West Knoxville, TN November 2020

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Thankful We Are

Jennie Treadway-Miller | jennie.miller@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall

IN A YEAR OF UNCERTAINTY, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY

L AYO UT DESIGNER

TO BRING YOU STORIES OF THOSE WHO GIVE BACK AND GIVE US ALL REA-

Jayme Emery

SON TO GIVE THANKS. These are some of the people and organizations that keep our community healthy, provide much-needed services, nourish our bodies, and provide inspiration to do more for others. As the actress Audrey Hepburn once said, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. In this “Thankful” issue, we bring attention to that which is

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Eric Foster CFP, CPA, Mary Beth Unthank CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ilyin Mapp, Pedro Mendoza

working in our community.

We are delighted to feature Knoxville’s own Janet Testerman, CEO of Young Williams Animal Center, and read about her community loving, giving spirit.

We also spotlight Aardvark Family Services, a new Knoxville business offering a safe, kid-friendly, supervised visitation service for families in transition. This much-needed business provides an option to families facing long wait times for locations offering supervised visitation.

In our story “From Idea to Action: Scarecrow Foundation Helps the Helpers,” we interview Derrick Furlow and Jimmy Buckner of The Scarecrow Foundation and this foundation’s vital work.

Chef Joseph Lenn, who owns J.C. Holdway, awarded Best Chef Southeast by the James

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

Beard Foundation in 2013, shares a warm, comfort food recipe perfect for these late

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

autumn months.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

In our “Good Times” section, we share pictures from the world premiere of the docu-

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

mentary “Medicine Man: The Stan Brock Story” and photos of the sculpture collection

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

on display in Krutch Park in Downtown Knoxville, part of Dogwood Arts Art in Public

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Places program.

From PYA Waltman Capital, Eric Foster CFI shares valuable information in his article “A Season of Thankfulness Prompts Planning.”

And lastly, we visit with Lenior City based HATponics. A sustainable agricultural company focused on feeding people around the world

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

We hope you have much to be thankful for this year! We are grateful for you and for our advertising partners who make this publication possible. Please support them in this season of giving.

ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA

Amy and Marc Rochelson

IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville ON THE COVER Janet Testerman PHOTOGRAPHY BY ILYIN MAPP 4

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

Proverbs 3:5-6 West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Knoxville area’s 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 NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURES 12 From Idea to Action Scarecrow Foundation Helps the Helpers

16 It’s Comfort Food Season Chef Joseph Lenn Shares a Favorite Dish

28 How to Show Up and Do the Work Community Involvement as a Crucial Ingredient in Leadership

12 28

32 Healthy Habits Help Families Thrive A Look at Aardvark Family Services

16

32

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Our Town

16

Culinary Creations

23 Trend Setter 26 Financial Buzz 28 Giving Back 32 Inspired By 34 Local Limelight

GOOD TIMES

Dogwood Arts Art in Public Places Sculpture Collection The Art in Public Places program brings art outside, adding character and beauty to our city streets and spaces. The program includes an annually rotating, outdoor sculpture exhibition and a large-scale mural program that is entering its second year. The sculptures are installed in prominent locations throughout Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa. Featured here are sculptures currently on display in downtown Knoxville’s Krutch Park. Read more at Festival.DogwoodArts.com.

8

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

1.

2.

Premiere of "Medicine Man: The Stan Brock Story" Remote Area Medical staff and volunteers, along with community members, attended the world premiere of “Medicine Man: The Stan Brock Story" on Tuesday, October 6, at Parkway Drive-In in Maryville. Remote Area Medical is headquartered in Blount County.

This movie has been eight years in the making and tells the story of the late Stan Brock and his work to give all people access to healthcare at no cost. To continue the work of Stan Brock, and support RAM, visit RAMUSA.org.

3.

4.

5.

1. Back row, left to right: Don Mackey, Elestia Kearney, Marcus Badon. Front Row left to right: Vicki Gregg, Volunteer Coordinator Mary Brown, and Communications M | 2. Chris Hall, John Myers, CEO Jeff Eastman | 3. Attendees Greg, Diane, and “Biscuit” Benso | 4. Samantha Beaudry and Development Manager Jeremy Writt | 5. Volunteer Coordinator Kathi Hofstad greets attendee Gary Neal who drove all the way from Oliver Springs to support RAM.

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

9

AROUND TOWN

ANAKEESTA OPENS BLACK BEAR VILLAGE Anakeesta opens the new Black Bear Village, where visitors can enjoy a spacious gathering area, a climate-controlled restaurant and cafe, a panoramic bar area, and a mercantile with throw-back toys and themed decor.

According to Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bob Bentz, “When you reach the top of Anakeesta, you first see that we created an authentic and picturesque landscape, and then you find dozens of opportunities for experiences – from fun adventures to shopping and dining. But when you sit down or look out across the valley, it’s just you and the mountains.”

LIGHT THE PARK IN FARRAGUT Every evening at dusk from November 24 through January 1, thousands of lights come on at Founders Park at Campbell Station for the annual Light the Park event.

10

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

During Light the Park, a slate of

socially-distant

activities

will

be offered, including grab-and-go items and storybook trails. A calendar detailing events will be available closer to the event.

Park restrooms will be open until 10 p.m. during the light display, except on Dec. 25.

GRAINS & GRITS FESTIVAL This premier whiskey-tasting festival on Saturday, November 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. offers a unique opportunity for you to experience our thriving craft spirits and gourmet food community, while discovering some of the region’s legendary distillers and blenders in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.

The Townsend Grains & Grits Festival provides an intimate sampling event, offering something for consumers,

foodies,

bartenders

and spirit professionals alike. Enjoy live

entertainment,

savory

bites

and sweet treats, and savor a vast selection of sample craft spirits from regional legends. Learn more at GrainsAndGritsFest.com.

Would you like to get in touch with

us?

We

hear

from

you!

would Contact

love

to

us

at

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville using the Get In Touch link and let us know what you think.

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

11

OUR TOWN

ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY PEDRO MENDOZA

WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING A NON-

to help more,” says Executive Director Jimmy

Bama, and Gator Hator, all designed to pool

PROFIT, THERE IS NO WAY TO AVOID

Buckner. “The reality is that pantries are

people and resources while bringing aware-

THE DISCUSSION OF HOW TO MAKE

doing a great job, but they’re all a little differ-

ness to a painfully constant problem not only

THE MISSION HAPPEN. Hard work is one

ent. Most need two things - more volunteers

in Knoxville but around the country - hunger.

thing, but resources are another.

and more money to buy food. So, we made

“The reason why we picked hunger is

However, for the Scarecrow Foundation,

a deliberate decision not to raise money for

just from personal experience. I helped Fish

one of the foundational guiding principles

ourselves so all of our proceeds would go to

Hospitality Pantries as a basic volunteer,

from the beginning was to not raise money

pantries we supported.”

delivering food twice a month for seven

for themselves. It would be entirely volunteer-driven with no budget. So far, so good.

For more than a decade, the organiza-

years. I’d take food into people’s homes,

tion - named Scarecrow as a nod to the

apartments, hotels, people on the run, peo-

“Scarecrow Foundation started over ten

stuffed character’s role as the “Protector of

ple who’d lost their jobs,” says Jimmy, “and

years ago. There were a number of us, all

the Crops” - has maintained that strategy

being from Florida and moving here, it blew

volunteers, and we were working with a

while growing in numbers each year. They

my mind how many people struggled to

local food pantry and loved it. We decided

organize events, such as Derby Week, Bash

feed their families. Harry Wade invited me

12

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

FROM IDEA TO ACTION: SCARECROW F O U N D AT I O N HELPS THE HELPERS to join his leadership team, so we started

Foundation, they decided to focus on “enter-

to me. But after that, I saw the opportunity

doing events to help Fish. We raised over

tainment with a purpose.”

as a young college student to network and

$800,000 to help build a new facility, redo

Derrick Furlow Jr. was a rising senior

the website, and create food storage. It was

and football player at UT in 2009 when he

By 2013, the Scarecrow Foundation was

from that experience with Harry Wade that

approached Jimmy, who ran a restaurant in

well underway, and some of its founding

we decided to help other pantries. That’s

Market Square at the time, about hosting an

members moved onto other projects, leaving

why Scarecrow exists.”

Orange and White party. Jimmy agreed, as

a spot open for a new board member.

The ultimate goal is to become a national organization, not just a local one, but it’s a

long as a portion of the proceeds went to The Love Kitchen. Derrick agreed.

give back and build relationships over time.”

“Through Jimmy’s craftiness, he kept me under his wing. Vols and Gators can get

process that cannot be rushed. Instead, the

“A lot more people showed up, so it was

key was to discern the best avenue for raising

entertainment with a purpose. I realized we

Derrick participated in a class dedicated

money and recruiting volunteers and do it in

had a sports stage to impact people for a

to helping nonprofits with critical thinking

a way that was both sustainable and gave

better cause,” says Derrick. “The idea of a

and decision making at the Haslam College

room for steady growth. For the Scarecrow

nonprofit and how that worked was foreign

of Business. Upon completion, Jimmy asked

along,” Derrick says, laughing.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

13

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

“WE’RE SO YOUNG -- HOPEFULLY WE’LL LOOK BACK AND CHERISH THESE MOMENTS. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE TRAIN TO LEAVE THE STATION. WE AREN’T IN A HURRY, BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE’VE GRABBED THE TIGER BY THE TAIL.”

Derrick to serve as Chairman of the Board at Scarecrow as

we’ll look back and cherish these moments. It takes a

well as spearhead the forming xHunger Movement.

while for the train to leave the station. We aren’t in a hurry,

At its core, xHunger is a collection of city and school

but we recognize that we’ve grabbed the tiger by the tail.”

clubs run by volunteers who are focused on fighting hun-

Since everyone brings his or her skill sets to the table,

ger in their communities. Students and citizens take action

it means that everything from the website to the prizes

through the L.U.V.S. Program, which stands for Locate a

donated for an end-of-the-academic-year bash - such as

Food Pantry, Understand Their Purpose, then Volunteer

a new car from Beatty Chevrolet, a getaway to Sea Island

and Support. It’s a simple, effective process that can be

on the Georgia coast, a staycation at Downtown211, and

duplicated in every American school, city, and state.

a race package to Lexington - have all been generously

The program is specifically helpful to students in need of volunteer hours, which are required to qualify

sion to fight hunger.

for the Tennessee Promise scholarship. The Scarecrow

“Our focus is about greater Knoxville, but it’s starting to

Foundation, by way of the xHunger program, functions as

become Greater Tennessee and this region. Our strategy

the middleman to connect those dots.

was that xHunger mirror the school year with the tour going

“First thing, come to an xHunger Tour event. Sign up

from September to April. We respect all of the variables with

there. Go to xHunger.com and join a school or city club.

COVID-19, but hunger has gotten bigger than before. So

Fill out your details. Become the leader or find a staff sup-

what do we do? It’s a choice,” says Jimmy. “We can either

porter. Find some friends who will help you locate a food

sit on our hands or sit down with Beatty Chevrolet. We had

pantry and see what their needs are,” says Derrick. “When

a nice crowd for Derby Day and had 11 people join. Not only

it’s all said and done, the pantry coordinator keeps the

can people join at every event, but they can also register for

hours and submits them to Tennessee Promise.”

free for more than 10 grand prizes.”

“We help the helpers,” adds Derrick.

With more than 80 events on the calendar, the xHunger

Joining a city club costs $20 for adults, but that buys the

team and Scarecrow board of directors have had to adapt

t-shirt they can wear when going to local food pantries to

their original plans to fit within social and physical distanc-

volunteer. When it comes to operational costs, the board is

ing parameters laid out by the city and health department.

always looking for folks who are willing and able to donate

Whether it’s a Free to Play Poker game at one of the 14 bars

their services with an eye on the big picture and larger goal.

and restaurants in town, or a Pro-Vols game day event,

“We’re all about relationships. How we found our t-shirt

every effort is geared towards gathering more volunteers

vendor was through a media relationship. He runs the Second Bell Music Festival. When you buy a shirt, there’s a margin there to cover the cost of the shirt, and the rest comes back to the treasure chest that gets donated to a food pantry,” says Jimmy. “We’re so young -- hopefully

14

donated by those who’ve partnered with Scarecrow’s mis-

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

for local food pantries and funneling donations their way.

“It’s the most important thing to help fight hunger,” says Jimmy.

To get involved, learn more at ScarecrowFoundation. org and xHunger.com.

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

15

CULINARY CREATIONS

it’s com for t food season CHEF JOSEPH LENN SHARES A FAVORITE DISH

ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER

16

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

CHEF JOSEPH LENN HAD A COLLECTION OF INTERESTS WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP, BUT WORKING IN A KITCHEN WASN’T NECESSARILY ONE OF THEM. It wasn’t until he worked at Butler & Bailey Market - first as a bagger in high school, then under owner Tom Butler in the butcher shop while in college - when he caught the fire for cooking.

“They had stuff in there I’d never had, like lamb chops or veal chops.

[Tom] would let us take things home to cook them, and I had a charcoal grill. It was an epiphany,” says Joseph. “My friends and I wanted to cook out more since it was cheaper and better, so I told them if they bought it, I’d cook it. Those friends of mine told me I should go to culinary school, but I didn’t want to work in a kitchen all day.”

It was the summer of 1999 when Joseph watched a special story about chefs on the local news and started to consider that culinary school was a good idea after all. He talked to his dad about it, and they scheduled a tour at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston.

That was all it took.

Over the next 17 years, between enrolling in culinary school and opening his own restaurant in 2016, J.C. Holdway downtown on Union Avenue, Joseph did whatever an ambitious chef would do: he networked, researched, and worked hard. Not only did he take advice from seasoned chefs, he also took whatever shift they offered him.

“We had classes in culinary school on how to apply for jobs, and my goal was to get an internship at Blackberry Farm. Chef John Fleer offered me a job doing breakfast and lunch, and I said yes before I knew what the job was,” he says. “It was a 45-minute drive, so I was CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

17

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

getting up at 3:45 in the morning. I did that over the summer of

Hotel’s Capitol Grill in Nashville to Executive Chef of the Barn

2000, and it was the best thing that ever happened.”

Restaurant at Blackberry Farm. He was named a Grand Chef by

While at Blackberry Farm, Joseph reconnected with Robert

Relais and Chateaux, and then received the James Beard award

Carter from Peninsula Grill in Charleston, where he tried to get a

for Best Chef Southeast in 2013. When the Daylight Building

job the previous year. The two struck up a conversation and hit it

came available in 2015, he jumped on the opportunity. He’d had

off immediately. Then Joseph reminded the Charleston chef that

his eye on the property for years.

he’d once interviewed for a job at his restaurant but wasn’t hired.

“He said he’d give me a job if I came back. I worked there for three

meant Joseph’s culinary experience was coming full circle.

years,” says Joseph. “It was probably one of the most important jobs

“That first veal chop I cooked was over wood. I remem-

I’ve had because the standards were upheld there. It was very con-

ber the flavor of that. We also had a wood-burning grill at

sistent, and if it wasn’t perfect, you had to start over. It taught me to

the farm, and you cannot replicate that with gas. There was

work quickly and accurately.”

nothing like that in Knoxville, so I wanted to create something

The next decade proved successful as Joseph’s professional experience bore out across Tennessee, from The Hermitage

18

Opening J.C. Holdway, named lovingly after his Uncle Joe,

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

new,” he says. “We always cook with some sort of comfort.

It’s elevated comfort food with familiar dishes.”

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

19

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

jc holdway bl ack- eyed pea , k a le a nd bent on’s bac on soup i n g re d ient s

i n st r uc t ion s

+ 8 ounces Benton’s bacon 1/4”-dice

In a medium sized stock pot over medium heat, cook

+ 1 quart onion 1/4”-dice

bacon until oil is rendered. Add onion and garlic and

+ 2 tablespoons garlic thinly sliced

sweat until translucent. Next add carrots, and celery

+ 2 cups carrot 1/4”-dice

and sweat until celery starts to become translucent.

+ 2 cups celery 1/4”-dice

Add strained black-eyed peas, chicken stock, sachet of

+ 2 cups black eyed peas dried (soaked overnight)

bay leaves, thyme, and parsley stems and simmer for 15

+ 2 quarts chicken stock

minutes. Add collard greens and cook until black eyed

+ 2 bay leaves

peas are soft, approximately 10 more minutes. Finish

+ 1 tablespoon thyme chopped

with salt and black pepper.

+ 1 tablespoon parsley chopped + ½ pound kale (stems removed and leaves torn) + Salt and Black Pepper To taste

20

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

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21

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

TREND SETTER

WALKING THE WALK

A JOURNEY DOWN THE WINDING LIFE PATH OF UNASSUMING SPIRITUAL LEADER FRANCIS CHAN

IMAGINE YOURSELF AS THE LEADER OF A THRIVING MEGACHURCH IN VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, WITH MORE THAN 5,000 MEMBERS AND GROWING. You’re a New York Times bestseller making a million dollars in royalties from your first book and people love you—you’re on top of the world.

Would you leave that all behind?

Better yet, would you trade all of that, giving away 90% of your income to end up living in the poorest region of Hong Kong surrounded by people struggling to make it by on just 50 cents a day?

For most, it probably sounds like a tale of riches to rags; an unfortunate and unwanted result of someone falling upon hard times. But for Francis Chan, a church planter and best-selling author who speaks to thousands of people around the world each year, it’s exactly what he did. And exactly what he needed—an opportunity to walk down a winding path that led him toward fulfilling his purpose; toward becoming a

ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

man who can truly say he lives the life he’s been called to and encouraging others to do the same.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

23

TREND SETTER (CONTINUED)

Watch the full interview @ CityLifestyle.com!

Francis, born in San Francisco, was raised in a very traditional Chinese home and navigated a challenging upbringing. His mother died while giving birth to him. His father remarried, then his stepmother died in a car accident when he was 8. His father remarried again, then, when Francis was 12, died of cancer.

Twenty-six and newly married, Francis and his wife Lisa founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California in the early 90s, beginning with a membership of 30 people. Within the first two months, the church grew to 100. By 2000, membership grew even more to 1,600. And by 2008, Cornerstone Community Church was one of the largest in Ventura County and Francis’ then-new book “Crazy Love” was a New York Times bestseller.

Then, in 2010, Francis decided to leave it behind in pursuit of a more humble and impactful way of life.

The $1 million his bestselling book made in the first year, plus the money it continues to make? Francis signed it all over to a charitable gift fund helping the poor and victims of human trafficking.

After making the decision to leave Cornerstone and wrestling with what the next step would be, Francis and Lisa ended up selling their Simi Valley house and moving their family of six at the time overseas to India, Thailand and China, where he was able to embrace new interests and activities by doing what the locals do, and where he also saw an inspiring shift in culture and spiritual values.

“I wish we could learn and see the sacrifice of others,” he says. “Their mentality really isn’t a consumer mindset of ‘Here’s my needs, here’s what I feel, no one cares about me— me, me, me, me. Overseas they’re just obsessed with each other and thinking about how to get to the poor—the truly poor—like ‘We’re going to starve today,’ or ‘We’re selling off kids today.’ That type of poor. There’s just a lot more urgency.”

In the throes of a pandemic, quarrels over U.S. politics, a growing divide among people and beliefs, and the unsurety of life, Francis’ message of focus and fulfillment can be summed up simply: take your eyes off yourself.

“People that I’ve found that have spent their lives truly loving others are the j o y f u l p e o p l e .”

24

West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

“A l l w e r e a l l y n e e d t o d o is hit that little button that s w i t c h e s i t o f f s e l f i e m o d e .”

“It’s so counterintuitive because, physically, if I break my arm, I’m not going to be thinking about anyone else. The only thing that’s going to bring me pleasure is getting this thing fixed. ‘Everyone look at me—my arm is broken; someone fix

he says. “I go, ‘You have no clue. This is like the happiest place on Earth. You’re gonna go nuts!’”

Francis says Rachel began to get very sad, asking if they could just go to Paint Pals.

it for me,’” he says. “But...the answer is actually to take your

“She’s working herself into tears,” he laughs. “Like,

eyes off of yourself. People that I’ve found that have spent

you’re crying because I’m about to take you to Disneyland.”

their lives truly loving others are the joyful people. You’ll find very few generous people who are miserable.”

Francis, pretending to hold up a phone facing him-

“I feel like we’re just like Rachel when she was 5,” he says, fondly recalling the Paint Pals days. “We’re accustomed to certain things and God has something so much better for us.”

self, goes on to describe how he sees this generation

Nearly six months ago, Francis’ path led him to the

as a generation all about taking selfies; noting that

Sham Shui Po area on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong

you could be in the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls

with most of his family, including his wife, all but one of

and you’re always in the picture—always the center

his daughters, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren.

of everything.

It’s a place he later found is where his mother also did

“All we really need to do is hit that little button that

ministries in the 1950s, and allows him the continued

switches it off selfie mode,” he says. “And now I can’t

humbling opportunity to live out his journey working with

even see myself.”

the ultra poor to bring relief and sharing his spiritual ful-

Looking toward the future, Francis (non-prophetically, he clarifies, laughing) goes on to recall the story of his oldest daughter, Rachel—one of seven children and two grandchildren, when she was 5 years old.

fillment with others, even while enjoying a pickup game with locals on the neighborhood basketball court.

“It’s a pretty bizarre journey to think that, first of all, my wife has stood by my side for 27 years, and it’s just been

“We regularly visited this rundown place in our city

an amazing marriage. Two years ago at our 25-year anni-

called Paint Pals,” he laughs, reminiscently. “There was

versary, she asked me ‘Do you know of anyone on the

this old maze you walked through with only a few walls,

planet that is more blessed than we are? Because I feel

some little ceramic things you could paint and this big

like we’re the happiest people on earth. It’s almost like

bubble machine that was just a hula hoop dipped in

that can’t be true, but I haven’t found anyone happier,’”

bubble solution. There really wasn’t much more to it,

he says. “It’s one thing for me to say because that’s the

but she loved it.”

way I feel, but to hear that from my wife as well and those

“One day I was just like, ‘Honey, this week I’m going to take you to Disneyland!’ And she was like, ‘What’s that?’”

truly to be her sentiments. It just feels like an impossible life all the way around.”

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

25

FINANCIAL BUZZ EACH YEAR AS THE SUMMER HEAT STARTS TO BREAK AND

a season of thankfulness prompts planning ARTICLE ERIC FOSTER CFP, CPA

THE MORNINGS ARE A LITTLE CRISPER, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN IN A TIME WARP. It just does not seem possible that it can be this late in the year already. The puzzling thing is that I feel this way every year, as if there has perhaps been some grand conspiracy by everyone around me to keep me seasonally confused. A global pandemic has stopped many things in 2020, but no virus will keep Mother Nature from rolling on. This time of year gives us some chances to reflect on the things for which we are thankful. I have also spent some time thinking about things that I see other people being thankful for, specifically as it relates to their financial resources.

My vocation provides a unique perspective into lives of other people. We get to hear the hopes, dreams, and setbacks of people of all ages. Most people do not go around talking about how much money they earn or the amount of assets they have accumulated, but they do to us. Planning for the future demands it.

I still fashion myself as a young-ish man, although my own mother recently noticed the growing chorus of gray hairs on my head and asked me, “what’s that all about?” Mother Nature rolls on. I have never walked in the shoes of someone staring down retirement or dealing with a body that has started to get really tired and worn out. However, I sure have walked alongside many people facing many life transitions. In my career mosaic of client conversations, I would say the financial trait that people value the most is flexibility.

In some ways, the financial industry is best at helping people die with too much money. The proverbial fear of running out of money is a powerful force. That is certainly important, but there is usually a much richer conversation lurking somewhere. What is important to you? How do you see yourself leaving a legacy for your children and grandchildren? What do you still want to accomplish? What do you want to impact? Would it bring you joy to see the impact that your resources might provide now instead of later?

Having a financial impact now requires a competition against the fear of not running out of money, which we have already established as a formidable foe. How do you convince someone who is unnecessarily fearful of being a financial burden to gift money to charity or their family now instead of later? Data and math work well as they are tough to debate.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

The financial world is built on probabilities. We mostly know what tends to happen over a long period of time but have little certainty about much in the near term.

Thankfully, the long term outweighs in the end and that allows us to plan. Demonstrating to a client that they can fulfill their goal of helping fund part of a college education for a grandchild is a fun conversation. It is a second level conversation that has moved beyond the general fear of exhausting resources and embraces the lifetime of financial flexibility that often lies beneath. It takes the nerdy math of probabilities to get there. Unlike most other things, Mother Nature does not have any power over that.

The opinions expressed are those of PYAW’s Investment Team. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to change due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Forward looking statements cannot be guaranteed.

PYA Waltman Capital, LLC (“PYAW”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYAW’s investment ad-

“MY VOCATION PROVIDES A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE INTO LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE. WE GET TO HEAR THE HOPES, DREAMS, AND SETBACKS OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT GO AROUND TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY EARN OR THE AMOUNT OF ASSETS THEY HAVE ACCUMULATED, BUT THEY DO TO US.”

visory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. PYA-20-54

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

27

GIVING BACK

ARTICLE MARY BETH UNTHANK | PHOTOGRAPHY ILYIN MAPP

HOW TO SHOW UP AND DO THE WORK COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AS A CRUCIAL INGREDIENT IN LEADERSHIP

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

DESCRIBING HERSELF AS “REINVENTED MANY TIMES OVER,” JANET TESTERMAN HAS BEEN A CATERER, WRITER, EDITOR, AND BOARD MEMBER FOR NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING VISIT KNOXVILLE, BIJOU THEATRE, LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE, THE DOGWOOD ARTS FESTIVAL,

“MOST PEOPLE WHO SURRENDER A PET DON’T REALLY WANT TO,” JANET SAYS, “BUT THEY HIT A LIFE HURDLE AND THINK THEY CAN’T KEEP THEIR ANIMALS.”

AND YOUNG-WILLIAMS ANIMAL CENTER BEFORE BECOMING THE LATTER’S CEO IN 2016.

The Knoxville native grew up watching her parents continuously give back to their community, so it was natural for her to do the same. When Janet moved away for college, she continued that pattern of community involvement wherever she went.

“In every city that I moved to, that was one vehicle by which you meet new people and really become part of a community,” she says.

When she moved back to Knoxville after receiving her Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication from American University, she jumped right back into volunteering to immerse herself in the city from which she had been away for eight years.

While she had planned to attend law school in Knoxville, a summer catering job turned into a 13-year career instead, eight of those as a business owner. She says it was serendipity that led her back to her communications roots, working through many communications and editorial positions within the Scripps Network.

Throughout her career, she was serving the community on boards and leadership teams all over Knoxville. After five years on the board for Young-Williams Animal Center, she seized the opportunity for another career change and now leads the team as CEO. Focusing on operations and building the health of the shelter, Janet has worked hard to learn and implement best practices for Young-Williams to become a leader in animal welfare. Conscious that they provide a critical community service, her primary goal has been shifting the community mindset about the center from being a “dumping ground” for unwanted animals to a valuable resource to keep pets and owners together whenever possible.

“Most people who surrender a pet don’t really want to,” Janet says, “but they hit a life hurdle and think they can’t keep their animals.”

Through new and growing initiatives such as the Pet Resource Center, Animal Haven program for domestic violence survivors, and an expanding foster program, Young-Williams has prevented nearly 8,000 animals from entering the shelter in 2020 alone.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

29

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

“THE KNOXVILLE NATIVE GREW UP WATCHING HER PARENTS CONTINUOUSLY GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY, SO IT WAS NATURAL FOR HER TO DO THE SAME. WHEN JANET MOVED AWAY FOR COLLEGE, SHE CONTINUED THAT PATTERN OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WHEREVER SHE WENT.“

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

In just four years as CEO, Janet has led Young-Williams to achieve no-kill status, going from 65 percent to 90 percent save rate. One of the ways they have done this is through removing barriers to adoption and working with community members to find the right pet for their home and lifestyle.

This approach not only helps more animals be adopted out of the shelter, but YoungWilliams’ support programs help pets stay in their homes and not end up surrendered again at a later date.

Young-Williams boasts low adoption fees for their fully vaccinated and treated pets, and Janet is working to implement a mobile spay/neuter program to serve underprivileged communities and help all pets and pet owners have the best possible quality of life.

“There are no demographic boundaries to being a good pet owner,” Janet says, and Young-Williams Animal Center is working hard to make that a reality.

For more information about YoungWilliams Pet Center and the services it provides, visit Young-Williams.org.

. r a e y ’ f f u r ‘ a It’s b e e n Resource Center Since March 1, our Pet their owners. ith w ts pe 0 60 7, pt ke s ha

12 000+

, pounds of pet food provided free to community pet owners

4 ,557 lost and stray animals sheltered 1 ,627 pets fostered 2 ,588 pets adopted 758 animals reunited with families

Shorty

DAY! GIVE TOam s.org/ young-willi donations

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

31

INSPIRED BY A LOOK AT AARDVARK FAMILY SERVICES

HEALTHY HABITS HELP FAMILIES THRIVE ARTICLE MARY BETH UNTHANK

PHOTOGRAPHY PEDRO MENDOZA

ORIGINALLY

DR.

Both Brenda and Hawk have co-parented after divorce, so

BRENDA PONSFORD HAS LIVED ALL OVER THE UNITED

FROM

SOUTHERN

CALIFORNIA,

they understand the importance of the resources Aardvark

STATES, BUT WHEN SHE MARRIED HER LONGTIME

Family Services can provide.

FRIEND, DR. WILLIAM “HAWK” HAWKINS, THEY SETTLED IN KNOXVILLE TO RETIRE. However, when Brenda learned from her friend and certified family law attorney that there is a need in the West Knoxville community for a supervised visitation facility, she sprung into action to make it a reality.

“It is important for children to have two parents involved in their lives and know that they’re loved,” Hawk says. “We want to help parents and their children have a good relationship beyond just the legal aspects of a divorce.”

The rooms at Aardvark’s center are set up like a home, with living room spaces, a dining room for eating together

Aardvark Family Services, located at 166D Market Place

or playing board games, an air hockey table, and spaces for

Boulevard near Cedar Bluff Rd. and North Peters Rd., offers

reading together or playing with toys. Due to restrictions

both on- and off-site supervised visitation, visitation report-

from COVID-19, the books will be quarantined for a time

ing, staggered child custody exchanges, and parenting

after use, and families are asked to bring their own toys, but

planning and support. By assisting non-custodial parents in

eventually the center will be stocked with lots of materials for

meeting goals and staying involved in their children’s lives,

parents and children to play and spend quality time together.

they are helping families build healthy relationships and hab-

In addition, Aardvark’s monitors are available for off-site vis-

its that will allow them to thrive together.

its, such as a trip to the zoo or bowling alley.

Unlike therapeutic visitation where families receive

While Brenda holds a Ph.D in supply chain logistics

therapy from a certified psychologist or social worker,

and a JD from Concord University School of Law, it is her

Aardvark Family Services allows for both court-ordered

combined experience in business and law that opened

and even informal visitation arrangements with trained

the door for her and Hawk, whose background is in inter-

monitoring to promote healthy parent-child relationships.

national economics and foreign affairs, to open Aardvark

This keeps costs low while still allowing for safety and

Family Services to serve West Knoxville. While there are

support for parents and children alike. Monitors are pres-

other supervised visitation centers in Knoxville, “the need

ent with varying levels of privacy as deemed appropriate,

is greater than the capacity,” Brenda notes.

and they help facilitate positive interaction and resolve

To contact Aardvark Family Services for information

conflict if needed. The goal is for healthy, natural relation-

regarding intake or services, call (865) 850-6828 or visit

ships that eventually no longer require supervision.

AardvarkFamilyServices.com

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

“IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE TWO PARENTS INVOLVED IN THEIR LIVES AND KNOW THAT THEY’RE LOVED,” HAWK SAYS. “WE WANT TO HELP PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BEYOND JUST THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF A DIVORCE.”

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

33

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

Q& A w i t h H AT po n i c s

ARTICLE WKL TEAM

Ryan Cox

WHAT IS HATPONICS? HATponics is a sustainable agricultural company focused on feeding people around the world. To achieve this mission HATponics has diversified into many industries including but not limited to farming, construction and education. Our goal is always clear however the path to feeding millions around the world takes on many forms.

WHAT INSPIRED RYAN COX TO START IT? His original inspiration came from the film Beyond Borders. As Ryan watched the story of a CEO’s journey though global hunger and philanthropy, he realized there was more he could do to feed people than a monetary donation. Ryan became inspired to design a self-sustainable agriculture system for global use, and the HATponics portable farming solution was born a year later.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE COMPANY? With roots in humanitarian aid, our goal is to help find ecological and economical solutions to food production for all people. Our main mission is to feed 30 million by 2030 globally through sustainable farming systems and other projects.

HOW DO LOCALS BENEFIT FROM THE WORK HATPONICS IS DOING? Our headquarters are located right here in Lenoir City which houses our Farm "HATfresh" which offers CSA memberships with home delivery. By joining our CSA locals are able to directly contribute to our efforts to feed others with food insecurity locally and globally. Our CSA is year round, we use aquaponics systems in our greenhouse to grow year round. We also have a large outdoor operation along with one of largest blackberry farms in the region. HATponics also offers educational tours, and soon we will be offering workshops on sustainable farming.

WHAT DO YOU WANT READERS TO KNOW ABOUT HATPONICS, ITS PURPOSE, OR ITS EFFORTS? HATponics is a multifaceted company with big goals and large efforts to make the planet a better place through sustainable agriculture. We have built aquaponics systems all over the world helping people in food impoverished communities by giving them the tools to feed themselves for life. On the local level we are partnered with YOCO and Emerald Youth Foundation to feed at risk youth in the Knoxville Community.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | November 2020

ROBERT THRELKELD AFFILIATE BROKER ROBERT@THRELKELDHOMES.COM 865.235.8992

4823 OLD KINGSTON PIKE STE 320 KNOXVILLE, TN 37919