Where I Live

Pigeon Forge is home to Dolly Parton ’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction. This is a family friendly dinner extravaganza. If you want to see some of the best riders in east Tennessee show the best of their talents then the Dixie Stampede is where you should be.

The show incorporates animals, music, pyrotechnics, and dramatic lighting to enhance the performance of some very talented riders and their animals. To get a taste of what awaits is the prelude to the show in the Carriage Room that takes place about 50 minutes before the show itself. Along with the mesmerizing show, there is the excellent four course meal (special accommodations can be made for vegetarians). The Dixie Stampede is fully accessible for special needs visitors. This is a great place to have your next family or business gathering.

Click HERE to visit the official website!

New Year’s Day is oftentimes a day of relaxation and recovery (from the holidays in general, and the night before in particular). If you want to ring in the New Year with a family friendly 5k run in the morning then you definitely owe it to yourself to check out this event. You can register right up until the day of the event!

So what is it all about? The Knoxville Track Club in conjunction with Calhoun’s Restaurant is hosting its annual New Year’s day 5k run. The race starts at 9:30 AM and you can sign up until 9:00 AM to participate! The race is along the scenic Tennessee River on Neyland Drive. The route is fairly flat and is considered to be the fastest 5k. The race is open to anyone who wishes to participate so all skill levels and age ranges will be participating. The top 75 males and the top 75 females to cross the finish line will receive awards. Participants will also be able to enjoy the all-day continental breakfast served by race sponsor Calhoun’s. If you are looking for a healthy way to ring in 2009, and still be able to watch football later in the day, this could b just the ticket!

Click HERE to visit the official website!

James White was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and the founder of Knoxville. The North Carolina native was granted 1,000 acres for his military service. White built his two story log cabin and outbuildings in 1786. He had a very good relationship with the local Cherokee that including frequent trading. It was White himself that divided part of his land into 16 blocks of half acre parcels that were auctioned off and eventually became Knoxville itself. During his lifetime, White also donated land for First Presbyterian Church and Blount College. White died in 1821 and is buried beside his wife in at First Presbyterian.

His home was meticulously restored to its original state in 1970 by a joint effort of the City Association of Women’s Clubs. Today more than 10,000 visitors tour the home and grounds each year. The restoration allows visitors to feel as if they have stepped back in time a couple hundred years. This is definitely a unique nugget of Knoxville history that should not be missed.

Click HERE to visit the official website.

New Year’s Eve is in three days and Knoxville has got you family friendly evening covered. In the tradition of Boston’s First Night, Knoxville is hosting its own version for the second year in a row. There are a multitude of events incorporated into First Night, most of which are predominantly indoors. All of the First Night events are family friendly and alcohol free.

The children’s festival kicks off at 3:00 PM at the East Tennessee History Center and is called Giggle. The children’s event will include a children’s musician and a storyteller. The children’s event will last until 11:00 PM but if you make it over to the Part at Market Square there is a special early kid’s countdown from 8:45 - 9:00 PM. In addition to the kid’s events there are a multitude of events for the adults including numerous music acts, dance performances, ventriloquism, comedy performances, a film festival, and the always anticipated New Year’s Eve Countdown and Ball Drop at Market Square! Advance tickets to enjoy all the events are only $10 ($15 on the day of the events).

Click HERE to download the official brochure with a complete list of venues, events, and performers.

Click HERE to visit the official website!

One of the many things the south is known for is its excellent food. In the spring, summer, and fall months you can hardly go outside without smelling that familiar aroma of someone having a barbeque. Just because the mild months have waned does not mean that the taste and desire for barbeque has. In Knoxville, if the weather is chilly or rainy or both but you just have to have your fix, don’t worry; Sweet P’s Barbeque & Soul House has got you covered.

Chris Ford, the former frontman for the homegrown rock & soul band Gran Torino, puts as much of himself into preparing his excellent food as he did with his music. Ford slow cooks his barbeque with fires built of hardwoods that are added throughout the day. Signature dishes include chopped pork, Tennessee beef brisket,  and Sweet P’s pulled chicken. There are all the wonderful sides you would expect from mac and cheese to greens! If you want some of this tasty goodness why not give them a try at your next party or corporate event as they are CATERING ONLY! And don’t forget the banana pudding!

Click HERE to visit the official website!

One of the issues that compounds the problem of unwanted cats and dogs is that many of these animals are never spayed or neutered. This means that if these unaltered animals are abandoned, wander away from their homes, or become separated from their human companions that they could easily become pregnant or impregnate other animals. Whether the animal is recovered by its owner, a shelter, or never recovered this leads to an unwanted increase in the number of dogs and cats.

In an effort to help slow the reproduction of homeless animals and in an attempt to place the millions of already homeless animals, the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley operates Fix-A-Pet. Fix-A-Pet is a low cost spay and neuter clinic that also offers vaccinations and other health testing. There goal to to connect those pet owners with an affordable veterinarian with whom they can form an ongoing relationship for the benefit of their pet’s health. They also carry a full assortment of heartworm, flea, and tick medications. If you need to have your pet spayed or neutered and do not have a regular veterinarian, Fix-A-Pet can definitely help you.

Click HERE to visit the official website.

East Tennessee is home to the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Each season in the mountains has something different to offer. During the spring you can see hundreds of deer frolicking in the fields, in the summer there are the cool mountain streams, fall offers the magnificent show of colors with the changing of the leaves, and winter has snow skiing.

If you are into fitness and exercise (or maybe just a day of it) the snow skiing should definitely be on your list of things to check out. Whether you want the endurance testing of cross country skiing or the thrill of downhill mogul runs snow skiing is a great sport. The first time I ever put on a pair of skis was actually at Ober Gatlinburg and was during a college break. Some buddies and I took advantaged of the long Martin Luther Kin, Jr. holiday to make the roadtrip to Gatlinburg for some snow skiing. This was in late January so the snow was pretty good.

There are eight trails with varying skill levels from beginner to intermediate to advanced Click HERE to view the trail map. There is a very helpful ski school for beginners to learn the basics like turning and stopping. Ober Gatlinburg uses the latest in snow grooming equipment to maximize your ski experience. As most skiers will tell you, snow skiing is very different in the east than in the western portion of the United States. Snow skiing is also very different in the southeast as opposed to the northeast. These differences will not lessen your enjoyment; they will enhance your snow skiing experience. I hope to see you on the slopes this season!

Click HERE to visit the Ober Gatlinburg website!

The official name is the General James White Memorial Civic Auditorium And Coliseum named after the an early Knoxville pioneer and Revolutionary War hero who devised and laid out the early plans for the city. The Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum was designed in 1959. It is a multi use facility that is available for rent for both public and private functions. The 34,000 square feet of floor space has been used for everything from concerts and sporting events to graduations and ice shows. During the winter months it is regularly used as the home field of the Knoxville Ice Bears . This great venue has a full lineup of concerts, sporting events, and other shows for 2009. Click HERE to see a calendar of scheduled events. While there are some pretty basic event policies to govern the patrons and promoters of events, many of the policies can be custom tailored to suit your event’s needs. Click HERE to view the general policies. If you or your group are interested in having you event at this great Knoxville venue, just click HERE to check availability and HERE to view the contact info. Whether you are up for a gospel festival or the circus , check out what is slated for the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum!

Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville are big tourist destinations all year long. Their close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make these ideal places to enjoy. There are a multitude of outlet shops to take advantage of, snow skiing in the winter, miniature golf, go carts, and some great food, including the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant .

Usually in early November, before the frigid temperatures have really set in, these towns come alive with workers busily stringing Christmas lights; five million Christmas lights! Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville, from early November through February, are really a sight to behold. The lights are a huge part of Winterfest which is an annual festival that has run for nineteen years.  Winterfest is a joint effort of the three cities. Not only does Winterfest help to drive tourism but it also delights the local residents. The best way to take in Winterfest is on one of the city’s Trolley Tour of Lights that have special routes for maximum viewing pleasure. I would definitely recommend taking a drive or riding the trolley to enjoy the glowing fun of Winterfest!

Visit the city of Pigeon Forge’s website HERE !

Today I was awarded the Lemonade Award from Totally Tennessee . I have to say that I really had no idea what the Lemonade Award was! From the best I can determine, the Lemonade Award is given to 10 bloggers whom  a prior recipient (that would be me) feels displays gratitude and/or attitude in their blog. I am happy to say that I am glad to have received this award as it is nice to be recognized by fellow bloggers. If you get the chance, stop by Danny Thornton’s Totally Tennessee website.

The Knoxville, Tennessee Area Local Expert website is announcing the winners of my Lemonade Awards. These 10 blogs are a must see.

Ha Media’s Marketing & Advertising Blog

Lake Anna VA Real Estate Specialist - Kathleen Elim

Chris’s Blog

Viroqua Wisconsin

Alisha’s real estate and other ramblings

Marey Hoeppner- Portage, MI- Virutal Assist Expert

Gayle’s Blog

REALTOR Andrew Mooers’ Maine Real Estate Blog

Home Loan Information At Your Southern Oregon Housing Resource - Quality Home Loans

Betina’s Austin Texas Real Estate Blog
Congratulations to all the Lemonade Award recipients. It is now your turn to share this opportunity with your favorite bloggers by doing the following:

1) Put the logo on your blog or post (in addition to showing you received the award, you won’t receive duplicates).

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs, which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post

4) Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Knoxville is home to the main campus of the University of Tennessee , Knoxville College , Pellissippi State Technical Community College , and several other institutions of higher learning. As most of us remember from our college days there were always those bars, clubs, and other places we went to blow off a little steam. Knoxville definitely has it share of places for the college students to go.

Not only a student bar, but definitely trending in that direction is the Valarium. The Valarium is a large space with over 6,000 square feet, including a stage, two dressing rooms, a kitchen (for catering), and two lighted parking lots. This high energy dance club has longtime Knoxville DJ Slink spinning his progressive beats that are modulated with the energy of the evening. Add to this, the synchronized lighting and every manner of adult beverage and you have a great place to spend an evening. And for those of you who can resist the pull of the dance floor, there is ample seating for enjoying a cocktail with friends while watching the always eclectic crowd. The Valrium is also the intimate venue of choice for many cutting edge musical groups that visit Knoxville. Click HERE to visit the official website and to see what emerging new musical group will be coming to the Valrium next.

Built in 1792, Blount Mansion now sits among the modern glass and steel skyscrapers of downtown Knoxville. Blount Mansion was built by William Blount with the intention of serving as the territorial capital for what would become the state of Tennessee. Blount had been appointed two years earlier by President George Washington as the Governor for the Territory South of the River Ohio. Upon completion of the Holston Treaty with the Cherokee Nation , Blount relocated from modern day Johnson City to what would become Knoxville.

The house was designed by Blount himself with considerable input from his wife, Mary. The  lumber was brought from his native North Carolina, the nails came from his factory in North Carolina, and the windows cam from Richmond, Virginia. Though the kitchen has been restored to period accuracy, the rest of the home remains in tact. With the exception of the month of January, the home is open for public tours with a very small admission fee. This is a great piece of pioneer and colonial history so if you are in Knoxville don’t miss Blount Mansion.

Click HERE to visit the official website.

Knoxville is prod to be the home of Knoxville College. Founded in 1875 by the United Presbyterian Church of North America, Knoxville College has played an instrumental spiritual and educational role in the lives of many African American Tennesseans. The design and the very bricks of the ten buildings that compose Knoxville College were literally created by the students themselves. This spirit of community involvement is alive and well at Knoxville College today.

Knoxville College is a private, four year liberal arts school. Though the school is a historically black college (HBCU), its doors are open to all qualified applicants. The school is committed to its community and its students and instills a sense of responsible citizenship among its students. In addition to prospective students who have demonstrated the ability for academic excellence, the school also reaches out to those with the potential and desire to achieve academic excellence but may have been afforded little in the way of societal support to achieve those goals. Knoxville is fortunate to have this excellent school lending to the academic and cultural environment of the city, the region, and the state.

Click HERE to visit the official website.

One of the things that really characterizes this time of year is the music. From the choirs and choruses to the ballads and hymns, it seems that the holidays have a sound all there own. In fact in two separate posts this month, I have highlighted festive holiday music events here in Knoxville, the Rocky Wynder Trio and the Living Christmas Tree . Today I wanted to highlight yet another  holiday music event.

The 22nd Annual Clayton holiday Concert kicks off tomorrow night at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Maestro Lucas Richman conducts the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville choral Society, and special guests in some of the your most beloved holiday songs. This years special guests include Shira Adler, the Appalachian Ballet Company , and the Second Company Children’s Choirs. In addition to these special guests, Santa himself is scheduled to make an appearance.

Event Info:

Show Time: Dec 21st 3:00 PM
Show Time: Dec 20th 7:30 PM
Show Time: Dec 20th 3:00 PM
Show Time: Dec 19th 7:30 PM

Ticket Info:

$ 45.00 Patron Aisle
$ 39.00 Patron
$ 35.00 Orchestra 1 & Balcony Aisle
$ 29.00 Orchestra 1 & Balcony 1
$ 22.00 Orchestra 2
$ 14.00 Orchestra 3

Click HERE to visit the official website and buy tickets!

In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which is a short drive from Knoxville, is a shopper’s oasis. There are outlet stores of every descriptions, stores featuring local artisans, the Christmas Place , and many, many more! When your bones are tired from shopping and your stomach is gnawing at your back, you will appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and awesome food of the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant .

Off the bat, let me say that I am not a fan of neither baked nor fried apple dishes. I was very happy to have lunch at this restaurant however as it is a favorite of my families. I was not however ready for the apple fritters. The fritters are basically an elongated sugar donut with the apple butter in a dish on the side. I was going to eat just the donut part but I decided I would give it a shot and try the apple butter. It was fantastic! It was one of the best sweets I have ever had. If you need a respite from your holiday shopping or you are in the area for vacation, seek out the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. It is not hard to find but it is definitely worth a try! And don’t forget the Applewood Julep!

Have you ever heard the term country Christmas? In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee you can definitely experience a country Christmas and more. The Christmas Place is where visitors can explore over 43,000 square feet of a total Christmas odyssey.

The Christmas Place was begun by Hurshel and Marian Briggs in 1986 as a small Christmas themed gift shop. Regardless of the time of year, the Christmas Place has phenomenal decorations that include fifty themed trees. The mission statement of the Christmas Place speaks volumes about just how far they have come from being that small gift shop to being an entire Bavarian Christmas village.

Grow in reputation as the premier Christmas store destination in the United States where all guests enjoy a shopping experience which represents the spirit of Christmas, provided by highly trained, friendly, and caring employees.

From the twinkling Christmas lights to the shiny ornaments, from the singing Santa to various themed rooms, from the collectible Christopher Radko ornaments to the Swarovski figurines the amount of things to see and do will delight and entertain you. If you are a person who loves the holiday and/or collectibles, the Christmas Place is the place for you. If you are in Pigeon Forge in June or three days before Christmas, this is a must see. I hope that you find just the right gift under your beautifully decorated Christmas tree this year.

Click HERE to visit the official Christmas Place website.

After the death of Mrs. Beck in 1975, the trustees of her estate generously gave $20,000 for the purchase of the Beck House to be used as the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is a place that highlights historical, artistic, and other cultural achievements of African Americans in east Tennessee from the early 1800’s to the present. Since it was first opened over half a million visitors have toured the center.

The cultural center has meeting space used for private and public events. This non profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization conducts educational outreach both at the center, local schools, and at local events. The Beck Cultural Exchange Center is within walking distance of Morningside Park and Alex Haley Square . If you want to have a fun learning experience for yourself an younger generations, I would highly recommend visiting the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc.

With the holidays so close at hand many of us are anticipating the arrival of family. Some family will arrive by plane, stay a day or two and fly back home. Some family will arrive by car and stay several days. Then there is the family that seems to arrive at Thanksgiving and leave after we begin using the new year’s calendar.

Of course I am exaggerating a bit, but it is important to have some activities planned that can get people out of the house for a few hours at a time. We all have family who’s company we really enjoy and who really enjoy our company. Even for the closest of siblings and cousins, anyone can begin to irritate if there isn’t some escape; why do you think so many movies are released at Christmas and Thanksgiving? With the weather being quite cool to downright cold, most outdoor activities aren’t very practical. In Knoxville there is always the minor league hockey team the Ice Bears .

During this holiday season the Ice Bears have four homestands to enjoy with your family. There are two games before Christmas and two games after Christmas; this should have you covered whether your family visits before the holiday or after the holiday. For those of you who have early holiday guests, there is a game on December 20th against the Twin Cities Cyclones and a game on December 21st against the Huntsville Havoc. If you have company after the holiday, there is a game on December 26th   against the Richmond Renegades and a game on December 27th against the Fayetteville Fire Antz. This should give all your festive guests and yourself an opportunity to catch your breath.

Click HERE to visit the Ice Bears website for ticket info and directions.

Knoxville is home to many animal rescue organizations. All of them do great work and operate primarily on the generosity of concerned animal lovers who donate their time and money. Many even open their homes to fostering the beautiful animals.

Cocker Companions Rescue is one such organization in Knoxville. This wonderful organization receives abused, abandoned, and unwanted cocker spaniel puppies and dogs from a variety of sources including owner surrenders and humane societies. When these loving animals are received they are given immediate medical evaluations. Medical care is given including deworming, vaccinations, microchipping, spaying, and neutering. These animals are lovingly cared for and restored to a healthy, adoptable status. If you would like to donate your time, money, or services to help this worthwhile organization, click HERE to visit their website and find out how. There is also information on adopting these wonderful companions. See the pictures in this post, both Gypsy (left) and Donnall (right) are ready to be adopted by their forever families. Their photos are clickable so you can read all about their story.

Tomorrow, December 12, 2008, will be the final presentation of the Knoxville Museum of Art’s Alive After Five concert series. In celebration of the holidays the final show will have exciting holiday music from five very different bands. The event will kick off at 5:30 PM at the Knoxville Museum of Art and end at 9:00 PM. The event is $10 for non-museum members and $6 for members. This fund show will feature the Dor L’Dor and Tennessee Smaltz who present their own style of east Tennessee klezmer music. Next attendees will be entertained by the Caribbean versions of holiday classics by Carib Sounds Steel Band. Then there is the lighthearted and very fun jugband, Y’uns. Topping off the evening are more traditional renditions of the holiday classics performed by Sheila Gordon and Evelyn Jack. Whether you have made every Alive After Five performance this season or none at all, everyone is welcome to join in the musical festivities and merriment of the holiday season.

For more ticket info contact Michael Gill at 865-934-2039.

The 6 and 1 defending NCAA women’s basketball National Champions do not get a cozy month off for the Christmas holiday. The Lady Vols will be on the hardcourt tomorrow night taking on the Middles Tennessee State Blue Raiders . This game will be the final punctuation to a week filled with exams and final papers and projects being due. Thankfully the Lady Vols were given sufficient time to prepare for these academic landmarks as they have not had to play since they trampled the George Washington University Colonials 71-59 on the road in D.C. on December 2,2008.

During the break the Lady Vols will see a lot of games on the road. They head to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns on December 14, 2008. Then they take on the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs in Norfolk, Virginia on December 18, 2008. The Lady Vols then return home to face the Stanford Cardinals on December 21, 2008. Then the Lady Vols head to Spokane, Washington to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs .  And finally on January 3, 2009 the Lady Vols travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to face the Rutgers University Knights . These hardworking and dedicated athletes show what it takes to be National Champions. If you are in one of these host cities when the Lady Vols are in town, I would definitely recommend taking a break from the hectic pace of the holidays to catch some great hoops action.

Been decorating for the holidays?

Been shopping for the holidays?

Been writing, addressing, stamping, and mailing cards?

Though the holidays often hold some of our most cherished memories, they are also some of the busiest times of the the year. Our time is often at a premium as we are pushed and pulled in so many different directions. With all the emphasis on giving to others and trying our hardest to make sure our friends and family are creating happy memories it is very easy to overlook our own needs. I am not talking about the material needs that we may have but the physical and emotional needs. Taking time for yourself will help both you and your loved ones have a more enjoyable and memorable holiday.

One way to help you relax and release some of the pressure that inevitably accompanies the holidays is a trip to the day spa. Sevierville, just a short drive from Knoxville, is home to a luxurious day spa called Oak Haven. Oak Haven is a posh day spa where your sore muscles can be rejuvenated at the hands of a trained masseuse. There are also the body treatments to help you renew and refresh your skin. If you are in need of a pedicure, manicure, or facial, Oak Haven has got you covered. So before the kids get out of school for the holidays and before the family begins to arrive to celebrate, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a visit at Oak Haven.

Click HERE to visit the official website.

Click HERE to read the recent article in on the Spa at Oak Haven.

When I graduated from college, many years ago, it wasn’t in May which is generally the time when most people graduate. Thanks to summer school sessions and various internships, I graduated in August. As the time frame from my actual graduation to beginning my first job was very short, it was important for me to graduate and receive my diploma in the most expeditious manner. I know that there are many college students who will be graduating in the next couple of weeks.

Students at the University of Tennessee will graduate on December 13th. The commencement ceremonies begin at 9:00 AM (EST) and will be held at Thompson-Boling Arena . Attendees are permitted to park for FREE in any of the student parking lots on campus; Click HERE for a map. There is a graduation rehearsal on December 12th at 1:00 PM (EST).

Please note that all financial obligations must be satisfied prior to graduation; this includes completing the exit interview if you have a University of Tennessee student loan or a Federal Perkins’ Student Loan. Be sure to contact the Registrar’s office with any questions:

Contact This Department

Office of the
University Registrar

209 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0200
Phone 865-974-2101
Fax 865-974-2606

Monday-Friday
7:30 am to 5:30 pm
except holidays

Phone Menu Options

With all of the bad behavior that has been on display in recent memory with professional athletes, it is good to see two of the best athletes in their sport giving back. Andy Roddick, one of the premier tennis players in the world established the Andy Roddick Foundation in 2001 with the mission of “Helping Children Today for Tomorrow.” The ultimate mission is to help at risk  children and families by encouraging a culture of respect for family, education, and morality. With the knowledge that goals this broad do not have a short term fix, the Andy Roddick Foundation is aiming for generational change. To this end, the foundation has partnered with many different organizations working to tackle the issues. Click HERE to see a list of recipients.

Knoxville is fortunate to be able to its part to help the Andy Roddick Foundation, while enjoying some great tennis. On December 14, 2008 Knoxville welcomes Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and John Isner as part of Rock-N-Racquet. This charity event is an off season tour of sorts that raises money to help support the foundation. This one night only event will take place at Thompson-Boling Arena beginning at 2:00 PM. There are three separate events scheduled, a mixed doubles event with Roddick and William taking on Isner and Wozniacki, a men’s singles event with Roddick versus Isner, and a women’s singles event with Williams versus Wozniacki. There will also be an intermission featuring interactive fan games with Coach Wayne Bryan, musical performances, and other on court activities.

Tickets range in price from $11.00 to $76.00 and are still available. Click HERE for ticket info.

One of my favorite types of food is Thai food. From the different types of curry to the red hot chili pastes, I love all the flavors that permeate the dishes. As a vegetarian, the use of many different vegetables is right up my alley. And the various ways that tofu is prepared in Thai cooking is a delight to the tastebuds. Couple that with an appetizer of sushi, sashimi, or edamame and you have an excellent dinner.

In Maryville, just outside Knoxville is just the place to satisfy any Thai and / or sushi craving you might be having. Lemon Grass has been catering to the discerning palate since 2002. They have consistently been voted East Tennessee’s Best Dining and Food by readers of  the Knoxville News Sentinel (2006, 2007, 2008) and been voted Best Tasting Food for four years in a row (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) in Taste of Blount County! This excellent restaurant is well worth the short drive to Maryville for lunch or dinner. Did I mention that they also do catering and host corporate events?

They are open for both lunch and dinner:

Lunch
Monday - Saturday       11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dinner
Monday - Thursday       5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday & Saturday        5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sunday                             noon - 10:00 pm

Visit the official Lemon Grass Website HERE !

Lemon Grass
Tel: (865) 681 8785
Fax: (865) 681 0867
912 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37801

Do you remember as a child the excitement of getting your Christmas tree? If it was artificial, it was fun when mom or dad dug it out of the attic and plopped it in the living room for assembly. What was a lot more fun for me as child was those years when mom and dad got the wild idea of having a live Christmas tree! I remember going to the the parking lot at the mall or big department store where someone had set up a makeshift Christmas tree market, usually complete with Christmas lights and hot cider! Then there were the couple of rare occasions when those same parents who were sometime happy with the artificial tree decide that the only way to obtain the perfect tree was to visit a tree farm. Though the tree farms would already have an assortment of harvested trees and a small selection of live trees in containers or burlap, I knew that when we visited the tree farm we were in for a real adventure. Trampling through the fields of trees that looked virtually identical, except for the different varieties, until the right tree called out to be taken! Then in the cold of late November or early December, the quiet, still air would be disturbed by the roar of a chainsaw taking its prize. Once the tree was down cam the task of dragging it back to the family automobile, which was hopefully not too far away. Once it was paid for and lashed to the roof all that awaited was the trip home for more hot cider and hours of decorating!

In Knoxville, or just outside the city, there is House Mountain Christmas Tree Farm. This is a place like what you remember from your childhood. House Mountain Christmas Tree Farm has those already harvested trees and a wide variety of live (balled and burlap) trees to choose from. Or you can always steel yourself against the cold with a sweet cake and hot cider or cocoa before you head out to select that perfect tree for your home.

House Mountain Christmas Tree Farm

6300 Childs Rd., Knoxville, TN 37721, phone 865-687-0324
Email: HseMtFarm@yahoo.com
Hours: 8:00 am ’till 8:00 pm, November 20^th until Christmas
Directions: I-640 to Washington Pike - North 10 Miles to Childs Road - Follow Signs
Choose & Harvest: White Pine, Virginia Pine, Red Cedar
Pre-Harvested: White Pine, Virginia Pine, Red Cedar
Features: Balled and Burlap trees

Maryville College was founded in 1819 by Isaac Anderson as the Southern and Western Theological Seminary. This Presbyterian institution was a center of radical anti-slavery and anti-secessionist intellectual thought in the run up to the Confederate secession and the Civil War. Maryville College was racially integrated in its first year and remained a model of integration until the State of Tennessee forced the school to segregate in 1901. As a direct response to the forced segregation, Maryville College gave one quarter of its endowment to the historically black Knoxville College. Immediately after the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. The Board of Education, Maryville College reintegrated.

Today Maryville College stands as one of the 50th oldest colleges in the United States. This private liberal arts college confers Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Music degrees in fifty different fields of study. Maryville College is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Music. Approximately 90% of the schools nearly 1,200 students receive financial aid.

For more information, visit the official website of Maryville College.

Beginning this Saturday, December 6, 2008 and going until Monday, December 8, 2008 you can experience the Living Christmas Tree at the Thompson-Boiling Arena presented by Sevier Heights Baptist Church! I know you may be thinking that many of you get fresh cut or ready to plant Christmas trees every year so what is the big deal? This is a tree unlike any other. The Living Christmas Tree is a huge tree composed of singers who present a beautiful choir experience. The stage in front of the tree sees the passion play of the Biblical Christ enacted from the manger scene through the resurrection. If you are of the Christian faith (or would like to learn more about Christianity), enjoy music, and theater this might be something you want to check out.

The event is FREE! Click HERE for ticket info.

One of the many great things about living in east Tennessee is the music.  I am not sure if it the geographical definition that the Appalachian Mountains create, or the convergence of the Rock & Roll and the Blues from Sun Studio in Memphis with the jazz of New Orleans further to the south caressing the R & B, Motown, and Rap passing through from Detroit, to the hot Latin sounds flowing northward from Miami, and who can forget the home of country music an hour or so to the west; whatever the geographical isolation or surreal mixing of musical styles, east Tennessee has its own sound.

One of the maestros of this sound is Rocky Wynder. Rocky arrived as a musician in the Knoxville area in 1950 and, along with fellow musicians, was abandoned here. This could be where Rocky fell into a Blues genre or latched onto the hot Latin sounds that were puring out of Miami but not Rocky. To be an original, to rise to the level of legend one cannot slip into a comfortable genre but must flow seamlessly between genres; demonstrating through expert skill and confidence the connections that unite the genres. This is Rocky Wynder. He is a recognized legend in  world of jazz, though he is not a prisoner to the genre.

Knoxville is proud to have a musician of this caliber and a man of this distinction as a resident. If you want to see this man work his magic, the Lawson McGhee Library is proud to be able to host Rocky Wynder and the Rocky Wynder Trio in the Arts @ the Library Room this Friday, December 5, 2008 at 6:00 PM.  Admission is free!

For more information call 865-215-8729.

Click HERE for a map to the Lawson McGhee Library.

A week or so ago I wrote a post on the Knoxville based Lhasa Apso Southern Rescue, Inc. and the great work they do at finding forever homes for abandoned, abused, and unwanted Lhasas in the deep south. Today I wanted to highlight the Knoxville Feral Cat Friends group that is also based here in Knoxville.

This group is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization. It works a longterm plan for reducing the feral cat population through the practice of trap, neuter, and release (TNR). This method is often employed for feral cats because they have truly become wild either through being born and raised in the wild or they have been abandoned so long ago that they have become wild. In shelters most of these feral cats are euthanized as they are seen as unfit for adoption. The Knoxville Feral Cat Friends returns those cats which are feral back to their wild environment where they live in groups and colonies after they have been evaluated, neutered, and vaccinated. If there are kittens and “not yet feral” cats that are suitable for adoption, then they are spayed and placed for adoption. The spaying of a pair of feral cats eliminates the possibility of an additional 420,000 unwanted cats being born during the seven years breeding period.

This great organization is completely dependent on donations and fundraising to support their work. If you would like to know how you can help, here is some important information:

Telephone

(865) 406-6980

Postal address

        Knoxville Feral Cat Friends

PO Box 32121

        Knoxville, TN  37930-2121

E-mail

General Information: kfcf@comcast.net