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VOL. 42 NO. O. 40 1

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BUZZ

Knoxville Utilities Board has launched a redesigned website that is available for users online or with mobile devices. It allows realtime updates on power restoration during storms as well as enabling customers to report power outages. KUB encourages its customers to visit the improved www.kub.org. As always, KUB continues to be available by telephone at 524-2911 for questions or service needs.

SoKno concerns

Carson Dailey, Amber Rountree and Nick Pavlis listen as Linda Rust explains the format of the South Knox Elected Officials Forum at South Knoxville Elementary School’s library.

By Betsy Pickle The three elected officials representing South Knox – County Commissioner Carson Dailey, City Council member Nick Pavlis and school board member Amber Rountree – invited constituents to come speak to them, and they got an earful. The second annual South Knox Elected Officials Forum, held last Thursday at South Knoxville El-

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Read Marvin on page 5

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problems, they said. Rountree responded by saying that SDMS isn’t at capacity, but it is nearly there, and smaller class sizes would alleviate some of the problems. She also suggested that volunteer mentors could benefit the school. At the beginning of the forum, she praised the leadership of new principal Andrew Brown, and she noted that SDMS is the only middle

school in the county doing the Big Read program with sixthgraders. Said Dailey, “We’re growing. Ten years from now, we’re going to have to have another middle school. We will eventually have to have another high school. We’re going to have to have the foresight” to prepare for that. To page 3

‘Friends of Beauford Delaney’ founder to speak at Museum Dr. Monique Y. Wells, founder and director of the organization dedicated to preserving Knoxville-born Beauford Delaney’s artistic legacy in Paris, will speak at the Knoxville Museum of Art 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 20, followed by a reception with cash bar. The program, jointly sponsored by the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, the East Tennessee History Center, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and the Knoxville chapter of The Links Inc., is free and open to the public. A 23-year resident of Paris, Wells is co-author of “Paris Reflections: Walks through Af-

rican-American Paris” and author of “Black Paris Profiles,” which features the stories of 24 contemporary African-American and Afro-Caribbean expatriates. Well’s freelance writing led her to uncover the story of Beauford Delaney’s unmarked Paris burial place. She subsequently founded Les Amis de Beauford Delaney (Friends of Beauford Delaney) as a French non-profit association. In her endeavor to raise funds to place a tombstone at Beauford’s previously unmarked grave, she became increasingly pas-

sionate about this artist’s story and about his art. She recently organized the first-ever exhibition of Beauford’s paintings from Paris private collections. Beauford Delaney lived his final decades abroad in Paris and died there in 1979, but maintained close ties to Knoxville and family here throughout his life. His brother Joseph, also a distinguished artist, is perhaps better known locally than Beauford because Joseph eventually returned to his hometown, where he died in 1991. To page 3

Thomas flips out over Rountree resolution

On to the Aggies Marvin West writes: “Some of my Baptist friends believe in predestination. “If this Tennessee team makes it to 7-0, I may join them.”

ementary School, drew about 40 residents voicing concerns about roads, schools, development and more. South-Doyle Middle School was the target of many attendees, who claimed that parents are taking their kids out of SoKno’s elementary schools so they won’t be on track to attend the middle school. SDMS has developed a reputation as a troubled school with behavior

By Betty Bean On Monday, the school board considered a resolution opposing the use of state testing data to determine teacher evaluations and student grades. The vote will come today (Oct. 5). Sponsored by Amber Rountree, the measure drew a harsh rebuke from interim superintendent Buzz Thomas. Rountree said she is perplexed by his reaction. “I proposed a very similar resolution last year – some of the language is verbatim, and the board passed it 7-2 or 8-1. This was during the state testing debacle, and we were asking that the data not be used, so I guess Buzz’s tone was a little surprising,” Rountree said. The “debacle” she mentioned was the confusion and delay caused by the state’s inability to process the numbers in time for local school districts to issue grades and evaluations. “I try to conduct myself, at meetings and in public, by the adage of speaking truth and love. I hope we can disagree and still have a collegial discourse about it.”

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revise the evaluation procedures and get rid of things that are unfair. I agree with her, but I’m not sure this is the way to go about it.” Norman expressed some surprise at the tone of Thomas’ letter – “He really cut Amber’s legs off” – and observed that the unity between new board members (who supported Mike McMillan for board chair in August) and incumbents who voted for Terry Hill is in disarray: “The coalition is fragmented at the moment. We haven’t even got to square one – we don’t have a chair yet,” he said, referring to last month’s deadlocked vote between McMillan and Hill (board member Patti Bounds was absent). McMillan has since removed his name from consideration, and the board will vote again this week. “Let’s get first things first. Let’s decide on a chair; then you start bringing other stuff up,” Norman said. Letter is posted on our website: www.ShopperNewsNow.com/category/betty-bean/

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Thomas sent a letter to board members labeling Rountree’s resolution “ill-advised” and predicting that it would damage relationships with state and local elected officials, particularly Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, whom he said is entitled to “the benefit of the doubt.” He praised Questar, the state’s new testing provider, which worked with the state last year to create an “optional” assessment for secondgraders, and put Rountree’s motives on blast: “In conclusion, the proposed resolution does not sound like a school district that is aspiring to be the best in the south or even in the state. It sounds like we are making excuses. We need a good standardized test each year to tell us how we are doing compared to others across the state and the nation,” Thomas said. New board member Tony Norman said he agrees with Rountree about testing policy but thinks the resolution may be premature. “I think the evaluation system is completely jacked up, and ultimately, her endgame is to

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July 29, October 5, 2013 2016

Elected officials, residents discuss

SOUP at Kerbela Knoxville SOUP will reach a high point (physically) at its Oct. 6 version. The quarterly crowd-funding event will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at Kerbela Temple, 315 Mimosa Ave., nestled on the hill overlooking the former Baptist Hospital site. At SOUP, up to four individuals or groups from throughout Knox County make a short presentation on planned or current projects designed to benefit the community. Attendees, who are asked to make a suggested $5 donation at the door, listen and then discuss the projects while enjoying a simple meal of soup and other goodies. Everyone gets to vote on the project they feel is most worthy, and the winner gets the entire take from the door. There also will be a raffle with exciting prizes. Doors open at 6 p.m. Presentations begin at 6:30, with dinner starting around 7:15. July’s SOUP had about 134 attendees and raised more than $700 for the South Knoxville Community Center’s fitness center to get a new treadmill. Based on a concept that has spread nationwide, Knoxville SOUP is presented locally by the South Knoxville Alliance. It is held on the first Thursday of each quarter at alternating locations. Info: knoxvillesoup.org

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2 • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Follow through

Cozadds keep moving with help from Fort Sanders Regional How do you respond when your orthopedic surgeon guesses that you’re not very good at golf? Phil Cozadd, 75, took that diagnosis in stride, because the doctor was right. Paul Yau, MD, could tell that the Tellico Village resident had trouble turning at the hip. Yau surmised that would affect a golf game. Phil and his wife have been active for years and have taken great care of their health, which has allowed them to enjoy many adventures in retirement. But last fall the arthritis in Phil’s hip began to bother him more than it ever had before. Then on Dec. 31, 2015, the couple set off on a hike, took a wrong turn, and ended up trekking nine miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “The next day he could barely walk,” Lyn Cozadd says. The couple began the process of elimination to find a nonsurgical treatment that would cure Phil’s pain. There wasn’t one. When he was told it was time to seek out a surgeon for a hip replacement, he didn’t argue. The Cozadds had an advantage in that Lyn had been a board member for a community hospital in the city where they lived before retirement. She knew what she wanted in a hospital and in a surgeon for her husband, and she knew how to find it. Research and intuition led her to Dr. Yau, a board certified physician who specializes in replacement of hips and knees. His specialty practice keeps him current with the latest surgical techniques and advances in orthopedic care. They also decided Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center was the best option for Phil’s procedure. Dr. Yau replaced Phil’s hip on April 27 of this year. “It just couldn’t have been a nicer experience from the very beginning,” Phil says, “from going to see Dr. Yau for our first appointment, to the valet parking, to everybody in the hospital, just all the way down the line. It was really terrific.”

System-Wide Telephone Downtime Tuesday, October 25 10pm Eastern - (9pm Central) Downtime of two to three hours expected for telephone transition. Downtime will impact the following locations: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cumberland Medical Center Fort Loudoun Medical Center Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Fort Sanders West LeConte Medical Center Methodist Medical Center Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Parkwest Medical Center Peninsula Hospital campus Roane Medical Center Centerpoint campus Dowell Springs Family Care Specialists Lake Brook campus Topside campus

Phil Ph hili C ozaad oz add d (r (rig ight ht)) st stri rike kess a ca casu sual al Cozadd (right) strikes casual pose as he sits in a golf cart with his wife, Lyn, but it’s a pose that would have been impossible before anterior hip replacement at FSRMC.

Phil Cozadd was back on the golf course for nine holes just three weeks after hip replacement surgery at FSRMC.

Rapid recovery The Cozadds had done their homework, and knew they wanted a surgeon and a hospital that would accommodate a very speciﬁc type of procedure. “Dr. Yau does the anterior hip replacement, and that was the only thing Phil and I were going to entertain,” Lyn explains. “The anterior approach to hip replacement allows surgery to be performed in a space between muscles and tendons,” Yau explains. “Newer instruments allow placement of tried and true implants in a less traumatic fashion, resulting in an easier recovery, and a hip that feels more natural.” Phil says the pain was minimal, and when you ask the Cozadds how Phil’s recovery went, Lyn speaks up ﬁrst. “What recovery?” she jokes. “He was on the golf course in three weeks.” Phil interjects, “That was nine holes, and

Our Phone Numbers are Changing Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center All phones and fax numbers will change from 541 to 331 preﬁx. • Includes downtown locations of Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, and physician offices on campus.

To learn more, please visit: www.covenanthealth.com/phone-transition.

therapists. Because Fort Loudoun is a member of Covenant Health, it was easy to make the transition from the hospital in Knoxville to therapy that was closer to home. One particular appointment with Dr. Yau in Knoxville resulted in the surgeon personally demonstrating stretching exercises he wanted Phil to do in the next phase of therapy. When Lyn demonstrated those same exercises to the therapists, a new protocol was created within minutes to get the job done. While Phil is still working on his golf game, his hip is one thing that doesn’t hold him back on the golf course. He and Lyn are also hiking as much as 20 miles a week. It’s important to note that Phil was in good physical condition before surgery. That increases the odds of a successful recovery process, and anyone considering joint replacement surgery should keep weight under control, eat right and get plenty of exercise. “We had a wonderful, wonderful experience with Fort Sanders Regional, and I can’t say enough about Dr. Yau,” Lyn says. Phil smiles in agreement, then says simply, “It’s nice to have a new part.”

ﬁve weeks after surgery I played 18 holes.” To learn more about orthopedic procedures at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, visit fsregional.com, or call 865-524-5365.

Covenant Health Connectivity The Cozadds also give a lot of credit to Fort Loudoun Medical Center’s physical

Direct Anterior Hip Replacement – a new approach with great results

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is among only 15 percent of U.S. hospitals with the staff and facilities available to perform the latest approach in hip replacement surgery, called “Direct Anterior Hip Replacement.” In this procedure, the surgeon goes through the front (anterior) portion of the hip, instead of the side or back. This allows the surgery to separate important muscles and tendons instead of cutting through them to position a new hip joint implant. “When I ﬁrst started doing hip replacement surgery this way, I thought it was just another option to access the joint, but people have done amazingly well Paul Yau, M.D. with this approach,” said Dr. Paul Yau, an orthopedic surgeon with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. “With traditional hip replacements, we have to cut muscles or tendons, which prolongs the recovery process and may require limitations on hip motion,” said Yau. “It is common to hear patients being told not to bend at the hip more than 90 degrees, squat, reach to the ﬂoor or cross your legs after hip replacement because it would risk a dislocation. “With the anterior approach, none of these typical ligaments are cut, which means all of these common activities are safe, immediately after surgery,” Yau explained. The anterior approach does require a specialized surgical table and intraoperative X-rays. “The specialized table allows for safe leg

placement not possible with a traditional surgical table,” said Yau. “This unique table improves access to the hip joint and permits the use of intraoperative X-rays to ensure accurate implant position. “Traditionally, leg length discrepancies are a well-known complication after total hip replacement. The use of live, real-time imaging during surgery allows the surgeon to make both legs balanced and symmetric in length,” he said. “This means the implant will last longer. I no longer say you have to be a certain age to get a hip replacement.” With the anterior approach, most patients will only need one night in the hospital to recover. “Some people even go home the same day,” said Yau. “People recover so much faster it’s unbelievable.” Yau said he began doing the anterior surgery routinely about three years ago, and uses it today for about 95 percent of his hip replacement and repair surgeries. “It does require special facilities and a trained staff, which we have at Fort Sanders. There are a lot of moving parts to the surgery and they all need to be coordinated or you’ll have issues,” he said. Studies have backed up Yau’s opinion of anterior hip replacement. “You know how progress tends to happen in increments?” he asked. “I want to say this is a giant leap instead of an incremental one in orthopedic surgery. I haven’t seen anything this dramatically improve people’s outcome from surgery, ever.” For more information on direct anterior hip replacement, call 673-FORT or visit the website at www.fsregional.com/orthopaedics

Regional Excellence: SURGERY Fort Sanders Regional’s surgical capabilities are transforming the surgery experience for patients in East Tennessee. From the area’s ﬁrst robotically-assisted surgery system, imageguided brain and spinal cord procedures, to our brand new hybrid operating room, Fort Sanders Regional provides patients more options and the best surgical technology available.

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SOUTH KNOX Shopper news â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 5, 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ 3

Beauford Delaney

Raymond Aldridge of the South Woodlawn neighborhood tests his serve during South Woodlawn residents Andy and Cindy Blanchard get their first taste of pickleball at the his introduction to pickleball. new courts at Sam Duff Field. Photos by Betsy Pickle

Pickleball at Sam Duff is a hit Not everything outdoors in South Knoxville is wilderness. Sam Duff Memorial Park, 4060 Chapman Highway, now offers the fastest-growing rec sport in the country, pickleball. The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parks & Recreation Department debuted the new feature recently to an enthusiastic turnout of advanced and novice players from all across town. One of Duffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two tennis courts was converted to four pickleball courts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tennis court that remains was also resurfaced,â&#x20AC;? said Aaron Browning of Parks & Rec, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so tennis players should be happy.â&#x20AC;?

Betsy Pickle

First-time SoKno players got friendly lessons from experienced players. The city also has six outdoor courts at West Hills Park. Browning says there are permanent lines for three indoor courts each at Deane Hill and Milton Roberts rec centers and Christenberry Community Center. Three courts have been taped off at South Knoxville

Community Center and one each at Inskip-Norwood, Lonsdale and Richard Leake rec centers. At the official opening, the Duff courts filled up quickly, but players courteously rotated on and off. The game can be played with two or four players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has parts of tennis, badminton and ping pong,â&#x20AC;? said Browning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The size of the court is the size of a badminton court.â&#x20AC;? The â&#x20AC;&#x153;kitchen line,â&#x20AC;? seven feet behind the net, is off limits to play, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t volley inside of that line,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be very fast and not as appealing.â&#x20AC;? The more relaxed style of play â&#x20AC;&#x153;makes the points

longer and makes it a more enjoyable game. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not as aggressive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The learning curve is, in my opinion, faster than tennis, and I am a tennis player. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a smaller paddle; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a smaller court. It appeals to many more people.â&#x20AC;? Equipment is available to use free at rec centers, but players need to bring their own paddles and balls to the outdoor courts. Browning said the equipment can be purchased locally at sports stores or online. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can get the entrylevel paddle for probably 15, 20 bucks. Other paddles go $80, $90. Everybody wants the Cadillac.â&#x20AC;?

Volunteers serve ice cream to more than 900 students at South-Doyle Middle School as a reward for good behavior.

The evolving Beauford Delaney Project calls for placing historical markers to designate the birthplace of Beauford and his brother Joseph and other sites associated with their early training; to bring an exhibition of Beaufordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work from Paris to Knoxville; to conserve and exhibit recently acquired works by Beauford at the KMA; to create a curriculum unit about Beauford and Joseph Delaney and their importance; and to explore the restoration and possible adaptive reuse of the Delaney family home, recently purchased by the Wells Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Beck president ReneĂŠ Kesler said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beauford Delaney is by far the most important artist Knoxville produced in the twentieth century, at least in terms of national and international reputation. He was friends with and beloved by the most respected cultural and intellectual figures of his age. He was a close friend and mentor to novelist, playwright, and social critic James Baldwin. Georgia Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keeffe, who rarely did portraits, painted Beaufordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. He was the subject of an affectionate essay by great American writer Henry Miller. Yet many people in Knoxville are not familiar with this native son and his distinguished legacy. We hope the Beauford Delaney Project will change that.â&#x20AC;?

SoKno concerns

By Kelly B K ll Norrell N ll

h l store, t d l ith othth school are underway along with er positivity strategies. Anthony Wright, a new onsite behavior interventionist, works with students daily. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We acknowledge that every kid may mess up sometime. We are giving them ways to rebound and improve their behavior,â&#x20AC;? he said. Brown said he wants to draw studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focus away from misbehaving and toward academic achievement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is hard to understand when you are 12 and 13 that your decisions now will affect your track in high school, your lifetime earning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I tell them, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;we need you here. The last thing I want to do is suspend you,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Brown said. Sixth-grader Silas Webster gave his stamp of approval to the ice cream party. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to have fun with your friends when you get to have things like this.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can tell they are good kids. They just keep saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Thank you! Thank you!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? said parent volunteer Angie Bush as she scooped ice cream.

From page 1

Another concern about SDMS is the recently renovated football stadium. Warren Sullivan said he had heard that Legacy Parks Foundation wants to come in and take over the stadium to use as a BMX park. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think people with the community are aware of how many individuals use that facility,â&#x20AC;? Sullivan said. There are football, soccer and track and field programs there, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to lose that facility to a one-entity organization.â&#x20AC;? Rountree said that she believes Legacy Parks wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do anything that would hurt the kids. Pavlis added that his experience with Legacy Parks is that it never does anything without total community buy-in and would not push for a BMX park if South Knoxvillians donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking all over

South Knoxville for opportunity,â&#x20AC;? said Pavlis. The lightning rod of SoKno controversy, the James White Parkway extension, came up twice during the discussion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dead,â&#x20AC;? said Pavlis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We sent flowers. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buried. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no more. The extension part of it is gone.â&#x20AC;? He said the city wants to make the section of the parkway from the South Knoxville Bridge to its terminus at Moody Avenue more pedestrian-friendly. The recent restriping of Moody Avenue from four lanes to two lanes plus bike lanes also drew fire. Herman Weaver of South Haven asked about the plans for redeveloping the former Sevier Heights Baptist Church site. Pavlis said there will be a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, in the chapel of the old church.

Cherries, sprinkles, chocolate syrup and M&Ms make ice cream even better.

Ice cream, ambition spur success at South-Doyle Middle How do you spell â&#x20AC;&#x153;joyâ&#x20AC;? at school on a hot day? I-C-E C-R-E-A-M! Nearly 920 South-Doyle Middle School students feasted on ice cream sundaes as a special treat recently. But at this party, the kids took in more than just frozen goodness. The message was loud and clear: good behavior pays. The outdoor ice cream party was a reward for students with no out-ofschool suspensions in September and no more than one in-school suspension. Students who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t qualify had to wait in the cafeteria after their lunch period. But just as important, said principal Andrew Brown, is that people get second chances. In two weeks, the school will host a faculty volleyball game to reward good behavior. Everyone will have an equal chance to earn the right to attend. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all part of the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) disciplinary system. Clear expectations, tickets dispensed for good behavior that can be redeemed at a

Eighth-graders Dakylee Crawford and Shmyah Mitchell joke with principal Andrew Brown.

Cassie needs a home Cassie, a 3yo retriever mix would dearly love to have her own home and a family she can love and trust. She has been waiting several months for this to happen. Cassie was abandoned by her owners and prior to that was obviously not shown a lot of love or attention, life at the end of a chain. Once she gets to know you she wants to much to give love and kisses. We are looking for a local family who would be willing to come and meet Cassie and spend some quality time with her, in a location she is very familiar with, before she goes to her new permanent home. Cassie like all Heartland dogs, is up-to-date with all vaccinations, on heartworm preventative and microchipped. Information about adopting can be found here: https://heartlandgoldenrescue.org/adopt/

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Adopt? Sponsor a foster! For additional information check out:

www.heartlandgoldenrescue.org Anthony Wright, behavior interventionist at South-Doyle Middle School, offers creative strategies for getting along. Photos by Kelly Norrell

From page 1

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government It’s time to decriminalize marijuana Last month, Nashville approved an ordinance to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Nashville police now have the option of issuing a civil citation for marijuana possession instead of a criminal one. Did Nashville make marijuana legal? No. Decriminalization is not legalization. Complete legalization would mean that a person could sit in their home and legally smoke marijuana. With decriminalization, those walking down the street with a marijuana joint in their pocket would still be breaking the law but could be issued a civil citation by police (something similar to a parking ticket) instead of a criminal citation. It’s a small step, but a good one. Here’s why. Under current law, possessing even a small amount of marijuana is punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in the county jail and a $2,500 fine. Criminal convictions have wide-ranging negative consequences. In addition to possible jail time, a criminal conviction often impacts employment and educational opportunities. It’s tough enough to find a good job in today’s economy. It’s even more difficult when you have a criminal record. Thanks to the internet, arrest records and mug shots linger on forever. Smoking a joint at a party or concert can haunt someone well into their future. Decriminalization is not a perfect solution. In fact, it probably doesn’t go far enough. Until we treat drug use as a public health problem instead of a criminal justice problem, too many lives will be shadowed by criminal convictions. Also, the discretion given to the police creates its own problems. Giving an officer discretion to issue either

Scott Frith

a civil or criminal citation can result in disparate outcomes for low-income and minority residents accused of a crime. Ultimately, our laws should reflect our values. If it’s OK for a kid to smoke weed in college, then it should be legal. If it’s OK for someone to smoke marijuana in the privacy of their own home, then it should be legal. Legalization, with regulations similar to tobacco or alcohol, would likely result in better overall outcomes than current laws. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe that smoking marijuana is a good thing. I’m not a doctor. I’m the least qualified to discuss the pros and cons of marijuana versus tobacco or any other substance. However, the decriminalization of marijuana is a much-needed first step in accepting shifting social norms. Nearly 50 years after Woodstock, and as baby boomers enter retirement, it’s time for our laws to reflect that reality. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, after the decriminalization bill passed the Metro Council, released a statement: “This legislation is a positive step forward in addressing the overly punitive treatment of marijuana possession in our state that disproportionately impacts low-income and minority residents.” Mayor Barry is right. Nashville is showing leadership. It’s time for Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knoxville City Council to show leadership as well. Scott Frith is a local attorney. You can visit his website at pleadthefrith.com.

Legacy Parks Foundation’s big day Once again, Legacy Parks Foundation will draw a crowd of almost 1,000 civic, business and community leaders for its annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, along the bank of the Tennessee River at UT Cherokee Farm. Once again, executive director Carol Evans is close to a sell-out at the $100 lunch. You’d think she would move the event to a larger venue. But wait! It’s outdoors! Rick Ridgeway, noted mountaineer, will Carol Evans talk about his experience with big mountains, big business and big initiatives to preserve outdoor resources. Make reservations online or call 865-525-2585.

4 • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • Shopper news

Smith again claims education as campaign battleground Eddie Smith’s first campaign mail piece, a sunny, positive, oversized postcard praising the 13th District state representative for working hard to develop higher educational standards, hit two weeks ago. The next one came a week later and featured a group of happy kids studying a globe. A full-color shot of a smiling Smith appeared on the back, positioned next to a paragraph describing him as a torchbearer for better education. The bottom half of the card was the color of the Vols’ smokygray football jerseys with a black-and-white picture of an angry, open-mouthed Gloria Johnson looking for a child to devour. The scary gray part said Johnson – a Democrat and a retired special-education teacher who served a single term before Republican Smith unseated her in 2014 – opposes putting money into education, wants to trap kids in bad schools, would like for the feds to come in and take over and

Betty Bean doesn’t much care if kids get to go to college (all the better to eat them, probably). Both cards are paid for by Tennesseans for Student Success, an AstroTurf group that supports high-stakes, standardized testing closely connected to Gov. Bill Haslam. Two years ago, Smith won by 182 votes and was the beneficiary of an avalanche of negative advertising funded by “outside” corporate education reform groups, the most memorable of which was paid for by the pro-voucher Tennessee Federation for Children and compared Johnson to Lane Kiffin. Following the directive of GOP operative Karl Rove, Smith successfully attacked Johnson’s strength – education. He’s staking out the same ground this year.

In addition to the PACsupplied mail pieces (which by federal law cannot coordinate with his Johnson campaign), Smith sponsored a teacher roundtable at Fulton High School with state Education Commissioner Candice McQueen and a representative of Questar, the state’s new provider of standardized tests (the old provider got sacked when it couldn’t process end-of-term standardized tests in time for the results to be used in calculating student grades). Smith barred school board members and the media from the meeting because he didn’t want teachers to feel intimidated but invited several administrators to sit in, including Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Alves. It is a policy violation to allow campaign events in Knox County Schools,

but Smith billed this as an opp or t u n it y for teachers to learn more about the state’s new standardized Smith tests. Johnson succeeded Democratic incumbent Harry Tindell, who represented the 13th for 22 years and chose to retire rather than slug it out after the new Republican super majority redrew district lines and threw Sequoyah Hills and a big chunk of Republicandominated South Knoxville into the mix. Smith, a promoter of church music, made Johnson – who has since retired from teaching – a one-termer. She still enjoys the active support of many former colleagues and students who want to send her back to Nashville. In the words of the prophet Yogi Berra, it’s déjà vu all over again.

Off to Georgia (not the Bulldogs) This week I am in Tbilisi, Georgia, as an election observer for their parliamentary elections. The trip is sponsored by the International Republican Institute, a private, nonprofit group. IRI promotes democratic procedures, fair elections and participatory democracy as does its counterpart, which is the National Democratic Institute. Neither is part of the partisan RNC or DNC. Georgia was part of the former Soviet Union and is where Joseph Stalin was born. It has been an independent nation for 25 years with varying degrees of success. I was present four years ago in Georgia, also as an election observer for IRI, when parliamentary elections were held and resulted in the ruling party being swept out of office. It is our job to observe and report on what we see. If we see inappropriate actions in the conduct of the election we note them and report on them. We do not intervene with the holding of the election itself. Greg Mackay, who now works at Chilhowee Park, was an election observer when he ran the Knox County Election Commission. I have also been an election observer in Ukraine and East Timor (Asia). ■ Knoxville has had a sister-city relationship with Muroran in Japan since the 1990s. A Muroran delega-

Victor Ashe

tion is coming this weekend and will meet with Mayor Rogero in her office Friday morning at the City County Building. MPC Commissioner Gayle Bustin has assisted ably on behalf of the mayor in arranging a full schedule. Retired University of Tennessee professor Paul Watkins and his wife, Susie, will host a reception for them Friday, Oct. 7. There have also been student exchanges at the high school level where students have stayed in Japanese and American homes. ■ James Knight, another former ambassador, has moved to the Knoxville area. He just retired as ambassador to Chad and previously ambassador to Benin. The Tellico Village resident is a retired infantry officer who was awarded a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. He joins four other former ambassadors residing in the area: Cran Montgomery (Oman), Dee Robinson (Ghana), Margaret Scobey (Egypt and Syria) and this writer (Poland). ■ State Rep. Eddie Smith will present a check

for $30,000 for restoration of Talahi Park in Sequoyah Hills at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. The money was part of the state budget, which Smith amended to include this funding. Public is invited. The Smith versus Gloria Johnson contest is expected to be one of the closest in the state on Nov. 8. The last two elections (2012 and 2014) in that district were decided by fewer than 200 votes each. ■ U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann turns 54 on Tuesday, Oct. 11. ■ Do not expect quick action on picking a successor to UT athletic director Dave Hart. UT will wait until a new chancellor is selected to replace Jimmy Cheek before a search committee is even named by the new chancellor to choose a new AD. That means January at the earliest. The new chancellor will also be looking for a new communications vice chancellor to replace Margie Nichols as well as a new provost to follow Susan Martin. ■ UT President Joe DiPietro announced recently the four members of a special commission to review Title IX resources and programs for UT. Three of the four live in Massachusetts, Connecticut and the Washington, D.C., area. The one Tennessean is from Franklin. None attended UT and there are no African-Americans on

the group, despite many UT athletes being AfricanAmerican. This is a glaring omission. While the news release did not indicate compensation, an inquiry from this writer produced the response that yes, there is compensation, but UT declined to respond that day as to the exact compensation, which appears to violate the open-records law. UT also declined to say then if the first meeting on Nov. 17 would be open to the public. Two days later, UT acknowledged each is being paid $45,000 plus expenses, and the meetings are closed, which triggered criticism. One wonders if UT is channeling studies like this through its law firm to lock out the public under the guise of attorney-client privilege. Why UT cannot give a direct answer to a direct question when asked is perplexing. It sends the wrong signal for an institution dedicated to education. Media relations on this issue are being handled by the Nashville law firm of Neal and Harwell, which has already been paid over $400,000, and the meter is still running. The total cost of the lawsuit settlement continues to rise with no end in sight. Victor Ashe is a former mayor of Knoxville and U.S. ambassador to Poland. Reach him at vhashe@aol.com

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Shopper news • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • 5

Beck: The place where the community gets connected By Renee Kesler The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is “The Place Where African American History Is Preserved,” and even more it is “The Place Where the Community Gets Connected.” T h e Renee Kessler founders who created Beck in 1975 purposely did not call it the Beck Cultural Exchange Museum, though it is filled with archives, artifacts and exhibits and, indeed, Beck has always been dedicated to the preservation and conservation of history. Yet those great pioneers understood that it had to be more than a museum. After all, Beck was formed as the people’s project, and the people needed a place to gather and exchange with one another. Beck needed to be “The Place Where the Community Gets Connected.” What does it mean to be “The Place Where the Community Gets Connected?” Leaving Beck the other night, I believe I understood the answer to this question. The answer was sitting outside at the tables located in the rotunda area of the Beck, wrapped in coats and jackets in the cool of the fall evening with fingers tapping away on a laptop and a cell phone. While this was not an unusual occurrence, certainly – when I leave in the evenings there is always someone sitting in the rotunda, or on the lighted front porch, where there is always a table and chairs, or cars parked in

HOPE… Is a Powerful thing! It Can Change Lives and Make a Difference. It is the confident expectation of Good. Community members gather at the Beck. the parking lot, using the free wifi – it was the answer to the question. When I first arrived at Beck, the wifi broadband connection to the internet was locked with a passcode required to access. When visitors tried to connect their electronic devices they quickly discovered that they had no access to the internet. Further, while students from the local schools were excited to receive new electronic gadgets and devices that they could take home, the enthusiasm quickly dissipated once internet access was unavailable. Even though students had their own laptops or tablets, they fi led in quickly before the 6 o’clock closing hour to use the free Beck computer lab. Immediately, I contacted our internet service provider, requested an equipment upgrade with highspeed access and optimal range throughout the Beck campus, and, of course, the passcode was removed. The community now had access to free wifi at the Beck. So was that the answer? Is free wifi the true meaning to being “The Place Where

the Community Gets Connected?” I understood it to be more than that. Shortly after arriving at Beck, I met Victor Vlasyuk, and instantly we became friends. Victor lives in the community with his mom, Lyubov; they are from Ukraine. Victor and his mom, along with many others, are frequent guests to the Beck. Perhaps it’s the internet connection that keeps them coming, but I think there is something more to the connection. This summer, through a wonderful program, Victor became a paid Beck intern. It was a great summer, and Victor, who has a very contagious smile and sweet spirit, became a part of the Beck family and a tremendous help to me. Like so many of the young and seasoned people that come to Beck, Victor is connected to us and we are connected to him. And that’s the answer. “The Place Where the Community Gets Connected” truly means people gathering and exchanging with one another, the original intent of the founders of the Beck.

The Mission of Hope is an Appalachian Relief Ministry serving very depressed rural communities. Our Back To School Program provides new Backpacks and School Supplies to 28 rural Elementary Schools. We also take new Clothing, Toys and Food items to the same Schools with our Christmas Program. Realizing education is imperative to breaking the cycle of poverty, we also provide Scholarships to 13 rural High Schools, Alice Lloyd College and Lincoln Memorial University.

Team of destiny? Probably not

GOSSIP AND LIES ■ Donald Trump is no Ronald Reagan. I watched Ronald Reagan on TV for 10 years, and Trump is no Reagan. ■ Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, could well be Eleanor Roosevelt. ■ The Duncan Family Barbecue is coming up (5:30 p.m.

Marvin West

Pittsburgh Pirates 55-27, had a 91-60 edge in hits, batted .338 to .256, slugged six more home runs – and lost. Even then, I knew the inexplicable did not apply to football. Destiny is a quirky thing on gridirons. It often jumps around, depending on crisp blocking and tackling, especially protection for the quarterback, accuracy of his throws and how many linebackers knock the ball loose from runners and receivers. Injuries, penalties and fumbles lost and found can cause destiny to switch sides. “Team of destiny” does have an intriguing connotation. It might seem a logical explanation for success to those who do not understand what goes on behind the scenes – endless recruiting effort, fierce attention to details, year-round devotion to improvement, more strength, more speed, more explosion. Do everything right. Eat right. Even sleep right. And, above all, believe. Starting a day or two after the latest bowl victory, good teams work to win. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Civic Coliseum). As the Duncan family grows, it takes a little longer to shake hands on the way to the food. Entertainment this year is special: Mark Chestnutt, The Crown College choir and David West’s bluegrass band. Come have dinner with 10,000 of your best friends. – S. Clark

They sweat and strain to develop cohesion and confidence. They expect to prevail. Chances are somewhat better when smart coaches are involved. OK, now and then luck is a factor. It had to be luck when Jalen Hurd rescued the Dobbs overtime fumble, the one bouncing around in the end zone that crushed the life out of gutty underdog Appalachian State. That was Sept. 1. Good fortune emerged in the Battle of Bristol. The alarm clock went off. The Vols woke up. It could have been luck that Tennessee receivers miraculously stopped dropping passes in the second half against the Gators. Incidentally, Florida thought that was a fluke. And it said it was handicapped without its No. 1 quarterback. Sorry about that. Oh no, we didn’t call it luck in 1998 when an official dropped a flag for pass interference and gave the Vols one last chance to defeat Syracuse. It wasn’t luck that Florida missed that field goal or that our favorite Razorback, Clint Stoerner, fumbled just in time. That was the Big Orange national championship team. It made its breaks. Well, it might not have directly caused Florida State to get stuck with a sub quarterback. We’ll find out Saturday if this Tennessee team simply refuses to lose. Texas A&M in College Station will be an honest exam. Oh my, as for destiny, after that comes mighty Alabama, much too much. Or maybe not. Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

We assist throughout the year with Resource Distribution through over 50 Mountain Ministry Centers in rural Appalachian Communities. We build much needed handicap ramps. We also serve healthcare needs, partnering with Rural Healthcare Clinics. Being a ministry, we’re also privileged to give out Bibles and Tracts and our Prayers. We welcome your help as we strive to serve those in dire need in rural Appalachia. YOU CAN HELP BY: • Food Drives • New Coats Drive • Financial Donations

For more information about The Mission Of Hope please call us at

Toll Free 877-627-1909 865-584-7571 www.missionofhope.org

DONATE NOW AT www.missionofhope.org P.O. Box 51824 Knoxville, TN 37950 Thanks for your friendship and support… and for helping extend The HOPE. The Mission of Hope is a fully tax deductible nonprofit (501c) Appalachian relief organization.

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Some of my Baptist friends believe in predestination. If this Tennessee team makes it to 7-0, I may join them. Based on what the Volunteers did to Florida and Georgia, I will concede this group is beginning to feel just a little bit special. Never saw anything like that flipflop finish in Athens. Pity the poor Bulldogs. They went from extreme ecstasy to awful agony in just a few ticks. Corner Malik Foreman, hero a couple of minutes earlier, got beat deep and safety Micah Abernathy was no help. For Tennessee, all was lost. But it wasn’t. Joshua Dobbs did his Doug Flutie impersonation and Jauan Jennings was absolutely certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, he was going to claim that Hail Mary as his very own. Yes, they practice this play but surely such an ending was once in a lifetime. I sort of expected Butch Jones to come up with a monumental proclamation but he reverted to favorite explanations – fortitude, resiliency, poise, character and just finding a way to win. There had to be something more. I never put much stock in magic or karma or team of destiny until the 1960 World Series. In seven games, the New Yankees outscored the

6 • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

SENIOR NOTES ■ South Knox Senior Center 6729 Martel Lane 573-5843 knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Offerings include: dulcimer and guitar lessons; arts and crafts classes; dance classes; exercise programs; Tai Chi; card games; Joymakers practice; free swim 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Senior Meals program noon each Wednesday and Friday. Flu shots, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. Register for: “Cool Candoro” Marble Company Tour, 10:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10; lunch at Love That Bar-B-Que following the tour. Field trip: Three Rivers Rambler train excursion, 11:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14; RSVP by Oct. 10. ■ South Knox Community Center 522 Old Maryville Pike 573-3575 Monday-Friday Hours vary Offerings include a variety of senior programs. ■ John T. O’Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Offerings include: Card games, billiards, senior fitness, computer classes, bingo, blood pressure checks 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Senior Job Fair, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 12; part-time and full-time; info: 524-2786. Register for: Ask-a-Pharmacist, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6; Walgreens pharmacist Jay Wyrick will answer medication questions. ■ CAC Office on Aging 2247 Western Ave. 524-2786 knoxooa@knoxseniors.org

Daughters of the American Revolution preserving patriotism By Nancy Anderson The newly appointed board of the Andrew Bogle Chapter, National Societ y D au g h t e r s of the A merican Revolution held its first meeting of 2016 Edie Clemons the season at Karns Senior Center last week. Under the direction of new Regent Edie Clemons, the group discussed upcoming programming for the more than 100 members who meet monthly, September through May. Established in 1890, the NSDAR is the oldest women’s organization in the United States. It’s a sisterhood of patriots whose membership can document their lineage back to participants in the Revolutionary War. Membership gathers the second Wednesday of each month for an informative luncheon meeting featuring guest speakers and short historical reports often given by members in costume. The NSDAR sisterhood is a service organization dedicated to promoting and preserving patriotism. Its members can often be found speaking in schools, participating in naturalization ceremonies for new citizens and supporting military veterans in various ways including recording their stories to educate generations to come.

“Interest in the NSDAR is growing because more and more people are exploring their genealogy,” said registrar Jerri McNeany. “Women are finding documentation of their lineage dating back to the American Revolution. “Many people think the NSDAR has age restrictions, but you just have to be over 18. Also, you don’t have to be related to a soldier. Many, many people supported the war effort, and documented lineage to those people qualifies as well. “Digging up that documentation is fascinating and exciting. But it can be pretty daunting, so we help with that. If you’ve heard rumors that you’re related to a patriot, just bring us three generations of documentation. That’s you, your parents and your grandparents. We have resources to help find documentation of your lineage. “We’re growing, but I’d like to see more young people get involved. You don’t have to be a member to attend meetings; you are welcome to attend as our guest. “I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, the NSDAR has been an exciting and life-changing experience. I’m proud and humbled to be a part of it because we’re promoting pride and honor in our country by preserving American history and helping to secure our future through better education.” Info: www.tndar. org/~andrewbogle

The newly appointed officers will serve for the next three years: from left are Betty Craig, Jerri McNeany, Pat Chambers, Sandra Fuller, Gayle Barker, Ruthann Fowler and Regent Edie Clemons.

Second-place winner Rosie Collins

Third-place winner Mildred Ketron

Blue ribbon for rooster By Betsy Pickle A rooster topped two lighthouses in the South Knoxville Senior Center’s recent art show. Kathy Rhodes’ painting of a rooster beat lighthouse paintings by Rosie Collins (second place) and Mildred Ketron (third place) to win first place in the art show and sale held by students of artist Sandra Curtis. Curtis says 324 people voted for their favorite entry to decide the winners. She says that 17 of her 28 students participated in the show. Not many sales were made because most of the painters wanted to keep their work or give it as a gift. The class will have another art show and sale Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the

Teacher Sandra Curtis with first-place winner Kathy Rhodes Photos submitted

center, with more paintings for sale just in time for holiday gift shoppers. Curtis’ class meets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each Wednes-

fall 2016

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faith

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • 7

cross currents Lynn Pitts, lpitts48@yahoo.com

The problem with busy bodies For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busy bodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3: 11-13 NRSV)

Katie Mayo pushes her daughter Zona during a field event. Running with them is Rachelle Sharp. Photos by James Mayo

Joni and Friends event prompts By Kelly Norrell When Zona Mayo, 10, and mom Katie, dad James, and sister Sydney, 8, went to a Joni and Friends Family Retreat this summer, they had the time of their lives. The July 17-21 getaway at Fort Bluff Camp in Dayton, Tenn., offered something for everyone in the South Knoxville family. Zona, who was given her own personal caretaker, participated in Olympicthemed games, swimming and dancing. Sydney enjoyed swimming, the water slide, and the full-time attention of her own caretaker. And Katie and James finally got some relaxing time both alone and with other adults, knowing the kids were safe and having fun. The Family Retreat is one of 25 that Joni and Friends offers at 18 locations

around the country each year. Inspired by founder Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed at age 17 in a diving accident, the retreats are one way to assist and encourage people with significant disabilities and their families. And Dogwood Elementary fourth-grader Zona Mayo is significantly disabled. Zona suffered severe brain damage at birth, leaving her nonverbal and unable to use her arms and legs. She has cerebral palsy,is confined to a wheelchair and has a feeding tube. She communicates mostly with facial expressions and mood. At school, she answers questions by activating a switch with her head. A diagnosis like Zona’s wallops a family. “She can’t go to the rest-

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5 Free preview of Big Ears 2017 event, 7 p.m., The Mill & Mine, 227 W. Depot Ave. Open to the public. Medic blood drive, 1:30-7:30 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 4438 Western Ave. “Tribute to Dexter Gordon with Jamel Mitchell,” noon-1 p.m., Square Room, 4 Market Square Building. Tickets: knoxjazz.org or by visiting Café 4. Info: knoxjazz.org.

THURSDAY, OCT. 6

room for herself. She can’t get out of bed herself. She can’t tell you what’s wrong, so you are always guessing. There’s no way she can ever live by herself,” said her mom, a title clerk at a local auto dealership. “Some days are not bad at all. Other days you are thinking, ‘oh my goodness, I need to get out of this house.’” Complicating things is an extreme shortage of respite care. Like her family, Zona is steely and spirited. She likes fractions and science. She adores her mother’s singing and the movie “Frozen.” She loves attention, but not being babied. “Her dad and I don’t treat her with kid gloves. She’s disabled, not medically fragile,” said her mom. So when the Family Retreat opportunity came,

Sydney Mayo cools off sister Zona during an Olympicthemed water relay.

with fees paid jointly by Joni and Friends and a local donor, the Mayos made the most of it. With James taking pictures and Sydney joining the fun, the family plunged into the five days of activities. In addition to good meals and plenty of respite care, each day included time for parents to have meaningful conversations with other adults in a Christian environment.

Mobile Lab Series: Introducing the Computer, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Lawson McGhee Library Meeting Room, 500 W. Church Ave. Explore computer basics on a Windows 10 tablet/laptop hybrid: signing in; using a keyboard, touchscreen and pointing device; using app menus; filling out an online form. For first beginners. Call to register. Info/registration: 215-8700. Movies on Market Square: “Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens” (PG-13, 2015). Movies begin at dusk; well-behaved dogs welcome. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Info: 215-8767 or knoxlib.org/movies. Opening reception for new exhibit: “Mask” by sculptor Nan Jacobsohn, 5-8 p.m., The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike. Exhibit on display through Oct. 29. Info: thedistrictgallery.com. Public reception for five new exhibits, 5-9 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Opening exhibits include Tennessee Artists Association: The Fall Juried Show: 42nd Fall Art Exhibition; The Arrowmont Experience: Featuring Work by Current Artists-inResidence; Pottery by Rex W. Redd; Impressions of Nature by Dennis Sabo; and Melanie Fetterolf – Rain Paintings & Classroom Art. Exhibits on display Oct.728. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCT. 7-8

Fulton High School Alumni Association’s Wall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony, Rothchild Catering and Banquet Hall, 8807 Kingston Pike. Meet and Greet, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; banquet, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $60. Info: fhsalumni@hughes.net or Fulton High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 27431, Knoxville, TN 37927-7431.

Clinch River Antiques Festival, downtown Clinton. Kickoff party, 6-9 p.m. Friday; street festival, 9 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday. Live entertainment, vendors and more. Info/events: 457-2559 or clinchriverfallfestival. com. Yard sale, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Washington Pike Baptist Church. 1700 Washington Pike. Proceeds go to the church.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY, OCT. 6-9

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

“The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,” Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Info: 2083677, knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com, zack@ childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

Art in the Valley: Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. Featuring regional artists displaying works, demonstrations, food and more. Info: ijams.org. “Bulbs: Now is the time! They’re not just for Spring Blooms,” 1:30-2:30 p.m., Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golfclub Road. Presented by Master Gardener Alice Greene. Info: 588-8813 or knoxlib.org. Cades Cove Heritage Tour, 1:30 p.m., Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend. Tickets: $15. Info/reservations: 448-8838. Christmas craft fair, 8 a.m.-noon, Seymour First Baptist Church parking lot, 11621 Chapman Highway. Numerous vendors for a special grand finale to the Seymour Farmers Market season. Info: Marjie Richardson, 453-0130. Fall plant sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., UT Arboretum, 901 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge. Proceeds to benefit the Arboretum. Info: 482-6656. Fall plant sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., UT Gardens, 2501 Joe Johnson Drive. Preview sale for UT employees, Gardens volunteers and Gardens members, 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Proceeds to benefit UT Gardens. Info: ag.tennessee.

FRIDAY, OCT. 7 First Fright-Day Movie Night, Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. Movie: “The Lost Boys.” Doors open 7 p.m.; movie begins at dusk. Tickets: $10. Info: ijams.org. Home-schoolers @ Cedar Bluff Library: Pastel Landscapes with the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1-2:30 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Info/registration: 470-7033. Jack Herranen and the Little Red Band, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $10 JCA members, students, seniors; $11 general advance; $13 general day of show; $7 children 12 and under. Info/tickets: jubileearts.org.

Isn’t it interesting that there were busy bodies even in the earliest churches? And isn’t it fascinating that the term “busy body” (which seems to imply a person who is working steadily) is applied to folks who were doing absolutely nothing except meddling and causing trouble? (I was quite surprised and more than a little amused to realize the King James Version of the Bible uses the exact same term, albeit as one word: busybodies!) I suppose human nature is pretty consistent, whether first century or 21st century: always able to see the mote in our neighbor’s eye and yet unable to notice the log in our own (see Luke 6:42). So, here is the Apostle Paul pretty much calling a spade a spade, and telling the Church at Thessalonica to get on the stick, every last one of them! That is another way in which the human condition remains unchanged. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that today’s churches also have busy bodies, those who carry tales, who whisper gossip, who stir up trouble, who do little to help and much to harm. So we pray, we tolerate, we forgive, we hope, we persevere. And if we follow our Lord’s example, we keep on keeping on, because we need each other, and this fallen, broken world needs us to love, to learn, to grow, to remember St. Paul’s admonition to “do what is right.”

Activities were rowdy and fun. In a track and field event, Katie propelled Zona’s wheelchair across a bumpy field at top speed to lift inflatable weights. In a water event, a relay team filled a sponge with ice water and then squeezed it onto Zona’s head. She lifted her arms and smiled. “One night they had a

dance party. I twirled Zona around over the dance floor,” her mom said. “They had a conga line. She had a blast. “We had a wonderful time. For five days we saw nothing but smiles. And we made some new friends that we will keep up with,” said Katie. She said they all hope to go again next year.

edu/utg. “Fandango!” 7:30 p.m., Pollard Auditorium, 210 Badger Ave., Oak Ridge. Presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association. Info/tickets: ORCMA.org or 483-5569. Introductory Internet Genealogy, 1-3 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Preregistration and a valid email address, as well as good Internet searching capabilities, are required. Info/registration: 215-8809. Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road. Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee. Info: feralfelinefriends.org. Parkridge Neighborhood Home Tour, 1-6 p.m., Ashley Nicole Park, 620 Winona St. Tickets: $10 advance; $12 day of. Children under 12, free. Advance tickets available at Last Days of Autumn Brewery, Three Rivers Market, parkridgecommunity.wordpress.com. Info: historicparkridge@gmail.com or 406-4364. Rummage sale, 8 a.m., Seymour First Baptist Church, 11621 Chapman Highway. Proceeds to benefit the church’s missions ministries. Info: 577-1954. Saturday Stories and Songs: Miss Lynn, 11 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Info: 470-7033. Sounds of Joy concert, 5 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 7171 Oak Ridge Highway. Featured artists: Mark Lowry, Stan Whitmire, Taranda Greene and the trio Cana’s Voice. General admission, $20; group discounts available: 423-218-1926. Info: 691-8886.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCT. 8-9 The Tennessee Pirate Fest, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 550 Fiske Road, Harriman. Tickets: $13, adults; $8, ages 5-12; free for ages 4 and under. Info: TNPirateFest.com or Facebook.

SUNDAY, OCT. 9 Open Streets Knoxville, 2-6 p.m., Sutherland Avenue, Mohican Street and Homberg Drive. Free event. Includes activities for all ages, live music and more. Info: openstreetsknoxville.com. Sing Out Knoxville meeting, 7-9 p.m., Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike. Folk singing circle open to everyone. Info: bobgrimac@gmail.com or -546-5643.

MONDAY, OCT. 10 All Over the Page: “Station Eleven,” 6:30 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 2158750. Stories and music with Georgi Schmitt, 2 p.m., Farragut Branch Library, 417 N. Campbell Station Road. Info: 777-1750.

kids

8 • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • Shopper news

South-Doyle: What’s in a name? By Kip Oswald

As I wrote about the history of L&N STEM Academy, I began to wonder about the history of some other school names. Keshawn’s friend Anthony goes to South-Doyle High School, so Kinzy and I researched the history of that name and South-Doyle’s main feeder schools. South-Doyle High School is a combination of several former high schools. Young High School was built in 1913 and named for Dr. J.F. Young. In 1976, Young High joined South High School, which was built in 1951 as one of four schools to split from old Knoxville High School. Then in 1991, South-Young, as it had been renamed, joined with Doyle High School, which was built in 1967 and named for the family of Mildred Doyle, superintendent of Knox County Schools, to create SouthDoyle High School. The official feeder middle school is South-Doyle Middle School, which gains students from several elementary schools, each of which has an interesting history of name origination: Bonny Kate, Dogwood, Gap Creek, Mooreland Heights, Mount Olive, New Hopewell and South Knoxville. For instance, Bonny Kate was the nickname of the wife of John Sevier, first governor of Tennessee. With the school board heading the process, Dog-

wood Elementary – which merged Anderson, Giffin and Flenniken schools in January 1995 – got its name by letting people submit names, narrowing down the selections and allowing those in the schools and community to vote. Gap Creek was the name of the post office in the Kimberlin Heights community of 1859 and the name stuck in the area. Mooreland Heights Elementary was named for a local, William Carrick Moore, an entrepreneur in the wroughtiron industry who had many things named after him. Mount Olive Elementar y School began in Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1837. In 1895, land was given to the school directors to build Mount Olive School, and the school opened afterwards. New Hopewell is listed simply as an unincorporated community in Knox County, and the school is named after the community, as is South Knoxville Elementary named after its location in the city of Knoxville. Next week I will continue the “What’s in a Name?” series. App of the week: Zoombinis: a classic logic puzzler that makes for cognitively powerful playtime for grades 3-8.

Jadarius Walker and Aydan Arp build a marble run using a Makerspace kit at Green Magnet Academy. Photos by Ruth White

Jennifer Patrocinio uses a Spirograph to create colorful works of art during her time in the Makerspace lab.

Makerspace learning: More than playing games By Ruth White At first glance, students using Makerspace kits at Green Magnet Academy make it look like fun and games. While it is fun, the kits also teach students to think differently, work together and problem solve in their own unique ways. Makerspaces have been described as community centers with tools that make design, engineering, fabrication and education accessible for all students. The kits allow for manufacturing of products designed by the students and encourage teamwork and critical thinking. Green Magnet librarian Tommie Branscum runs the Makerspace lab at the school. Before launching the program, she spoke with teachers to find out what’s going on in the classrooms so that she could integrate their lessons into the lab. Students learn coding to make robots work, create beads from paper, use straws and connectors to create objects and work with circuit boards.

Jarvis Henderson builds a prank handshake device while his teammate Malyshia Dokes creates an alarm with Little Bits kits. Branscum told of two instances when students took on the challenge of out-ofthe-box thinking. One student didn’t have a specific tool to create beads from paper, so he created his own. And two students used straws and connectors to make a couch and television set. “It’s fun to watch them solve problems without re-

ally doing any problem solving,” she said. Makerspace activities give students free license to fail – and to know that it’s okay when things don’t work out perfectly. Students often work with others who they may not know well, thereby strengthening skills in following directions and working together.

Once the activities are complete, the students are required to grade their teammates on the rules of collaborative conversation including speaking softly, being good listeners, discussing the project, staying seated and being respectful. Individuals then turn the tables and grade themselves through self-reflection.

October 22, 2016 Register Today! www.KomenKnoxville.org

Shopper news • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • 9

Village Mercantile is Tennessee’s Best A local business was one of three to win recognition from First Tennessee’s online competition, “Tennessee’s Best Small Business,” for small business owners across the Volunteer State. The Village Mercantile, 4503 Walker Blvd., in North Knoxville received second place and a $2,500 prize. It was presented Sept. 29 by Pam Fansler, First Tennessee’s East market president. The Cupcake Collection in Nashville received the grand prize of $10,000; BAAK Boutique in Sevierville received first prize of $5,000. “We are so delighted that a Knoxville business received second prize in this statewide contest,” said Fansler. “The Village Mercantile is very deserving of this honor and is a true community partner serving the Knoxville community.” Nominations were taken through Aug. 21 with voting Aug. 22 to Sept. 4. The Village Mercantile is decidedly more than just a grocery store, Fansler said. Monica Lauber, descendant of the Mast family, owners of the original Mast General Store, opened in the late 1800s in Valle Crucis, N.C., is owner and proprietor of The Village Mercantile. She values the smalltown feel and deep customer connections. Her store offers amenities that positively impact the people in her community. “Lauber listens to her neighbors, friends and community members, and makes a genuine effort to understand their needs.” The store stocks dry goods – a variety of non-perishable food and paper products that have been replaced at larger retail store chains for reasons that include

business the Rotary guy Tom King, tking535@gmail.com

Rothermel gets top volunteer award

Pam Fansler, East Tennessee president of First Tennessee, presents a $2,500 prize to Monica Lauber, owner of The Village Mercantile. Photo by Ruth White seasonality, limited edition items, redesigned or slightly broken packaging, and time placement on shelves. The non-perishables include a selection of organic, gluten-free and healthy fare, coffees, snack and convenience foods, beauty items, gifts, handmade soap and hand-poured soy candles, crafted by Monica herself. The store itself features hardwood floors and vintage-styled, wooden bookcase aisles. At the register, you will find a glass block money jar bearing the motto, “Feed a Friend.” Here Lauber has collected and forwarded more than $1,000 in customer gifts in the past year, providing groceries and positively affecting the lives of struggling community members, setting in motion a wave of human kindness, neighbor

to neighbor. The store offers a community room, located adjacent to the grocery aisles. This event space, displaying local artists’ paintings and photography, with a solid pine hand-carved table seating 10-15 people, allows for a variety of setups for meetings, book clubs, workshops, parties or retreats. Lauber says, “I envisioned a versatile, but beautiful space, a nominal fee of $15/hour, with no deposit required.” Recently, Lauber found statistics indicating more than 250 households in the store’s zip code are without transportation, many operating with budgets less than half the national poverty rate. While higher-income families enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables easily accessible at local farmers mar-

kets, lower-income families often do not have the means or transportation to access these markets. Lauber partnered with local farmers to provide a no-cost locale for farmers to convene every Saturday, bringing together the freshest locally grown foods, fully accessible to the community. When a farmer donated bushels of tomatoes, Monica offered them, free of charge, to the neighboring senior citizens who live independently but with supportive services. She posted on her Facebook Business Page, “A gift from a local producer and The Village Mercantile to you and yours.” Her loyal customers responded in kind by voting The Village Mercantile one of Tennessee’s best small businesses. It came full circle.

When being honored for volunteer service, there is but one major award that matters – the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service through the Corporation for National and Community Service. That award has been presented to Frank Rothermel, past president of the Rotary Club of Knoxville and Past District 6780 governor. This award honors an individual who has given more than 4,000 hours of service over his or her lifetime. Rothermel Frank has traveled the world volunteering for Rotary, so we wondered – 3,999 of those 4,000 hours are what he’s done for Rotary. What did he do with that extra hour? Well, Frank does a lot more for our community than just Rotary. And he still has to work for a living as president of Denark Construction. Outside of Rotary, he is vitally involved with Volunteer Knoxville, Leadership Knoxville, the United Way, MEDIC Blood Bank, Habitat for Humanity, the Homeless Coalition and the Urban League, to name but a few of his interests. There are many others. With his penchant for understatement, he says about this honor: “You know, I’m really not good at any one thing, but I’m OK on doing a lot of things. How many people, truly, have the opportunity to help their community as I have had? I’m the lucky one to be volunteering and helping out with some things. I was really shocked and surprised about this award.” Four years ago, Frank wanted to find an easy way for people to volunteer and help nonprofits in Knoxville. He and a few others came up with the idea of Volunteer Knoxville. Frank convinced nine of his “buddies” to join with him and pitch in $10,000 a year for three years, and they raised the $300,000 in seed money to get it rolling. Today, three years later, Volunteer Knoxville has 15,000 volunteers helping nonprofits. Alexandra Brownfield, Volunteer Knoxville’s executive director, says it would not have happened without Frank, and that led to the organization nominating him for this award. “It is absolutely amazing to see all that he does for our community,” she says. “He is a driving force.” There’s not one Rotarian anywhere who could or would disagree with that!

On the move again: Enjoying fall birding The birds are on the move again. And they aren’t the only creatures stirring. Those people in the funny hats, carrying binoculars – birders – are out and about, too. After two or three months of summer doldrums, big things are happening out there in the bird world.

Bobolinks

Dr. Bob Collier

Fall migration actually started back in the summer. Those earliest spring arrivals, the martins and the swallows, are also the first to head south in the fall. We saw a flock of thousands of purple martins gathering up in east Carolina for fall migration way back the first week of August. The second week of August, on the 12th, we found 200 tree swallows on the lines and swarming over our hayfield; three days later, none. The last of the nighthawks, chimney swifts and hummingbirds will be leaving any day now. But many other species will be passing through in large numbers, through October and even into November, and now’s the time to get out and see the fall show – birds passing through that we get to glimpse for only a few days each spring and fall. Fall birding is full of challenges to confront the eager birder. A couple of major problems: familiar birds in unusual plumages, and lots of unusual birds, just passing through, from farther north. Migrating fall warblers, for example,

are legendary in their difficulty. The Roger Tory Peterson field guides feature two whole pages titled “Confusing Fall Warblers.” So bright and colorful in the spring that they’re called “the butterflies of the bird world,” many of them molt this time of the year into drab, and sometimes quite different, plumages. And not just the warblers – scarlet tanagers go from flaming red and jet black to yellow and olive, goldfinches go from gold and black to drab shades of greenish yellow, and strikingly blue indigo buntings turn a motley gray or brown. In addition, they are now flocking with equal or greater numbers of this year’s hatchlings, full grown but still with mystifyingly different plumages from their parents. All this confusion, plus the possibilities of seeing unusual or even rare transient birds from else-

where, makes fall birding exciting and challenging and brings about the annual fall reappearance of all those birders. The Eagle Bend Fish Hatchery in Clinton, less than 20 minutes from my mailbox, is a small but great local birding spot. Located on a big horseshoe bend in the Clinch River, the big open ponds and grassy fields pull in migrating birds like a magnet. You can check it out in less than an hour. Over the years, I’ve seen nearly 100 species of birds there, many for the first time. This fall, I saw such long-distance migrants as bobolinks there on the 14th of September and a spiffy American golden-plover there on the 26th. That’s nice, you say; we don’t usually have them around here. But why drive 20 miles and spend an hour trying to see them? A big reason for all the

excitement in finding these birds is that most birders understand the significance of where these birds are coming from and where they are going. Those range maps in the field guides that show where each species spends the summer, and then the winter? Look closely at them – they contain a ton of information and will tell you the story! Twice-yearly journeys of incredible distances, amazing navigational skills and – especially – endurance. Take those bobolinks, for example. Sparrow-sized, seed-eating birds, the males are a striking black and white in spring but now are a drab streaked yellowbrown, blending in with the brown fall grasses where they feed. These little birds nest far to the north of us – Great Lakes, upper Midwest and on up into Canada. The ones at Eagle Bend

were taking a rest and food break, less than halfway on their journey of more thousands of miles to wintering grounds in southern South America. The golden-plovers? They nest in the high Arctic tundra of northernmost North America. The one I saw at Eagle Bend was fueling up on East Tennessee bugs in order to continue its trip to southeastern South America, where, across the equator, it will find itself in early spring instead of early fall. When I saw it, it was only halfway on an 8,000-mile trip, which it will do the other way (north) in the spring. Every year. I consider it a wonder of Nature, and there I was, looking into its black beady eyes. You can’t help but wish it good luck and safe travels. There are lots of good local places to see fall birds. We have Cove Lake State

Park in Campbell County and the Norris Songbird Trail and Eagle Bend in Anderson County. Knox County Parks such as Tommy Schumpert, Victor Ashe and Sharp’s Ridge Memorial offer good birding close by. And the newest and one of the best is the Seven Islands State Birding Park, also in Knox County – over 400 well-managed, wildlife-friendly acres along the French Broad River. It sports weedy fields, wooded hills and a pond as well as the river frontage. Nice trails make it all accessible for good birding. The park already boasts a bird list of nearly 200 species, and well-guided bird walks occur frequently. My most recent visit there was a week ago, on a bright, clear Wednesday morning. Ten of us were treated to a cool, cloudless day and lots of fall birds. My list for the three-hour, 3.5-mile walk that morning had 51 species of birds, including a bald eagle, various hawks, grosbeaks, tanagers, herons, ducks and, especially fun for me, seven different species of those confusing fall warblers. It’s even more fun when you have expert birders, like our two leaders, there to help a person sort them out. The spectacular view across the river valley on over to Chilhowee Mountain and Mount LeConte wasn’t bad, either. East Tennessee fall birding at some of its best. Fall birding may not be the rush that spring birding provides, but there are nevertheless a lot of interesting and challenging goings-on out there. And, a lot of great places nearby to enjoy the show. And it certainly beats the heck out of raking leaves.

10 • OCTOBER 5, 2016 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news