Little Christmas Sale Ever, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Callahan Road Baptist Church, 1317 Callahan Road.

Info: 938-3410.

Candle-making workshops, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Marble Springs State Historic Site, 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway. Reservations are required; space is limited. Cost: $10. Info/reservations: 573-5508, info@marblesprings.net, www.marblesprings.net.

Christmas Gifts to Give, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center, 1127 Broadway.

For ages 6-10. Cost: $49. Info: 523-1401 or www. cityofknoxville.org/recreation/arts.

Christmas Internet Festival, 1-4 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Hosted by the staff of the East Tennessee Genealogical School. Preregistration and a valid email address, as well as good Internet searching capabilities, are required. Info/to register: 215-8809.

FaithWalk & Al Ichiki 5K, 2 p.m., Church of the Immaculate Conception, 414 W. Vine. Packet pickup, 12:30-1:45 p.m. at event. Hosted by Samaritan Ministry, a ministry of Central Baptist Church of Bearden and an AIDS service organization. To register: www.samaritancentral.org or day of race. Info: 450-1000, ext. 827.

First Saturday, Gallery Open, International Fine Arts Academy with KWANZAA Presentation and Kuumba Watoto Parent Booster Club Fundraiser, Downtown African American Art Gallery, Suite 106, The Emporium Building, 100 S. Gay St. Nutcracker Breakfast, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Studio Arts for Dancers, 1234 Rocky Hill Road. Cost: $25. For ages 6-12. Reservations required. Info/reservations:

historical figures from hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Meanwhile, the library hosted a book fair where some of the offerings had stories about famous folks from the past.

Attendees could purchase hot cocoa and cookies, with donations going to support a field trip by second- through fifth-graders to see “The Nutcracker” bal-

let.

The main event was a program of African drumming and dance in the gymnasium. Guest artist Kofi Mowaku led the students in several numbers he had rehearsed with them. When the kids coaxed their families into dancing with them, it was comic chaos.

539-2475 or www.gocontemporarydance.com.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 Christmas Card to the City, 3:30 p.m., Market Square Stage, Market Square. Free admission.

Handmade Guatemalan gifts for sale, 12:303:30 p.m., Powell Presbyterian Church, 2910 W. Emory Road. Proceeds benefit Nuestros Ninos, a local charity committed to helping “our children” in Guatemala. Info: 938-8311 or http://www.nuestrosninoscharity.org/.

MONDAY, DEC. 8 All Over the Page: “The Good Lord Bird,” 6:30 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 3 p.m., Howard Pinkston Branch Library, 7732 Martin Mill Pike.

Info: 573-0436.

Tennessee Shines: Wade Hill and poet Liam Hysjulien, 7 p.m., Knoxville Visitor Center, 301 S. Gay St. Tickets: $10, free for students with valid ID and children ages 14 and under. Info/tickets: WDVX.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 9 Harvey Broome Group Holiday Photograph Show, 7 p.m., Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike. Info: Ronald Shrieves, ronaldshrieves@comcast.net.

Knoxville Civil War Roundtable meeting, 7 p.m., Buddy’s Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike.

Speaker: James Ogden, chief historian of Chickamauga NMP. Topic: “Sherman vs. Cleburn on Missonary Ridge.”

Cost: $15 members; $17 nonmembers; lecture-only $3.

RSVP by noon Monday, Dec. 8, to 671-9001.

Meet the author and book signing with Dr. Kathleen Sales (“Attack From Within,” “Saving Superman”), 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Executive Suites, 9111 Cross Park Drive, Building D. Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 11 a.m., South Knoxville Branch Library, 4500 Chapman Highway.

Info: 573-1772.

Reception and awards ceremony for the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition, 6-8 p.m., the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park.

Free and open to the public. On exhibit through Jan. 11.

Info: Angela Thomas, 934-2034 or www.knoxart.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10 Chanukah Storytime with Laurie Fisher, 10:30 a.m., South Knoxville Branch Library, 4500 Chapman Highway. Info: 573-1772.

Merry Merry! Santa’s on His Way, 4 p.m., Farragut Branch Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Road; 777-1750.

business

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • 9

‘Blessings are abundant’

CHRISTMAS EVENTS ■ Clayton Holiday Concert presented by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Info/tickets: 521-2337.

■ Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Norwood UMC, 2110 Merchant Drive. Pancakes, fruit and juice with Santa Claus. Free, but a nonperishable item for the church food pantry requested.

■ Brunch with Santa for ages toddler through 12 years old, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Christ UMC gym, 7535 Maynardville Highway. $5 per person or $20 for family of five. Reservations required by Friday, Dec. 12, to 922-1412.

■ Celebrate the Season, 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive.

Presented by the Farragut Beautification Committee.

Includes numerous free activities and performances.

Canned goods donation requested for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.

Info: Arleen Higginbotham, arleen.higginbotham@ townoffarragut.org or 9667057; www.townoffarragut.org.

■ Christmas drive-through exhibit: “The Life of Christ,” 7-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, Fellowship Christian Church, 746 Tazewell Pike in Luttrell. Sponsored by Cedar Ford Baptist Church, Clear Branch Baptist Church, Fellowship Christian Church, New Friendship Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Warwick’s Chapel Baptist Church. All welcome.

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

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

■ Christmas Lantern Express Trains will run Fridays through Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 21.

Reservations available.

Features holiday treats, story time with celebrity readers, and a visit with Santa. Info/ schedule/reservations: www.

ThreeRiversRambler.com.

■ “The Christmas Tree Angel Radio Drama,” FridaySunday, Dec. 5-7, Lyric Theatre, 320 Grove St., Loudon.

Performances: 8 p.m. Friday,

The promise of Tennessee Promise

Nancy Whittaker

By Bonny C. Millard others. While I was there, a young woman who was shopping said she had previously come in to request prayer just before brain surgery. No matter how busy Vickie is, she will stop and take time to be with people when they need her.

A huge blessing in Vickie’s life is Joyce Baker. Once when Joyce and Vickie were in Sunday school, the members were challenged to “step out of their box” and do something different.

Vickie mentioned she could use a volunteer at God’s Place Treasures. Now Joyce comes in two to three times a week, fi xes any items needing small repairs and works when Vickie can’t be there.

Macklin continues to work diligently to help the homeless get on their feet.

He assists folks who live in what some would call halfway houses. He calls them “whole-way houses.” Vickie says these residents must resolve to live “all the way or nothing, and to live for the Lord.” Macklin also owns 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: www. lyrictheatrecompany.org/tickets or Lyric Theatre box office.

■ Colonial Christmas Celebration open house, Friday, Dec. 5, Blount Mansion, 200 W. Hill Ave. Candlelight tours at 6 and 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $5. Info: 525-2375 or info@blountmansion.org.

■ Corryton Christmas Parade, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Stepping off from Corryton ball field. Lineup at 1 p.m. Info: Joyce Harrell, 705-7684, or Joe Longmire, 898-9097.

■ East Tennessee History Center Holiday Open House, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Holiday music, refreshments, craft demonstrations, storytelling, ornament-making for kids, book signings and free museum admission.

Info: www.eastTNhistory.org or 215-8824.

Vickie Johnson feels blessed to have Joyce Baker as a volunteer. Photo by Nancy Whittaker roofing and landscaping companies that provide job opportunities for those who are committed to turning their lives around.

Every fourth Saturday, Macklin has a Party for Jesus service in the gym at New Birth Knoxville (the old Sevier Heights Baptist Church), 3706 Sevier Heights Road. Transportation is provided for those who need it. Homeless and low-income families are fed a hot meal, and the word of God is shared. There are usually 200-400 people in attendance.

Food and monetary donations are always welcome, as are Bibles. Call Vickie at 604-8077.

For God’s Place Treasures, winter clothes, small

furniture, toys, jewelry, household items and shoes are always needed. No donations are thrown away.

Every item is either sold and the money used to clothe and feed the homeless, or items are sent to people in need in Appalachia. The store is stocked with a pleasing hodge-podge of items.

Vickie laughs and said they even sold a kitchen sink.

So, when cleaning out your closet, keep God’s Place Treasures in mind.

For shoppers, 90 percent of the clothes are only $1 during the week. On Fridays, shoppers can fill a bag for $2. God’s Place Treasures thrift store, 5925 Chapman Highway, is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. MondaySaturday. Phone: 604-8077.

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

■ Nutcracker on Ice, 7 p.m., through Saturday, Dec. 6, Ice Chalet, 100 Lebanon St. Additional performance 2 p.m. Saturday. Info: www.chaleticerinks.com/ nutcrackeronice or 588-1858.

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

KnoxvilleNativity.com or

579-5323.

■ Pictures with Santa Claus at Cool Sports, 110 S. Watt Road.

Schedule: 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14; 8-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec 20. Photos by No Dud Photography. Info: 218-4500

The intrinsic value of Tennessee Promise is that students who are still in elementary school and even high school can start preparing for college now.

Randy Boyd, who volunteered as special adviser on higher education for Gov. Bill Haslam last year, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Knoxville, sharing the history of tnAchieves, Tennessee Promise and the “Drive to 55” initiative.

The goal of the “Drive to 55” initiative is that 55 percent of Tennessee’s population will have a postsecondary education, either a degree or certificate, by the year 2025, Boyd said.

Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program that will allow high school graduates to attend community colleges or technical schools for free starting in 2015.

“What (Tennessee Promise) did was create a $350 million endowment that now allows us to offer a scholarship to every single graduate in all 95 counties,” Boyd said. “… We’re able to tell kindergartners and first-graders and their parents that they can now go to college so they can start planning and changing

their trajectory.”

The ability to access a free college education can help students b e c o m e b e t t e r prepared to do well in college, Boyd said.

Randy Boyd “If you’re reading two grades below in third grade, you never catch up,” he said.

Tennessee Promise started in Knoxville in 2008 when Boyd, founder and CEO of Radio Systems, worked with then-Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale to guide the development of tnAchieves, which gives high school students scholarships to attend community colleges or technical schools. Boyd chairs tnAchieves.

The program helped students fill out federal student aid forms, required them to perform one day of community service for each semester and matched them with a mentor. Tennessee Promise, based on the same concept, will partner tnAchieves.

“It’s a big challenge,” Boyd said. “If we decide to do it, we can do it.”

or www.coolsportstn.com.

■ Santa’s Workshop Ice Show, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Cool Sports, 110 S. Watt Road. Info/ tickets: 218-4500 or www. coolsportstn.com.

■ “Sounds of the Season/

Christmas Time Is Here” production by the Central High School Choral Department, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Central High auditorium.

Tickets: Adult/general admission, $8; student/senior citizen, $6.

We believe you deserve exceptional care.

■ Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in Gatlinburg, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, traffic light #1A on East Parkway to traffic light #10. Grand marshal: 2014 “American Idol” winner Caleb Johnson.

■ Halls Christmas Parade, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

Stepping off from Halls High School. Info: Shannon Carey, 922-4136 or Shannon@ ShopperNewsNow.com/.

■ Holiday on the Square, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, hosted by The Shops at Franklin Square, 9700 Kingston Pike. Carriage rides, photos with Santa, kids’ activities, entertainment and more. Info: www.franklinsq.com.

■ Holidays on Ice presented

by Home Federal Bank through Sunday, Jan. 4, on Market Square. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Dec. 18; 1-9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, Dec. 19-Jan. 4; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays; 1-9 p.m. Sundays. Info: www. knoxvillesholidaysonice.com.

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

■ Knoxville Chamber Chorale Christmas Concerts. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave.; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, First UMC, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Both concerts free.

■ “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” will be presented

by The WordPlayers, Clayton Performing Arts Center, Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets: 539-7529, www. wordplayers.org, or at the door.

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Some people make you feel blessed just to be around them. For the past eight months, I have been blessed to know Vickie Johnson. I met with her last week to get the story of God’s Place Treasures thrift store, which came about through the selflessness of Vickie’s son, Tim Macklin.

Macklin had suffered through years of drug abuse, homelessness, medical problems and jail, twice coming close to death. But it’s been eight years since he gave his life to the Lord, and Macklin, now known as “Pastor Tim,” has spent those eight years helping the homeless.

Macklin wanted to open a thrift store as a way to help even more. He asked his mom to become involved, but Vickie’s duties as a caregiver prevented her from joining right away. That didn’t deter Macklin. Four years ago, he forged ahead with his plans. The day before the store opened, Vickie’s friend passed away. She has been working at God’s Place Treasures ever since.

Now she can’t imagine doing anything else. She says, “My blessings are abundant.”

The customers who visit the store have become Vickie’s friends. People frequently come in to request prayer for themselves or

10 • DECEMBER 3, 2014 • Shopper news

booms on North Central The North Corner Sandwich Shop on the north end of the North Central food corridor is what happens when a gifted chef who has traveled the USA and experienced all kinds of cuisines decides to come home and make sandwiches.

David Blevins dares to bill his tiny, spotless establishment as “an amazing, chef-driven sandwich joint,” and boy, howdy, can he make a sammie sing.

He comes in at 6:30 a.m. to start roasting meats, making soup, bacon potato salad with sour cream and the jumbo-sized, sea-salt-sprinkled Ghirardelli chocolate-chunk cookie that is his only dessert.

His most popular sandwich is probably the Roast Beef Hoagie, but the Grilled Cheester and Cuban sandwich shouldn’t be missed, either. It would take weeks of daily lunches to sample the entire selection.

North Corner Sandwich Shop 2400 N. Central • (423) 737-0760 Hours: 11-3 p.m. Monday-Friday Donna Kennedy’s homemade biscuits are ready Tuesday through Saturday at 6 a.m. at Knoxville’s oldest sit-down eatery operating in the same location – Rankin Restaurant.

This means Donna and her husband, Perry, roll in at 3 a.m. to get things started. They bought Rankin almost 10 years ago and have carried on the classic Southern diner’s traditions that have made it a popular breakfast and lunch destination for 60 years and counting.

Country-style steak is their most popular entree and the house-made desserts – pineapple upside-down cake, peach cobbler and banana pudding – turn strangers into loyal regulars like Robert Corvette, who pronounced the food “awesome,” the service fast and the servers friendly. Breakfast is served all day.

Rankin Restaurant 2200 N. Central • 524-9621 Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m.-11 a.m.

In the interest of avoiding arguments, we’ll stipulate that Original Freezo is the oldest walk-up dairy bar and diner (tables under the mulberry tree out back) in Knoxville.

Located on the north end of Happy Holler since 1948, it has had several owners. The Original Freezo doesn’t close for winter, and its present proprietor, Darrell Dalton, simply shifts his emphasis from frosty frozen treats to chili, tamales and pinto beans when the weather turns cold (Freezo sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs know no season). The daily blue-plate lunch specials pretty much always sell out, and there are assorted trinkets, T-shirts and other oddities for customers to examine while waiting for their order to emerge.

Original Freezo 1305 N. Central • 637-6500 Hours: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

There’s no place like the Time Warp Tea Room, where vintage motorcycles are part of the décor and a nude photograph of Hazel Davidson (naughty parts covered by a blue masking-tape bikini) and a painting of Cas Walker look down from an antique cherry bar back that owner Dan Moriarity rescued from an old Eastside bar slated for demolition.

Moriarity is a pioneer in the redevelopment of Happy Holler, and he has created a unique, only-in-Knoxville space that’s a music venue, the headquarters of several vintage bike clubs and a good place for a business meeting or a quiet cup of coffee over a classic sandwich, bowl of chili and a homemade brownie. Dan and his wife, Peggy, also open the Time Warp to community groups and political gatherings of all

kinds. It’s Cheers, without the booze.

Time Warp Tea Room 1207 N. Central • 524-1155 Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (or later, depending) http://timewarptearoom.blogspot.com It would be a mistake to categorize Happy Holler’s Central Flats & Taps as just a bar, even though Wednesday night is Pint Night with $1 off tap beer and live team trivia that begins at 8. Yes, there’s wine and Tennessee sipping whiskey paninis and a full array of craft beer to pair with flatbread pizzas and paninis (made with naan, the distinctive Indian flatbread) from an original menu that includes unique appetizers, the house soup of the day, salads and slow-roasted, free-range chicken wings. The Belly Boy (pork belly, smoked gouda, field greens, red onion, avocado and roasted red pepper mayo) is highly recommended.

Central Flats and Taps 1204 N. Central • 247-0392 Kitchen hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Bar hours every day 11 a.m.-3 a.m. flatsandtaps.com The hot bar at Three Rivers Market always features two entrees, one with meat, one without, plus four healthy sides that always include fresh veggies from the other side of the market.

On a recent Thursday the menu included chili seitan, pulled pork, cabbage, hoppin john, balsamic beets, macaroni and cheese and three house-made soups. There’s a “cold” bar, too, replete with crunchy greens and all the traditional salad-bar fixings. A wide selection of cold drinks is a few steps away, and desserts, including yummy cupcakes and layer-cake slices from Magpies, individually packaged. There’s a café area in the front of the store, and a patio for al fresco lunching in good weather.

Three Rivers Market 1110 N. Central • 525-7621 Hot bar hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., (Market hours: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.) www.threeriversmarket.coop/hot-bar-menu/ Holly’s Corner anchors the southern end of the strip and is owned and operated by chef Holly Hambright, whose sister Peggy Hambright owns and operates Magpies Bakery next door.

Both inspired by their mother, the late Hazel Hambright, they are shooting stars in Knoxville’s culinary firmament. The name of Holly’s place pays homage to a previous tenant, the iconic Corner Lounge. Her menu is a mixture of the down home and the exotic. There’s a trio of quiches – the Lurleen (Benton’s country ham and Sweetwater Farms smoked cheddar), the Hollyhock (fresh spinach, asparagus and artichoke hearts) and the Bernstein (smoked salmon and fresh asparagus), plus vegetarian selections like Fake Steak (grilled Portobello with mushrooms, provolone, lettuce and tomato). There’s Hazel’s chicken and tuna salads presented a variety of ways and a BLT, plus a BELT (with an egg), a BLAT (with avocado), a BLECT (with egg and cheese), a SPLAT (with smoked salmon) and a BLAST (smoked trout added to BLAT). Be sure to check out the recipe page on the website.

Holly’s Corner 842 N. Central (next door to Magpies Bakery) • 851-7854 Open: Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–close; Saturday: 11 a.m.–close www.hollyseventfuldining.com/hollyscorner.html

Look for us …

NORTH

By Betty Bean

New classified advertising deadline is 3p.m. Fridays.

now on Wednesdays!

7049 Maynardville Hwy. Knoxville, TN 37918 865.922.4136 • FAX 865.922.5275

WEST 10512 Lexington Dr., Ste. 500 Knoxville, TN 37932 865.218.WEST (218.9378) • FAX 865.342.6628 www.ShopperNewsNow.com news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com