SOUTH KNOX VOL. 2 NO. 50 1 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ IN THIS ISSUE
Lights fantastic at Chilhowee Park
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December July 29, 17, 2013 2014
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Holidays
without the daze
Take a minute to tour Chilhowee Park after dark to see a forest of lighted trees floating on the lake. You never leave your car. The exhibit will continue until Jan. 1. It’s sponsored by Xfinity, WVLT Channel 8, Knoxville News Sentinel, 93.1 WNOX, Krispy Kreme, Cheerwine, and The Muse Knoxville.
Tour de Lights On Friday, Dec. 19, bring a bike and go to Market Square to enjoy Tour de Lights – a fun, free, casual 5-mile bike ride that starts from Market Square and tours downtown, 4th and Gill and Old North Knoxville. Ride starts at 7 p.m. but judging begins at 6 p.m. and prizes are awarded after the ride in several categories, including Best-Decorated Bike, Best Decorated Person, and Best Group Theme. Mast General Store and Three Rivers Market will provide hot cocoa and cookies for participants. Helmets, white front light, and red rear reflector are required and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Info at www.knoxtrans.org/.
Legacy Parks lists outdoor adventures Join your friends for some outdoor activities. In addition to Tour de Lights, Trek South is sponsoring a Fort Dickerson Hike at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Augusta Street entrance. Walk around Concord Park to see the Knox County Festival of Lights, running from 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 30. It’s sponsored by the county’s Parks and Recreation Department. Come for a Dam Road Ride Saturday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. as the Knoxville Bicycle Company sponsors the Saturday Dam Road Ride. Meet at 10657 Hardin Valley Road. Info: www. Legacyparks.org/.
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P.E. is not for all
If you like your ShopperNews, you might also enjoy the other seven papers we produce weekly for Knox and Union counties. Each paper contains unique writing. Where to look? Go online to www. ShopperNewsNow.com/. We post each Tuesday at 6 p.m. This week’s Union County edition, for instance, has a recollection from Ronnie Mincey about his time in high school physical education: P.E. to Ronnie meant “personal embarrassment.” Check it out!
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Nicole Harris of Atlanta, Patsy Barbee of Maryville and South-Doyle Middle School students Elizabeth Jones and Anna Butler dip candles under the supervision of Jim Buckenmyer at Marble Springs State Historic Site. Photo by Betsy Pickle
By Betsy Pickle Bombarded by the constant message of “buy, buy, buy,” you can lose sight of the meaning of the holidays, whether that’s celebrating a savior’s birth, a miracle of an oil lamp or African heritage. In South Knoxville, it’s easy to dial it back and give yourself time to reflect and connect – with family, with traditions, with yourself.
Not only do Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness offer plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural world, there are also places that let you be creative and hark back to a time when people crafted necessities and luxuries with their own hands. One of the greatest escapes is Marble Springs State Historic Site, the home of John Sevier, one
of Tennessee’s founders. Marble Springs hosted two special events in December that took you to a world where nothing was plugged in or hashtagged. The annual candlelight tours last weekend let visitors explore the buildings on the historic site the way that the original residents would have seen them. But before that, participants were able
Trees by the numbers By Betsy Pickle The city of Knoxville’s urban forester, Kasey Krouse, held the floor for the lion’s share of the December Tree Board meeting. Reporting on the activities of the Urban Forestry Division in 2014 during the meeting at Ijams Nature Center, Krouse shared some impressive numbers. As of mid-November, Urban Forestry had: ■ Removed 726 trees – 381 high-risk tree removals and 345 Joanne Logan and Louise Gorenflo trees downed by storms visit the Knoxville Tree Board. Photo ■ Pruned 1,407 trees and by Betsy Pickle picked up 1.5 million pounds of brush ■ Watered 2,141 trees during ■ Planted more than 600 trees from the 2013-14 planting contract the 2014 growing season
■ Inventoried more than 5,000 trees ■ Developed and executed a plan to save the six sawtooth oaks on Market Square The Urban Forestry Division ensures proper planting and maintenance of public trees. It is responsible for more than 20,000 public trees in maintained areas and hundreds of thousands of other trees in natural areas and along city rights-of-way. Krouse has been working to simplify and revise the city’s tree policies. He expects to present a final document to City Council in January. He floated the concept of hav-
to take one step farther back at a candle-making workshop led by Jim Buckenmyer. Buckenmyer, who began teaching himself pioneer skills when he became a board member at Marble Springs many years ago, explained early types of candles to an eclectic group – all female – gathered To page 3
ing a local tree foundation to support the work of the Tree Board and the Urban Forestry Division. “If you … look at those cities that have really reputable urban forestry programs, a lot of them have a not-for-profit or tree foundation that sits at their side that really tries to push tree planting or tree preservation in and around the city,” he said. Krouse said a tree foundation could facilitate education programs and planting on private property. A group called Climate Knoxville has approached Krouse about the possibility of forming a tree foundation. Representatives Louise Gorenflo and Joanne Logan attended the Tree Board meeting to introduce the collective of nonTo page 3
Midway on back burner; community remains watchful By Betty Bean
This fall, the Knox County Development Corporation (TDC) loaded a bunch of county officials and business leaders onto a bus and took them on a tour of four of the county’s eight industrial/business parks. WestBridge, Hardin, Eastbridge and the Pellissippi Corporate Center were on the itinerary. Midway Road wasn’t. Nor was it included in an industrial land inventory conducted earlier in the year by TDC and the Knoxville Chamber, an odd omission in light of the nearly 20-
year battle that has been waged over the county-owned parcel at the Midway Road intersection of I-40. The Development Corporation has been desperately seeking a large parcel of developable land; residents of Thorn Grove and surrounding communities have fought to preserve the area’s rural character. Chamber CEO Mike Edwards, a major player in the last round of negotiations (in 2010), said he’s no longer directly involved (the chamber has spun off TDC to become a stand-alone body) but said
although Midway hasn’t been part of recent discussions, it’s now more developable because TVA has installed “a big, huge transfer station” on the parcel and KUB Mike Edwards also has built a substation there. “We weren’t crazy about TVA wanting to flop its footprint on Midway, but it was an easement they’d owned for a long, long time. So now the utilities are out there,
and I think a sewer system is in place, too.” Elaine Clark, president of the French Broad Preservation Association, is reluctant to talk about Midway (perhaps observing the old “don’t trouble trouble till trouble troubles you” admonition), except for expressing some skepticism of Edwards’ claim about the availability of sewer for the park site, which she described as “a two-acre drip field.” She said she’d like to see the task force county Mayor Tim Burchett To page 3
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health & lifestyles
Morristown woman turns back the clock after a decade of pain For several years, the pain in Ada Woods’ back had been getting more and more intense. “I’ve been having problems with my back since 2004,” said Woods, 71, of Morristown. “I tried (steroid) shots and everything, but it wasn’t helping it. I was getting so I couldn’t hardly walk.” Through a nurse in her general practitioner’s office, Woods heard about the Fort Sanders Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Dr. Barrett Brown, a neurosurgeon there. Brown diagnosed Woods with spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one bone in the vertebra slides forward over the bone below it. This in turn causes a narrowing of the spinal column, pain, numbness and weakness, in one or both le gs. “My pain, it would move all over my back sometimes,” said Woods. “Dr. Brown said I had arthritis in my back, too, and he said the bones at the bottom of my spine were slipping back and forth.” The only permanent solution for spondyliothesis is to fuse – or bond – the two slipping bones together so they cannot move. Called spinal fusion surgery, this is not rare by any means, but is less common than other types of surgeries. Woods underwent surgery Oct. 23, 2014, and stayed at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center for three nights.
Dr. Barrett Brown performs a spinal fusion at the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
Using four small incisions, Brown removed the degenerative portions of bone and disks, repositioned the vertebrae and stabilized them with graft material. Everything is held together by screws placed at the level above and below the slip and con-
Back and Leg Pain Neck and Arm Pain
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A closer look at spondyliothesis and lumbar fusion Spondyliothesis is a condition in which the bones of the spine slip out of place. If the bones slip far enough they can compress the spinal nerves, causing pain and weakness in the back, sometimes radiating down the legs. While physical therapy and medication can help, typically only surgery can permanently correct At Barrett Brown, MD spondyliothesis. the Fort Sanders Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, spinal fusion can be performed with small incisions and a procedure called minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, or TLIF. “Minimally invasive techniques are generally less traumatic and better tolerated than open procedures,” said Dr. Barrett
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. fsregional.com • (865) 673-FORT
nected by rods on the sides. After surgery, the stability in Woods’ vertebrae has stopped the pain almost completely, although Woods said she is still working to regain the strength in her back. “Everything is doing good. I have some pain in my left leg sometimes, especially if I turn on my side,” she said. “Dr. Brown told me to walk, that would help my back more than anything. So far I’ve been walking, but I’m just weak in my back.” Woods said she’s relieved to have done the procedure at Fort Sanders and hopes to recover her strength soon. “It was good care,” she said. “I’m not using a walker or anything and no pain medicine anymore. I drove a little the other day. My back feels better, but I know it’s going to take a while. I always like to work in the yard, and I’d like to do that again this year.”
Brown, a neurosurgeon with Fort Sanders. “Minimally invasive TLIF involves a couple of small incisions, less than one inch, on either side of the spine. The patient is typically in the hospital a day or two,” said Brown. “Both our equipment and techniques are specialized. We use the Medtronic Stealth Surgical Navigation System, with a reference frame we can dock on the spine,” said Brown. The navigation system lets the surgeon track the surgical instruments in relation to the patient’s anatomy in real-time, allowing the surgeon to decompress the nerves, place screws and interbody graft through the small incisions. “The main goal is to improve leg symptoms so patients can return to their previous lifestyle,” said Brown. For more information about the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional, call 865-541-2835.
community
SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • 3
Pancakes with Santa to aid bus crash families Pancakes with Santa, sponsored by TN LEO WIVES Association, will be held 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Anderson Lodge 25 Fraternal Order of Police, 424 Goans Ave., Clinton. Features all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Santa will be talking to the kids, and photo opportunities will be available. Cost: $6 at the door, $5 in advance. Proceeds will be donated to the families of the victims from Sunnyview Primary School who were killed Dec. 2. Info: Marie Roberts, 2289697; Niki Lucas, 566-1247; https://www.facebook.com/ tnleo.wives.
Glass magic April Baer of Fountain City watches glass artist Matt Salley manipulate a glob of glass into an ornament at his studio, Marble City Glassworks. Baer and her friend Emily Hooper of South Knoxville participated in Marble City’s pumpkin-making classes in October and decided to return for the studio’s ornament-making sessions for the holidays. Hooper says she didn’t use holiday colors for her ornament: “I don’t think it’s fair to do all this work and then bring it out once a year. I want to see it all the time.” Photo by Betsy Pickle
Down to earth at South Woodlawn Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis told the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association he’s OK with having the “riverwalk” come up the hill behind the apartments being developed on the site of the former Baptist Hospital instead of being on the river. He says the development of Suttree Landing Park to the east will allow people to “get out, relax and enjoy” the South Waterfront. Pavlis reported to South Woodlawn on Blanchard & Calhoun’s recent public meetings to
Holidays From page 1
for the workshop. Then he showed how to make beeswax candles. It’s easier these days to make candles – you can buy beeswax and wicks at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s or the like and use a modern stove – but Buckenmyer used a wood fire in the site’s tavern to heat his “double-boiler” (a big pot of water in which he placed a bucket of wax). Making six-inch candles was a process of speed and patience: Dip and remove the wicks quickly, but wait for each layer to harden be-
talk about requested variances for the site. Ben Epperson of the Knox County Health Department presented the most recent version of a South Woodlawn community map that includes existing amenities
along with hoped-for improvements. Among those could be changes at Sam Duff Park, where some trees have been cited as a safety issue. Epperson asked attendees to think about projects that could take advantage of small grants that are available. The November meeting had a festive air with lots of munchies and a silent auction. South Woodlawn meets at 6 p.m. the third Monday every other month at Woodlawn Christian Church.
fore repeating the process. It took about 30 dips to complete each candle, but with the whole group using the same bucket, waiting for layers to dry between dips wasn’t stressful. The completed candles were more utilitarian than works of art, but it was easy to imagine their glow lighting the way for a meal or perhaps a Christmas Eve gathering. Marble Springs offers a variety of workshops throughout the year. Visit www.marblesprings.net for more info. Just five minutes from Marble Springs, glass artist Matt Salley presides over Marble City Glassworks, a working studio that opens this time of year to let people come make their own glass
ornaments – with substantial help from Salley. You always get a sense of satisfaction from making things yourself, and nothing is cooler – and simultaneously hotter – than blowing glass. Marble City Glassworks’ final ornament-blowing sessions are at 4-9 p.m. tomorrow and Friday (Dec. 18-19) and noon-5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 21). Register at marblecityglassworks.com. If you do decide to head outdoors, Ijams is a great place to go this Saturday. Peg’s Kitchen is open from 9:30 to 11 a.m. with a breakfast that will fortify you for any type of ramble. You can also enjoy an Ijams “Creature Feature” at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Betsy Pickle
CHRISTMAS EVENTS
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Christ UMC gym, 7535 Maynardville Highway. $5 per person or $20 for family of five. Info: 922-1412. ■ Christmas in Old Appalachia through Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Highway. Info/schedule of events: 494-7680 or www. museumofappalachia.org. ■ Christmas Lantern Express Trains will run Fridays through Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 21. Features holiday treats, storytime with celebrity readers and a visit with Santa. Info/ schedule/reservations: www. ThreeRiversRambler.com. ■ Christmas trees for sale by Boy Scout Troop 50 in front of Beaver Ridge UMC, 7753 Oak Ridge Highway.
■ Annual Clayton Holiday Concert presented by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Info/tickets: 521-2337.
■ Historic Cherokee Caverns, 8524 Oak Ridge Highway, will be open for public tours 5:30-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 19-21, during “Christmas in the Cave.” Admission: $8, ages 5 and up. Photos with Santa: $10. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Includes music, vendors, kids activities. Info: www. cherokeecaverns.com.
■ Brunch with Santa for ages toddler through 12 years old,
■ Holidays on Ice presented by Home Federal Bank
through Sunday, Jan. 4, on Market Square. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday through Dec. 18; 1-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Dec. 19-Jan. 4; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1-9 p.m. Sundays. Info: www. knoxvillesholidaysonice.com. ■ Living Nativity, 6-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22-23, Christ UMC, 7535 Maynardville Highway. Everyone welcome. ■ Santa’s Workshop Ice Show, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Cool Sports, 110 S. Watt Road. Info/ tickets: 218-4500 or www. coolsportstn.com. ■ Share Your Sweater holiday contest is being hosted by Goodwill Industries-Knoxville. To enter for a chance to win a $50 Goodwill shopping spree, purchase a Christmas sweater at any Goodwill store and submit a photo of the sweater with info naming the store where purchased by Sunday, Dec. 28, by posting to: Goodwill Industries-Knoxville Facebook Page, facebook. com/gwiktn; Twitter and tag @GWIKTN; on Instagram and tag @goodwillknoxville; or emailing to marketing@ gwiktn.org. Info: www. gwiktn.org/events.
Andy Blanchard, Carmen Gonzalez, Carlos Aguilar and Raymond Aldridge enjoy the camaraderie at the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association meeting.
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Trees by the numbers profits, churches and businesses that are concerned about climate change. Gorenflo said Climate Knoxville was interested in doing work on urban-forestry policy, “recognizing that a vibrant urban canopy is vital to moderating the climate of urban areas, in terms of ex-
From page 1
treme weather.” A tree foundation exploratory meeting is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at Ijams. Tom Simpson, East Tennessee Regional Urban Forester for the Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, offered a giftgiving tip. The Tennessee
Midway on back burner put together early in his first term under the leadership of former tourism head Gloria Ray resurrected. (The task force dissolved in 2012 when Ray was forced to resign as chief executive officer of the Sports and Tourism Corp.) “We were making real progress,” Clark said. “That’s something that should be revived.” Todd Napier, CEO of TDC, said there was no reason to include Midway on the bus tour, which they were trying to conduct in four hours. He said there’s really nothing to see on the parcel, which is now on the books as a $6.4 million investment, down from the original $10 million after the write-down of the TVA acquisition. Midway is in County Commissioner Dave Wright’s Eighth District.
From page 1
He’s also on TDC board and was interviewed just hours after its December board meeting. He said he had “the latest, greatest, most breaking news” about what’s going on with Midway. “Nothing. “But it’s going to be something someday. We’ve got kids graduating every year from Carter (High School) and the Career Magnet Academy who’ll be looking for a job. I’d rather see them on the Midway Road exit as
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4 • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • Shopper news
Campbell Station Inn
Black and white talk
A white man and a black man, more than lunchcounter acquaintances, perhaps co-workers, were talking Tennessee football.
Marvin West
The white man said the Volunteers are mostly black. To be politically correct, he said African-Americans. The black man chuckled, disagreed gently and started listing white positions: the kickers, a receiver with promise, some offensive linemen and two quarterbacks. “And most of the coaches.” The white guy grinned and said something about trading in one or two for another Tommy Thigpen, zesty recruiter. I pretended not to hear such heresy, but both knew I had been listening since the first mention of Tennessee. The white man asked, pointedly, when was college foot-
ball integrated? He knew just enough about Lester McClain to be dangerous in this discussion. “Long before Lester,” said I. That was the introduction to William Henry Lewis, Amherst College, center, captain and class orator, 1891. This son of a preacher man went on to Harvard Law School and played some more football, which made him the first black athlete at two schools. After that, he coached at Harvard for 12 seasons. He racked up a 114–15–5 record because a lot of other teams didn’t know what they were doing. Walter Camp named Lewis to his all-time AllAmerica team as of 1900. This was the beginning of diversity. A personal friend, President Theodore Roosevelt, who just happened to be a Harvard alumnus, decided in 1903 that Lewis was the best man in America to serve as U.S. Assistant Attorney General. Critics tried to explain away the appoint-
ment by saying Lewis was “so light in color that only his intimate friends know him to be a negro.” The New York Times did not capitalize Negro in 1903. The memory of William Henry Lewis lives on. In 1980, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame remembered that he grew up in Berkley and Portsmouth. Bingo, you’re in. In 2009, Lewis was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. My audience was properly impressed. “So, you do know something,” said the white guy. I told them some of what I know about Lester McClain. The Nashville receiver was No. 2 in Doug Dickey’s integration plan, roommate for Albert Davis of Alcoa. The university chose not to admit Albert. Kentucky signed two black football players before Tennessee signed Lester, but he was first to play a significant role in the Southeastern Conference. He arrived in August
1967, 13 years after the Supreme Court’s Brown vs. Board of Education decision. I was out front at Gibbs Hall when his father and brother helped him move his belongings from the family car to the dorm. I said hello to him and goodbye to them. Lester remembers that when they drove away was the first time it hit him. He was the first black, the only black, in a strange, new world. “Lester McClain, what have you done?” He did great. He caught a pass from Bubba Wyche in the first UT game on artificial turf. Condredge Holloway, in “The Color Orange,” says everybody needs to know who Lester McClain is. “We all owe him a great deal of respect and honor because he went through a lot of adversity for us. After him, it became easier.” Lester made it look easy. He caught 70 passes. He scored 12 touchdowns. He won respect. He maintained dignity. He still does.
Marvin West invites reader reactions. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.
Time marches on, except when it sprints No sense in denying my innate charm any longer. In the past few months I’ve gained many friends, and the only thing that’s changed is the approach of my 65th birthday. It could be that air of wisdom that surrounds us elder statesmen, even though most of my new friends want to sell me something. But, heck, we all have to make a living, and if you can’t count on your friends to buy your product, who can you count on? Strangely, an inordinate number of my new pals work for, are affiliated with or tout insurance companies. All sell Medicare supplement plans, and they all want to make sure I choose a plan that’s right for me. I haven’t been treated to such consideration since my drill sergeant showed me the “right” way to align items in my foot locker. The grocery stores and drugstores have been my buddies for a while now, offering me regular senior discounts. Now if they would only offer me discounts on things I really need, like astronomically expensive prescription medications. I guess you shouldn’t expect too much, even from such thoughtful friends. My good buddies at AARP (that’s American Association of Retired Persons
For the cynics who say dresses. the feds are only paying Until then I can contentback the money I loaned edly ponder the big quesLarry them over lo these many tions that surround reachVan Guilder years, that’s more than ing 65. These include: some friends do. (Roger What the heck happened? Needham: You still owe me Yesterday I was 40! $5 for your drive-in theater Do I really need to ticket and hot dog.) change my socks every day? For all these acts of kind- Will anyone notice? for you youngsters) are now ness and more, I intend to When did pickle jars beamong my closest friends. Among other displays write thank-you notes as come so hard to open? Why are those other drivof true friendship, AARP’s soon as my AARP-recomnewsletter advises me on mended vitamin and min- ers honking at me? memory-enhancing For answers to these how to avoid scams aimed eral at doddering fools like yours pills kick in and I remember questions, stay tuned to this truly. Since they’re dealing what I did with those ad- column. with a person who once purchased a Chevrolet Vega (in his youth, no less), that’s a tall order. The newsletter also inspires me to look my best with regular cover photos of 70-year-old celebrities who don’t look a day over 45. So what if these gorgeous senior specimens are godparents to their plastic surgeons’ children? By purchasing the nutritional supplements and preparing the healthy recipes sprinkled throughout the newsletter, I can look just as good! Happily, just when I thought the federal government no longer loved me (except for the “tough love” shown by the IRS), the SoNick Pavlis, Knoxville vice mayor and City Council memcial Security Administraber, reads a Christmas story to children on the Santa Train. tion has become my BFF. One particularly interested child is another Nick. That is The SSA demonstrates Nick Holladay, son of Scott and Sara Holladay of Bearden their undying devotion by and grandson of Jim and Rita Holladay of Farragut. Photo making a monthly deposit submitted into my checking account!
Reading on the Santa Train
For docents at the Farragut Folklife Museum, one of the most frequently asked questions – posed by both newcomers and longtime residents – is this: “Tell me something about the stately old home on the corner.” Of course, they are inquiring about the Avery Russell home at the intersection of Campbell Station Road and Kingston Pike. The original home was built in the Federalist style that was common on the frontier in the late 1700s. There has always been some question about when the home was built and who built it. It was first thought that Col. David Campbell, the co-founder of Campbell’s Station, built the home as early as 1810. Perhaps this misconception came from the fact that locally it was called “Campbelton,” prompting many to assume the Campbell family had built it. However, Col. Campbell sold the land and about 300 acres in 1823 to Samuel Martin, and it is now believed that Martin built the home sometime between 1823 and 1835. Unfortunately, deed transfers at the time did not disclose whether there was an improvement to the property that would indicate a structure. The Russell family purchased the home shortly before the Civil War, and six generations of the family lived there until it was purchased by the town of Farragut in 2012. We do know that Martin built an inn just east of the home on present-day Campbell Station Road. And we know that it was a popular staging area for settlers moving on to the Cumberland settlements and ultimately to Nashborough (Nashville). Sometimes as many as 60 families would gather there to be escorted through the wilderness by the Cumberland Guards, and we know that Martin was a member of the Guards. We now know that while the structure was not the actual Campbell Station Inn, it probably housed its guest overflow. Martin was a well-educated man, a bit unusual for the frontier at the time, and we know he owned an extensive library in the style of Thomas Jefferson. He was also a very close friend of Andrew Jackson, with whom he shared a common interest in fine racehorses. In fact, the two went into partnership to build a racetrack, probably located somewhere on present-day Concord Road. This was not a relationship that would seem likely, since the two men were at the opposite ends of the political spectrum. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the
Malcolm Shell
home is the colorful array of guests who stayed there. Among those were G.W. Featherstone, the famed British geologist; Andréa Michaux, the French botanist; and Louis Philippe, who would become King of France and rule from 1830 to 1848. One account is that Featherstone and his son had been working in the area and were quite dirty. As they approached the inn they saw President Jackson sitting in front of a window smoking a long-stem clay pipe. They were hesitant to approach the president in their untidy condition, but Jackson quickly commented, “Don’t worry son, your dirt will easily wash off, but if you were in politics, you might find it harder to wash away.” We also know that Featherstone had a confrontation with a man that night who was armed with two pistols and a dirk knife, and that he relieved the man of all his weapons and threw him out the door. Another colorful guest was Louis Philippe, the socalled “Citizen King,” who lived four years in Philadelphia during Napoleon’s reign, and during those four years toured the Southern states and spent four nights at the inn. It is reported that a trade envoy from Campbell’s Station visited France during Philippe’s reign, and when one of the members told the king where he was from, Philippe answered: “Ay, yes, Campbell’s Station. Do they still sleep four in a bed at the inn?” We can surmise that the inn must have been a “swinging place” because shortly after building it, Martin advertised in the Knoxville Gazette for 2,000 gallons of good whiskey in new kegs with each keg not to contain more than 36 gallons. He also advertised for coppersmiths, promising steady work with good pay. Of course, copper was used for tubing and vessels in distilling alcohol, so Martin probably planned to make his own whiskey. The town of Farragut’s intent is to restore the home to its original condition. When completed, visitors to “Campbelton,” who now can only drive by the structure and wonder about its history, will be able to take guided tours with knowledgeable docents in period dress. Reliving the stately old home’s colorful past, guests will walk in the footsteps of presidents and kings.
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Shopper news • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • 5
Five votes rule at school board Both law director and state AG opine
On Dec. 2, Tennessee Attorney General Herb Slattery shot a hole through the provision in Superintendent James McIntyre’s contract requiring six votes – a supermajority of the ninemember board of education – to fire him. Opinion 14-102 came in response to a question from Oak Ridge Sen. Randy McNally (who also represents a sliver of Knox County) asking whether such a contract provision can override state law, which calls for local school boards to conduct their business by a
Betty Bean simple majority vote. The newly appointed Slattery, who previously served as Gov. Bill Haslam’s general counsel, said no. “A board of education may not, by contract, limit its statutory decision-making authority by requiring a supermajority vote to approve termination of a director of schools when the
statute provides for termination by majority vote. The supermajority voting requirement is unenforceable.� In an interesting coincidence, school board member Doug Harris had asked Knox County Law Director Bud Armstrong to research this question: “Is a simple majority vote required for the Knox County Board of Education to transact business?� Armstrong’s memo, dated the same day as Slattery’s opinion, came to the same conclusion:
Pay boost for Welch Jeff Welch, who will be interim director of the Metropolitan Planning Commission come Jan. 1, will receive an $11,000 pay raise for total salary of $110,000. He will receive a car allowance of $4,300, prorated on a monthly basis. This pay was determined by Mayors Tim Burchett and Madeline Rogero, for whom Welch will work. Under the new MPC system, Welch reports to the two mayors. He presents issues to the MPC, but those commissioners do not hire
for Jan. 13 and led by Bill Lyons, deputy city mayor. Responses from applicants Victor to date are dismal. Only Ashe four out of 30 applications meet basic requirements for the job. Many of the other applicants are clearly not qualified for the directoror fire him. If you think that ship. is weird, you are right. The The process is directed full story on how the Legis- largely by Lyons. lature changed the system â– If you like to hike or has not been written. walk, you would be amazed Meanwhile, the MPC di- and pleased to learn about rector search committee all the walks available continues to meet in secret, right here in Knox County. with their next meeting set If you are looking for that
“A majority of the board shall be required to conduct all business before it in both regular and special called meetings ‌ “Thus the section of the policy, rule or contracted action would be superseded by statute and void by operation of law. It takes only five (5) votes for the Knox County Board of Education to implement any action.â€? Armstrong said he started working on the opinion after hearing the question of whether adding agenda items requires unanimous consent. “It turned out that this was ‘policy’ they’d come up
with. I’d said that the legislature says, ‘Five votes, you can do anything; all business will be conducted by a majority.’ “That didn’t fit their vision, and one board member asked for a written opinion. I finally got it done and sent it to Doug Harris on Tuesday,� Armstrong said. “Two days later, out of the clear blue comes this attorney general’s opinion, and it was right on point. It takes five votes to terminate, and you cannot contract around it. You cannot create a policy or a contract to circumvent the majority vote requirement by saying it only takes five votes to
hire and six to fire. “The statute prevails.� Last December, during the heat of teacher complaints about McIntyre’s policies, the school board voted 8-1 to extend his contract by an additional year (until 2017), fanning the flames of discontent during an election year. By year’s end, the superintendent would see his majority whittled to 5-4. The county is contractually obligated to pay McIntyre his $220,800 annual salary plus benefits until its expiration date unless he resigns or is terminated for cause.
last-minute Christmas gift, this might be the one for you. It is “Urban Hikes in Knoxville and Knox County, Tennessee,� written by Ron Shrieves, Mac Post and Christine Hamilton. It is a project of the local Harvey Broome Group of the Sierra Club. These three writers are devoted outdoors people who know their subject. You can get it from Legacy Parks by calling 5252585 or going by their office on Volunteer Landing. Cost is $25, of which $15 goes to Legacy Parks. At a recent book-signing at Mast General Store, the supply sold out in two hours. However, more are available. This writer wrote the foreword to the book, and Will Skelton wrote the introduction. The number, variety and diverse locations of so many trails in an urban area are truly remarkable and part of what makes Knoxville an incredibly special place to live. This 163page guide will be the “go to� book for anyone wanting to walk, bike or hike in and
around Knoxville. There should be one in every Knox County public library. It is no secret that as mayor, one of my proudest accomplishments was expanding the parks and greenways. I wanted a good-size park within an eight-minute drive of every city resident. I wanted greenways everywhere. My goal was to add three to four miles of greenways to the system every year for the 16 years I served as mayor. The success depended on having a mayor and council totally committed to making it happen. The pace at which the greenways were built by the city has slipped to less than one mile a year since I left
office 11 years ago. Legacy Parks (which is not the city) has helped to fill the gap under the dynamic leadership of Carol Evans. Tennessee Clean Water Network has worked along Williams Creek, too, under the equally determined leadership of Renee Hoyos. The recent 34-cent Rogero property tax hike contains some money for greenways. However, the challenge for our mayor will be whether she turns her attention and focus on getting them built. She has less than a year left in this current term and only four more years after that if she is re-elected. I hope she makes this part of her legacy, too.
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GOV NOTES â– City Council Sign Task Force will meet 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the KCDC board room, 910 N. Broadway. â– Knox County Democratic Party will host its holiday celebration 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Communications Workers of America Union Hall, 1415 Elm St. Everyone should bring a side dish and suggested donation of $5.
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DOE chief of staff Kevin Knobloch recognizes Mayor Madeline Rogero for Knoxville’s designation as a Climate Action Champion. Photo by Wendy Smith
DOE chief recognizes Knoxville’s
bright energy future
We’re not the biggest city in the region, or even the state. But Knoxville has developed a national reputation for being energy-savvy, and, according to Department of Energy chief of staff Kevin Knobloch, we’re uniquely positioned to attract energy business.
Wendy Smith
Knobloch was in town last week to speak at a workshop on financing options for advanced energy projects. He recognized Mayor Madeline Rogero for the city’s recent Climate Action Champion designation by the Obama administration. Knoxville received the award for its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The city already has reduced emissions from municipal operations by 13 percent and emissions from the community by 7.75 percent, Rogero said. “We’re on our way, but there’s still more to do.� Of the 16 communities chosen as the first round of Climate Action Champions, only two were from the Southeast: Knoxville and
Broward County, Fla. She hopes other communities in the Southeast will compete, and win, in the future. Rogero credited Office of Sustainability director Erin Gill with seeing the big picture while working on the details. “You’ll hear from us about that financial assistance,� she said to Knobloch before his keynote address on financing opportunities available through DOE. Innovative ventures are important because they affect the way we live and work, he said. He listed assets that make the area attractive to energy businesses. Innovative businesses, like Local Motors, which recently produced a 3-D printed car, capture the public’s attention. Partnerships between UT and Oak Ridge National Lab, like the Cherokee Farm Innovation Campus and the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials, offer top-notch talent and research capabilities. DOE has a 98 percent success rate at helping innovative technology into the marketplace and currently has $30 billion in loan contracts. DOE financed the first five photovoltaic projects in the U.S., and an additional 17 have commenced since then with no public funding. “That’s the way it should work. We have to show the
private sector that projects are viable.� There’s no single energy solution, he said, but the country needs a portfolio of energy options. Loan officer Patrick Thomas said DOE loan programs are available for clean-energy projects and manufacturers of advanced technology vehicles and components. Many projects reach the demonstration scale but can’t move forward without financing, which is difficult to obtain for unproven technology. “We’re willing and able to take that risk,� he said. Knobloch and Thomas spoke at “Opportunities in Energy: Public/Private Financing Options to Deploy Advanced Energy and Manufacturing,� a workshop presented by UT, DOE, Cherokee Farm and Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC). Local innovators Jay Rogers of Local Motors and Jay Speight of Cathedral Innovation Group gave brief presentations on their companies and the challenges facing innovative manufacturing, and other local business representatives described successful energy and technology projects. TAEBC was launched this year to foster the growth of the state’s advanced energy technologies, companies and jobs.
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6 • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • Shopper news
Atilla the Hun (Patrick Gallagher), Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Ian McKellen plays the wizard Gandalf in “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek) react to an unexpected turn of events in “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.”
Sound familiar?
Sequels and remakes dominate By Betsy Pickle This week is the calm before the storm, with only three major films opening before next week’s Christmas deluge, and all of them with a familiar lineage. The weekend starts today with the official opening of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” Director Peter Jackson finally finishes the Middle-earth sojourn he started with “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” with the final entry in his “Hobbit” trilogy, based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide whether to unite or be destroyed in this epic fantasy-adventure. Martin Freeman returns as the central character, Bilbo Baggins, with a cast that includes Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bil-
ly Connolly, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving and Orlando Bloom. Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”) star in “Annie,” the latest incarnation of the story about the little orphan who finds an unlikely home. This time, Annie is a foster kid living with a mean foster mom (Cameron Diaz) while waiting for her parents to return. A business tycoon (Foxx) with ambitions to become New York’s mayor takes Annie in to improve his image, but his plan doesn’t count on Annie’s own independence and resilience. The movie also stars Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and David Zayas. Will Gluck co-wrote the script and directed.
This week’s other film closes a couple of chapters. “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is the final film for both Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney and is presumably the last entry in the “Night at the Museum” franchise. This time, the museum that comes alive after hours is seeing some strange things happening. The Tablet whose magic allows the past to live again is dying, and to find out how to save it, Larry (Ben Stiller) must travel with his son and his unlikely pals to the British Museum in London. Themes of father-son bonding and moving on come with the comedy this time. Shawn Levy directs a cast that also includes Owen Wilson, Dan Stevens, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Rebel Wilson and Skyler Gisondo. Annie (Quvenzhané Wallis) and Stacks (Jamie Foxx) take Sandy for a walk in “Annie.”
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Shopper news • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • 7
Holiday fun with the KSO
Your Knoxville Symphoh t h b ny O Orchestra has been very busy lately.
Santa Claus and Maestro Lucas Richman work the crowd in the KSO’s Clayton Holiday Concerts.
weekender THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 21 ■ “A Christmas Carol,” Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage, UT campus. Info/tickets/ performances: 974-5161 or clarencebrowntheatre.com/.
THROUGH SATURDAY, JAN. 3
Carol Shane
By the time you read this, the KSO will have finished up two weekends of performances of “The Nutcracker” in collaboration with the Appalachian Ballet Company, one in Knoxville at the Civic Auditorium and the other in Maryville at the Clayton Center for the Arts. Also, string quartets from the orchestra have visited North City and Rogers Creek elementary schools in Athens, Tenn., and Cedar Bluff and Dogwood elementary schools here in town. And there have been holiday concerts at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate and First Baptist Church in Dandridge. Many seasonal favorites were performed, including Leroy Anderson’s popular “Sleigh Ride.” Principal trumpeter Phillip Chase Hawkins has played it countless times. And boy can he make that horse “neeeeeiiiiggghh” at the end! Here’s why: Seems that Phillip once played the piece in Kentucky – where they know how horses sound – and was taken down a peg by an audience member for his unrealistic whinny. When’s the last time you were told that your horse impression wasn’t very good? Those folks up there in Bluegrass Country are mighty particular. Chase did some woodshedding, and now his neigh is wellnigh perfect.
■ The Knoxville Watercolor Society exhibit at the Rose Center, 442 W. Second North St., Morristown. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Thursday until 7:30 p.m. Info: www.knxvillewatercolorsociety.com.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY, DEC. 18-20 ■ Modern Dance Primitive Light 2014 presented by Circle Modern Dance, Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursday; 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reception follows the 9 p.m. Friday show. Bring pillows as seating is limited. Tickets: www.circlemoderndance.com or www.Knoxtix.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 19 ■ Merry Merry! Santa’s on his way, 10:15 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681. ■ Tour de Lights bike ride, 7 p.m., Market Square. Helmets and headlights required; all ages and skill levels welcome. Info: www.knoxtrans.org or 215-6100.
And you can hear it starting this Friday, when the KSO will present its Clayton Holiday Concerts at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. It’s Maestro Lucas Richman’s last time on the podium during the holiday season here. “It has been my honor to be part of this beloved Knoxville tradition for the 12 years in which I have served as music director for the Knoxville Symphony,” he says. “As this will be the last time I’ll be leading the festivities in this capacity, we’ve made sure to include several selections that have become an important and meaningful part of this annual program, including Leroy Anderson’s ‘Christmas Festival Overture,’ my own ‘Hanukkah Festival Overture’ and our annual Christ-
mas sing-along.” Also joining in the fun are the Knoxville Choral Society, Go! Contemporary Dance Works, the Webb School Madrigal Singers, the Church Street United Methodist Treble Choir, the University of Tennessee Herald Trumpets and Santa Claus. As for the man in the red suit – well, I’ve spoken with a close pal of his. Baritone Kevin Richard Doherty will be taking part in this year’s KSO Holiday Concerts for the second time, and he has a lot to say about his friend, everyone’s favorite Jolly Old Elf. “Santa and I are old, old friends and I am thrilled to be working with him once again on the KSO Clayton Holiday Concerts,” says Doherty. “Santa’s a great
guy. Always laughing and telling jokes. He’s incredibly humble – you’d think that kind of celebrity would let the fame get to his head. But he’s just an ordinary guy. “It’s a blast to be working with the Knoxville Symphony,” he continues, “and I’m also honored to be a part of Lucas’ final Holiday Concert. Knoxville is losing a great conductor and a great guy. But I’m excited for him as he moves on to new things!” Doherty’s own pedigree includes performances with Knoxville, Asheville and Shreveport operas. He’s appeared with the KSO, the Symphony of the Mountains and Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, La. He’s currently the host and producer of the Early Morning Concert, Saturdays and
SUNDAY, DEC. 21 ■ Winter Solstice Celebration, 7-9 p.m., Strawbale Lodge, Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, 1936 Liberty Hill Road, Washburn. Led by Marcus Keyes. Info: Mitzi, 497-3603 or community@narrowridge.org.
Sundays on WUOT. So bundle up the kids and get on down to the Civic Auditorium this weekend for the biggest and best holiday concert in town. And this year it’s “An Olde English Christmas,” so get ready to raise a glass of wassail and sing merrilie! The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Clayton Holiday Concerts will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 19, at 3 and 7.30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Tickets range from $14 to $45, and children’s tickets start at less than $8. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate by calling 521-2337. For tickets and info, call 2913310 or visit http://www. knoxvillesymphony.com. Send story suggestions to news@shoppernewsnow.com.
Plate it
French Market Crèperie The food at the French Market Crèperie, which now has two locations in Knoxville, is la nourriture délicieuse. The crèpes are the crème de la crème. Both the savory and sweet offerings are chef d’oeuvre. Throw in bon voyage, which I’m not ready to say yet, and you have the extent of my knowledge of French. Crèpes and I, however, go way back. I first met them in Atlanta at what became my favorite restaurant, The Magic Pan. Any trip to Atlanta included lunch or dinner at The Magic Pan.
Mystery Diner
I have eaten at both locations of French Market Crèperie – the one downtown at 526 S. Gay St. and the new one at 161 Brooklawn St. in Farragut – and they offer a touch of France in the décor and ambience. The food far outshines the setting, however. Go hungry, and plan
to eat from both the savory and the sweet menu. Don’t plan on a doggie bag, for two reasons: First, they don’t reheat well; and second, you won’t want to stop eating. For the main course savory crèpe, I chose the Goat Cheese with Walnuts in a buckwheat crèpe. The filling was delicious – creamy goat cheese with chopped walnuts mixed in and evenly folded into the crèpe. The French Fig Jam on the side topped off the flavors. The crèpe was light and soft in the middle, with just the right amount of crunchy on
the outer edges, and had a delicious flavor that made it more than just a vehicle to deliver the filling. For dessert, the choices are many. From the simple – Sugar and Butter Crèpes – to the classic – Crèpes Suzette with Grand Marnier Cognac, butter, sugar, caramel and whipped cream – to the simply sublime – Salted Caramel with imported French caramel with sea salt and butter on buckwheat. I chose the Blueberries with Lemon Curd, and they were melt-in-your-mouth
The Goat Cheese with Walnuts savory crêpes at French Market Crèperie are best when topped off with a side of fig jam. delicious. My friend, who had chosen the ham and cheese crèpe for the main course, went with Strawberries and Cream for dessert, which was good, but not lick-your-plate good like the blueberries. The restaurant has specials every day, and you can get omelets or sandwiches
on baguettes or croissants, but really, why? That’s like ordering a burger at Captain D’s. Try the crepes. You will be saying bon voyage to boring entrees in no time. That’s the end of my foray into the French language, but I’ll be back for more of the food.
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8 • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news
Sing, sing, sing!
The South-Doyle Middle School Ensemble is composed of seventh- and eighth-graders who have auditioned for the group. Photos by Betsy Pickle
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Harpist Korenna Hodge accompanies the Seventh-Grade Chorus.
Musical magic at South-Doyle Middle By Betsy Pickle There was so much music at South-Doyle Middle School’s Winter Chorus Concert it had to be split in two. It was worthwhile to stay for both sessions. The first part featured the SouthDoyle Middle Ensemble and the Sixth-Grade Chorus, while the second featured the Seventh-Grade and Eighth-Grade choruses.
Directed by music teachers Bethany Williams and Rebecca McCurdy and student teacher Cody Galyon, the students put on an impressive show, with several of them also showcasing their talents on instruments such as harp, guitar, piano, clarinet and flute. The programs included diverse holiday fare – from “Carol of the Bells� and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain�
to “Hava Nashira� and the Beatles’ “Blackbird.� All of the groups were strong, but the eighth-graders – possibly because they were the most experienced – were the perfect ones to finish the program. They presented their songs tunefully and energetically and made sure the night ended on a high note.
Second- and third-graders sing and act out “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.�
Fourth-graders emphasize the “fa-la-la-la-la� as they sing “Deck the Halls.� Photos by Betsy Pickle
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Crystal Crenshaw and sons Cory, Christian and Matthias wait for big brother Malachi (not shown) to perform with the fifth-grade singers.
Special night at South Knox First- through fifth-graders at South Knoxville Elementary School presented a Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert, filling the gymnasium with joyful noises and providing a special treat for everyone from baby siblings
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to grandparents. Directed class by class by music teacher Patricia Dueber, they belted out such classics as “Must Be Santa,� “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,� “Deck the Halls,� “Rockin’ Around the Christ-
mas Tree,� “Winter Wonderland� and “Jingle Bells� to enthusiastic applause. But fifth-graders brought down the house with the closing number, “Blitzen’s Blues.� – Betsy Pickle
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Dogwood singers (front) Natalie Xocop-Hernandez, Danielle Rogers, Kiley Henley, (back) Malori Leffel and Harrison Reed get into the music. Photos by Simply Scarlett Photography Micah Llewellyn, a student in Lisa Walker’s class, hits the right notes.
Noteworthy at Dogwood
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Dogwood Elementary School’s first-graders put on an after-school show for their schoolmates and families to enjoy. Under the
direction of music teacher Adrienne Notess, around 100 students sang a selection of holiday tunes to celebrate the season.
Chloe Galyon, Scarlett Hopkins’ student, enjoys performing.
business
SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • 9
Turkey Creek helps Mission of Hope By Sara Barrett West Knoxville retailers and their customers helped distant neighbors in a big way this year. A check for $8,548.47 was presented to Mission of Hope’s executive director Emmette Thompson on behalf of the businesses and patrons of the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek. This is an increase of more than $2,000 from last year’s collection. Folks donated money during the Lights Up! tree lighting ceremony held Nov. 21, which coincided with the Mission of Hope’s holiday fundraising kickoff. Pinnacle marketing manager Kiley Fleenor said the nonprofit’s big blue barrels have also been available at Turkey Creek businesses for donations of toys and clothing. “Most of the shoppers here are lucky enough to have a bright Christmas,” said Fleenor. “It’s nice to stop and think of those less
Stylists Laura Bridges and Shannon Hall have fun working at Susan’s Cuts & More with owner Susan Woods. Photo by Nancy Whittaker
More style, more fun Pinnacle at Turkey Creek general manager Darryl Whitehead and marketing manager Kiley Fleenor talk to Mission of Hope’s executive director, Emmette Thompson, and his wife, Valarie, at the check presentation. Photo by S. Barrett fortunate during the holiday season.” Mission of Hope is a year-round Christian ministry delivering clothing, toys, food and school supplies to rural Appalachian
families. Thompson said toys and clothing are always needed, but right now there is a shortage of winter coats. “Because of the warm weather, coat sales are in the tank, so we’re experi-
encing a shortage of them as well,” he said. One generous patron donated $4,000 at this year’s event, which should buy a coat or two. Info: www.missionofhope.org.
News from Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC)
Neighborhood Watch gives voice to Five Points residents
By Alvin Nance
Sylvia Cook, a senior resident at The Residences at Eastport, has been a lifelong advocate of neighborhood watch programs. Growing up Nance in Chattanooga, her parents were always involved in the neighborhood’s watch program, and Cook has volunteered at local police departments since she was a teenager. When Cook moved to KCDC’s newest premier property more than two years ago, she brought with her that passion for a neighborhood organization that would create solutions for community issues. Recently, The Residences at Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch, which Cook led the effort in forming, held its first anniversary celebration at Dr. Lee L. Williams Senior Complex.
“I decided I’m going to step out to do the things that can be done,” Cook said. “The Neighborhood Watch works with anyone having a problem and connects them with KCDC or the Knoxville Police Department to resolve it. We’ve cleared a lot of problems in the past year.” Cook said the neighborhood watch started with just a few members from The Residences at Eastport. The group has grown and now includes members from its adjacent property for senior citizens, Dr. Lee L. Williams Senior Complex. “It’s not always easy talking to someone, especially for the seniors,” Cook said. “It’s less intimidating talking to your neighbors in the watch program.” Cook said the members who attend the neighborhood watch sessions are very dedicated. A core group of approximately eight or nine individuals attends almost every meeting. Darlene Bunch won an award
at the anniversary celebration for perfect attendance. KCDC senior asset manager Beth Bacon and a KPD representative regularly attend meetings. In addiSylvia Cook tion to discussing community issues, the group also provides neighborhood-building activities, such as computer
training, exercises classes, fire safety and Social Security information. “I think we are doing a lot of good in our neighborhood, and it’s going to be even better in the coming year,” Cook said. “People have said, ‘You are our voice.’ I just try to help with the things I can and tell them where they can get help.” Being a Chattanooga native as well, I must say I’m very proud of my “home girl.”
Some businesses just make you want to sit a spell and visit. Susan’s Cuts & More definitely fits that category. Susan Woods has owned the salon for more than 20 years, and it’s still going strong. Susan says she has been “doing hair” for 35 years. After working in two other salons, she opened her own place in Colonial Village and has been there ever since. Her daughter, Laura Bridges, and Shannon Hall work with Susan to provide services such as cuts for men, women and children, sets, colors, perms and eyebrow waxing. Susan loves doing colors and says she can definitely “wash that gray right out of your hair.” So what makes this salon different? It’s the laid-back atmosphere. Customers say they just love coming in to Susan’s; everyone feels “at home and just so comfortable.” Customers chat. Susan’s husband, Carl, often stops by not only to entertain everyone but also to answer the phone and make appointments. Carl says that when he is not at his “real job,” he is the shop’s receptionist, maintenance chief and whatever else they need. He laughs and says, “I’m just not on the payroll.”
Nancy Whittaker
Susan has customers who have been coming to her for her entire career, including her oldest customer, who is now 97. Even if the men don’t need a haircut, many of them bring their wives just so they can “hang out.” Whole families have come to the salon for years, and they’re more like family to Susan than customers. She sees lots of these folks weekly, and they look forward to coming in to their self-proclaimed “Mayberry of South Knoxville.” Never mind Floyd’s Barber Shop. At Susan’s Cuts & More, “you can come in and get all the news you want, because someone will have told us a little bit of everything during the week,” says Susan. Susan’s accepts walk-ins during the day, but to assure a definite time just call 5739044 for an appointment. If you haven’t been there in a while, check out the newly remodeled shop at 6202 Chapman Highway.
Reputation. Expertise. Commitment.
Our Physicians (L-R): Douglas Marlow, MD; J. Stephen Alley, MD; Sunil John, MD; Michael Bernard, MD; Robert Thompson II, MD; Saeed Etezadi, MD; Jeffrey Swilley, MD
Caden Robinson waits for his chance to visit with Santa.
Provision welcomes families The Provision Center for Proton Therapy hosted a family holiday gathering Dec. 11. In the center’s spacious yet cozy lobby area, complete with fireplace and
Christmas tree, guests were treated to refreshments and performances by local choirs. Santa himself even paid a visit. – Shannon Carey
Now accepting new patients. Call for your appointment today.
(865) 632-5885 7564 Mountain Grove Drive Knoxville, TN 37920 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
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Bobbie Wyatt of Provision Health Partners gives Santa her Christmas wish list.
Southern Medical Group. Serving the Knoxville area for more than 20 years. Collaborating with specialists in many different areas of expertise. And connected with one of the nation’s highest performing health networks, Covenant Health.
10 • DECEMBER 17, 2014 • Shopper news
Stanley’s Greenhouse Garden Center & Plant Farm
Making Your Holidays Happen! With the largest, most beautiful selection of POINSETTIAS in town! ALL GROWN ON SITE Poinsettias • Christmas Cacti • Amaryllis • Orchids • Paper Whites • Holiday Wreaths • Greenery • Fraser Fir Christmas Trees • Ivy Topiaries
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Winter Rose Poinsettias
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Come see us, you won’t be disappointed! M-F 8-5:30 • Sat 9-5 Sun 1-5 now thru December
www.StanleysGreenhouse.com
573-9591
NO SALES TAX ON PLANTS!
3029 Davenport Road • 5 minutes from downtown• Make left 3rd red light past bridge