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VOL. 4 NO. 44

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Grant will create SDMS playground

Alan Gratz, author of 12 books for young adults, is originally from Knoxville. Photo submitted

By Carol Z. Shane Although Alan Gratz’s latest book, “Projekt 1065”, is pitched at young adults, older readers can easily get caught up in its breathless plot.

“World War II is raging. Michael O’Shaunessey, the son of the Irish ambassador to Nazi Germany, lives in war-torn Berlin with his parents,” reads the descrip-

CIRCULATION (865) 342-6200 shoppercirc@ShopperNewsNow.com

plot,” says Gratz.

The author, who recently appeared at Union Avenue books to sign his latest release, is an avid reader himself and says his own work is influenced by classics such as Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and the mystery novels of Raymond Chandler.

“So much of adult fiction now is boring to me. I can’t wait for the

story to get started! Sometimes an adult reader will say, ‘This book is pretty slow, but I’m going to give it another hundred pages and see if it picks up.’ But no kid in the history of time has ever said that. They demand an engaging story from page one, word one. That’s the kind of book I like to read, and like to write.”

To page 3

By Betsy Pickle

The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club has the seven-year itch, but that’s OK. AMBC’s annual Fall Festival – which has been held for six years at the South Knoxville home of Brian Hann and Mary Beth Tugwell – is moving to the Baker Creek Preserve this year. The club has leased the park from the city for the event.

Activities start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and wind up at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the

preserve, 1516 Taylor Road. Overnight camping will be allowed.

The move gives the festival – which is free and open to the public – more room for programs, says AMBC president Matthew Kellogg.

“In addition to that, we have parking, for once.”

There will be group bike rides for all levels throughout the day and a short-track race at 5 p.m. that will be fun for spectators. The festival takes place two days after the official opening of the kids’ track at Baker Creek Preserve – the

ribbon-cutting is at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.

There also will be skills clinics and bike demos by a variety of vendors. On Sunday, there will be a Downhill race run by Go Nuts Biking.

AMBC members are looking forward to having the event at the new location, Kellogg says.

“Baker Creek has just been everybody’s favorite toy for the past six months,” he says.

To page 3

Amber Rountree’s big October

By Betty Bean South Knox’s Amber Rountree has every reason to “call in tired” for the Nov. 2 school board meeting, but here’s betting she will find a way to attend. The board will vote on her resolution to exempt Knox County from using standardized tests in students’ grades and for teacher evaluations.

Analysis The tests are not yet aligned with the curriculum, she says.

A similar resolution passed the board last year, but this one has drawn fire from interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas and Gov. Bill Haslam.

Rountree was elected the board’s vice chair Oct. 5, after a 4-4 deadlock between Terry Hill and Tony Norman with Mike Mc-

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on Wednesday.

Longrequested repairs suddenly got done, and by the time the governor showed up, the school was Knox County Education Association president Lauren spit-shined to Hopson, astronaut Barry Wilmore and school board mema fare-thee- ber Amber Rountree at Mount Olive Elementary School well and the teachers’ parking lot was full of bigwigs’ cars. point of personal privilege so the Going to Mount Olive was a Teachers Advisory Committee two-fer for Haslam. He got to plug could take up the matter (which state Rep. Eddie Smith (fight- they did, and voted 12-8 to suping a stiff challenge from former port Rountree’s position).

Rep. Gloria Johnson) and he got How was the Mount Olive event in some licks against Rountree’s received? resolution.

Depends on whom you ask. Not The resolution was on the everyone appreciated the lastschool board’s October agenda, minute school facelift. The term but was bumped by her colleague To page 3 Gloria Deathridge, who took a

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Millan absent. She’s a doctoral candidate at UT, and on Saturday, she and husband Bart added a second son to their family.

Just two days earlier, Oct. 27, Gov. Haslam brought astronaut Barry Wilmore to Mount Olive Elementary School in her district to celebrate two-years-old science scores. Rountree was there.

Haslam, as quoted in the daily newspaper, had a Lake Woebegon moment (…“where all the children are above average”) when he said: “Here’s the big deal: Tennessee is the only state in the nation to grow faster than the nation in fourth grade and eighth grade ….

That makes Tennessee the fastestgrowing state in the nation in science results.”

They didn’t get a confetti cannon, but everybody at Mount Olive knew something big was up, even before the VIP invitations went out

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tion on Gratz’s website. “Like the other boys at his school, Michael is a member of the Hitler Youth. But Michael has a secret: “He and his parents are spies.”

See? You’re probably already wanting to know how the trio “infiltrate, befriend and sabotage,” right?

“I love writing for kids because, to paraphrase Philip Pullman, kids’ books are the last bastion of

Bike club invites all to annual party

(865) 922-4136 NEWS (865) 661-8777 news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Ruth White

November 2, 2016

Author Alan Gratz has

BUZZ

A $150,000 grant to Legacy Parks Foundation from the Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee will fund the construction of a unique adventure play park specifically designed to encourage middle school aged children to get out and play.

And guess what!

This new park will be adjacent to South-Doyle Middle School and will be designed

by Ross Fowler based upon research with students from that school and surrounding neighborhoods. Bryant Research asked current and incoming students what they would like to see in a play space and those wishes were translated into a custom adventure play park design.

Legacy Parks crafted the grant for this project because of South-Doyle Middle School’s connection to the existing Baker Creek Preserve and the need to address this particular age group.

“Middle school students experience the greatest decline in physical activity of any other age group,” Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation said. “We wanted to design a space that encouraged the students to play and be active and hope that they will cross the street and continue that activity with Baker Creek Preserve and along the more than 50 miles of trails found in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness.”

Legacy Parks will partner with the Knox County Health Department to measure change in overall health and physical activity of the South-Doyle Middle School students. The Health Department currently conducts a Youth Risk Behavior Survey and data within that survey specifically addresses physical activity and other health indicators.

The design for the play space includes four play zones with structures for climbing and swinging; a three-hole disk golf course; trails; open meadows for running and playing; and benches and boulders for socializing and resting. The play area will connect directly into Baker Creek Preserve. Construction is expected to begin early in 2017.

The Trinity Health Initiative grants stimulate projects related to Trinity’s mission of improving the physical, emotional and spiritual health of East Tennessee.

– S. Clark

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2 • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Drawing on the past, picturing the future PNRC helps Koby Hyde achieve independence It takes hard work and persistence to succeed in the competitive industry of graphic design. That’s good news for Koby Hyde.

It’s good news, because you’d be hard pressed to ďŹ nd a young man who knows more about hard work and persistence than he does. This rising artist had to start life over with a blank canvas at the age of 15 on March 2, 2013, when a car wreck resulted in the type of traumatic brain injury referred to as diffused axonal. “It’s like shaken baby syndrome,â€?

Koby explains, “with little, tiny, microscopic cuts in the brain.�

In a coma for seven days, Koby opened his eyes to a new and demanding world a short while after his home community in Powell ďŹ nished a prayer vigil on his behalf. For seven days he had lain motionless in a hospital bed, kept alive with a feeding tube and a tracheotomy. By the end of two weeks, he had lost about 30 pounds. “It was a really, really tough time,â€?

Koby says. “They had to tie my arms down because I had all this jerking, trying to pull the IVs out.�

Koby entered Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center unable to walk and unable to remember much of anything. He had lost the ability to catch a ball or draw a picture, so the two things he loved the most – sports and art – had been forcibly removed from his life. “You could see it in his eyes,� says Koby’s father, Brian Hyde, “just a sadness that he realized kind of where he was at.�

It was painful to watch his son lie still in a coma and painful to watch Koby struggle after coming out of it. “I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,� Brian says, “let’s just put it that way.�

But from the ďŹ rst day at PNRC, Koby was faced with a choice. He could choose to let the sadness of the situation overwhelm him, or he could choose to work on regaining his abilities with the help of highly trained rehabilitation experts, and

Evidence of Koby’s recovery is proven by his art display at Fort Sanders Regional.

Through rehabilitation, he has regained his artistic ability, and hopes to turn it into a career.

that’s what he did.

For eight hours every day, therapists worked with Koby, teaching him to walk, work, play and learn, and to remember. At the end of every session, he would return to his room and collapse on his bed. “I was exhausted,� Koby says. “They pushed me to limits I didn’t think I could reach.�

Koby would get up each new day, and do it all over again. The staff at PNRC never let up, continually encouraging him and nurturing him through the most difďŹ cult season of his young life. “They were so caring,â€?

Koby’s dad says. “They did a wonderful job, and they pushed him, but he also pushed himself.. He kept his head up and kept his spirits up, and

he worked hard to get better.� “When I started, I couldn’t even lift my legs, and I remember just barely being able to pull down a couple of weights,� Koby says. “But as the days went on I got stronger, and after a couple of weeks I was walking again.�

After being discharged from PRNC, Koby continued therapy on an outpatient basis and began to apply the same determination to sports and art. It wasn’t easy. As a matter of fact, it was discouraging.

Koby still remembers how sad he was the ďŹ rst time he tried to create a picture and discovered he couldn’t make his hands draw the image in his mind. Still, he never gave up. “I kept drawing,â€? he says. “You

just have to.�

PNRC Innovative Recreation Therapy gave Koby the opportunity to improve coordination and strength through athletics. “Al Kaye was phenomenal,� Koby says of the brain injury program leader. “We played ping pong, he helped me play golf - he found activities for me to do.�

Once released from therapy, Koby continued to work tirelessly to become stronger and more coordinated. It was a slow and sometimes grueling process, but he never gave up.

Three months after a horriďŹ c car crash that left his son in a coma three months after being told by a doctor that Koby would only be able to do about half as much as before Brian Hyde watched his son take on the role of designated hitter for the Powell High School baseball team. “It really was a miracle,â€? the proud father says. “Through Patricia Neal and God, he progressed very well.â€?

As for Koby’s artistic ability, you only need to step into the lobby at PNRC and take a look at his painting on display there to know he’s regained that, too. He is currently pursuing an associate’s degree in graphic design from Pellissippi State Technical Community College, after which he plans to ďŹ nish out a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee. “He’s doing great,â€? the elder Hyde

says. “I have no doubt he will accomplish his goals.�

Koby still has one of the hundreds of bracelets that were made and distributed in his community while he was hospitalized in a coma.

It bears his initials and the number he wore on his jersey. The support he experienced from his community, his family and the staff at PNRC has been overwhelming at times, as is the knowledge that his life could be very different today. “If I learned anything from this, it’s just to keep going and never give up,� Koby says. “If it’s in school, in life - just don’t give up, because there are a lot of rough days, but there are also brighter days, and there’s always that light at the end of the tunnel.�

Mission: Quality of Life The brain injury program of PNRC is dedicated to helping patients regain the greatest amount of independence and enjoy the highest quality of life. The environment is designed to facilitate cognitive, physical, educational, psychosocial and behavioral needs of brain injury survivors.

Patients are treated with state-ofthe-art methods and equipment by professionals who are continually updating and incorporating the best treatment skills and techniques.

Before a rehabilitation program is determined, a comprehensive assessment establishes a baseline of physical, social, cognitive and behavioral functioning.

Patients and families are a vital part of the rehabilitation team and participate equally with the interdisciplinary team in developing an individualized treatment plan. All patients are under the constant care of trained staff, meet with a physiatrist and work with a case manager.

To learn more about the care provided to brain injury patients and other services of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, visit www.patneal.org.

Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center – #1 in the nation PNRC receives Patient Satisfaction Award for the 6th time ers to achieve this level of success.�

PRC research is conducted via a conďŹ dential survey to obtain the opinions of patients and assess their perceptions of patient care.

PNRC also received two additional ďŹ ve-star awards for being in the top 10 percent among healthcare providers, facilities and units in the PRC database for patient satisfaction based on the percent of “Excellentâ€? responses to Overall Quality of Care. PRNC was presented with a Silver Achievement Award for its process improvement efforts on developing a positive work culture and excellent work to improve inpatient rehabilitation services. “We strive every day to provide excellent care to the patients we serve, but these service awards are particularly gratifying because they

are granted based on what our patients themselves say about the care they received at PNRC, not what we hope we are doing or what we say about ourselves,� Irwin says.

Mary Dillon, MD, medical director for PNRC, agrees. “As a staff, our goal is to provide the best care and to constantly look for ways to improve patient experience--the kind of care we would want for our own families and loved ones.�

Patients admitted to PRNC are usually experiencing difďŹ cult and challenging circumstances. Dillon believes this award will ease the worry of many patients who are unsure of what therapy may hold for them. “When our patients and families see the Crystal Award, I think it gives them conďŹ dence about the care they receive at the Patricia

The PNRC team receives their 6th Crystal award based on patient satisfaction.

Neal Rehabilitation Center.�

Irwin agrees. “I hope this award will reinforce that patients come ďŹ rst, and it is our goal to provide excellence in service every day. Always.â€?

PNRC offers a comprehensive, team approach to rehabilitation. Physical, occupational, recreational, behavioral medicine, and speech language therapists work with rehabilitation physicians to develop individual plans of care. Meanwhile, rehabilitation

nurses work with patients and their families to teach self-care techniques and to provide education, helping patients restore their abilities and rebuild their lives.

The goal is to guide patients through a customized rehabilitation program that maximizes their independence as quickly as possible. To learn more about Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and the services it provides, visit www.patneal.org, or call (865) 331-1446.

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Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center recently received a Crystal Award for patient satisfaction from Professional Research Consultants, a nationally known healthcare marketing research company. The award is given annually to healthcare organizations scoring at or above the 100th percentile for patient satisfaction. It is the sixth time the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center has received the top award.

PNRC Vice President and Administrator Leslie Irwin is honored and attributes this award to her entire team at PNRC. “We place great emphasis on working as a team,�

Irwin says. “Our success as an organization and for our patients is built on the fervent belief that it takes the commitment of an entire team of doctors, nurses, therapists and oth-

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • 3

Parkridge neighbors planting 11,000 daffodil bulbs

By Kelly Norrell Residents of Knoxville’s historic Parkridge neighborhood near Magnolia Avenue are hoping for 11,000 new daffodils come spring.

In a project led by Parkridge resident Christopher Salmons, the nonprofit Parkridge Community Organization has received a $2,000 grant from the city plus some private donations to purchase 11,000 daffodil bulbs, already delivered to Salmons’ front porch. On a recent Saturday, about 36 volunteers logged 169 hours planting bulbs in the grassy easements along both sides of the neighborhood’s thoroughfares.

Their goal is masses of the early-blooming yellow and white flowers. “Daffodils come up sometimes even before the grass becomes green. It’s a sign that spring and hope are on the way,” said Parkridge resident Steven Carriger.

Neighbors gathered in Caswell Park at 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 22 and fanned out in twos and threes alongside Fifth, Woodbine, Jefferson, Washington and Glenwood

Knoxville heritage

avenues between Cherry and Winona streets. By late afternoon, they accomplished a dense planting of bulbs using picks, mattocks and shovels.

“We have about one third of the neighborhood planted so far. Work may have progressed faster if the soil was not so dry, but overall it was a great effort,” Salmons said afterward.

“There will be some follow-up planting to ensure all the bulbs are in before winter, but I’m certain we will get it accomplished.”

It all started when Salmons and James Waldrup, inspired by the daffodils on Pellissippi Parkway, planted a test strip running from East Fifth Avenue to the bike path at Caswell Park. It worked out so well that PCO applied for and received the grant.

“When they bloom, it will look like pictures of the neighborhood when it was young,” said Waldrup.

Salmons said daffodils are ideal for the neighborhood of Victorian houses.

“They are native to East Tennessee. They are low

“dog-and-pony show” got a lot of use: “If you don’t have nice stuff at your school, our politicians need to see that.

You don’t need to clean up for company. Let them see how it is every day,” said one veteran teacher. “I kept asking myself, ‘Why Mount Olive?’ They never gave a reason.”

And what does Rountree think? Here’s an entry on her Facebook page: “It’s too bad Haslam couldn’t see fit to personally speak to me about my resolution while he was visiting (Mount Olive). It’s hard to be a wallflower at nine months prego! I could’ve illuminated for him that

Photo by Kelly Norrell

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Non-riders can watch the race and talk to experts about getting into mountain biking. Savory and Sweet food truck will be on site for lunch and snacking. Yee-Haw Brewing Co. will have beer sales starting at noon.

Live music starts at dusk, with Southern Cities and Big Bad Oven performing. After 10 p.m., there will be a “silent disco.” Attendees can borrow headsets from AMBC to hear the dance music.

“It’s quite an interesting thing to watch and to participate in,” says Kellogg, adding that this is a first for the Fall Festival. “Seeing as how we’re sort of in a more public location, we wanted to still have the party vibe but get it quiet quicker.”

The festival is one of AMBC’s largest annual fundraisers; they use their coffers to build and maintain trails in the area. While the event is free, the club raises money through a silent auction and merchandise sales.

“We’ve got really great silent-auction items that have been donated from the community,” Kellogg says.

Info: ambc-sorba.org and on Facebook.

Big October

Dylan Mezick, 20 months, plants with his mom, Jennie Mezick

maintenance, and very few pests bother them. Once planted, the bulbs will multiply on their own, filling in for a great springtime spectacle.

“It would make a great spring celebration. It would be great to have a Daffodil Festival,” Salmons said.

“I hope we can cover the neighborhood with flowers,” said Jennie Mezick, who planted with her 20-month old son, Dylan. “This gets the neighbors out and talking to each other. When the bulbs bloom, it will bring more visitors to the neighborhood.”

If his last name sounds familiar, that’s no coincidence.

“My first ancestor to come to America, Louis Alexander Gratz, arrived here in the 1860s from Prussia. He joined the Union army and fought his way south during the Civil War, and when the war was over and he was headed back north he stopped in Knoxville and decided he would settle down there. L.A. Gratz married into the Bearden family, became a lawyer, and also a city planner – he designed the Fourth and Gill neighborhood, naming one of the streets after himself! He briefly became the first and only mayor of North Knoxville, with the sole intention of getting it incorporated into Knoxville proper. L.A. Gratz is buried in Old Gray Cemetery.”

Though he, his wife and 14-year-old daughter now live in Bakersville, N.C., Gratz fondly recalls his childhood in West Knoxville, where he attended Farragut elementary and middle schools, then the Webb School of Knoxville.

“I spent my childhood seeing movies at the old Capri Cinemas, eating pizza at Mr. Gatti’s, and dropping quarters in the video game machines at Aladdin’s Castle in West Town Mall.”

Gratz holds a College Scholars degree in creative writing and a master’s degree in English education from UT. His first book, “Samurai Shortstop,” was named one of the 10 best books for young adults in 2007 by the American Library Association. He has also written more than 6,000 radio commercials and several episodes of A&E network’s “City Confidential.” But this “homeboy made good” knows what he likes best. “My first love,” he says, “was always writing fiction.”

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From page 1 NAEP and TNReady are vastly different assessments, and that in his analysis of the NAEP data he missed that our large ‘gains’ in science appear (to be because) in fourth grade over half the states flat lined and 34 states in eighth grade flat lined.

“Am I proud of our kids and teachers? Absolutely!

But I am tired of political PR stunts that don’t paint an accurate picture of our work and use our students to further political agendas.”

It seems the votes are there Wednesday to pass the Rountree resolution.

What’s uncertain is, will she bring the baby?

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4 • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

Roads to peace

By Renee Kessler

The Times-Herald says it all. And it just cost 15 cents!

From the Research Lab at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center

At the heart of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, “The Place Where African A mer ican History is Preserved,” is its Research Lab, which contains old newspapers, newsRenee Kessler l e t t e r s , publications and the like.

Included in the collection are copies of The Times-Herald, a Knoxville newspaper publication.

In November 1961, The Times-Herald presented Highlights of Homecoming Festivities for Knoxville College. The theme was “Roads to Peace,” and The

Times-Herald indicated that this was a “real message for the entire community.”

The winning Knoxville College homecoming float was designed to symbolize “The Key to Peace is through Understanding.”

The next month in December 1961, the front page headline of the publication was titled “Mahalia Rocks and Rolls.”

Mahalia Jackson, regarded as “The Queen of Gospel,” performed at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to a mixed audience filled to capacity.

The writer of The TimesHerald stated, “Every song Miss Jackson sings she ‘feels it.’ That is, she is able to project herself into the song. One seems to forget all worldly troubles when listening to

State GOP chief to hang it up Ryan Haynes will resign his post as state GOP chair a few weeks after the Nov. 8 election. Haynes, a former state legislator who represented Farragut and West Knox County, has been unhappy with the position. He is a more policy-oriented person and does not like the internal GOP politics on the state executive committee.

He was also blindsided by Gov. Bill Haslam’s rejection of Donald Trump, which fell on him to explain.

When Gov. Haslam repudiated Trump, the party headquarters was swamped with irate Republican calls and Haynes was attacked, too. He received only six hours’ notice on the Haslam move to prepare when it hit the media.

Haynes is mentioned as a possible candidate for Knox County mayor, but he has not made a decision.

His successor will be chosen by the 66-member state executive committee elected by GOP voters from each of the 33 state Senate districts. The committee is divided between more traditional Republicans and more conservative ones.

Normally, Gov. Haslam would be able to choose the next chair as a practical matter and the committee would approve it. That may not be the case this time around as many SEC members are furious at Haslam for opposing Trump. Picking someone other than the governor’s choice could be part of the fallout. The governor may not make a recommendation and leave it entirely to the state committee.

Haslam may also suffer in the next session from ultraconservative lawmakers opposing his programs in his final two years as gover-

check for $30,000 the Legislature had approved. The only problem was that state Victor Sen. Becky Massey, who was Ashe equally responsible for the check by handling it in the Senate, was omitted from the news release by Rogero spokesperson Jesse Maynor as a consequence of his shark. Massey was approopposition to Trump. priately recognized at the However, if the SEC stiffs ceremony itself despite the the governor, it may find Mayshark-Rogero blunder. fundraising becomes very Rogero is publicly backing difficult as the SEC needs Johnson but playing ball him and the two U.S. sena- with Smith. tors helping to meet payroll ■ State Senate majorat party headquarters. ity leader Mark Norris from ■ Early voting in Memphis spoke a few weeks Knox County has exceeded every prediction over the past two weeks. Not clear who this favors, but clearly voters are not staying home.

■ The Eddie SmithGloria Johnson race continues to be hard hitting

By Betty Bean and should be close. I acTwo days after Bob tually think one of the two Booker’s first solo performay have a comfortable win mance, he was still having and it will not be as close as a tough time keeping his the past two elections have feet on the ground. been where the winner was “Initially, I was as nerfewer than 240 votes apart vous as a long-tailed cat from the loser. The winner in a room full of rocking might have a margin up to chairs,” he said. “But once 900 votes out of 21,000 that I got on that stage and will be cast in that district. opened my mouth and got The last election in this disthat reaction, I was home trict was decided by fewer free.” than 200 votes.

Booker packed the Trump has been a real house last week at the Beck negative for Smith and if Cultural Exchange Center, Smith loses, Trump will be where 100 chairs had been part of the reason. In fact, set up. Tickets were $11.41 most of the state House and in advance and $15.41 at Senate seats that Tennesthe door. The bulk of the see Democrats win from proceeds went to the Beck, Republicans next Tuesday with $1.41 going to Knoxcan be credited in part to ville College. The dollar Trump’s controversial camfigure was set in honor of paign and vulgar remarks, KC’s 141st anniversary. which have upset and anThe starting time was gered many voters. held up a bit and more seats Mayor Madeline Rogbrought in as the crowd ero tried to help Smith grew in numbers. with a news conference in There probably aren’t Sequoyah at Talahi park, where Smith presented a

ago in Oak Ridge to a breakfast meeting of over 100 and was asked about the gas tax.

Norris immediately pointed out that the governor has not sought his advice and pointedly asked the two other senators present, Randy McNally and Ken Yager, if he has sought their advice.

Their response was NO. If the governor does propose a gas hike, he needs to be working the legislative leadership now or he will pay a penalty for failing to do so.

■ It is hard to realize that it was 60 years ago last month when the Hungar-

her singing.”

Adorning the front page headline article was a picture of Mahalia Jackson sleeping beautifully in bed with the caption, “Mahalia sleeps after delivering a dynamic sermon in songs: tired, warm-hearted, downto-earth Mahalia rests peacefully in her plush suite at the Holiday Inn on Chapman.” It was noted that Miss Jackson was the first top negro artist to perform in the new Civic Auditorium and possibly the first to sleep at the then-new Holiday Inn. What an exciting, energetic and spirit-filled time it must have been. By all accounts, it would appear that Miss Jackson’s stay in Knoxville was welcoming and peaceful. Not so; there was more to the story.

Two weeks prior to The Times-Herald article, another publication whose members have a long history of violence and hate

wrote, “All h- -l broke loose at the Holiday Inn here, last Saturday night.”

The article used malicious and slanderous words to describe Miss Jackson and her entourage, and the writer indicated in no uncertain terms that they should never have been allowed to occupy the Holiday Inn on Blount Avenue and Chapman Highway.

The members yelled slurs and outbursts until the news spread for hotel guests to vacate the hotel immediately, and many did not pay.

Amid all of this, we find Miss Jackson sleeping peacefully at the Holiday Inn. I am convinced that in 1961 Miss Jackson, along with the students at Knoxville College with the winning float, were correct. “The Key to Peace is through Understanding.”

Understanding one another is on the roads to peace.

ian uprising in Budapest occurred against the Soviet occupation. The uprising failed and was brutally crushed, but not before the world saw the Soviet system for what it was – a cruel, nondemocratic occupying force.

Great Britain and France were consumed by the Suez Canal crisis at the time along with the British attack there. The USA was in the middle of a presidential election between Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson. Eisenhower was recovering from a heart attack. The Catholic Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty became a refugee in the US Embassy in Budapest, where he lived

for the next 15 years. This set the stage for the ultimate revolution of 1989, when the Iron Curtain fell 33 years later and the Soviet Union collapsed soon thereafter.

■ Jim Hagerman, city engineering director, deserves kudos for the replacement of the street sign at Jack Dance Street (named after a former mayor) and Kingston Pike. Hagerman is a trustworthy city employee.

The Sticky Rice Cafe on Jack Dance Street will benefit from the street sign.

■ Former state Rep. Harry Tindell, who may run for City Council next year, turned 56 last Sunday, Oct. 30.

Booker packs the house for debut concert many “firsts” available to 81-year-olds, and Booker, who is a historian, a civil rights leader and former state representative and city council member, said it helped to see so many friends in the audience, which included singer Kelle Jolly, former mayor Randy Tyree, former Knoxville first lady Janet Crossley and restaurateur Bill Regas (whose invitation to dinner at Ruth’s Chris Booker had to turn down because he was so tired when the concert was done).

“Ninety-nine percent of the people I know had never heard me sing before.

But I felt extremely good about it,” he said.

Accompanied by Vicky Ward, he kicked off his playlist with “Birth of the Blues,” and followed that with a reminiscence about his lifelong secret wish to sing in public. He cred-

he’s often its his friend Marie Owens asked why he sings (owner of Maso many rie’s Old Town Tavern) for country songs: urging him to get up and “ T h e a n s w e r ’s sing when she simple.

I noticed him humming grew up in Knoxv ille, along on kaTe n n e s raoke night.

“She got see, with WNOX and me up, and I haven’t sat the Middown since,” day Merrygo -rou nd. he said.

Light reThey were all I had freshments Bob Booker to listen to until were advertised, but Owens would WLAC signed on have none of that and at night to give us a little brought in a home-cooked, R&B.” Sunday dinner-worthy He brought tears to some eyes with his rendispread.

The playlist included the tion of “Dear Heart” and songs from Booker’s CD, was thrilled by the response “Doing it my way,” which he got when he came down featured pop, R&B and off the stage and serenaded some of the audience memcountry standards.

Booker told his audience bers.

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Shopper news • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • 5

You’re invited to a month’s worth of special events.

Seminars & Events: October-December 2016 LaFollette Health & Rehabilitation Center Celebration To celebrate the completion of their major expansion and renovation project, LaFollette Health & Rehabilitation Center invites you to an open house gathering. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the new rehab gymnasium and therapy suite, meet the staff and providers, and enjoy refreshments.

Thursday, October 27 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Mighty Musical Monday The Bearden High School Symphonic Band has been in existence for years. Under the direction of Megan Christian and Jamie Wilson, this group has performed throughout the community and is comprised of students who are dedicated musicians and leaders in their school.

Monday, November 7 Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

Guest emcees: Hallerin Hilton Hill & Phil Williams WOKI-FM personalities Tennessee Theatre 604 South Gay Street, Knoxville

LaFollette Health & Rehabilitation Center 200 Torrey Road, LaFollette

Concert is free.

Sack lunches are available for $5 in the lobby while supplies last, or bring your own.

No registration required.

No registration required.

Dr. Bill Snyder

Orthopedics: Joint Pain – Don’t Let it Slow You Down Symptoms of osteoarthritis may vary greatly from person to person: inflammation, pain or stiffness in the joint, and warmth or “creaking” are all common complaints. Join us for a discussion about arthritis, joint pain and about ways to preserve your joint function.

Tuesday, November 1 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Turkey Creek Medical Center 10820 Parkside Drive, Knoxville Johnson Conference Center Presenter: Mandy Stinnett, R.N.

Getting Your House In Order Unexpected, end-of-life situations can happen at any age, so it’s important for all adults to be prepared. Participants will receive a complimentary “House in Order” book that provides one location for medical history, estate and financial information, funeral plans and advance directives.

Tuesday, November 8 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 13 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Turkey Creek Medical Center 10820 Parkside Drive, Knoxville Classroom 1

Physicians Regional Medical Center 900 E. Oak Hill Avenue, Knoxville Emerald Room Presenter: Terrie Peltier, R.N.

Please register by November 7.

Please register by one day prior to the event.

Weight Loss: Tip the Scale in the Right Direction

Heal Your Gut, Restore Your Health

If you are ready to shed some pounds, you are not alone.

Approximately 45 million Americans embark on diets each year in the quest for a fitter, slimmer body. If you’ve tried everything to lose weight and nothing seems to work, join us for this free seminar to find out if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Heartburn is actually a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and is caused when stomach acids back up into the throat. When medication and diet changes can no longer calm heartburn, additional treatment may be recommended.

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 3 Thursday, November 17 Thursday, December 1 Thursday, December 15

Tuesday, November 8 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Presenter: Robert Ampudia, M.D.

Turkey Creek Medical Center 10820 Parkside Drive, Knoxville Johnson Conference Center Space is limited.

Please register by one day prior to the event.

Join us for a presentation by Dr. Robert Ampudia and learn the triggers for reflux disease and the latest treatments available.

Stephen Boyce, M.D., and K. Robert Williams, M.D.

Newport Medical Center 435 Second Street, Newport Medical Office Bldg.

Classroom, 3rd Floor Please register by November 7.

To register, call 865-320-9083 or online at Tennova.com.

Independent Members and Members of the Medical Staff of Tennova Healthcare

6 • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • NORTH/EAST Shopper news

Reality has arrived

The crash you heard the other day, the one with breaking glass and breaking hearts, was reality settling in at Tennessee.

It was almost certainly the end of championship fairy tales, all that tall talk about sweeping the SEC East, big trip to Atlanta and maybe upsetting Alabama in the rematch. Total optimists thought that might launch Tennessee into the national playoff.

Sure thing.

We now know the Vols are not a championship team. They never were but for a while, they lived on borrowed time. They are error-prone. The offensive line is not good enough. En-

nation for lack of discipline, for blocks in the back on kick returns, for the regression of Joshua Dobbs, for Marvin loss of containment on opWest posing sweeps, for inexcusable blunders.

The coach says net results are unacceptable. There thusiasm has been damaged were warning signs.

The Vols are fortunate to by frustration. Some stratebe 5-3 and almost bowl eligy is suspect. gible.

Do you remember how One fan called the entire they beat Appalachian State? operation a hoax. Smoke It was borderline incredible and mirrors. to watch middle-leaguers Injuries have obviously win in the trenches. taken a toll. Injuries are forThe ending was lost and ever part of the game but found. In overtime on a very there must be a reason for the unsettling opening evening unusual number at Tennes- at Neyland Stadium, Dobbs see. Analysis is under way. fumbled while trying to fly There is no simple expla- into the end zone.

Legalize ballot selfies Singer and celebrity Justin Timberlake fell into controversy last month when he returned home to Shelby County to vote in the presidential election. Timberlake took a selfie in front of a voting machine and posted it to social media. Some folks were not amused.

Why? A ballot selfie is likely illegal in Tennessee.

A selfie is a picture taken of oneself with a camera or smartphone. A ballot selfie is a picture in front of the voting machine or (in states with paper ballots) a picture of a marked or unmarked ballot.

Under Tennessee law, voters are not allowed to take photos or video while in the polling place. Voters are allowed to use electronic devices only for informational purposes to assist during voting. It’s doubtful

Scott Frith

that a selfie would fall under this narrow exception. At least 20 states allow ballot selfies.

But banning them is misguided and probably unconstitutional.

Some argue that ballot selfies are political speech and laws restricting them violate a voter’s First Amendment rights. Lawyers around the country are challenging restrictions on this basis. In fact, there are at least three cases pending in federal courts on this issue.

(If you’re interested in the legal arguments, check

Shopper s t n e V enews

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2 International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers.org; on Facebook.

“Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans” hosted by the Knoxville Bar Association, noon-2 p.m., Knox County Public Defender’s office, 1101 Liberty St. Free clinic. Legal issues consultations include: landlord/ tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, estate planning, child support, personal injury and general legal issues. Info: 522-6522.

THURSDAY, NOV. 3 Computer Workshop: Introducing the Computer (Windows 7), 10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info/registration: 9222552.

FRIDAY, NOV. 4 Livestock Production on Small Acreage, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. UT Extension Eastern Region Office, 1801 Downtown West Blvd. Lunch included. Info/registration: 215-2340.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOV. 4-5 Rummage and craft sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Loveland Baptist Church.

1320 Spring Hill Road. Proceeds go to missions. Individual sales. Table rental: Phillip, 368-8016.

SATURDAY, NOV. 5 Church bazaar, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church. 7535 Maynardville Highway.

Crafts, country store, baked goods, white elephant and Rada Knives. Serving breakfast and lunch. Info: 922-1412.

“Holiday Market and Craft Fair,” 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church fellowship hall, 6900

out the Federalist Society’s podcast, “Ballot Selfies are free speech.” Michigan attorney Stephen R. Klein leads the discussion. You can find it online.)

Historically, photography has been banned in the polling place to prevent vote buying and voter intimidation. For example, someone pays another to go vote.

They bring out a picture of their ballot to prove whom they voted for. It’s illegal.

Yet, this concern doesn’t apply in Knox County. One feature of our voting machines is that it is impossible to take a picture of a voted ballot. The ballot is not cast on the machine until there is a waving American flag on the screen. At any point before you see the flag, you can go back and change your vote. Therefore, it’s impossible to take a selfie in front of a voted

Several people dived for the football. For at least two seconds, the entire season hung in the balance. Officials dug around in the pile.

Jalen Hurd had the prize.

Touchdown!

If a Mountaineer had found it, the game would have been lost and months of monumental dreams would have become a nightmare. Many breathed a proverbial sigh of relief.

The Battle of Bristol was a form of football suicide.

Virginia Tech gained more yards but lost by three touchdowns. Penalties and turnovers were deadly. Vol Nation smiled as if we had all done something.

There was nothing smiley about the Ohio game.

Lowlight was Jalen ReevesMaybin suffering another shoulder injury – while cov-

ering a kick. Butch Jones explained that the youngsters weren’t ready for such serious business as special teams.

The coach conceded his team was sloppy. He didn’t try to explain the high-wire act, five fumbles but none lost.

Living dangerously and winning ugly still added up to 3-0. In the fine print, the Vols were 101st in the country in total offense, 109th in passing and below the middle of the pack on rushing defense. Something was wrong.

On the last Saturday in September, Tennessee stopped 11 years of losing to Florida. Hooray. That the Vols trailed 21-0 before they joined the fight didn’t seem to matter.

The remarkable victory

ballot on a voting machine in Knox County.

Others say that photography in the polling place creates problems. It can. Yet, as we’ve seen nationally with police shootings, oftentimes smartphones are the best tool we have to record misbehavior. If an election official or voter raises concerns, video from a smartphone could be critical evidence to

expose it.

Justin Timberlake told late-night host Jimmy Fallon that he took a ballot selfie to inspire people to vote. In this era dominated by social media, Timberlake probably did more to encourage young people to vote than either candidate for president.

If we’re serious about the youth vote, we shouldn’t be

over Georgia may become the highlight of Jones’ coaching career. The Bulldogs had the game won but Dobbs, at the last second, threw the ball as far as he could and Jauan Jennings caught it.

Miracles do happen.

The bubble broke at Texas A&M. Tennessee selfdestructed. Seven was the magic number.

The Vols barely had a healthy quorum against Alabama and were overwhelmed.

Open date was supposed to be the cure-all. It wasn’t.

Summation: Some teams, Kentucky and maybe even Vanderbilt, are improving.

It is that time of year. Other teams, ________ for example, are not. Your choice to fill in the blank.

Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.

threatening an online celebration of their vote. Whatever you think of the socalled “selfie generation,” our laws must encourage young people to vote.

It’s time for the Legislature to change the law.

Ballot selfies may be silly, but they’re political speech worth protecting.

Scott Frith is a local attorney. You can visit his website at pleadthefrith.com

GOSSIP AND LIES ■ Buddy Burkhardt, who chairs the Knox County Republican Party, basically announced his candidacy for Knox County mayor Sunday on Tennessee This Week.

his side. But why didn’t somebody tell Brooks to button the bottom button on his shirt?

■ Distracting!

■ Tim Burchett hit the snooze button and candidates are crawling out of the cupboards to take his job – it’s his for another two years, fellows.

■ The guy who looked like a mayor was on the show’s pundits panel. Scott Frith, once-a-month Shopper columnist, wore a black power suit with all buttons buttoned and every hair in place.

■ Cameron Brooks, the county’s Democratic Party chair, was convivial with Burkhardt.

No one threw punches and each did well, representing

■ Cortney Piper sat even taller between Frith and panelist George Korda. Larry Van Guilder used to joke when he did guest appearances that Piper,

Kingston Pike. Guest artisans, local crafters, baked goodies, a silent auction and Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade items. Lunch will be available. Portion of proceeds to benefit Disability Resource Center of Knoxville. Info: Cristall Mount, 300-7490.

Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road.

Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee.

Info: feralfelinefriends.org.

Listening Hearts, A Gathering for Bereaved Moms, meeting, 3 p.m., Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 4110 Central Avenue Pike. Info: 679-1351 or listeningheartsmoms@gmail.com.

Project DYI, Fountain City UMC, 212 Hotel Road.

Offers attendees choice of two or three classes, lunch and a fashion show. Classes offered include “Christmas Décor,” “Holiday Foods” and “Reclaim Restore and Repurpose.” Cost: $25. Registration: fountaincityumc.org or the church office. Info: Marie Perelman, mperelman@ comcast.net; Carol Sewell, caroljosewell@comcast.net.

Saturday Stories and Songs: Dancing Spider Yoga, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. For ages 3-9. Info: 689-2681.

Terry Collins Family Singers from Sneedville will be preforming 7 p.m., Hill Top Baptist Church in Halls. Everyone invited.

SUNDAY NOV. 6 Annual “Shindig,” a celebration of the Thorn Grove Community, 1-4 p.m., Thorn Grove Christian Church’s 728 S. Carter School Road in Strawberry Plains. Featuring: live music, bounce house, petting zoo, chili cook off, bake sale, vendors and more. Info: 6607259 or hjsickles@aol.com.

“Knoxville’s ‘Merry-Go-Round,’ Ciderville and the East Tennessee Country Music Scene,” 2:30-4:30 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. A lecture and book signing by Ruth B. White; musical performance by David West and the Cider Mountain Boys. Free and open to the public. Info: 215-8824 or EastTNHistory.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9

a former UT athlete, towered over all the guys.

■ The Trump bus came to North Knoxville, but only U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan got off.

Guess the junior Trumps were back in New York, trying to salvage their brand.

■ James Calloway, my nephew, jokes that if Trump wins he might shut down the United Nations and build condos.

■ With my entire family seemingly for Trump, you’ve gotta laugh with them or cry.

– S. Clark

Hiring event, 10 a.m.-noon, Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. Fifth Ave. Support Solutions will be taking application and interviewing for support professionals, family providers and related positions. Crowne Plaza Hotel for desk clerks, attendants, housekeeping, foodservice and maintenance. Bring resume. Info: Jackie or Bill, 524-5511.

Knoxville Christian Women’s Connection (KCWC) brunch and fall festival, 9:15 a.m., Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike. Speaker: Barbara McGrege; topic: “Making Peace With My Past. Complimentary child care by reservation only. The fall festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; includes vendor fair and silent auction.

Brunch and fair, $12, fair only, $3. Info/reservation: 3158182 or knoxvillechristianwomen@gmail.com.

Living with Diabetes: Putting the Pieces Together, 2-4:30 p.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY, NOV. 10-13 Zoo Knoxville Dollar Days. General zoo admission tickets for ages 4 and up are $1 each and parking is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or pet food. Tickets must be purchased in advance online.

Info/tickets: zooknoxville.org.

FRIDAY, NOV. 11 “Glass Tile Jewelry” workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Basement Community Art Studio, 105 W. Jackson Ave. Instructor: Marianne Gansley. Cost: $25; includes all supplies. Registration required by Nov. 8. Info/registration: 333-5262 or thebasementartstudio@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 12 Painting workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Marble Springs State Historic Site, 1220 W. Governor John Sevier Highway. Instructor: Kristi Bailey. Cost: $35. Bring lunch.

Info/registration: 573-5508 or info@marblesprings.net.

Saturday Stories and Songs: Georgi Schmitt, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681.

International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers. org; on Facebook.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, NOV. 15 AND 17

THURSDAY, NOV. 10

Free Microsoft Excel 2013 class, 8 a.m.-noon, Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. 5th Ave. Taught

by Pellissippi State instructors. Registration required.

Info/registration: Bill or Jackie, 524-5511.

Fishing and Outdoor Swap Meet, 7 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church, 158 W. Norris Road, Norris. Hosted by the Clinch River Chapter, Trout Unlimited. Buy or sell fishing, camping or other outdoor gear (no guns). Admission is free; the chapter requests donations of 10 percent of cash sales to support its outdoor education programs for children, adults and disabled veterans. Info: Dennis Baxter, dsbaxter1@live.com or 494-6337.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, NOV. 16-17 AARP Driver Safety class, noon-4 p.m., O’Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St. Info/registration: Carolyn Rambo, 382-5822.

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • 7

Faith and Inskip United Methodist churches merge

By Carol Z. Shane Two congregations in North Knoxville – those of Faith and Inskip United Methodist Churches – have recently come together, and each has benefited from the merger. “What happened here,” says the Rev. Dr. Mark Dowell, pastor of both for the last two years, “is that two struggling churches found salvation.”

The combined congregations now meet at the Inskip UMC building on Cedar Lane, though a new, as-yetundecided name is planned.

Over the past few years, Faith UMC, located on Dry Gap Pike, found itself in an unexpected and acute financial crisis. Meanwhile, Inskip UMC, founded in 1957, had a faithful relationship with longtime members, but few younger congregants.

Since the two have come together, those issues are becoming resolved. “We’ve taken things from Faith, we’ve taken things from Inskip and put them all together,” says Dowell.

It was a natural progression. “We started coming together,” says Dowell, “and we started doing things together. We started enjoying each other’s company.”

Dowell, whose previous appointment was at St. Elmo

UMC in Chattanooga, isn’t the only Methodist minister in his family. His wife is the Rev. Brenda Dowell of Trinity UMC. The couple have four daughters: Ashleigh Bouley, from Mark’s previous marriage, Charis, Caitlin and Cansas Dowell. Two are grown; two are teens.

Dowell’s own story isn’t the typical one. Originally from Illinois, he was at one time homeless on the streets of Houston, Texas, mired in the depths of alcoholism and drug addiction. He was able to find his way up and out, beginning college later in his 20s and completing several degree programs, including a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South’s School of Theology at Sewanee. He now counts his years of sobriety at close to three decades.

He is also a Reiki practitioner, and seeks to incorporate wellness practices such as mindfulness meditation into his ministry. He has an active counseling ministry, and his latest idea is Meta-4 – a fellowship/coffeehouse/ dinner gathering which he hopes to launch after improvements are made to the building’s fellowship hall.

“We’re going to knock this

The gift came in the form A special gift from the of a new basketball court West Knox Sertoma Club and outdoor recreation area will provide a fun place that will enhance educationfor children at the Wesley al and recreational time for House Community Center the 100+ children enrolled to grow, learn and cultivate in the after-school program.

The court area will not ideas.

SENIOR NOTES ■ All Knox County Senior Centers will be closed Friday, Nov. 11.

■ Carter Senior Center 9040 Asheville Highway 932-2939 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Offerings include: card games; exercise programs; arts and crafts; movie matinee Fridays; Senior Meals, noon Wednesdays.

Register for: Fifth annual Turkey Trot 1-mile fun walk and lunch, 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Mighty Musical Monday, 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, Tennessee Theatre.

■ Corryton Senior Center 9331 Davis Drive 688-5882 knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday Hours vary Offerings include: exercise classes; cross-stitch, card games; dominoes, crochet, quilting, billiards; Senior Meals program, 11 a.m. each Friday.

Register for: Super Seniors meeting moved to10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, due to Election Day. Veterans Services, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 8; RSVP: 2155645.

■ Larry Cox Senior Center 3109 Ocoee Trail 546-1700 Monday-Friday Hours vary Offerings include: exercise programs; bingo; arts and crafts classes.

■ John T. O’Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Offerings include: Card games, billiards, senior fitness, computer classes, bingo, blood pressure checks 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Monday-Friday. Fun Film Fridays, 12:30 p.m.

cross currents Lynn Pitts, lpitts48@yahoo.com

Age? No matter When Methuselah had lived one hundred eightyseven years, he became the father of Lamech.

Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years; and he died.

(Genesis 5:25-27 NRSV)

The Rev. Dr. Mark Dowell points out items from Faith United Methodist Church that have been incorporated into the sanctuary of Inskip Methodist, now home for both congregations.

Photos by Carol Z. Shane

wall out,” he says, “and the stage will be right there.”

Meta-4 – the 4 stands for the acronym SOUL: “Surrendering Ourselves to Unconditional Love” – will welcome secular and gospel musicians in a monthly program. Though its target audience is young adults ages 18-35, all ages are welcome.

In addition, “we hope

to start doing more community outreach and bus ministry. We really want to make this a community church.” Dowell also wants his church to provide space for AA and NA meetings.

He looks forward to Faith/Inskip UMC’s continued growth and says the bottom line is simply: “We want to help people.”

New court expands recreation at Wesley House

By Ruth White

faith

only be used for basketball, but it can be utilized for group games and team building exercises.

The executive director is Tim Adams. Board chair is attorney John Eldridge. Also present were board member

Sue Clapp and Tom Rechenbach, representing the West Knox Sertoma Club.

The Wesley House Community Center is at 1719 Reynolds Street. Info: 5245494.

Let me say at the outset that Bible scholars interpret such longevity as is attributed to Methuselah in different terms. We have no way of knowing how time was measured then, and therefore, it is possible that what the writer of Genesis called years were really months.

Nine hundred-sixty-nine months equals 80.75 years, which is still a pretty impressive life span for that era (or for that matter, for our own)!

Granted, if we assume Methuselah’s life span to be counted in months, we have to believe that he fathered Lamech at the age of 15, which is certainly not an impossibility!

Perhaps I am thinking about age because my birthday was yesterday, and I may as well confess that I am now 68 years old. How did that happen to a nice kid like me? (I have often said that I was born one day and Harry Truman was elected the next, and the world has never been the same!)

Certainly, from my now-advanced years, I can look back over world events and personal landmarks, and I understand a little more about how this old world works. It is not always fair, it is frequently not easy, and it is almost always unpredictable.

Even so, I have to say I am thankful for so many people (both living and dead) who have shaped and enriched my life. I am grateful, too, for experiences (both delightful and difficult) that taught me, strengthened me, and took me down a notch when needed!

FAITH NOTES ■ Alice Bell Baptist Church, 3305 Alice Bell Road, will host the Community Clothes Closet 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5. Adult and children sizes. Everything free.

■ First Comforter Church, 5516 Old Tazewell Pike, hosts MAPS (Mothers At Prayer Service) noon each Friday. Info: Edna Hensley, 771-7788.

Tips for growing older in Knoxville

By Ruth White Susan Long, the director for CAC’s Office on Aging, shared top tips on growing older in Knoxville.

She said it’s never too early to know everything about growing older.

“Knowledge is power.

The more you know, the less likely people will be able to take advantage of you.”

She shared her top resource books with the group, one being the Senior Service Directory that the Office on Aging produces every two years. The guide is filled with organization names, numbers and services provided for senior adults and is worth keeping handy.

Long also suggested gaining knowledge at community fairs focused on senior adults and gathering available literature on

Office on Aging staff member Melinda Bryant and director Susan Long discuss growing old with guests at a luncheon hosted by Elmcroft of Halls. Photo by Ruth White

organizations represented.

Tip No. 2: It is perfectly acceptable to tour any/all facilities in which you have an interest.

“You also need to know the lingo associated with different facilities,” Long said, such as assisted living, Alzheimer’s care, nursing homes and adult day cares.

Know the different ser-

vices offered and how payment is made (private pay, Medicare, long-term care insurance, etc.).

When dealing with longterm care policies, Long suggested appointing someone to be your advocate.

“The process can be long and drawn out and oftentimes an individual that is ill doesn’t have the energy

to deal with it.”

She also stated the importance of understanding all aspects of home care, especially the differences between non-medical and medical home care.

Questions to ask include how does an individual pay for the service and what type of services are offered with each?

Her third tip involved transportation for senior adults. “Drive your car as long as you are able,” she said. AAA offers a Car Fit program that checks vehicles of senior adults to make sure they are safe, seats and mirrors are adjusted properly for the driver and other safety features.

Once individuals are no longer able to drive themselves, services are available through the Knoxville Area Transit, CAC transportation, ETHRA and more.

Growing older doesn’t have to be something to stress over. Being “in the know” by using available resources (whether you’re a senior adult or caring for one) will help make the process go more smoothly.

The event was hosted by Beaver Dam Baptist Church and sponsored by Elmcroft of Halls.

Connecting with the community Windsor Gardens celebrated National Assisted Living Week with the theme “Get Connected,” both with the community and with new technology.

With “Pen Pals,” residents are paired with elementary school kids from a nearby after-school program. The pairs will correspond through a series of letters.

This activity will help bridge the generation gap, said Tara Wallace, MSSW, life enrichment director at Windsor Gardens. “Students can teach residents the benefits of new technology and residents can pass along wisdom to students.”

After Pen Pals, residents danced with a ballroom dance instructor to music

and each other

through an iPod – teaching ternoon brought a UT pep residents that they can lis- rally.

– S. Clark ten to any song they want at the touch of a button! Computer classes came next with instruction in Facebook and a look at Google Earth. “We visited resident’s childhood homes, interesting monuments and even went inside the White House,” said Wallace. “We celebrated the end of summer with an outdoors party complete with fresh fruit, iced treats and bubbles.”

Residents also participated in a Wii bowling tournament and later ate lunch at Cracker Barrel. The af-

Cecil and Lucille Campbell prepare for an upcoming UT game with a pep rally at Windsor Gardens Assisted Living.

Delphia Jeffers watches as Saundra Long blows bubbles at Windsor Gardens.

kids

8 • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • Shopper news

What’s in a Name?

By Kip Oswald In last week’s article on grading, I wrote about Gresham Middle School.

Wondering how Gresham got its name, Kinzy and I found a very cool piece of history to share with you!

Gresham Middle School is in a part of Knoxville called Fountain City, and students from Gresham move on to Central High School. I am going to write about Gresham and Central’s story this week.

First, the building where Gresham is located now has a long history. It began as a college for teachers!

In 1893, it was Holbrook Normal College and then became Tennessee Normal College, where it trained teachers who taught in schools all over the area.

The college began losing money and was sold to the Knoxville school board in 1906. The school board used it as the first Central High School.

Hassie K. Gresham was a very special teaching student who graduated from the Tennessee Normal College in 1902 and then became an English teacher at Central High School.

Gresham worked at Central High School for nearly 40 years both as an English teacher and as the principal.

In fact, she was the very first female high school principal in Tennessee and she kept teaching an English class even while she was principal.

In 1931, while Gresham was principal, the old buildings were torn

down and the buildings that are there now were built.

In 1971, Central High School moved to its current building, and its old building was named after principal Gresham and has been called Gresham Junior High and now is Gresham Middle School.

Shannondale Elementary, Sterchi Elementary, Inskip Elementary and Fountain City Elementary send students to Gresham, and each has its own great history – such as Fountain City Elementary starting as the first grammar school in Fountain City in 1903.

Hopefully, we can come back to those stories in the future!

Next week, we will look at more “First Women” in addition to Hassie Gresham!

Send comments to oswaldsworldtn@ gmail.com

New Baker Scholars at UT are: (front) Tristan Smith of Maryville, political science; Travis Clark of Nolensville, Tenn.; Morgan Chance of Memphis; Christina Gore of Franklin, and Feroza Freeland of Memphis; (back) Sarah Smith of Knoxville, political science and Middle Eastern studies; Avanti Rangnekar of Knoxville, economics and philosophy; Elle Johnson of Dunlap, Tenn.; Gus White of Chattanooga; Miranda Isaacs of Elizabethton; McKenzie Manning of Munford, Tenn.; Lauren Patterson of Franklin; Will Gableman of Cookeville, and Turner Matthews of Knoxville, political science.

Baker Center announces newest class of scholars The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee has added 14 Baker Scholars to its program, bringing the total to 30.

The students have an academic and career interest in public policy and government, said Nissa Dahlin-Brown, associate director of the Baker Center.

“Each student will complete an individual research project while enrolled in courses to help them develop their project. It is a unique experience for undergraduates to be able to target an issue they are passionate about; research it; and discover ideas, solutions and unintended consequences.”

Scholars are paired with faculty or professional mentors who help direct their project.

In addition to their project work, scholars are encouraged to participate in Baker Center events, guest lectures and conferences.

The new class will graduate in May 2018.

UT'S CLASS OF 2017 BAKER SCHOLARS ■ Auria Asadsangabi, political science and economics, Brentwood, Tenn.

■ Hayley Brundige, College Scholars (journalism, public policy, Arabic), Nashville

■ Diana Howell, political science/Latin American and Caribbean studies, El Paso, Texas ■ Emily Massengill, honors political science and Spanish, Franklin, Tenn.

■ Morgan Chance, political science and English, Memphis

■ Caitlyn McCandless, supply chain (economics collateral), Sevierville

■ Travis Clark, microbiology and Russian, Nolensville, Tenn.

■ Monil Mehta, microbiology, Oak Ridge

■ Alina Clay, College Scholars, Collierville, Tenn.

■ Eric Peters, Global Leadership Scholar, economics, Murfreesboro

■ Will Gilman, political science and global studies, Nashville

■ Colleen Ryan, Haslam Scholar, global studies, Nashville

■ Christina Gore, economics, Franklin, Tenn.

■ Tucker Shull, honors political science, Kingsport

■ Roxanne de Guzman, social work, Timonium, Md.

■ Sawyer Smith, political science and economics, Chattanooga

Karns principal to move downtown Darlene Miller has been R idgeda le appointed supervisor of and Brickey early childhood education, elementary effective January 2017. schools.

Miller is currently prinMiller cipal at Karns Elementary began her School. career in She joined Knox County administraSchools in 1981 as a kindertion in 2003 garten teacher at Norwood Darlene Miller as an assisElementary. She has also tant prinworked as a teacher at both cipal at Bluegrass Elemen-

tary. She has been principal at Karns Elementary since 2008.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UT, a master’s degree in curriculum from Tusculum College and an educational specialist degree in administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas has made two other key appointments: Carly Harrington, a former reporter for the News Sentinel, is the director of public affairs, replacing Melissa Tindell.

Kelly Drummond is the director of human resources. She previously worked in HR at the Boys & Girls Club.

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business

NORTH/EAST Shopper news • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • 9

A different kind of nut

It’s Nut Season in East Tennessee. Now, this piece is not about the nuts out on our roadways, looking at the phone in their laps as they drive towards me with half their car in my lane. Not the nuts, either, who will soon be coming to blows with one another, in the spirit of Christmas, over the unbelievable bargains surrounding them during the already-begun Shopping Season. We’re thinking Nature here, not human nature.

And as for Nature and its critters, it’s a time of abundance, even this year with its heat and drought. There is a carpet of small nuts under my shagbark hickory trees, and we can’t walk around the place for the walnuts on the ground – ankle turners for sure, buckets and buckets of them. They should be a sign for walnut pie in my future, helping tune up the taste buds for Thanksgiving.

For the critters, though, this is a critically important time of the year for all those who either stock up on supplies, or fatten up their bodies, for the winter ahead. One exception is the morbidly obese groundhog that lives under my workshop and does nothing but eat and sleep all year long, and who appears to me to always be ready for hibernation (just in case of a severe cold snap in July). The rest of the animals depend on the big fall food crop to get them ready for several cold months of slim pickings.

The acorns, walnuts, and hickory nuts provide a source of rich, fattening food for everything from millions of mice, chipmunks, squirrels and turkeys, on up to deer and 350-pound bears. The size of the mast crop is what tells the tale on surviving the winter and early spring.

And through the centuries, as we know, humans have benefited from the nut harvest as well. Historically, whole communities of people have learned to survive and thrive on abundant and dependable crops of chestnuts in some parts of the world, and from huge oak

the Rotary guy Dr. Bob Collier

trees full of acorns in other places. In more modern times, autumn was the time for heading out into the woods especially for chestnuts, big nuts full of protein and fat, but even after their demise in the 1930s, still foraging for walnuts, hickory nuts, and the seldomseen others – chinkapins, beech nuts, butternuts.

But then there are exceptions to every rule. Think of a big, shiny, brown, tastylooking and abundant nut that isn’t. Isn’t edible, I mean. That would be our common buckeye. Carrying a buckeye in your pocket is widely known for being either good luck, or for being good for your rheumatism.

Maybe both – I suppose if your rheumatism gets better, that’s good luck.

Either way, buckeyes are an interesting member of the nut family, one that city folks are often unfamiliar with, unless you’re an Ohio State fan (THE Ohio State Buckeyes just experienced their first loss of the year, to the delight of many here in the SEC – but we digress). Of our two large native buckeye trees here in the United States, the Ohio buckeye has the widest distribution, growing in a wide swath west and north of us from Texas, on up through Missouri and on into Ohio, and slipping down to grow in middle Tennessee. Its fruits have spiny husks and usually only one small nut.

Our buckeye trees here, called the yellow buckeye or sweet buckeye, have a smaller distribution, mostly in East Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. They can grow very large and old, and have fruits with thick, smooth husks that break open to yield from one to three large, shiny nuts. The brown nuts each have a large pale spot that makes them resemble the eye of a deer, hence their name.

Tom King, tking535@gmail.com

Year in Taiwan changes Rotary student

Buckeyes displayed in a bowl turned from the wood of a buckeye tree The problem here lies in the fact that those lovely brown nuts are poisonous, at least to humans. In spite of that, the toxins they contain do not affect squirrels or deer, proven by the fact that the buckeyes that fall in abundance around our place tend to disappear somewhere at a rapid pace.

One piece of folklore has it that buckeyes are poisonous only on one side, and the squirrels are able to tell which side is OK to eat. And one of my dependable rurallife consultants swears that there was a school teacher to whom the kids brought buckeyes; she supposedly sat at her desk and munched them.

Perhaps more factual are accounts of Native Americans who used powder made from buckeye pulp to put into a stream to paralyze the fish, for easy capture. And as most experienced farmers know, just as wilted black cherry leaves from a fallen tree in the pasture can poison cattle (the leaves develop cyanide compounds), buckeyes are definitely toxic to cattle.

Eating buckeyes can cause staggering, paralysis, and even death if the animals eat enough of them.

As for people and poisons, most plants used for their medicinal qualities are poisonous if used incorrectly or in excess. Buckeyes are listed in texts of medicinal plants as having been used for a number of disorders, and even as food,

after having been boiled, blanched, pounded, baked, and so forth. These are not currently recommended.

There are well-documented incidents of human poisoning and even deaths, especially in children, which make my physician antennae go up at times such as Halloween. A recent newspaper report stated that we would be spending a staggering $8.4 billion celebrating Halloween this year, a significant portion going, we presume, on the early1900s American invention of “Trick or Treat.�

In some locales, a popular treat is made from peanut butter, dipped in chocolate and leaving a bare spot so the inside yummy brown stuff shows, to closely resemble a buckeye. Not too surprisingly, they are called buckeyes. And are probably scrumptious. Maybe all the little kids in those locations are taught the difference between the good buckeyes and those poisonous ones that they come upon outdoors, but I worry – kids will be kids.

But hey, my rheumatism has been feeling a lot better lately, since I’ve been carrying my new buckeye in my pocket. I’m sure that ■Norma White has been hired as a loan originator for First wouldn’t have anything to Commudo with this nice dry fall nity Mortgage weather, would it? And, Knoxville I’m looking forward to that Branch, 855 EbGood Luck part of the magenezer Road. ic kicking in any day now.

White will be You’d better find one – if the working with squirrels and deer haven’t first time home polished them off. buyers, inves-

BIZ NOTES

Persimmon predictions and other folklore “According to old-timers, persimmon seeds can be used to predict the severity of winter weather. When cut into two pieces, the persimmon seed will display one of three symbols.

A knife shape will indicate a cold, icy winter (where wind will cut through you like a knife). A fork shape indicates a mild winter. A spoon shape stands for a shovel to dig out the snow.�

The folklore and official weather predictions are messing up my mind. I read that the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a humdinger of a winter this year, so I rushed out to check the persimmon seeds. Too soon!

The spoons/forks/knives were in their infancy and not ready to speak to us on this issue.

This was about mid-September. Now that the heat has gone and fall is trying to make a showing, I gathered a few persimmons; and, yes, the “flatware� had matured.

From the Farmer’s Almanac, I expected to find knives in all the seeds. Not so! It is spoons again this year.

Another common folk-

Bonnie Peters

lore prediction is about whether hornet nests are high in the trees or close to the ground. As I understand it, if the hornets build high in the trees, we’ll have a mild winter. If hornets build close to the ground, look out – winter will come in like a lion. I haven’t seen one nest to get the hornet message.

Then there’s the woolly worm philosophy. If the woolly worm has long hair, hold on to your heavy coat.

If its hair is short, we can get by without several layers of clothing and our heat bill won’t bankrupt us. We shall see, but according to the persimmon seeds prediction, keep your snow shovel handy. The Farmer’s Almanac is kind of ho hum until February of 2017, when it says the frigid weather will begin. This is the month you want to make sure your heat works, your long johns are washed and your slippers

Recently gathered persimmon seeds hint at plenty of snow this winter, if folklore holds true.

tors or anyone looking to White refinance their home. She can be contacted at 898-5000 or norma.white@ fcmhomeloans.com. ■Dr. Anna H. Wallace, musculoskeletal oncologist and orthopaedic trauma surgeon, has joined University Orthopaedic Surgeons. She is the only fellowship-trained musculoskeletal oncologist in East Tennessee. ■Erin Black, M.D., Meredith Murphy, D.O., and Brittany Stofko, D.O., are seeing OB/ GYN patients at the East Tennessee Regional OB/GYN Associates’ second office, located at 9546 S. Northshore

are nearby. Get your snow blowers ready. If you see a woolly worm eating a persimmon, throw your hands in the air and run!

I must mention a couple of other characteristics of the persimmon tree. The fruit tastes good if we will just wait for it to get ripe.

The folklore is it takes a frost to keep persimmons from being bitter. The other asset of these trees is the fall foliage. The yellow, red and green persimmon leaves have made a magnificent showing when there’s not much else to write about.

Veterans Legal Advice Clinic is Nov. 2 The Knoxville Bar Association will host a Legal Advice Clinic for veterans noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Knox County Public Defender’s office, 1101 Liberty St. The clinic is free and legal issues consultations will include landlord/tenant, bankruptcy, criminal defense, consumer protection, contract disputes, estate planning, child support, personal injury and general legal issues. Info: 5226522.

After spending a year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Taiwan, the Peter Shaffer who left Knoxville is not the same Peter Shaffer who returned. He was 16 when he flew across the Pacific Ocean in August 2015 and he returned in August 2016 as a 17-year-old who now considers himself a “global citizen.�

Peter’s exchange was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Farragut. He lived in Gaoyuan City, about 45 minutes by train from the capital city of Taipei.

Peter Shaffer He attended Carter High School and graduates in May 2017 from the Home Life Academy.

He is completing his senior at Pellissippi State Community College. Prior to attending Carter he was home schooled by his mother, Christan. “My year in Taiwan was the absolute best experience of my life – so far,� Peter says. “It changed me.

I left here as an amazingly shy teenager. I went from being shy to being confident in myself. I learned to let go and laugh more and enjoy myself. I learned that there’s a lot more to learn outside of school.�

Peter’s father, Mark, who works for the U.S. Postal Service, said he agrees with Peter that the year abroad changed him. “Maturity is the biggest thing. What fuels that is a combination of becoming independent and just starting to grow up,� he said. “Those are formative years when you are 16 and 17. Peter’s got a new confidence that he can handle whatever comes his way. He also came back more appreciative of what he has at home and of his family and friends here.�

Peter now speaks Chinese quite well, and one of the most enjoyable things he did was to simply venture out and explore the country and meet people. Mark said that one day recently Peter was watching TV and fell asleep and started talking in his sleep. He was dreaming in Mandarin. When his Dad told him, his reaction was: “This is super cool. I never dreamed in Mandarin when I was there.�

The year abroad also helped Peter make some decisions about what’s next for him. “I’ll decide sometime soon about where I want to go to college, but this exchange convinced me that I want to maybe be a career diplomat or work in the Foreign Service or maybe in international economics – something international,� he said. “This was a real life-changing year for me.�

â– Free Microsoft Excel 2013 class, 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 15 and 17, Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. 5th Ave. Taught by Pellissippi State instructors.

Registration required. Info/ registration: Bill or Jackie, 524-5511. â– Hiring event, 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 10, Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. Fifth Ave. Support Solutions will be taking application and interviewing for support professionals, family providers and related positions. Crowne Plaza Hotel for desk clerks, attendants, housekeeping, foodservice and maintenance.

Bring resume. Info: Jackie or Bill, 524-5511.

Cassie needs a home Cassie, a 3yo retriever mix would dearly love to have her own home and a family she can love and trust. She has been waiting several months for this to happen. Cassie was abandoned by her owners and prior to that was obviously not shown a lot of love or attention, life at the end of a chain. Once she gets to know you she wants to much to give love and kisses. We are looking for a local family who would be willing to come and meet Cassie and spend some quality time with her, in a location she is very familiar with, before she goes to her new permanent home. Cassie like all Heartland dogs, is up-to-date with all vaccinations, on heartworm preventative and microchipped. Information about adopting can be found here: https://heartlandgoldenrescue.org/adopt/

Can’t Adopt?

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10 • NOVEMBER 2, 2016 • Shopper news

News from Southeastern Retina Associates

Southeastern Retina Associates cares about your eyes and more

By Carol Z. Shane Many folks go through their whole lives without needing medically advanced eye treatment. But what about those who suffer from chronic and acute diseases of the eye?

Fortunately for them, there’s Southeastern Retina Associates.

Known for their expertise in the treatment of a wide range of advanced eye disorders, the SERA doctors all hold fouryear degrees as Doctor of Medicine (MD), followed by three years of ophthalmology residency and a two-year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery. All are board-cer-

tified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. And several have completed additional training in research, and are members of the American Society of Retina Surgeons, contributing actively to SERA’s nationally recognized clinical trials program.

There’s a reason their motto is “Experience, Expertise, Excellence.” SERA is a subspecialty, referral-only practice.

As their website states, “we are the practice that other physicians and eye care professionals turn to for the most challenging retina problems.”

With four Knoxville offices, and offices in Maryville, Oak

For 36 years, Southeastern Retina Associates’ surgeons have demonstrated excellence in the treatment of visionthreatening diseases, including: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) ■ Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) ■ Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) ■ Central Serious Chorioretinopathy ■ Cystoid Macular Edema (CME)

Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Hole Macular Pucker Retinal Artery Occlusion Retinal Detachment Retinal Tears (flashes and floaters) ■ Retinopathy of Prematurity

SERA extends mission into research Like any top-notch medical facility, Southeastern Retina Associates’ engagement in the ophthalmological community doesn’t stop with patient care.

Several SERA physicians are at the forefront of clinical re-

search participation and the development of major innovations in retina care.

November is National Diabetes Month. Diabetic Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes and is a leading

Ridge, Sevierville, Harriman, Morristown and Crossville, SERA’s physicians are readily available to those who need them.

Quality control is important.

The doctors monitor and compare data to make sure they provide the highest level of care. And they do this through two different registries.

The IRIS (Intelligent Research in Sight) reported in 2016 that SERA exceeded the national benchmarks in all 14 measures reported.

The Vestrum Health registry is a private registry focused on U.S. retina specialist data. In its most recent report, SERA compared favorably to other retina specialists at both the regional and national levels.

SERA carefully considers costs for their services to ensure they provide excellent value. Multiple reporting tools are studied.

Every year, the CMS pub-

cause of preventable blindness among American adults.

Approximately 45 percent of diabetics will develop some form of diabetic eye disease.

The good news is that preventative measures and current treatments can help keep your vision.

Regular eye exams and early treatment can halt the progression of the disease and help maintain good vision in most patients.

Physician researchers are

lishes a QRUR for all providers. In the 2016 report, SERA continued to demonstrate high quality and low cost when compared to the Medicare eye provider population.

This is noteworthy, as SERA specializes in complex surgical patients and patients with chronic conditions requiring intensive medical treatments, while the comparison group

includes all levels of acuity, including vitally important – but typically less expensive – routine eye care to healthier patients.

Retina diseases are serious conditions that deserve fulltime care and full-time availability. Trust your eyes to the most experienced retina team in East Tennessee: Southeastern Retina Associates.

currently working to improve treatments for complications of Diabetic Retinopathy.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR) is the nation’s leading diabetic research program and coordinates the efforts of over 110 diabetic retinal disease centers in the U.S. Southeastern.

Southeastern Retina Associates is Eastern Tennessee’s only DRCR center and has been nationally recognized by the DRCR for excellence in their

research efforts. The National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health and the DRCR work in tandem advancing medical research of diabetes-induced retinal disorders.

For the last three years, Southeastern Retina Knoxville has won awards including the top site award for their work in this important trial.

Doctors at Southeastern Retina believe this level of clinical excellence is vital to their patients.

Southeastern Retina Associates

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Local Doctors Providing Local Care For Over 36 Years Multiple local offices staffed throughout the week with emergency availability 24/7 Specializing in: Macular Degeneration N Intravitreal Injection for Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Eye Disease

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