Mark your calendar for their next Restyle Your Fur event on May 16th & 17th.
13 Willow River Design and Build
Knoxville's premier renovation contractor.
15 Ijams Nature Center
How to start a garden for butterflies and hummingbirds.
18 Farm Bureau Insurance
Proud to provide coverage for many of Tennessee's farms.
24 Nancy Keith, Realtor®
Learn which home improvement projects offer the highest return on investment for homeowners.
AS A PROFESSIONAL organizer since 2000, Chris McKenry has been delivering stunning, organized storage to Knoxville and the surrounding area for a decade. From your home’s laundry room, garage, pantry, or closet, Chris and his team at Closets by McKenry are masters at creating functional, beautiful spaces for all your storage needs. Stop by their West Knoxville showroom or schedule a free consultation.
From the Publisher
AS IS COMMON, my friendships have been with those in my general age bracket - give or take 5 to 10 years. These friends are great because you have life experiences in common, as well as generational understandings - the music was/is the same, nostalgic products/ commercials are the same, and we can always relate on the “remember when…” conversations.
But beginning just a few years ago, I was fortunate enough to start a “passenger” relationship with a neighborhood boy who is now just shy of 10 years old. I say passenger because our main contact has been a ride to his homeschool co-op a couple times a week. Of course, we began a little awkwardly, navigating what subjects would appeal to both of us and eventually settling on his trips back to his parents’ home county of Chilé, where his beloved grandparents still live. This allowed him to “homeschool” me as I was very unfamiliar with South America and what a “day in the life” might look like. We have since progressed to
an “awesome” Netflix series involving anime football (soccer), video games, art projects, and spelling test words - along with family vacations and the ins-andouts of having a younger sister.
Another valued friendship began more recently with a woman who attends our church. She is the same age as my mother, and I have been more than delighted to share her company. In very short order, we were able to connect on a personal level, as well as find humor in a lot of the same circumstances. We have been able to problem solve, marvel at daily life, and laugh more than I had considered I would do with someone who is not “my age.” She is a visit I always look forward to! I encourage everyone to “branch out” of the sameness and to experience the joy of relationships with those outside of your usual comfort zone. I have been immensely blessed and enriched from my more unconventional friendships, and I think you might be, too.
Susan Cafferty Publisher + Editor
Susan Cafferty Publisher + Editor
Brett Cafferty Marketing + Operations
Kendra Menendez Editor + Administration
Meredith Hancock Design + Production
Contact Information Post Office Box 24532 Knoxville, 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.
Join the CLOSETBRATION!
MAY 13TH 5:00-7:30 PM
Celebrating 10 years in the Knoxville closet scene
201 CENTER PARK DRIVE #1070
Music by Wyatt Ellis & Alex Leach
WATSON
STAINED GLASS POP-UP SHOP
FOOD • CLOSET PICKIN' FUN
AN EVENING FOR MAKING YOUR HOME BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIZED!
FBY CARRIE MCCONKEY, CARRIEMCCONKEY.COM
OR CLOSETS by McKenry, 2025 is a big year.
The locally-owned and operated storage design company is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Owner Chris McKenry is excited and honored to have served his hometown for a decade. Prior to opening his business, the entrepreneur had been a standout in the organizing industry for 15 years.
“I
would give Closets by McKenry 10 stars. Chris had an eye for what we were asking for and went out of his way to give us the concept and design we needed. He caught our vision!”
Starting Out
In 2000, Chris moved to Los Angeles to enter the burgeoning industry of professional organizers. Soon, the Knoxville native noticed a trend among his clients. “Their closets didn’t contain enough space for their things,” he explained, “so I began custom designing them.”
Coming Home
After 15 successful years in L.A., to include features in Oprah Magazine and Women’s Day, Chris returned home to East Tennessee. “I started by using my own Knoxville home as a living example of professionally-designed storage spaces,” he said. “Then, in 2019, I transitioned to a 1,000-square-foot West Knoxville showroom.” Just one year later, Chris doubled his showroom space and opened a sister company, Designer Garages.
Growing the Team
Chris’s staff has more than tripled in the past 10 years and all share his commitment and passion toward storage design. “Our team members at Closets by McKenry and Designer Garages each have their own creative interests,” the head designer said. “This keeps them fueled and inspired as they work with clients.”
Serving East Tennessee
At Closets by McKenry, style combines with function in nearly every area of the home with the exception of the kitchen and bath.
“With shelving, drawers, cabinets, lighting, countertops, and more, order can be created in your home that is both time saving and life-changing,” said Chris. “And no budget is too big or too small.”
Chris and his team enjoy working with homeowners, interior designers, and contractors throughout East Tennessee. “We serve all areas that touch Knox County,” he said.
Stop by Closets by McKenry and Designer Garages to experience just how stunning organized storage can be. “We’re grateful to our community for supporting us for the past decade,” said Chris. “We’ll be holding special events all year. It will be a Closetbration!”
Closets by McKenry
201 Center Park Drive, #1070 Knoxville, TN 37922
865.249.6382
ClosetsByMcKenry.com
Designer Garages
201 Center Park Drive, #1080 Knoxville, TN 37922
865.268.4868
DesignerGarages.com
LENOIR CITY 1301 Hwy 321 N Lenoir City, TN, 37771 865-986-6533
MARYVILLE 723 S Foothills Plaza Maryville, TN, 37801 865-983-0741
ATHENS 201 S Congress Pkwy Athens, TN, 37303 423-744-9828
HARDIN VALLEY 10838 Hardin Valley Rd Knoxville, TN, 37932 865-248-2340
Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille
Happy Hour on the Patio and So Much More
Wto highlight one of my favorite happy hour spots. Seasons is located on the Campbell Station end of Turkey Creek. The food and drink menu change seasonallyhence the name - and none have failed to please my taste buds. They have a lovely patio to enjoy this nice weather, so grab your friends and head there!
I’ll start by mentioning Seasons has daily specials and a great happy hour every day from 4 to 6:30 pm. The cocktails change each season, and they offer local beers on tap, as well as a phenomenal wine selection. I recently had a pear ginger martini that blew me away! I have also heard incredible things about their signature old fashioned. For appetizers, it’s hard to choose but you can’t go wrong with any of the options. Some favorites are the Crispy Calamari (very thick pieces of fried calamari with delicious sweet chili sauce to dip it in), the Brussels sprouts are cooked to perfection, and the Brie is a crowd pleaser every time. I sometimes order the buttermilk chicken as my meal with an
Moving on to entrees, the Springer Mountain Chicken topped with brandy cream sauce, sautéed spinach, and prosciutto paired with garlic mashed potatoes is
my go-to. The Prime Rib Sandwich is another favorite. The seasonal pasta is handmade and delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. On top of a great meal, you’ll always experience the best of service. Saving the absolute best for last - dessert. Seasons brings out a dessert sampler board so you can visually decide which one you’re in the mood for. The seasonal bread pudding
is my absolutely favorite thing on the menu. In the summer, they have a pina colada bread pudding that has changed my life. I recently had a red velvet cheesecake with homemade Oreo crust - enough said. Finally, the famous key lime pie speaks for itself. I recommend ordering more than one - not because they aren’t big enough, but they’re so good it’s too hard to choose one. You’ll thank me later! All in all, the experience at Seasons is always extremely pleasant. It’s a fine dining restaurant with wonderful service and even better food. I highly recommend the happy hour and the patio! They have a brunch that I have not tried yet, but it looks to be just as great as everything else they serve. Seasons also has a location in Sevierville with a rooftop bar, so if you’re out that way, check out Seasons 101 as well. As always, let them know Kelly’s Belly sent you! Cheers!
Restyle Your Fur Event
May 16th and 17th 10 am to 5:30 pm
DO YOU HAVE a sentimental fur stole, jacket, or coat hanging in your closet not being worn? Let Restyle Your Fur perform an unforgettable “trans-furmation” by having expert furriers:
• Convert it into a fabulous vest or 2-in-1 jacket with removable sleeves.
• Make a cuddly teddy bear, pillow, or throw.
• Enlarge, downsize, or repair your garment.
• Shear it to update the look.
Fur is one of the few materials that can be stripped apart and entirely restyled. Beyond alterations, it can be sheared to a short plush, updated to a different style, or, most commonly, added as fur collars, cuffs, or lining for raincoats and everyday coats to add luxury and style. At our Restyle Your Fur event, we will first assess the condition of the fur of your coat and then discuss updating and restyling options for you. Restyle Your Fur is proud to make perfect fur alterations with always on time delivery.
If you were lucky enough to receive a fur coat from past generations, it may require a restyle to keep up with today’s fashion trends. Updating your furs will give you a new piece you can comfortably wear and even pass down to younger generations.
Restyle Your Fur is an independent business that continues to fuel the ever-evolving restyling market. All furs are restyled in the United States by their highly qualified professionals. To learn more about Restyle Your Fur, visit RestyleYourFur.com. The Lily Pad is thrilled to partner with them for this event!
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
WORLD'S FAIR PARK • MAY 17 • 10 AM - 3 PM • FREE EVENT!
WINNER OF the 2025 Kaleidoscope Award for “Best Children’s Event” by the Southeastern Festivals and Events Association, the 19th Children’s Festival of Reading will be held on Saturday, May 17, at World’s Fair Park.
Join us for world-class authors and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, science demonstrations, arts & crafts, and so much more! Meet featured authors Elliott Smith, Jennifer Nielson, Kate Messner, Kevin Lewis, and Vivian Vande Velde, along with costumed storybook characters from Very Hungry Caterpillar, Elephant and Piggie, and Cookie Mouse
Be sure to visit the Summer Library Challenge tent at the festival to pick up your gameboard and register for the summer challenge that rewards kids, teens, and adults for reading or listening to books during the summer. When you’ve met your goal, return to any library location to receive a Read City prize.
All activities and performances are free, and convenient and free parking is available at the 11th Street, Locust Street, and Market Street parking garages, as well as the Blackstock lot and on the street. Food vendors will have a variety of options available for purchase. The festival will be held rain or shine.
Join us for an epic day in World’s Fair Park celebrating books, authors, and the literary arts. Read more about the featured artists, authors, and performance schedules at KnoxCountyLibrary.org/childrens-festival-of-reading.
How to Start a Garden for Butterflies and Hummingbirds
COURTESY OF IJAMS NATURE CENTER, IJAMS.ORG
THERE ARE MANY things you can do to create a successful habitat in your own backyard. Remember to start with a small area so you do not become overwhelmed. To have a successful butterfly and hummingbird garden you need to provide:
Shelter
Anything that will protect from wind and rain.
• Loose bark
• Evergreens
• Shrubs
• Wind breaks
• Dark rocks for warmth
Water
Water needs to be provided in small amounts.
• Puddles
• Mister
• Damp soil
• Fruit or stale beer
Nectar Plants
Nectar plants provide food for the adult butterfly and hummingbirds. It is best to provide flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer. Mid to late summer is the critical period to provide food.
• Shrubs & trees - Bottlebrush, Red Buckeye, Buttonbush, Redbud, Summersweet, Cranberry Viburnum, Possum Haw, Viburnum, Butterfly Bush, Birch
When selecting plant species, focus on native species. Native plant species require minimal fertilizer and water, thus contributing to overall environmental health.
Host Plants
Host plants provide a place for adult butterflies to lay their eggs and food for emerging caterpillars. Be prepared for the destruction of these plants. It is a sign of success. Different butterfly species prefer specific plants to lay their eggs on. Below is a list of butterfly species and their host plants.
Caterpillar
Buckeyes
Food/Host Plant
Black Swallowtails Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace
How Much Margin Do You Have in Your Financial Life?
BY ADAM KORNEGAY, ADAM@ASSETPLANNINGCORP.COM
AFTER SHARING that I was a financial planner, I remember being asked, “What’s one thing I need to know about financial planning?
My answer was simple: “Earn more, spend less.” Your cup will never overflow unless you have more going in than going out.
Another way of viewing that difference between the financial “in” vs. financial “out” is margin.
Simply stated, if you are spending more than you are earning, you have no margin and are going into debt. If you are earning more than you are spending, you have margin and are saving.
It’s the relative size of the margin that makes the difference. According to a recent Bank of America survey, almost half of respondents perceive themselves as living “paycheck to paycheck.” But, perhaps surprisingly, a deeper analysis found that “around 20% of households with incomes above $150K also appear to be living paycheck to paycheck.”
Where do you land? Just enou gh to make it to the next paycheck? You’re surviving. Saving some (at least enough to have an emergency fund)? You’re stable. If you are saving for long-term goals or even have more than enough, you’re flourishing.
What do you do if you need to increase your financial margin?
Start with “earning more.” If you are still working, you have a lot of “human capital.” How can you invest in yourself to generate more income? Perhaps that means getting that next degree or certification, asking for that promotion, or changing jobs/careers.
“Spending less” is usually the place where you have the most
control. It’s been said that if you really want to know someone’s values, you merely need to see their calendar and their checkbook. How does your spending reflect what’s important to you? More often than not, there’s plenty of extra that can be trimmed.
I suggest taking an inventory of what you are spending. Looking back over the last three months (going further back adds too much complexity), divide all expenses into two categories: essentials and non-essentials. Be ruthless on what to count as essential: If you had no reliable income, would you still need to make this purchase?
While everyone’s spending is going to be different, a simple tool is a 50/30/20 distribution:
• 50% for essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, food, and taxes
• 30% for non-essential expenses such as entertainment, dining, and hobbies
• 20% for savings for long- and short-term goals (e.g., emergency fund, retirement), debt repayment, and giving
As you can see, with a healthy margin, you’re able to weather the occasional financial storm, save for the future, and give freely. In other words, earn more, spend less and enjoy the margin!
Adam Kornegay is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a Certified Kingdom Advisor with APC Financial Planning, which is celebrating its 50th year of serving clients in East Tennessee and beyond. APC Financial Planning is a registered investment advisor.
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.
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 24 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
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!
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
Chaos Conquered
FLATWATER
TALES
STORYTELLING FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
2025 STORYTELLERS
JUNE 6-7 • OAK RIDGE
THE FLATWATER TALES Storytelling Festival has announced the dates of this year’s events, featuring three nationally acclaimed storytellers for performances on June 6th and 7th. The annual festival returns live to the Historic Grove Theater, located at 123 Randolph Road in Oak Ridge.
The storytellers include:
Anne Shimojima, whose folk tales from around the world and historical stories enlighten, educate, and inspire audiences, appearing for the first time in Oak Ridge.
The Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr., an inspirational storyteller who celebrates history, humor, and the power of American Roots music, returning to the festival by popular request.
Bil Lepp, a Flatwater Festival crowd favorite and an award-winning storyteller, author, recording artist, and History Channel host, who spins humorous, family-friendly tall tales and stories.
Each show is unique, as these storytellers will perform different stories at each of the events, beginning June 6 at 7 pm and continuing with three more shows on June 7 at 10 am, 2 and 7 pm. Most performances will be at the Historic Grove Theater, and free events will be at the Oak Ridge Senior Center and the American Museum of Science and Energy. The festival was inspired by the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN, where all three of this year’s storytellers have appeared.
Several free programs will be offered:
Bil Lepp will present a “Taste of the Tales” on June 6 at 10 am at the Oak Ridge Senior Center (1405 Oak Ridge Turnpike) for ages 18 and up as a gift to residents from the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival
and the City of Oak Ridge.
Anne Shimojima will share the history of her Japanese American family’s three generations of life in America since 1909, including the incarceration camp drama faced in the 1940s, with her story “Looking Like the Enemy: An American WWII Story.” This free event on June 6 at 3 pm will be at the American Museum of Science and Energy (115 E. Main Street) and is presented by Flatwater Tales, AMSE, and the Oak Ridge Historic Preservation Association.
Oak Ridge Historian Ray Smith will once again offer his free Historic Tour of Oak Ridge for both visitors here for the festival and residents on June 6 from 12:30 to 2:45 pm. Participants are asked to register for the free performances at the ticket site, as space is limited.
The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, which originated in 2018, is led by community volunteers, including volunteers from the three Rotary Clubs in Oak Ridge. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FlatWaterTales.com.
Anne Shimojima Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr. Bil Lepp
Which Projects Are Worth the Price?
BY NANCY KEITH, REALTOR ®
AS 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 Nancy@nancykeithproperties.com.
DIXIE LEE MARKET
Renaissance Center
12740 Kingston Pike, 37934
Saturdays 9 am - Noon
MARKET SQUARE DOWNTOWN
Wednesdays from 10 am - 1 pm
Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm
NEW HARVEST PARK
4775 New Harvest Lane, 37918
Thursdays 3 pm - 6 pm
EBENEZER ROAD
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
Join us on May 31st at 9:30 am for a fun day utilizing one of the coolest natural resources we have in Knox County, the Beaver Creek Water Trail! Gates open at 7 am! Grab your kayak, paddle board, or canoe; put in right behind Powell High School and Float to Roy Arthur Stormwater Park on Harrell Road in Karns (roughy a 3 hour trip).
Register with a $10 donation that includes: transportation, event t-shirt, event koozie, and a sense of pride knowing your donation will help improve the creek!
F loattheBeaver.com
EUROPEAN FINE HARDWOOD FLOORS
GENUINE DUST-FREE FINISHING
Durable,
Dustless and safe refinishing for your home, using our Bona truck-mounted containment system
Family owned and operated, celebrating 10 years serving Knoxville area clients
Superior craftsmanship by licensed and insured Bona-certified craftsman
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.
“We loved working with European Fine Hardwood Floors and absolutely love our floors! They truly met and exceeded every expectation that we had for them!”
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!
Spring Gift Guide
CFINLEYART
Go beyond the ordinary with a bespoke watercolor home portrait created by artist Charles Finley. Each meticulously crafted painting transcends mere representation, capturing the essence of memory, warmth, and architectural grace - transforming a cherished dwelling into an objet d’art worthy of contemplation and reverence. Available at CFinleyArt, 200 E Broadway Avenue in Maryville, 865.266.3381, CFinleyArt.com.
SHAE DESIGN STUDIO
Elevate your game time with this marble Tic-Tac-Toe box with brass inlays and pieces. At 12 inches square, it’s the perfect table top decor and conversation piece. Get your XOXOXOs at Shae Design Studio, 9700 Kingston Pike, Suite 11 in Knoxville, 865.313.2656, ShaeDesigns.com.
DOGWOOD LANE BOUTIQUE
NewBeginnings socks, loomed and designed in Alabama, have verses on the sole so you can be “standing on the Word” all day! Makes a great Mother’s Day or graduation gift! These and other thoughtful pieces are available at Dogwood Lane Boutique, 107 & 109 E Morris Street in Sweetwater, 423.536.7046, Facebook: @DogwoodLaneBoutique.
MAKER EXCHANGE
Visit the Curio at Maker Exchange to shop locally made artwork for 150+ makers, including new work by Diahn Ott, a local ceramicist: Botanical vase with speckled glaze. Stop by 710 Clinch Avenue in downtown Knoxville between the Marriott and Tennessean Hotels, 865.637.4561, or online at MakerExchangeKnox.com.
MEADOW VIEW GREENHOUSES & GARDEN CENTER
Add a little springtime charm to your tabletop with mini bluebird and angel figurines. Winged praying angel is 9.5 inches tall, made of resin with a wood carved look, and has a lovely painted, floral skirt. (Other sizes also available.) Mini ceramic birds are 2.5 inches tall and come in various poses. Available at Meadow View Greenhouses & Garden Center, 9885 Highway 11E in Lenoir City, 865.986.7229, MeadowViewGreenhouse.com.
LAMON JEWELERS
The Outlier by Ball Watches is the original railroad watch founded by Webster C. Ball who was commissioned to create a timepiece for the Conductor, Engineer, Fireman, and Trainmaster to always be on time. Swiss-made timepieces with years of history and timeless design are the perfect Father’s Day gift. Available at Lamon Jewelers' new location at 11237 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek, 865.690.9568, LamonJewelers.com.
Spring Gift Guide
SOCIAL CYCLE BIKE SHOP
Give the gift of health - and fun! Your source for Aventon e-Bikes, State Bicycles, accessories, and more! Available at Social Cycle Bike Shop, 121 E Depot Street in historic downtown Lenoir City, 909-800-6127, SocialCycleLC.com.
RELAXED & REFINED MENSWEAR
Who doesn’t just love a stylish Daddy & Me (or grandpa & me) summer look? These high-quality coordinating shirts from Summer Duck Apparel of South Carolina come in a variety of colors and sizes. Come see our selection of menswear and accessories at Relaxed & Refined Menswear, 205 N Main Street in Sweetwater, 423.271.6101, Facebook: @RelaxedandRefinedMenswear.
KAREN'S JEWELERS
These Dee Berkley stretch bracelets with a variety of gold filled beads and genuine gemstones offer wearable, effortless elegance. Crafted with positive energy and a smile so you can smile, too! It’s that simple. Wear jewelry and be happy with Dee Berkley Jewelry, starting at $40 and available at Karen's Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, 865.483.6717, KarensJewelers.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!
NOUVEAU CLASSICS
This Serpente custom pillow by Emdee includes a 95/5 feather down insert and Emdee logo zipper charm. Available in four different colors at Nouveau Classics Contemporary Furniture & Interior Design, 101 S Gay Street in Knoxville, 865.525.4755, NouveauClassics.com.
Spring Gift Guide
MEADOW VIEW GREENHOUSES & GARDEN CENTER
Feed your feathered friends with an iridescent, sun catching “cut glass” design hummingbird feeder in attractive ombre color palettes. At almost 12 inches tall, there is plenty of food for all your feeder visitors. Each comes with a matching S hook for easy hanging. Available at Meadow View Greenhouses & Garden Center, 9885 Highway 11E in Lenoir City, 865.986.7229, MeadowViewGreenhouse.com.
SHAE DESIGN STUDIO
These stylized “jacks” are a unique table top decor item that can be used alone or in multiples. Soldered metal with a warm antique brass finish, these 12"x12"x9" jacks add a structured architectural element to your space. Available at Shae Design Studio, 9700 Kingston Pike, Suite 11 in Knoxville, 865.313.2656, ShaeDesigns.com.
THE LILY PAD BOUTIQUE
If you have a sentimental fur stole, jacket, or coat not being worn, attend The Lily Pad’s Restyle Your Fur event May 16th & 17th from 10-5 and update your fur! Convert it into a vest or 2-in-1 jacket with removable sleeves; make a cuddly teddy bear, pillow, or throw; enlarge, downsize, or repair your garment; or shear it to update the look. Get a new piece you can comfortably wear and even pass down to younger generations. The Lily Pad Boutique, 209 N Main Street in Sweetwater, 423.337.5537, LilyPadBoutiqueOnline.com.
These stunning puzzles were created with artist Kathleen A. Janke’s alcohol ink rendering of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along with her paintings, Kathleen also creates pine needle gourd baskets and photography showcasing the beauty of our surrounding mountains. This and other unique gifts are available at her gallery, Gracehill Fine Art and Basketry, 110 Mountain Avenue in Townsend, 865.660.6400, GracehillArt.com.
DOGWOOD LANE BOUTIQUE
Our "Lamby" sherpa snuggler, combination lovey toy and security blanket, is just one of many of our perfect companions for little ones. Great for shower gifts or just because. Pair it with a coordinating rattle or belly blanket to compete the set! Available at Dogwood Lane Boutique, 107 & 109 E Morris Street in Sweetwater, 423.536.7046, Facebook: @DogwoodLaneBoutique.
TOWNS TOFFEE
Coconut Crunch Toffee is a seasonal flavor throughout the spring so all of the coconut-loving mothers (and others!) in our lives can have it on Mother’s Day! The sweetness of the coconut is balanced with milk chocolate, buttery almonds, and pecan in this unique (gluten-free) toffee. Available at Towns Toffee, 1006 N Main Street in downtown Sweetwater, 865.368.8365, TownsToffee.com.
Spring Gift Guide
OPEN CHORD MUSIC SHOP
The Kala Cigar Box Ukulele blends ornate design with a quirky flair! Featuring a traditional rectangular “Cigar Box” shape, it’s crafted from Meranti wood and topped with an intricate laser-etched design. Makes a great gift for the musician in your life. Pick it up today at the Open Chord Music Shop, 8426 Kingston Pike, Suite 102 in Knoxville, 865.281.5874, OpenChordMusicShop.com.
SULLIVAN'S ROCKY HILL
A Sullivan's gift card makes a great gift for moms, dads, and grads! Locally owned and operated and serving the Rocky Hill area for 30 years, Sullivan's offers a variety of fresh, homemade food using “made from scratch” recipes. Pick up a gift card today at Sullivan's Rocky Hill, 7545 Northshore Drive in Knoxville, 865.694.9696, SullivansRockyHill.com.
INTERNATIONAL FLAIR JEWELERS
These sweet Teardrop Heart pendants can be engraved with a loved one's actual fingerprints, handprints, footprints, or standard handwriting. They come in a variety of metals and have a quick personalization turnaround time! Additional styles and sizes are available at International Flair Jewelers, 11124 Kingston Pike #113 in Farragut, 865.777.1181, InternationalFlairJewelers.net.
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.
LAMON JEWELERS
Don’t miss the Simon G. Mother’s Day Trunk Show on May 9-10th. See the complete collection on their website. Available at Lamon Jewelers' Maryville location next to Starbucks or their new location at 11237 Parkside Drive in Turkey Creek, 865.690.9568, LamonJewelers.com.
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.)
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.
REDISCOVER THE GREAT OUT-OF-DOORS ALL YEAR-ROUND
WHY NOT let the professionals at Undercover Systems help you take full advantage of unlimited out-of-door events this season for your family and friends to enjoy all year round? Now is the ideal time to get the totally unique and proprietary underdeck ceiling system from Undercover Systems installed under your home’s existing raised decks. This underdeck system will ensure that all your gatherings will be protected from unexpected and unwanted rain, searing summertime sun, and next winter’s snow and ice.
“Right now is the perfect time to weatherproof all of your outof-door events,” said Jim Conn, owner of Undercover Systems. “Throughout the entire process, our skilled craftsmen work with you, each step of the way, until your project is completed to your total satisfaction. And because your project will be completed this spring, you can begin enjoying your new outdoor living spaces before barbeque season heats up.”
Undercover’s patented underdecking system is designed by and manufactured exclusively by Undercover Systems, unlike other installers that use off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all underdecking products. And because Undercover’s system is supported entirely by their patented drain system - and not your deck - air is free to circulate ensuring the longevity of your deck’s wooden structural supports, preventing them from premature failure.
You’ll appreciate Undercover Systems’ attention to detail as they help you craft a seamless transition from your home’s interior to
your new out-of-door living spaces. Underdeck ceilings come in a variety of colors and textures to perfectly complement your existing architecture and landscaping. You will also appreciate that every decking project is personally supervised by Jim and that Undercover Systems is a complaint-free member of the Better Business Bureau. Why not delight your family this spring with a special gift that everyone can appreciate all year long? Extend the enjoyment of your out-of-door spaces, protect your family from the elements, and begin creating a lifetime of memories with the experienced professionals at Undercover Systems. Call Jim at 423-267-0091 today to start celebrating your out-of-doors now and for all the seasons to come.
George Barber:
Victorian Mail-Order Architect
GEORGE F. BARBER (1854-1915) was an architect known for the house designs he marketed worldwide through his mail-order catalogs. A self-taught architect, his mail-order business was inspired and modeled after the Bridgepoint, Connecticut, firm of Palliser & Palliser & Company. Barber most likely purchased the Palliser’s 1878 catalog, American Cottage Homes , while working as a carpenter in Marmaton, Kansas. Later, working as an architect in Dekalb, Illinois, Barber produced a small publication of his own, The Cottage Souvenir in 1885, containing 18 plans and bound by yarn tied through a hole punched in the corner.
Barber arrived in Knoxville in 1888 on the advice of his doctor to seek a warmer climate. He became a partner in the Edgewood Land Improvement Company, which subdivided and developed a suburb east of Knoxville known as Park City (today, the Parkridge neighborhood) located along Washington Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. He designed more than a dozen homes in the area, including a number of his own personal homes along Washington Avenue. However, Barber’s business also looked far outside of Knoxville for clients, starting with the publication of The Cottage Souvenir #2 - A Repository of Artistic Cottage Architecture in 1891. The catalog contained 59 house plans, along with plans for barns, churches, and commercial stores. Other catalogs followed as the business thrived, including a monthly magazine. By the turn of the century, Barber owned the largest architecture firm in Knoxville and employed more than 30 draftsmen.
More than willing to customize designs, catalogs contained questionnaires and sketch pages for prospective clients to flesh out their ideas. Barber would frequently modify his designs to fit the client needs and specifications. Catalogs often stated, “Keep writing until you get what you want. Don’t be afraid of writing too often. We are not easily offended.”
Barber’s designs ran the entire gamut from small three and four room cottages to huge mansions. His earliest and most famous designs were examples of the late Victorian Eastlake and Queen Anne styles. A handful of his later designs show hints of bungalow influence, which he referred to as “chalet style.”
Retiring from his catalog business in 1908, Barber sold more than 20,000 plans during his career. When he died in 1915, professionally trained architects were more common than a generation
previously, and retail giants like Sears and Montgomery Ward had begun selling entire prefabricated houses via mail order (something Barber never did). Today, Barber’s legacy lives on in hundreds of houses scattered across the county, including more than 20 that still stand in Knoxville. Most are located in the Fourth & Gill, Old North Knoxville, and Oakwood-Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Many of his homes are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many more listed as part of historic districts. 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.
Defining Your “Things Worth Fighting For”
BY DR. JIM BAILEY
WHAT DO you want from your life? It’s a simple question, but answering it can be incredibly hard. If I asked you, “What do you want?,” what would you say? We humans have an endlessly changing list of things we want - a better job, new car, new home, new things, new or better friendships, new boyfriend/girlfriend, better marriage, health, and security for our family. It’s a list in constant flux, as our lives and circumstances change.
I’m old enough now to know I really shouldn’t trust my wants. Too many times I’ve gone hard and fast after things I wanted, only to find I didn’t feel satisfied when I got them. (Mostly this seems to be true about material things.) That doesn’t mean I’ve adopted a Zen mindset of not wanting what I haven’t got - there are lots of things that catch my eye when I wander through The Home Depot or REI, but I’ve learned to distrust those longings. Perhaps a better question than what you want is, what do you truly desire?
The words that get translated as “desire” in the Bible really mean “a passion or craving built on strong feelings.” I think of this as the deepest longings of our hearts. Proverbs 19:22 says, “What a person desires is unfailing love.” Of all the things I’ve wanted and pursued in life, I’ve never found unfailing love to come up short. The writer of that proverb was onto something.
Why should you define your desires? Psychologist Viktor Frankl once said that unless a person wakes up in the morning and knows where they’re going, their life seems muddled and confusing. Knowing what you desire is essential if you want to establish what’s most important in your life and use those things to guide you, rather than pointlessly chasing wants and urgent things.
It can be a challenge to determine what we desire, especially when we’re barraged by a heart full of wants. Defining what you desire requires asking yourself the right questions, then doing the hard, patient work required to accurately answer them.
What might that look like?
First, set aside enough time to answer the questions. You might get your answers in one block of time, but it’s naive to think you’ll get your answers quickly. It’s something that can’t be rushed. I’d start with a half-day minimum, but know it may require more time than that. Remember, the answers are important enough to build in sufficient time to answer them.
Second, shut out the noise of your life. Devices (phones, computers, TVs) and people clamor to fill our minds and hearts with things demanding our attention. You may need to schedule time away and work out childcare to fully escape the demands of your life. Being able to think clearly and without interruption is essential. So is patience.
Shutting out noise can take time - it can take hours for your mental to-do list and distractions to quiet down. Calming or breathing exercises to re-center your mind and heart may help. The easiest is a simple breath-count, where you inhale to a count of four (or six or eight), hold your breath for that count, then exhale for that count. And count out loud - it forces your mind to focus on the numbers and ignore the things that preoccupy you.
Third, find a place to be alone. Take a hike without a goal or destination (other than a place to sit and think), find a bench in a public park or along a greenway path, in an empty pavilion or a church sanctuary, beside a lake or stream, or a quiet room in your home. Get to a place where you’re unlikely to run into other people.
Fourth, ask the right questions. Asking “what do I want” or “what do I desire” rarely yields good answers. It’s often helpful to think about the life roles you’re in, then ask yourself what your ambitions (desired outcomes) are for those roles. (My roles include husband, father, career coach, mentor, friend, healthy human, and God-followeryours may be different.) For each of these ask yourself, “What do I want to be true about me in this role in five, 10, or 20 years or at the end of my life?” Or, you might use hindsight and ask, “What did I accomplish in that role?”
Knowing the roles you have (or want) in your life, and what you want as results of being in those roles, is a great way to determine the deepest longings of your heart. If you know these aspirations, then you can build in the ways to attain and defend them. After all, if they are truly worthwhile, then they are things worth fighting for.
SBY RANDY PATTERSON, BOOMEROCITY.COM
UMMER WILL
be here before you know it, and if you want to make sure that your summer rocks, check out the summer tour by the legendary classic rock band Styx. The band consists of seven men: James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), and Terry Gowan (bass, guitar, vocals).
Styx’s tour will also include former REO Speedwagon front man Kevin Cronin and will hit cities near Knoxville, including Greenville, SC, Birmingham, AL, Alpharetta, GA, and Charlotte and Raleigh, NC.
Still wanting more of Styx? You will be able to see the band at the State Fair in Knoxville on September 12th.
If all of that still leaves you screaming for more, then consider signing up for Styx’s three-day music vacation on the beautiful shores of Miramar, Florida. Titled “Rockin’ in Paradise with Styx + Friends,” it takes place October 9-11 and will feature two special performances by Styx, with one being the last time the band will perform their hit Grand Illusion album in its entirety. “Rockin’ in Paradise” also brings a stellar lineup of iconic rock artists, including Loverboy, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, Collective Soul, John Waite, Gowan, and Edwin McCain.
Styx draws from more than five decades of barn burning chart hits, joyous sing-a-longs, and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion,” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” to the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady,” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” to an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness,” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” to the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away,” and the grainy all-in rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.
For more information, visit StyxWorld.com. Watch for the September edition of Everything Knoxville for our exclusive interview with Styx keyboardist Lawrence Gowan.
VICKI PETERSON AND JOHN COWSILL LOVE HAS KEPT THEM TOGETHER
BY RANDY PATTERSON, BOOMEROCITY.COM
IN THE WORLD of rock and roll, love stories often unfold in the most unexpected ways - usually behind the scenes, away from the blinding stage lights and roaring crowds. One such enduring love story is that of Vicki Peterson, the dynamic guitarist of The Bangles as well as the Continental Drifters, and John Cowsill, the multi-talented drummer and vocalist of The Cowsills and The Beach Boys’ touring band. Both accomplished musicians in their own right, their shared journey through the decades has been one of mutual admiration, respect, and an unwavering passion for music.
Vicki rose to fame in the early 1980s as the lead guitarist and a founding member of The Bangles, the all-female rock band that became a defining force in the decade’s pop-rock scene. With hits like “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian,” and “Eternal Flame,” The Bangles combined jangly guitar riffs with intricate harmonies, establishing themselves as one of the era’s most beloved acts. Vicki’s distinctive guitar work and songwriting contributed significantly to the band’s success.
John, on the other hand, had been in the music industry long before The Bangles’ rise. As a member of The Cowsills, the real-life family band that inspired the hit TV show The Partridge Family, he was exposed to the limelight from a young age. Songs like “The Rain, the Park & Other Things” and “Hair” made The Cowsills household names in the late 1960s. John later transitioned into session work and became a longtime touring member of The Beach Boys, contributing his drumming and vocal talents to their legendary sound.
While both have enjoyed notoriety from their respective separate pursuits, it’s making music together that gives them special pleasure. The couple recently released a new single from their forthcoming album titled Long After the Fire. The single, “A Thousand Times,” is a heartfelt track that beautifully showcases their signature harmonies and seasoned musicianship. The song is a reflection on love, time, and the deep connection they have built throughout the years. With poignant lyrics and a rich, melodic arrangement, “A Thousand Times” captures the essence of their musical and personal journey together. Fans and critics alike have praised the song for its emotional depth and timeless sound, proving that their creative spark remains as vibrant as ever.
Another single they released previously, “Come to Me,” is particularly special to John. He shared the special story behind that song.
“My brother Barry wrote that song - Barry Cowsill. Barry and Vicki
sang that one - a fabulous song. We always had known about that song, but we didn’t have any recording. Barry never recorded it himself. So, we didn’t have a reference of him doing it. We had a cassette version of that. I can tell that story because I remember being at a friend’s house, Baron Bernard, who lived in Hancock Park, and Barry was staying on his couch in the house there. And so downstairs, he had a little rehearsal room in the cellar. It’s one of the most beautiful tracks on the album as far as I’m concerned. It’s just so special and emotionally charged. And Vicki did a great job with the lead on that.”
Concluding the story by remembering his late brother, “Barry was someone who was always trying to get things together, and he struggled. He struggled a lot in his life, in his later life. But that bridge, the lyrics, you know, how hard it is to get it together, basically. That’s what he’s saying, he’s like, ‘I’m trying. I’m working on it. I’m working on it. You may not see it, but I’m working on it.’ And that’s sincere, you know. And so, I think about him every time we go to that bridge.”
Beyond their impressive careers, Vicki and John’s story is one of perseverance, love, and an unwavering commitment to their art. Their ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the music industry while maintaining a strong personal and professional partnership is a testament to their resilience and talent.
As they continue to make music and inspire new generations of artists, their journey serves as a reminder that, in the unpredictable world of rock and roll, some love stories truly stand the test of time. Whether on stage or off, Vicki and John remain a harmonious duo whose legacy will undoubtedly endure for years to come.
There is much more to this interview that can watched on Boomerocity.com, YouTube, and on all major podcast platforms. Vicki and John's album, Long After the Fire, is available wherever you purchase your music - CD or vinyl. Also, you can keep up with the latest about them at VickiPetersonandJohnCowsill.com.
Launched in 2009, Randy’s Boomerocity The Fan Experience has more than 500 positive, sincere, one-on-one 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!
MAY
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH
Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Knoxville Children’s Theatre through the 18th. For show times and tickets visit KnoxvilleChildrensTheatre.com.
Knoxville Watercolor Society exhibit at Knoxville Museum of Art through the 25th.
MAY 8
Laughter in Bloom at Bearden Banquet Hall at 5:30 pm. A benefit for Hope Springs Adult Day Care Center. For info visit HopeSpringsADCC.org.
Willow Pill at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 pm through the 11th. See TennesseeTheatre.com for show times.
MAY 9
21st Annual John Chavis Golf Classic at Avalon Golf & Country Club at 8 am. A benefit for Tennessee Children’s Home. Visit TennesseeChildrensHome.org/events.
Sheep Shearing Days at the Museum of Appalachia from 9 am to 3 pm.
Candlelight Concert with Sanctus Real & Blue Violin at the Bijou Theatre at 7 pm.
Evening Paddle at Ijams Nature Center at 7 pm. Also the 16th, 23rd, and 30th.
Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence at Thompson-Boling Arena at 7 pm.
MAY 10
41st Annual Bob Watt Youth Fishing Rodeo at Anchor Park in Farragut from 7:30 to 8:30 am and 9 to 10 am. Free! Preregistration required at townoffarragut. recdesk.com/community/program.
Kid Olympics at John Tarleton Park (3101 Division Street) from 10 am to 1 pm. Traditional and non-traditional athletic games to foster creativity, resilience, and nurture an environment for healthy competition. Visit KnoxCountyParks.activityreg.com to register.
Stillness and Movement: Japanese-Inspired Floral Design at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Register at KnoxGarden.org.
Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival at World’s Fair Park from noon to 10 pm. Visit SouthernSkiesMusicFestival.com.
Spring Fungi ID Beginner Workshop at Ijams Nature Center at noon.
Joy of Music Spring Recital from 2 to 4 pm.
Pond Exploration at Ijams Nature Center at 2 pm.
Ijams Junior Naturalist at Ijams Nature Center from 5 to 9 pm for middle and high schoolers.
Whitney Cummings: Big Baby! Tour at the Bijou Theatre at 7 pm.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: The New York Bee Gees at the Civic Auditorium at 8 pm.
MAY 11
Mother’s Day
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.
Jazz at Ijams featuring live jazz, dancing, flow arts, live art, and international cuisine at Ijams Nature Center from 4:30 to 8 pm. Cigano Swing performs at 4:55 pm, SWINGBOOTY at 6:30 pm.
Coheed and Cambria Mastodon: The Infinite Arc Tour at the Civic Coliseum at 6:30 pm.
MAY 13
Preschool Story Thyme at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum from 10 to 11 am. Every Tuesday through October. Monty’s Craft Circle at McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture from 1 to 2 pm. Bring any fiber art or craft-related project, or learn to crochet, knit, or embroider. All skill levels welcome.
Concerts on the Square: Jazz Tuesdays in Market Square from 7 to 9 pm. Also the 20th & 27th. Free!
Knoxville Smokies vs. Columbus Clingstones at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 14th-17th at 7 pm and 18th at 2 pm.
Carter High School Spring Symphonic Band Concert at the Tennessee Amphitheatre at World’s Fair Park from 7:30 to 9 pm.
MAY 14
River & Real Theatre Company: Stuck Elevator, in collaboration with the Knoxville Opera, at the Old City Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm through the 18th. For info visit RiverAndRailTheatre.com.
The Psychology of a Murderer at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
MAY 15
Concerts on the Square: Variety Thursdays in Market Square from 7 to 9 pm. Free!
Alyssa Edwards at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
For Knoxville’s andMarketFarmers’dates seelocations, page24
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: New World Symphonies at the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 pm. Also the 16th.
MAY 16
Nights on Broadway Street Festival with vendors, food, and live music in historic downtown Lenoir City from 5 to 8 pm.
Nature Nerd Hike at Ijams Nature Center at 7:30 pm.
Sturgill Simpson at the Civic Coliseum at 8 pm.
MAY 17
43rd Annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival & Games at the Townsend Visitor’s Center from 8 am to 9 pm. Also the 18th from 8 am to 4 pm. For tickets visit SmokyMountainGames.org.
Spring Fungi ID Beginner Workshop at Ijams Nature Center at 9 am.
Children’s Festival of Reading at World’s Fair Park from 10 am to 3 pm. Holleroo! Annual Street Fair along N. Central Street in the “Happy Holler” from 11 am to 10 pm. Explore local vendors, delicious bites, Soap Box Derby, dog parade, festive kid zone, and live entertainment. For info visit Holleroo.co.
Vintage Base Ball Veteran Appreciation Day Triple Header at Historic Ramsey House at 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Free!
Botany for Beginners at Ijams Nature Center at noon.
The Summer Soiree at the Knoxville Museum of Art from 7 to 11 pm.
MAY 18
Old City Market on West Jackson Avenue from 11 am to 4 pm.
East Tennessee Bluegrass Association
Monthly Jam at Ijams Nature Center from 2 to 5 pm.
The Marquee Awards at the Tennessee Theatre at 7 pm. Live awards ceremony to recognize East Tennessee high school theatre students and teachers for their achievement in musical theatre, including live performances from many of the nominees.
MAY 19
34th Annual FCA Golf Classic at Fox Den Country Club. For info visit FCAKnoxville.org.
Visit Knoxville Open at Holston Hills Country Club through the 25th. Tennessee Wind Symphony at the Tennessee Theatre at 7:30 pm.
THINGS TO DO • PLACES TO GO • PEOPLE TO SEE
MAY 21
CoComelon: Sing-a-long Live at the Tennessee Theatre at 6 pm.
MAY 22
Last day for Knox County Schools students
Dining for Joy benefiting the Joy of Music School at Lakeshore Park’s Marble Hall from 6 to 10 pm. Dinner by Real Good Kitchen, music by Smooth Sailor.
East Tennessee Preservation Awards at The Emporium at 6:30 pm. Free to attend; complimentary wine, beer, and small bites will be served.
MAY 23
Bike with a Naturalist at Ijams Nature Center at 7 pm. Bring your bike and get stoked for a naturalist-guided tour of the Will Skelton Greenway.
Soundscapes Concert Series featuring Motown vs. Stax at the Knoxville Museum of Art at 7:30 pm.
MAY 24
Race for Grace 5K at Victor Ashe Park from 7 am to 2 pm. A benefit for Saving Grace Women’s Hope organization.
MAY 25
Scythian with Four Leaf Peat at the Bijou Theatre at 7 pm.
MAY 26
Memorial Day
Honor Fountain City Day at Fountain City Park from 10 am to 4:30 pm. A festival to honor our veterans on Memorial Day.
MAY 27
Back to the Future: The Musical at the Tennessee Theatre through June 1st. Knoxville Smokies vs. Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 28th-31st at 7 pm and June 1st at 2 pm.
MAY 29
Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
MAY 30
Syndicate Crown CrossFit Games at the Civic Coliseum through June 1st.
WWE Smackdown at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center at 7:30 pm. Red Baraat at the Bijou Theatre at 8 pm.
MAY 31
Race for a Reason 5K at Pinnacle Turkey Creek from 8 to 11:30 am. A benefit for Send Senior Citizens Love.
BAPs Charities Walk and Run at Victor Ashe Park from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
Knoxville’s Largest Kids’ Party at World’s Fair Park from 10 am to 5 pm. Kids activities, appearances by princesses and superheroes, 80-foot obstacle course, water slide, entertainment, ultimate kids menu, and more! Visit KnoxLargestKidsParty.com for more info.
Caving Trip at Ijams Nature Center from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Join a team of Ijams naturalists to explore and navigate the unique ecosystem as you search for creatures that call the caverns home.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
JUNE 1
Nief-Norf Summer Festival at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville through the 15th. For info visit NiefNorf.org.
Greener Goods Market at Ijams Nature Center from 10 am to 2 pm.
JUNE 2
Summer Art Academy, featuring classes and workshops for ages 3-17, at the Knoxville Museum of Art through July 25th.
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!
JUNE 3
Concerts on the Square: Jazz Tuesdays in Market Square from 7 to 9 pm. Free!
Knoxville Smokies vs. Chattanooga Lookouts at Covenant Health Park at 7 pm. Also the 4th-7th at 7 pm and 8th at 2 pm.
JUNE 4
Kid A’Riffic Fun in the Park at Chilhowee Park from 10 am to 1 pm. Enjoy making crafts, playing games, and more! For children ages 2-12, all activities are free!
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Bijou Theatre at 7:30 pm.
JUNE 5
Good Vibrations featuring Smooth Sailor at Yee-Haw Brewing Company from 6 to 9 pm. A benefit for Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee.
Marble City Opera: Pagliacci at the Tennessee Amphitheatre in World’s Fair Park at 7 pm.
JUNE 6
The Miracle Worker by the Knoxville Children’s Theatre through the 22nd. For show times and tickets visit KnoxvilleChildrensTheatre.com.
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.
Home Free at the Tennessee Theatre at 8 pm.
JUNE 7
Kids Quest Expo at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall from 10 am to 6 pm. An interactive event for kids of all ages. Activities include meet & greet with more than 40 characters, superhero obstacle course, petting zoo, vendor shopping, stage shows, Jedi training, craft stations, villain dunk tank, and more! A benefit for 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: A Sustainable Fashion Event at Ijams Nature Center from 6 to 9 pm.
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.
Designed by Freepik
Photo
PETALS OF POSITIVITY: Celebrating Mental Health Month with Random Acts of Flowers
MAY IS Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and promoting the importance of emotional well-being. Those familiar with Random Acts of Flowers know the profound impact this organization has made on this area in their own unique way through the simple yet powerful act of delivering recycled flowers to individuals in healthcare facilities.
Our mission works by collecting donated flowers from weddings, funerals, grocery stores, and more - then repurposing them into beautiful bouquets. These bouquets are then delivered to patients experiencing injury or illness to bring a touch of brightness and hope to their day. This mission is not just about flowers; it is about spreading joy and encouragement and, in doing so, improving mental health.
Research has shown that receiving flowers can have a profound effect on emotional health. Flowers can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and promote feelings of happiness and contentment. For patients who may be feeling isolated or
overwhelmed, a bouquet of flowers can be a powerful reminder that they are cared for and remembered.
During Mental Health Month, Random Acts of Flowers is highlighting the connection between flowers and mental health. They are encouraging the community to get involved by donating flowers, volunteering, dropping off vases, and staying connected. Every act of kindness contributes to the well-being of those who need it most.
In addition to their regular deliveries, Random Acts of Flowers is participating in special deliveries throughout May to promote mental health awareness. By partnering with organizations who serve these needs in Knoxville and surrounding counties, we can give support through small acts of kindness, which we know can make a big difference. For more information on how you can support Random Acts of Flowers and their mission, please visit our website at RandomActsofFlowers.org or follow us on social media. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in our community.
The WordPlayers Summer Drama Camp!
June 16 – 20 • Ages 8 – 12 • 9am – 2pm
Tales from the Arabian Nights
Delve into ancient adventures set in Arabia, Persia, the Indian Ocean and China. Meet Aladdin and his Magic Lamp, Sinbad the Sailor, and the mysterious storyteller, Scheherazade, who is believed to be based on the Biblical account of Esther. This musical-theatre camp features acting basics, vocal training, fabulous costumes, set creation, dance, and great parts for all. The week ends with a performance for friends and family on Friday at 2 pm.
June 23 – 27 • Ages 12 – 16 • 9am – 2pm
Scenes from Pride and Prejudice
Are you an experienced actor ready for a challenge or just beginning to explore theatre? Sink your acting chops into the original rom-com, Pride and Prejudice . When Mr. Darcy meets Miss Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters, he is appalled by their unsophisticated antics. Will his friend, Mr. Bingley, help him set his pride aside? And can Elizabeth overcome her prejudice against Darcy? This theatre camp features training in acting basics, team building, and English country dance. The week ends with a full costume performance for friends and family on Friday at 2 pm. Register now at WordPlayers.org. Space is limited.
Nationally, May is recognized as Preservation Month and is a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states. Our 2025 East Tennessee Preservation Awards will highlight some of our region’s historic place-savers who pour their time, energy, and resources into protecting places for future generations.
The event is free to attend. Complimentary wine, beer, and small bites will be served.
Kindly RSVP by Tuesday, May 20th on KnoxHeritage.org.
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
WMay in the Garden
HEN IT COMES to spring in the garden, May is the sweet spot. March is the end of winter and April is beautiful, but May offers a prime opportunity to dig in the dirt and get your landscape thriving. With stable temperatures and rare frost, most gardeners can feel free to plant whatever they want to. Whether you’re nurturing annuals, planting perennials, harvesting vegetables, or tending to trees and shrubs, there’s something for every green (and not so green) thumb.
Annuals: Add the Color
Annuals are the color providers of the summer garden. With long bloom periods that can last until frost, these low maintenance beauties add color to beds and containers. Some like sun and some like shade, so choose correctly!
Sun lovers like vinca, marigolds, petunias, SunPatiens, Angelonia, and lantana are safe to plant outdoors. They will reward you with color all summer long if you deadhead spent blooms and fertilize regularly.
For shaded spots, consider impatiens, begonias, coleus, or caladiums, which thrive with less sunlight. Keep soil consistently moist (but not soggy) and use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting to give them a head start.
Some annuals are great for our pollinators, so please keep them in mind!
Perennials: Plant and Plan Ahead
Perennials, the backbone of any well-structured garden, return year after year with minimal fuss. May is ideal for planting new perennials and dividing older ones that have outgrown their space.
Classic sun lovers like echinacea (coneflowers), coreopsis, daylilies, and black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant plants that are not only beautiful but attract bee and butterfly pollinators. Shade lovers like hosta, cranesbill, heuchera, and ferns fill shady areas. Shop our natives section to provide even more help to our pollinator friends.
If you have spring-blooming perennials, deadhead faded flowers and cut back spent foliage to redirect energy to the root systems. For those that have grown leggy, a good haircut can help. If they are crowding their neighbors, division is the way to go. Lift the clump, split it using a sharp spade or knife, and replant in well amended soil.
Vegetables: From Garden to Table May is the month to really start reaping the benefits of your vegetable garden. You may already be harvesting cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and radishes. If your spring greens are bolting due to rising temperatures, replace them with heat-tolerant summer vegetables such as tomatoes (yes, I know some of you planted weeks ago), peppers (ditto), cucumbers, squash, beans, and corn (I hope you waited on this one).
BY LISA GRUGIN
Ensure your soil is as good as you can get it, because that will determine the outcome of your garden. Adding compost or aged manure can work wonders. Mulch around vegetable plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water deeply and consistently - vegetables don’t like erratic watering schedules.
For trellised crops like pole beans and cucumbers, set up supports early to avoid damaging roots later. Staking or caging tomatoes now will save time and stress as they grow. Resist the urge to use puny tomato cages that will fall over as soon as it storms. Square ones are more stable, or make your own using hog wire.
Keep an eye out for pests. Neem oil or insecticidal soap offer organic solutions without harming beneficial insects. Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) is your best bet for squash borers and caterpillars.
Tree and Shrub Care:
Don’t Forget the Bigger Guys
While trees and shrubs may not need the frequent attention of flowers or vegetables, May is still an important month for their care. Spring-flowering shrubs like azaleas, forsythia, and lilacs should be pruned shortly after they finish blooming to encourage healthy growth and abundant flowering
next season. Educate yourself! No random whacking please!
Inspect trees and shrubs for disease or insect activity. Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and scale insects often show symptoms this time of year. Early treatment can prevent long-term damage.
Mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture and moderate soil temperature. Avoid piling mulch against trunks, which can lead to rot and pest issues. Donuts, not volcanoes.
Final Thoughts
Our mild climate and extended growing season makes May one of the most wonderful months in the garden. Whether you’re planting annuals, growing backyard vegetables, or just giving your shrubs a check, take time to enjoy the process. May is when your efforts begin to bloom - literally. Grab your gloves, your trowel, and a cold glass of iced tea - garden season is in full swing.
Meadow View Greenhouses & Garden Center
9885 Highway 11E Lenoir City, TN 37772
865.986.7229
MeadowViewGreenhouse.com
New Exhibitions Opening
Emporium Center May 2
THE ARTS & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from May 2-30. 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.
Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild in the Lower Gallery
This new exhibition features a curated collection of quilts from members of Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild and showcases modern elements such as bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. The collection of small quilts exhibited as a group stems from a challenge in which members all received the same fabric bundle and a prompt to interpret modern quilting elements in a mini quilt.
This Knoxville branch of the Modern Quilt Guild has a mission to support and encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through art, education, and community. The Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild is a nonprofit organization for residents in and around Knoxville who have an interest in modern design and quilting. Marking its 15th year of operation in 2025, the guild provides members with a community where modern quilters can meet, share ideas, and create in an environment that encourages creativity and acceptance. The Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Photography & Mixed Media by Brian Miller and Iliyana Skrobanska in the Upper Gallery
Husband and wife duo, Brian Miller and Iliyana Skrobanska, present a new exhibition of photography and fiber art/ mixed media.
Brian’s journey started with multi-week family vacations that ignited his wanderlust. He purchased his first camera as a teenager and used it to document his travels. For more than 25 years, he has used photography to capture the world’s aesthetic beauty that resonates with viewers on an emotional level. Brian’s first book, Birds of the Gulf Coast , was published in 2001. His photographs have appeared in numerous well-known magazines, calendars, and books. National Geographic magazine noted him one of “our finest…photographers,” and he was a featured photographer in their book Heart of a Nation: Writers and Photographers Inspired by the American Landscape. For many years, painting and creating art were Iliyana’s hobbies: a side activity to her main occupation as a fashion designer and business owner. Her favorite media has always been fiber art and painting with acrylic, and she gradually combined them into one. By stitching pieces of felt onto a painted canvas to create a 3-D effect, or by creating a surface from
handmade felt and painting it with acrylic, she emphasizes texture and multidimensionality. Her artwork can look different from different angles, and abstract art is her chosen language because of its ability to trigger the imagination. Iliyana has lived in Knoxville since 2018 and is a full-time, award-winning artist, busy with many art festivals.
Laura McRae Hitchcock: Whispers from the Root and River in the Display Case
Through abstract landscapes and felted, mixed media figures made of wool, branches, and cloth inscribed with blessings, Laura McRae Hitchcock evokes the presence of the wild feminine and the sacred voice of the land. Her process is slow and meditativefelting wool with barbed needles until it becomes form, or painting layer upon layer - mirroring the journey back to self and ancestral memory. This collection is an invitation to remember that we, too, are part of the mystery that lives in root and river, body and breath.
Sheryl Sallie: The Goddesses Collection on the North Wall Artist statement excerpts: I picked this collection to highlight some of my favorite pieces, as well as introduce new pieces. Mixed media allows me to express myself by using everyday objects in extraordinary ways. I use layers of collage, paint, image transfers, and found objects to create texture and substance in my art. Currently, I am adding works to a group of paintings depicting Goddesses: strong, beautiful women, as I see them. Goddesses exist everywhere women gather. My hope is to bring joy and touch something deep within.
Bill Timm: 30 Years of Self-Portraits - A Retrospective in the Atrium Artist statement excerpts: I present a curated collection of self-portraits created during my 30-year artistic career. These works chronicle my life from husband to father to widow. The work follows not just what I looked like, but my seasons of life and artistic influences. To quote Vincent Van Gogh: “People say, and I’m quite willing to believe it, that it is difficult to know oneself, but it’s not easy to paint oneself either.”
The exhibitions will be on display May 2-30 at the Emporium Center, located at 100 S. Gay Street, and is open to the public Monday - Friday from 9 am-5 pm, Saturday (May 3 & 10) from 10 am-1 pm, and additional hours TBA. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, May 26, for the holiday. For more information, call 865-523-7543 or visit KnoxAlliance.com.
Photograph by Brian Miller
Mixed media by Iliyana Skrobanska
BRING YOUR ENTIRE family to the ultimate adventure! Kid Quest Expo is an interactive event designed for kids of all ages and includes character meet & greets, vendors, activities, stage performances, and more!
Princess Zone
Meet your favorite fairytale character at Kid Quest! A minimum of 15 total princesses and other characters will be in attendance and available for meet & greets and photos with attendees. For all the girly girls out there - our Princess Zone will have boutique vendors to shop from, including face painting, tinsel hair, henna and glitter tattoos, bracelet making, makeover stations, and lots of photo ops!
Superhero Zone
Visit with some of your favorite heroic characters (and even some villains!) in the Superhero Zone. While you’re there, test
You Can Play a Part in Helping Art in Knoxville Thrive!
On average, 80% of arts grants in Tennessee are funded by the purchase of state specialty license plates, and, last year alone, 982 grants were given across all 95 counties. By purchasing an Arts Plate, you support arts organizations, schools, and communities across our state. Personalize your plate to enhance the donation! For info visit TN4Arts.org/ buy-a-tn-specialty-license-plate.
your skills at our villain dunk tank, jump in a bounce house, or see if you have what it takes to save the world with a run through our superhero obstacle course. Also, don’t forget to check out the petting zoo!
Magic & Illusion Show
Watch the talented Robert Jones present a comedic, child-friendly magic and illusion show. Certain audience members may even get to go on stage and participate!
Jedi Training Academy
All Kid Quest attendees will get to watch the Jedi Training Academy. Attendees who want to participate in the Jedi Training Academy itself will need to purchase a $10 add-on ticket, which includes an inflatable light saber. There will be a limit of 50 children.
Sing-along Shows
Sing along to some of your favorite songs
from princess movies, Wicked, and more! Stage Shows
Join us at the stage throughout the day for three unique shows. Previous stage shows include animal education and encounters with the zoo, martial arts class demonstration, dance class demonstration, and more.
Family-friendly Exhibitors
Kid Quest Expo will have dozens of vendors from all industries. Some of these include family health, shopping, recreation, local attractions, resources for parents, and more!
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and other children related nonprofits local to the Knoxville area. For the complete schedule of events or more information, visit KidQuestExpo.com.
- Josh Gibson
Share the Love, Spread the Dough
Business Note
BY BRETT CAFFERTY
WITHIN
THE past month, I’ve specifically noticed four small retail businesses close that are along my usual route. A small space in the Cedar Springs Shopping Center, others in Turkey Creek, Farragut, and a downtown shop in Sweetwater. I’m sure there are many, many more.
If you ask any business owner, “Why do you do this?” or “How did you get started?” The answers are far and wide and often unexpected but typically involve an interest or a passion, an opportunity that comes along, the pursuit of a dream, perhaps family or friend connections, and having a confidence and belief in themselves that they can do it!
These characteristics are certainly (critically!) important and can serve as an impetus to take the next steps, but even when combined with work ethic, familiarity in the market, working capital, and drive - there is no guarantee of long-term success.
In my daily conversations with fellow business owners, I often hear “this past year has been tough” with increased cost of goods (inventory), the need for higher wages from employees, and the scarcity of reliable help. Add that to the complexity and challenges of daily operations and paying the bills - not to mention competing with
online retailers - create an ongoing battle!
We decided to start a Gift Guide in the magazine for the holidays last year to help showcase locally owned businesses, shops, and boutiques. It was well received and effective for our advertisers, so we thought we would try it again for the spring to promote our local businesses and the unique goods they offer.
A thought and a challenge to our community this spring season:
Instead of ordering online, take the time to visit a few locally owned businesses, learn what they offer, and spend a few (or more than a few!) dollars. It’s an encouragement to the business and staff, moves goods (likely helping the supplier also), generates local sales tax revenue, and in general “keeps our part of the world spinning.”
Everything Knoxville reaches an audience of 30,000+ households from Sequoyah Hills to Tellico Village. If just half of the households spent $50 each with a local shop this spring season, it would equal $800,000 in sales revenue. Small purchases x volume = a big impact.
Just a friendly reminder to shop and support your local business community. They need us, and we need them!
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.
