West Knoxville, TN December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

WestKnoxvilleLifestyle.com

&

Ta s t e S a vo r TRHOYAE OLELI V E R

STOCKING STUNNERS FROM LOCAL SHOPS

HOLIDAY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE WINE SOCIETY OF EAST TENNESSEE

WILLIAM ANDREWS ARCHITECTS 865.544.1001 | WilliamAndrewsArchitects.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

West Knoxville L

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DECEMBER 2018 PUBLISHER

Tom Hickman | tom.hickman@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Jennie Treadway-Miller | jennie.miller@lifestylepubs.com ACCOUNT MANAGER

Deborah Duncan | deborah.duncan@lifestylepubs.com

For Auld Lang Syne AS THE SAYING GOES, TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN. And time sure has flown by this year, as we can’t believe we’ve put together the final issue

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Melissa Ballard, Jennie Treadway-Miller, the Wine Society of East Tennessee, staff at Union Ave Books CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eric Branch

of West Knoxville Lifestyle in 2018! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting down to write my January letter to all of you—talking about resolutions and renewal—and yet, here we are, almost time to do it again.

There’s a unique perspective that working in publishing brings. While we certainly don’t want to wish our lives away, we’re always looking toward the future. Whether it’s planning our next issue or developing story ideas for the next year, we’re often already fast forwarded to future months before the current month has even begun.

The fast-paced lifestyle this industry calls for can often make it difficult to really settle down and absorb what’s going on around us and, before we know it, the year is over and it’s time to move forward again.

So, this December, we hope you take the time to slow down a little bit. With the holiday season upon us, we hope you make the time to take it all in. Enjoy your time with family and friends, bask in the magic of the winter season, reflect on past memories you hold closely in your hearts and keep the new ones you create in the present for as long as you can.

Have a safe and joyful holiday season and, as always, while enjoying this issue of West Knoxville Lifestyle,please remember to patronize our advertising partners, as they are the ones who make it all possible.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson EDITORIAL MANAGER Nicolette Martin EDITORIAL Kate Baxendale AD MANAGER Chad Jensen AD COORDINATORS Cyndi Harrington | Alicia Huff | Jessica Soetaert LAYOUT DESIGNERS Cyndi King | Dana Rudolph | Emily Stout Hailey Stepanek | Adella Wrisinger FIELD SUPPORT Carli DiMarco | Victoria Perry PUBLISHER SUPPORT Melanie Carlisle ACCOUNTANT Austin Park APPLICATION ARCHITECT Michael O’Connell WEB DEVELOPERS Tejaswini Jagarlamudi | Harshith Potu

We’ll take your lead, and we can’t wait to see you next year!

Tom Hickman, publisher Tom Hickman Tom.Hickman@LifestylePubs.com

ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA NEVADA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA | OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO Proverbs 3:5-6

WestKnoxvilleLifestyle.com COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC BRANCH 4

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Knoxville areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE DECEMBER 2018

FEATURES 12 Avoid the Creep Three Steps to Avoid “Lifestyle Creep” as You Prepare for the New Year

22 Cheers!

Holiday Selections from the Wine Society of East Tennessee

26 Taste and Savor The Oliver Royale Invites Everyone to Try Something New

34 Winter Reads Get Cozy with These

22 26

Winter Recommendations from Union Ave. Books

12

34 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Around Town

12

Financial Buzz

26 Hot Spot 31

Realty Report

32 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Page Turners

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AROUND TOWN

ERIC W. BARTON MAKES $3.14 MILLION GIFT TO UT SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Traveler, landing at No. 7 in the 2018 Readers’

The University of Tennessee School of Music

Now in its 37th season, The Swag, located just

has received a $3.14 million gift from Maryville

outside Waynesville, North Carolina, offers unpar-

entrepreneur Eric W. Barton, a former U.S. Marine

alleled hospitality, natural beauty and tranquility

who formed several businesses after serving in the

at its mountaintop inn. Sitting on 250 acres, it

armed forces in the Middle East.

delivers fine dining and award-winning accom-

Choice Awards.

The genesis of the gift was a meeting between

modations. The Condé Nast Traveler review calls it

Eric and Jeffrey L. Pappas, director of the School

“a mountaintop getaway of logs, fieldstone, shake

of Music.

roofs and natural rock porches. At an elevation

Eric’s gift will support several initiatives, including an annual visiting artist residency, which will allow

of 5,000 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains, the views can’t be beat.”

students to meet and learn from a world-renowned

The Readers’ Choice Awards were created 30

musician during a week of clinics and performances.

years ago and now boast more than 300,000 participants voting on more than 7,300 different hotels and resorts around the world. The Swag earned a spot on the list based on a set of criteria for the hotel and resort category, which included ratings on rooms, service, location, food and dining, activities and facilities, design and value.

The Swag is owned by Knoxville entrepreneurs David and Annie Colquitt.

FIRST HORIZON NAMED ONE OF THE 100 BEST ADOPTION-FRIENDLY WORKPLACES First Horizon National Corp. has been named one the 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

This marks the 10th consecutive time since the

SOUTH COLLEGE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY SELECTS NEW DEAN

Foundation for Adoption surveyed the nation’s employers in search of those with the best

Dr. William M. Gentry, one of the inaugural

adoption benefits. In the survey, the Foundation

faculty members of the South College School

compares financial reimbursement and paid leave

of Pharmacy, has been selected as the pharmacy

given to new adoptive parents.

school’s new dean.

“First Horizon is honored to have been recog-

Dr. Gentry, who most recently served as executive

nized for our family-friendly culture,” said John

vice dean of the School of Pharmacy for four years,

Daniel, EVP and chief human resources Officer

has been with South College for nearly eight years.

at First Horizon. “We work hard to provide the

“Dr. Gentry has served in several capacities in

tools and benefits to help employees fulfill their

Knoxville with increasing responsibilities in the

personal and work responsibilities. Thank you to

School of Pharmacy,” said Steve South, chancellor

the Dave Thomas Foundation for continuing to

of South College. “With every step, he has proven

recognize our efforts.”

to be an excellent leader.”

THE SWAG NAMED AMONG CONDE NAST TOP RESORTS IN SOUTH

8

list was started 12 years ago. The Dave Thomas

First Horizon ranked 15th this year, jumping up 56 spots on the list from 2017. The company doubled its reimbursement for adoption expenses for a maximum of two children each year. Other compa-

The Swag, a luxury all-inclusive resort in the

ny-provided adoption assistance benefits include

Smoky Mountains, has again been named among

family leave, paid parental leave and adoption

the “Top Resorts in the South” by Condé Nast

referral resources.

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

HIRE A TEAM. NOT AN ADVISER.

Our approach to financial advising focuses on you first, and on your finances second.

When you are serious about planning, give us a call.

2076 Lakeside Centre Way, Knoxville, TN 37922 (865) 693-6301 | pyawaltman.com Financial Planning | Investment Management | Retirement Plan Consulting

PYA Waltman, LLC is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

FINANCIAL BUZZ

ARTICLE MELISSA BALLARD | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

AVO I D T H E C R E E P THREE STEPS TO AVOID “LIFESTYLE CREEP” AS YOU PREPARE FOR THE NEW YEAR ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO STAY ON A SOLID FINANCIAL PATH IS TO INTENTIONALLY AVOID LIFESTYLE CREEP, WHICH HAPPENS WHEN OUR SPENDING INCREASES WITH OUR INCOME, BUT OUR SAVINGS STAYS STAGNANT. If we’re blessed to receive a raise at year-end, we can easily absorb those extra dollars into our spending. As this happens year over year, the impact compounds and we find ourselves wondering why we’re saving so little compared to our income. Making up for lost time when it comes to long-term savings can be a bear. Thus, taking steps to avoid this creep has a massive impact on our financial futures.

Here are a few small changes to consider making now:

Start Sav ings “Buckets” In working with our clients, we’ve seen how having more than one savings “bucket”

Make Changes to Your Employer Retirement Plan in December

can bring positivity to the dread of cash flow

Bump up your employer plan contributions, and don’t wait until

planning. We are all familiar with the concepts

January to make a change. Whether you have a 401(k) or a 403(b),

of emergency savings and retirement savings,

your employer plan may only allow you to make paycheck contri-

but what if you added in vacation savings or

bution changes a few times a year. Meaning, if you wait until your

home project savings too? These are easy

income increases in January, you may be too late. By the time the

ways to implement cash flow planning as you

next change window opens, it may be off your radar.

enter January. Talk to your bank or credit union

If you’re contributing a dollar amount in addition to bump-

about opening a few new accounts (with no

ing up the amount, consider switching to a percentage so the

fees) and name them. Then you can easily set

amount will increase every year with your income. Also, check

up $50, for example, to go automatically to

to see if your plan allows for annual automatic increases. You

your “home project savings” from your primary

may be able to set contributions to increase by 1 percent every

checking account every month. Before you

year until they reach a certain percentage—say 15 percent. This

know it, you’ll have several hundred dollars

can be a great “set it and forget it” option.

designated for a home project that won’t need to come from your primary checking account, and you’ve kept yourself from accidentally spending that $50 a month at Panera.

Melissa Ballard is the director of financial planning services at PYA Waltman Capital, LLC. 12

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

M a x O u t Yo u r H SA fo r 2 0 1 9 A health savings account (HSA) is a tax triple play that allows individuals or families participating in a High-Deductible Health Insurance plan to save for medical expenses in a tax-advantaged way. There are several strong reasons to contribute to an HSA. Ask your financial planner or human resources if you have questions, but the bottom line is generally this—if you have access to contribute to an HSA, max it out if possible. For 2019, individuals can contribute $3,500, while families can contribute $7,000.

Contributions come through your paycheck, thus they’re spread throughout the year.

Starting or increasing contributions is a great way to avoid “the creep” while setting funds aside for future medical expenses—

So children may live their best lives.

especially the unexpected ones.

Avoiding lifestyle creep is one of the most painless ways to stay on a firm financial footing, but it takes intentionality. This month is the perfect month to get started!

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

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December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

15

STOCKING STUNNERS SMALL GIFTS TO BRING A BIG SMILE ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

CHRISTMAS MORNING IS ALL ABOUT THE BIG REVEAL, AND USUALLY, THAT MEANS EYES LOOK UNDER THE TREE FIRST. However, there are good gifts to be found in stockings, and three West Knoxville shops may have just what you're looking for.

Est8te, 5609 Kingston Pike, Est8te. com, 588.1588. Known for its upscale, quintessential style, Est8te has plenty of pocket-sized gifts for those who appreciate the finer things. Get holiday-ready with brands such as Alice + Olivia, Kendra Scott, Eileen Fisher and Tory Burch.

16

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

ALL I WANT FOR

CHRISTMAS IS...

1.

2.

3.

4.

Shopping at...

Est8te

1. Krewe St. Louis Sunglasses, $255-$315 | 2. Tory Burch Card Case with gold-plated chain, $98 | 3. Jonesy Wood Americas Earring, silver, $22; Jonesy Wood Jem Star Hoops, gold and silver, $36 | 4. Little Words Project beaded bracelets, white lettered, $18; gold and silver lettered, $22

CONTINUED >

December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

17

STOCKING STUNNERS

(CON TI N U ED)

Shopping at...

Little Happy, 9700 Kingston Pike, Suite 18, ShopLittleHappy.com, 999.3998. What began

Little Happy

as an online shop became a brick-and-mortar store in May 2018. Little Happy features modern and classic clothes, shoes and accessories for babies, children and tweens (up to size 10 in boys and 16 in girls).

1. Lali Kids Corduroy Bow Hair Clips, $16 2. Roller Rabbit Christmas Jammies, sizes 0-3M to 14Y, $55-$65 3. Slumberkins Yeti Book, $9.99 4. Slumberkins Ultra Plush Yeti, $36 5. Estella Crochet Rattles, $16-$18 each 6. Louise Misha Beanie, $49; and Mittens, $39, sizes 3-6M to 10Y

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

ALL I WANT FOR

CHRISTMAS IS...

18

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

6.

ALL I WANT FOR

CHRISTMAS IS...

Shopping at...

The Village Exchange The

Village

Exchange,

6513

Kingston

1.

Pike,

TheVillageExchange.com, 850.4762. The local lifestyle shop

2.

features on-trend home decor, pieces from local artists and an array of clothing and accessories for women and children. Not to be left out, unique gifts for men are also in-house.

3.

4.

5.

1. BlaBla Knit Dolls, $46 each (featured: Picchu the Alpaca and Toutou the Dog) | 2. Anne Neilson Home Believe Candle, $54; and 100 Days of Scripture, $50; the Sercy Studio Blessing Beads, $44 | 3. 14K Gold-filled Stackables by enewton, $38-$110 each | 4. Duke Cannon Supply Co. Big American Soap, $11; and Solid Cologne, $28 | 5. Apothocary Guild Siberian Fir candles, 10.2 ounces, $36; 3.52 ounces, $26 December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

19

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(865) 999-3998 20

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

|

www.shoplittlehappy.com

December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

21

H OL I DAY

SEL ECT IONS

SPARKLING No holiday is complete without bubbles, and if you’re looking for high quality at reasonable prices, then Spain has you covered. While cava can be white or red, it is primarily made from the three grape varietals macabeu, parellada and xarello.

At $15, Castillo Perlada Cava Brut Reserva from Penedes is a crowd favorite. A blend of 40 percent macabeu, 30 percent xarello, and 30 percent parellada, it possesses a citrusy liveliness with enough body to accompany early, light fare.

Another option in a similar price space of $15, Gruet Blanc de Noirs is a domestic sparkler made from 75 percent pinot noir and 25 percent chardonnay. The wine is carefully aged for 24 months on its lees (residual yeast) resulting in a complexity typically found in far more expensive bottles. Gilbert Gruet is most famous for his Champagne from the village of Bethon in France and in the 1980s brought decades of French Champagne experience stateside to New Mexico. The pale salmon-colored wine offers a full body and creamy texture delivering aromas of red fruits, along with hints of toasted vanilla.

WHITE AXR Chardonnay, around $40, is a wellrounded, vibrant white with good acidity and minerality typical of high-quality whites from Burgundy. Jean Hoefliger’s wide-ranging experience culminates in this grayish/gold-colored wine offering a butterscotch, caramel, dried fruit, citrus, honey and slate nose. A taste confirms

22

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

FROM

T H E W I N E SOCI E T Y E A S T T EN N ESSEE

OF

the nose with the addition of vanilla bean, pear and pineapple. The wine offers great flexibility regarding pairings from cheese and charcuterie boards to fish.

For sauvignon blanc fans, Hedges Family Estate CMS at just under $20 is a Washington State sauvignon blanc-dominant blend with 23 percent chardonnay and 1 percent Marsanne. With a light straw color, this wine offers citrus aromas, and the palate is met with lively acid lemon and green apple flavors. While the sauvignon blanc is delivering acidity, the unoaked chardonnay provides wonderful mouthfeel. It pairs wonderfully with lighter fare like fish and seafood or simply by itself and is best enjoyed more immediately as it will not benefit from cellaring.

Niederhausen in the Nahe region of Germany is where you will find winemaker Weingut Donnhoff. Known for his dedication to quality, Donnhoff grows primarily riesling grapes as well as a small amount of pinot blanc and pinot gris. Donnhoff’s Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese is a figurative and literal mouthful.

This offering is bright with hints of white fruits and citrus peel. It is sharp on the nose with hints of minerality (slate) which carries through on the palate offering medium- to full-bodied mouthfeel. Quality is apparent in this sweeter, acidic offering at around $35. It pairs well with a broad range of foods from spicy dishes to sharp cheeses.

It complements nicely high-quality meat dishes to include those with rich sauces.

CHEERS! CONTINUED >

ARTICLE WINE SOCIETY OF EAST TENNESSEE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

23

CHEERS!

(CON TI N U ED)

REDS Reds

For those sensitive to sulfites, Beaujolais offers wines naturally made without the addition of the headache-causing compound from the gamay varietal. Jean Foillard’s Morgon Cuvee 3.14 flies low on the radar outside of France—a little-known gem. Limited are the wines that can diver this level of freshness and complexity. The grapes are grown and harvested organically from 100-year-old vines. The 3.14 runs around $70, while the Cote du Py from Foillard is another spectacular option for the more budget-minded at around $25, a real winner with charcuterie, pate, terrines, white-rinded cheeses but well-rounded enough to pair with the whole course.

Staying in France and the Burgundy region, the Pierre Gelin estate was established in 1925. At $25, Gelin’s Fixin is a bargain which will impress even the most discerning Burgundy fans. Tart cherry and cranberry jam notes can be found on the palate along with the typical earthiness found in pinot noirs from this region. Pairs with roasted bird, duck and casseroles.

The final recommendation comes from the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a Boudreaux (right bank) blend of primarily cabernet sauvignon with merlot to include small amounts of petit verdot and cabernet franc with a $55 price tag. The wine is ruby and opaque purple. The palate offers dark blackberries, cassis, espresso and dark sugar. It is full-bodied with chalky tannins with a long, intense, mineral finish and pairs well with rich, flavorful meats like steaks, brisket, pork, turkey and heavy casseroles. It can also benefit from decanting.

The Wine Society of East Tennessee was founded in 1977 by a small group of wine aficionados in the Knoxville area. It has steadily grown over the years and currently has an average membership of about 150 memberships, 10 restaurants, six wine and spirits retail stores and five distributors. It is a not-forprofit organization controlled by a board of directors consisting of volunteer Wine Society members.

24

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

HOT SPOT

Taste and Savor THE OLIVER ROYALE INVITES EVERYONE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER | PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC BRANCH

THE GOAL FOR THE OLIVER ROYALE WAS SIMPLE: CREATE AN AUTHENTIC, INTIMATE SPACE WHERE GUESTS COULD ENJOY A LOCAL, SEASONAL AND ORIGINAL DISH IN A HISTORICAL BUILDING WHERE THE INTEGRITY HAD NOT ONLY BEEN THE OLIVER ROYALE

Maybe the goal wasn’t entirely simple, but that didn’t keep owners and developers Philip

865.622.6434

Welker and Ethan Orley from moving forward with the idea to pair a one-of-a-kind, chef-

OliverRoyale.com 26

MAINTAINED BUT FASHIONABLY UPDATED.

5 Market Square

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

driven restaurant with their one-of-a-kind boutique Oliver Hotel.

Casey Brooks, marketing and events coordinator, has been with the restaurant since its first day. Opened in November 2015, they just celebrated a successful third year.

“The goal from the beginning was to be available to anyone on Market Square to dine,” says Casey, who's been in the Knoxville restaurant industry for nearly a decade. “We don’t want to be intimidating, but we want to maintain an upscale atmosphere.”

Walk into the Oliver Royale and one of the first things you’ll notice are the paired globe light fixtures. Simple and bold, they float your gaze to the well-stocked bar, a beautiful sight for those who appreciate a well-crafted cocktail. The dining area is small, comparatively, but once seated, the enclosed space is not even noticeable. The intimacy adds to the mood, and the modest flickering candle in the center of the table is exactly enough.

As a patron, there is no pressure to be one way or another. Instead, the dimly lit room invites you to have a seat and enjoy.

However, the atmosphere is only one arm of the body, and Oliver Royale is so much more than its appearance. It has to be, because, at a chef-driven restaurant, there is one pressing question that must be answered: How’s the food?

Executive Chef Jonathan Gatlin doesn’t mince words.

“This place should be a hub for Knoxvillians who enjoy food and want to get in tune with the season and know what’s going on with food,” he says. “We create an opportunity to try trending food and cocktails on a much more approachable stage. The menus we write are fundamentally sound. We’re not chasing trends that don’t fit Knoxville.”

Jon’s experience in the kitchen stems from his high school’s culinary arts program in Cleveland, Tennessee, a hobby he

balanced

with

playing

baseball.

Eventually, he had to choose, and after working as a kitchen manager in a local restaurant, he enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta. Using the school’s connections and his own determination to carve out a career, Jon worked in the best restaurants in the city, where he could hone his CONTINUED >

December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

27

HOT SPOT

(CON TI N U ED)

skills, learn from his mistakes and decide where he wanted to go upon graduation.

“The classroom gives you a chance to learn and look by experimentation. In the kitchen, you learn by

Ethan, auditioning for the position of executive chef at their up-and-coming restaurant.

failure. In the beginning, you have to be a specta-

“I had to submit 12 menus. Ethan is meticulous,

tor, and then they put you on a task to show you’re

interested and a foodie. The initial menus were

not a complete idiot,” Jon says, laughing. “At Joelle,

chaotic because we had to discuss everything and

I blanched asparagus six hours a day. But when you

bounce ideas back and forth,” he recalls. “I felt the

don’t mess up, they see what you can do.”

pressure, but we’ve always had a good, solid crew

Quickly, Jon realized his brain was well-suited for the chef’s hat. It was a science for him, organiza-

28

After myriad culinary gigs across the South, Jon landed in Knoxville and, then, in front of Philip and

who’s had my back and could handle curve balls we’ve been thrown.”

tional and analytical. He became intrigued by pair-

One of the perks of being on the team from the

ings, discerning scents and sounds, and morphing

restaurant’s inception was being able to lay out the

them into flavors. Like an experimentalist in a lab,

kitchen exactly how he preferred it. Then came the

Jon tracked his findings.

menus, which are drafted every three months in

“It’s a tactical mentality,” he says. “You’re log-

coordination with the season and which ingredients

ging flavors, not evening thinking about it. Logging

are readily available. Three years in, and they’ve

what coffee tastes like, logging what lime does to

never unearthed an old menu.

water instead of a lemon. Smells and temperatures

“We try not to be redundant. We don’t use the

outside, too. That’s why barbecue smells good in

last playbook. I write every menu from a new,

the summer. If you think about it all on a plate, you

fresh thought process. I won’t even use the same

think about the aromatics. You even consider the

literature where I got [previous] inspiration from,”

steam off the plate.”

he says. “When the weather is off, it throws me

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

ENJOY THE PERKS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. BUY ONE GIFT CARD FOR $100, AND RECEIVE 20 PERCENT INCLUDED AS A GIFT.

off. The farmers and I communicate, and if they

“When you think about the small staff and what we’re

say, ‘All we have is kale and squash,’ then that’s

executing, we all do our part. The industry isn’t for every-

what I’m making.”

body, but some people are just built for it,” says Sondra,

Though there are staple dishes that never roll

who managed La Tasca in Washington D.C. for eight

off the menu—the Oliver Burger, for example,

years prior to relocating to Knoxville. “I love having the

and Philip’s must-have Welker’s Ramen—John

opportunity to cultivate and teach staff. They are our

endeavors to put ingredients and pairings that

ambassadors, and they pass that on to the guests.”

may be unfamiliar to patrons. The goal is always to

Which means that when a patron asks for a staff

raise the bar with regional comfort dishes, but he

member’s recommendation for a dish, the answer

believes, just like Mom used to say, that everyone

is always genuine.

should try new foods.

“We do the same daily pre-shift review, talking

“If you come in here, you should try something

about where things come from, to give them all the

that you don’t really know or understand. In no way

information they need. John makes a few dishes each

would we make something completely unknown

night to taste and understand, even sample drinks,”

and it be terrible,” he says. “If it’s an unknown, it

she says. “When people ask what we recommend, the

needs to be good.”

answer is honest. They study packets of information,

And to be good, the team must be top-notch. This has been the biggest lesson for Casey and John—

bar lists, cocktail notes. If someone wants halibut and wants a paired drink, our staff can answer that.

and General Manager Sondra Richardson, who says

“Our logo is literally a crown upside down. We

restaurant standards are higher than ever, so invest-

have a beautiful restaurant, but don’t take it so seri-

ing in the people who cook and serve the food is key.

ously,” she says. “We want to be confident and true

With only 31 on staff, the entire orchestra must be in

to our product without being pretentious. Knoxville

sync and in tune.

people are loyal once you’ve earned their trust."

December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

29

ACulture is defined by it’s people. ~ Phillip White, President/CEO Sotheby’s International Realty

Amy Moody 865.607.0035

Angela Fowler 865.244.7494

Angie Riedl 865.385.8264

Annie Turner 865.567.9188

Ben Miller 423.429.9312

Blake Pruitt 865.323.2699

Brooke Bill 865.250.4461

Dakotah Brown 423.519.8893

Elizabeth Wright 865.712.1743

Ellen Fernandes 865.805.0422

Gary Rogers 865.696.0198

Jen Dunn 865.805.9871

Kristi Ogle 865.567.7817

Mary Ann Swann 865.567.7787

Melinda Grimac 865.356.4178

Melissa Collins 865.235.0074

Patti Williams 865.851.5067

Roamy Kilmer 901.651.2024

Rob Stooksbury 865.567.3005

Debbie Elliott-Sexton | CEO/Founder of Alliance Sotheby’s International Realty C: 865.755.0108 | debbieelliottsexton@gmail.com

O: 865.357.3232 | 859 Ebenezer Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923 | alliancesothebysrealty.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

Terri Wood Broker

REALTY REPORT NEIGHBORHOOD

REALTY REPORT WEST KNOXVILLE

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

Sequoyah Hills

$410,000

$397,000

96%

10

3

2

The Cove at Keller Bend

$429,900

$488,173

100%

4

5

4

Whispering Woods

$434,900

$388,000

89%

79

4

3

Sequoyah Hills

$450,000

$445,000

98%

3

3

2

Sheffield

$459,900

$450,950

98%

11

4

3

Sequoyah Hills

$484,900

$425,000

87%

337

3

3

Riverbend

$489,000

$430,000

87%

104

4

3

Ansley Woods

$519,000

$416,400

80%

305

4

4

Westmoreland Hills

$524,900

$490,000

93%

25

4

5

Riverbend

$535,000

$536,000

100%

0

3

2

Eagle Glen

$550,000

$470,000

85%

45

5

4

Villas At Forest Brook

$599,900

$572,000

95%

10

4

4

Kensington

$599,900

$529,000

88%

68

5

4

Fox Run

$600,000

$525,000

87%

451

6

5

River Sound

$699,900

$704,623

100%

8

4

5

Rotherwood

$739,999

$722,000

97%

16

4

4

Sequoyah Hills

$779,800

$830,000

100%

4

4

4

The Farm at Willow Creek

$819,900

$780,000

95%

55

4

4

The Villas Of Wesley Park

$829,000

$825,000

99%

11

3

4

Rivendell

$1,225,000

$950,000

77%

230

5

5

Gettysvue

$1,350,000

$1,325,000

98%

150

6

7

Mallard Bay

$1,690,000

$1,300,000

76%

128

4

5

Information compiled from Knoxville Multiple Listing Service from dates 10/1/2018-10/31/2018.

Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and not a complete list of activity. *DOM=Days on Market

Booming. Red-hot. Never-looked-better.

Fact: The average in Grapevine Your bestsales lifeprice begins withhas increased 11% from this same time last year. a home that inspires you.

In this thriving market, count on Minteer Realty for the most highly motivated, experienced agents in the DFW area to take care of your every need. We’re with you every step of the way, to find the perfect home at the right price or sell your home faster at a higher price.

Some call it white glove service. Our clients call it WOW. 859 Ebenezer Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923 865.357.3232 | alliancesothebysrealty.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

L I V E I NS PI R E D

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.

216 W Wall Street Grapevine, TX 76051 817.481.8890 | Info@MinteerRealty.com MinteerRealty.com December 2018 | West Knoxville Lifestyle

31

DECEMBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

1

LIGHT THE PARK Founders Park at Campbell Station

Enjoy the holiday lights at the prettiest park in Farragut. Enjoy caroling and mailing letters to Santa. This free event is open nightly throughout December until 10 p.m.

1, 8, 15, 22 MARKET SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

Christmas music! The event runs from Dec. 7 through Dec. 16. Admission is $10. Children under 4 are free.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

8

Tennessee Theatre

It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy com-

50TH YEAR OF THE NATIVITY PAGEANT OF KNOXVILLE

edy-drama

on the short story and booklet The Greatest Gift. The film is consid-

200, a professional orchestra and live

ered one of the most loved films in

animals, the story is told in pantomime

American cinema and has become

on realistic sets. This free one-hour

traditional

performance has been held annually

Christmas season. Both showings (2

since 1969 and is open to all. Sunday

p.m. and 6 p.m.) are free.

formances are offered with interpreta-

to Christmas, the Market Square

tion for the deaf and hearing impaired.

Holiday Market is open from 11 a.m.

Coliseum parking $5/car.

viewing

during

the

31 THE DIRTY GUV'NAHS NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR THE PEOPLE

to 5 p.m. and features local artisans,

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S THE KING AND I

and

With a cast and choir of more than

Held each Saturday leading up

7

produced

Knoxville Civic Coliseum

(3:30 p.m.) and Monday (7 p.m.) per-

ers who have wares and gifts to sell.

film

directed by Frank Capra, based

Market Square

food producers, food trucks, and oth-

16

14

The Mill & Mine

The group's unlikely genesis took

ALIVE AFTER FIVE

place in their beloved hometown of

Knoxville Museum of Art

Knoxville, where the community has

Alive After Five presents a Holiday

subsequently elected "The Guvs" as

Dance Party with Devan Jones and

the Best Band In Knoxville for four

the Uptown Stomp! East Tennessee

years running. Their live shows are

Tennessee Theatre

native Devan Jones will be reunited

selling out venues and theaters from

Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells

with the Knoxville edition: Hunter

New York City to Florida.

the story of the unconventional and

Deacon on drums, Clint Mullican

tempestuous relationship that devel-

on upright bass, Chuck Mullican on

ops between the King of Siam and

tenor/baritone sax, Joe Jordon on

Anna Leonowens, a British school-

trumpet, and Matt Coker on piano

teacher whom the modernist King, in

and Hammond B-3 organ.

an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

The King and I is “too beautiful to miss."

7-16 CHRISTMAS IN THE CAVE

32

14 TOUR DE LIGHTS Market Square

More than 1,000 people participate in this fun, free 5-mile bike

Cherokee Caverns

parade

Come to Cherokee Caverns and cel-

and Gill and Old North Knoxville.

We are always accepting sub-

ebrate a little bit of Christmas with

Many spectators watch along the

missions for events you'd like to

us as you walk the Christmas Cave

route. Participants decorate their

see included in our Calendar sec-

path among the stalactites and sta-

bikes and themselves to try to

tion. Submissions are accepted

lagmites with thousands of twinkling

win one of the coveted awards.

via

Christmas lights and enchanting

IBikeKnx.com/tourdelights

WestKnoxvilleLifestyle.com.

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

through

downtown,

4th

the

Contact

Us

tab

at

PAGE TURNERS

Winter Reads GET COZY WITH THESE WINTER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM UNION AVE. BOOKS PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BEARTOWN

BY FREDRIK BACKMAN Fredrik Backman is the author of the wildly popular A Man Called Ove, and anyone who loved that book will love this.

This book sets up a town and world that is populated by lovable characters who are obsessed with hockey. Beartown is the first in a series (there are currently two out) that tackles some pretty heavy topics with a deft hand and empathy.

Highly recommended for all the Ove fans out there!

SPINNING SILVER

BY NAOMI NOVAK There is so much going on in this atmospheric and wonderful retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. This book follows several characters but centers around the stories of three women. One is a Jewish moneylender, one is an aristocrat sold into marriage, and the last is a servant. Here’s what you can look forward to: tough ladies getting stuff done, a world made of ice and snow, political intrigue, heart-warming family dynamics, social commentary and fierce female friendships. Novak was certainly influenced by more than just Rumpelstiltskin; the Brothers Grimm and their stories are woven throughout this novel.

Spinning Silver is a perfect winter fairytale.

ELMET

BY FIONA MOZLEY Elmet is a hauntingly beautiful story about two teenagers and their father, who has decided to live a life off the grid. The setting is in the U.K., but it could easily be Appalachia. The characters are so well-developed, and the story is so compelling and wonderfully written that you’ll find yourself slowing down as you reach the end. This is Fiona Mozley’s debut novel, and it was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Perfect for fans of Ron Rash.

34

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2018

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PRIME STEAKHOUSE A

C U T

A B O V E

COPPER CELLAR CUMBERLAND

COPPER CELLAR WEST

1807 Cumberland Avenue | 865-673-3411

7316 Kingston Pike | 865-673-3422

N O W

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CHRISTMAS

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R V A T

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B a n q u e t R o o m s Av a i l a b l e a t B o t h L o c a t i o n s

S

Merry Christmas

From Mackley Jeweler s

Celebrating 38 y e ar s

9 6 48 King s to n Pi ke , K n ox v i l l e , T N 3 7 92 2

8 6 5.693. 3 09 7 | m a ck le y.c om