NORTH / EAST VOL. 3 NO. 22
BUZZ Langlois to head A-E Magnet Nathan Langlois, principal at Powell High School for two years, will move to Austin-East Magnet Academy as principal, replacing Benny Perry who retired. Langlois is African-AmerLanglois ican, meeting a criteria expressed at a community meeting. At Powell, Langlois was engaged with students and staff. He reached out to the community with a special evening showcasing school organizations and nontraditional classes. He was previously an assistant principal at Hardin Valley Academy and a fellow in the 2013 cohort of the Principal Leadership Academy. Langlois began his career in education in 1994 as a social studies teacher in Cobb County, Ga. He entered school administration in 2004 and served as an administrative assistant and assistant principal in Georgia. He joined the Knox County Schools in 2010. Langlois holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Jacksonville State University.
Site of historic church gets marker First AfricanAmerican Church On this site stood Warner Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the first African-American church in Knoxville, Tenn., and the site of the first school for AfricanAmericans in East Knoxville. Founded in 1845, it was reported to be a stop on the Underground Railroad to freedom. The site of the church moved a number of times. In 1987 the congregation moved to a church building at 3800 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
City Council member and former mayor Dan Brown stands just behind the newly unveiled marker commemorating the original site of Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church. Joining him are Alan Solomon; Darryl Starnes Sr. and Michael Frencher, bishops of the AME Zion Church; Renee Kesler, minister and head of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center; John Butler, presiding elder of the AME Zion Knoxville District; Becky Massey, state senator; Madeline Rogero, mayor of Knoxville; Charles Darden Jr., pastor of Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church; and Joe Armstrong, state representative. Photos by Bill Dockery
By Bill Dockery Bishops, church members, city officials and history buffs gathered last Tuesday on an East Knoxville hillside to unveil a marker locating the site of the first AfricanAmerican church in Knoxville. Warner Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was built in 1845 on a site now at 1021 Fuller St. in East Knoxville near McConnell Street.
Cold Springs codes sweep Neighborhood Codes inspectors will walk the streets and alleys in the Cold Springs community starting at 9 a.m. Friday, June 5. Cold Springs is bounded by Cherry Street to Milligan Street, and from Magnolia Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. When potential codes violations are spotted, inspectors will distribute information brochures to property owners. Within 10 days, inspectors will return and follow through on whether potential codes violations have been cleaned up. More traditional enforcement would come during the follow-up visits. No citations will be issued on June 5.
Budget hearing Knox County Commission has set a budget hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, June 8, at the City County Building. Residents are invited to attend and speak. Mayor Tim Burchett has submitted a balanced budget that does not require a tax increase yet offers a three percent pay increase to general government employees and deputies.
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It was the location of the first school for African-Americans in East Knoxville and was reportedly a stopover on the Underground Railroad that helped blacks flee slavery before the Civil War. The church, now known as Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church, is in Burlington on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Dan Brown, Knoxville’s first black mayor, who now serves on
City Council, welcomed the audience to the ceremonies. Brown was a part of the group that first proposed the monument in 2007, and he expressed gratitude that the Tennessee Historical Commission had authorized the placement of the marker. The Tennessee Civil War Heritage Partnership Project gave an early grant to the group for a project titled “Building Knoxville Anew: African-American
Churches and Reconstruction Legacies.” The site is slated to become part of a larger project known as the Freedom Garden, which will link the Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Haley Heritage Square to the Warner site. The Beck Center is working with area black churches, the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum and the East Tennessee Historical Society, as well as various departments at the University of Tennessee. Habitat for Humanity, which had purchased the property, deeded it and an adjacent lot to the AME Zion denomination. Darryl Starnes Sr., presiding bishop of the AME Zion’s Tennessee To page 3
McIntyre looks east for leadership By Sandra Clark This year’s administrative changes have come quicker than in previous years. (That’s assuming we won’t see a dozen more this Friday.) Allowing transferring principals a chance to say goodbye is both kind and wise.
Analysis
Thompson
Jim McIntyre has brought several people into Knox County Schools from the outside, putting them into positions of leadership with grand titles and good pay. But last week, this old writer
Hickman
detected a shift in strategy. McIntyre looked to the Carter community for two educators to lead his principals. Both are KCS veterans and both are “from around here.” Cheryl Hickman, an admin-
istrator at Carter High School since 1999, was named executive director of secondary education. In this post she will oversee all middle and high schools. Hickman joined the Knox County Schools in 1983 as an English teacher at Doyle High School after teaching for several years at Seymour High School in Sevier County. She was principal at Carter High School for 10 years before joining the central office as supervisor of secondary education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and an education specialist
degree in administration and supervision, all from the University of Tennessee. Julie Thompson was principal at Carter Elementary School for 10 years before joining the central office in 2012 as an elementary supervisor. She was previously announced as executive director of elementary education. She joined KCS in 1993 as a teacher at Corryton Elementary, and she continues to live in Corryton. Couple these promotions with the transfer of Clifford Davis To page 3
Outspoken teacher gets walking papers; supporters charge retaliation
By Betty Bean Delivering the news to nontenured teachers that they’re not coming back in the fall is one of the last tasks on a principal’s endof-year to-do list. June 15 is the deadline to inform teachers whose contracts will not be renewed. By the end of last week, 33 nontenured teachers had gotten the ax. Fifty-five such contracts were not renewed last year. This number doesn’t include outright firings, retirements, resignations or those who lose their jobs due to funding cuts, nor does it reflect administrative transfers. Nontenured teachers have no appeal rights. The nonrenewal of Christina Graham, a third-year, nontenured kindergarten teacher at Copper
Ridge Elementary School, has not only roiled the rural community where she teaches but is drawing statewide attention because Graham is an outspoken critic of overreliance on high-stakes testing, especially the SAT-10, an achievement test recommended, but not required, by the state for kindergartners through third grade, which Knox County has now discontinued. Allegations of retaliation do not come from Graham herself but from parents, colleagues and supporters who are upset by principal Kathy Castenir’s decision not to renew Graham’s contract and by her method of informing Graham – out of the blue, and on the last day teachers were required to report to school.
Christina Graham Graham’s supporters object to Castenir’s ordering Graham to clear out her room and turn in her keys by the end of the day. Graham’s colleagues pitched in
to help her pack up the contents of her classroom, much of which she’d bought last year with the proceeds from a summer job at Hobby Lobby. Teachers across Knox County and the state are using Graham’s picture on their Facebook pages to show solidarity, and they are angry because Graham’s evaluation scores were no lower than the “rock solid” three that indicates adequate performance on the state’s five-point scale. Copper Ridge lies in District 7, which is represented by Patti Bounds, who was a career kindergarten teacher before winning election to the school board. She To page 3
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2 • JUNE 3, 2015 • Shopper news
health & lifestyles
‘I’m not hurting’
Lumbar surgery brings relief to anxious Etowah man Just one look at a tiny drop of blood was all it took. After that, it was lights out for Dennis Morgan of Etowah. Seeing his 4-year-old son lying on a gurney after a tonsillectomy with a blood droplet beneath his nose, the 6-foot-5 behemoth of a father fainted straight away, falling across the gurney and pinning his 5-foot-2 wife against the wall. That was more than two decades ago, but Morgan still can get woozy at the sight of blood. So when Dr. Barrett Brown, a neurosurgeon with the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional, told him that his spinal stenosis had reached the point where surgery was an option, Morgan readily admits, “I was scared. Real scared.” “You hear so many war stories – bad stories – of spine surgery,” said Morgan, recalling his wife’s own bad experience and tales from friends, relatives and colleagues at the Johns Manville manufacturing plant in Etowah where he works as a machine chief. “I was trying everything in the world to avoid surgery. Now I wish I had gone to Dr. Brown earlier.” “Everything in the world” included topical ointments and creams, over-the-counter pain relievers, heating pads, ice packs, prescription muscle relaxants, chiropractic treatment, TENS unit, steroid injections and physical therapy.
Dennis and Susan Morgan of Etowah are extremely grateful for the care Dennis received at the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional. Dennis said he recommends neurosurgeon Dr. Barrett Brown to anyone that asks.
“I don’t really know what I did to it,” Morgan says. “It just started hurting me and bothering me when I would get up in the morning. I couldn’t walk, and the pain went down the back of both legs. It was just a sharp pain at all times. I’ve never had pain in my life like that before. The pain was so bad I was in tears at times.” Eventually, that pain led him to a Knoxville orthopedic surgeon
who ordered an MRI and concluded that Morgan’s spinal stenosis was ripe for surgery. Morgan, however, was not. Instead, his mind flashed back to his childhood when an uncle’s failed surgery left him sleeping on a plywood board. “Just watching him go through that pain was a scary thing,” Morgan said. Then, there was his wife, Susan, who had an extensive recovery period with
her surgery for a herniated disc years ago. Upon the recommendation of two friends at work, Morgan turned to Tennessee Brain & Spine at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville. There, Dr. Barrett Brown reviewed the MRI images and concurred with the orthopedic surgeon’s appraisal. Surgery was an option. Convinced, Morgan underwent surgery the next week at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. There, Dr. Brown made a three-inch incision into his lower back, retracted the muscle and then proceeded to remove bony overgrowth and worn facet joints and widen nerve openings from the L3-L5 spinal canal to relieve pressure on the nerves. During the surgery, two herniated discs were also discovered and removed. “His was a fairly standard case – spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication,” said Dr. Brown, noting that the greatest challenge actually comes because Morgan was such a large-framed man. “We did a two-level lumbar laminectomy on him, and I think he’s had good results from it.” Morgan attests to that. “The first step that I took, the pain was gone out of my legs!” said Morgan. “I told my wife, ‘It’s amazing!’ The leg pain was gone and hasn’t been back since.” “When they took him in to sur-
Spinal surgery often last chance to beat pain don’t know what the other patient’s surgery or condition was,” said Dr. Brown. “You can do a technically perfect case but do it on the wrong indication and you are not going to have good results.” A key, said Dr. Brown, is correctly identifying the cause of the problem early on. Surgical treatment for spinal stenosis is considered only after nonsurgical remedies have not provided significant improvement in symptoms and when the benefits of surgery are deemed greater than the potential risks. In some cases, surgery may be an urgent matter due to the development of severe weakness or loss of bowel and bladder function. “We’ve been doing this kind of surgery for a while now, and it’s something we’re comfortable doing,” said Dr. Brown. “I think we have excellent surgical results because we’re selective.” Spinal stenosis, like that which Morgan suffered, is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and pinches the nerves, resulting in pain and difficulty walking, as well as numbness, tingling, weakness or a heavy, tired feeling in the legs. “It’s more in the middle age to older population because generally it’s degenerative in nature,” said
Back and Leg Pain Neck and Arm Pain
Dr. Brown. “Although it does occur in younger patients occasionally, it generally comes with age and wear and tear on the body.” Because almost everyone develops some degenerative changes with age, it’s not really preventable. “Part of it is genetic – it runs in some families,” said Dr. Brown. “People who do more manual labor, more physical activity over the years, tend to be more prone just like arthritis. There’s not a medication you can take. There’s not a diet or lifestyle change that would guarantee you wouldn’t have or couldn’t develop stenosis.” Because Dennis Morgan had a traditional “open” surgery, he now has a 3-inch scar on his lower back. When possible, however, more and more patients are relying on Fort Sanders’ Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery where advances in surgery can significantly limit the incision area, reduce blood loss and speed recovery. For more information about the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional, visit fsregional.com/minimallyinvasive or call 865-541-2835.
NEW RELIEF Fort Sanders Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Back pain, leg pain, neck pain, arm pain… the root of the problem is often a pinched spinal nerve. The good news is that now Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center’s physicians use state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques to perform spine surgery. Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgeries offer patients many advantages, including a smaller incision, less postoperative pain, faster recovery and improved outcome. Non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and medication should always be tried first. If those don’t help, surgery may be the best option.
Fort Sanders Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Not every one is a candidate for minimally invasive approach to spine surgery. To learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery, please call 541-2835 or visit fsregional.com/ minimallyinvasive.
Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery www.fsregional.com/minimallyinvasive 8300-1208
Spine surgery. Those two words once sent shivers down Dennis Morgan. Not anymore, though. Today, Morgan and his wife, Susan, say the surgery he had for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center has given him his life back. “The pain had been really hard on him because he’s the type of person who is constantly doing something,” said Susan Morgan. “We do old houses – this is our fourth – everything from tearing down walls, but he got to where he couldn’t do absolutely anything. I’m glad he had it done because it’s just like a miracle for him not to hurt.” “It was such a relief to get it done,” said Dennis Morgan. “I can do what I want now. I’m still careful, but I’ve not had any pain since the surgery.” Neurosurgeon Dr. Barrett Brown of the Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional has heard such things before. “I see a lot of patients who say they know someone who had a bad back and had surgery or multiple surgeries and they have a bad taste in their mouth about spine surgery although they
gery, he could hardly lay on the gurney,” recalled Susan Morgan. “But when they got him up that afternoon, he looked at me with this look of total surprise on his face, and he said, ‘I don’t hurt! I’m not hurting!’ ” After two nights in the hospital, Morgan was discharged. Initially, he used a walker but quickly graduated to a hiking stick and, later, a cane. Within a week, he was walking without any assistance. After a month doing nothing but walking, he underwent physical therapy and is now back to doing whatever he wants. “It’s a daunting thing to think about surgery on the spine,” said Susan Morgan. “But I think we did the right thing by going to Fort Sanders Regional.” “I KNOW we did,” added Dennis Morgan, who said this was his first time as a patient at Fort Sanders Regional. “The nurses were as good as they could be. Even the food was good. The place was easy to find, the girls in his office are really helpful filling out all the medical paperwork that I have to do, and Dr. Brown is a super nice, down-to-earth guy. He takes time to talk to you and answer your questions. As far as recommending the doctor and the hospital, I’ve recommended him to three people already. I even got some of his business cards and put them on the bulletin board at work just in case.”
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NORTH/EAST Shopper news • JUNE 3, 2015 • 3
Pioneering black educator honored at Crutcher banquet A teacher whose life took her from the hollows of Hancock County to a distinguished career in Knox County Schools was honored at Crutcher Memorial Youth Enrichment Center’s year-end banquet.
Historic church Conference, reminded the crowd that the denomination has been known as the Freedom Church because black abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth were members. Mayor Madeline Rogero praised the role of churches as anchors of freedom and justice in the history of the United States. “My own folks came to Florida in the
Bill Dockery
Dessa Parkey Blair, 92, was feted at the center’s 21st anniversary celebration and student awards banquet. Blair, whose first teaching job was in the one-teacher Hancock County school she attended as a child, worked for 33 years in Knox schools, including Smithwood Elementary, Cansler, Park Lowery and Vine Middle. She is a graduate of Morristown Junior College and Knoxville College. Chris Jackson, senior minister at Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, presided over the festivities at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Dandridge Avenue. The banquet also recognized the school-year accomplishments of 14
From page 1 1770s as indentured servants,” Rogero said. John Butler, presiding elder of the AME Zion’s Knoxville District, called the gathering to order. Other speakers included Renee Kesler, minister and head of the Beck Center, legislators Joe Armstrong and Becky Duncan Massey, and associate AME Zion bishop Michael Frencher.
Outspoken teacher Mae Blanche Moore introduces William C. Love.
Crutcher youth. The center, preparing to start its 22nd year in fall 2015, honors the late W.T. C r ut c he r, longtime pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church and Montgomery an activist for education and community growth. Youth who attend the center are offered activities and programs that augment and enrich the
McIntyre looks east to be chief-of-staff, and you see a pattern. McIntyre is hoping to bring peace to the ranks by providing familiar leaders. And peace could come if he eases up on micromanaging and lets the teachers teach, the principals prince, and the supervisors super. “It appears that old-timers, what few are left, accept and generally respect Davis, Hickman and Thompson,” wrote my education consultant – the ultimate oldtimer. “Davis, in addition to being a minority, has a pretty good fan club among teachers in the Bearden and Cedar Bluff area, and not everyone at Karns hated him.
community
From page 1
(Davis had a brief stint as principal at Karns High School.) He also has lots of admirers among the old elementary folks from his days as a traveling math teacher.” We’ve seen too many solid principals move to the central office only to be caught in a vise – loyalty to their former colleagues and their own beliefs or allegiance to McIntyre’s vision of churn, test, evaluate and standardize. It’s as if weighing the hogs daily will make them fatter faster. So the torch is passed to Clifford Davis, Cheryl Hickman and Julie Thompson. They know what to do. Can they do it?
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THROUGH SATURDAY, JUNE 20 Online registration open for Race to benefit the Corryton Community Food Pantry, to be held Saturday, June 20. Event is part of “The Run and See Tennessee Grand Prix Series.” To register: https:// runnerreg.us/corryton8mile. Info: corryton8miler@ yahoo.com; ron.fuller@totalracesolutions.com; or Joyce Harrell, 705-7684.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Computer Workshop: Introducing the Computer, 2 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info/to register: 525-5431. International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Sponsored by the Oak Ridge Folk Dancers. First visit free. No partner or dance experience required. Adults and children accompanied by an adult welcome. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; www. oakridgefolkdancers.org; on Facebook. Magician Michael Messing, 11 a.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4 Bee Friends beekeeping group meeting, 6:30 p.m., auditorium, Walters State Community College Tazewell campus. Topic: “How to extract and bottle honey.” Open to the public. Coffee and dessert will be served. Info: 617-9013. “Beyond Basil … a better herb garden,” 3:154:30 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 4438 Western Ave. Presented by Master Gardeners Tina Vaught and Marcia Griswold. Info: 329-8892.
Dessa Blair smiles as Richard Robinson performs a solo at the Crutcher Memorial Youth public school curriculum. awards banquet where she Four students and former was honored for her contristudents received Crutcherbutions to the program. The related scholarships: Dar92-year-old former teacher risha Triplett received the believes that “if you want to Deathridge Family Endowlive a happy live, give to othment Scholarship for posters.” Photos by R. White secondary education. Destiny Montgomery received the Vincent Walker William C. Love received Scholarship that helps high an award from Felecia school students with senior Harris Hoehne for former expenses and college appli- Crutcher students who are cation fees. within a year of finishing a Jalen Blaylock received college degree. the Harris scholarship for The banquet also raised high school students who funds for materials and acvolunteer at Crutcher, and tivities of the center.
COMMUNITY NOTES ■ Colonial Village Neighborhood Association. Info: Terry Caruthers, 579-5702, t_caruthers@hotmail.com. ■ Knoxville Tri-County Lions Club meets 7 p.m. each second and fourth Monday, Connie’s Kitchen, 10231 Chapman Highway, Seymour. Info: www.facebook. com/TriCountyLions/info. ■ Lake Forest Neighborhood Association. Info: Molly Gilbert, 209-1820 or mollygilbert@yahoo.com. ■ Old Sevier Community Group meets 7 p.m. each third Thursday, South Knoxville Elementary School library, 801 Sevier Ave. Info: Gary E. Deitsch, 573-7355 or garyedeitsch@ bellsouth.net.
■ South of the River Democrats (9th District) meet 6:30 p.m. each third Monday, South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike. Info: Jim Sessions, jim.sessions@ comcast.net or 573-0655. ■ South Haven Neighborhood Association meets 10 a.m. each third Saturday, Hillcrest UMC, 1615 Price Ave. Info: Pat Harmon, 591-3958. ■ South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association. Info: Shelley Conklin, 686-6789. ■ Vestal Community Organization meets 6 p.m. each second Monday, South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Maryville Pike. Info: Katherine Johnson, 566-1198.
Knoxville Zoomobile, 3 p.m., Norwood Branch Library, 1110 Merchants Drive. Info: 688-2454. “Let’s Go Back to the Hop” sock hop, 7-10 p.m., Sarah Simpson Professional Development and Technical Center, 801 Tipton Ave. Featuring Four Dots and a Dash doo-wop group. Tickets: $40. Includes admission, photo package, sock-hop food and a $10 credit toward silent auction. Proceeds benefit Knox County Museum of Education. Info: http:/knoxschools.org/museum. Pajama-rama Storytime, 6:30 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Amazingly Awesome Science with Dr. Al Hazari, 4 p.m., Mascot Branch Library, 1927 Library Road. Info: 933-2620.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 5-6 Church yard sale, 8 a.m., Mount Harmony Baptist Church, 819 Raccoon Valley Road NE in Heiskell. Proceeds go to the church.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 AAA Driver Improvement Course, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., AAA Maryville office, 715 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway. Eight-hour course helps reduce points for traffic offenders and teaches how to reduce risk while driving. $40 members/$50 nonmembers. Must preregister. Info/ to register: Kate, 862-9254, or Stephanie, 862-9252. Church rummage sale, 8 a.m., Fountain Valley Church, 705 Satterfield Road, Maynardville. Friends Mini Used Book Sale: Burlington, 1-4 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431. Motorcycle ride to benefit Faith UMC Youth for Resurrection trip, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Faith UMC, 1120 Dry Gap Pike. Other activities include: motorcycle games, corn hole tournament, basket auction, kids activities, BBQ lunch, vendor spaces and music. Info: Vicki Easterday, 216-1963. Saturday Stories and Songs: Robin Milhollan, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681. Saturday Stories and Songs: Sean McCollough, 11 a.m. Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.
spends one day a week in the schools she represents, and she is familiar with Graham’s work. “Christina is a very good teacher,” Bounds said. “My phone has rung off the wall about this. I’ve gotten emails, phone calls, texts and had conversations with parents and … parents (of former students) who are very concerned.” Also, Bounds said her constituents are upset about the reassignment of Natasha Patchen, a first-grade teacher Castiner selected to replace Graham. “There are teachers – I don’t know how many – who should be nonrenewed, but it would appear to me that the reason Christina has resonated so loudly is the perception that it’s retaliatory.” Bounds said she wonders about Superintendent James McIntyre’s insistence that he leaves such personnel decisions to principals. “The principals have no autonomy to run their schools but have the ultimate authority to let teachers go. I’m perplexed. Everything else is so micromanaged.” Bounds said McIntyre told her that requiring Graham to clean out her room in one day was the way this situation should be handled. McIntyre said this to the Shopper-News: “Unfortunately, school principals sometimes have to make hard decisions regarding personnel and teaching assignments based
From page 1
on the changing needs of students and the school. I believe those difficult determinations are best made by the principal at the school level. “I will be discussing these particular personnel decisions with the principal … to ensure that I fully understand the circumstances and rationale. Asking a teacher to clean out their classroom by the end of the day certainly seems like a very tight timeline, but I am not aware of Knox County Schools protocols not being followed.” McIntyre denied that Graham was targeted for retaliation. “I have also assured the parents and stakeholders who have inquired that we do not make personnel decisions based on teachers speaking their mind at public meetings,” he said. Bounds said she has grave doubts about many of the nonrenewals and cited a study called “The Irreplaceables: Understanding the Real Crisis in America’s Urban Schools,” as reported in “Maximizing Performance: Creating a Culture of Educational Excellence,” a book District 5 school board member Karen Carson presented to her colleagues: “In an average school, when a high performing teacher leaves the school has a one in six chance of replacing that teacher with a high performer. In a low performing school, the chances drop to one in 11.”
MONDAY, JUNE 8 Coffee, Donuts & a Movie: “The Judge,” 10:45 a.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431. Family Movie Night: “Paddington,” 5:30 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431. Knoxville Zoomobile, 11 a.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210. Shakespeare for Kids, 11 a.m., Carter Branch Library, 9036 Asheville Highway. Presented by the Tennessee Stage Company; featuring “Macbeth” and “Taming of the Shrew.” For elementary-age kids and older. Info: 933-5438.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 A “Pig” Event with Chef Jeffrey DeAlejandro, 6:308:30 p.m., Avanti Savoia, 7610 Maynardville Pike. Cost: $60. Info/to register: 922-9916 or www.avantisavoia.com. Happy Travelers trip: Country Tonite Theatre, 3 p.m. matinee with lunch at Applewood Farm House Restaurant. Cost: $35 inclusive. Info/to register: Derrell Frye, 938-8884.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 Computer Workshop: Word Basics, 2 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Requires “Introducing the Computer” or equivalent skills. Info/to register: 525-5431. International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Sponsored by the Oak Ridge Folk Dancers. First visit free. No partner or dance experience required. Adults and children accompanied by an adult welcome. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; www.oakridgefolkdancers. org; on Facebook. Knoxville Zoomobile, 11 a.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11 Arts & Crafts with Anna Hughes, 4 p.m., Mascot Branch Library, 1927 Library Road. Info: 933-2620. Computer Workshop: Introducing the Computer, 10:30 a.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info/to register: 922-2552.
4 • JUNE 3, 2015 • Shopper news
Coach Serrano is trapped This is a cruel story. Dave Serrano, Tennessee baseball coach, is trapped, damned if he does or doesn’t. If he works the phones from dawn to midnight, chases around the country until his budget is drained, recruits like a madman and signs the best high school players, he loses. On draft day, major league baseball picks his pocket. If he leans back in his office chair, props his feet on the desk, watches the SEC Network and takes what he can get, he loses. Texas A&M, Florida and maybe Alabama and LSU will have better players because of geography. There is no logical
Marvin West
explanation for Vanderbilt success. Strange how this Serrano plight has developed. Dave was once a very successful coach back home in California, in the Big West Conference. He led Cal-Irvine and Cal State Fullerton to the College World Series. That’s how he got the Tennessee job, a dream come true with a $450,000 salary plus a share of camp profits and
adidas sales. Before that, Serrano was a very effective UT assistant coach, 1995-96, when Rod Delmonico was in charge. The Volunteers, big winners, made their first trip to Omaha in 44 years. Dave returned to his roots but his heart stayed here. He said Big Orange Country was where he always wanted to be. He applied for the head job in 2007 but athletic director Mike Hamilton, better known for firing a football legend and hiring unusual replacements, chose Todd Raleigh as baseball coach. He failed and went away with a 108-113 record. Serrano applied again
New hope for old homes
Last Tuesday was a dark day for historic preservation in Knoxville, but at least it had a silver lining. The Christenberry House at 3222 Kingston Pike was torn down by new owners John and Paula Chesworth, who say it would’ve been too expensive to restore the home after a decade of neglect. The loss of the 1914 Craftsman leaves a gap in a row of historic homes that includes Crescent Bend, the H.L. Dulin House and Bleak House. The timing of the destruction was likely chosen to precede City Council’s approval, on second reading, of an ordinance that requires a 60-day waiting period for a demolition permit for historic structures. The waiting period will give the city and preservation group Knox Heritage the chance to work with owners to find ways to save historic buildings.
Wendy Smith
Knox Heritage Executive Director Kim Trent recalls that much of the 500 block of Gay Street was scheduled to be demolished for a new movie theater until Mayor Bill Haslam put a 45-day delay on demolition in 2005. During the delay, a design solution was found that saved the historic buildings. “That block would not look like it does today if we had not been given 45 days,” Trent says. The goal is for property owners to make money while historic buildings are saved. But solutions can’t be found if there’s no time to
talk, she says. Fortunately, there will now be more time to talk about the Paul Howard House at 2921 N. Broadway. The 1910 Craftsman was home to two city council members, a Knox County trustee and a Knoxville city manager. It has twice been recognized by Knox Heritage for the quality care provided by previous owners Mr. and Mrs. Paul Howard. A big-box developer has offered the highest price on the home. North Knoxville neighbors have created an online fund drive to raise money to purchase it. While Trent was heartbroken to see the Christenberry House destroyed, she was delighted by the public outpouring of outrage on Knox Heritage’s website. There’s been a cultural shift in the way the community regards historic properties, she says. “People are just sick of
in 2011 and Hamilton liked him better. Mike was in the process of hiring Dave when Mike found it expedient to accept a golden parachute and fly to safety. Interim AD Joan Cronan completed negotiations. That was a few minutes before Dave Hart got the keys to the kingdom. Year 4 was supposed to be a very good baseball season. It wasn’t. The end, enhanced by three late victories, was 24-26. Serrano said it was a slap-down experience, humbling, that he realizes he must make philosophical adjustments. He has always had faith in pitching and defense. He’ll try to do something about
his offense, last in the SEC in hits and runs. Key assistant Greg Bergeron has resigned. Serrano can make adjustments but there isn’t time to start over. He has one year to go on his contract. The coach won’t know what he has to work with until after the upcoming draft and the period of meditation when players weigh money offers against the joys of college and value of a degree. Top high school talent uses scholarships to leverage more zeros. The Vols are almost certain to lose some signees. College juniors say now or next year. Tennessee shortstop A.J. Simcox, outfielder Christin Stewart and pitcher-first baseman Andrew Lee are likely to have that choice.
Serrano’s Volunteers have been a major disappointment. The four-year record is 101-110. It is 39-78 against SEC competition. Peak performance has been squeezing into the bottom of the league tournament. A return to Omaha and the national event? Can’t see it from here. It would take a Hubble. This is a sad development. I remember how pleased, yes, excited, Dave was when introduced as the new coach of the Volunteers. He talked about what a special place this is. He said something I have always believed: “There’s no reason in the world that we can’t be successful in all sports.” Make a wish. Maybe it can still happen in baseball.
the destruction.” The new ordinance was created to catch properties that aren’t protected by a historic or neighborhood conservation overlay, says Kaye Graybeal, historic preservation planner for Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission. Properties that are associated with a significant person or event, or represent a particular
type of architecture, or provide historical information, fall into this category. The Howard House fits nicely into this category. The Christenberry House used to. The amended city code won’t keep owners from knocking down their historic buildings. But it forces them to take some time to consider whether they want to embrace the community’s
current passion for preserving our heritage or go against the flow. “It was a sad day for Knoxville,” says Second District City Council member Duane Grieve of the day the Christenberry House came down. It was there in the morning and gone by the time he drove home. Thankfully, the day had a silver lining that might save other historic properties.
Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.
Preorders underway for rain barrels, compost bins Knox County has joined the Water Quality Forum, the city of Knoxville and the town of Farragut to sponsor a rain barrel and compost bin sale. Preorders will be taken through Sunday, June 14. Pick up is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Walgreens, 7523 Kingston Pike at the corner of Morrell Road and Kingston Pike. A limited number of extras will be available the day of the sale.
“This program is an important step in offering an inexpensive option to help our residents save money and understand the significance of water conservation,” said Amy Mann with the Water Quality Forum. “We are committed to protecting our water quality and managing the damaging effects of stormwater runoff. The use of compost bins and rain barrels will provide residents the tools they need to conserve soil
and water resources at home.” The rain barrels and compost bins offered through this program are made of 100 percent recycled plastic and manufactured in the United States. Rain barrels capture rainwater from roof tops by connecting to the gutter downspout. Water collected by the rain barrels can be used for gardens, lawns, and washing cars or pets. Info: rainbarrelprogram.org or 865-215-5283.
“I love my new foster family!”
Katarina needs a home! Katarina
Foster-Parenting/ Foster-to-Adopt Class, June 16
Most children dream of dollhouses, big trucks, roller coasters and birthday parties. But some dream of shelter, safety, family, and
love
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is a beautiful, long haired calico female cat about 10-months-old. She is super friendly and affectionate. She loves everyone as soon as she meets them. She is playful and active. She gets along with other cats as long as they are not “in-your-face” type cats. She loves to play with toys and is never bored. She likes to be held and to snuggle.
Adopt a new friend! Thumper
is a cute Japanese bob tail mix, white tabby female cat about 2-years-old. She only has a stub of a tail. She wags her tail in circles to express herself. She loves everyone as soon as she meets them. She is playful and entertaining but not wildly so. She loves to play with toys and is never bored. She likes to be held and to snuggle.
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If interested in these cuties, please contact:
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Peaceful Kingdom 579-5164 Space donated by
government
Shopper news • JUNE 3, 2015 • 5
Whiteside sentence leaves victim’s family
‘a certain kind of peace’
Five years and eight months after Troy Whiteside shot the unarmed Stacey Sudderth 13 times in an East Knoxville parking lot and claimed self-defense, he was clapped into handcuffs and led off to jail to await transport to state prison.
Betty Bean If there are any positives he can take from a stay in Knox County’s Roger G. Wilson Detention Center, it may be his opportunity to spend quality time with an old friend and former boss, ex-trustee Mike Lowe, who is doing seven months for offenses that include paying “phantom” employees, several under the same job title as Whiteside, who worked as an outside auditor/delinquent tax collector from 2000 to 2004 before strik-
ing it rich in Oak Ridge as a contractor with the federal government. If GOP VIPs keep getting busted, Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones may have to build an executive suite and provide a subscription to the Wall Street Journal. But there’s no humor in this matter for the families involved, nor for citizens who watched elected judges and an attorney general beg off the case, citing conflict of interest. They feel that the justice delivered was too little and too late. Last Thursday morning, more than a dozen of Sudderth’s relatives gathered outside the attorney general’s office in the City County Building. The sentencing, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., was put back until noon, a minor setback in a saga that included at least a dozen postponements and street talk that Whiteside would never see a day behind bars. Downstairs, Whiteside waited outside the court-
room with his wife, Jacqueline, and their two sons. Finally, a victim-witness coordinator came to take the Sudderth family to be briefed about what was about to happen. He asked if they were ready to go to court. “Been ready,” Sudderth’s nephew said, drawing grim, knowing laughs. After a while, everybody filed into the courtroom to wait for Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood, who has become the go-to guy for Knox County cases deemed too hot for our local judiciary to handle. There was no mystery in what was to happen – Whiteside, indicted for first-degree murder, would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter (15 years) and reckless endangerment (six years). The sentences will run consecutively, and he must serve seven years and five months before becoming eligible for release. Jacqueline Whiteside dis-
solved into tears when her husband entered his plea and was led off to be booked. Members of Sudderth’s family cried, too. They said they felt for her but think the sentence negotiated between Third District Attorney General Dan Armstrong and defense lawyer Greg Isaacs is too lenient. Armstrong, elected in 2014, inherited the case from his predecessor, who drew the short straw in 2009. Many political watchers cynically predicted Whiteside would ultimately never serve time, despite having shot Sudderth to tatters, mostly in the back. Lynn Porter, the mother of Sudderth’s daughter Amber, said she’s working on forgiveness but will be keeping an eye on the parole board (something she already knows too much about, as the victim of a violent home invasion and rape in 1998). “I’ve reached a certain kind of peace,” she said.
Republicans shine at fundraiser Republicans rule. You knew it when you read eight featured speakers on the program at the Union County Lincoln Reagan Day Dinner. Thank goodness for the roast beef and mashed potatoes from Anderson Farms Catering from Corryton. On a night of much bull, Anderson’s was the best. It’s hard to hear eight honorable speakers without rating them. So here is one Republican’s take on Keaton (stellar singer Keaton Roach) and the Eight White Guys. Best wit: Tim Burchett. Slinging “d a d g u m mits” dare we say liberally, Burchett drew heavy applause by calling for an elected Burchett schools superintendent and a voucher for veterans to choose their doctor (rather than travel to VA hospitals for treatment). He railed against a Congress that “campaigns against welfare but goes to Washington and votes for corporate welfare.” There will never be enough money for government. “Dadgummit, don’t give the government any more money. People say, ‘Tim, don’t you want us to pay our taxes?’ And I say, ‘yes.’ The Bible says to render unto Caesar, but I say don’t give Caesar a penny extra. Just what he needs.”
Sandra Clark
Burchett said the Republicans need to find a presidential nominee like Ronald Reagan: “He won because he stood for something.” Tough on crime: Jared Effler. The newly elected attorney general told the partisan crowd that he’s kept two campaign promises. He’s ended plea-bargaining for makers of methamphetamines and he’s opened a full-time office with a professional staff in each of the district’s five counties. “I’m personally involved in trying every murder case.” Killer bills: Sen. Frank Niceley discussed his bill to legalize killing wild animals “in self-defense.” A few years back, Niceley sponsored a bill to legalize horsemeat factories. Now he’s sponsoring a “lifetime gun carry bill,” which basically means what it says. No more pesky renewals. And he touts the Legislature’s “killing common core,” a national standard of education objectives. “We made them teach cursive writing and a year of Tennessee history,” he said. “None of that fits in common core.” Dilemma dude: That’s got to be U.S. Rep. Chuck
Fleischmann, now starting his third term. He has a problem shared by all whose district includes a federal facility. He rails against big government, while announcing funds for ORNL and the Chickamauga Lock near Chattanooga. Brevity: Ryan Haynes, the former Knox County legislator who had won election as state GOP chair just days earlier. “We’re Haynes got to start electing people like us,” he said. “The average guy can’t get ahead in crony capitalism. … It starts with stopping Hillary Clinton (big applause). We must pray for our country, work hard in the next election and make sure you continue to vote.”
Party boy: State Rep. Dennis Powers toes the party line. In less than five minutes he endorsed the Defense of Marriage law and the return of coal mining. He said legislators are “making UT and all branches of higher education have an event on Veterans Day.” Powers is vice chair of the GOP Caucus. “Of 99 members, 73 are Republicans.” Homeboy: Andrew Merritt, field rep for Fleischmann, introduced his boss. Merritt is a Union County native and youthful face of the county’s GOP. Banana pudding: It was a good time for dessert when state Rep. Jerry Sexton rose to speak. He won a primary in which massive out-of-state money punished longtime Rep. Dennis “Coach” Roach, who had voted against using tax money for vouchers to private schools.
GOSSIP AND LIES ■ Jeb Bush is the probable Republican nominee for president. He’s got the name, the money and the nationwide connections. And he’s smarter than George W. ■ Maybe Poppa Bush can dust off Dick Cheney to help. ■ With Hillary Clinton the likely Democratic nominee, get set for a Clinton-Bush rematch. ■ Early prediction: A different outcome for the second Clinton-Bush joust.
■ Bill Dunn reflected the extreme fatigue of legislators recently when he said, “I’m what’s left of Bill Dunn.” ■ Year-round campaigns have arrived. Residents of Dunn’s and Rep. Eddie Smith’s districts received giant post cards from an outfit called Tennesseans for Student Success. ■ Frank Cagle was right. These special interests don’t spend gobs of money because they like kids. Beware!
Catching up with the Rukeysers Two weeks ago having dinner with Joan and our daughter, Martha, at Ichiban Asian Cuisine restaurant on Northshore Drive, I saw longtime friends Bill and Elizabeth Rukeyser dining three tables away (their granddaughter is a server at Ichiban). Elizabeth Rukeyser was commissioner of mental health under Gov. Don Sundquist. The Rukeysers live on Rudder Lane in West Knox County. Going over to their table, I learned that Elizabeth, 71, was in Nepal almost in the center of the earthquake on April 25 after having completed a nine-day trek with her daughter Lisa Burn in the Annapurna region. And what a story she had to tell. She was perhaps the only Knoxvillian to be in Pokhara when the earthquake occurred. She was having lunch with her guide and family at their home when the earthquake hit and everything started shaking. They immediately ran out of the house, which suffered major cracks in the walls but did not collapse. She returned to the Baraki Hotel where she had been staying. The aftershocks continued to hit the hotel, and while guests could return to their rooms, during the middle of the night they exited to sleep in tents on the lawn of the hotel due to aftershocks. In fact, the water in the swimming pool continued to roll back and forth long after the above-ground shocks had ended. Rukeyser is an avid trekker having done 13 treks over many years in Nepal. Her immediate issues were to e-mail her husband to let him know she was safe and then to get to Kathmandu to catch her scheduled flight out on Dragon Air to Hong Kong on April 30. She was able to e-mail Bill successfully during the 15 minutes that Internet connections continued in Pokhara before being cut off. It was uncertain if the road from Pokhara to Kathmandu was open, as flights had been canceled and a bus had run off the road, killing several passengers. Her guide found her a driver, and on April 29 they set out to Kathmandu for a seven-hour drive to the Shangri-La Hotel, which was open but operating without a kitchen and serving meals of rice and beans when they arrived safely.
Victor Ashe
The next challenge was to determine if Dragon Air was operating. Fortunately, the airline had continued its flights and her flight on April 30 left with her confirmed seat honored. She arrived the next morning in Hong Kong where she stayed a few days before flying to New York where she met her husband. Rukeyser is planning to return to Nepal in November for her 14th trek. She is an intrepid and fearless traveler who is easily admired. ■ Bob Coker, director of E-911, may not be long for 911 employment as Mayor Madeline Rogero expressed her “surprise” over personnel issues. That is code for either “I am less than pleased” or “I don’t know what is going on here.” Rogero can influence four votes on the board: herself, her police and fire chiefs and Brad Anders, who is a city police officer and County Commission chair. He has already voiced criticism of Coker. Rogero is determined to attend 911 meetings faithfully now and speak whenever she can. If Coker departs, Rogero can play a role in picking the new director as she did with MPC. Will the process be public or closed as MPC was? ■ The departure of Mark Cate as chief of staff to Gov. Haslam is not a total surprise as the job is an exhausting one and Cate’s relations with the Legislature have been rocky of late. Haslam can now retool and start afresh with legislative relations. ■ Council member Marshall Stair is having a kickoff reception for his re-election campaign 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the home of his brother, Caesar Stair IV, and Megan Stair at 131 E. Scott St. Public invited. ■ Margie Nichols says UT will soon replace the missing Peyton Manning Pass street signs at Phillip Fulmer Drive and Volunteer Boulevard. Nichols says the new signs will have tamperproof bolts to make their removal more difficult. Peyton Manning Pass is now a UT street.
Welcome Home to Blue Harbor
Formerly Wellsprings of Powell and Wellsprings of Raintree, Blue Harbor is proud to re-introduce these two beautiful senior communities. Blue Harbor offers assisted living and memory care. Please stop by for a visit, or call for further information regarding our senior services. We’d love to welcome you home to Blue Harbor.
Memory Care 865-229-6044 7545 Thunder Lane Powell, TN 37849
Assisted Living/ Memory Care 865-229-6157 555 Rain Forest Road Knoxville, TN 37923
www.blueharborseniorliving.com
kids
6 • JUNE 3, 2015 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news
Carter High students Brandon Turpin, Sierra Large, Savannah Dupler, Christen Downs, Julia Hundley and Emily Vandergriff check out the new cameras given to the art department by the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Photo by R. White
Ready, set, snap! Ted Hatfield of Regal Entertainment Group and Destiny Woods enjoy Petro’s as Eddys Garcia-Arias and Sandra Clark chat about newspaper club. Photos by R. White
That’s a wrap! By Ruth White Students in the newspaper club at Sarah Moore Greene put a wrap on the school year with a supper featuring Petro’s, a cake and time to talk about the students’ favorite part of the year. Alfa Bahati joined the club after her brother, Safari, went home talking about it one afternoon. She enjoyed visiting with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett the most and learned that if you pay attention in life you can have a good career (remembering how Burchett decided to run for office). Safari said that he enjoyed all of the guests and appreciated how they gave their time to share with the students each week. Eddys Garcia-Arias liked former UT football player Derrick Furlow the best. Eddys was one of the newspaper club’s best reporters, asking questions that made even Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero stop and think. Taylor Styles enjoyed the
By Ruth White The Carter High School art department received six new Nikon Coolpix cameras, bags and memory cards, thanks to a grant from the AIGA and AAF. Teacher Lauren Adams applied for the grant in
clowns, especially Twinkle. Destiny Woods liked when Jodi Littleton shared her experience of rollerblading. Destiny feels that she has ■ Christ UMC, 7535 Maynardlearned to form better senville Highway, “Blast to the tences through her experiPast,” 6-8:30 p.m. MondayFriday, June 15-19. Light ence with the club. supper at 6. For age 4 through Other favorite guests fifth grade. Info/to register: were the Lego team, a cook922-1412. ie baker and attorney Scott ■ Church of God of the Union Frith with his mock trial.
hopes of building her class set of cameras for students. “There was a great need for good cameras for class use and honestly, some students couldn’t afford to purchase one of their own. This gives every student the oppor-
tunity to work with good equipment,” she said. Monies came from an event held at Paulk & Co. downtown where art work by professional artists and students were auctioned. The event gave students
an opportunity to get their work in the public eye and bring awareness to the importance of art in schools. Presenting the cameras to Adams and her students were Jody Collins, Melanie Drouhard and Cathy Wahl.
NORTH VBS NOTES
Assembly, 336 Tazewell Pike in Luttrell, “Bible Blast to the Past,” 6:30-9 p.m. SundayFriday, June 7-12. For ages 3 through teens. Supper served each night. Info/registration: Linda Merritt, 992-0682. ■ City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave., “Journey Off the Map: Unknown to Us. Known to Him,” 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Friday, June 7-12. For children, youth and adults. Info: www.cityview-knox. org/2015/05/24/vbs-4/ or 522-2364.
Taylor Styles shares her thoughts on her experience in the newspaper club.
■ Grace Baptist Church, 7171 Oak Ridge Highway, “Hunger Quest,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, June 15-17. For preschool through fifth grade. Preregistration
required at gracebc.org. Info: 691-8886. ■ Little Flat Creek Baptist Church, 9132 E. Emory Road in Corryton, “Everest,” 6:30-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 8-12. Register during “Fun Day,” noon-4 p.m. Saturday, June 6. Commencement 11 a.m. Sunday, June 14. Classes for all ages. Info: 688-7950. ■ New Fellowship Baptist Church, 4624 Nora Road, “Hometown Nazareth,” 6-8 p.m. Sunday-Friday, June 1419. Skits, dinner crafts, games every night. Family carnival on Friday. Info: 688-1073. ■ Pleasant Gap Baptist Church, 4311 Pleasant Gap Drive, “Growing with God,” 7-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 22-26. ■ Salem Baptist Church, 8201 Hill Road, “Journey Off the Map,” 9 a.m.-noon MondayFriday, June 8-12. For age 4 through fifth grade. Info/to register: 922-3490 or www. salembaptisthalls.org.
Encore to present ‘The Lion King Jr.’ The Encore Young Stars will be presenting the stage version of “The Lion King Jr.” beginning Friday, June 5, at the Walters State Community College campus in Morristown. Pictured are cast members Curtis Hawkins and Elijah Davis rehearsing for their roles as giraffes. Performances are 8 p.m. June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20. Matinee performances are 2 p.m. June 7, 13, 14, 20, 21. Tickets are $15 adults, $8 students and youth and are available at www.etcplays.org or by calling 423-318-8331. Photo submitted
business State ranks high in exports By Bonny C. Millard One out of every five jobs in Tennessee is linked to trade, ranking the state 16th in the nation, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn said. Blackburn, who represents the 7th Congressional District, spoke to the Rotary Club of Knoxville while she was in town visiting TVA and other locations. Blackburn is the vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “We have a very hefty trade economy,” she said, including the top exports of medical equipment, motor vehicle parts and automobiles. Tennessee has other important exports such as entertainment and intellectual properties through companies such as Scripps Network Interactive and Jewelry TV, both headquartered here, and agricultural products. Almost 829, 500 jobs statewide and 11.1 percent of the state’s GNP come from trade, she said. Blackburn addressed the Trade Promotion Authority and said the House is working to “slow track” trade agreements, which would require congressional approval, rather than allowing the president to authorize them in what is commonly referred to as “fast tracking.” “It would force the issue of trade agreements back to Congress. … If something is not in the proper balance,
then we have the right to say no. It does not give the president the ability to move forward unilaterally as he is approaching trade. We think this is a significant Blackburn step.” Blackburn said another issue that is important for Americans is security in a broad sense, including national, economic and retirement. “People feel like a rug has been jerked out from under them, and we’ve seen this since 2008. People are right to say what are we going to do about it.” One of the best ways to do this is to get national debt under control through a balanced budget amendment and zero-based budgeting, she said.
Murphy heads KCDC board Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has new officers following its annual board meeting. Dan Murphy, a UT professor of accounting specializing in federal taxation, will serve as chair. Appointed by Mayor Madeline Rogero in 2013, he previously served two terms on the
New boat Mark Walker, Capt. Matt Jenkins and Chief Russ Frazier, M.D., cut the ribbon on a new stateof-the-art water ambulance. “We’d like to thank the Lange Foundation for funding this craft and Concord Marina manager Jeff Bisch, who generously donated a slip close to parking and the fuel pumps to make our job easier. This is historically the busiest waterrescue season we’ve had so far, and we’ll be on duty 24/7.”
Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Water Rescue Squad Capt. Matt Jenkins appears to be getting good-natured ribbing from Mark Walker to the delight of fellow team members during the christening of a new 24-foot rescue boat at Concord Marina on Saturday, May 23. Pictured from left are Mark Walker, Capt. Matt Jenkins, Shelby Lowe; back, Eric Romines, Michael Norman, Dustin Dolen, Tom Sayres, Jimmy Rhodes, Chief Russ Frazier, M.D., and Josh Rhodes.
Knox County school board Resident commissioner retary. including Phyllis Pata stint as rick, adchair. ministrative Jac que assistant at line Arthur, Evergreen general Presby temanager of rian Minthe commuistries Inc., nity-owned will serve as food cot r e a s u r e r. Patrick Murphy Arthur operative Art Cate, Three Rivers Market, was KCDC executive director redevelopment named vice chair. and CEO, was elected sec- assistance.
KC D C ’s board oversees programs provided by the agency, including a f for d able public housing administration, and rental
Other board members are: John Winemiller, partner at the law firm Merchant & Gould; David Hutchins, architect and president of Hutchins Associates P.C.; Lisa Wagoner, supervisor of health services for Knox County Schools; and Dr. John Turner, retired senior vice president of education, training and diversity at the Tennessee Valley Authority.
weekender
Shopper news • JUNE 3, 2015 • 7
Side by side
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
By Carol Shane
Richard Jolley. Tommie Rush. Peter Rose. These artists are widely known local luminaries in visual art and pottery, and lately they’ve been very busy gearing up for a show. But this time their work will be shown alongside that of some extraordinary young artists. Kids who’ve been apprenticing with these masters for months. It’s all part of the Community School of the Arts’ annual Side-By-Side exhibition and auction, in partnership with Bennett Galleries. CSA’s executive director, Jennifer Willard, is herself a visual artist specializing in mixed media. Every year at this time she and her staff are hanging and labeling the art and taking care of a thousand-and-one details in preparation for Friday night’s auction, which is the school’s biggest fundraiser. “We are so grateful to the visual artists in our community who have mentored CSA students and made long-term commitments to our program,” she says. “They are not only amazingly talented artists but also gifted teachers who have shown again and again that they can make a difference in the lives of their students.” This year there’s more excitement than usual. The Community School of the Arts’ Side-By-Side Visual Arts Apprentice Program has been chosen for recognition as a 2015 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Finalist by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and its partner agencies – the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. “We reviewed 335 nominations from 50 states and the District of Columbia,” wrote the four group leaders to Willard. “Your program’s selection as one of 50 finalists distinguishes it as one of the top arts- and humanities-
■ An evening of jazz with the Marble City 5 and George Gershwin’s jazz-opera, “Blue Monday,” 8 p.m., the Square Room, 4 Market Square. Presented by the Marble City Opera. ■ 11th annual Bob Dylan’s Birthday Bash, 5:30 p.m., Market Square, 60 Market Square. Presented by WDVX. Featuring: Maggie Longmire, Will Horton & Friends, Four Leaf Peat, Dixieghost, the Will Boyd Group, Exit 65 and Hector Qirko, with Dana Paul and Steve Horton.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 5-7 ■ Fanboy Expo Knoxville Comic Con, Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley St. Hours: noon-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Siblings Isaiah and Kaitlyn Mobley work with renowned glass artist Richard Jolley and his assistant Tyler Olsen as part of the Community School of the Arts’ Side-By-Side apprentice program. Photos by Jenn Sudaria
based programs in the country.” A national jury is reviewing SideBy-Side’s application for one of the awards, and the result will be announced this month. “If we win, I’m going to the White House myself!” Willard declares, laughing. CSA’s Side-By-Side Visual Arts Apprentice Program is in its 16th year. Students who qualify – they must be in grades 5-12 and have a minimum of two years of classroom instruction in visual arts at the school – are paired with professional artists in their studios for a period of four to six months each year. The kids have the opportunity to witness, participate in and experience firsthand every aspect of the creative process under professional tutelage. In many cases, these pairings result in long-term working partnerships over the course of several years. Much forethought goes into these pairings. Among the considerations are: degree of difficulty of each medium; age, experience and interests
of the student; and personality, family situation, special educational and/or behavioral needs of the student. Apprenticeships culminate each year in a full-scale art exhibition, where student and professional works are displayed – yes, side by side – at Bennett Galleries and Company, 5308 Kingston Pike. On the show’s final night, the works are auctioned off and the proceeds go to benefit the school. In addition to the artists already mentioned, works by Bill Capshaw, Tina Curry, Don Dudenbostel, Susana Esrequis, Marcia Goldenstein, Ashton Ludden, Chris McAdoo, Robin Surber, Cynthia Tollefsrud and their apprentices will be available for viewing and purchasing. Bennett Galleries and the Community School of the Arts present Sideby-Side, June 1-5, with reception and silent auction this Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. For more info, call Bennett Galleries at 584-6791 or visit http:// www.csaknox.org. Send story suggestions to news@shoppernewsnow. com.
Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly and Emmanuelle Chriqui make the leap from HBO to the big screen in “Entourage.”
■ “Les Misérables,” Carousel Theater, 1714 Andy Holt Ave. Presented by the Tennessee Valley Players. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Info/tickets: 201-5913, www.tennesseevalleyplayers.org. ■ “Steel Magnolias,” Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 319 N. Gay St. Performances: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Info/tickets: 544-1999, info@theatreknoxville.com, www.theatreknoxville.com. ■ “The Hobbit” presented by the Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances: 7 p.m. Friday; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Info/ tickets: 208-3677, knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com, info@ childrenstheatreknoxville.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 ■ Art on Main, Maynardville’s annual arts event, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Maynardville. Events include: live music, crafters and artists vendors, kids’ area and special guest “Nancy” cartoonist Guy Gilchrist. ■ America Loves Bacon Festival, 1-7 p.m., World’s Fair Park, 1060 World’s Fair Park Drive. Event rescheduled from March; activities remain the same; all tickets will be honored. Info: http://americalovesbacon.com. ■ Gay Men’s Chorus, 8 p.m., Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. Info/ tickets: www.knoxbijou.com ■ Vintage Baseball, noon, Historic Ramsey House, 2614 Thorn Grove Pike. Doubleheader featuring Nashville Maroons vs. Holstons and Chattanooga Lightfoots vs. Emmett Machinists. Free admission. Info: 546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org/ calendar-2/.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 6-7 ■ “Xterra Knoxville,” Ijams Nature Center Mead’s Quarry, 2915 Island Home Ave. Hosted by Dirty Bird Events. Trail race, 9 a.m. Saturday; Triathlon, 8 a.m. Sunday. Proceeds go to Ijams Nature Center to help keep the trails beautiful, waterways clean and nature untouched. Info/to register: http:// dirtybirdevents.com.
Summer is here. ‘Entourage’ hits the big screen deskbound CIA analyst who volunteers to go undercover to take down a diabolical arms dealer (Rose Byrne). Jude Law, Jason Statham, Morena Baccarin, Will Yun Lee, Bobby Cannavale and Allison Janney also star in the action-comedy written and directed by Paul Feig (“The Heat,” “Bridesmaids”). It’s rated R for language throughout, violence, and some sexual content including brief graphic nudity. Also opening Friday is “Insidious: Chapter 3.” In this prequel, a renowned psychic refuses a teenager’s plea to help her contact her dead mother because of events from the psychic’s own childhood. After a demon violently attacks the teen, the psychic agrees to assist. Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott and Lin Shaye star for director Leigh Whannell (“Saw,” “Insidious”). The horror film is rated PG-13.
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By Betsy Pickle “Entourage” fans, your wait is over. The big-screen version of the popular HBO series hits theaters today. Movie star Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his boys – Eric (Kevin Connolly), Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) – get up to new adventures along with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). Picking up shortly after the series story ended, “Entourage” raises the stakes for all the leads. Vince wants to take the next step and direct. Ari wants to support his former client and greenlight his movie. Eric is facing impending fatherhood. Drama thinks he has found his big break. Turtle has made a successful business move. Billy Bob Thornton plays a Texas oil baron financing Vince’s movie, and Haley Joel Osment plays his funloving son. UFC fighter Ronda Rousey plays herself. Perrey Reeves, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Debi Mazar, Rex Lee and Constance Zimmer are back from the series, and there are tons of celebrity cameos. Directed by series creator Doug Ellin, “Entourage” is rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content, nudity and some drug use. Melissa McCarthy puts a comic spin on the secretagent biz in “Spy,” opening Friday. McCarthy plays a
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