SOUTH KNOX VOL. 2 NO. 36
IN THIS ISSUE
Tiny gardens
The Chapman Highway Garden Club got a tiny peek at gardens, er, a peek at tiny gardens when Sue Hamilton came to visit. Hamilton, director of the University of Tennessee Gardens and a normal-sized person, spoke to the club members about terrariums.
➤
See Betsy Pickle’s story on page 3
Fear the hat Derek Dooley’s “Fear the Pants” never quite caught fire, but there’s potential for John Fugate with “Fear the Hat.” Manager of Commercial Bank in Fountain City, Fugate was appointed by County Commission to fill the term of Indya Kincannon until the November election. Three meetings.
➤
See Sandra Clark’s story on page 4
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
September July 29, 10, 2013 2014
www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow
Design Slam puts spotlight on South Haven, South Woodlawn By Betsy Pickle Fast, furious, fun and creative: All the characteristics that the organizers of Design Slam Knoxville envisioned for their first event came together. And South Knoxville was the first beneficiary. Sponsored by the East Tennessee Chapter of the United States Green Building Council, Design Slam brought architects, architecture students, engineers, city planners and neighborhood representatives together Thursday, Aug. 28, at The Standard in the Old City for an evening of community spirit. Teams of four were given the challenge of coming up with ideas to help a neighborhood encourage residents to socialize, exercise and generally become more energized. The site picked for the first Design Slam was the area that melds South Haven and South WoodSouth Haven residents David Bruno and Linda Rust, neighborhood association president, talk with Design Slam To page 3 organizer Peter Osickey. Photo by Betsy Pickle
Hours in the day Sharon Davis grew up in South Knoxville, where she attended Young High School. Thirty years ago, she moved to East Knoxville, where she lives on the Holston River. Her strong feelings and ties to both communities are evident. Davis says, “It is a pleasure to give back to the communities that have been so good to me.”
➤
See Nancy Whittaker on page 7
Forgive him I borrow this thought from my Bible: Forgive him, Father, for he knew not what he doeth. Good man Mike Hamilton wasn’t trying to crucify Tennessee football when he scheduled home-and-homes with Oregon and Oklahoma. He was undoubtedly thinking of national-spotlight intersectional games that would fill stadiums, sell lots and lots of popcorn and attract big TV for all the world to see.
➤
See Marvin West’s story on page 5
Saturday South aims to pull community together By Betsy Pickle For months, members of the South Knoxville Alliance have been planning an event called Saturday South. You could call it their “field of dreams” – they are hoping that now that they have built it, people will come. This Saturday, South Knoxvillians have the chance to come together and play, listen to music, dance, hike together and even shop together. The hub of activities is Ijams Nature Center. TREK South will lead a hike to Toll Creek and the River Boardwalk starting at 10 a.m. Hikers should meet at the turtle sculpture in the Ijams parking lot. Mayor Madeline Rogero, a South Knoxvillian herself, will officially open the event at noon.
Helton reception Former players are invited to a reception for coach Joel Helton from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in the field house at Central High School prior to the football game.
7049 Maynardville Pike 37918 (865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Betsy Pickle ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Shannon Carey Jim Brannon | Tony Cranmore Patty Fecco | Wendy O’Dell
Round-Up Restaurant (7 a.m.), Shoney’s (6 a.m.), Stanley’s Greenhouse (9 a.m.) and The Henley Apartments (10 a.m.), with a special Pit Stop at Ijams. The format isn’t really a race, but the deadline to turn in completed puzzles is 4:30 p.m. Winners will be chosen by a random drawing from all eligible puzzles received. The guaranteed minimum prize value is $400. Teams must register in advance online at www.saturday south.com. Each team must include one member who is 18 or older. The last event of the day will be a square dance at 7 p.m. at Candoro Marble. Saturday South is about bringing the community together for free family fun, says Debra Bradshaw, SKA’s events chairman.
“We aim for a day that everyone in the community could be involved in, a day where we can all come together and be proud to live in South Knoxville,” she says. SKA was formed to help South Knoxville survive during the time the Henley Bridge was closed. The bridge is open again, but there’s still work to be done to reinvigorate the community and area businesses. SKA plans to hold Saturday South quarterly for now and KTown Races monthly. “If the K-Town Races go over, if it can catch on, I would think every business in South Knoxville would want to participate,” says Bradshaw. “It’s an event where people can do something fun and make a friend.”
Knox Bar salutes outgoing judges By Wendy Smith
NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
The rest of the afternoon will include demos by dance teams and bloodhounds, storytelling, and performances by Ryan Sexton, Heart and Soul and Jamie Cook and the Blue South. There will be booths, activities and food and craft vendors. Meanwhile, Saturday South will spread throughout South Knoxville via the K-Town Races, patterned loosely after “The Amazing Race.” Teams of two to four people can go to participating businesses to pick up clues for a puzzle. They can earn clues either by doing an activity for a Detour, or by making a small charity donation to get an Express Pass. The Event Stops and opening times are Borderland Tees (10 a.m.), Disc Exchange (10 a.m.),
Lawyers, it seems, are slow to talk about judges, even those who are about to leave the bench. But a few brave barristers were willing to share their impressions at last week’s Knoxville Bar Association’s annual Supreme Court Dinner. City Attorney Charles Swanson was quick with his praise. He described Chancellor Daryl Fansler as “one of the most responsible judges in my experience.” Fansler always gave a fair trial without being biased beyond the facts of a case, he said. Circuit Court Judge Harold Wimberly is an excellent scholar who understands the law and enjoyed
the process of applying it, Swanson said. As a former Knox County Law Director, Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman came to the bench with a broad range of experience. He also brought a sense of humanity to the job. “He empathized with the people before him more than any other judge. He did a great job,” said Swanson. Steven Lipsey, an attorney with Stone & Hinds, served on juries in Wimberly’s and Workman’s courts. Both did an excellent job, he said. “I learned a lot by sitting in the jury box. My service on the juries made me very proud of the legal profession.”
UT College of Law, said the school was fortunate to have Fansler as an adjunct professor, in spite of how difficult it was to schedule teaching time around his hunting schedule. “He is one of the brightest, best judges.” Attorney Anne McKinney, known for her hats and musical parodies, recalled portraying Knox County Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz at the New Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins East Tennessee Society of greets U.S. District Court Judge Pamela Reeves at the Knox- Professional Journalists’ ville Bar Association’s dinner. Photo by Wendy Smith Front Page Follies. In spite of McKinney’s jab at the As a practicing credi- compassionate with “just judge’s “less than vogue” tors’ rights lawyer, Lipsey the right temperament to wardrobe, Leibowitz hapis in bankruptcy court reg- handle cases for people pily recalls the event. “She always says, ‘She ularly. He describes U.S. who are experiencing fiplayed me,’” laughed McKBankruptcy Judge Rich- nancial problems.” ard Stair as intelligent and Doug Blaze, dean of the To page 3
We Offer: • Complete inspections, maintenance & repairs for all air conditioning & heating equipment • Money-saving high-efficiency system upgrades! • FREE ESTIMATES on new equipment • FINANCING through TVA Energy Right program
“Cantrell’s Cares” SALES • SERVICE • MAINTENANCE 5715 Old Tazewell Pike • 687-2520
• Maintenance plans available.
Over 20 years experience
A+ RATING WITH
Heating & Air Conditioning
LASTS AND LASTS AND LASTS.™
2 • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news
health & lifestyles
A picture perfect hip replacement! As a film editor for television and films for nearly 25 years, Gian Ganziano of Knoxville, 46, knows his way around digital special effects. Ganziano is currently the lead editor on the television show “South Park,” plus he has edited the digital special effects for movies like “Titanic,” “Batman Forever,” “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” and many others. He commutes to Los Angeles for work, but he and his family call Knoxville home. Recently, Ganziano was the recipient of “special effects” technology performed in real life at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. He had a direct anterior hip replacement with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Paul Yau. “Both my parents have had both hips replaced, so I think it’s something genetic. I have a lot of arthritis in my hips. I used to do a lot of hiking, but noticed over the last couple of years I wasn’t able to get out and do as much movement
as I was used to, and the pain was getting worse,” said Ganziano. Ganziano said he wanted to use this summer and his few months of downtime to get his right hip replaced. “My general doctor recommended Dr. Yau’s practice, and I got online and looked at the reviews. He had some really good words written about him, and I set up an appointment,” said Ganziano. What Ganziano learned at that appointment is that for about 95 percent of his hip replacement patients, Dr. Yau uses the “anterior” approach, which means he makes an incision in the front (anterior) part of the hip instead of the side or rear. Entering via this route, Yau can separate the muscles and tendons instead of cutting through them to install the new hip joint. This, in turn, means a quicker recovery (see accompanying article) and fewer complications. Ganziano stayed just one night
at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center for his hip replacement. “Fort Sanders was phenomenal,” he said. “The nurses were great and attentive. The whole staff, from nurses to the physical therapy staff, was great. It’s one of the best hospital experiences I’ve ever had. It was clean. It was a pleasant experience from the time I checked in.” Just hours after surgery, Ganziano was up and walking around the hospital. After three weeks of recovery and physical therapy, he is now back to work in Los Angeles. “I’ve compressed six weeks of recovery into three,” said Ganziano. “I’m up and walking and I have no pain whatsoever. If things go the way we’re thinking they will, I’ll come back in December and do the left hip, but we’ll see.” For more information on the Joint Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, call 673-FORT or visit our website at www.fsregional.com.
Risk factors for a broken hip Weight
Age
Ethnicity
Gender
Your hips support almost all of the weight of your upper body. Excess weight may wear down your hip cartilage and cause the bones to rub together. This action may destroy healthy bone tissue.
If you are 60 or older, you may be at risk for a hip fracture. As your body ages, the strength and density of your bones may deteriorate. This may leave you vulnerable to fractures because weak bones may break easily. In addition to bone deterioration, advanced age often brings vision and balance problems as well as other issues that make you more likely to fall.
If you are of Asian or Caucasian descent, you are at a higher risk for osteoporosis than people of other ethnic backgrounds.
If you are a woman, your chances of bone fracture in the hip increase because you are more susceptible to osteoporosis than a man.
■ If you have previously had a broken hip, you are at a much greater risk for another hip break.
Direct anterior hip replacement
A new approach with great results Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is among only 15 percent of U.S. hospitals with the staff and facilities available to perform the latest approach in hip replacement surgery, called “Direct Anterior Hip Replacement.” In this procedure, the surgeon goes through the front (anterior) portion of the hip instead of the side or back. This allows the surgery to separate important muscles and tendons instead of cutting through them to position a new hip joint implant. “When I first started doing hip replacement surgery this way, I thought it was just another option to access the joint, but people have done amazingly well with this approach,” said Dr. Paul Yau, an or-
thopedic surgeon with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. “With traditional hip replacements, we have to cut muscles or tendons, which prolongs the recovery process and may require limitations on hip motion,” Dr. Paul Yau said Yau. “It is common to hear patients being told not to bend at the hip more than 90 degrees, squat, reach to the floor or cross your legs after hip replacement because it would
risk a dislocation. “With the anterior approach, none of these typical ligaments are cut, which means all of these common activities are safe immediately after surgery,” Yau explained. The anterior approach does require a specialized surgical table and intraoperative X-rays. “The specialized table allows for safe leg placement not possible with a traditional surgical table,” said Yau. “This unique table improves access to the hip joint and permits the use of intraoperative X-rays to ensure accurate implant position. “Traditionally, leg length discrepancies are a well-known complication after total hip replacement. The use of live, real-time
imaging during surgery allows the surgeon to make both legs balanced and symmetric in length,” he said. “This means the implant will last longer. I no longer say you have to be a certain age to get a hip replacement.” With the anterior approach, the patient should expect usually one or two nights in the hospital. “Some people even go home the same day,” said Yau. “People recover so much faster it’s unbelievable.” Yau said he began doing the anterior surgery routinely about a year ago and uses it today for about 95 percent of his hip replacement and repair surgeries. “It does require special facilities and a trained staff, which we have
at Fort Sanders. There are a lot of moving parts to the surgery and they all need to be coordinated or you’ll have problems,” he said. Studies have backed up Yau’s opinion of anterior hip replacement. “You know how progress tends to happen in increments?” he asked. “I want to say this is a giant leap instead of an incremental one in orthopedic surgery. I haven’t seen anything this dramatically improve people’s outcome from surgery, ever.”
For more information on direct anterior hip replacement, call 673FORT or visit our website at www. fsregional.com/orthopaedics.
LET US FIX YOUR FRACTURED HIP! We know that quicker surgical intervention results in better outcomes, fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay. The Hip Fracture Center at Fort Sanders Regional’s approach incorporates national “best practice” guidelines AND our team of experts to treat your broken hip and get you back on your feet. For more details about the Hip Fracture Center at Fort Sanders Regional, please call (865) 673-FORT (3678).
0094-0084
FORT SANDERS HIP FRACTURE CENTER
SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • 3
Design Slam
Tiny gardens all year long
From page 1
The Chapman Highway Garden Club got a tiny peek at gardens, er, a peek at tiny gardens when Sue Hamilton came to visit.
Betsy Pickle
Brian Hann, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Carol Evans share thoughts at Design Slam. Photos by Betsy Pickle
lawn, from downtown South Haven to the Urban Wilderness trailhead at the land donated by the Wood family. The site includes the outdoor classroom at South-Doyle Middle School (which was spearheaded by the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association), Baker Creek and the vast parking lot that goes with the former Sevier Heights Baptist Church, now New Birth Knoxville. “There’s a lot of focus on new buildings,” said Peter Osickey, the local architect and USGBC board member who organized Design Slam. “We really wanted to focus on existing buildings and how to connect those two neighborhoods and make them better, more livable communities.” Carol Evans of Legacy Parks introduced Osickey to Brian Hann, South Knoxville resident and past president of the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and Hann introduced Osickey to the South Haven-South
Woodlawn area. The neighborhood associations of both came up with extensive lists of things that would benefit the community. The design teams were given info on the site a week ahead, and at Design Slam they had an hour to come up with plans for the area, which they then had five minutes to present to the crowd. The event was heavily attended by friends of the design teams, but there was also a strong contingent from South Knox. Robyn McAdoo of South Knoxville was on a team primarily made up of coworkers from BarberMcMurry Architecture. She was happy to be part of the event. “I’m a resident of South Knoxville, I love South Knoxville and it’s home to me,” she said. “It’s a fun event for us to get out and as architects, as designers explore different ways to go about solving
problems. This is one way that you can get the community involved, you can design and it’s a fun environment – it’s not anyone taking themselves too seriously – and you can get a lot of good input.” The winning design was decided by the number of purchased tickets put in each team’s jar. (That money will go to help projects in the South neighborhoods.) The winners got a trophy and bragging rights, and Ben Epperson of the Knox County Health Department was given the ideas. He will use them along with “community input to guide community-led changes to the neighborhood.” “We won’t be able to dump hundreds of thousands of dollars into streetscapes, but we will be able to make small changes,” Epperson said. “I think it will give us some added momentum to the projects already underway in the neighborhoods.”
went over the history of the terrarium. She went back to its roots in Victorian England, when it began life as a “Wardian case” – nothing to do with the “Edwardian” period. It was named for a botanist named Nathaniel Ward. ■
Hamilton, director of the University of Tennessee Gardens and a normalsized person, spoke to the club members about terrariums. Huge in the 1970s, terrariums are making their way back into vogue now, Hamilton said. Glass containers of various sizes and shapes can be used for terrariums and add to their appeal (I grew up with the boring ol’ fishtank terrariums, so this was good news for me). Craft stores usually have a diverse selection. If you’ve succumbed to the growing popularity of fairy gardens in recent years, you could already be on your way to starting a terrarium. Fairy-garden plants are great features for terrariums. When putting a terrarium together, decide on the type of theme that you want, botanically speaking, and stick to it. Don’t mix tropical plants and desert plants, for example. Also, remember that terrariums have no drainage, so it’s important to take that into consideration when preparing the layers of a terrarium and deciding whether to keep it open or use a lid. Hamilton, a faculty member who manages the undergraduate and graduate programs in public horticulture in UT’s Department of Plant Sciences,
Dogwood Fever at SKNBC
The South Knoxville Neighborhood and Business Coalition kept the topic of Dogwood alive at its most recent meeting. Members discussed the 2015 Featured Dogwood Trail – which happens to be Chapman Highway – and ideas to present this month to the Dogwood Trails Advisory Committee. Both Lake Forest and Colonial Village neighborhood associations have alterations they’d like to make in the routes of their sections of the trail. Materials handed out at the meeting included a letter from Peggy Tubbs, chair of the Chapman Highway Trail, and Molly Gilbert, assistant chair, that encouraged residents along the trail to start getting ready for next year’s big event. Actions this fall could include finishing home-improvement projects, removing dead wood, pruning invasive vines and planting bulbs, especially daffodils and tulips. Gilbert attended the meeting to encourage input and to emphasize the need for fall preparations. SKNBC members have some ideas about adding streets outside the two main neighborhoods to the trail, or possibly creating a new garden byway. A petition to encourage Three Rivers Market to open a location in South Knoxville is gaining
Sue Hamilton talks terrariums with the Chapman Highway Garden Club. Photo by Betsy Pickle ground. South Knoxville residents patronize the current Happy Holler location in large numbers, and many would like to have a branch of the store on this side of the river. Meanwhile, suggestions to recruit an Aldi grocery store for SoKno were also made. Janice Tocher of the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association was facilitator for the evening. She told the SKNBC reps that the SWNA board had proposed having a fall gathering of all South Knox neighborhood groups, but when ideas were put forth for a spring event, support seemed to swing to the later date. Antoinette Fritz of the South Knoxville Alliance brought the group up to speed on Saturday South, which is this weekend and is expected to bring many South Knoxvillians together for a day of free fun.
Find us online at www.budgetblinds.com
®
SoKno folks Robert Marlino, Debbie Sharp and Danny Gray hang out at Design Slam.
Knox Bar inney. The purpose of the Supreme Court Dinner is to honor the Tennessee Supreme Court and all members of the local judiciary. Chief Justice Sharon Lee recognized local outgoing judges and welcomed new ones. She also expressed appreciation for her retention, along with Justices Cornelia Clark and Gary Wade. The
From page 1 tained by voters. “With Amendment 2, bench and bar taught a civ- Tennesseans will have a ics lesson on the indepen- strong voice in every step of dence of the judicial branch the process.” Adoption attorney Dawn this summer, she said. She supports Amend- Coppock, who has spent ment 2 to the Tennessee time in half of the state’s Constitution, which would courtrooms, didn’t care to empower the governor to elaborate on any particular appoint judges to any state judge but offered general appellate court subject to praise. “East Tennessee has confirmation by the General Assembly. After an eight- an extremely strong trial year term, judges could bench. I enjoy working with serve another term if re- them.”
Our Spectacular Annual Roman Shade Sale is Here!
50% Off
All Roman Shades - all fabrics, all style shades
Plus...FREE Cordless Shade Upgrade* & FREE Top Down, Bottom Up Upgrade* *Select manufacturers.
Don't miss this Roman Shade Sale - going on now … it only comes around once a year!
®
Call today for your FREE In-Home Consultation
Raising funds for Alzheimer’s Radio station Q100.3 recently hosted a benefit concert to raise funds for the Pat Summitt Foundation. The concert, featuring country music artist Randy Houser, raised $11,000 for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Pictured at the charity concert are Q100.3 on-air personalities Krisha Newport, Danielle and Carina with artist Randy Houser and program director Mike Hammond. Photo submitted
588-3377 Not valid with other discounts. Expires 9-30-14
Plantation Shutters Faux / Wood Blinds Drapes Cellular Shades Roman Shades Roller Shades Woven Woods Valances & Cornices FREE ESTIMATES!
government
4 • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • Shopper news
Distler wants all aboard KAT
Fear the hat Derek Dooley’s “Fear the Pants” never quite caught fire, but there’s potential for John Fugate with “Fear the Hat.”
Sandra Clark
Manager of Commercial Bank in Fountain City, Fugate was appointed by County Commission to fill the term of Indya Kincannon until the November election. Three meetings. He’s said he won’t run for the position, but he has strong convictions about the direction of Knox County Schools. And he often wears a hat. Five minutes into his term, he was attacked by two commissioners. Amy Broyles called his selection Black Wednesday all over again, while Sam McKenzie alluded to a shadowy “puppet master.” Broyles said her
Dawn Distler, 52, is the new CEO of Knoxville Area Transit. She took over June 1, coming from Nashville where colleagues had disrespected she was general manager of her district, but perhaps the Nashville Metro Transit. they simply disrespected Knoxville represents a step her and her choice for the up for her in terms of responjob, Rick Staples. sibility. If Staples truly is the overwhelming choice of the district, as Broyles said, let him run in November and Victor prove it. Ashe Fugate, meanwhile, just put on his hat and left the meeting. Days later, he was ambling toward the Andrew She started as a bus driver Johnson Building when he in Akron, Ohio, her home noticed a man approaching, town. She drove a bus for 10 also wearing a hat. “I was years and was a union reprefi xing to say, ‘Nice hat,’ when sentative. While she rides the he stopped and jumped on bus regularly now, including me,” Fugate recalls. meeting this writer at Panera “He said if I had come on Bread on Cumberland, she the school board to cause a owns a car and truck as well. problem or raise Cain, then She lives with her partner he hoped the business com- in an apartment off Washmunity runs me out of town. ington Pike and is looking “Who is this man?” Fu- for a house as a permanent gate wondered. He later residence. She cited the learned it was J. Laurens people who work for KAT as Tullock, president of the a strength of the Knoxville Cornerstone Foundation. system. About 300 people Fugate shook off the work for KAT, but Distler is threat, marched into the the only city employee, and board meeting and nomi- she reports directly to Mayor nated Mike McMillan as Rogero. chair. Distler says the frequency
of the bus system in Knoxville is really good with three core routes having 15-minute service and many having 30-minute service. She cited the mayor’s support of public transit. This writer first appointed Rogero to the KAT Board in 2001 when she was a private citizen. Distler, who likes to hike, says selling public transit in Knoxville is different than in larger cities. She cites customer service as key. She earned a degree in business management from the University of Phoenix in 2009. She added, “I love Knoxville and think it is a great city.” She complimented Renee Hoyos, KAT Board chair, as “great to work with.” Hoyos’ term as chair expires in a few months, and a new chair will be elected by the existing board. ■ TVA: The White House in late August announced appointments for two of the three vacancies on the TVA Board. They are Virginia “Gina” Lodge of Nashville and Ron Walters of Memphis to replace Bill Sansom of Knoxville and Barbara Haskew of Chattanooga, whose terms expired in May. They continue on the board until the end of this year.
Helton was early McIntyre victim Friday night will be Joel Helton Night at Central High School’s first home football game. It will be Helton’s first official return to Central since November 2010, when he was yanked out of the Roy Acuff Fieldhouse and banned from the school where he had taught and coached football for 26 years. The initial charge was that he had “intimidated” a girl with a stick and was announced via press release from Superintendent James McIntyre (a deviation from McIntyre’s standard operating procedure).
Betty Bean
The following Monday morning, more than 200 students staged a demonstration on the street across from school property, chanting, “Bring him back!” Shortly thereafter, the “investigation” widened, spawning reports that Helton had hit his football players and kept an unsanc-
tioned stash of money to spend as he pleased. Student athletes told the Shopper-News they were being pressured to say they’d been hit. Old allegations once deemed too petty to bother with were dredged up and recirculated. McIntyre announced that Helton would never coach in Knox County again. Weeks stretched into months, and finally Helton was reinstated as a teacher and sent to Farragut. In the end, no wrongdoing was found. During this time, the
mother of the girl whom Helton had allegedly intimidated contacted the Shopper-News and gave a lengthy interview, saying that her daughter had never been in fear of Helton and had never said she was. “It was a personality conflict. Nothing more,” the mother said. She said her daughter had suffered threats of death and bodily harm as a result of the way Knox County Schools handled the situation, and that if the Paul Kelley Academy had not been available to her,
It’s curling time in Tennessee Last week, the public affairs specialist for Knox County Schools announced that some members of the Board of Education might attend Bearden High School’s upcoming “Learn to Curl” session. This was a surprising announcement for several reasons. First, with few exceptions, since public schools business is de facto “public” in nature, doesn’t this person deserve a more logical job title? “Information specialist” may be less elegant, but to the eternally skeptical East Tennessean, “public
Larry Van Guilder
affairs specialist” suggests that somewhere within the labyrinthian school hierarchy lurks a “private affairs specialist” denying us information we have a right to know, like why an employee who hasn’t worked in two years continues to get paid, or where Superintendent McIntyre purchases his ties.
Also, as a child of the South, I assumed a person learned to curl at schools run by Ross the Boss. Google to the rescue, where I discovered that curling is a sport enjoyed by thousands, some of whom aren’t even Canadians. You might think of it as shuffleboard on ice, or ice hockey’s great-great-grandfather. Instead of a puck, curlers use a stone, and hockey sticks are replaced by non-lethal brooms. Curling is not only an Olympic sport, it’s famed for its displays of good sportsmanship. For example, the winning
team traditionally buys the losers a round of drinks after the game. Alcohol consumption is frowned upon at school board meetings, but the winning side could offer RC Cola and Moon Pies in keeping with local customs. Curlers also apologize for making a lucky shot, and they call their own fouls. Those traditions might be a hard sell for board members raised on Big Orange football, where the ball often takes improbable bounces, landing, for example, in the lap of Lane Kiffin or Derek Dooley (unlucky bounce), or crumpling
Lodge’s husband is a former Democratic state party chair. W h a t went unreported in all the publicity on these two persons was the third vacancy on the board, once held Dawn Distler by Neil McBride of Oak Ridge, whose term expired in May 2013. It is still vacant. In other words, the oldest vacancy is still unfilled, which shows the disinterest from the White House in filling the position. McBride, who has worked diligently to reclaim his old seat, has encountered a cold wind from Washington. He voted for a Republican to chair TVA, a negative with the White House. Former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis tried to get the appointment, but he is now a lobbyist, and the Obama White House bars lobbyists from presidential nominations. Billy Stair of Knoxville has been mentioned, too, and is a possibility. It will be the lame-duck November Senate session before the two nominees will be considered for confirma-
tion, or they may go over to 2015, especially if the GOP wins control of the Senate. The board will be down to six members then. Whiteside: Judge Scott Green has set Sept. 15 for the Troy Whiteside trial. If you recall, this is about a homicide that occurred almost six years ago and was transferred to the DA in Greene County. Perhaps some progress will occur on this coming to a conclusion. It is a sad commentary on the judicial system that this has not gone to trial or been dismissed in over six years. Most media have ignored this situation. ■ Debate: GOP state Senate nominee Rick Briggs has agreed to one debate (date and site not determined) with Democrat Cheri Siler. Siler wants more. Briggs had a fundraiser in Nashville last week sponsored by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and GOP senators that raised $65,000, according to Bonnie Brezina, his campaign manager. A Knoxville fundraiser with Gov. Haslam is set for Oct. 3. Debates between District 13 state Rep. Gloria Johnson and challenger Eddie Smith have not been set at this time.
she would not have graduated from high school. “Her complaint was that she had a personal problem with Coach Helton, and she just wanted out of that class. She said, ‘Mommy, I just want to get out of there so I can graduate.’ All we asked was that she be put on Central’s Odyssey program so she could be given credit for doing work via computer,” the mother said. “She said, ‘I don’t think I’m going to get along with him, but I don’t want any problems. Let me do this.’” The mother said her daughter was pressured by central office administrators who kept asking the same questions over and
over again, as though they hoped to get answers more to their liking by repetition. “I just think for whatever reason they had already decided that they wanted to go in a different direction than Joel Helton, and they used my daughter to get there,” she said. Joel Helton was an early victim of a system that proclaims its support for “community schools” but has a pattern of disrupting communities by removing strong leaders from the schools they serve. And nobody from the system whose slogan is “Excellence for every child” ever apologized to the girl they used to get Joel Helton.
Steve Spurrier’s visor (lucky bounce). And calling your own fouls? UT receiver: “Mr. Referee, please hand me the mic so I can apologize to my opponents and the fans for that lucky catch. Anyway, I pushed my defender illegally, so you must flag me for offensive pass interference. I should also mention that I’m serving RC Cola and Moon Pies after the game.” Or: Superintendent McIntyre: “I want to apologize for all the dissension and confusion I’ve sown in the community by using words like obfuscating to explain that I’ve been obfuscating. Some football player cleaned the shelves of RC
Cola, so I’ll be serving Yoohoo and Moon Pies.” Can’t see those scenarios coming about. Besides, with the departure of the athletic Indya Kincannon from the school board, the pickings for a curling team are slim. Instead of spending time learning the subtleties of curling, board members might concentrate on more urgent matters. They might start by pushing for a change in the law that ties school funding to the whim of County Commission. Tennessee is one of only 11 states that deny school boards authority to set tax rates. If voters wanted board members schooled in curling they would have imported Canadians, eh?
Neyland Stadium =
102,455 PEOPLE
Shopper News =
142,000 HOMES
www.ShopperNewsNow.com wsNow.com Now.com ow.com w.com .com com m 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 • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • 5
Adelia Armstrong Lutz: Early Knoxville artist (1859-1931) HISTORY AND MYSTERIES | Dr. Jim Tumblin Westwood (1890). This Baumann Brothers-designed, 10-room mansion was the last of the “Three senior partner of the J.E. Sisters” to be built on Drury P. Armstrong’s extensive acreage on Kingston Pike. Photo submitted Lutz and Co. shoe and hat store. He later would become president of a general insurance company by the same name with offices on Gay Street. The young couple lived Since its dedication at Bleak House for a time and ribbon-cutting while Adelia worked with in April, the historic the Baumann Brothers on Westwood Mansion the plans for Westwood, has been open to the the unique 10-room Queen public two days a week. Anne Victorian-style home Westwood joins Cresthey would occupy in 1890. cent Bend and Bleak Adelia Armstrong was House, the other two born to Robert Houston museum houses built and Louise Franklin Armby Drury P. Armstrong strong on June 25, 1859, at and his family on the home of her Franklin Kingston Pike. Known grandparents in Jefferson as the “Three Sisters,” County, Tenn. She attended all have been beautithe East Tennessee Female fully restored. Institute, where she was a It is noted for the classmate of philanthropist unique artist’s studio Mary Boyce Temple. Then built with a cathedral she attended two finishceiling and massive ing schools, Miss Pegram’s skylight for artist AdeSouthern Home School in lia Armstrong Lutz. It Baltimore and Mary Baldalso features a grand win College in Staunton, staircase with ornate Va., where she majored in pediments, many elart. To add to her art eduegant Atkin mantels cation, she enrolled at the and its serpentine brick prestigious Corcoran Galprivacy wall. lery in Washington, D.C., Westwood at 3425 and later at the PennsylvaKingston Pike is open nia Academy of Fine Arts in for tours from 10 a.m. Philadelphia. to 4 p.m. Mondays After touring France and and Thursdays. Free other parts of Europe, she parking is available returned to Knoxville and adjoining the house at taught art at her studio in Adelia Armstrong Lutz. Her natural talent and early art education enabled Adelia Lutz to bethe Laurel Church of the Kern Building on Market come one of the area’s most famous artists. Knox County Two Centuries Photograph Project, McClung Historical Christ. Info: 523-8008. Collection Square. She was involved with the Knoxville Art Club (1899-1902) and the Nichol- son Art League members a cathedral with its domed frequent still-life subject. A son Art League (1906-1925). exhibited at the Richmond skylight. However, she nev- few paintings were historiHer association with others Art Club exposition in 1902. er enjoyed painting there cally inspired. Many of her ond Presbyterian Church, in the art league such as El- She helped organize the art with its often too bright works are in the collections Adelia Armstrong Lutz eanor Swan Audigier, Cath- displays at Knoxville’s Ap- lighting. Over the years that of the Knoxville Museum passed away at age 72 on erine Wiley, Lloyd Branson, palachian Expositions in room became her library of Art, the East Tennessee Nov. 17, 1931, at Westwood. Joseph Knaffl, George Bar- 1910 and 1911 and was on and the gallery for display of History Center and the Ten- After services at her home, ber and Hugh Tyler kept her the executive board of the her still-life, landscape and nessee State Museum. conducted by Dr. Clifford intense interest in art alive. Art Department of the Na- portrait paintings. She then She continued to paint Barbour, she was interred at Her painting, “Moth- tional Conservation Exposi- painted and taught her stu- throughout her life while New Gray Cemetery but was erless,” depicting two or- tion in 1913. dents in the cheerful break- managing a great house and later reinterred at Highland phaned girls, was exhibited Westwood was designed fast room, which had more garden, participating in fre- Memorial Cemetery. She at Nashville’s Tennessee to provide an ideal working favorable northern light. quent religious and social was survived by her chilCentennial Exposition in environment for the talentMany of her portraits fea- events, serving on various dren, Louise (Mrs. Victor 1897 and then at St. Mary’s ed artist. A spacious library- tured her beautiful daugh- commissions and raising D.) Holloway and Edwin R. Hospital until 1992. Lutz studio on the eastern side of ter, Louise, and her favor- her active family. Lutz, and three grandchiland several other Nichol- the house closely resembles ite flower, hollyhock, was a A lifetime member of Sec- dren.
Historic Westwood
Forgive him, Father I borrow this thought from my Bible: Forgive him, Father, for he knew not what he doeth.
Marvin West
Good man Mike Hamilton wasn’t trying to crucify Tennessee football when he scheduled home-and-homes with Oregon and Oklahoma. He was undoubtedly thinking of national-spotlight intersectional games that would fill stadiums, sell lots and lots of popcorn and attract big TV for all the world to see. Even with 20-20 foresight, the former athletic director couldn’t have known the Volunteers would jump the track, hit the skids and slide down to four consecutive losing seasons. Nothing like that had ever happened. Tennessee was one of the biggest names in the game, top 10 in total victories. It says so right here in the Vault. No way could Mike surmise what was to come, that by the time it was time to play, Tennessee would no longer belong in big games. Even in decline, the Vols didn’t surrender. They bravely lined up to honor contracts. The first game against Oregon, Sept. 11, 2010, provided the first clue that
Derek Dooley might not get it. Tennessee jumped ahead 13-3. Lightning and rain blowing sideways delayed the other action for an hour. The Ducks rallied before intermission. Dooley said the Vols were a little deflated at halftime “because we screwed up those last three minutes.” They didn’t do very well in the second half. Oregon ended up with 45 consecutive points. UT fans, about to miss a bedtime snack and the late news, went early to the exits. Dooley said he was disappointed that his team stopped competing. The coach spoke of “bad adversity” in the third quarter and how his team didn’t handle it. “Then we couldn’t do anything right. We didn’t tackle well. We didn’t cover kicks. We didn’t run the ball. When you do that and you play a good team, you get embarrassed. And that’s what happened.” Neyland Stadium and 102,035 fans got the undivided attention of Oregon coach Chip Kelly: “That’s an unbelievable environment to play in. I mean, this place is impressive!” Second in this mismatched series was Sept. 14 of last season. Eugene, Ore., is an interesting place to visit. There are things to see and hear. The city is beautiful. There is a focus on the arts and liberal politics. It is a hub of track and field. Nike
was born there. Alas, there were football lessons on the agenda. Oregon wasn’t much like previous UT foes Austin Peay and Western Kentucky. Tennessee got the first touchdown. Oregon got the next 59 points and sent in the subs. No kidding, if it wasn’t awful, it could have been. The winners scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions. The losing margin was 45. You must go back to 1910 to find something worse. Oregon fans taunted visitors with chants of “S E C! S E C!” The next stop in this adventure is upon us, in Norman, 20 miles south of Oklahoma City. It is a historic place. The Sooners are the prime attraction. They once won 47 consecutive football games. That little streak remains the world record. This Oklahoma team is not THAT good – unless you believe Alabama apologists. They have not fully recovered from dropping the Sugar Bowl past. They recall Trevor Knight completing 32 of 44 for 348 and four touchdowns. The Crimson Tide does not wish that on any SEC brother, even Tennessee. Maybe it won’t happen. Perhaps the Vols are better than I think. By next year, when Oklahoma returns the visit, let us hope Tennessee will be really ready. Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.
An Elite Team of Physicians United for Better Health
Committed to excellence – every patient, every time. Serving the East Knoxville area for more than 30 years. And connected with one of the nation’s highest performing health networks, Covenant Health. • Clinical Expertise • Extensive Network of Specialists • Latest Medicines • Advanced Treatments
Now accepting new patients. Call for your appointment today.
(865) 933-4159 3-4159 59 8707 Asheville Highway • Kno Knoxville, noxvi oxville, ille, TN 37924 www.medicalassociatesofcarter.com ateeso sofcarter.com fcart Medical Associates of
Carter
CLAIBORNE MEDICAL CENTER | CUMBERLAND MEDICAL CENTER | FORT LOUDOUN MEDICAL CENTER FORT SANDERS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | LECONTE MEDICAL CENTER | METHODIST MEDICAL CENTER MORRISTOWN-HAMBLEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | PARKWEST MEDICAL CENTER PENINSULA, A DIVISION OF PARKWEST MEDICAL CENTER | ROANE MEDICAL CENTER
88000-0556 556
1890 must have been a very busy year for the Baumann Brothers Architects as they were supervising construction of two mansions in opposite ends of Knox County at the same time: Parkview, the Col. James C. Crawford mansion in Fountain City, and Westwood, the John and Adelia Armstrong Lutz mansion on Kingston Pike. In addition, they had contracts for the Borches Block on Gay Street and for the Lenoir City Land Company office. Westwood has recently experienced extensive restoration, and its second floor has become the headquarters for Knox Heritage thanks to a generous challenge grant from Lindsay Young’s Aslan Foundation. One of the so-called “Three Sisters” on Kingston Pike, it joins Crescent Bend (Federal-style) and Bleak House (Italianate–style) in representing the principal architectural styles of the 19th entury. Drury P. Armstrong (1799-1856), his son Robert H. Armstrong (18251896) and Robert’s daughter, Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz, built the three homes in 1834, 1858 and 1890 respectively. Drury Armstrong’s original Crescent Bend farm, named for the majestic bend in the Tennessee River that it overlooks, started with 600 acres of land on the north side of the river, and within a few years he acquired another 300 acres on the south side. In a highlight of the social events of 1886, John E. Lutz (1854-1920) and Adelia Armstrong were married on Feb. 10 at the Second Presbyterian Church. The land on which Westwood was built was a wedding gift from her parents. John Edwin Lutz had been raised in Rogersville but was already prominent in business in Knoxville as
kids
6 • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news New faculty and staff at Mount Olive Elementary are, standing, Gloria Scheberle, Farah Fishmoore, Ericka Pirtle, Lauren Miller, Cynthia Thornburg; seated, Kristin Ozmon, Janet Gass and Jackie-Rose Davis.
Where no football team has gone before:
Mount Olive Staff Member of the Month Kelly Farr, right, with his daughter, Veda, who just started kindergarten at the school.
Fulton travels to Farragut on astronomical scoring pace
Photos submitted
Fulton led the state in scoring while rolling unbeaten to the Class 3A state championship last season. For an encore, the goal appears to be to lead the cosmos. With better than 80 points in each of its first two games, Fulton enters Friday’s visit to Farragut averaging a state-best 74.3 points per game. The Falcons calmed down a little bit with a 56-6 win at rival Austin-East last week. The compelling aspect of a pace well ahead of last season’s state-record 57.5 points per outing is Fulton posted the wins over Powell (83-3) and Bearden (84-0) with second- and thirdteam players doing a lot of the scoring and a running clock for much of the game. That says depth, meaning the Falcons could keep this up for quite a while. Farragut is no cupcake. The Class 6A Admirals tasted victory for the first time this season with a win at Lenoir City last week. Winning has a way of righting the ship, and, after last year, Farragut is motivated. Last season: Fulton (15-0), Farragut (6-5) Last meeting: 2013 – Fulton 55, Farragut 13. The offenses: The Falcons run a little bit of everything. Depends on the opponent. The Admirals run the more physical spread option. The defenses: Fulton 3-4, Farragut 33 stack The Breakdown: There
Stefan Cooper
aren’t many teams with a 6-foot, 275-pound All-State fullback. There are fewer still with one who can run like Fulton’s D.J. Campbell. He also plays linebacker. The Falcons lost quite a bit from last year’s scoreboard busters. With wideout K.J. Roper, quarterback Adam Diggs, receiver K.J. Williams, Campbell and the cast of thousands Fulton’s depth would suggest, looks like they’ll make do this season. Farragut has a giantsized offensive line. Nathan Gilliam highlights a front five with more than enough heft to move a defense around. Tanner Thomas, a junior, ran for better than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. Keeping the ball away from the Fulton offense as much as possible is wise course of action. Why this one intrigues: Farragut will provide incontrovertible evidence of whether what Fulton is doing to scoreboards across the state is legitimate. It’s hard to believe the Falcons, or any team, for that matter, can continue to score like that. Or can they?
Mount Olive recognizes Farr By Betsy Pickle Mount Olive Elementary School has already named its first Staff Member of the Month. Kelly Farr, who is starting his 10th year at Mount Olive, was described as “a superb teacher who challenges his students daily with high expectations and helps them to succeed.” Farr is the leader of the ARTS360 program and a Lead Teacher for staff evaluations. He trains and oversees the Safety Patrol pro-
gram. He is also “a valuable member” of the Leadership Team, according to principal Paula Brown. Selection criteria include attitude, leadership, desire for students to achieve and succeed, effective communication, and willingness to give support beyond defined duties and responsibilities. Farr received gift cards and a basket of supplies from the Mount Olive Elementary School PTA, a bouquet of flowers from McLemore Florist and a re-
served parking spot at the school’s front door. Mount Olive has eight new staff members this school year. They are kindergarten teacher Lauren Miller; second-grade teacher Jackie-Rose Davis;
MILESTONE Hagy completes Air Assault School
UT NOTES ■ UT Humanities Center Lecture Series, 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, Lindsay Young Auditorium in Hodges Library, 1015 Volunteer Blvd., UT campus. “Get Paid To Read Old Books! How To Apply for and Win Fellowships at Independent Research Libraries” by Paul Erickson, director of academic programs at the American Antiquarian Society. Free and open to the public.
fourth-grade teachers Gloria Scheberle and Cynthia Thornburg; resource teacher Ericka Pirtle; instructional assistant Farah Fishmoore; school nurse Janet Gass; and custodian Kristin Ozmon.
Coupon-book kickoff Theresa Watson fires up students at South Knoxville Elementary School’s kickoff for the Original Knox County Schools Coupon Book. Watson and principal Tanna Nicely both wore camo to go with the theme and graphics for this year’s campaign, Coupon Commander, which runs through Sept. 22. With about 150 students, SKES has set a goal of selling 400 books; students sold 405 last year. “Our top seller has moved,” said Watson. “That’s why we’re conservative this year.” Photo by Betsy Pickle
Matthew T. Hagy, an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet at East Tennessee State University, has graduated from the U.S. Army Air Assault School and earned the honor of wearing the Air Assault Badge. The 10-day course of instruction focuses on combat assault operations involving hands-on, performanceoriented Army warfare operations associated with helicopters. Hagy, a 2011 graduate of Gibbs High School, is the son of Sandra M. Hagy of Corryton and grandson of Harry B. Wease of Jonesborough, Tenn.
South-Doyle Middle School teachers focus on using technology to the fullest.
Summer training puts SDMS teachers on road to personalized learning By Betsy Pickle It’s been a long time since one of the perks of teaching was having the “whole summer” off. But Beth Blevins, principal at SouthDoyle Middle School, found a way to make working during the summer feel like winning for her teachers. At the end of the 2013-14 school year, Blevins gave her staff a challenge. She pledged to provide additional technology for the classroom to any teacher who completed multiple days of training during the summer on Project-Based Learning and Canvas. The “rewards” would be funded through a combination of Title 1, Race to
the Top and other grant monies. Blevins is leading the school on “a Problem-Based, Tech-Integrated Journey this year,” so the reward fit perfectly with her vision. More than 20 teachers accepted Blevins’ challenge and praised the combination of personalized learning and new technology. They say the training will help them help South-Doyle reach its goal of becoming a personalized learning environment. According to South-Doyle’s new TPaCK (tech) coach Rachel Simmons, a personalized learning environment focuses on the needs of individual students with projects that tailor how information is presented,
how quickly the lesson moves and how students show mastery at each step of the learning process. Technology is a big part of that. “Technology-driven communication opens up students’ abilities to connect with teachers, peers and experts to create a community of collaborators,” said Patrick Whitecotton, a teacher who piloted a 1:1 classroom for eighth-grade social studies last year. Students in Whitecotton’s 1:1 class showed gains on the social studies TCAP assessment. South-Doyle expects to replicate the positive results and student attitudes in several subjects this year.
Technology can motivate and engage students who otherwise don’t feel connected to learning. “PBL allows students the opportunity to express their thinking in ways that are outside the box and not just on a worksheet,” said English teacher Honey Lewis. Simmons will provide support to teachers committed to using technology in the classroom. “The amount of energy and excitement about technology and Project-Based Learning is overwhelmingly positive,” Simmons says. “Their excitement is contagious, and several other teachers are already looking to sign up for training next summer.”
business
Shopper news • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • 7
Not enough hours in the day She’s everywhere! She must be related to the Energizer Bunny. Most South and East Knoxvillians I talk to for any length of time mention her. This week, I decided it was time to catch up with this amazing woman.
Nancy Whittaker
Sharon Davis spends time giving back to South and East Knoxville. Photos by Nancy Whittaker
Sharon Davis grew up in South Knoxville, where she attended Young High School. Thirty years ago, she moved to East Knoxville, where she lives on the Holston River. Her strong feelings and ties to both communities are evident. Davis says, “It is a pleasure to give back to the communities that have been so good to me.” Davis describes herself as a Realtor, a neighborhood advocate, a South Knoxville property investor and a lover of home projects. She has been with Hammontree Real Estate for 20-plus years, and she specializes in
residential listings in South and East Knoxville. In addition, she and her husband own rental property in South Knoxville. Community involvement is what Davis loves. I met her when the East Towne Business and Professional Association was first forming. Davis and City Councilman Nick Della Volpe saw a need for an organization where merchants, retailers, employees, property owners and neighborhood associations in the East Towne corridor area could come together. They knew there would be strength in
State Farm agent Mike Davis shares his enthusiasm for the growth around the East Towne area with members of the ETABPA.
numbers. The success of the group proves both Davis and Della Volpe are in tune with the needs of their community. Davis has also been involved with Town Hall East for almost 20 years. She is extremely proud of the cleanup and development of the area next to the Burlington Library. Davis says Thomas “Tank” Strickland Park was a cooperative effort of state, city, county and environmental agencies. She says the way the parcel looked was not representa-
News From The Register Of Deeds
Real estate market trends slower By Sherry Witt After a very good performance in July, the local real estate market experienced a slight dow nturn in August. The last full month Sherry Witt of summer produced 922 property transfers in Knox County, well short of the 1,065 recorded in July. In 2013, the county saw 950 parcels change hands during August. The total value of prop-
erty sold was also down by some $75 million from July’s $292 million. In August, $217.2 million worth of real property was transferred in Knox County. That is about $45 million short of last August’s output. Coming off a two-month surge, mortgage lending also experienced a slowdown in August with just over $275 million loaned, compared to $347 million in July. The August total was far below the figure of $403 million borrowed in mortgages and refinances during August 2013. The most notable land
transaction of the month was the sale of a medical facility located at 10810 Parkside Drive in the Turkey Creek complex, for $23,250,000. The largest mortgage loan recorded was an assumption agreement involving the same parcel on Parkside Drive in the amount of $13.2 million. I would be remiss if I did not tell each of you how much I appreciate the opportunity to serve another term as your Register of Deeds. It is indeed a privilege to continue doing the job I love in such a great community as Knox County. Thank you and God bless!
Rotary is eclectic bunch By Sandra Clark North Knoxville Rotary members are not just a bunch of older white guys who work in Fountain City, although that is the business base. Last week three new members introduced themselves. Two had found the club through Facebook. Nathan French wears ear rings and a T-shirt. He runs a printing company in Catskill, N.Y., working via the Internet from his home in Maryville. He and his wife moved here in July to be near his aging parents. Her parents live in North Carolina and the couple seem to be settling in. Nathan French Joining Rotary is a way to “reach out of ourselves and into the community,” he says. French served six years in the U.S. Navy and maintains contact with colleagues by selling military and tactical equipment online. What three words describe him? He says “Christian, patriot and entrepreneur.” Ellen Davis is an accountant with Brown, Brown and Associates who just moved to Pigeon Forge. She grew up in Michigan with self-employed parents who taught her to work hard from an early age. She’s managed a mobile home parts department Ellen Davis
Dr. Hartline achieves milestone Randal Hartline, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist, recently performed his 300th robotic-assisted women’s health surgery at Tennova Healthcare’s Physicians Regional Medical Center. Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery during which the surgeon uses miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through quarter-size incisions. Other benefits of minimally invasive surgery include less scarring, faster recoveries and shorter hospital stays.
and worked as a hair stylist for seven years before practicing accountancy. “Make it happen,” is her life motto. She contacted several organizations about membership and said North Knoxville Rotary was the one that called back. Jeremy Cook, a senior vice president of Pinnacle Bank, grew up in Middlesboro, Ky. He will manage the Pinnacle branch now under construction on Emory Road at Dry Gap Pike. His three descriptors are: “Family, friendship and fun.” Cook said he likes Rotary because of its national project to end polio and also because of Jerry Jeremy Cook Griffey, veteran member of the North Knox club. Cook and his wife have two daughters, and he’s active with the Boy Scouts Chehote District. “I do not wear brown shorts and red socks,” he said. “I raise money for them.” Free Flu Shot Saturday: Rotary volunteers will help with the event 8 a.m. to noon (while supplies last) Sept. 27 at six locations: Austin-East, Carter, Farragut, Halls and West high schools and SouthDoyle Middle School. Donations will be accepted with proceeds to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. Golf Tournament: David Dooley is coordinating the North Knoxville Rotary Golf Tournament to benefit the Cerebral Palsy Housing Corporation.
tive of the area. It is now a “sweet little park” that the neighborhood enjoys. Davis also serves on the board for the South Knoxville Alliance. Their current project, Second Saturday South, is a new event that will be held next on Sept. 13 at Ijams Nature Center. No surprise, Davis will be working at this event. Davis also says she had the honor of just completing eight years of service on the board of Freedom Christian Academy. Davis’ passion in her “free time” is her flower garden. She was given four hosta plants to “get started.” She now has over 200 plants. She also loves to walk out her door and down to her pontoon boat to float on the Holston River. Whether she is at work, volunteering or enjoying herself at home, she gives 100 percent.
East Towne area booms State Farm agent Mike Davis was the main speaker at the East Towne Area Business and Professional Association meeting on Sept. 3. Davis has owned his Millertown Pike agency for the past seven years. He previously worked for State Farm in their claims department. Davis shared his enthusiasm concerning the growth and development in the East Towne area. He described himself as a “cheerleader” for the area and added he has a strong vision for the future. Davis said the business owners have benefited from the current growth. However, he feels the next decade’s growth will be even more amazing. Breakfast sponsor was Megan Murphy-Boutwell, an independent sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Different ways to shop were shared – especially how employers and husbands look like “heroes” with her help. She can be reached at 313-6399. New ETABPA president Justin Sterling invites everyone to attend the next meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at New Harvest Park Community Center.
Memphis, Knox races will impact Medicaid expansion Most would agree there are not enough women in the state Legislature, and some would say there aren’t enough Democrats. So why in Memphis did three good female Democrats tear into each other in a district that’s liable to be won by George Flinn, a physician who’s willing to spend whatever it takes to get elected to something. (Flinn finished third to Joe Carr and Lamar Alexander in the August U.S. Senate Primary.) Writing in the Memphis Daily News, Bill Dries says Flinn has secured the GOP nomination for the Senate District 30 seat left vacant when Jim Kyle took office as a Chancery Court judge. Seeking the Democratic nomination were Sara Kyle (Jim Kyle’s wife and the niece of former Gov. Frank Clement and former state Sen. Annabelle Clement O’Brien; she also won statewide election to the old Public Service Commission), along with former state Rep. Carol Chumney and former state Sen. Beverly Marrero. (Note: This selection was set to be made Sept. 8, after our press time.) If Flinn wins in November he would likely join Dr. Richard Briggs in the Senate. Two new Republican senators, both physicians, could align with Gov. Bill Haslam to expand Medicaid. Of course, the Democratic nominees would support the expansion, but Democrats are mostly irrelevant in today’s General
Sandra Clark
Assembly. Voters are left to find the least nutty Republicans. ■
Notes
Charter Communications will be all-digital by year’s end, bringing more than 200 high definition channels to Farragut and Tellico Village customers among others. Removing analog signals will improve Internet speeds and picture quality, said CEO Tom Rutledge. “We’ve invested more than $2 billion in our fiberrich network to make that happen.” Info: 11517 Kingston Pike, weekdays 8 a.m.6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m., www.charter.com/ digitalnow or 1-888-GETCHARTER (1-888-4382427). Tom+Chee is opening a grilled cheese and tomato soup restaurant in Knoxville. The chain started as a tent store next to an ice rink and was made famous on the TV show “Shark Tank.” Info: www.tomandchee. com. ■
Quotable
“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
McCoy recognized for volunteer hours AARP Services Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of AARP, has recognized Blake McCoy for his more than 50 hours of volunteer service. He not only serves on the John T. O’Connor Center advisory board but also volunteers and supports numerous senior citizen organizations in Knoxville and the surrounding counties. McCoy is the Founder and CEO of Independent Insurance Consultants, an independent insurance firm that assists senior citizens with their insurance and financial needs.
Embrace the digital world, says Morris Creative founder By Bonny C. Millard Morris Creative Group founder and owner Chuck Morris encouraged area business leaders to find ways to utilize social media in their corporate marketing plans because customers have changed their ways of doing business. “We’re all in a digital world now. We can’t deny it,” Morris said. “We can’t Chuck Morris put our heads in the sand. We just have to embrace it.” Morris, a member of the Rotary Club of Knoxville, spoke to the group recently about the increased use of the Internet and social media by consumers. In the United States, 206.2 million people are web users, and the fast growing population segment is women who are 50plus years old. People spend more time on smartphones than watching TV. Technological advances are shaping the rapid change: cheap computers and mobile phones, low-cost broadband access and open-source software such as Linux or WordPress.
Ten years ago, websites were more like electronic brochures, but today’s customers want to have a way to interact online with the company and its website, he said. Thirty-four percent of web users believe companies should have a web presence. “People aren’t buying the same way they used to,” he said. Marketing has changed from a product and consumer focus to a valuesdriven emphasis, he said. Customers are collaborating with companies in real time online. As an example of their influence, Morris cited consumer backlash on Facebook when Gap tried to change its logo. The company had to revert to its original logo. The top online marketing efforts are email (86 percent), social media (72 percent) and search engine optimization (70 percent). Thirty years ago, Americans were exposed to 2,000 ads per day, and now it is 5,000 ads per day. Digital ad space revenue is expected to reach $137.5 billion in this year. Rotary Club of Knoxville meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Marriott Hotel, Hill Avenue. Info: http://www.morriscreative.com
‘Center of Excellence’ in women’s health surgery The American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS) recently named Physicians Regional Medical Center a Center of Excellence in Women’s Health Surgery. The distinction recognizes the health system’s continued commitment to offer women the latest minimally invasive procedures, including roboticassisted hysterectomies. Pictured are Joe Lee, assistant chief nursing executive; Suzanne Beauregard, chief nursing executive; Dr. Marcella Greene, general surgeon; Dr. Bob Barnett, medical director of AIMIS Center of Excellence program; Charlene Minefield, surgical clinical leader; and Dr. Lowell McCauley, obstetrician/gynecologist. Photo submitted
8 • SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news
Shopper Ve n t s enews
Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com
THROUGH TUESDAY, SEPT. 30 Featured artists at Parkside Open Door Gallery, Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave., are Karen Ferency of Sequoyah Hills and Fountain City artist Adam Rowe. Ferency creates wheel-thrown pottery and Rowe will be showing his laser-cut cards. Info/hours: 3577624 or 357-2787.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10 East Tennessee English – A Brown Bag Lecture with Paul Reed, noon, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Info: 215-8801. Deadline for nominations for the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance 2014 Preservation Awards. Awards to be presented Thursday Nov. 6. Info/nomination form: http://knoxheritage.org/etpa/ east-tennessee-preservation-awards/.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11 Cruise Night, 6-9 p.m., 6215 Riverview Crossing Drive in front of old Food Lion at Asheville Highway. All makes, models, years and clubs welcome. No charge. Door prizes. Traditional Appalachian Dance, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Hosted by the Knoxville Square Dance. Live old-time music by the Hellgrammites. Admission: $7. Info: 522-5851 or info@jubileearts.org. Hero’s Breakfast Honoring 9-11, 7:30-9:3a.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Breakfast served to all current and retired law enforcement and fire department members. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711. Free movie and popcorn, 11:15 a.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. Movie: “Grudge Match” with Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711. Queen for a Day/Spa Day Take Me Away Luncheon, 10:45 a.m., Buddy’s Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike. Complimentary child care by reservation only. Cost: $12 inclusive. Info/reservations: 315-8182 or knoxvillechristianwomen@gmail.com.
First Lutheran Church 55 Alive group meeting, noon, church meeting room, 1207 N. Broadway. Luncheon: $8 per person; reservation required. Speaker: Edie Wadsworth. Public invited. Info/reservation: 524-0366. Knox County Veterans Services Outreach, 11 a.m.-noon, Frank R. Strang Senior Center, 109 Lovell Heights Road. Provides one-on-one assistance to veterans and family members. Info: 215-5645, veterans@ knoxcounty.org.
THURSDAYS, SEPT. 11, 18, 25, OCT. 2 ACT-UP: Adult Acting and Theatre Classes, 6-8 p.m., Broadway Academy of Performing Arts, 706 N. Broadway St. Ages 16 and up. Fee: $35 or $15 for individual class. Covers acting basics, movement/stage combat and auditioning techniques. Info: 546-4280 or carolyn@tennesseestage.com.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 12 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., American Red Cross, 6921 Middlebrook Pike. Info/to register: Carolyn Rambo, 584-9964. Friends Mini Used Book Sale: Bearden, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road. Info: 588-8813. “The Taste of Turkey Creek,” 6:30-9:30 p.m., Pinnacle at Turkey Creek parking lot. Benefits The Pat Summitt Foundation. Includes: food and drink samples from many Turkey Creek restaurants, silent auction, live entertainment by the Chillbillies. Info/tickets: 675-0120, www.PinnacleAtTurkeyCreek.com. Knit or crochet hats for the homeless, 12:301:45 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 640 Plaza, 4438 Western Ave. All supplies and patterns provided. Info: 329-8892, TTY: 711.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13 The Second Saturday Concerts at The Cove: Off the Record, 6-8 p.m., The Cove at Concord Park, 11808 S. Northshore Drive. Free. Info: www.knoxcounty. org or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knox-CountyParks-Rec/55197043075. “Experience our Cherokee Heritage” tour with Native American Expert Randy McGinnis. Offered by Cades Cove Heritage Tours. Reservations limited. Cost: $100 per person. Info/reservations: Don Alexander, 448-8838. “Cupcakes in the Park” cupcake festival, 11 a.m.3 p.m., Krutch Park Extension. Benefits Helen Ross McNabb Center. Info/to register for competition: www. cupcakesinthepark.com. Introductory Internet Genealogy, 1 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Bring birthdates and birth places of parents and grandparents.
Preregistration and a valid email address required. Info/ to register: 215-8809. “Miracle of the Monarch,” 10:30-11:30 a.m., Farragut Branch Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Road. Free and open to the public. Info: 777-1750. Saturday Stories and Songs: Laurie Fisher, 11 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Info: 470-7033. Life 101: Free Classes for Teens, 2 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Topic: “Car Maintenance for Teens.” Instructor: Don Lindsey, Tennessee Public Affairs Director, AAA. Info: Bess, 215-8754. Second Saturday Marketplace, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tea & Treasures, 4104 W. Martin Mill Pike. Vendor booths, arts & crafts, antiques, plants, books, food and music. Free concert by the Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, 2 p.m., the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Admission free/ donations appreciated. Info: www. OakRidgeCommunityOrchestra.com. Preservation Network meeting, 10 a.m., Historic Westwood, 3457 Kingston Pike. Free workshops. Info: Hollie Cook, 523-8008 or hcook@knoxheritage.org
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, SEPT. 13-14 Country Market fundraiser, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Historic Ramsey House, 2614 Thorn Grove Pike. Vendors, food, plants, music. Admission: $5 per person; children under 10 free; house tours: $5. Info: judy@ramsehouse.org; kathy@ramseyhouse.org; 546-0745.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 14 “Stories in Every Jar,” free storytelling by members of the Smoky Mt. Storytellers, 3-5 p.m., Back Porch, 805 Parkway, Gatlinburg. Info: 429-1783 or www. smokymountaintellers.org.
MONDAY, SEPT. 15 Free Day of Putt-Putt, noon-9 p.m., Putt-Putt Golf & Games, in the West End Center in Farragut. Info: Lauren Cox, lauren.cox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057. Deadline to get tickets for Sevier Soiree, a fundraising event to benefit Marble Springs State Historic Site, 1220 West Governor John Sevier Highway. Tickets: $50 per person. Available: www.marblesprings. net; on-site; by mail to P.O. Box 20195, Knoxville, TN 37940.
MONDAY-TUESDAY, SEPT. 15-16 AARP Driver Safety class, 1-5 p.m., First UMC, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville. Info/to register: Carolyn Rambo at 584-9964.
LOCAL Businesses
Luxury You Can Afford • Free WiFi • Microwave/Refrigerator in all rooms • Less than 1 mile from downtown & 1.5 miles from UT 3400 Chapman Highway • Knoxville, TN 37920 Toll Free: 1-866-496-4496 • www.executive-inn.net
KING-SIZE BED
$39.95 Mon - Thurs
Mike Davis, Agent • 637-8616 5336 Millertown Pike www.mikedavisagency.com
With Life Insurance, Benefits Live On State Farm, Corporate Office, Bloomington, IL
SOUTH – Beautiful 15 acres with equipment barn - Perfect for horses or cattle. 3BR, new replacement windows, metal roof. $299,900 Michael Wood HISTORIC – Great cash flow potential. 2 units on charming tree-lined street, 3BR/2 BA each. $42,900 Patrick Michael CLOSE-IN SOUTH – 3BR/2 full BA, many recent updates, original TN marble BA and fireplace, 1-car gar. $119,900 Barbara Finchum 221 W. Young High Pike • Knoxville Michael Wood 577-7575 Patrick Michael 607-9548 Barbara Finchum 577-7575
577-7575
www.woodrealtors.com