South Knox Shopper-News 082014

SOUTH KNOX VOL. 2 NO. 33 1

IN THIS ISSUE Trees, trees, trees The clock is ticking on dogwood prep.

Yes, the 2015 Dogwood Arts Festival is less than eight months away, and that means it’s time for South Knoxville to start getting ready.

The Chapman Highway Dogwood Trail will be the featured trail, and while the neighborhoods of Lake Forest and Colonial Village will be the main hosts, all of South Knox will be on display.

➤

Read Betsy Pickle on page 3

Looking at Steve Hall’s defeat It has been 20 years since a Knox County state representative lost a party primary, but Martin Daniel made history when he upset incumbent Rep. Steve Hall by 157 votes.

The last time that happened was in 1994 when Tim Burchett defeated then-incumbent Rep. Maria Peroulas in the same district.

How did Daniel do it?

➤

Read Victor Ashe on page 4

Arthur John Stupka The Smoky Mountains National Park’s first naturalist helped lay out the 800mile trail system in the park.

He also added hundreds of observations to the journal he started at age 15.

Eventually, those observations would number 18,000 and are now computerized as a part of the park archives for use by scientists in understanding the long-term changes in its flora and fauna.

➤

www.ShopperNewsNow.com

Young High alums

By B B Betsy t Pi Pickle kl Alumni of Young High School want their history back.

The stone pillar marking the Chapman Highway entrance to the long-gone school’s Duff Field was destroyed when a car hit it on Aug. 1. Jeff Berry of Berry Funeral Home saw the debris on Aug. 4 and soon posted to the Young High School Alumni Facebook page.

“I saw a very sad sight this evening,” he began, going on to describe the scene in detail.

Berry told the Shopper-News that when he stopped to look at the damage, he saw that the marble plaque from the pillar – inscribed “Duff Field, Young High School, 1942” – was intact and lying among the wreckage. The pillar stood in the grass next to the driveway of The Medicine Shoppe.

“I took it to the funeral home first, and then I took it to the Knox County Museum of Education for safekeeping,” he said.

The museum is housed in the Sarah Simpson Professional Development and Technology Center, 801 Tipton Ave. Berry thinks his grandfather was among the alumni who erected the pillar in 1942, so the loss struck him hard. He wasn’t the only one.

“Devastation and horror” was the reaction from Young High graduates, according to ’76 graduate Ter-

want link to past restored

The marble plaque is at the Knox County Museum of Education.

ry Caruthers. “Everyone was upset.

They were concerned. Here was the last standing visible piece of Young High School in South Knoxville, and it had just been obliterated.”

Young High School opened in 1913 and graduated its last class in 1976. That fall, it merged with South High to become South-Young High School. That school merged with Doyle to become South-Doyle High in 1991.

The Young High property was developed as Chapman Square shopping center, where Kroger is the anchor. For years, Young graduates have made bitter jokes about buying groceries at their school.

A memorial plaque near Cancun restaurant was paid for by the class of 1976.

Read Betsy Pickle on page 6

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

Photo

by Sandy Chambers Martin

“Over the years it was vandalized, and then in the last three to four years a group of classes from the 1940s raised money, and they refurbished and replaced the memorial,” Caruthers says.

Caruthers says she and other alums want the Duff Field marker replaced. Both she and Chip Barry, who is on the board of the Colonial Village Neighborhood Association with her, have contacted Joe Walsh, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, and David Brace, director of the Public Service Department, about restoring the pillar.

“Young High School was the first high school in South Knoxville – and therefore the oldest – when it closed,” she says.

Underground Gay Street

By Wendy Smith

Big plans for Mooreland Heights

➤

The original Duff Field pillar

“Over the years, its presence has been erased from the community.”

“We would like to get the marker reset somewhere in Sam Duff Park,” Walsh says. “I will work with the neighborhood on the details.”

He says a city employee recovered the remaining marble pieces of the pillar.

Caruthers is the alumni point person on efforts to restore the pillar. She says the alums agree that the individual who ran over the sign should be required to pay damages from his insurance.

“We want the pillar put back with the sign in its original place,” she says. “And we want to try to cover it with as much of the insurance money as we can. The city needs to push for the insurance.”

And she says the city should make up the difference.

“They’re spending an awful lot of money trying to save South High School,” she says. “The city has declared it blighted property, and they’re moving to take over.

So I’m thinking if they’re going to spend that much money on that, surely they can spring for replacing a sign for Young High School.”

“I hope our City Council members will get behind this and help facilitate the restoration of this piece of South Knoxville’s history.”

History Fair offers peek at

Read Jim Tumblin on page 5

Dr. Roy Miller, principal of Mooreland Heights Elementary School, gave tthe Colonial Village homeowners association a detailed update on the upcoming addition to the school.

This year’s report was dominated by information about the upcoming addition to the school, the first since 1967.

The original plan called for four new classrooms, but Miller said that was not enough.

“That was just going to take care of now,” said the principal, who is entering his 11th year at the school this term. He convinced the Central Office and the Board of Education to look at the community and its projected growth.

August July 20, 29, 2013 2014

www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow

Bill Larson gives a tour of Underground Gay Street.

In case there was any question about it, attendance at last weekend’s East Tennessee Historical Society History Fair settled all bets − Knoxville loves history.

We love to dress our pooches as historical characters for the annual “History Hound” competition. We like anyone in costume, especially soldiers, and the loud sounds their weapons make. Since we enjoy sports, it’s no surprise that a Civil War-era baseball double-header featuring teams from Franklin, Roane County, Nashville and our own Knox-

ville Holstons was a hit this year.

We also appreciate the things that make our Scruffy City unique − like Underground Gay Street.

This reporter has always been intrigued by the notion that the 100 block of Gay Street was raised to its present level back in 1919, and that the original sidewalks − now a story below the current sidewalks − still exist.

An ETHS presentation by Jan Larson to a standing-room-only crowd feaTo page 3

Pridemore faces trial by fire; lawyers worry

By Betty Bean “You’re at the airport with your wife and kids, getting ready to board a plane to Disney World. But when you get to the gate for the flight to Orlando, there’s an election, and a guy who’s never flown before is elected pilot and citizens are compelled to get on Pridemore that plane …”

This is how one Knoxville attorney described having pending cases in Chancery Court, Division II, where the newly elected and littleknown Republican Clarence “Eddie” Pridemore will preside come Sept. 1.

Pridemore’s victory over respected incumbent Daryl Fansler, a Democrat, was a product of the GOP’s “Red to the Roots” project and sent shockwaves through the

local legal community.

“You hear it from every lawyer of every stripe who practices here, throughout the courthouse and out on the street and everywhere – ‘Oh, my gosh! What’re we going to do now?’ ” said David Buuck, Knox County’s chief deputy law director.

The city of Knoxville is awaiting several decisions in important cases pending in Division II, including Lamar v Knoxville, which challenges the city’s right to regulate billboards; Anderson and Woodridge v Knoxville, an appeal of the city’s closure of Ben Atchley Street in Bearden; Royal Properties Inc. v Knoxville, dealing with the fate of the Pryor Brown parking garage.

Arthur Seymour Jr. represents the Northshore Town Center developer who intervened in a case fi led by county residents opposing a large mixed-use development project inside the city.

“All I know to do is forge ahead,” Seymour said. “He says he’s going to judge’s school, so there’s that.”

At “Baby Judges’ College,” operated by the Administrative Offices of the Courts in Nashville, Pridemore will have five days of seminars, sign up for his $175,000-peryear paycheck and get fitted for his robe (a standard choir robe will suffice). When he returns, Pridemore will immediately face Motion Day, where dozens of lawyers present a wide variety of cases.

“If Eddie has half a lick of sense, he’ll sit there like a stone, nod his head and take cases under advisement. The problem with that is he’ll have to write opinions and will get swamped pretty quickly. His cases will drag, and complaints will start coming in,” said one very experienced attorney, speaking anonymously.

Most worry less about Pride-

more than about those who will stand before him.

“I have cases where clients will be in front of a judge with no Chancery Court experience who engaged in the political process and had some issues regarding his personal finances. Without being critical of the chancellor-elect, it raises significant questions about the manner and method by which we elect judges in Knox County,” said Greg Isaacs, who represents Lamar Outdoor Advertising.

Attorneys speaking anonymously had less tactful takes: “There needs to be a preliminary threshold for who gets to be a judge. … You’re going to wonder why your children got taken away or why you lost your inheritance. … A chimpanzee could have won if it had an R behind its name. … An incompetent buffoon ran a stealth campaign and got elected.”

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 • AUGUST 20, 2014 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

‘Candy Lady’ finds help for swallowing problems When Dorothy Robbins of Sevierville visits Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, she usually brings a box of fresh peanut brittle or assorted avors of tafďŹ es with her. “They call me the Candy Lady,â€? said Robbins, 73. “I’ve worked 40 years at the candy shop (Ole Smokey Candy Kitchen) in Gatlinburg. So I make a variety and take it to them. Dr. Jackson loves peanut brittle, so I always take him some.â€?

Robbins tells a funny but harrowing story about the time in October 2011 when a 200-pound bear broke into the shop at night. Robbins and a coworker found him in the morning. “There was a hole in the glass door and pecans everywhere,� Robbins recalled.

The women called the police, who chased the bear out of the shop and right past Robbins. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency ofďŹ cials tried to trap him in the days

following, with no success.

The incident made the news and can still be seen on YouTube. “I said we have the sweetest bear in town!� said Robbins. “He was the smartest, too – he picked our candy shop! And they never did catch him.�

But that wasn’t the ďŹ rst frightening experience for Robbins. In 1989, she successfully battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma, undergoing 40 radiation treatments at Fort Sanders Regional.

The treatments eliminated the cancer, but subsequent scarring from chest radiation narrowed her esophagus to the point where she couldn’t eat without food getting caught. A narrowed esophagus can also be the result of acid reux disease, a common ailment. “It’s very frightening,â€?

Robbins said. “People who have not had it happen to them don’t know.�

Any food could get stuck in Robbins’ esophagus for days, especially foods like chicken or beef, she said. “I couldn’t swallow anything else either, even saliva,� she added. “It’s a scary thought when nothing will go down.�

Robbins lived with the condition for many years.

But about ďŹ ve years ago, she was referred to Dr. Mark Jackson, a gastroenterologist with Fort Sanders Regional. Jackson told Robbins he could “stretchâ€? her esophagus to help her swallow better.

With Robbins under anesthesia, Jackson inserted an endoscope – a tiny lighted video camera – down her throat. He then used slender instruments to expand and stretch the narrow places.

The procedure made a difference immediately, Robbins said, and she now has the treatment on a regular

Body’s digestive train can be derailed When your co-worker phones the ofďŹ ce saying he or she has “stomach u,â€? don’t believe it. That’s because the vomiting and diarrhea associated with the condition probably has nothing to do with the u – it’s more likely to be gastroenteritis, one of the more common ailments that can go wrong with the super-sophisticated human plumbing we call the digestive system.

Dr. Muhammed The mouth, Iqbal, Gastroenteresophagus, stomach, ologist large and small intestines, and anus are all part of the digestive system, with the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver and gallbladder also pitching in. Even nerves and blood play a major role in the digestive process.

With so many body parts working together just to process that sausage biscuit you had for breakfast, it isn’t surprising that sometimes things go wrong. In fact, an estimated 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by one digestive disease or another each year, resulting in 48.3 million visits to the doctor, 21.7 million hospitalizations and almost a quarter million deaths.

Here are a few common conditions: â– Gastroenteritis – Often called “stomach u,â€? it’s inammation of the small intestine caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. â– Gastroesophageal Reux Disease (GERD) – More commonly known as heartburn, symptoms occur when the stomach contents back up into the esophagus.

Occasional GERD doesn’t usually indicate a problem. “But if it’s persistent, if you have difďŹ culty or if you have weight loss, it needs to be evaluated,â€? said Dr. Mu-

hammed Iqbal, gastroenterologist with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. GERD can sometimes be a symptom of other conditions such as asthma, esophageal cancer or a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. â– Constipation – Americans spend $725 million a year on laxatives, trying to facilitate a bowel movement. â– Diarrhea – Constipation’s “evil twinâ€? causes repeated trips to the bathroom. Usually diarrhea is brought on by mild infections of the colon or small intestine. â– Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, cramping or bloating and diarrhea or constipation. â– Inammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Another name for either Crohn’s disease or ulcertative colitis. The disease stems from inammation of the colon. â– Diverticular disease –The colon becomes weakened and pouches form along its surface. The pouches can collect food and become infected, resulting in pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. â– Colorectal cancer – The digestive system is home to more cancers and causes more cancer mortalities than any other organ system in the body. Colon cancer affects more than 100,000 Americans each year. The good news is that most colon cancer is preventable through regular screening. “Colon cancer deaths have decreased because there is effective screening and better treatments. Pre-cancerous polyps (growths that can be precursors to colon cancer) can be completely and safely removed during colonoscopy,â€? Iqbal says, adding that the most important thing to remember is that “colonoscopy saves lives.â€?

If you have digestive discomfort or difďŹ culties, or symptoms that may be caused by the conditions listed above, call 865-541-4280 or go to www.fsregional.com/gi

basis. At ďŹ rst she went every month, and now sees Jackson several times each year.

Her procedure is done at the Center for Digestive Health at Fort Sanders Regional and takes about 15-20 minutes. “I’m

down and back in a day,� said Robbins, noting that she eats softer foods immediately following ful doctor. That whole group, they’re great – so wonderful the procedure. “Dr. Jackson is a wonder- and caring.�

Sweet words from the Candy Lady, who can more easily swallow the foods she enjoys.

Time for ‘gut check’?

Tests can be life savers

Tummy trouble? It may be time for a “gut check.� A variety of tests are available to help gastroenterologists (specialists in digestive disorders) diagnose and treat the cause of “GI blues.�

The Fort Sanders Center for Digestive Health has gastroenterologists Richard Cohn, MD; Jeffrey Brown, MD; Mark Jackson, MD; Muhammed Iqbal, MD; and Robert Pollack, MD, who offer a variety of diagnostic procedures, inDr. Mark Jackson, Gastroenterologist cluding the following:

Colonoscopy Colonoscopy is the examination of the entire colon (large intestine) to look for early signs of colon cancer (polyps). Usually an outpatient procedure, colonoscopy is performed by inserting a exible lighted tube into the rectum.

It requires intravenous sedation and adequate preparation to clean the colon. The exam will take about 20 minutes but can save your life.

Colonoscopy screening is recommended for everyone at age 50 and every 10 years after that if the test is normal. People with a family history of colon cancer, inammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis need to have the procedure at a younger age and more frequently. “Colon cancer can be managed, treated and cured if found early,â€? says Dr. Jackson. “The thing I’ve learned over the past 25 years is the importance of getting people past the fear and embarrassment of having to go through colonoscopy.

The more people we can get screened the better.�

Capsule endoscopy (“PillCam�)

This high-tech procedure uses a pill-sized video camera to view images of the small intestine, which cannot be viewed with traditional upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. The camera

takes multiple pictures of the small intestine as it passes through the bowel. The most common use is to search for causes of bleeding from the small intestine. It can also be used to test for Crohn’s disease and small bowel tumors.

On the day prior to the procedure a laxative solution is given to cleanse the small intestine.

The PillCam is then swallowed and passes through the digestive tract while transmitting video images to a recorder worn on the patient’s belt. The test takes about eight hours.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Upper GI endoscopy, sometimes called EGD, helps in diagnosing and treating esophagitis, heartburn, ulcers and bleeding. The procedure is the visual examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract using a lighted exible endoscope. It is performed in an outpatient setting and utilizes intravenous sedation to relax the patient. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. The exam takes about 5-10 minutes.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) ERCP enables the physician to diagnose problems that involve the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas. In this procedure a exible lighted tube is passed through the mouth and into the stomach and upper intestine to visualize the opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas. Once identiďŹ ed, a narrow plastic tube is passed through the scope into the duct, where a dye is injected and X-rays are taken. If the exam shows a gallstone or narrowing of the ducts, specialized equipment can be used to remove the stones or relieve the obstruction. The exam takes 30-60 minutes.

For more information about gastroenterology services at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center or assistance in ďŹ nding a physician, call 865-541-4280.

FORT SANDERS CENTER FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH Ĺ&#x201A; 7KH ODWHVW WHFKQRORJ\ DYDLODEOH WR GLDJQRVH WUHDW DQG PDQDJH JDVWURLQWHVWLQDO GLVHDVH Âą DOO LQ 21( SODFH Ĺ&#x201A; 6SDFLRXV QHZ VTXDUH IRRW RXWSDWLHQW IDFLOLW\ GHVLJQHG ZLWK <285 FRPIRUW LQ PLQG Ĺ&#x201A; /RFDWHG LQ WKH )RUW 6DQGHUV &HQWHU IRU $GYDQFHG 0HGLFLQH RQ &OLQFK $YHQXH ZLWK FRQYHQLHQW SDUNLQJ DQG HDV\ DFFHVV Ĺ&#x201A; +ROGLQJ SURFHGXUH DQG UHFRYHU\ URRPV RIIHU FRQYHQLHQFH DQG SULYDF\ Ĺ&#x201A; *HQHURXV IDPLO\ DQG SDWLHQW ZDLWLQJ DUHDV ZLWK UHOD[LQJ PRXQWDLQ YLHZV

fsregional.com

009 0094 0 00 094-00 09 -008 008 0 81

&OLQFK $YHQXH 6XLWH FORT SANDERS .QR[YLOOH 71 CENTER FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH (865) 541-4280

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • AUGUST 20, 2014 • 3

Brian Hann talks with Vestal Community Organization representative Eric Johnson after the Greenways Commission meeting.

Trudy Monaco, Kasey Krouse and Marie Bunn examine a map showing Knoxville’s green canopy at the Lake Forest Neighborhood Association meeting. South Knoxville has the most tree cover in the city, with about 60 percent, Krouse says. Photos by Betsy Pickle

Seeing forester for the trees The clock is ticking on dogwood prep.

Yes, the 2015 Dogwood Arts Festival is less than eight months away, and that means it’s time for South Knoxville to start getting ready. The Chapman Highway Dogwood Trail will be the featured trail, and while the neighborhoods of Lake Forest and Colonial Village will be the main hosts, all of South Knox will be on display.

Lake Forest had a timely guest at its meeting last week. Kasey Krouse, the city’s urban forester, came to talk about ways to improve the health and appearance of private properties, especially when it comes to trees.

One of Krouse’s main points was, easy on the mulch. Mulch should be wide and shallow – two to three inches deep and to the drip line, and it shouldn’t be right up on the tree. Older

Betsy Pickle

trees don’t have that much need for mulch.

“Mulch trees when they are young and establishing,” Krouse said. Mulching is useful because it keeps roots moist, and it keeps lawnmowers at a safe distance.

But it’s important to mulch properly so as not to cause decay.

As for Knoxville’s beloved dogwoods, “mulch and dogwood trees do not get along,” he said. He recommended purchasing disease-resistant dogwoods and planting them away from full sunlight.

Krouse said OctoberNovember is the best time to prune. Cutting off lower

branches and raising tree crowns is healthy and good for aesthetics, as is clearing away invasive species such as privet and honeysuckle.

In this region of the country, Krouse says, it’s OK to plant trees from the end of October to March.

They need to get settled before the heat descends.

Also visiting Lake Forest were Heather and Ben Ream of the South Knoxville Old Brooms Brigade.

They are more than halfway to their goal of picking up 50 bags of litter by Labor Day. Go Brooms!

Gene Burr reports to the Vestal Community Organization on work at Mary Vestal Park.

and the city’s Bicycle Facilities Plan in addition to multiple projects being overseen by the Parks and Recreation Department. Tops was the Greenway Corridor Feasibility and Assessment, for which discussion was so involved that Hann decided to schedule a workshop for commission members.

Also at the meeting at Larry Cox Senior Center, Parks & ■ Meanwhile, on Rec greenways coordinator the greenways Lori Goerlich reported that Knoxville Greenways the grant for an extension Commission chair Brian of the Sarah Moore Greene Hann had a full plate during Greenway to the Knoxville his first meeting as chief.

Botanical Garden was not The commission last approved by the Tennessee Tuesday heard updates on Department of Environment waterfront redevelopment and Conservation.

South Knox items discussed included connecting the Alcoa Highway Greenway to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, which could have a simple solution, and repairing the foundation on the Will Skelton Greenway, which will entail much more effort and cost. More study is underway.

Eric Johnson from the Vestal Community Organization talked to the commission about getting support for improvements at Mary Vestal Park. While the VCO and work crews from the Sheriff’s Office have cleaned up invasiveplant growth extensively along the greenway, there are maintenance issues.

Also, Johnson emphasized the need for extending the greenway, at least to Fort Dickerson Park along Blount Avenue if not all the way to the Tennessee River.

Back in Vestal

■

The previous night’s Vestal Community Organization meeting also covered the Mary Vestal Park and greenway.

Gene Burr, an architect who was involved in the original design of the park, and president Newman Seay pointed out that there is more than $1,000 avail-

able from a challenge grant to do work in the park. Burr said that cleanup along the greenway had made it more visible and appealing from the street, and residents should feel safer using the trail.

The uneven connection on each side of the bridge across Goose Creek and the greenway’s abrupt end remain matters of concern.

Lisa Reyes Mason of UT’s College of Social Work visited the VCO at the South Knoxville Community Center to talk about an environmental study being done in Burlington, Lonsdale, West Hills and Vestal. Monitors have already been installed to take quantitative measurements, but Mason is looking for residents to interview about their perceptions of their environment.

■

Montgomery Village update

The Montgomery Village Residents Association heard good news at its August meeting last Thursday.

Tom Garner, executive director of Harbours Gate, a nonprofit known as the “inner city peace corps,” reported that the Montgomery Village duo of James Ford and Ieshia Hill took top prize in the talent show “Inner City Got Voice” on July 19. Laurel Wright, 2013 “American Idol” finalist, mentored the show. Ford and Hill earned a studio session with Wright for their efforts.

Harbours Gate is running a high school diploma class in conjunction with Montgomery Village Ministries that is a pilot for future classes around the city. Enrollment is full at 18, with more on a waiting list.

Coming up for the community is a street art project that will engage young people. The association is also working on plans for a health fair and programs of interest to residents.

Catering Available!

Birthdays, Graduations, Special Events

Mexican Grill & Cantina Check Out Our Full Bar! Happy Hour All Day, Every Day • Mixed Drinks • Beer • Wine • Margaritas

Terry Caruthers holds a piece of marble she found in the rubble where the Duff Field marker once stood. Story on Page 1. Photos by Betsy Pickle

KIDS EAT FREE Mon-Thurs

$10 ........... $2.00 OFF $20 ........... $4.00 OFF $30 ........... $6.00 OFF Ella Sieber and her father, Clinton Sieber, examine a World War II-era helmet with re-enactor Steve Livingston of Fountain City.

Underground Gay Street tured slides of Gay Street before, during and after the massive project to raise the street. The presentation took place in what was originally the ground floor of the Emporium. Underground Gay Street is visible beyond the original glass storefront.

“This is the old streetlevel entry from when this was a furniture factory,” she explained. “Now, when you walk in from Gay Street, you’re actually on the second floor.”

The train and the river were both important for transporting people and goods into and out of town, and Gay Street was the most direct route between the two. But the street was a challenge, especially for

From page 1

those carrying goods, or wearing heavy dresses, because it was a steep hill.

City leaders decided to build a viaduct to even out the grade, Larson said. This was accomplished by building a wall where the sidewalk met the road on both sides, and filling it with dredge from the river. Supports were built to hold up new sidewalks, and glass bricks were installed to give light to the area below.

In 2000, the street was renovated to bring the road up to current standards, and archeological treasures, like the original trolley tracks, were revealed.

The renovation also unearthed the possibility of developing the long-buried sidewalks and original first

floors of the 100 block of Gay Street.

“I’m sure David Dewhirst would be more than happy to receive input about what should be done, and ideas for how money might be raised to do it,” said Larson.

Jan’s husband, Bill Larson, provided tours of the east side of the underground, which basically encompasses the original first floor of the Emporium.

The sidewalk continues past a courtyard between the Emporium and the Sterchi Lofts and ends with a gate at the lofts. The tunnel is surprisingly well lighted by the courtyard and the new glass bricks installed during the 2009 renovation.

If a history fair could bring thousands out on a Saturday afternoon, we can only wonder how popular Underground Gay Street might prove on a Saturday night.

Hours: M-Th 11am - 10 pm F & Sat 11am - 11pm

mexicanrestaurantknox.com

ANY PURCHASE OF:

Lydia Toth, 3, makes a doll with help from Betty Allen.

4100 Crippen Rd • Halls 377-3675 • Fax 377-3805 4409 Chapman Hwy 577-8881 • Fax 577-8966

Excludes alcohol.

One coupon per table.

COUPON GOOD FOR DINING IN ONLY. (NOT TAKE OUT).

NOT GOOD WITH OTHER SPECIALS. EXPIRES 9/2/14

Mexican Grill & Cantina 4100 Crippen Rd • Halls

(1child per adult)

FAJITAS FOR TWO (Steak or Chicken) Cheese Dip & Sopapilla

$20.00 COUPON GOOD FOR DINING IN ONLY. (NOT TAKE OUT).

NOT GOOD WITH OTHER SPECIALS. Mexican Grill & Cantina EXPIRES 9/2/14 4100 Crippen Rd • Halls

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Try our new

SEAFOOD SOUP SIETE MARES A combination of 7 different types of seafood boiled in our own special recipe served with tostada shells, saltine crackers & lime.

Try our new

MAS MEXICANO TACOS Pollo, Pastor, avacado, Lengua, charrizo, carnitas, buche, relleno.

government High bar for Clarence Eddie Dr. Fred Hurst often asks: What do you call the guy who finished last in his class in medical school?

Answer: “Doctor.”

Pundits are worried about newly elected chancellor Clarence “Eddie” Pridemore. And we agree he has a high bar to maintain customary Knox County standards.

Pridemore just cannot pay out bonuses for courses not taken; and he must not spend county money to buy a Blu-ray player and discs for his “downtime.”

He must never use a county P-Card at JJ’s Mega Wigs on Gay Street and then, when caught, claim it was for gasoline.

No, no, Eddie. You cannot talk to John Valliant on a cell phone from the bench

Sandra Clark

and then, when caught, claim it was about rental property.

And you must never, ever coerce probationers into sex for prescription drugs.

Yep. The bar is high for Clarence Eddie.

But think about it. In some ways the guy’s a genius. How many of his critics are making $175,000 a year for eight years guaranteed, plus a pension?

Sandra Clark is publisher of ShopperNews. sclark426@aol.com or-661-8777.

4 • AUGUST 20, 2014 • Shopper news

Jamie Rowe: fast out of the gate Judging by the media speculation about 2nd District school board candidate Jamie Rowe, the casual reader might think she was: A. A political juggernaut.

B. A political unknown.

C. An Indya Kincannon wannabe.

D. Somebody’s puppet.

The “juggernaut” speculation grew out of a published report that Rowe has a 250-name host committee list. The air of mystery has been promoted by reporters attempting to suss out which side of the essential James McIntyre argument she’s on by checking out her Facebook friends. The Kincannon mention comes from an assumption that the former board member’s positions reflect those of her district. And the “puppet” suspicion? See item B. Underlying the questions is the fact that the election could flip the balance on a board that has been 8-1 proMcIntyre to a 5-4 split the

Association leaders Ronnie Collins, Katie and Bev Gooch, City Council members Mark Campen and Nick Della Volpe, retired art teachers Betty Maloy (Central) and Christine Harness (Gresham); Retired TVA executive Nan Scott, former County Commissioners Mark Harmon and Billy Tindell, longtime Central teacher (and Tommy Schumpert campaign mastermind) Jean Payne, Fountain City activist Barbara Ray and numerous members of the extended Helton family, long active in Fountain City athletics and community life.

Who’s not there?

Any member of the school board.

Rowe, who has voted in both Republican and Democratic primaries, was active in Kincannon’s first (and only contested) campaign.

Did she ask for Kincannon’s endorsement?”

“No, I did not. I called her as a courtesy, but I’m

running for s c h o o l board, and I’m confident enough in my own beliefs that I won’t be copying anyone Jamie Rowe else.”

Would she have voted to extend Superintendent James McIntyre’s contract?

“No. There was no logical reason to commit $222,000 more taxpayer dollars (for a fourth year). To me, that’s not fiscally responsible. I want to see resources used wisely.”

Space doesn’t allow listing much of her resume, but here are some highlights: 2004 Fountain City Woman of the Year, 1991 Bicentennial Gold Medal Award Winner (for environmental education work at Gresham Middle School), founder of the Shannondale Walkathon.

First, Daniel invested $85,000 of his own money into his campaign, which allowed him to do the mailings, yard signs and phone calls needed to win.

This money only matched what Hall had accumulated in PAC donations over four years.

Second, Daniel committed his personal time going door to door for more than 60 consecutive days, becoming known to voters during the hot summer.

Hall had others going door to door for him.

Third, Hall did not realize the aggressive force coming onto the field against him until early voting was well underway. He was caught flat-footed.

Fourth, Hall handed Daniel three issues that only Hall could have cre-

ated and caused voters to abandon Hall.

Those issues included legislation to sell Lakeshore Park, which is the most used park in the city.

Hall also sponsored legislation to allow Tennova to build a high-rise hospital on Middlebrook Pike without checking with the neighborhood as to their views while accepting significant campaign donations from the Tennova PAC. Hall then endorsed Stacey Campfield for state senate on TV when Campfield was politically toxic.

Fifth, the two appearances Hall and Daniel made together on TV assisted Daniel, whose performance was more polished and informed while Hall was clearly on the defensive and visibly distressed in front of the camera.

Sixth, the margin of victory for Daniel came from

the Rocky Hill county precinct and Deane Hill Recreation city ward.

Both are adjacent to Lakeshore Park, which Hall tried to sell.

Hall had lobbied to have those precincts placed in his district to maintain a 70 percent GOP flavor to the district.

It never occurred to Hall that he might lose in a primary to a resident of these new precincts. Daniel lives in Rocky Hill.

Future and current legislative incumbents might take note that people do watch the legislation you introduce and it can become an issue. Also, clever redistricting may work against you, not for you. Be careful whom you endorse, especially if he is losing by an overwhelming margin. Talk to voters before introducing legislation that impacts them.

in 2006. He’s now serving a 13-year prison term.

The late Sen. Ted Kennedy, shining Democratic star, drove off a bridge in 1969, killing his passenger, and didn’t report the incident until the following day. Massachusetts voters continued to re-elect him until he died in 2009.

Hypocrite and incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais has apparently won his Republican primary contest for Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District.

In our own backyard, starting in 2004 Republican state Sen. Stacey Campfield held office for a decade until even the Voting Dead were undone by his lunacy.

If Clarence Pridemore

has taken a bribe, driven off a bridge, talked out of both sides of his mouth about abortion or trashed gays there’s no record of it. And if the media attention he’s drawn since the election seems like beating a dead horse, it’s because this horse never should have left the paddock.

Pridemore himself may be suffering from partial brain death, as demonstrated by this on his campaign website, www.pridemore2014. com: “I hope to make Knox County proud to have me as it’s next Chancellor.”

Do we want a Chancellor who doesn’t know the difference between “it’s” and “its”?

Can Knox County afford a copy editor to clean up his

written decisions?

Pridemore’s recent bankruptcy doesn’t inspire confidence. Now the voting dead have handed him authority over the affairs of an untold number of others for eight years.

Where will the new Chancellor stow the “conservative Republican” label that he wore during the campaign when his court opens for business?

Does conservative Republican justice differ from run-of-the-mill Republican justice? From Democratic justice?

“Better Dead than Red” was a popular slogan way back when. For the “voting dead” in this race, they’re one and the same.

Betty Bean other way.

Rowe, long active in local politics and schools, has never run for office before, understands the speculation, but has been too busy to address it.

Last Friday, three days before Kincannon officially vacated her school board seat, Rowe planted a couple of green-and-white Jamie Rowe for school board signs in front of her Tazewell Pike home and sat down to talk.

She moves fast but not fast enough to have signed up 250 public supporters (she claims 180-something on the list so far).

Here’s a sample of who’s on there: former City Council members Carlene Malone and Jack Sharp, Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood

Steve Hall, Mark Donaldson moving on Mayors Burchett and Rogero will appoint a committee under a new state law to choose a new MPC director as Mark Donaldson has decided to move on.

However, it is unclear how many members will serve on it, their qualifications, who will chair it, who will fund it, who will staff it and its timetable. Meetings and records of this committee must be subject to public review and attendance.

Neighborhood groups worry that Rogero’s deputy Bill Lyons will overly influence her choices for this committee as Lyons has recently clashed with the Fort Sanders Neighborhood by having excluded Fort Sanders from the World’s Fair Park review committee membership. They feel Lyons is unfavorable to his-

toric neighborhoods if big businesses are involved.

This column first reported the hiring of Dave Hill at MPC in May, which triggered a firestorm of criticism leading to the Donaldson departure.

It is amazing that MPC chair Rebecca Longmire defended the Hill hiring, saying it was in compliance with the MPC bylaws. Even if the bylaws were followed, it is clear the bylaws need to be changed to assure fairness in hiring.

Both Rogero and Burchett issued statements on Donaldson leaving. Rogero’s was lengthy and full of praise. Burchett’s was two sentences long with a single “thank you.”

Martin Daniel: It has been 20 years since a Knox County state representative

Victor Ashe

lost a party primary, but businessman Martin Daniel made history when he upset incumbent Steve Hall by 157 votes on Aug. 7. It was 1994 when Tim Burchett defeated then-incumbent Rep. Maria Peroulas in the same district.

Conditions were ripe for Hall to lose, but it required a combination of circumstances. Had any of those circumstances been missing, Hall might have prevailed as Daniel’s initial polling showed Hall was 40 points ahead.

Night of the ‘voting dead’ “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”

– H.L. Mencken Sorry, Stephen King.

Move over, Edgar Allan Poe. The horrors that sprang from those fertile imaginations have been eclipsed by real life: The “voting dead” are at large in Knox County.

What else explains the brain-dead decision made by more than 30,000 of our fellow citizens to vote for the manifestly unqualified Clarence Pridemore Jr. over Daryl Fansler for Chancellor on Aug. 7?

Frankly, I’ve owned cats with more impressive resumes than Pridemore’s few years in retail and real-estate sales.

The litmus test for voting in this contest was as simple as it gets: Are you capable of tying your shoes with only minimal assistance? Then you voted for Fansler without hesitation.

On the other hand, if your frontal cortex teemed with the logic-devouring virus of

Larry Van Guilder

party-line voting, you pulled the lever for Mr. Least Likely To Succeed.

Historically, the Voting Dead cast their mindless ballots about equally for Republicans and Democrats: Despite being nailed by the FBI with $90,000 cash in a freezer in 2005, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, a Democrat, won re-election

Neyland Stadium =

102,455 PEOPLE Shopper News =

142,000 HOMES 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

www.ShopperNewsNow.com wsNow.com Now.com ow.com w.com .com com m

Shopper news • AUGUST 20, 2014 • 5

It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol Tennessee football is so much fun when the Volunteers win.

The religious devotion, old-fashioned faith, is again justified. Joy is contagious.

Strangers laugh and exchange high fives. Costs of tickets and parking and hot dogs no longer seem exorbitant.

There is a buzz as the thousands depart, replaying highlights. Some move on to next week and guess what the score will be and wonder if it is finally our turn against Alabama and who will make all-American. All is right with the world. Well, almost.

Excitement carries over to dinner parties and latenight snacks and even Sunday school. I once heard a preacher weave a Vol victory

Marvin West

into a sermon.

Tennessee football is so much pain and anguish and indigestion when the Volunteers lose. It hurts to say they’ve been doing a lot of that lately and by some rather ugly scores. Our terrific freshmen Butch Jones brought in were 11 or 12 the last time Tennessee was relevant.

Losing generates so many negatives and very feeble excuses. The coach called the wrong play. We should

try the other quarterback.

How can all those officials miss that obvious holding foul? Our team is so young and inexperienced and the ball was wet.

Offended fans take losing personally. Coffee is lukewarm and breakfast is tasteless. Traffic is terrible, the computer is slow and it looks like more rain.

Losing lasts through Tuesday and sometimes Wednesday if Florida did it. Business suffers. No kidding. Losing dulls ordinary discussions.

Eventually, a trace of optimism breaks through, suffering subsides and believers come back to life and start counting again. Can the Vols still qualify for a

bowl game?

I am reminded of a little essay I did years ago: What is Tennessee football?

Some think of it as the greatest show on Earth, high drama, gladiatorial theater, pomp and circumstance, played out in front of huge audiences, soon to be bigger with the new SEC Network.

Faces change and even that forever jersey turns gray but the story line stays the same, us against them, passion and glory or confusion, turnovers and heartbreak.

Been there and seen it all.

For sure, Tennessee football is money, multimilliondollar budget, low or no reserve fund, greedy amusement taxes, astronomical

debt service, Butch’s salary plus a bonus for players’ academic success.

OK, I know you are wondering. Dave Hart is paid $817,250 to be athletic director – unless I missed a recent raise.

Tennessee football rises above it all.

Some said my best line from that years-ago summation was this: “Tennessee football is an ensemble of very special people, a collection of remarkable snapshots, moments inextricably linked by blood, sweat and tears, always orange.”

To me, Tennessee football will remain the memory of George Cafego, the epitome of a Volunteer. It is Doug Atkins and Reggie White getting bigger and better through the years. It is Larry Seivers and Dick Williams and Curt Watson

and Bill Young and others who required no recruiting.

Tennessee had always been their team.

Tennessee football is that season of destiny, the ’98 national championship. It is the Arkansas fumble and Al Wilson refusing to lose.

Tennessee football is checkerboards and the Vol Walk and the Neyland statue. It is Dewey Warren’s one-yard run in Memphis and Peyton Manning leading the band and staying for his senior season.

Tennessee football is the exhilaration of walking away a winner and the futility of final seconds ticking away when the Vols are behind and can’t do anything about it. You feel like crying and maybe you do – until somebody starts the chant, “It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol.” Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.

Arthur Stupka: Archivist of the Smokies Arthur John Stupka was born on Oct. 24, 1905, the oldest of four children of Louis and Mary Stupka, both natives of Bohemia, now the Czech Republic.

Louis owned a meat and produce market in Cleveland, Ohio, on the southern shore of Lake Erie. That is where Arthur first experienced the great outdoors.

Jim Tumblin

He graduated from Ohio State University, where he also earned his master’s degree in zoology, and then joined the National Park Service at Yellowstone as a ranger-naturalist in 1931.

The following year he was

transferred to Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine, as chief naturalist.

He came to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1935, just one year after the park was created.

J. Ross Eakin, the park’s first superintendent, told him, “I don’t need a naturalist because I don’t want any more visitors (until construction is finished).” Eakin advised him to get acquainted with the park by hiking, observing and recording.

He also was charged with establishing a natural history collection and making connections with the scientists who could help develop the park’s resources.

He spent the next four years doing just that and working closely with the Civilian Conservation Corps to lay out the 800-mile trail system in the park, one of Stupka’s proudest achievements. He also added hun-

dreds of observations to his journals, which he had begun when he was only 15.

Eventually, those observations would number 18,000 and are now computerized as a part of the park archives for use by scientists in understanding the longterm changes in its flora and fauna.

He documented the disastrous year of 1946 when the American chestnut had already disappeared and the acorn crop was very poor. It was estimated that between one-third and one-half of the black bear population left the park’s sanctuary that year in search of food.

Gray squirrels had a mortality of up to 90 percent in some watersheds.

There possibly were specialists who knew more than Stupka about birdlife in the Smokies, and probably some knew more about mushrooms, herbs, shrubs

and trees. Others may have known more about animals and reptiles. However, Arthur Stupka probably knew far more about all of those things as a group than any other inNaturalist and party on conducted dividual. His intertrip. A typical group of tourists gathnational reputation ered beside the trail for the indoctriinfluenced specialnation talk by Ranger Stupka. Photo ists like Roger Tory courtesy of the GSMNP, Neg. #5600 Peterson to provide expertise in the park’s planning and Arthur J. Stupka (1905-1999). This development.

In 1961, after 25 years 1946 portrait was taken at the as park naturalist, when he height of Ranger Stupka’s 25-year was within two years of re- career as chief naturalist of the Great tirement, he was offered the Smoky Mountains National Park. Photo courtesy opportunity to use the large of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Neg. #12946 attic in park headquarters as his study. There he pro- keeping and added to the interred in Sevier Counduced this series of books journals in the park’s ar- ty’s Walnut Grove Cemand pamphlets summariz- chives. He passed away etery near the Great Smoky ing his knowledge of the April 12, 1999, at age 93, Mountains that he loved. flora and fauna of the park. survived by his wife, Grace After his retirement, Ar- G. Stupka, two daughters, to park archivist Michael Aday thur J. Stupka remained in four grandchildren and sev- Thanks and Martha Rosson of the McClung HisGatlinburg, continued his en great-grandchildren. Af- torical Collection for their assistance observations and record- ter private services, he was with the photographs and text.

LOCAL Businesses

Mike Davis, Agent • 637-8616 5336 Millertown Pike www.mikedavisagency.com

Combine Auto and Renters for BIG Savings URBAN WILDERNESS – 4BR/2.5BA, hdwd floors, 2 fireplaces, In-law apt., 30 ft family room, screened porch, 2200 SF. $119,900. Call Patrick

State Farm, Corporate Office, Bloomington, IL

CHARMING UT/DNTN – 2BR/1BA, refinished hdwd floors, thermo windows, updated countertops & appliances, carport. $89,900. Call Michael

221 W. Young High Pike • Knoxville Michael Wood 577-7575 www.woodrealtors.com Patrick Michael 607-9548 577-7575

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

345 MEADOWLAKE CIRCLE, SEYMOUR – 3BR/2BA, 2-car gar, sunrm. New granite kit counter tops. Seller will help w/closing costs. $225,000. MLS#859819 2703 VOLTZ LANE – 1264 SF cabin on 4.16 acres w/mtn view. Secluded, wooded privacy, covered deck. Approx 500 ft. on the French Broad River & boat launch area. $145,000.

MLS#859821 2424 MIDWAY ROAD – 1899 cabin with 25.47 acres. $125,000. MLS#868311 Call Pamela Hammontree • 865-573-0145

kids

6 • AUGUST 20, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

Second-grade teacher Crystal Pennell used pinwheels that decorated tables at her wedding in July to enliven her Mount Olive classroom and also crafted large pinwheels to continue the theme.

First-grade teacher Randa Stinnett pays tribute to Dogwood’s nickname, the Dolphins, with her playful door decs.

Mount Olive first-graders Parker Kersey, Emma Hogan and Lincoln Unger get comfy under the awning teacher Amanda Hodges created for her classroom reading wall.

Welcome back!

By Betsy Pickle The first week back for students in Knox County Schools held trepidation along with excitement, especially for younger students. Teachers at elementary schools did their best to make classrooms welcoming by creating colorful door and classroom decorations.

Here are some examples from South Knox schools.

Third-grade teacher Amy Cate’s bright bow wreath grabs the eye at Dogwood Elementary, but Cate won’t take all the credit. “I had help from my daughter; she’s the artistic one.” Photos by Betsy Pickle

First-grade teacher Scarlett Hopkins encircles David Hurst and her other Dogwood students with colors and shapes that stimulate learning.

Second-grade teacher Jackie-Rose Davis brightens up her room at Mount Olive with an inspiring take on reading.

Mooreland Heights looks forward to growth

By Betsy Pickle There was a gift exchange at the Colonial Village Neighborhood Association meeting last week.

Association members gave Dr. R oy Miller, principal of Mooreland Heights Elementary School, a heaping helping of school supplies for students, and Miller gave the group a detailed update on the upcoming addition to the school.

Colonial Village adopted Mooreland Heights several years ago, and residents of-

ten donate funds and volunteers for school events. Miller makes it a habit to visit the group at the beginning of the school year to share news about the school.

This year’s report was dominated by information about the upcoming addition to the school, the first since 1967.

While the initial plan recommended by Knox County Schools Superintendent James McIntyre called for four new classrooms, Miller did the math and re-

alized that that wouldn’t be enough.

“That was just going to take care of now,” said the principal, who is entering his 11th year at the school this term. He convinced the Central Office and the Board of Education to look at the community and its projected growth.

“We have been as low as 235 (students) and as high as 412,” he said. “We have had a very big growth spurt in the past 18 months.”

Miller said that if all the

transfers to the school that were requested had been approved, enrollment would be around 500. The only solution was to grow or to rezone, and he “didn’t want to lose a kid.”

The approximately 8,000-square-foot, twostory addition will include six classrooms, four offices and a foyer. It will also feature some much-needed adult restrooms.

“There are 55 adults in the building and one adult toilet – toilet, singular,”

Miller said of the current situation. Men must use the boys’ bathroom. The existing bathrooms will be renovated during the construction project, as will the cafeteria.

Tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2015, the addition will be on the end where the playground is. The play areas also will be reconfigured, with a new nature playground created in the woodsy area that extends to Martin Mill Pike. The driveway by the playground will

be relocated, and there will be more parking for staff and visitors.

Mooreland Heights, a 1:1 Technology Grant school, already is a leader in technology.

It’s the only Tennessee school in which every student from age 5 to 11 has an iPad. They will use those to download assignments through QR codes.

“We’re on the cutting edge of technology and on the cutting edge of education,” Miller said.

Welcoming new citizens is last assignment for interns The last event for the Shopper-News interns was a naturalization ceremony held Aug. 8 at the Knoxville City County Building. It is safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the main assembly room as more than 160 immigrants became American citizens. Interns Zoe Risley and Julia Grant, plus Sydnie Seay, a friend of Julia, attended.

Meeting Judge Reeves Sara Barrett

The ceremony began with opening remarks by both Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero.

U.S. District Judge Pamela Reeves presided over the ceremony and welcomed America’s newest citizens with metaphorical open arms. This was Reeves’ first naturalization ceremony since being appointed in March.

Reeves talked about her

Shopper-News interns Zoe Risley, Julia Grant and Sydnie Seay were pleased to meet the Hon. Pamela L. Reeves, the first female U.S. District Court judge in the district, at a naturalization ceremony. Photos by R. White Omjoma Sanadi and her daughter, Deanna Aian, watch as happier life. As to what she Sanadi’s son Nater Luka is sworn in as a U.S. citizen. enjoys most about being in America, Sanadi said simupbringing and how her Sudan native Omjoma ply, “Freedom.”

It takes each person apearly circumstances did not Sanadi and her 6-year-old keep her from becoming the daughter, Deanna Aian, sat proximately 10 minutes to first female judge appointed next to our group as they walk to the podium and reto the bench in this district waited for Sanadi’s 23-year- ceive his or her certificate of of federal court. old son, Nader Luka, to re- citizenship. The importance “I came from a small ceive his citizenship. Sanadi of the moment can be seen house by a creek, with an is beginning the lengthy in many ways. One recipiouthouse and no running testing portion of the citi- ent takes longer than most water. The great thing about zenship process and says to climb the few steps to this country is that you she is pleased to make the the judge because he is on can become the person you effort. She talks about the crutches. He had just browant to be. It is not based on violence in Sudan and how ken his leg but wanted to where you were born,” said she fled with her children in complete his long journey to Reeves. hopes of living a safer and citizenship.

Family members in the balcony cheer and proudly videotape their loved ones shaking hands with the judge and receiving a small American flag. Each new citizen’s name is announced as he or she receives the certificate.

“It is an honor for me to stand here as you complete your journey,” said Rogero during her welcoming remarks. “No matter what brought you here, bloom where you are planted. And exercise your right to vote.”

HEALTH NOTES ■ Asa’s EB awareness 5K walk/run will be held 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Victor Ashe Park. Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a devastating rare skin disease for which there is no cure or treatment. All proceeds will go to the DEBRA organization for EB awareness and research. To register: http://debra.kintera. org/2014knoxville5k.

business

Shopper news • AUGUST 20, 2014 • 7

Rogero moves city forward Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero starts every speech by saying, “I love my job.” And she means it. Last week Rogero demonstrated her mastery of that job at the North Knoxville Rotary Club.

Sandra Clark

“We deal with diverse opinions to form consensus to move the city forward,” she said, urging the business audience to get their staff “out of silos” and working together.

Rogero’s administration is continuing the redevelopment program launched by Mayor Bill Haslam, starting with the center city and moving outward. Downtown is vibrant, and now the city is running out of parking. The new Walnut Street parking garage will add 1,060 spaces with free night and weekend parking. Daytime parking will serve TVA Towers and the Langley Building (formerly Kimberly-Clark), she said.

The city uses public money strategically to leverage private investment with projects underway all over town. Here are highlights: North: Façade grants and installation of bike routes on North Central led to a resurgence of restaurants and bars. Last week Happy Holler was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and we learned Baxter Properties has bought several tracts for future development.

The city budget includes $250,000 for upgrades to Fountain City Lake, with the initial contract on the Aug. 19 council agenda.

The lake will be drained and the leak in the earthen berm repaired, starting next month, with spring water to start refilling by the end of October.

Rogero promised consultation with an engineer toward long-term solutions.

South: The old Baptist Hospital is coming down to make way for private-sector apartments and a plaza. The Urban Wilderness is coming along; the city is realigning a road to create better access to Fort Dickerson; and a small donation drew more dollars and led to the

development of the South Knoxville Alliance, an advertising co-operative that promotes businesses and artists.

East: The warehouse district of Magnolia Avenue is due attention, with $500,000 in façade grants to upgrade the area around Pellissippi State’s Magnolia Avenue campus. Work is underway to alleviate flooding on Prosser Road. with two lanes to open by Sept. 1.

West: The Cumberland Avenue streetscape (starting after football season) will redefine the city’s image to visitors at UT. The street will be two lanes with a center turn lane, and KUB is moving utility lines to the back alley. Rogero praised the $62 million “very modern, urban design” Walmart and Publix complex just opened on the site of the old Fulton Bellows brownfield.

With a master’s degree in planning and a can-do attitude, Rogero is moving Knoxville forward. And did we mention, she absolutely loves her job.

■

Advertising boosts Penney’s Fortune Magazine writ-

er Phil Wahba reports the turnaround for J.C. Penney is working, fueled by increased advertising and sales events and expanded in-house brands.

“Penney ... chased away customers when it unsuccessfully tried in 2012 ... to get fancier and ditch coupons and sales events,” he wrote.

Now Penney is winning back market share as “the premier shopping destination for the moderate consumer,” said CEO Mike Ullman.

■

News from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC)

Academy Sports plans warehouse

Gov. Bill Haslam said Nature’s Cove director of maintenance Kenny Manis reads a Academy Sports + Outdoors book from the Imagination Library shelf to Maddi Dillon. will build a new 1.6 millionsquare-foot distribution center on more than 200 acres in Cookeville to support continued company growth. Academy will invest $100 million and create approximately 700 new jobs to borrow these. They’re not

By Alvin Nance in Putnam County over the Maddi Dillon is 3 years books we already have at next five years. old, and she home.”

In addition to her mothloves books.

■ Quotable She and er, one of the most fre“Reality is just a crutch older sister quently present adults in for people who can’t cope S a v a n n a h Maddi’s life is “Mr. Kenny.” with drugs.”

Dillon are Kenny Manis is director of – Robin Williams two of about maintenance at Nature’s 70 chil- Cove, but though his shirt is dren who embroidered with the word live at the “maintenance,” he does Nance KCDC prop- much more for the commuerty called Nature’s Cove. nity where he works. Manis They’re also two of the voluntarily monitors other hundreds of children who activities on the property, live with their families at such as the bus drop-off in Knoxville’s Community the afternoon, and now the Development Corporation new bookshelf from Imagiproperties throughout our nation Library. community.

“This is really going to be Thanks to an investment something that our neighfrom Dolly Parton’s Imagi- borhood kids get a lot of use nation Library, Maddi will out of,” Manis said. “Even have access to even more for the older ones, because books to enjoy. they can read to the younger The Imagination Library ones. It helps everybody.” has partnered with KCDC Partnerships like the new to place a shelf full of new one with Imagination Libooks at each KCDC proper- brary are just one of many ty where children live. The ways we work to offer our kids will be able to select residents not just a great books seven days a week, place to live, but also an encourtesy of the new shelf in hanced quality of life. We the community room on the are grateful for individuals property. like Kenny who go well beMaddi’s mother, Amanda yond the call of duty to help Dillon, said, “When the new implement and make these books come to the mailbox, programs available for resishe wants to open them dents across our city. right then and there, so she Alvin Nance is executive director and is going to love walking over CEO of KCDC.

Imagination Library brings joy of reading

Dragonfly offers fitness, fun Dragonfl D fly A Aerial i l A Arts t Studio began almost three years ago with six talented people in its core company.

Their love of fitness and performing was the beginning of a studio like no other in Knoxville.

Watching Lissa McLeod, Jake Weinstein and David Stewart warm up and demonstrate their skills is fascinating. So what does this studio offer and why is it so different?

McLeod describes Dragonfly as a place that “allows people to try things they didn’t think they could do.”

Others explore their body’s limits. Still others come to get over a fear of heights.

Instruction is on trapeze and aerial silks, and participation is not limited by age or fitness level.

“Our goal is not so much to teach someone to do tricks but to teach the whole person,” McLeod says. “We try to make the experience of being in the air accessible to everybody. We want everyone to be successful, have fun and learn about themselves in the process.”

Nancy Whittaker

Kids 6 and older (there’s no top limit) can take circus classes. “Try Me” classes are a basic first lesson on trapeze and aerial silks.

McLeod and Weinstein are extremely proud of a student who was recently accepted in Frequent Flyers, a nine-month professional aerial training program in Boulder, Colo.

Performances at the Dogwood Arts Festival plus benefit shows offer opportunities for the public to witness the grace, skill and strength of these performLissa McLeod demonstrates her skills at Dragonfly Aerial Arts ers. Dragonfly Aerial Arts Studio. Photo submitted Studio will perform at the Hola Festival on Market Info: www.dragonflyaeris conveniently located at Square in September.

Birthday parties and 1805 Maryville Pike just ialartsstudio.com or 609showers can be scheduled. three miles from down- 2012.

Parents can take classes town. Look for the Breakwith their kids. The studio through Corporation sign.

Logo signs closer at East Towne exit The businesses and community groups around the East Towne-area Exit 8 on I-640 are one step closer to having the ability to lease space on official logo signs leading up to their exit.

The East Towne Area BPA was formed to address access and visibility issues, like better interchange design, better collective business identity, group advertising and action.

More than 100 businesses are hidden from interstate travelers by the overgrown vegetation and sunken roadway, just beyond the earthen berms erected when I-640 was built. The berms allowed clearance for several crossover bridges over I-640.

Until recently, Tennessee Department of Transportation rules prohibited those traveler service signs on interstate exits within cities of more than 100,000 population. The blanket rule doesn’t quite work here, where traveler views are obstructed by the road design.

So the 70,000 daily travelers heading north or south on I-640 see only an exit

Nick Della Volpe

sign identifying road names – hardly a wakeup call to the opportunities lying just beyond Exit 8.

Beginning on Oct. 29, the revised logo sign rule will allow the governing body in larger cities to seek TDOT approval to allow logo signs that don’t meet the TDOT requirements. This matter will soon be presented for action to Knoxville’s mayor and City Council. Final approval rests with TDOT. If granted, qualifying businesses will be allowed to apply for rental space on those standard blue interstate signs leading up to the exit. Those general notices are followed by directional signs as you travel down the ramp. The goal is to advise the busy traveler, moving at interstate speed, where to get off to take care of their current needs. Such signs

are modest in size, uniform in design, tasteful and straight to the point. Only six businesses per sign are allowed, with preference given to those closest to the interstate. It’s not advertising, it’s traveler advice.

This good news came from the efforts of business and neighborhood groups and local government officials. Listening ears included state Sen. Becky Massey and Rep. Bill Dunn, several City Council members including this writer, county commissioners, city and county leaders, and TDOT regional manager Steve Borden – all invited guests at the ETABPA monthly meetings.

Meanwhile, these businesses vow to continue working to improve conditions there. Thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in property tax and sales tax revenues are at stake, as well as the success of the hard-working businessmen and -women who invest and work there.

You can contact the ETABPA on Facebook. The group meets at 8 a.m. each

first Wednesday at the New Harvest Park meeting hall just off Washington Pike.

REUNIONS ■ Central High Class of ’59, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23, Beaver Brook Country Club. Info: Judy Edenfield Hodge, 531-4837 or judychs59@mindspring.com; or Harold Knott, 947-3486 or haroldknot@frontier.com.

■ Central High Class of ’74, Sept. 12-13. Friday: tailgate 6 p.m. in the CHS parking lot; bring a picnic and lawn chair. Football game 7:30.

Saturday: reunion party 6 p.m. at Calhoun’s on the River. Cost: $40 per person. Info: 584-9469 or knoxcentralclassof74@gmail.com.

■ Halls High Class of ’59, Friday, Aug. 29, Beaver Brook Country Club. Info: Dickie George, 922-7145.

■ Halls High Classes of 1976-1980 will hold a reunion 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27, at Red Gate Farm, 2353 Maynardville Highway.

Admission is $10 ($15 couples). Food vendors will be onsite, but classmates are asked to bring their own drinks and lawn chairs.

The Kincaid Band will perform. Info and RSVP: 214-7020 or email hallshsreunion@gmail.com.

Fall Show Antiques • Primitives • Handmade Items • Garden • Seasonal

August 22 & 23, 2014 Chilhowee Park • Knoxville Friday 4pm-7:30pm • Saturday 9am - 4pm A Primitive Country Gathering of Old & New Admission $5 Adults Children under 12 free

$1.00 OFF ADMISSION with this coupon For more information contact: Jackie Chitwood chitwoodjpc@bellsouth.net

615-516-3777 • 615-708-2950

8 • AUGUST 20, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

Shopper Ve n t s enews

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 Daily giveaway of two tickets to any performance at Clarence Brown Theatre. To enter: “Like” the Clarence Brown Theatre Facebook page. Grand prize winner of two season subscriptions chosen Sept. 6.

THROUGH WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10 Accepting nominations for the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance 2014 Preservation Awards.

Awards to be presented Thursday, Nov. 6. Info/ nomination form: http://knoxheritage.org/etpa/easttennessee-preservation-awards/.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 Books Sandwiched In – A Lunch & Learn Series, noon, East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 S. Gay St. Alvin Nance, executive director/CEO at Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, will discuss “The American Way of Poverty: How the Other Half Still Lives” by Sasha Abramsky. The public is invited. Info: 215-8801.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21 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.

The Southern Literature Book Group meeting, 6 p.m., Union Ave Books, 517 Union Ave. Discussion: “The Tilted World” by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly. Info: 951-2180.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY, AUG. 21-24 Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival in Gatlinburg. Workshops, concerts, songwriters contest.

Info/tickets/workshops: www.smswf.com or 6049066.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23 Cades Cove tour with Bill Landry, 9 a.m., departing from the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Tickets: $50 per person; includes light snacks and a cold beverage. Reservations required: 448-8838.

Histories and Mysteries Men’s Book Group, 10:30 a.m., Farragut Branch Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Road. Info: 777-1750.

“Cool Down in the Cave” 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Historic Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Highway.

Admission: $8 per person; kids 6 and under are free.

Info/map: www.cherokeecaverns.com.

Hummingbird Festival, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. Admission, $5; children under 6, free. Info/schedule: 577-4717 or ijams.org.

SUNDAY, AUG. 24 Youth Concert, 3 p.m., Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike. Features youth from across the city. Concert and reception free and open to the public.

MONDAY, AUG. 25 Ice Cream Social fundraiser, 5-8 p.m., Sonic Drive-In, 7816 Oak Ridge Highway. Ten percent of sales to benefit Shine, Diamonds All-Stars’ senior coed level three competitive cheer team.

West Knox Book Club, 10:15 p.m., Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road. Discussion: “The Book Thief.” Info: 588-8813.

TUESDAY, AUG. 26 Computer Workshops: Excel, 2014, 2 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Requires “Word 2007 Basics” or equivalent skills. Info/to register: 215-8700.

WEDNESDAY AUG. 27 The Bookaholics Book Group meeting, noon, Union Ave Books, 517 Union Ave. Discussion: “The Woman Upstairs” by Claire Messud. Info: 951-2180.

THURSDAY, AUG. 28 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.

Auditions for all voice parts – Knoxville Choral Society, 6-8 p.m. Info/for scheduled appointment

time: www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org, 312-2440, membership@knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, AUG. 28-29 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Fort Sanders Senior Center, 1220 Main St., Sevierville. Info/ to register: Carolyn Rambo, 584-9964.

FRIDAY, AUG. 29 Sunset Music Series presents Steve Kaufman, 7 p.m., Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center’s covered outdoor amphitheater, Townsend. Three-time National Guitar Champion. Admission: $5. Info: 4480044.

SATURDAY, AUG. 30 Boomsday, Bluegrass and Barbecue celebration, 6 p.m., Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Ave. Dinner, 7:30. Tickets: $60 per adult; children under 12 are free. Info/advance tickets: www.mabryhazen.com or 522-8661.

Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., The Island in Pigeon Forge. Proceeds benefit Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, a local charity that raises and trains service dogs for disabled veterans. Info: www.facebook.com/greatsmoky mountainjeepinvasion or www.smokymountainjeepclub. org.

SUNDAY, AUG. 31 “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. 1

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.

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.

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.

Introductory Internet Genealogy, 1 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Bring birthdates and birthplaces of parents and grandparents. Preregistration and a valid email address. Info/to register after Sept. 2: 215-8809.

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.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 16

Mighty Musical Monday featuring Jelani Eddington, noon, Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay St. Info: 684-1200 or tennesseetheatre.com.

UT Hospice Adult Grief Support Group meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., UT Hospice office, 2270 Sutherland Ave. A light supper is served. Info/reservation: Brenda Fletcher, 544-6277.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17

UT Hospice Adult Grief Support Group meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., UT Hospice office, 2270 Sutherland Ave. A light supper is served. Info/reservation: Brenda Fletcher, 544-6277.

Books Sandwiched In – A Lunch & Learn Series, noon, East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 S. Gay St. Erin Gill, director, Knoxville Policy/ Redevelopment/Sustainability Department, will discuss “Climate Casino” by William D. Nordaus. The public is invited. Info: 215-8801.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4 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.

Vintage Fashion Show and Sale to benefit Goodwill Industries-Knoxville Inc., 6 p.m., Downtown Knoxville Hilton. Tickets: $40 each or $375 for a table of 10; must be ordered in advance. For tickets: 588-8567.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 Opening reception for Art Market Gallery September featured artists: painter Victoria Simmons and jeweler Sissy Caldwell, 5:30-9 p.m., Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St. Info: 525-5265, www.artmarketgallery. net or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6 Cades Cove tour with Bill Landry, 9 a.m., departing from the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Tickets: $50 per person; includes light snacks and a cold beverage. Reservations required: 448-8838.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, SEPT. 8-9 AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tellico Village Property Owners Association, 145 Awohli Drive, Loudon. Info/to register: Carolyn Rambo, 584-9964.

AARP Driver Safety class, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Seymour First Baptist Church, 11621 Chapman Highway, Seymour. Info/to register: Carolyn Rambo, 584-9964.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9-10 Concert Sound Engineering workshop, 6:308:30 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Presented by Dr. Lou Gross, volunteer sound engineer for the Laurel Theater. Info/to register: 522-5851.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18 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.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20 Hard Knox Roller Girls in roller derby doubleheader, 6 p.m., Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Ave. Brawlers vs. Lehigh Valley Special Vixen Unit; All Stars vs. Lehigh Valley Rollergirls. Tickets: $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Tickets available at Coliseum box office, team members and team website. Info: www.hardknoxrollergirls.com.

“Dent the Debt” fundraiser dinner and silent/live auction with a band, 5-9 p.m., Beaver Ridge UMC family life center, 7735 Oak Ridge Highway. Barbecue dinner, 6-7:30 p.m.; live auction, 7:30-9 p.m.

Education and Faith conference, 8:30 a.m.noon, Fellowship Church, 8000 Middlebrook Pike. Info: 470-9800.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25 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.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2 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.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

Yoga classes, 9-10 a.m., Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive. Cost: $40. Registration/payment deadline: Monday, Sept. 8. Info/to register: 9667057.

Pilates classes, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive. Cost: $40. Registration/payment deadline: Monday, Sept. 8. Info/to register: 966-7057.

Hard Knox Roller Girls in roller derby doubleheader, 6 p.m., Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Ave. Brawlers vs. Star City Roller Girls; All Stars vs. Red River Sirens. Tickets: $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Tickets available at Coliseum box office, team members and team website. Info: www. hardknoxrollergirls.com.

“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.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11

TUESDAY, OCT. 7

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.

UT Hospice Adult Grief Support Group meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., UT Hospice office, 2270 Sutherland Ave. A light supper is served. Info/reservation: Brenda Fletcher, 544-6277.

TUESDAYS, SEPT. 9-30

Catch up with all your favorite columnists every Wednesday at www.ShopperNewsNow.com