Proud to provide coverage for many of Tennessee's farms.
20 Closets by McKenry
Bringing up baby with custom storage design.
25 Farragut Museum
Gallery spaces have reopened for tours inside Farragut Town Hall.
WOULD MORE ACCESS, time, and connection improve overall health? MBody Healthcare is here to put the “care” back in healthcare by offering membership-based Direct Primary Care. This model allows MBody to give their patients the time and attention needed to become the healthiest, best possible versions of themselves.
WEHAD ANOTHER family milestone this past weekend. The two youngest kids on both sides of our families (nieces) graduated from high school and will be heading off to college in the fall. This was one of those eyeopening “time really flies” moments. As family gathered to celebrate the accomplishment, we couldn’t help but notice that the generational life cycle goes on - whether we’re ready for it or not!
Brett and I have been talking a lot about the fundamental changes that occur when decisive life moments alter overall family dynamics - all those “things will never be the same” transitions that happen to everyone. The most noticeable ones like new jobs that take siblings to different states, children getting married, babies being born, loved ones who breathe their last breath, leaving a palpable “hole,” as well as the more subtle slow shifts that occur as time passes - kids grow up, parents age, life speeds up.
This is not meant to be morose, but the passing time can be very sobering! It has been almost five years since
we took over the publishing of Everything Knoxville although it often feels like it was yesterday. We met Mike and Melissa of MBody Healthcare, our feature this month, when their clinic was first starting out, and now they have passed the three year mark - amazing!
Some of my favorite quotes on time passing:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every purpose under the heavens.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and sung by The Byrds
“This is not a dress rehearsal.” - Cher
“Life’s like an hourglass glued to the table.”
- Breathe (2 AM) sung by Anna Nalick
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
- Bil Keane, comic strip creator
Enjoy the moments, accept the transitions, and just keep going.
Susan Cafferty Publisher + Editor
TN 37933
865.640.3015
Reach us Online info@everythingknoxville.com EverythingKnoxville.com
Hours of Business Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Everything Knoxville is distributed from Downtown Knoxville to hundreds of neighborhoods in Farragut, Hardin Valley, Tellico Village and beyond.
Cover photo by Morgan Hayley Harper
Photo by Morgan Hayley Harper
As summer approaches many of us are looking to spend more time outside. What better way to turn your outdoor space into your own personal hideaway?
In addition to our cordless or motorized outdoor roller shades that offer you privacy & sun protection, we are excited to announce we are now offering outdoor draperies, Bahama shutters & reupholstery of your outdoor cushions to create the perfect hideaway.
The Blinds & More team has made it their top priority to work with only the best in the industry to give you the quality you and your home deserve. So, give us a call today to get your outdoor project started.
ACCESS. TIME. CONNECTION.
The Most Important Elements in Concierge Primary Healthcare
DURING THE PAST decade, our healthcare system has become more like a giant corporation than the family doctor who made home visits. We are all experiencing less face-to-face time with our primary care physicians. MBody Healthcare owners, Mike and Melissa Major, are here to put the “care” back in healthcare by offering membership-based Direct Primary Care.
Everything Knoxville sat down in their new, expanded office to discuss how they differ from insurancebased medical providers and how this could benefit you.
EK: Let’s start with the basics. What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Mike: Direct Primary Care is a medical model where the patient pays a flat monthly fee directly to their doctor in exchange for unlimited access to care without extra co-pays or hidden fees. The insurance “middle-man” is removed and access between patient and provider is restored to the way it used to be. Decision making is back in the hands of the doctor and the patient, and the healthcare system frustrations many are suffering with today are greatly reduced.
DPC is a personalized approach tailored to the patient’s individual healthcare needs. The attention and time provided allow us to get to know our patients and help them become the healthiest, best possible versions of themselves. We do not wait for diseases to develop and then treat them; we focus on prevention and early detection to mitigate the chronic disease burden. Think of it as concierge level care at an affordable price.
navigating patients’ insurance in the most cost-saving manner possible for anything outside our services. This may include diagnostics, pharmaceutical options, and non-covered labs.
Mike: Insurance should act as a safety net, not be a possible hindrance within the doctor-patient relationship. DPC is a subscription-based healthcare model that operates outside commercial medical insurance that is, unfortunately, incentivized to reject claims. We are not incentivized by anything other than getting you healthy and keeping you that way!
EK: Can you explain how the DPC model works in terms of
Membership includes unlimited visits, direct provider access, and all primary care needs, including basic labs and wellness care. Beyond this, we also provide in-office procedures and urgent care. We do our best to assist in
EK: You have now been in business for more than three years, and your 100 5-star Google reviews speak loudly for your patient satisfaction. What have you found patients value most about your clinic?
Melissa: Of all the benefits we offer, I would have to say it’s our texting service that stands out. Upon signing up, every patient is given a subscription to Spruce, a HIPAA secure app used for communicating. The app is a fan favorite due to its convenience and is commonly used for med refills, appointment requests, medical questions, and even random curiosities. With all the misinformation out there (talking to you, internet!), we find access to reliable medical information is truly priceless and an antidote for anxiety.
Mike: By the time they find us, many patients have lost faith in the healthcare system. They have been referred to multiple specialists and are on medications with names they cannot pronounce, much less report why they are taking them. They have been at the mercy of the healthcare system, attempting to navigate their insurance coverage and getting more pills added with every visit, yet never actually getting better. The most common request I receive is a plea to “please help reduce my medicines.” The sad fact is, patients are rarely “de-prescribed” medications in the traditional system, resulting in an epidemic called polypharmacy. The main reason? It takes time and close follow up to alter medication regimens, two privileges not typically afforded by insurance reimbursement. This keeps doctors stuck refilling meds indefinitely, with very few exceptions. At MBody, we can carefully and safely discontinue any medications found to no longer be providing a benefit, as well as invest the time to educate patients. This is a cornerstone of our practice.
“I was impressed after the first visit. I’m a fairly healthy person but had a few things that needed to be addressed. I felt completely at ease with Melissa, and we came up with a plan in just one visit. Other providers should take note; this is the way healthcare should be! Thanks MBody, I’m glad I found you.”
- Christiana
“I approached MBody very skeptically, as it sounded too good to be true. As good people trying to do good for the community, they are very transparent from the beginning about pricing and available services. They even helped me find area pharmacies to get the best price on my prescriptions. So far I’ve utilized their rapid appointment scheduling, telehealth, and labs. I'm continually in a state of disbelief because prior experience with primary care practices were nothing like this.”
- Zachary
EK: So how is MBody Healthcare different from a “traditional” primary care model?
Mike: The most striking difference between us and traditional primary care is the access and time our patients receive. We offer same/next-day and virtual visits with extended visit times to ensure you never feel rushed. For after-hours and weekends, we provide direct calls and texting access. A simple text encounter can save hundreds of dollars on unnecessary ER/urgent care visits.
CONCIERGE CARE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
Often, we can remotely treat the majority of needs the ER can or, if needed, in our clinic. We understand that life is busy, so we strive to make the healthcare experience easy and convenient - keeping in mind early access to treatment leads to quicker resolution of symptoms, and less down time.
Melissa: Longer appointment times (up to 90 min) allow us to treat many things traditional PCPs must refer out. This is not due to lack of knowledge, rather it is a lack of time. Specialists typically have steep co-pays and lengthy waiting times that delay treatment. Additionally, every referral splinters your care and increases the risk for service duplication and pharmaceutical mismanagement. Having a healthcare home able to meet 90% of our patients’ needs eliminates many of the frustrations and costs currently wreaking havoc in our healthcare system.
EK: Is there more information you would like our readers to know?
Melissa: Our goal is to encourage everyone to choose “wellness.” We welcome the opportunity to become your primary healthcare option. Dr. Mike and I have a heart for those struggling with insurance-based healthcare and believe you deserve more. More access, more time, more attention provided with a personalized approach built on the foundation of connection.
Mike: Whether you have been struggling with medication issues, undiagnosed ailments, a chronic illness, or would simply like to keep yourself as healthy as possible, MBody is willing and able to give you the time and attention you need. We offer free, no obligation consultations, and memberships are month to month with no commitments. There is no good reason for you to continue not getting the treatment you deserve. Reach out today and give MBody Healthcare the opportunity to restore your faith in healthcare.
“Both Dr. Mike Major and Melissa are accessible to their patients and are accommodating to patient schedules. They’re more interested in finding root causes of illness than offering band-aids for symptoms. Their office is warm and inviting. I could not be more pleased with my experience with them.”
- Frannie
MBody Healthcare 1378 Papermill Pointe Way | Knoxville, TN 37909
865.399.6026 office | 865.685.9351 text
MBodyHealthcare.com
Chismoso Cocktails and Comida Locally Sourced Modern Mexican Cuisine
THERE’S A NEW KID on the (Gay) Street - and I’ve already done the delicious homework for you twice. Meet Chismoso (Spanish for “gossip”), where the food is as bold as the name. Dishing up creative twists on Mexican classics with a menu that changes weekly, it’s impossible to get bored. They keep it fresh (literally) by sourcing ingredients from local farms and businesses, and listing the featured farms right on the menu. How cool is that? Add in stellar service, and you’ve got yourself a must-visit. So seriously… what are you waiting for?
Let’s talk bites! So far, I’ve only dipped into the cold blue crab dip - and yep, it was tasty! As for small plates, the birria bone marrow is getting rave reviews. (It’s next on my hit list.) The real stars, though, are the tacoswhich change weekly, keeping things fresh and fun. I’ve tried the brisket and chicken tinga versions so far, and the flavor game is strong. Oh, and those tortillas? Made in-house, and you can absolutely taste the difference. Total game-changer.
The menu at Chismoso is a rotating
BY KELLY JO GROSSER LARSEN
adventure with apps, small plates, entrées, and desserts - but there’s one superstar that never leaves the stage: the legendary Chisme Smash Burger. Trust me, if you glance around the room, you’ll spot one on almost every table. It’s that iconic. We’re
talking Chisme sauce, fresh greens, grilled onions and jalapeños, an epic cheese skirt (seriously, it deserves its own spotlight), all hugged by a dreamy Potchke bun. Come hungry - this burger does not mess around. Not in a burger mood? The Mexican chicken is another standout - gluten-free and packed with flavor. Those are my top picks, but if you’re feeling a little fancy, keep
an eye out for dishes like pan-seared duck, carne asada, and pescado al pastor. Let’s taco ‘bout tequila! Chismoso serves up a dangerously delicious lineup of tequilas. (You’ve been warned!) Their margaritas are next-level, but the cucumber marg? Absolute chef’s kiss - so crisp and refreshing, it deserves its own fan club. Not a tequila lover? No worries! They’ve got other crafty cocktails and draft beer served in the cutest little boot mugs. The bar area is buzzing with good vibes, and the cozy restaurant space is full of charm. Keep an eye out for the vintage telephones lining the walls - and don’t miss the old-school pay phone in the back! When the weather’s nice, the back patio is the perfect spot to sip and chill. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended. Tell them Kelly’s Belly sent you! Cheers!
BRIGHTEST WEEK: Illuminating Lives with Random Acts of Flowers
AS THE SUMMER solstice approaches, Random Acts of Flowers (RAF) gears up for one of its most heartwarming initiatives: Brightest Week. This special week, held in June, is dedicated to bringing joy and light to those facing memory care challenges, particularly individuals affected by Sundown Syndrome.
Sundown Syndrome, also known as sundowning, is a phenomenon where individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s experience increased confusion, anxiety, and agitation during the late afternoon and evening. The lon ger days and extended sunlight during the summer solstice can help mitigate these symptoms, providing a sense of calm and stability.
During Brightest Week, RAF volunteers and community supporters come together to deliver more than 700 beautiful floral bouquets to healthcare recipients residing in memory care units. These vibrant arrangements are more than just flowers; they are symbols of hope, love, and connection. Each bouquet is thoughtfully crafted to brighten the day of its recipient, offering a moment of joy and a reminder that they are cared for and remembered. RAF is committed to enhancing the lives of those facing memory
care issues, and this is evident in our meticulous planning of Brightest Week, trying to partner with as many memory care facilities as possible. This initiative fosters a sense of community and support, highlighting the importance of compassion and kindness in our daily lives. Their effort of our more than 200 dedicated volunteers not only bring smiles to the faces of those in memory care but also raises awareness about the challenges associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
As Knoxville celebrates the longest day of the year, Brightest Week serves as a poignant reminder of the power of light and love. Through the simple act of giving flowers, RAF continues to make a profound difference in the lives of many, proving that even the smallest gestures can have the brightest impact. Join RAF in their mission to spread joy and support those facing memory care challenges. Together, we can make every day a little brighter. For more information on how you can support Random Acts of Flowers and their mission, please visit their website at RandomActsofFlowers.org or follow them on social media.
-Dogs And kids- Friendly Interior Design
At Shae Design Studio, we know that home is where life happenswith kids, pets, family, and friends. That’s why we thoughtfully curate every finish and detail to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also built to last.
We specialize in pet-friendly and high-performance fabrics, offering custom designs that blend style with durability. Whether it’s a cozy family room or an elegant dining area, our expert SDS Designers partner with top-tier vendors to deliver interiors that stand up to everyday life - without compromising on beauty.
From scratch-resistant materials to fabrics engineered to withstand wear and tear, we bring you versatile, practical solutions that elevate your home while embracing the joy of real living.
LUXURY RENOVATIONS DELIVERED
MEET WILLOW RIVER Design and Build’s owner, Licensed General Contractor Greg Seeber. Greg has been building and renovating homes for more than 15 years. He and his wife, Shae Seeber, owner of Shae Design Studio, have worked together on hundreds of projects ranging from custom builds and kitchen renovations to interior re-designs and whole home renovations. They have also built several custom homes of their own for their family (and pets!) over the years, so Greg is very familiar with all that goes into residential construction and renovation.
“Having a job that you are good at and also enjoy doing is one of life’s greatest blessings.”
With the growth of Shae Design Studio, renovation clients’ needs, and his hands-on experience, Greg originally started Willow River Design and Build to provide Shae’s design clients with a consistent, integrated experience and to simplify the process from interior design to a completed space. This turnkey business model has benefited numerous clients by allowing the design vision to progress naturally from concept into execution while keeping all involved on the “same page.”
Greg has a background in the IT field, having worked for IBM Global Services, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Scripps Networks Interactive, and Discovery Communications - to name a few. He found that being highly analytical and efficient allowed him to not only be successful in these past roles but has also been a benefit in creating and setting up systems to keep renovation and building projects on schedule and in budget. Implementing and using this technology to track orders, expenses, and billing and to schedule subcontractors has allowed Willow River Design and Build to provide visibility of project status for their clients. This “real time” knowledge of precisely where each job stands makes WRDB distinct in their local industry.
Having worked with Shae Design Studio on numerous renovations, Greg has amassed a team of well-qualified, customer-focused, talented tradespeople who take excellent care of their clients while getting their individual jobs done. Several of these relationships go back 10 years or more, so he is confident that WRDB has the best “team” it can have. He understands that the work is only as good as the workers.
As a licensed and insured General Contractor, Willow River Design and Build works in conjunction with the Shae Design team to provide a complete design-build experience for clients. Greg’s ultimate goal is to complete each project successfully through clear expectations and high communication. If your next renovation project could benefit from reliable, seamless coordination from design to construction, Willow River Design and Build is ready to deliver your luxury renovation. Contact Greg to set up a consultation.
Willow River Design and Build 9700 Kingston Pike, Ste. 11 Knoxville, TN 37922
865.214.7030
LuxuryKnoxHomes.com
AWhich Projects Are Worth the Price?
BY NANCY KEITH, REALTOR ®
S A REAL ESTATE professional, I often advise homeowners on strategic upgrades that can enhance both their enjoyment of their home and its market value. The National Association of Realtors ® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) have provided valuable insights in their 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, highlighting projects that offer the highest returns on investment (ROI) and homeowner satisfaction.
Top Interior Upgrades for Maximum ROI
Cost-effective interior improvements that yield significant returns:
• Steel Front Door Replacement: Offers a 100% cost recovery, making it a top choice for boosting curb appeal and security.
• Closet Renovation: Provides an 83% return, enhancing storage functionality – a key selling point for buyers.
• Fiberglass Front Door Replacement: Yields an 80% ROI, combining durability with aesthetic appeal.
• Window Replacements: Vinyl windows offer a 74% return, while wood windows provide a 71% ROI, improving energy efficiency and home appearance.
• Basement and Attic Conversions: Transforming these spaces into living areas can recover 71% and 67% of costs, respectively, adding valuable square footage.
Enhancements That Boost Homeowner Satisfaction
Beyond financial returns, certain projects significantly increase homeowner enjoyment:
• Primary Bedroom Suite Addition: Achieved a perfect “Joy Score” of 10, reflecting high satisfaction levels.
• Kitchen Upgrades: Also scored a “Joy Score” of 10, indicating that
• New Roofing: Received a “Joy Score” of 10, offering peace of mind and improved home protection.
Realtor® Recommendations for Pre-Sale Improvements
Maximize your home’s appeal to potential buyers:
• Complete Interior Painting: Recommended by 50% of Realtors®, fresh paint can dramatically refresh your home’s look.
• New Roofing Installation: Suggested by 37% of Realtors®, ensuring the roof is in good condition can be a major selling point.
Outdoor Projects with High Returns
Enhancing your home’s exterior can also offer impressive returns:
• Standard Lawn Care Service: Delivers a remarkable 217% ROI, significantly boosting curb appeal.
• Landscape Maintenance: Provides a 104% return, making your yard more attractive to buyers.
• Overall Landscape Upgrade: Yields a 100% ROI, transforming your outdoor space into a welcoming environment.
• Outdoor Kitchen Addition: Also offers a 100% return, appealing to buyers who enjoy outdoor entertaining.
Final Thoughts
By focusing on projects with high ROI and homeowner satisfaction, you can ensure that your renovation efforts pay off, whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want to enjoy your home more fully.
Considering upgrades and want personalized advice tailored to your home and market? I’m here to help you make informed decisions that align with your goals. Feel free to contact me at nancykeithproperties@gmail.com or 865-384-4744.
DIXIE LEE MARKET
Renaissance Center 12740 Kingston Pike, 37934 Saturdays 9 am - Noon
Ebenezer United Methodist Church 1001 Ebenezer Road, 37923 Tuesdays 3 pm - 6 pm
HISTORIC OAK RIDGE
Jackson Square
209 Jackson Square, 37830
Saturdays 8 am - Noon
Shining the Light on Your Summer Nights
BY HEATH MYRICK, OWNER OF LIGHTHOUSE OUTDOOR LIGHTING
AS THE SUN lingers longer in the sky and warm summer evenings beckon, it’s the perfect time to transform your outdoor space into a haven of relaxation and entertainment. While many focus on landscaping and furniture, the impact of outdoor lighting is often underestimated. Yet, with the right illumination, your backyard can become a magical retreat, extending your enjoyment well into the night.
A full-service lighting, design, and installation company, Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting can provide an entirely new perspective on your home’s exterior that you otherwise may not have known existed. Evening hours offer an opportunity to showcase your home’s distinct architecture and landscaping in ways you never imagined. The right lighting design can provide a totally unique perspective that simply doesn’t exist during daylight hours.
Our lighting specialists are some of the best trained lighting designers in the industry today. Our expertise enables us to work with you to design that custom, tailored look to showcase your home’s architectural and landscape design features. Our installation team will install your exterior lighting to the highest industry standards, leaving the installation site meticulously clean, as though we were never there. All we leave behind is a skillfully designed and installed lighting system that will surround your home and adjacent landscaping with the warm glow of elegance.
My team and I will provide a free demonstration, create a distinctive design, and plan a successful, top-notch installation. Upon completion, your satisfaction is guaranteed by a final walkthrough and fine tuning of your newly installed lighting system. Finally,
every installation is backed with our one year, no-cost service plan, as well as optimal extended service agreements.
Let the our professionals at Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting show you how affordable exterior illumination can be and just how great your home can look after sunset! Take advantage of our June “beat the heat” offer and get ready for memorable summer and fall nights! Call us for details.
Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting
11519 Kingston Pike, Suite 156
Knoxville, TN 37934
865.484.4011
Lighthouse-Lights.com/Knoxville
Get to Know Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness
BY KRISTEN COMBS, VISIT KNOXVILLE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL STRATEGIES
WHETHER YOU’RE FROM here or you’re new to town, there’s no doubt you’ve heard about Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. But what exactly IS it? It can be a bit difficult to describe, as it’s not a singular destination but a patchwork of places and spaces that invite residents and visitors alike to experience the outdoors in South Knoxville.
Just three miles from downtown, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a spectacular 1,500-acre outdoor adventure area where you can hike, bike, climb, paddle, or just wander in the woods - all within the heart of the city. More than 60 miles of trails and greenways connect you to a beautiful nature center, pristine lakes, historic sites, dramatic quarries, adventure playgrounds, nine city parks, and a 600acre wildlife area. You’ll find adventures for everyone, without having to go far to find the fun.
The Crown Jewel
At the heart of the Urban Wilderness lies Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville’s very own wildlife sanctuary, providing more than 300 acres of beautiful, gently sloping woodlands hugging the banks of the Tennessee River. Explore an array of habitats and exhibits, a museum store, miles of paved and natural trails, a climbing crag, and more. Ijams also encompasses Ross Marble Quarry and Mead’s Quarry Lake, a nod to Knoxville’s past moniker as the “Marble City” and the latter being the perfect place for a swim or paddle in warmer seasons.
A Tapestry of Trails and Terrains
The South Loop Trail System is a 12.5-mile signed route that guides visitors through Ijams Nature Center, Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, Helix Trails, William Hastie Natural Area, and Marie Myers Park. The trails vary in difficulty to accommodate hikers, runners, and mountain bikers of all skill levels. For those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences, Baker Creek Preserve boasts three dedicated downhill paths that challenge even seasoned mountain bikers - like the hair-raising, double-black diamond Devil’s Racetrack - plus an additional five multi-use trails that connect to other 52 miles of trails in the network.
Continue the exploration with a dose of history at Fort Dickerson Park, one of the bestpreserved earthen forts from the Civil War era, and High Ground Park, commemorating the historic site of Fort Higley.
A Collaborative Effort
Adventure Beyond the Trails
Beyond hiking and biking, the Urban Wilderness offers many activities. Navitat Canopy Adventure is adjacent to Ijams Nature Center and provides six elevated trails featuring ziplines, bridges, and climbing nets - think of it as an obstacle course amidst the treetops, perfect for age 7 and up. The Baker Creek Play Forest is also perfect for families, offering a nature-inspired playground.
Ongoing Developments and Future Plans
The Urban Wilderness continues to evolve, with ongoing projects aimed at enhancing visitor experience. The initial phase of construction, which included a bike park, utilities, a greenway, and additional trail amenities, was completed in 2020. Baker Creek Pavilion was the next phase of construction and opened in 2024, offering additional parking, bathrooms, a shade structure, a water-fill station, and plaza space.
In late 2025, the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park is set to unveil a $4.6 million pavilion and plaza, featuring restrooms, picnic areas, play features, and more. This development will serve as a central hub, connecting the various trailheads and providing a welcoming space for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Two new greenway segments will better connect the South Waterfront and the Urban Wilderness with downtown, East Knoxville, and other points north of the Tennessee River.
Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a collaborative effort to create and preserve public access to the rich natural, historic, cultural, and recreational assets in the heart of Knoxville. Key organizations who formed an alliance to guide the expansion of Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness include the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Legacy Parks Foundation, Aslan Foundation, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and Ijams Nature Center, working alongside countless other organizations, neighbors, and volunteers. Together, they’ve transformed a vision into a vibrant reality, preserving natural spaces while promoting outdoor recreation and community engagement.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re seeking a challenging mountain bike trail, a peaceful hike, or a family-friendly adventure, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness offers something for everyone. With its diverse landscapes, rich history, and ongoing developments, it’s more than just a park - it’s a dynamic destination that invites exploration and welcomes us all to get out and play!
Allison Meriwether
“Through gesture and form, I explore the quiet tensions we carry - between vulnerability and control, softness and strength - and the stories that live just beneath the surface of how we present ourselves.”
SINCE SHE WAS a child, artist Allison Meriwether has been drawing and creating “visual stories” that pay particular attention to people and faces. Starting with figures in oils in her early 20s, Allison began a more intentional exploration of the female form with a focus on the natural curves of the body and hands and “how posture, expression, and the smallest physical cues can unravel entire emotional narratives.” She has always enjoyed the “slowness” of oil that allows time for layering and reworking. Allison also works in colored pencil, which has a similar process of building layers and adding luminosity.
Having always been fascinated by the way people (especially women) inhabit space, she became more aware of subtle details in a person’s body, like the tilt of a head, the set of the shoulders, or the positioning of the hands, that can reveal complex inner stories. Her larger pieces cause the figures to share the room with you, while her smaller pieces feel like quiet studies that offer their own kind of intimacy. Both compel the viewer to relate to the body on the canvas - “impossible to overlook, yet vulnerable in their stillness.” Are you confronting it, observing it, or possibly even recognizing yourself in it?
What’s next for Allison Meriwether? Along with individual works in a few galleries, Allison is in the early stages of building a new body of work with the intentions of a solo exhibit. She continues
to have work on display at the Maker Exchange (located between the downtown Marriott Knoxville and The Tennessean Hotel) and also has few commissions in the works - and is always open for more! Having already done some murals, Allison would love the opportunity to incorporate her figurative and portrait work into a mural.
As Knoxville’s art scene continues to grow, Allison credits local organizations like Dogwood Arts and the Arts and Culture Alliance for being instrumental in providing opportunities for artists to exhibit work and engage with the community, as well as advocating for the important role that art plays in our collective well-being. Their support has helped Allison and many other creators feel empowered to contribute to the Knoxville’s cultural fabric. Financial support is vital to sustaining these programs, creating accessible opportunities, and ensuring that artists have the resources they need to thrive here in Knoxville. Allison truly feels that “investing in the visual arts is an investment in the life of the community itself - in its beauty, its resilience, and its future.”
See more of Allison’s work at AllisonMeriwetherArt.com and @a.Merarts on social media.
“Knoxville’s art scene is growing in exciting ways - a creative pulse that’s becoming more visible in our public spaces, galleries, and community events. Visual arts don’t just beautify a place; they invite us to reflect, connect, and imagine. Art helps shape the identity of a city.”
Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge Saturday, June 21
8 am to 4 pm
THE LAVENDER
Festival on Jackson Square in Oak Ridge celebrates health, herbs, and the environment. You’ll find everything from homemade jam to fine art. Admission is free with plenty of free parking available.
Along with all things lavender, from candles to soaps to teas, enjoy the sounds of music floating through the square from the large festival tent as you stroll along vendor booths offering crafts, fine art, carvings, pottery, and so much more. There will be 150 artisan vendors, children’s activities, and educational presentations!
Additional ticketed events include Herb Lunch, Tour of Gardens, and Science on Tap: A Fermentation Fair. See JacksonSquareLavenderFestival.org for ticket prices and availability.
Considering a Garden?
TENNESSEE HAS a rich agricultural history. There are nearly 70,000 farms operating across the state, and according to the Tennessee Farm Bureau, farmland accounts for 39.6% of Tennessee land. At Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee, we’re proud to provide coverage for many of Tennessee’s farms.
Gardening can be a fulfilling hobby, but it’s also a way to connect to Tennessee’s roots and better understand where your food comes from - and it might even help you save on your grocery bill. So, is it gardening time in Tennessee yet?
When to Plant Your Garden in Tennessee
It all depends on the last frost of the spring season. East Tennessee experiences, on average, the coolest temperatures in the state thanks to our mountainous terrain. Its last frost is typically in early May. Use resources like local weather news and the Farmer’s Almanac to find out when the last frost is this year.
What to Plant in Your Tennessee Garden
Now that you know when the last day to expect a frosty morning is, you can plan your garden planting.
Cool Season Plants
You can plant cool season plants around a month before the last frost of spring. If you want a second crop, you can replant them in late summer for a fall harvest. Some examples of cool season crops that do well in most gardens are lettuce, spinach, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. These plants are hardier, which makes them more able to tolerate chillier temperatures.
Warm Season Plants
Wait until after the last frost to plant warm season crops. These plants may get frostbitten and die if planted too early. If timed right and tended well, though, you’ll have fresh produce all summer long. Some popular spring and summer plants are tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, and cucumbers.
Where to Find Fresh Tennessee Produce
Too complicated? Remember that you can visit farmers’ markets for delicious, locally grown produce. (See page 12 for farmers’ markets in our area.) If your backyard garden takes off and becomes a full-blown farming or agritainment business, you can always reach out to a Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee agent to discuss our commercial insurance policies. Contact local agent Dana Pumariega at 865-247-6517 to learn more.
Hardin Valley Farm Bureau Insurance
10851 Hardin Valley Road Knoxville, TN 37932
865.247.6517
fbiTN.com
MOVIES, more fun! Grab your favorite blanket or lawn chair and join the fun. Doors open at 7 pm and movies begin around dark. Space is limited so purchasing tickets ahead of time is suggested. Food trucks and the Ijams beer garden will have tasty meals, snacks, and beverages for purchase. No coolers and no outside alcohol, please. Dogs welcome but must be leashed at all times.
June 13 - Legend (PG)
June 28 - Terror in the Woods: I Know What You Did Last Summer (R) and Candyman (R)
July 11 - Clue (PG)
Aug. 22 - Mamma Mia! (PG-13)
Tickets are $12 per person; Ijams and Central Cinema Members are $10. Special ticket pricing for Terror in the Woods . Check Ijams’ calendar of events or social media for rain plan if needed. For more info or tickets visit Ijams.org.
Sept. 12 - Where the Wild Things Are (PG)
Sept. 26 - The Crow (R)
Oct. 3 - Ernest Scared Stupid (PG) and Arachnophobia (PG-13)
BRINGING UP BABY with Custom Storage Design
BY CARRIE MCCONKEY, CARRIEMCCONKEY.COM
DO YOU HAVE a new baby on the way? Along with full hearts, any bundle of joy brings changes in schedule, shifts in routines, and needed space to accommodate gifts, supplies, and that adorable, tiny wardrobe. To make these adjustments easier, an organized nursery is a parent’s best friend.
Storage to Suit Any Space
Enhancing the functionality of your nursery is a great idea no matter how big or small the room may be. Whether you’d like to create an entire wall of functional space - or simply make a reach-in closet more effective - custom storage design offers the perfect fit for your new addition.
Function to Suit Any Need
From morning to evening, organized storage is your 24-hour helpmate. A laundry basket ensures wee socks won’t get lost, a pull-out shelf provides a handy space when arms are full, and safe, dimmable LED lights deliver a comforting glow during latenight feedings.
Style to Suit Any Décor
Whatever theme or color scheme you choose for your nursery, custom-designed storage provides a perfect match. Shelving, cabinets, and rods come in dozens of finishes, and a plethora of decorator handles and drawer pulls can be switched throughout the years for a fresh, new look.
Flexibility to Suit Any Age
The future is bright when your little one grows up with custom storage. Shelves with bins of diaper supplies can transform to hold favorite books, three-tiered clothing rods easily adjust to two, and a changing counter with a mirror becomes the perfect styling and grooming station.
Your Partners in Parenthood
When it comes to organization, function, and style in your baby’s nursery, custom storage offers made-to-measure results. Celebrating 10 years in business, Closets by McKenry is your locally owned, locally operated storage design center. Call, click, or visit their West Knoxville showroom, and let their pros help you get organized for parenthood - both today and beyond!
Closets by McKenry
201 Center Park Drive, #1070 Knoxville, TN 37922
865.249.6382
ClosetsByMcKenry.com
Mist is one of more than 60 finishes available for your child’s closet.
A pull-out shelf makes a convenient work station.
Murano glass knobs add bling to a little girl’s space.
Pull-out baskets are great for storing clothes or stuffed animals, and larger baskets can work as a hamper. Now available in gold.
INSIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS &
NOUVEAU CLASSICS
The Ester chair by Porada is available in two different sizes with or without armrests. The legs of the chair are available in ash wood or canaletto walnut, and the upholstery is made of fabric, leather, or eco-leather. Available at Nouveau Classics Contemporary Furniture & Interior Design, 101 S Gay Street in Knoxville, 865.525.4755, NouveauClassics.com.
WATSON’S STAINED GLASS
Whimsical, one-of-a-kind stained glass butterflies and funky birds come in a variety of colors and make great gift items to brighten up someone’s day or your own home. Available at The Revival, 603 W. Main Street in Knoxville, 720.376.2377, SusanWatsonsGlass.com.
LITTLE POSTAGE HOUSE
Discover a world of curated vintage postage stamps and paper goodness from Little Postage House, a luxury letterpress and design studio specializing in vintage postage, bespoke wedding invitations, stationery, greeting cards, and more! Studio visits are by appointment only. Shop online at LittlePostageHouse. com or get in touch by following @littlepostagehouse on Instagram!
CHRIS ROHWER PHOTOGRAPHY ART PRINTS
Beautiful photography art prints by Chris Rohwer are available on various materials including paper, canvas, wood, acrylic, and metal for your home, office, or special gift. Visit Chris’ website, ChristopherRobinArts.com, for additional black & white and color photo options. (See inside back cover for more of Chris’ work.)
MEADOW VIEW GREENHOUSES & GARDEN CENTER
These hand-painted 4 1/2 inch circle sun catchers come in a variety of colorful designs with a jute rope hanger. A wonderful way to catch the summer sun! Available at Meadow View Greenhouses & Garden Center, 9885 Highway 11E in Lenoir City, 865.986.7229, MeadowViewGreenhouse.com.
MAKE IT YOURS
Looking for a memorable birthday, wedding, or Father’s Day gift? Custom laser engraved or printed leatherette wallets or classic flasks - with 3 shot glasses included - are perfect for any occasion. Uniquely personalized with your message, concept, or design! Available at Make It Yours, 10541 Kingston Pike, Suite A in Knoxville, 865.444.6253, MakeItYoursNow.com.
ID A’ RIFFIC Fun in the Park returns this summer with free mid-week fun for area
Each event offers activities, games, hands-on crafts, and other fun pursuits for families with children ages 2-12, hosted by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Special Events, Parks, and Recreation Department and other community partners. Participation is free, and no registration is required.
Events are on Wednesdays in June and July from 10 am to 1 pm in seven different parks: Chilhowee Park, 401 Lakeside Street (including Touch-A-Truck!)
Safety City, 165 S. Concord Street
• June 18: Rock City Park & Fire Station #10, 2911 Sevier Avenue
• June 25: Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Boulevard
• July 9: West Hills Park, 410 N. Winston Road
• July 16: Adair Park, 1807 Adair Drive
• July 23: World's Fair Park, 910 World’s Fair Park Drive
*No events on July 2 and July 30
Come enjoy making crafts, playing games, and so much more while making fun memories during summer vacation. All activities are free!
Established in 2019 as a weekly opportunity for summertime activities for youngsters and their families in Market Square, Kid A’ Riffic has expanded to include parks across the city and multiple community partners. For more information, visit KnoxvilleTN.gov/Kidariffic or call 865-215-4248.
FARRAGUT MUSEUM RE-OPENS
AFTER BEING CLOSED for a year and a half during the Town of Farragut Town Hall renovations, the Farragut Museum is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Knowledgeable docents volunteer to give tours of the museum and offer additional information on the exhibits. The Farragut Museum’s gallery spaces are a treasure chest of artifacts, housing many personal effects of Admiral David Farragut.
MUSEUM HISTORY
The Farragut Museum began in 1986 as a response to then Governor Lamar Alexander’s statewide proclamation called “Tennessee Homecoming ’86.” This called for a year-long celebration involving 647 communities across the state of Tennessee. The purpose was to provide native Tennesseans the opportunity to delve into their history by rediscovering their past and, by doing so, to preserve their heritage. Farragut held a short-term exhibit that was later transformed into the Farragut Folklife Museum due to the outpouring of interest in this collection of Farragut history.
Farragut Town Hall was originally located in the old Russel Dairy building behind the Avery Russell Home (aka Campbell Station Inn) at the corner of Kingston Pike and Campbell Station Road. The first director appointed by the Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Mary Nell McFee, cre ated the exhibit from collection of old pictures and vintage clothing that had been donated by the town’s citizens.
With eyes toward future exhibits, Mary Nell learned of a historical collection of Admirals Farragut’s belongings that were being offered through a historical magazine. The Farragut Museum Committee raised funds for the collection, and then-Mayor Bob Leonard had the town budget for the remaining funds to purchase the collection. After the museum was completed in 1991, it was relocated to the current Town Hall where it contained two gal leries, a workroom and, for the first time, a gift shop.
MUSEUM EXHIBITS
The museum now has three gallery spaces and a stage that can be used for presentations and special events.
“We are excited to be able to offer the museum for our residents and our visitors. It is a great place to learn more about the area, its people, and its founding. The Admiral Farragut collection is really extraordinary. I think everyone will be impressed with the artifacts we have of his.”
- Kristi Vining, Historic Resources Coordinator
The first gallery follows the area’s historic settlement beginning with the native Americans to the early communities of Campbell’s Station Highlights include the importance of the marble industry and the railroads through There is also a display on the Founding of Farragut and the early years of Farragut High
A second gallery houses the Admiral David Farragut collection that includes his personal china, swords, bayonet, parts of his Civil War uniform, family photographs, manuscripts, and letters of interest, as well as items from the sloop-of-war steam ship, the
USS Hartford, that Farragut commanded during the Battle of Mobile Bay, a key Union victory during the Civil War. As the first commissioned admiral of the United States Navy, Farragut is best known for his statement, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”
As a dedicated rotating exhibit space, the third gallery now houses a tribute to veterans that served in the Civil War, World War I and II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.
MUSEUM VISITS
The museum is housed inside Town Hall at 11408 Municipal Center Drive, across from the Farragut post office, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is free. Kristi Vining, Historic Resources Coordinator, hopes the Farragut Museum will host school groups, historical lunch and learns, and special events in the future. Those interested in arranging an after hours tour or a group tour should call 865-966-7057.
The Frances L. Abel Gift Shop features a variety of unique pieces, including gift items, local and Civil War history books, “The Hidden Battlefield” DVDs (WBIR’s The Heartland Series ), a variety of keepsakes, and handmade items from local crafts persons.
While visiting the museum, be sure to see the Civil War Trails Historical Marker that commemorates the Battle of Campbell Station fought on November 16, 1863, and the Farragut Memorial Plaza featuring a life-plus Admiral Farragut bronze statue, Civil War era cannons on loan from the U.S. Naval Yard, and historical markers with information about Admiral Farragut’s life that are located on the Town Hall grounds. For additional museum information and special event updates, visit Facebook (Farragut Museum) or TownofFarragut.org/museum.
Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee 44th Annual Quilt Show
JUNE 20-21 • KNOXVILLE EXPO CENTER
THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN
Quilters of Tennessee (SMQ) will present their 44th annual Quilt Show & Competition June 20-21 at the Knoxville Expo Center. On Friday, Merikay Waldvogel, a nationally known quilt researcher and writer, and Cindy Stuart, a certified quilt appraiser, will present an antique quilt turning at 11 am and 1 pm.
In addition to the more than 200 stunning quilts on display, the show will feature a special opportunity for attendees to bring their own quilt to share and document through the “Go Tell It!” project by the Quilt Alliance (QA). Attendees are encouraged to bring a quilt - whether historic or contemporary - to the show for documentation. The formula for “Go Tell It!” is simple: One person talking about one quilt in front of one camera for three minutes. For more information about the “Go Tell It!” projects, visit QuiltAlliance.org/projects/gotellit.
“We are excited to offer this free service to those attending our show,” said Janet Wambach, SMQ Show Co-Chair. “Every quilt has a story, and those stories are an
important part of our history and our culture. So many of them go untold, because we know little or nothing about the quilts that makers and owners leave behind.”
The show takes place from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Admission is $10 or $15 for a 2-day pass, and children 12 and under are free. The Expo Center has free parking and is accessible to the disabled. For more information about the show and guild, visit SmokyMtnQuilters.com or find them on Facebook @Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee.
About Smoky Mountain Quilters
The Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Guild meetings are typically on the first Tuesday of each month at Messiah
Lutheran Church at the intersection of Papermill Drive and Kingston Pike in Knoxville. A 6:30 pm social time precedes the formal meeting, which begins at 7 pm. Please check the SMQ website, as dates and locations may vary.
SMQ’s primary goals are to promote and encourage the knowledge of quilt making as an art and a craft, to study its history as an integral part of our past, and to promote friendship through shared activities. Guild activities include workshops, block drawings, exhibits, and quilts made for local charities. The guild’s more than 100 members are as diverse as the quilts they love - traditional and art quilts, complex and minimalist modern designs, miniatures and bed-sized, and hand- or machine-stitched.
Add Real Value to Your Home and to Your Life
THE KITCHEN is probably the hardest working room in your home. We all want it to be beautiful, but it’s where we cook, bake, gather, and store essentials like food, supplies, and pots and pans, so it has to be functional. A well-thought-out kitchen has plenty of storage to keep countertops clear and is designed so you can quickly and easily find what you need and conveniently reach it.
ShelfGenie is the true turn-key leader in kitchen innovation
At ShelfGenie, we design, build, and install custom Glide-Out™ shelves for your existing cabinets and pantries. They increase storage by up to 50% and pull out their full depth so you can access the entire shelf front to back. Each shelf can hold up to 100 lbs and is made in America using high-quality materials and superior craftsmanship. We do not use one-size-fits-all, big box store substitutes.
Our process begins and ends with the homeowner
1. Our design consultant will get to know your exact needs during our free, in-home consultation and will provide you with a free 3-D design of your kitchen so you’ll see exactly what your new kitchen space will look like.
2. Your Glide-Out™ shelves will be manufactured in our very own manufacturing facility to your exact specifications.
3. Our licensed, professional installer will then install your order in one day. Finally, your designer will reach out to ensure you’re completely 100% satisfied.
Enjoy your innovative new kitchen
Turn frustration with your kitchen into joy. You can expect to increase storage, reduce clutter and wasted time looking for items, and avoid having to bend, twist, or reach into the backs of cabinets.
What our awesome clients have to say:
“Awesome folks to deal with. Great workmanship.”
- D.A., Knoxville
“We love the new shelves. They are truly life changing in the kitchen.”
- R.K., Knoxville
“Great improvement to what I had and very happy with the people I worked with.”
- S.O., Vonore
“I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new kitchen pull-out shelves. Very professional.”
- K.B., Powell
“Love my new pantry shelves! They are sturdy and beautifully installed. Great customer service and friendly folks.”
- M.M, Loudon
To learn more or to schedule your free consultation, call 865-409-1197 or visit ShelfGenie.com.
ShelfGenie®
865.409.1197
ShelfGenie.com
Discover 5 Dream Hotels Where You Can Indulge and Savor Experiences
BY ANNIE FITZSIMMONS, COURTESY OF BPT
WHEN I told people I was writing National Geographic’s 100 Hotels of a Lifetime , the most common response was, “Do you need an assistant?” It’s no wonder - hotels have a unique allure. They are more than just places to stay; they’re gateways to discovering the essence of a destination, often reflecting its culture and history. For nearly 20 years, my career as a travel writer - many of those years with National Geographic - has taken me to some of the world’s most extraordinary hotels, where I’ve explored how they bring places to life.
As I curated the hotels for this book, I felt strongly about including properties that offer experiences anyone can enjoy, whether they’re staying overnight or simply stopping by for a drink, a meal, or an afternoon in the spa. One of my personal philosophies is to start every birthday with breakfast at a great hotel. No matter what happens the rest of the day, you’ve started it on the right note. Some of my favorite hotels for moments like this can be found across the United States.
Here are five picks that celebrate accessibility and hospitality. From grand lobbies to intimate cocktail bars, they invite you to immerse yourself in their world. These are hotels where luxury is defined by connection - places to linger, savor, and perhaps discover a new perspective, with or without staying the night.
The Inn of the Five Graces Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe draws inspiration from the Tibetan philosophy that our five senses are gifts to experience the world’s splendor - and at this boutique hotel, every sense is ignited. The inn, tucked on a quiet street in restored adobe buildings, reflects the cultural confluence of Santa Fe, blending Native American, Spanish, and Western and Eastern influences. Designed by Ira and Sylvia Seret, who also own the nearby Seret & Sons furniture store, the hotel is a feast for the eyes, with Afghan, Tibetan, and Southwest elements.
Bathrooms dazzle with colorful handlaid tiles from the Seret family’s private collection, while the luxurious 2,000-squarefoot Luminaria Villa features five wood burning fireplaces and original adobe details.
Even if you’re not staying at the inn, visit the Pink Adobe, a Santa Fe institution since 1944, for margaritas, enchiladas, and the legendary French onion soup and apple pie.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Kiawah
Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island, 20 miles south of Charleston, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 10 miles of hard-packed beach perfect for a sunrise or sunset bike ride along the Atlantic’s edge. The island, named for the Kiawah tribe, has maritime forests, marshes, and ponds teeming with wildlife, including fiddler crabs, turtles, bobcats, and a dazzling array of birds.
In 2004, The Sanctuary at Kiawah brought worldclass amenities to this private island: a luxurious spa, fine dining, and access to five championship golf courses, including the famed Ocean Course, ranked among the world’s best. Although the island is private, anyone can reserve to dine, spa, or play golf at The Sanctuary.
End your day with drinks on The Ocean Course porch at sunset; or, in summer, savor the Mingo Point Oyster Roast and BBQ on Monday evenings, a Kiawah tradition.
Hotel
Jerome Aspen, Colorado
Crosby Street Hotel New York, New York
Brilliant color, bold art, and all-day dining have made the Crosby Street Hotel a modern New York City classic. In all of the world’s great cities, it is impossible to choose one hotel to represent a stay of a lifetime. In Manhattan alone, there is the Carlyle, the Mark, and the Lowell on the Upper East Side; the Baccarat and the Chatwal in Midtown; and the Greenwich downtown. But any great New York City hotel must also be a reflection of its neighborhood, part of the fabric of the city’s distinct environs.
Located in the heart of SoHo, the hotel reflects its neighborhood’s vibrant energy and serves as both a gathering place for locals and a luxurious retreat for visitors. Its ideal spot puts guests within walking distance of the West Village, Tribeca, Nolita, Chinatown, and downtown’s dynamic dining and shopping scenes.
This was the first New York property for Firmdale Hotels, founded by Tim and Kit Kemp, whose signature style combines British whimsy with local character. Kit Kemp’s joyful design aestheticvivid patterns and eclectic art, including dog-themed pieces inspired by New Yorkers’ love for their pets - is felt throughout. Highlights include the peaceful Meadow Suites with garden terraces and upper-floor rooms offering skyline views.
Aspen may be a small town, but it offers big-city appeal, and the Hotel Jerome has been at its social heart since 1889. This landmark blends Victorian charm with eclectic American West interiors and a touch of Ralph Lauren. The Living Room, with leather Chesterfield sofas and silver chandeliers, is perfect for après-ski cocktails, while the J-Bar is a world-famous watering hole, known for its legendary Colorado beef burger on a brioche bun - available to anyone who can snag a seat from 11:45 am to 11 pm.
Aspen, a year-round destination, boasts a thriving art scene, including the free-entry Aspen Art Museum, and hosts major events like the Aspen Music Festival. Skiers choose from four mountains in winter, while summer offers hiking, biking, and cultural experiences like the Aspen Ideas Festival and the FOOD & WINE Classic.
Originally built during the silver mining boom by Jerome B. Wheeler, the Hotel Jerome remains a time capsule of Aspen’s glittering history, with Western charm and modern luxury.
The Crosby Bar & Terrace is a lively allday brasserie with al fresco seating for sunny days. Join New Yorkers and hotel guests here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or daily afternoon tea.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles, California
Before Rodeo Drive and two years before the city of Beverly Hills even officially existed, the Beverly Hills Hotel, affectionately called the “Pink Palace,” opened in 1912, surrounded by fields. Now part of the Dorchester Collection, the hotel boasts more than 200 rooms and 23 bungalows, many with ties to Hollywood legends, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra.
Beloved by locals as much as visitors, the Beverly Hills Hotel is a quintessential L.A. gathering spot. “People come here to celebrate special moments, and that says everything,” notes Angeleno Stephanie Steinman. From power lunches to sunset drinks, it remains a living room for the city.
Even if you’re not staying, stop by for the famed McCarthy Salad at the Polo Lounge and enjoy the nostalgic charm of the Fountain Coffee Room, a 1950s-style diner serving pancakes and apple pie, but also green juices and egg-white omelets - this is L.A., after all. The moment you step inside, you feel the golden age of Hollywood come alive.
Find more hotels you’ll love in 100 Hotels of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Retreats.
Annie Fitzsimmons has covered hotels, travel, lifestyle, restaurants, and destinations around the world for the last two decades across many platforms and in a constantly evolving media landscape.
Shoveling the Mulch in Your Life
BY DR. JIM BAILEY
LAST SATURDAY, several high school guys and their Young Life leader helped me mulch the flower beds around my yard. These guys helped turn what would have been a week of back-breaking work (it took seven cubic yards of mulch) by myself into a fun day of hard work together. In return, we helped them defray the expense of a week at a Young Life camp - “the best week of their lives.”
Mulching is one of those hard tasks that gives a yard guy like me a great “bang for my buck” because the yard looks great for weeks, maybe months, before I’ll need to do it again. It helps to focus on the immediate results rather than the fact that the sun, rain, and biodegrading will inevitably lead to next spring’s “mulch day.” If I focused on the irony of how many years I’ve mulched my yard and how many more years I’m likely to repeat the process, I might just be tempted to cover the whole thing in kudzu.
Work (and life) can feel like spreading mulch. There’s a lot of hard work, the occasional sense of satisfaction or reward,
then the knowledge that you’ll end up repeating the entire process again. The average American spends 42 years working before they retire - some more and some less. That’s a long time to spend doing something, so it’s good to know what you should reasonably expect from your work-life.
Many of my clients have unrealistic expectations for their work-life. Yes, many of them are young, but having unrealistic expectations for the big things in life seems to be a growing industry. Truthfully, many people’s expectations for their work-life are like their hopes and expectations for their love life. They hope to find that one job (or person) by which (or whom) they can experience a life of joyful bliss and fulfillment with minimal problems. Establishing realistic expectations for your work (and love life) is an essential key to maximizing the return you’ll gain from it (or them).
On occasion, I’ve voluntarily provided premarital coaching to engaged couples using tools that are similar to my career coaching
tools - personal histories, personality profiles, values and expectations assessments, and aspiration and goal exercises. I begin by telling them that a good marriage is one of the most rewarding things a person can experience, but it takes the most work and hardest work you’ll ever do in your life. Failing to understand this sets you up to experience disappointment, disillusionment, and other painful emotions. Understanding the nature of work (and marriage) enables you to get the most from it (them).
I like to share a story with my clients to illustrate this idea. It came from a conversation I had with my grandfather when I was about 12 years old. Daddy Jim (yes, my namesake) raised Appaloosa horses and let me help him on the farm. One day, as we were doing the hard, smelly work of cleaning horse manure out of the stables, he turned to me and said, “Jimmy, there’s always manure to shovel.” My grandfather loved raising, grooming, riding, and showing his horses, but he understood manure was an inescapable part of horse work.
For those of us with some life experience (it’s the mileage - not the years - that age us), it’s commonsense that the best things in life are often the ones that require the hardest work. Yet, our culture still works hard to convince us that a great life can just fall in our laps. If you read the stories of the people who’ve made positive impacts on the world, hard work is a unifying theme, along with persistence in the face of adversity.
Just as our relationships are easier when we’re well-matched to the people in them, our work is easier when we’re doing tasks and working in environments that are a better fit to who we are. Aligning the things we do, and those with whom we do them, to “who we are” reduces the number of hard things in our work-lives, but it never eliminates them. Realistic living means we expect to work hard for the things that are worthwhile, but we also benefit from working smarter.
Late in the day on Saturday, Andrew, a linebacker on his high school football team, was grunting and working hard to get shovelfuls of mulch from the pile into his wheelbarrow. I handed him a pitchfork and said, “Here, this is a better tool for that job,” and took the square-edged shovel he’d been using from his hand. Shoveling mulch was going to be hard work, there was no escaping that reality, but matching the tool to the job sure made it a lot easier, and the end results made it all worthwhile.
EUROPEAN FINE HARDWOOD FLOORS
Every Expectation Exceeded
WHEN MIKE AND Loly Casas and her family moved into their home in Whittington Creek six years ago, they knew some flooring updates were in their future. While the hardwood floors on the main level had been well maintained, the stain color definitely dated the home and with the original carpet in the all the bedrooms, an upgrade to hardwoods were a must for their home renovation.
Loly remembered reading an article in Everything Knoxville about European Fine Hardwood Floors, and the business name stuck with her. “Over the years, several folks in our community mentioned them to me and they were always well regarded,” Loly recalls. When close friends hired European Fine Hardwood Floors to remove carpet and replace it with hardwood flooring to match the rest of their home with amazing results, Loly knew who to contact when she was ready to start work on her home’s flooring.
- Loly Casas
When meeting with European Fine Hardwood Floors, business owners Valera and Svetlana Tomescu listened carefully to all of her goals, as well as concerns for the project. Loly was impressed and found them to be “incredibly kind, professional, and insightful.”
Knowing that the Tomescu family would be doing the work themselves (not subcontractors) set Loly’s mind at ease. “I hired them immediately!” she says. “As a small business owner myself, I admired and appreciated their work ethic and their commitment to their family business.”
As work progressed on the Casas’ flooring project, they were delighted to find that Valera, Svetlana, and their family “treated our
home as if it were theirs” by carefully keeping the workspace spotless with no mess or equipment left behind. Loly had had difficulty with her allergies when other contractors had done work in their home, but with the dustless Bona equipment used by European Fine Hardwood Floors, she had no issues at all.
Loly and her family could not be happier with the results of the refinished hardwoods on the main floor and her newly laid hardwood flooring in the bedrooms. “Our floors are the first thing people see when they walk into our home and it is always the first thing they comment on. Our refinished flooring makes our home feel like a new build!” Loly said enthusiastically. “I am so thankful to Valera, Svetlana, and their family for their hard work and dedication. I am already planning to hire them again to redo the flooring on the third floor!”
Whether your existing hardwood flooring could use an update or you’d like to add new hardwood flooring, contact the certified professionals at European Fine Hardwood Floors for superior craftsmanship and friendly, clean installation - then get ready for all the compliments like the Casas family receives!
GINO VANNELLI
THE WORLD AIN’T RIGHT WITHOUT YOU, BABE ˮ
BY RANDY PATTERSON, BOOMEROCITY.COM
FOR MORE than five decades, Gino Vannelli has captured hearts with his smooth vocals, poignant lyrics, and unique blend of pop, jazz, and soul. From chart-toppers like “I Just Wanna Stop” to his more recent work, Gino has always sung from the heart. But with his latest album, The Life I Got, he has peeled back the layers like never before, revealing raw emotion in a tribute to the greatest love of his life - his late wife, Patricia.
Married for 49 years, Gino and Patricia shared a bond that not only endured, but deepened with time. “Our marriage intensified as time went on,” Gino shared. When Patricia was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, their world turned upside down. “She went through four or five major surgeries. It was a slow decline, and there were lots of hospital visits in between... losing her was the most difficult thing I could go through ever.”
In the midst of caregiving, Gino began building a home studio just steps from Patricia’s side. “She needed me almost hourly at the end,” he recalled. It was in this deeply emotional space that The Life I Got was born - a record shaped by grief, gratitude, and love.
“Every song that came out of me was about her. I couldn’t help it.”
While the grief is palpable in tracks like “Stormy River” and “A Little Bit Broken,” there is also levity and warmth. Patricia herself insisted on including lighter moments. “As really set forth in ‘The Hero You See In Me,’ ‘Stormy River,’ ‘A Little Bit Broken,’ and a few others - and some little bit more humorous songs that she insisted that I put on, like ‘It’s All Good Mama’ about my chance sojourn into an all-male bar when I was 18 years old in New York. I didn’t know what kind of bar it was. This very beautiful lady came up to me... and really had me going for a while until she spoke. They’re just humorous tales about growing up that Tricia thought were very funny and they had some insight into them.
“I didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Gino emphasized. “I just tried to make it as nutritious a record as I could. You don’t want to create a sad album. The way to temper sadness is with insight and love.”
Mixing the album proved just as emotionally taxing as writing it. “I’d be in tears mixing it,” he admitted. “It really felt raw for a long time.”
Yet, even amid heartbreak, the album pulses with thankfulness. “The Life I Got isn’t so much about sadness. It’s about being grateful. I never really wrote songs about being grateful before.”
Gino’s hope is that fans feel the truth behind each note. “I was trying to convey that it was no burden at all to care for someone you love that much,” he said. “When you love your dad - or your spouse - it’s no problem. It’s a price you don’t mind paying.”
The fan response has been heartfelt. “People have come up to me after shows for years saying they’ve lost a wife, husband, child. But when it happens to you… it’s different,” he said quietly. “There’s this longing that just remains, and you can’t do anything about it.”
Now more than a year since Patricia’s passing, Gino is slowly learning to navigate life alone. “I had a good friend drag me to a car show,” he chuckled. “He brought along someone he wanted me to meet. But I just kept thinking, ‘Tricia wouldn’t wear those shoes.’ I’m not ready.”
There’s also the practical side of loss that people rarely talk about. “She was my bookkeeper, my partner in everything. Running a household, a career - it’s all so different now,” he reflected. “You don’t realize how much gets taken care of when you’re a team.”
That team spirit defined Patricia and Gino’s relationship - and in many ways, it still does. “Even now, I find myself wondering, ‘Where are you?’ She was there one moment, and now she’s gone.” His journey through grief has led him into deeper spiritual waters. “All the theology I’ve studied… it’s still a mystery. But the mystery is worth delving into.”
Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, The Life I Got stands as a celebration of enduring love and artistic integrity. For Gino, the creative process has always been sacred. “Whether old school or new school, a good song is a good song. An honest performer is an honest performer.”
And with The Life I Got, Gino hasn’t just written songs. He’s shared his soul.
The Life I Got is available wherever you purchase music. You can watch the entire interview on Boomerocity.com or listen to it on all podcast platforms.
Launched in 2009, Randy’s Boomerocity The Fan Experience has more than 500 positive, sincere, one-onone interview conversations that show fans the true heart of the Baby Boomer generation of musicians, entertainers, and their associates, as well as today’s icons, influencers, and up-and-comers in music.
THE OPEN CHORD STAGE and Music Shop on Kingston Pike between Walker Springs and Gallaher View Road truly is All Things Music. With a performance stage with space for 200+ listeners, and a stocked bar with appetizers and entrees, the Open Chord is a great place to listen to live music with your friends.
As West Knoxville’s premier listening room and music venue, the Open Chord Stage proudly hosts live music every Wednesday through Saturday nights, opening at 6 pm and closing at midnight. World-class musicians and singers from around the globe set an eclectic lineup, plus the OC Stage holds an Open Mic Night where up-and-coming locals can try out the tunes they have been practicing to an enthusiastic audience.
A tried and true music enthusiast, owner Randy Holmes strives to make his venue a place where professional musicians and music lovers can come together. Acoustically, the size of the Open Chord is second to none. Premier guitarist Andy Wood loves playing at the Open Chord, as it reminds him of some of the New York clubs that he’s been in. “It’s small enough to feel a closeness between the artist and audience,” he said. “A room with a great vibe that is meant for the listening experience.”
The Open Chord Music Shop, located in the same building as the Stage, is a great place to pick up new guitar strings, find the perfect guitar strap, or try out some of the coolest pedals. Not only are they the largest Taylor Guitar dealer in our area, but the Music Shop is a full-service music store offering a great selection of all things stringed - electric and acoustic guitars from Taylor, Yamaha, Epiphone, Gibson, and Suhr, in addition to electric basses, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, and more.
The Music Shop staff are also musicians, so they can help answer your questions, direct you towards the best accessories, and even assist with restringing. If you are looking for a chord book, capo, picks, cables, amp tubes, new strings, or a repair, the Open Chord Music Shop, open Monday - Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, has it.
Whether you are looking for a special gift for the musician, student, or music lover in your life, knowledgeable recommendations for gear and accessories, or just a great place to meet friends and enjoy a live show at the best listening room in Knoxville, the Open Chord is All Things Music!
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH
JUNE
JamFest 2025 at Ijams Nature Center from 4 to 10 pm.
Nief-Norf Summer Festival at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville through the 15th For info visit NiefNorf.org.
The Miracle Worker by the Knoxville Children’s Theatre through the 22nd. For showtimes and tickets visit KnoxvilleChildrensTheatre.com.
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at Theatre Knoxville Downtown through the 22nd.
Summer Art Academy, featuring classes and workshops for ages 3-17, at the Knoxville Museum of Art through July 25th.
Electricity for All - an exhibition exploring the complex relationships between technology, information, and power at the Knoxville Museum of Art through August 17
JUNE 5
Good Vibrations Concert featuring Smooth Sailor at Yee-Haw Brewing Co. from 6 to 9 pm. Benefits Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee.
Pickin’ on Nature Bluegrass Concert at Ijams Nature Center from 6 to 8 pm.
Marble City Opera: Pagliacci at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater at 7 pm.
JUNE 6
Rhinestone Fest, for the Love of Dolly in and around the Old City. Family-friendly event, free to attend. Also the 7th.
Vintage Market Days at the Expo Center from 10 am to 4 pm. Also the 7th from 10 am to 4 pm and the 8th from 10 am to 2 pm.
First Friday on Market Square, Gay Street, The Old City, and Downtown North beginning at 5 pm.
Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the Historic Grove Theater (123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge) at 7 pm. Also the 7th with shows at 10 am and 2 & 7 pm. For info visit FlatwaterTales.com.
Knoxville Smokies vs. Chattanooga Lookouts at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 7th at 7 pm and 8th at 2 pm.
Marble City Opera in the Park at Lakeshore Park at 7 pm.
Home Free at the Tennessee Theatre at 8 pm.
JUNE 7
Free Fishing Day at The Cove at Concord Park from 10 am to 1 pm.
Kids Quest Expo at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall from 10 am to 6 pm. Interactive event for kids of all ages. Meet & greet more than 40 characters - superhero obstacle course, petting zoo, vendor shopping, stage shows, Jedi training, craft stations, villain dunk tank, and more! Benefits the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and other local children related nonprofits.
Desi Banks: The Elevation Tour at the Civic Auditorium at 7 pm.
JUNE 8
Second Sunday Art Activity at the Knoxville Museum of Art from 1 to 4 pm. Hands-on art for K-6th grade.
Second Sunday Docent Tour at the Knoxville Museum of Art from 2 to 3 pm.
Fleurish 2025: Celestial Threads at Ijams Nature Center from 6 to 9 pm. Sustainable fashion event (and Ijams fundraiser) with eco-conscious fashions from local designers.
An Evening with the Kingston Trio at the Old City Performing Arts Center at 7 pm. Pride Variety Show at the Tennessee Theatre at 7 pm.
JUNE 10
Preschool Story Thyme at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 to 11 am. Every Tuesday through October.
Concerts on the Square: Jazz Tuesdays in Market Square from 7 to 9 pm. Also the 17th & 24th. Free!
JUNE 11
Kid A’Riffic Fun in the Park at Safety City (165 S. Concord St.) from 10 am to 1 pm. Crafts, games, and more! For children ages 2-12, all activities are free!
Legacy Parks Day of Play celebrates Knoxville’s parks from 10 am to 2 pm and 6 to 8 pm for kids and adults at various park locations. See LegacyParks.org for more information.
The 33rd Annual Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam at the Convention Center from 6 to 10 pm with various locations continuing at 10:30 pm through the 13th. See SouthernFriedPoetrySlam.com for more information and locations.
3rd annual WDVX Summer Nights Concert Series featuring Jim Lauderdale and the Game Changers at Yee-Haw Brewing Co. (745 N. Broadway) at 7 pm. Free, familyfriendly concert.
JUNE 12
Preservation Network - Historic Overlays: What They Are, Why They Matter at Historic Westwood at 6 pm. Join Knox Heritage to explore Knoxville’s rich architectural character through historic overlay districts and how they shape, protect, and influence our historic neighborhoods. Free to attend.
Tab Benoit: I Hear Thunder Tour at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
JUNE 13
Family Tree Walk at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 9 to 10 am.
Used Book Sale by Friends of the Knox County Public Library at the Cedar Bluff Branch from 10 am to 5 pm. Also the 14th.
Movies Under the Stars: Legend at Ijams Nature Center. Doors open at 7 pm, movie begins at dark.
1964: The Tribute at the Tennessee Theatre at 8 pm.
JUNE 14
Flag Day
2025 Downtown Home Tour at the East Tennessee History Center from 10 am to 4 pm. Unique opportunity to see urban living and private residences. EastTNHistory.org for tickets.
Native Plant Walk at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 am to noon.
Cherokee Caverns Movie in the Cave: Jumanji 30th Anniversary at Historic Cherokee Caverns. Showtimes are 11:00, 1:15, 3:30, 5:45 & 8:00. Chairs provided, or bring a small camp chair and blanket. Self-guided tours of the cave available 30 minutes before and after the showing. Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Tennessee Theatre from 5:45 to 8 pm.
2nd annual Knoxville Margarita Festival at the Mill & Mine from 6 to 9 pm; VIP hour at 5 pm. Who makes the best margarita in Knoxville? Live entertainment, fun photo ops, and some of Knoxville’s tastiest food vendors. Benefits TennGreen Land Conservancy. Deray Davis at the Bijou Theatre at 7 pm.
JUNE 15
Father’s Day
Old City Sunday Market on the west end of Jackson Avenue from 11 am to 4 pm.
East Tennessee Bluegrass Association Monthly Jam at Ijams Nature Center from 2 to 5 pm.
JUNE 16
Little History Lessons: Juneteenth at the East Tennessee History Center from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Kids learn about history through stories, games, crafts, and examining artifacts. Recommended for ages 2-5.
JUNE 18
Kid A’Riffic Fun in the Park at Rock City Park, Fire Station #10 (2911 Sevier Ave.) from 10 am to 1 pm. Crafts, games, and more! For children ages 2-12, all activities are free!
All Pro Dad Experience at Neyland Stadium from 6 to 8:30 pm. Join Josh Heupel, University of Tennessee head football coach, for an evening of fun and interactive activities. For kids up to 8th grade. Learn more or register at AllProDad.com.
JUNE 19
Annual MLK Parade/March and Juneteenth Celebration at Chilhowee Park & Expo Center. Parade begins at 10 am; Juneteenth Celebration at Dr. Walter Hardy Park at noon. Festivities include a range of activities, performances, and educational opportunities.
THIN GS TO DO • PL ACES TO GO • PEOPLE TO SEE
...And then I Became Free: Stories of Emancipation at Mabry-Hazen House from 11 am to 4 pm.
Concerts on the Square: Variety Thursdays featuring Brian Clay’s GRUUV Xperience in Market Square from 7 to 9 pm. Free!
JUNE 20
Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee 44th Quilt Show & Competition at the Expo Center from 9 am to 5 pm. Also the 21st from 9 am to 4 pm. Fred Armisen at the Bijou Theatre at 7 pm.
Summer Solstice Dinner at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 7 to 10 pm. Gather on the longest day of the year for cocktails, live music, and a solstice meal to raise funds for the Garden.
Soundscapes Concert Series featuring Dean James at the Knoxville Museum of Art at 7:30 pm.
JUNE 21
First Day of Summer
Knoxville Gran Fondo & Trail Run at Baker Creek Preserve from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Cycling and running event to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s. Timed routes include 25-, 60-, and 85-mile options, as well as a timed trail run.
Lavender Festival in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge from 8 am to 4 pm. Rally for Life at Fountain City Park from 9 am to noon. A family-oriented gathering for members of the pro-life community to celebrate life.
Make Music Knoxville in various locations in downtown Knoxville from 10 am to 2 pm. Free! For locations and schedule, visit MakeMusicDay.org/Knoxville.
Tree Rest (as opposed to a Tree Walk!) at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Bring your own lawn chair!
Vintage Base Ball Father’s Appreciation Day Triple Header at Historic Ramsey House at 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Free!
Knoxville Brewfest at World’s Fair Park. Session one is 1 to 4 pm, session two from 6 to 9 pm. Benefits CureDuchenne muscular dystrophy research. For info visit KnoxvilleBrewfest.com.
A Meet (& Greet) Cute Author Signing Event at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall from 2 to 6 pm. Connect with your favorite authors and get your books signed.
Blount Mansion Spring Garden Party: Martinis at the Mansion at Blount Mansion from 5 to 8 pm. For info or tickets visit BlountMansion.org.
Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour at the Civic Auditorium at 7 pm.
JUNE 22
Knoxville Community Band Presents... Instrumental soloists, choirs, and music composed by band members at Bearden Middle School at 3 pm. Free admission.
TOBYMAC: We the Kingdom at the Civic Coliseum at 7 pm.
JUNE 23
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 with Rick Atkinson at the East Tennessee History Center from 5:30 to 8 pm.
JUNE 24
Knoxville Smokies vs. Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 25th-28th at 7 pm and 29th at 2 pm.
Aimee Mann: 22 1/2 Lost in Space Anniversary at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
JUNE 25
Kid A’Riffic Fun in the Park at Ijams Nature Center from 10 am to 1 pm. Crafts, games, and more! For children ages 2-12, all activities are free!
Knoxville History Project: 9th Annual Luncheon honoring Dr. Susan Knowles at the Mill & Mine from 11 am to 1 pm.
JUNE 28
Summer Pollinator Walk at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 am to noon.
Used Book Sale by Friends of the Knox County Public Library at the Karns Branch from 10 am to 5 pm.
History Lecture Series: Westward Expansion & the Declaration of Independence with Dr. Chris Magra at the Blount Mansion at 3 pm.
Movies Under the Stars - Terror in the Woods: I Know What You Did Last Summer and Candyman at Ijams Nature Center. Doors open at 7 pm, movie begins at dark.
Bijou Jubilee featuring Mavis Staples at the Bijou Theatre at 8 pm.
JUNE 30
Little History Lessons: Marble City at the East Tennessee History Center from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Kids learn about history through stories, games, crafts, and examining artifacts. Recommended for ages 2-5.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
JULY 1
Preschool Story Thyme at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 to 11 am. Every Tuesday through October. Big Fun Tuesday at Ijams Nature Center from 6 to 9 pm. Head to Mead’s Quarry to ride, eat, swim, and enjoy live music; a local food truck and the Ijams beer garden will be open. Free event for all ages.
JULY 3
Fireball Classic 5k and Kid’s Mile on Neyland Drive. Kid’s Mile at 8 pm, 5k at 9 pm.
JULY 4
Farragut Freedom Run beginning at 100 S Campbell Station Road at 9 am.
Town of Farragut’s annual Independence Day Parade at 9:30 am. Parade begins at the Farragut High School junior lot, proceeds to Kingston Pike, and continues to Boring Road.
Independence Day Anvil Shoot Celebration at the Museum of Appalachia from 10 am to 3 pm. Gunpowder launches anvils in to the air every hour.
4th of July on Mabry’s Hill at Mabry-Hazen House from 5 to 10 pm. Great views of the fireworks, good food and beer, live music, fun games, and tours of the 1858 house museum. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Festival on the 4th at World’s Fair Park at 5 pm, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra at 8 pm, fireworks begin at 9:45 pm.
First Friday on Market Square, Gay Street, The Old City, and Downtown North beginning at 5 pm.
Knoxville Smokies vs. Rocket City Trash Pandas at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 5th at 7 pm and 6th at 2 pm.
Oak Ridge Community Band Independence Day Concert at A.K. Bissell Park (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike) at 7:30 pm. Free admission, bring chairs or blankets for seating.
JULY 5
US Road Running 5k, 10k, and half marathon at Holston River Park from 8 to 11:30 am.
JULY 6
SEAA Fast Pitch World Series Opening Ceremonies at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater from 4 to 7 pm. Team parade, DJ, team introduction, food trucks, and Sunsphere tours.
JULY 7
Little History Lessons: Independence Day at the East Tennessee History Center from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Kids learn about history through stories, games, crafts, and examining artifacts. Recommended for ages 2-5.
Mighty Musical Monday featuring House Organist Freddie Brabson on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ at the Tennessee Theatre at noon. Concessions available for purchase or bring a lunch. Free!
All event dates and times subject to change.
If you would like to receive the Events Calendar in your inbox every month, simply send a request to info@everythingknoxville.com.
Why Cheesecake is Not Just for Dessert Anymore
CHEESECAKE IS having a moment - and it’s not just after a celebratory steak dinner in a fancy restaurant. That’s right, you can have cheesecake anytime morning, noon, or night. Feeling peckish before lunch? Use Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix to whip up a mid-morning snack to tide yourself over. Or maybe it’s an afternoon pick-me-up you need? Cheesecake is here for that, too. In fact, research shows that 80% of consumers like or even love cheesecake. Here’s how to capitalize on this sweet trend and incorporate the creamy, rich goodness of cheesecake into your life more often:
cheesecake pan is ideal, but you can make do by lining a regular pan with overhanging parchment paper so you can lift your cheesecake out after you bake it. For a fresh take, you can substitute ricotta for cream cheese or crushed cookie crumbs for graham crackers.
To bake or not to bake? It’s the age-old cheesecake question. No-bakes get their texture from gelatins or puddings and are lighter and fluffier than regular cheesecake. But if it’s a denser texture and fuller flavor you’re craving, then baked cheesecake is the way to go.
Cheesecake plays well with seasonal fruits and berries.
Spring brings fresh strawberries, which may be your cheesecake’s best friend - sliced, diced, folded into whipped cream - the possibilities are endless. Summer’s blueberries, blackberries, and cherries invite makers to create glorious trifles. Just layer fruit, bite-sized pieces of angel food cake and a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream,
Cheesecake is versatile enough to fit every craving!
Oh the joys of this delicious, all-purpose treat! Cheesecake can be decadent or light, depending on the recipe and your palate. It can come in any size - from balls to bites to full-on towering slices. Wait, what if the cheesecake were the filling? Krusteaz has created a cheesecake-filled muffin mix that combines the sweet and tangy cheesecake flavor with the soft, fluffy muffin texture Krusteaz consumers have come to love. The muffin base has warm notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and honey to mimic the flavor profile of a traditional cheesecake crust. Simply add water, oil and eggs. For an even richer filling, add in an extra four ounces of cream cheese.
So treat yourself to cheesecake whenever you crave it! And check out more featured recipes straight from the Krusteaz Kitchen at krusteaz.com, so you can have your cheesecake and eat it, too!
Strawberry Cheesecake Snack Bars
Ingredients:
• 1 package Krusteaz Cheesecake Muffin Mix
• 1 pouch filling (included in mix package)
• 1/3 cup water
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
Directions:
Heat oven to 350º and lightly grease an 8x8 inch baking pan. Prepare batter as directed on package. Squeeze contents of filling packet into a separate medium bowl, add cream cheese, and mix until smooth. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Dollop filling over batter and gently spread evenly. Place a layer of strawberries on top of the filling then spoon the remaining batter over the strawberry layer. Place the rest of the strawberries on top of the batter layer.
Bake for 38-42 minutes or until top is golden brown and bars are set in the center. Cool completely before cutting. Store leftover bars (if there are any!) in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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Is Your Storage Working for You?
OVERTIME, your lifestyle, needs, and daily routines change. Job responsibilities shift, families grow and shrink, and habits emerge and fade. Starting with your kitchen, reassess what works for you today rather than 20 years ago. Evaluate your storage with fresh eyes - there are no rules, only possibilities!
Different Lifestyle
If your household is once again “just the two of us,” you may be enjoying a much different way of life. Share time exploring new recipes, the latest appliances, and exciting culinary experiences with the benefit of attractive and sturdy soft-close roll-out shelving and organizers. There’s a roll-out for nearly every need, including a utensil bin for your spatulas, whisks, and serving spoons, a magnetic knife organizer complete with cutting board, and even an appliance cabinet that comes with its own handy, retractable platform.
Different Needs
Do you find yourself straining to see, reach, and retrieve items in the far corners of your upper and lower cabinets? Stop struggling and add safety and convenience to your kitchen with custom storage solutions. Upper wall cabinet pull-outs offer easy-to-view storage racks that glide open and closed. Heavy pots, pans, and skillets can be managed with a soft-close pot organizer pull-outwith lids at the ready on their own convenient shelf. And a variety of corner cabinet styles gently rotate with the slightest touch, giving you access to every inch of space with ease.
Different Routines
Match the luxury of more free time with features that fit relaxing lifestyles. Leisurely mornings will go even smoother with a sectioned drawer to hold every flavor of K-Cup®. A drawer that separates sports bottles, thermoses, lids, and straws keeps everything organized for those visits from your grandkids. Custom wine racks with stemware slots provide access to your favorite varietal in time to catch that beautiful sunset. And plates can be taken off those high shelves and stored in a practical pegged drawer, close at hand for a midnight snack.
Updating is Easy with Shelf Help
As you evaluate your storage needs, are there areas beyond the kitchen that could use a refresh? It may be time to install gliding roll-out shelves and organizers for instant access to laundry or pantry supplies, or to outfit your primary bath with roll-out organizers for brushes, blow dryers, and other hairstyling tools, or to update your built-in cabinets in the den with convenient gilding drawers to make albums, DVDs, and CDs easy to see and reach. Maybe all of the above?
The Shelf Help team is ready to walk you through every step of your home storage updates. We partner with our customers to re-think, re-tool, and revitalize their lives using creative and affordable storage solutions. We’re not a franchise but a locally owned and run small business based in Knoxville. This allows us to keep our prices up to 50% or more lower than that of national franchises.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Native Spigelia Performs Well in Most Situations
BY HOLLY JONES, HORTICULTURIST, UT GARDENS, KNOXVILLE
BOTHLATIN and common names for plants are often descriptive, offering clues about the way a plant grows, the color of the flowers, or even the environmental conditions it prefers. And then there are names like Spigelia marilandica, or woodland pink, that have obscure connections to the plant they represent.
I can forgive the famous taxonomist Carl Linneaus for veering away from a logical naming practice. Anyone who names more than 12,000 plants during the course of their career should be allowed to name a few after exemplary people like he did with anatomy professor Adriaan van den Spiegel, who inspired the genus name Spigelia. But I find it hard to justify the choices made by his contemporary plant explorers who indulged their obsession with pinking shears to come up with the common name Woodland Pink for a plant with bright red tubular flowers that open at the top with yellow petals in the shape of a star with zero pink color to be found. Botanical forefathers, this plant deserved better!
Other common names include Indian pinkroot and worm grass, which both offer a mixed message reference to the medicinal properties found in its white colored roots. Native Americans, and later European settlers, used the root as an effective vermifuge to treat intestinal worms. While I prefer meaningful names to help me remember plants, I’m adding this one to my mental files under “shake my head,” and instead I will remember the plant for its many outstanding qualities in the garden.
Spigelia marilandica is native to a large chunk of the Eastern and Midwestern United States, where it grows in open woodlands
and along streambanks and wetland edges. In the garden, this translates to adaptability to most growing conditions. For areas with high sun intensity, it is best to provide a bit of afternoon shade and additional moisture to prevent leaf burn. But otherwise, you can grow this well-behaved, long-lived perennial flowering plant in almost any situation.
Brilliant red flowers emerge atop handsome glossy green leaves on 18- to 24-inch-tall plants in early June, providing sweet nourishment for hummingbirds and butterflies through late July. Cut back plants by about a third after the first flush of blooms for sporadic reblooming up until the first frost.
There are multiple cultivars available on the retail market. ‘Little Redhead’ and ‘Ragin Cajun’ are both slightly more compact and floriferous than the straight species. The flowers on ‘Ragin Cajun’ are more of an orange red color. ‘Apple Slices’ and ‘Orange Slices’ are two brand new varieties from Proven Winners. A well-established specimen of the straight species can be found in the shade garden at UT Gardens, Knoxville. It is also planted at the UT Gardens, Jackson.
The UT Gardens includes plant collections located in Knoxville, Crossville, and Jackson, Tennessee. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the UT Gardens are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Gardens’ mission is to foster appreciation, education, and stewardship of plants through garden displays, educational programs, and research trials. The Gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. For more information, visit UTgardens.tennessee.edu.
Photo by C. Scott, courtesy UTIA Spigelia marilandica, or Woodland Pink, is bright red and adapts to most growing conditions, including the UT Gardens, Jackson, at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.
Photo courtesy of WaltersGarden.com
‘Orange Slices’ Spigelia
WJune in the Garden
BY LISA GRUGIN
ELL, WE MADE it through May with its hot days, cold days, torrential rain, hail, and an earthquake, so let’s see what nature throws at us this month!
June is still a good month to work in your garden. The days are getting longer, and the soil is fully warmed. The rising heat brings new challenges, from pest management to watering needs. Here’s what you need to/ can do this month:
1. Plant Warm-Season Crops If you haven’t already, June is a great time to plant heat-loving vegetables. Some top picks include tomatoes (we still have plenty), peppers (both sweet and hot varieties), eggplants, okra, sweet potatoes, beans (especially bush and pole beans), squash (zucchini and yellow squash), melons, and cucumbers. If you’re serious about feeding your family, succession planting is key this month. Stagger plantings of beans, lettuce, or squash every couple weeks to extend the harvest later into summer.
2. Maintain and Fertilize Once your garden is in full swing, maintenance is essential. Some to-dos:
• Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (straw, pine bark, or shredded leaves) around vegetables and flowers to conserve moisture, reduce weed growth, and moderate soil temperature.
• Fertilize: Feed heavy feeders such as tomatoes and corn. Organic compost or balanced granular fertilizers work well.
• Weed: Weeds grow amazingly well in fresh, worked-up soil. Remove them regularly before they go to seed. If plants are established, use Preen.
Now let’s talk about lawn and landscape plants. June is a peak month for ornamental gardens, with many plants putting on a show! To keep the show going you’ll need to keep working in the yard.
• Plant summer annuals: It’s still a good time to add color, and we have lots of plants in stock. Angelonia, vinca, purslane, and lantana are a few that take the summer heat like a champ.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs: Prune azaleas, lilacs, or forsythia now before they set buds for next year.
• Deadhead: Remove spent blooms from annuals and perennials to encourage further flowering and to keep the old blooms from causing fungus.
• Check for pests: June often brings increased pest activity. Watch for Japanese beetles, aphids, and spider mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil as needed.
• Mow high: Raise your mower blade to 3-4 inches to promote deep root growth and retain soil moisture.
• Water deeply and early: Aim for about
an inch of water per week, ideally applied in the early morning to minimize evaporation and prevent disease.
If your space is limited, June is a great time to plant or freshen up containers.
• Herbs like basil, cilantro, thyme, and oregano love heat and do well in pots.
• Water daily in hot spells, as containers dry out more quickly.
• Pinch herbs regularly to keep them from bolting and to encourage bushy growth.
• Some vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, potatoes, and more do well in pots.
• Flowers will need the same care as those in the ground. Deadhead, fertilize, and check for insects weekly.
Now let’s talk about perennials, because June is perennial month! There are some things to keep in mind if you’re not used to growing perennials. Many perennials do not have a long bloom time - 4-6 weeks is average. If you want consistent blooms, you’ll need to plant sequential bloomers. Start out your spring with creeping phlox, candytuft, irises, peonies, brunnera, and baptisia. Add summer bloomers such as daisies, lilies, phlox, purple coneflower, yarrow, bee balm, rudbeckia, and salvia. Shady yard? Hostas, coral bells, and ferns will give you blooms
and wonderful foliage color combinations. Moving into the fall, asters, mums, sedums, and some sages will continue the bloom show. Winter has hellebores to bloom in the gloom. Native plants have the additional benefits of being easier to grow and feeding our native pollinators, so check those out as well! More information about perennials:
• It takes them a little while to get going. Most start performing the third year.
• After 3-5 years, you can divide and share. Research timing or give us a call, some prefer spring and some prefer fall.
• Most can be moved if they (or you) are unhappy with their location. Butterfly weed has a taproot and cannot be moved.
• Perennial does not mean forever. Some, such as peonies, live for decades. Others start fading after a few years.
We continue to get trucks in throughout the summer, so stop by to see what’s new. Let us help you have a beautiful garden!
Meadow View Greenhouses & Garden Center 9885 Highway 11E, Lenoir City, TN 37772 865.986.7229
MeadowViewGreenhouse.com
New Exhibitions Opening
Emporium Center June 6
THE ARTS & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from June 6 through July 3. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at KnoxAlliance.store.
Booder Barnes & Bob Thompson: Scruffy City Kitties in the Upper Gallery
Booder Barnes artist statement excerpts: The idea for Scruffy City Kitties evolved while I was studying some of my mural cat templates and thought I would like a show with a community of cats in their daily meanderings. I thought of the 2016 film, Kedi , about the cats of Istanbul where they roamed freely, owned by no one, yet were left shelter and food by a wide range of community businesses and families.
Local artist Bob Thompson and I collaborated in 2017 for the show Welcome to Heresville in the A1 Gallery at Emory Place. Its theme was “a community of ideas,” so it was logical to work together again for a “community of cats” exhibition. In 2022, Bob visited and listened to my notes for cat designs, cat construction, and catmosphere. It took me a year to cut 29 cats out of fiberboard then Bob primed and painted cat coats. We used found objects for eyes and named each kedi. So now, welcome to Scruvvi Citi Kediz!
Kelli Thompson: America’s Park, Our Backyard in the Atrium
Kelli Thompson loves to capture nature, whether it is water, wildflowers, landscapes, or wildlife, and there is no better place to do that than the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known as the “Wildflower Park of America.” Thompson follows the blooming cycle of her favorite trails, capturing the diverse range of spring ephemerals that bloom in waves.
Through these photographs, Thompson represents some of her favorites ranging from historical structures to a variety of wildlife and wildflowers.
Thompson received her first camera as a high school graduation gift from her grandparents and quickly developed a love of photography. She has also photographed a wide variety of subjects from University of Tennessee football to NASCAR races. Her favorite places to photograph are where diversity of life is found: state and national parks, as well as the Clinch and Tennessee River systems.
Patsy Ferrell White: Knoxville Creatives Review on the North Wall
A series of 10 painted portraits, Knoxville Creatives Review is part art exhibition and part Knoxville art history project. It is an
extension of White’s 2018 series, The Locals , which included 10 portraits of visual artists living in Knoxville.
Knoxville Creatives Review expands to include portraits of individuals practicing in a wider scope of artistic mediums from fashion to music and beyond. It serves as a time capsule of the range of creative excellence existing in our city, as well as a sampling of the standouts who call Knoxville home.
Patsy Ferrell White is a self-taught, fine art painter. Her process is simplefrom the head, through the hand, and to the medium without digital aids or tracing in any form; all work is completely done by freehand. White accepts commissions for custom portraits and murals.
Jonathan Knight: Light and Shadow in the Display Case
Jonathan Knight is a Knoxville photographer who is drawn to the contrast of light and shadow that monochrome can produce. Whether capturing a vast landscape in a national park or a lone individual in a large city center, his goal is to find the geometry within that moment - to pause and find the shapes that we pass in everyday life.
Knight is also a composer who studied film scoring at NYU. He has composed for string quartets, choirs, solo piano, electronics, percussion ensembles, and dance ensembles, among others. In 2024, he released singles and a classical crossover album, Fragments of a Life.
The Collective Lens: Perspectives by the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee in the Lower Gallery
The Professional Photographers of East Tennessee is a collective of skilled photographers dedicated to advancing the art and profession of photography in the region. PPETN offers education, networking opportunities, and resources to help photographers of all levels thrive in their craft. Portraying a wide variety of subject matter and style, this new exhibition is a collection of images created by its members. Selected through a competitive jurying process, the images highlight the artistic range and storytelling talent of East Tennessee’s photography community.
These exhibitions will be on display June 6 hrough July 3 at the Emporium Center, located at 100 S. Gay Street. The Emporium is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm with additional hours on June 21 from 10 am to 2 pm for Make Music Knoxville. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on June 19 and July 4 for the holidays. For more information, call 865-523-7543 or visit KnoxAlliance.com.
THE EMPORIUM
LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN
Knoxville on the 100 block of Gay Street, the Emporium Building is a striking example of Second Renaissance Revival architecture. Constructed in 1898, the building was designed by prominent Knoxville architect L.C. Waters. At the time of its construction, it represented a modern addition to the city’s architectural landscape. Its original purpose was to serve as the new home of Sterchi Brothers Furniture Store, a major retail enterprise that played a significant role in Knoxville’s commercial development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Throughout the decades, the Emporium Building witnessed the ebb and flow of downtown Knoxville’s fortunes. By the early 2000s, like many historic buildings in the area, it had lost its original function and stood in need of reinvention. Recognizing both its historical value and its potential to contribute to downtown revitalization, local developer David Dewhirst stepped in to breathe new life into the structure. In 2004, Dewhirst, working in collaboration with the City of Knoxville, purchased the building from its previous owner, Kristopher Kendrick, a fellow preservation advocate. What followed was a comprehensive renovation project that balanced respect for the building’s historical integrity with the need for modern functionality. The goal was to create a mixed-use development that would attract both residents and businesses while
maintaining the character that made the building architecturally significant. The project transformed the space into residential lofts and commercial units, including areas dedicated to arts and culture.
Today, the Emporium Building stands not only as a beautifully preserved piece of Knoxville’s architectural heritage but also as a vibrant cultural cornerstone of the city. It is home to several art galleries that feature the work of local and regional artists, offering a space where creativity can flourish. In addition to its role as a visual arts venue, the Emporium also houses the administrative offices of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville, an organization that supports and promotes cultural initiatives throughout the region.
Five other arts and cultural organizations call the Emporium home, creating a collaborative and enriching environment for artists, performers, and the community at large. The building regularly hosts exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public events, drawing residents and visitors alike into the city’s thriving arts scene.
The Knox Heritage mission is to protect Knoxville’s unique character for future generations by preserving, restoring, and transforming historically significant structures and places. Established in 1974 as a nonprofit historic preservation organization, Knox Heritage is chartered by the state of Tennessee and governed by a board of directors.
AQUESTION
POSED a few weeks ago at a men’s group I meet with asked, “Who did you want to be like when you were a child and why?”
I didn’t have an immediate answer, but what did come to mind were those I’ve learned from and had relationships with in my adult life, which led to me thinking about all the “anchors” along the way. Those who have played a meaningful part in our lives - whether parents, bosses, siblings, friends, co-workers, or someone along the way who invested time and energy to develop and maintain the relationship.
This observation focused on family members who are no longer with us and recalling how much their life and significant role - even when long distance was involved - served as a stabilizing, reliable, and reassuring presence.
often the center (“hub”) of the wheel, and the spokes were the actions and responsibilities they took on to plan, communicate, speak up, set the tone, engage others, host at holidays, offer wise counsel when asked, and facilitate keeping a group together.
Since they have often been in this role for as long as we can remember, it can be easy to take them for granted and, perhaps at times, even get annoyed at them for being “them” - until they are no longer there! When the anchor is gone, the ship often drifts. The void is palpable and changes things. It’s obviously the natural cycle of life, but it has been a tough lesson to see played out.
The Anchors in Our Lives Business Note
BY BRETT CAFFERTY
In our families, we have lost several “anchors” in the past few years. There are great memories, sadness for loss, and the hurt for those closest, along with the inevitable change in dynamics of how specific family or peer groups interact. They were
My point is two-fold: A) Recognize and appreciate the anchors in your life and how they have helped keep the world (and perhaps your family or friend group) spinning and B) Don’t underestimate your importance within a family or business group dynamic. You may be someone’s anchor without knowing it, or perhaps it’s a void that needs to be filled and you are it!
Photo by Mirtography
Downtown Studio: Historic Phoenix Building, 418 South Gay Street behind the Phoenix Pharmacy and Status Dough. Email for hours or stop by during First Friday.
