Posted by Martha Woodward
Sunspherebook@aol.com

Friday, March 4 ·  4:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: The Sunsphere, Knoxville, TN

Created By: Virginia Adams, Sara Spangler, Donovan Swick

More Info:

Join us as we celebrate the GRAND RE-OPENING of the Sunsphere. MUCH more information to come. Showcased Artists, Musicians and Sponsors to be announced very soon!

This announcement came across my desk as I have been invited to share the event as I am the person who wrote the book Knoxville’s Sunsphere; Biography of a Landmark in 2007.

By Martha Woodward
Sunspherebook@aol.com

The state had originally budgeted $14 million for ice and snow removal, but has already spent nearly $25 million as Tennessee has been blasted for two and a half months with below frigid temperatures and an above average number of snowy days.

Congratulations to State Rep. Ryan Haynes who was appointed to the Joint Fiscal Review Committee and the Council for Insurance and Pensions by Speaker Harwell in the Tennessee State Assembly.

You still have time to visit the exhibit of photography from Dean Rice that ends (today) Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Arts & Culture Alliance in the Balcony of the Emporium Center. This solo exhibition displays photographs Rice made of villages scattered throughout the countryside of Guizhou and Guangxi provenances in China, giving viewers an opportunity to visually experience the beauty of a people and place rarely seen by the west.

It is lights out for the Daily Beacon Newspaper on the University of Tennessee‘s campus? According to an editoral recently published from the staff at the Daily Beacon, “Some journalism professors are pushing students to write stories and submit them primarily to the Tennessee Journalist (TNJN.com), an on-line news site.“

The column goes on to explain that journalism students, are encouraged to seek experience out in the community through internships and jobs. Students within the UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media are encouraged to seek experience outside the classroom for class credit, too.

It is apparently becoming more and more noticeable that in some courses, however, “journalism professors are quietly leaving the Beacon off the list of suggestions for places to go to seek experience and/or credit.”

The Beacon staff is asking, “Why would UT’s campus newspaper not be considered a prime place to attain hands-on experience?”

The staff says, “Let the record show that no bad blood exists between the Beacon and TNJN; some of the best student journalists on campus work hard to create TNJN’s content each day, and the website is well-respected by Beacon staffers. The question at hand is why equal opportunity doesn’t seem to be given by those who supposedly have student needs at the heart of every class session: the journalism administrators. Several Beacon staffers have been in classes in which professors encourage students to submit to TNJN, and when the Beacon is mentioned by students as a possible option for experience, the newspaper is often regarded as nothing more than an afterthought.

‘The Daily Beacon? Oh, yeah, THAT too …’

As a result, fewer students are funneled into writing for the Beacon, a completely experience-based newspaper that has trouble functioning without writers. Without writers to produce original content, there is none.”

JEM Professor James Stovall believes that printed newspapers are dinosaurs and need to cease to exist. Will the Beacon go the way of other lighthouses?

By Martha Woodward
Sunspherebook@aol.com

Linda Salem, owner of Deli to Go, a new restaurant at 4705 N. Central Avenue, was pleased with the turnout at the grand opening she held on Saturday, February 19. Salem opened the restaurant in January but the weather has been so cold and snowy she wanted to wait until a time when more people would be out and about before she hosted the grand opening. She obviously picked a good time for the event because there was a steady stream of customers in and out of the restaurant all day.

Elvis Tribute Artist, Ronnie Miller, was on hand in the afternoon to entertain the crowd and was well-received. Singing from a stage outside on Central Avenue, Miller, clad in a royal blue jump suit, caught the attention of drivers who honked and whistled their approval. Miller took requests of Elvis songs from the audience who clapped along to the music—some even danced.

Lois Miller, grandmother of Miller, was happy to be on hand for his performance. “I am always so proud of Ronnie,” she said. Miller also said she chose the BBQ sandwich and it was delicious and the serving was huge.

Ben Buie, a customer in the store, said the cheeseburger on a steamed bun he ordered was “like eating a monster Krystal burger.”

Deli to Go is open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The menu consists of steamed sandwiches—BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, Reuben, and more. Breakfast items are everything from biscuits and gravy to bacon and eggs with the typical assortment of beverages. Brownies, made fresh every day, are also included. All prices are reasonable for the huge amounts of food you receive.

Salem and Miller have plans to make Deli to Go a hopping place on Friday and Saturday nights by including live karaoke along with Miller’s Elvis act. “Stay tuned,” said Miller, “we hope to be making our announcement with all the details soon. We would like to have karaoke contests and give away prizes and turn the restaurant into a great place to hang out on the weekends.”

You can dine in or carry out. Call 865 687 4300 to place an order and they will have it ready for you when you arrive.

By Martha Woodward
Sunspherebook@aol.com

What began in an old house as a dream to celebrate the artistic expression and historical perspective for African Americans in Knoxville and East Tennessee in 1975, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Inc. has become one of the major tourist attractions in the greater Knoxville area. Situated near the downtown area, near the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the Center is also located within walking distance of the famed Alex Haley statue.

Improvements to the historic home as well as additions that allow space for larger groups to attend meetings and events has also allowed for the development of a place for researching, collecting, and preserving exhibits of the achievements of local, national, and international African Americans.

Beck Culture Center is the largest African American membership organization in East Tennessee. It is a must see educational experience— a place where history comes to life and links with the future.

The 501 (c ) (3) tax exempt organization has achieved success through cultural exhibits and resource materials including: books, journals. newspapers, scrapbooks, audio recording and other memorabilia.

Before becoming a museum, the 1927 Dandridge Avenue home was owned by James Garfield Beck and Ethel Benson Beck who were two of the most glamorous and influential members of Knoxville’s black community during the period of the 1920s-I960s being leaders of most civic, church, and social activities.

Avon William Rollins, Sr. is Director and CEO of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. It has been under his leadership that the center has seen success.

The Center is open Tues-Sat 10AM-6PM.

ADMISSION

GROUP TOURS
Beck Center offers group tours for schools, meetings, reunions, convention participants and other groups.
Advanced notification is required so that the staff may make adequate preparations for your group.
Admission is free- however donations are encouraged and well-received.

From Knoxville Journal staff reports

News@theknoxvillejournal.com

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said that a joint city/county investigation has yielded one arrest and possible charges on two other individuals in connection with the theft of more than 80 backflow valves from West Knox County residences over the past couple of months.  

The valves are part of an in-ground irrigation system, and detectives say that many residents may not even know that they’re missing until the spring, when they attempt to turn the water back on for their yards. 

The valves are made out of brass, and the thieves are stealing them for the money they can get from scrap metal businesses.  

The areas around Lovell Road and Hardin Valley have been hit the hardest, officials said. Currently, there are approximately 30 theft reports that have been filed. However, an individual that has been charged in connection with these crimes has indicated to authorities that more than 80 valves have been stolen.

Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones is advising residents that have an in-ground irrigation system to check and make sure their system is intact, and if not, call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (865) 215-2432 to file a report. 

The Sheriff’s Office advises homeowners with the backflow valves to remove them when not in use to help prevent theft.

Fort Craig Elementary School in Maryville is scheduled to close down at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. The Maryville School Board made that decision during its meeting Feb. 22. (Photo by J.J. Kindred) 

By J.J. KINDRED

J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

The Maryville School Board decided during its Feb. 22 meeting that Fort Craig Elementary School will close permanently at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

The board voted to shut the school because they say it’s not realistic to keep it open. The problem stemmed from the overcrowding at Maryville High School, according to officials. 

The board had been debating the decision for quite some time and reasoned that the school would not have enough students to warrant keeping the school open.

Several parents addressed the board in a desperation attempt to save the school. One board member suggested postponing the decision, but the idea was shot down quickly. 

One solution included realigning grades at the schools, moving fourth graders out and leaving Fort Craig with too few students to keep the school open.

Officials said no staff members will lose their jobs for the time being, but work will be done during the next several months to place Fort Craig staff into other schools, if they choose.

Ramona Best, principal of Fort Craig, said that before the Fort Craig staff begins to make plans for transitioning their students and classrooms to other buildings, focus and preparation will first go towards creating an exceptional experience for students next year.  

“The 2011-2012 school year promises to be among the most memorable, as plans are underway to include a variety of family and community events that will celebrate the schools history and embrace the future,” Best said. 

Best said administrators at the school would like to facilitate clear communication as they begin planning for the new school year.  

She also wanted parents of students who might be at or interested in attending Fort Craig next year should know that the school is open for business and will continue to offer the best elementary education experience possible to all students.  

“We derive our greatest honor as educators from parents who entrust us with their children,” Best said. “We hope parents will give us that opportunity in the new school year. It will be a special year for us all.”

School board chairwoman Christi Sayles did not return phone calls or e-mails for comment. 

The deadline for kindergarten applications to attend Fort Craig is March 9. Applications for new students will continue through December. 

School officials suggest families of 2011 kindergarten age students attend an information session about the school and kindergarten program at 6:30 p.m. March 7. Parents of currently-enrolled Fort Craig students will be asked to return a survey regarding plans for the 2011-2012 school year on or before March 11.

Timothy Wayne Parham (courtesy of Anderson County Sheriff’s Dept.) 

By J.J. KINDRED

J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

An Oak Ridge man was arrested Feb. 23 for calling in three different bomb threats to the Anderson County Detention Facility. 

Officials said 35-year-old Timothy Wayne Parham called in the threats to the Oak Ridge Police Department on Feb. 19, 20 and 22, and was charged with three counts of filing a false report or bomb threat.

A bomb was reported to be in a vehicle in the facility’s parking lot in each case, officials said.

Parham was traced by investigators through his cell phone, which was used to call in the threats and was allegedly trying to prevent someone from visiting an inmate in the facility

Parham is currently being held in the facility, and also has an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on a probation violation charge. 

From Knoxville Journal staff reports

News@theknoxvillejournal.com

A skateboarder was injured by a motorist driving along Highland Avenue west of Broadway Street Feb. 23, according to a Knoxville Police Department report.

Public information officer Darrell DeBusk said the incident happened at approximately 12:36 p.m., when witnesses said a male riding a skateboard attempted to dart between cars while crossing Highland Avenue.  

The skateboarder, identified as 20-year-old Wesley James Woods, was hit by a 2001 Ford Escape, driven by 49-year-old Juanita Brabson. Woods was wearing headphones and listening to music at the time, and was knocked to the ground, suffering minor scrapes from contact with the pavement.  

Woods refused medical treatment, and was cited by police for not crossing at a crosswalk. Brabson was not injured. 

The Foghorn Stringband will perform in Knoxville next month as part of a 10-day tour. (Photo submitted)

From Knoxville Journal staff reports

News@theknoxvillejournal.com

The Foghorn Stringband is on a 10-day tour beginning the middle of next month, including a stop in Knoxville March 25 at the Laurel Theater at Jubilee Community Arts. 

The band’s style features fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass and guitar, reminiscent of the early days of bluegrass but claims to focus on the fiddle. 

Their sound encompasses early country music, the fiddle repertoire of the Southern Appalachians and the Midwest, and the string band sounds of the Piedmont region. 

It is further described as something that could be coming from a big console radio in a 1930′s living room, or an Appalachian front porch; instead it’s being delivered by a group of players from the thriving old time music scene of Portland, Ore. Together, they blend voices, repertoire and instruments to create a diverse performance true to the roots of American music.

The band will also have tour dates in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.  

For further information, contact The Foghorn Stringband at (503) 347-3896, by e-mail at landry.nadine@gmail.com or december@sirenmusiccompany.com, or by going on the band’s web site at www.foghornstringband.com.

Born in 1945 in Fountain City into a family with six brothers and sisters, Con Hunley, who began his professional career in Knoxville in 1964 with a gig at the Eagles’ Club, went to the Air Force because he hated working at the mill and he was hoping to learn a skill. When he returned home, he began singing at the Corner Lounge on Thursdays just because he enjoyed it. Soon Ernestine Purkey, store owner, told him he could play on Thursday nights for tips. She said, “Thursday nights are bad so I know you can’t hurt my business, and you might help it.” Thursday nights at the Corner Lounge soon became a real happening in Knoxville, and it continued for almost 10 years.

Hunley, often called “The Blue-eyed Smokey Mountain Darlin,” went on to secure a contract to record for Warner Brothers Records. Hunley toured the national with his brothers, cousins, and friends playing and singing back-up for him. Along the way, Ernestine Purkey became his manager and their relationship remains strong to this date.

Hunley has been named by Vince Gill as one of the best singers in America. He was invited to perform at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the career of Bill Anderson. He has also performed at the White House for President Jimmy Carter.

Hunley has most recently teamed with Grammy Award-winning producer Norro Wilson to producethe new album, Lost and Found, a compilation of songs that Hunley originally recorded in the ’80s on MCA and Capitol Records.

Lost and Found: Hunley says, “It’s been a real thrill to be able to revisit these great songs by such outstanding writers. My road band, who are also great studio musicians in their own right, recorded this project with me and my brothers and sister sang backup, which means the world to me. “ Hunley credit’s the internet, social media and oldies’ radio with jumpstarting his career. Although he had resigned himself to a career that was somewhat “semi-retirement,” his career has suddenly come back and is full of steam. Hunley says he is surprised and pleased at the energy and enthusiasm of fans. “The long time fans have stuck with me,” he said, “and I am continuing to gain a whole new set of fans from all around the world.” The songs on the album, LOST AND FOUND: THE MCA/CAPITOL YEARS, include:

1. Nobody Ever Gets Enough Love
2. Oh, She Sure Looks Good Tonight
3. I’d Rather Be Crazy
4. It’s Tearing Me Up
5. Late At Night
6. Let Me Love You Once Before You Go
7. What Am I Gonna Do About You
8. All-American Country Boy
9. Once You Get The Feel Of It
10. Blue Suede Blues
11. Sad But True
12. Satisfied Mind
13. It’s Quittin’ Time
14. Surely The Presence “I think many of the new versions sound even better than the originals,” he says. “I am fortunate that I still have the ability to do these songs justice after all these years. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to create this project and hope folks get as much joy out of listening to it as I did in recording it.” The album can be purchased from www.conhunley.com for $12.98 plus postage. 　 The MCA/Capitol Years includes great songs from some of Nashville’s best writers like Bob Simon, Doug Gilmore, Jim Allison, Dean Dillon and Larry Butler.

The state had originally budgeted $14 million for ice and snow removal, but has already spent nearly $25 million as Tennessee has been blasted for two and a half months with below frigid temperatures and an above average number of snowy days.

Congratulations to State Rep. Ryan Haynes who was appointed to the Joint Fiscal Review Committee and the Council for Insurance and Pensions by Speaker Harwell in the Tennessee State Assembly.

You still have time to visit the exhibit of photography from Dean Rice that ends (today) Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Arts & Culture Alliance in the Balcony of the Emporium Center. This solo exhibition displays photographs Rice made of villages scattered throughout the countryside of Guizhou and Guangxi provenances in China, giving viewers an opportunity to visually experience the beauty of a people and place rarely seen by the west.

It is lights out for the Daily Beacon Newspaper on the University of Tennessee‘s campus? According to an editoral recently published from the staff at the Daily Beacon, “Some journalism professors are pushing students to write stories and submit them primarily to the Tennessee Journalist (TNJN.com), an on-line news site.“

The column goes on to explain that journalism students, are encouraged to seek experience out in the community through internships and jobs. Students within the UT School of Journalism and Electronic Media are encouraged to seek experience outside the classroom for class credit, too.

It is apparently becoming more and more noticeable that in some courses, however, “journalism professors are quietly leaving the Beacon off the list of suggestions for places to go to seek experience and/or credit.”

The Beacon staff is asking, “Why would UT’s campus newspaper not be considered a prime place to attain hands-on experience?”

The staff says, “Let the record show that no bad blood exists between the Beacon and TNJN; some of the best student journalists on campus work hard to create TNJN’s content each day, and the website is well-respected by Beacon staffers. The question at hand is why equal opportunity doesn’t seem to be given by those who supposedly have student needs at the heart of every class session: the journalism administrators. Several Beacon staffers have been in classes in which professors encourage students to submit to TNJN, and when the Beacon is mentioned by students as a possible option for experience, the newspaper is often regarded as nothing more than an afterthought.

‘The Daily Beacon? Oh, yeah, THAT too …’

As a result, fewer students are funneled into writing for the Beacon, a completely experience-based newspaper that has trouble functioning without writers. Without writers to produce original content, there is none.”

JEM Professor James Stovall believes that printed newspapers are dinosaurs and need to cease to exist. Will the Beacon go the way of other lighthouses?

On Monday, January 31, 2011, awards were presented to the Knoxville Journal Newspaper’s staff for achievement in the business side and the writing/reporting/photography side of the company by owner/publisher, Renee Wheeler. Mayor Tim Burchett was the invited speaker. Also in attendance were county commissioner, Amy Broyles, City Councilwoman Marilyn Roddy, candidate for mayor, Madeline Rogero, and the mayor’s media administrator, Michael Grider.

The mayor was asked to speak from 5 to 10 minutes about the roles of women as business owners.

This is the text of the Mayor’s Speech:

I thought I was going to sing. I appreciate you very much. I was sitting here thinking, we have been friends, Renee, since I was doing the mulch pile business about 20 to 23 years ago. I say hello to Amy Broyles, our county commissioner, and the birthday girl (Broyles’ daughter). Hello also to Madeline and Marilyn. We can have a cage fight when this is over. It will get a lot of coverage. We think about women in non-traditional roles and we have two women very viable running for the office of city mayor. I am sure glad I don’t have to run against either of them. Talk about the men’s club—that’s the mayor’s race, yet we have two women in great shape to win—one of them very well may win. I think that is great. Talk about women in very non-traditional roles as we think about the Journal being owned by a woman. I think about my Momma and how non-traditional she was—while my dad was off fighting the Japanese in the Philippines, my mom was flying a plane. She got certified and was flying a plane and that was very non-traditional for a woman. When they came back from the war and got married, in that part of the ceremony where they say, “obey”, Momma had them to take that part out. In the 40s in Cheatmam County when you got educated, you became a teacher, and that is what Momma did. I think my Momma has been a great success and I am proud of her and she has been a great role model. I am also proud of my relationship with the Knoxville Journal. We politicians get aggravated at the papers and think they are a thorn in our sides, but they keep us honest. The reporting you do—it is what you should be doing in a free society and we are glad for you and proud of your achievements. Some people say, “well, adults do not need awards”. Well, in pro football, these guys are so big you could not get them in that door over there and yet every one of them plays for a sticker on the back of their helmets. So they earn millions and millions of dollars, but they wear helmets with stickers to show a great play they made. We never outgrow the need to have our work honored, and that is what this day is about. I am honored to be here and to have this small opportunity to share with you and I am glad to be here. I like coming back here and what I like now is there is less smoke—-that is all I am going to say about that, so thank you.

Linda Salem, owner of Deli to Go, a new restaurant at 4705 N. Central Avenue, was pleased with the turnout at the grand opening she held on Saturday, February 19. Salem opened the restaurant in January but the weather has been so cold and snowy she wanted to wait until a time when more people would be out and about before she hosted the grand opening. She obviously picked a good time for the event because there was a steady stream of customers in and out of the restaurant all day.

Elvis Tribute Artist, Ronnie Miller, was on hand in the afternoon to entertain the crowd and was well-received. Singing from a stage outside on Central Avenue, Miller, clad in a royal blue jump suit, caught the attention of drivers who honked and whistled their approval. Miller took requests of Elvis songs from the audience who clapped along to the music—some even danced.

Lois Miller, grandmother of Miller, was happy to be on hand for his performance. “I am always so proud of Ronnie,” she said. Miller also said she chose the BBQ sandwich and it was delicious and the serving was huge.

Ben Buie, a customer in the store, said the cheeseburger on a steamed bun he ordered was “like eating a monster Krystal burger.”

Deli to Go is open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The menu consists of steamed sandwiches—BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, Reuben, and more. Breakfast items are everything from biscuits and gravy to bacon and eggs with the typical assortment of beverages. Brownies, made fresh every day, are also included. All prices are reasonable for the huge amounts of food you receive.

Salem and Miller have plans to make Deli to Go a hopping place on Friday and Saturday nights by including live karaoke along with Miller’s Elvis act. “Stay tuned,” said Miller, “we hope to be making our announcement with all the details soon. We would like to have karaoke contests and give away prizes and turn the restaurant into a great place to hang out on the weekends.”

You can dine in or carry out. Call 865 687 4300 to place an order and they will have it ready for you when you arrive.

Monday, February 14, a group of approximately 40 who describe themselves as “people of faith,” held a “Vigil for Victims” protest in front of the Planned Parenthood facility located at 710 N. Cherry Street in Knoxville, TN to be in solidarity from noon until 1 P.M. with a national hour of awareness called for across the nation.

David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life, asked supporters in a supportive email, “Are you sick and tired of Planned Parenthood getting $363 million of taxpayer funding a year — while aiding and abetting illegal underage sex trafficking?”

Bereit called upon the group to “take a public stand against Planned Parenthood by telling Congress: “No more money for Planned Parenthood.”

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that draws attention to the topic of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and fasting; Constant vigil;

Community outreach.

Bereit wrote to supporters:

“For the last two weeks, the national media has been abuzz with the shocking story of the undercover sting operation that caught abortion giant Planned Parenthood red-handed in the despicable act of aiding and abetting sex trafficking and prostitution of girls as young as 14.

Numerous undercover videos have now been released, documenting Planned Parenthood workers at multiple locations across several states assuring an undercover investigator posing as a pimp that the organization would secretly provide abortions and other services to underage victims of human trafficking, facilitating their exploitation.

Federal law is clear: “Sex trafficking of minors is a federal crime and punishable by imprisonment for 10 years to life.” (18 U.S. Code 1591) Additionally, “any person who aids abets, or counsels a federal crime to be committed may be punished as if they had committed the crime themselves.” (18 U.S. Code 2)

The institution-wide scandal has now reached the highest levels at Planned Parenthood, with top executives making the appalling claim that their workers who were caught on video facilitating underage sex slavery were responding professionally.

It is vital for us to act swiftly and take a public stand against Planned Parenthood’s harmful agenda —raising awareness in the communities where we live,
and calling upon Congress to immediately strip the abortion chain of all tax funding.

Together, we really can make a difference. Let’s act quickly to make sure Planned Parenthood is held fully accountable for its willingness to aid and abet underage sex trafficking, and let’s tell Congress that the time has come to defund Planned Parenthood.”

Bereit said, “40 Days for Life takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion in America.”

　

By J.J. KINDRED

J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

A Blount County couple was found with gunshot wounds at their home on Crystal Lane in Rockford Feb. 20, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Department. 

Blount County Sheriff’s officers received the call of the shooting at approximately 9 p.m. and discovered the couple on the floor of their home. 

The victims were identified as 38-year-old Uriel Degado and 31-year-old Erma Juarez. Degado was pronounced dead at the scene of the home, but Juarez died a short time later during surgery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. According to Blount County Sheriff James Berrong, investigators have indicated that the deaths were an apparent murder/suicide.

Autopsy results showed Degado and Juarez died of their gunshot wounds. The investigation is continuing. 

Knoxville City Councilman Nick Della Volpe, left, gives his opinion on different issues during the council’s Feb. 22 meeting, while Councilwoman Marilyn Roddy, right, listens. (Photo by J.J. Kindred) 

By J.J. KINDRED

J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

During a short meeting Feb. 22, the Knoxville City Council approved a $3 million tax incentive to help finance the Northshore Town Center in West Knoxville.

According to Bill Lyons, policy and communications director for the city of Knoxville, the tax increment financing, or TIF as it is known, will help with infrastructure improvements already needed by the city.

Documents stated that the development plan for the project was originally approved in 2006, pleading $9 million in tax increment financing (TIF), with $6 million from the county and $3 million from the city. 

The project does not require allocation of current funds, according to documentation. 

Located at Northshore Drive and Pellissippi Parkway, the Northshore Town Center would include small retail shops, a grocery store, restaurants, a bank, a discount store, apartments, a theater, hardware store, health club and an assisted living facility. It will be built on 150 acres.

Developers Northshore Market Investors LLC  will go to the Knox County Commission during its Feb. 28 meeting, seeking $6 million in tax increment financing, in addition to the $3 million TIF.

Once approved, the Town Center project would go back to the Knox County Industrial Development Board to negotiate the final development agreement and construction would begin immediately. 

Upon completion, the new revenue generated by the development will pay off the infrastructure improvements, including improvements on Northshore Drive, and the widening of a bridge on Northshore near Pellissippi Parkway.

During the vote, councilwoman Marilyn Roddy excused herself from discussion and voting on the project, because her family owns property across the street from where the development would be built. 

Councilwoman Brenda Palmer said she was reluctant in dealing with TIF issues, but said, “the return on this investment will surpass what we have, and I will support this.”

In other business, the board approved a resolution to authorize the Knoxville Transportation Authority to enter into an agreement with the firm of Frantz, McConnell and Seymour to provide legal services to the KTA Board and Knoxville Area Transit (KTA). 

Councilman Nick Della Volpe said while he was glad KTA was using the firm, he was concerned about the oddity of advertising and solicitation for the agreement.

“It seems to me that our competitive bidding process is not working,” Della Volpe said. “I don’t have a quarrel with a competent law firm to represent (KTA), but I’m surprised they had an alternative means to represent them.”

Della Volpe said he talked to the Knoxville Bar Association and was able to e-mail attorneys and solicit involvement. 

“If we don’t invite competition and analysis in different entities, we need to be smarter in how we deal with this,” he said. 

Boyce Evans, purchasing agent for the city, said the city’s procurement code doesn’t require competition for professional services. 

“For professional services in this instance, only one entity responded, ” Evans said. Those services cover a wide range of areas. Normally we have a whole lot of entities, the way the market is now, but to say the system does not work is not accurate.” 

From Knoxville Journal staff reports
News@theknoxvillejournal.com

After five years of a successful run, David Fee and Jim Hedrick, co-owners of the Miracle Theater and head of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group in Pigeon Forge, announced that the 2011 season of The Miracle Theater will be its last.

The theater will remain under the co- ownership of Fee and Hedrick and the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group and will reopen Monday, Nov. 7, as “Christmas at the Opry” at The Smoky Mountain Opry Theater, ringing in the holidays debuting a brand new original music show.

The theater’s regular “Miracle Show” will end its run on Oct. 22, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which debuted last year with “American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle, will end on Oct. 26.

The 1,400 seat theater, in its sixth season since taking over the Louise Mandrell Theater, opens its new season on March 19. The “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” production reopens March 12. There are about 70 employees currently working at the theater.

Both Fee and Hedrick explained that the reason for the change for the two well loved and well received area shows is to go out at their peak attendance so that people do not get tired of going to the same shows.

“We love the Miracle Show,” Fee said. “It is an original production and we created it.

Most importantly though the theater has become a faith based ministry and people have been saved because of the influence of the Miracle Show, the ministry and the life-changing message.

“The show is very important to us and because of that we are looking into a variety of ways to keep the show going including a national tour, another Christian theater picking up the show or the show being placed at a Christian theme park,” Fee said. “For example, we are even exploring the option of putting the show at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Fla. We believe that God wants to pour out His Spirit through this show in greater measure than ever before. But we have to be ready, we have to be willing, and we have to be prepared for change.”

Obviously we are proud of the Miracle Show, “ Fee said. “We want to thank all of our huge fan base of supporters of The Miracle Theater and we want them to know that we might bring The Miracle Show back at Christmas time in the future to the Smoky Mountain Opry Theater.”

For the 2011 Christmas season however, the new ‘Christmas at the Opry’ Show will be a brand new show. “It will have some of the country’s top singers, dancers, comedians and musicians as well as state-of-the-art sound and lighting,” Fee said. “In addition it will have a full eight to 12 piece band and will include traditional old-time seasonal favorite songs, sung from beginning to end with many new surprises including ice skating. It will be quite different from any of the shows that we have had at The Miracle, but we will probably carry over some of ‘The Miracle’ and ‘Joseph’ cast, as well as some former cast members of our ‘Black Bear Jamboree Dinner and Show’ and our ‘Kick ‘n Country,’ and ‘Magic Beyond Belief Shows.’” We will hold open auditions later this year.

“It will be a very unique Christmas show and then we will change shows again for the next season and begin in March 2012 with a brand new musical show that will bring back tradition and heritage in this area at The Smoky Mountain Opry,” Fee said. “The show will have high energy entertainment including comedy, dancing and music with everything such as a little bit of Broadway, a little mountain music, some gospel, pure country, classic hits, pop melodies and old bluegrass. “

The “Miracle” will be performed this season in the afternoon matinee slot at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be the evening show at 8 p.m. six days-a-week. Tickets for both shows are $39.95, plus tax each, and children 11 and under are free.
For more information call the theater’s box office (865) 428-7469 or 1-800-768-1170, or visit www.MiracleTheater.com.

By J.J. KINDRED
J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

A man is in custody after allegedly shooting his girlfriend during a domestic violence altercation Feb. 18 at an apartment complex at 2818 Dayton St., according to a Knoxville Police Department report.

According to Lt. Keith DeBow of the KPD’s West District C Squad, officers responded to the incident at approximately 9:33 p.m. Upon arrival they discovered the female victim, identified as 35-year-old Adrianne Watson, with a gunshot wound to her upper torso.

The male suspect, identified as 33-year-old Randolph Sims, was taken into custody.

Officers said during their preliminary investigation that Watson returned to Sims’ apartment and entered the front door unannounced. Sims then grabbed a shotgun and fired, striking Watson.

Watson was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where her condition was not known. Sims was charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder and employing a firearm during an attempted commission of a felony. He is being held in the Knox County Detention Facility on a $95,000 bond.

By J.J. KINDRED
J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com

Two male suspects were taken into custody during a fight that took place at La Rumba at 4900 Chambliss Ave. Feb. 20, according to a Knoxville Police Department report.

Sgt. Nevin Long of KPD’s West Patrol Division Golf Squad reported that officers responded to a disturbance call at approximately 11:37 p.m., where they were told a person threatened a member of the La Rumba staff with a firearm.

The two people were confronted by officers in a vehicle, then the driver immediately drove off. The passenger, identified as 18-year-old Lamar Harshaw, got out of the vehicle and was immediately taken into custody.

The driver, who was not identified because he is a juvenile, ran into several cars in the parking lot and escaped. A vehicle pursuit took place, and the driver was taken into custody when his vehicle stopped on East Fifth Avenue.

Harshaw was charged with marijuana possession and was also facing narcotics charges. The driver was facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, felony fleeing, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a suspended license, and resisting stop frisk halt. No one else was harmed during the incident.

The investigation is continuing.

Former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp (right), speaks with constituents after an appearance Feb. 11 at the University of Tennessee’s Howard Baker Center. Wamp was in town to discuss his career since his Congressional term ended and his unsuccessful Tennessee gubernatorial bid, including sharing his political documentation between a joint effort with the university and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and opening a consulting firm. (Photo by J.J. Kindred)