Meet the local legislators Saturday

More than a dozen local legislators are gathering for a public panel discussion this Saturday.

The East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists is hosting its annual Legislative Luncheon.

This is an opportunity to find out where your legislators stand, engage with them and hear their priorities for the 2017 legislative session. Members of the public will be able to submit questions to the panel.

RELATED: ET lawmakers gather for 2016 legislative luncheon

The event will take place at Bearden Banquet Hall on Kingston Pike in West Knoxville.

Doors will open for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the panel discussion will start around noon.

Cost for the lunch is $15 in advance for SPJ members, $18 in advance for non-SPJ members and $20 at the door.

If you don’t plan on eating, the event is free. Donations are encouraged for coffee and tea, which will be available.

The event is open to the public, but reservations are required for lunch. Please reserve your lunch ticket HERE.

Legislators attending include:

• Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Martin Daniel (R-Knoxville)
• Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Roger Kane (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City)
• Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge)
• Rep. Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville)
• Rep. Eddie Smith of Knoxville (R-Knoxville)
• Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville)
• Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston)
• Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville)

Information on the event and ETSPJ is available HERE.

Mayor to host final cash mob to benefit Fountain City's Alvin Frye

Burchett and Frye

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is organizing one last cash mob Thursday afternoon, this time to show appreciation to Alvin Frye, a longtime local business owner in Fountain City.

Frye served during World War II and the Korean War and has owned the Fountain City Exxon station at the intersection of Broadway and Essary Road for more than 25 years, and for nearly 60 years owned stations at various Fountain City locations.

Frye’s filling station will close on Dec. 31.

The cash mob will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Thursday and is open to the public.
Burchett is encouraging the community to stop by the Fountain City Exxon station, 5306 Broadway, to fill up on gas and to say 'thank you' to Frye and his employees for their years of service to the community. Members of the public can sign an oversized thank you card for Frye.

Frye is currently battling health issues and the Fountain City Lions Club is accepting contributions to the “Alvin Frye Fund” to help the family with cover expenses for his treatment and care.

Contributions can be sent in the form of a check made payable to the Fountain City Lions Club, P.O. Box 5276, Knoxville, TN 37928. Please note the “Alvin Frye Fund” in the memo line of the check.

Many Knoxville residents will recognize Frye’s service station for its “No Lottery, No Beer” sign displayed along Broadway – others may remember the sign as saying “No Lottery, No Beer, Not a Casino.”

Goodbye to 2016 on Market Square

Give 2016 the old heave-ho at New Year’s Eve on Market Square, beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31.

The family-friendly celebration to usher in 2017 includes music, midnight fireworks, a ball drop, an “Auld Lang Syne” sing-along and a new lighted “2017” sign. This year's celebration is presented by Lloyd's Electric Service, Inc.

“This is the night when Market Square feels most like Times Square,” says Judith Foltz, the City’s Director of Special Events. “The spirit is so festive. We always start the new year on a good note.”

The Temper Evans Band, of Harriman, will perform covers from 10:30 to 11:45 p.m.

A slideshow of memorable events from 2016 will screen above the Market Square stage. The countdown begins at 11:55 p.m., followed by the ball drop and fireworks at midnight.

The Holidays on Ice skating rink will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1-9 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

Restaurants on Market Square, including those participating in the Peppermint Trail, will be open and offering specials; call ahead for dinner reservations. No mobile food or alcohol sales will take place on the square.

Mayor to host Alvin Frye cash mob as longtime business prepares to close

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is organizing one last cash mob, this time to show appreciation to Alvin Frye, a longtime local business owner in Fountain City.

Frye served during World War II and the Korean War and has owned the Fountain City Exxon station at the intersection of Broadway and Essary Road for more than 25 years, and for nearly 60 years owned stations at various Fountain City locations.

Frye’s filling station will permanently close on Dec. 31.

On Dec. 22, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Burchett invites members of the community to stop by the Fountain City Exxon station, 5306 Broadway, to fill up on gas and to say thank you to Frye and his employees for their years of service to the community. Members of the public can sign an oversized thank you card for Frye.

Frye is currently battling health issues and the Fountain City Lions Club is accepting contributions to the “Alvin Frye Fund” to help the family with cover expenses for his treatment and care. Contributions can be sent in the form of a check made payable to the Fountain City Lions Club, P.O. Box 5276, Knoxville, TN 37928. Please note the “Alvin Frye Fund” in the memo line of the check.

Many Knoxville residents will recognize Frye’s service station for its “No Lottery, No Beer” sign displayed along Broadway – others may remember the sign as saying “No Lottery, No Beer, Not a Casino.”

Market Square restrooms open by NYE

This is actually a big deal. The new Market Square Garage restrooms will open - with a bit of fanfare - to the public at 11 a.m. Dec. 22.

Construction of the five-stall restroom facility, which began the week of May 16, has been completed in time for New Year’s Eve on the Square, a public event that draws a huge crowd.

The new restroom facility features LED lighting for energy efficiency and safety, plus graffiti-resistant paint and a topiary screen.

The Public Building Authority will provide maintenance and security for the facility, which is intended to serve visitors to downtown’s many special events.

Five KCS bus drivers to be honored

We report a lot when bus drivers screw up (and there's been plenty of opportunity there) that we'd be remiss to not talk about the good they do.

So, the Knox County Schools Bus Driver Safety Awards will be presented 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Ted Russell Ford (8551 Kingston Pike). The awards are sponsored by Ted Russell Ford and WIVK.

Five drivers will be honored and given a Certificate of Appreciation from Knox County Schools along with a $100 check from Ted Russell Ford.

These awards were initiated to honor the Knox County Schools’ bus drivers that do an excellent job in transporting our children every day. The five drivers honored each month have been graded with high standards by the Knox County Schools, the contractors, the Sheriff’s department and by school staff.

Next Ed & Bob Night Out on Nov. 16

These guys are gonna run out of restaurants.

Knox County At-Large Commissioners Ed Brantley and Bob Thomas are headed out to the Halls area for their next Ed & Bob Night Out in Knox County.

Ed and Bob will be at E. B.'s Eats & Treats, 4620 Mill Branch Lane, Wednesday, November 16th from 5p to 7p to meet the people of north Knox County and listen to their concerns.

The two feel that going out to the citizens eases the strain on those who, because of work, commitments, financial situation or the distance to the City-County Building, cannot attend regular commission meetings.

All elected officials, media and public are welcome to attend. This is not a commission meeting. There is no agenda. There will be no votes taken; however, it is obvious where's there are "Eats & Treats" and Ed and Bob will be eating them!

https://www.facebook.com/EbsEatsandTreats/

Thank you for your service! 2016 Veterans Day free meal deals

Veterans Day is Friday, Nov. 11, and that means restaurants and businesses are offering deals to say "thank you" to our past and present military members. Here are a few offers you can take advantage of!

Be sure to bring proof of service or military ID and make sure your local store is participating before you go.

FREE MEALS 

• Applebee's:  Veterans and active duty military members can receive a free meal from a limited menu on Veterans Day.
• Back Yard Burgers:  On Veterans Day, all veterans and active duty military who present their military ID or are in uniform will receive a free Back Yard Classic Burger.
• Calhoun's: Veterans get a free meal from a limited menu at all Calhoun's locations on Veterans Day with proof of service.
• Chili's: On Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military can receive a free meal from a limited menu with proof of service. The menu includes the Oldtimer with Cheese, Soup & Salad, Chicken Crispers, Chipotle Chicken or Margherita Flatbread.
• Chipotle:  Buy a small burrito, bowl or salad and get one free from 3 p.m. to close on Veterans Day. The offer applies to veterans, military and military spouses.
• Denny’s:  All veterans and active duty military are invited to Build Your Own Grand Slam at Denny’s on Veterans Day from 5 a.m. to noon. You must show proof of service.
• Golden Corral: On Monday, Nov. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m., Golden Corral offers a free sit-in “thank you” dinner for Military veterans, retirees, and active duty members. 
• Hooters: All veterans can enjoy a free entrée from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu by presenting a military ID or proof of service at any Hooters location nationwide on Nov. 11. 
• Hurricane Grill and Wings:  Veterans and active military personnel can get a free beverage and entrée from a limited menu with proof of service on Veteran's Day.
• IHOP:  Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, retired and active military members can get a free order of Red, White and Blue Pancakes at participating IHOP locations. Some locations will include eggs, hashbrowns and bacon or sausage with the offer. 
• Krystal’s:  Veterans and active military can get a free sausage biscuit from open until 11 a.m. on Veterans Day with proof of service.
• Mimi's Cafe:  With the purchase of any non-alcoholic beverage, veterans and active duty military get a free meal at Mimi's Cafe on Nov. 11. Meal choices include Grilled Chicken & Fries, Chicken Chop Salad, Brioche Cheeseburger, and Farmhouse Tacos.
• O’Charley’s:  Every O'Charley's location is offering veterans and active duty service members a free meal on Nov. 11. The chain also offers a 10 percent military discount all year long.
• Olive Garden:  Veterans can choose a free entrée from a special menu featuring six Olive Garden favorites on Nov. 11 with proof of military service.
• Red Robin:  All Veterans and active duty military members will get a free Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak fries on Veterans Day with proof of service. No purchase is necessary. 
• Shoney’s:  Any active or retired military member can get a free All American Burger on Veteran's Day at participating Shoney's locations. 
• Texas Roadhouse: Veterans will get free lunch at any Texas Roadhouse location from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. The offer includes any of 10 menu items and a free beverage. Must have a military card, VA card or discharge papers.
• Twin Peaks:  All Military men and women past and present enjoy a free menu item from Twin Peaks' Annual Veterans Day Appreciation Menu. Present valid military ID to receive offer.

 Click RIGHT SMACK HERE for deals on appetizers and retail

City to beging leaf pickup Nov. 3

The Knoxville Public Service crews will kick off leaf collection on Thursday.

City residents can rake or blow leaves to the curb for crews to collect.

On average, crews collect more than 6,000 tons of leaves each year. Workers from the Public Service Department shift from brush collection in order to address leaf collection full-time for 12 consecutive weeks.

“The next two months are the most demanding for our staff, who work hard to provide the most convenient services to homes in Knoxville,” said Chad Weth, Director of the Public Service Department. “We establish an aggressive schedule in an effort to get as much done before Christmas as possible.”

The City currently has 20 trucks and 60 staff members that work on leaf collection routes for an estimated 60,000 households.

Once the thousands of tons of leaves are collected, they are hauled to Nature’s Best Organics, where they are composted to be reused as mulch.

To make sure your leaves make it off your yard and into the City’s trucks, rake your leaves into one continuous row within 5 feet of the curb. That allows the suction devices on the City’s trucks to vacuum up leaves most effectively.

A few very important tips for residents:

• Do not rake leaves into the street. Passing cars likely will scatter and crush the leaf pile before it can be vacuumed up by a Public Service crew.
• Do not to block drainage ditches, mailboxes, sidewalks, etc.
• A long, thin row of leaves is better than a short, wide one.
• Also, please don’t mix brush into leaf piles. The City will not pick up mixed piles of leaves, brush or other refuse because the leaf collection equipment is designed to vacuum up leaves and can be damaged by brush.

Collection schedules vary, but residents can call 311 to receive a general timeline for when their house will be serviced next. Or they can visit https://leafpickup.knoxvilletn.gov and type in their street address. For general information, visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/publicservice.

Teachers can get free school supplies at Teacher Supply Depot on Oct. 29

The Teacher Supply Depot will open from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday to give Knox County Schools’ teachers and teaching assistants the opportunity to shop for free classroom supplies.

The Depot, located at 709 N. Cedar Bluff Road, in the former Cedar Bluff Intermediate School, is a joint venture of Knox County Schools and the Teacher Supply Depot PTA.

The Teacher Supply Depot provides KCS teachers and others with new and used classroom materials for free.

In its 15 years of service, the Teacher Supply Depot has benefited more than 10,000 KCS professionals and provided more than $2.6 million in materials through the support of local businesses and community members.

The depot is driven solely by donations and is a unique way for local businesses and community members to partner with the school system to provide material support to teachers. All donated materials are used to enhance instruction and promote student achievement in classrooms across the district.

Although donations are accepted year-round, the Teacher Supply Depot is only open on certain dates throughout each academic year. Those planning to shop at the Teacher Supply Depot must bring a school ID or another form of identification to be admitted.

Two additional Teacher Supply Depot shopping days will be held this academic year on Jan. 21 and Apr. 1, 2017.

$100K Haslam donations: Just how Knox County schools are putting it to use

At Bearden High School, educators are looking to build a new future for the students through engineering, specifically robotics.

The move comes roughly a year after members of the philanthropic Haslam family and Pilot Flying J gave the Knox County school system $10 million. The bulk of the money – $8.7 million – was set aside to provide synthetic turf fields and some running tracks at the county’s 13 high schools.

But, lost in the headlines was another $100,000 donation for each of the system’s 13 traditional high schools to use for academics.

“When the money came along, I was just like, ‘This is unbelievable – this gift just fell in our lap – hey, here’s the chance to do something,’” said Bearden High School principal John Bartlett. “That’s one-time money to start up a program that’s going to help a lot of students.”

As it stands, school leaders submitted proposals to the Haslam family earlier this year, detailing how they would use the money.

The school system is now putting together a report that should be complete some time in December.

“There's a lot of flexibility that's been given to our school leaders,” interim Knox County Schools Superintendent Buzz Thomas added. “That's the way we're trying to run the school district: we're trying to make decisions as close to the action as possible, and that's the way the Haslam family did this gift."

A majority of the money so far has gone to technology, according to a WBIR 10News analysis of the expenditures.

Schools so far have purchased or plan to purchase new computers, laptops, tablets, interactive whiteboards, cameras and calculators.

They’ve also bought office and lab furniture, dry erase tables and materials to help improve test scores.

Some of the money will pay for instructional coaches and tutors and some will support career readiness programs through field trips, job shadowing and student internships.

"We're on a track over the next 3 years to have one-on-one technology in each school and each student's hands,” Thomas said. "This gift gave a lot of schools the opportunity to kind of surge ahead."

The money also enables schools to continue to update what they have.

“When we opened our doors in 2008, all of our technology was new,” Hardin Valley Academy principal Sallee Reynolds said in a letter to the Haslam family in February, adding that the school plans to spend its money almost entirely on new computers and laptops. “Eight years later, many of our teachers are still using the original laptops that have been serviced several times.”

Rest of story, with details for each school, RIGHT HERE.

Developer: Baker Creek Development expected to improve South Knoxville

Local business developers Thomas Krajewski and Tom Weiss held a public meeting Tuesday at the Old Sevier Heights Baptist Church to receive input from neighbors about their plans to turn the former church into a mixed-use development..

The proposed Baker Creek Bottoms will see a brewery, hotel with apartments and theater.
"I'm 100 percent for it," Senior Pastor at Open Door Church Wayne Marler said. "I think this will bring new life here to the community in South Knoxville."

Fifty or more jobs will come from this development.

The brewery will be used mainly as a production facility and will have a tasting room.

The hotel will have its two top floors reserved as apartments for residents to rent and live in while the rest of the hotel will be for travelers. A restaurant will be inside the hotel.

"Everything that's happening around here with the urban development, the Baker Creek Preserve, the biking, the hiking and the new park being developed here ... They've just absolutely transformed this neighborhood and given it a whole new face-lift," Marler said.

The theater will help contribute to the arts in South Knoxville. The capacity of the theater will be less than 500 seats.

"I'm so glad to see that one of the things would be for the children, the theater for the young children," South Knoxville resident Claudia Hobby Kennedy said.

Many neighbors were concerned about sounds, lights and smells, however Krajewski and Weiss plan to work with architects to ensure minimal noise and directional lighting to not disturb the residential area.

"I think there are some negatives, but I think they are far outweighed by the positives," Kennedy said.

Proposal floated to add waterfall to S. Knoxville waterfront development

Move over Niagara Falls, Knoxville could be getting its own waterfall.

Local businessman Ross Bagwell Sr. is hoping to add a waterfall attraction to the South Knoxville waterfront.

Bagwell originally wanted to call the project the "Niagara Falls of the South," but that name was already taken. Bagwell settled on "Knox Falls."

In the 1990s, Bagwell started Cinetel Productions, which was once the largest independent cable network program production company in the U.S. He now runs Bagwell Entertainment, LLC.

His current plans for Knox Falls would feature a waterfall on the south waterfront and an observation area on the northern side of the Tennessee River. It would also include a water show with lights and music.

"One day I was driving and looked down and saw the blank area there, and said 'why aren't we commercializing that?'” Bagwell said.

Working with a graphic designer, Bagwell came up with the plan for the south and north sides of the river.

"Original music, computerized lighting done professionally and then the overall falls would be timed, so that different pumps would pump water from different areas,” Bagwell said of the proposed site.
Bagwell said that the project is still in the idea phase, but he wants to bring it to the city soon.

When 10News reached out to the city for comment, a spokesperson said they haven't seen or received any waterfall proposal or suggestion.

“From the image that was forwarded to me . . . is a privately owned property in the midst of a privately-owned development, so any proposal there would have to come from the developer,” city spokesman Jesse Mayshark said.

Mayshark also noted that any kind of development with water flowing into the Tennessee River would require the Tennessee Valley Authority to get involved because it's their jurisdiction.

There's no word on how much a project like this would cost or how long it would take to create.
Bagwell believes it could be an attraction that leads to a big tourism boom for Knoxville and the surrounding area.

Knoxville looking to improve Fort Dickerson Park, quarry in South

City leaders and designers held a brainstorming session Monday to see what the public would like to improve about Fort Dickerson Park and the quarry in South Knoxville.

David Brace, the city of Knoxville's public works director, said access and amenities are some of the top priorities to make the lake and surrounding area a better attraction.

"We need better access so that everyone can get back to the quarry, all of our customers," Brace said. "We need good parking. We need restrooms. We need a vendor with their staff, or we need our own city staff down at the space."

People walked through a replica of the park and its surroundings on the floor of the Kern's Bakery Building Monday night, viewing design options and offering opinions with sticky notes on displays.

PREVIOUS: City takes public comment about Fort Dickerson plans

Kevin Hill and his family, who live close to the quarry, came to the meeting to offer ideas and see what is in store for the future of the park.

"We moved here specifically to live in South Knoxville and be a part of the reinvention of South Knoxville as an urban, mixed-use, outdoor lifestyle community," Hill said.

Hill also owns Uncle Lem's Mountain Outfitters, which is opening a new location on Sevier Avenue to accommodate the growth along the South Knoxville waterfront and hopefully at the quarry soon.

"This isn't just impacting South Knoxville," Hill said. "This will become the magnet that brings the attention of the entire country to Knoxville."

The city will invest about $160,000 into the basic infrastructure for parking and any needed utilities, Brace said, and the Aslan Foundation will pay for the design surrounding the lake.

Brace said the meeting Monday was only the first step in transforming Fort Dickerson Park, but he said he heard a variety of opinions from people about what kinds of amenities could be options for the future.

"People are excited," Brace said. "They want more. They love really that part of South Knoxville, Fort Dickerson."

Burchett renews effort to raise funds for wreaths at veteran cemeteries

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is once again launching a Wreaths Across America team in an effort to raise funds to place as many live wreaths as possible on the graves of veterans buried at the three veterans cemetery locations in Knox County. 

A $15 sponsorship will pay for a wreath made of live greenery to be placed on a veteran’s grave at either the Old East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike, the New East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway or the Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street near Old Gray Cemetery.

“If you simply sponsor one wreath or choose to sponsor 100, you are honoring veterans and families who have honored our community with their service,” Burchett said. “Whether the men and women buried in our veteran cemeteries were lost during combat or after living a long life, we do this for the family members who are still living.”

There are more than 15,000 veterans buried at the three veteran cemetery locations in Knox County.

Anyone wanting to sponsor a wreath can do so by visiting http://www.knoxcounty.org and clicking on the Wreaths Across America banner.  The organization is also offering a “three-for-two” sponsorship special, which means it will donate a wreath for every two that are sponsored.

The deadline for online donations is Nov. 28, and the deadline for donations made by check is Nov. 21. Checks should be made payable to “Wreaths Across America” and mailed to 400 Main Street, Suite 615, Knoxville, TN 37902. The wreaths will be placed on the graves Dec. 17.

Wreaths Across America is a national non-profit that works to place live wreaths on veteran graves during the holidays.

Knoxville celebrates 225 years

Knoxville is celebrating a big milestone Monday: Its 225th anniversary. The party started early, though, with events all around town during the weekend.

Excitement was building downtown for the anniversary. People were abuzz with dancing, singing, enjoyment of the sights and sounds Saturday night. The following Sunday night, Mayor Madeline Rogero attended a number of events, including a special dinner and fireworks show on the Gay Street Bridge.

"It's never been done before. The Gay Street Bridge, since it's opened, has not been closed," Liza Zenni with the Arts and Culture Alliance said.

Zeni said the last 25 years in particular saw the transformation of the city into what it is today.

"Knoxville has been experiencing a renaissance. Our downtown looked nothing like this 25 years ago. It was a ghost town, and now it's hopping nad popping every day, all day," she said.
The city closed the bridge between Blount and Hill avenues from 6 a.m. until midnight Sunday. The sidewalks there were also closed after 6 p.m.

Today, the city will continue the celebration with a number of events. The Historic Homes of Knoxville will be hosting a Founder's Day luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at The Foundry in World's Fair Park. WBIR's Bill Landry from The Heartland Series will be the guest speaker at that luncheon.
The Tennessee Theatre just got done celebrating its 88th anniversary Sunday. It will be hosting Mighty Musical Monday starting at noon. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

As Knoxville celebrates its past, community leaders are looking to the future.

"The most exciting thing that we've yet to see is what's going to happen between now, and the 250th anniversary," Zenni said.

KaBOOM! City gets 'slide' grant

You never know where fun might strike.

KaBOOM! announced today that the City of Knoxville was selected as a $25,000 winner for its “Downtown Slides” project in the Play Everywhere Challenge, a $1 million national competition that will fund innovative ideas to make play easy, available, and fun for kids and families in cities across the nation.

The “Downtown Slides” project was selected as one of 50 winners out of a pool of more than 1,000 applications nationwide. KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty.

A grant committee including representatives from the City, the Knox County Health Department, Knoxville Area Transit, Visit Knoxville, the Childhood Obesity Coalition, the Legacy Parks Foundation, Great Schools Partnership, SMG, and The Muse created a plan to build embankment slides within City infrastructure, taking advantage of Knoxville’s hilly topography.

The in-ground slides will be constructed adjacent to existing outdoor stairs throughout the city. The pilot project will be a slide located next to the stairs of the Civic Coliseum parking garage and is slated to be completed by the end of the year. Other sites will be selected and announced after seeking public input.

“The location of this project was chosen because it’s accessible by a large number of children,” said Joe Walsh, Director of Knoxville Parks and Recreation. “This slide will be near a trolley stop, the Coliseum and Cal Johnson Recreation Center. We’re always looking for creative ways to get kids’ attention to play, and we feel this project will do just that.”

The Play Everywhere Challenge was developed in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Target, Playworld, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To view Knoxville’s “Downtown Slides” project on KaBOOM’s website, visit www.kaboom.org/playability/play_everywhere/gallery/downtown_slides.

Seniors invited to county picnic

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett will host the 10th Annual Senior Appreciation Picnic on Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at John Tarleton Park.

The picnic will include lunch, live music by The Chilbillies, animal exhibits and a vendor expo.

The event is free to all Knox County seniors. Any senior planning to attend is asked to RSVP by Sept. 9 by calling 865-215-4007.

A limited number of event t-shirts will be available on Sept. 1, 2016 to seniors registering for the picnic at one of the County’s six senior centers, while supplies last. A list of centers and their locations can be found online at http://www.knoxcounty.org/seniors.

Mayor Burchett launches collection program to ensure proper flag disposal

In recognition of Flag Day, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett announced today that all Knox County senior centers will serve as collection locations for to-be-retired American flags.

Flags that have reached the end of their useable life can be dropped off at any of the centers and Knox County staff will ensure they are disposed of properly and in partnershipwith several community organizations.

 

“The red, white and blue flag of the United States of America is not only a symbol of pride for our nation’s citizens, but it is a beacon of freedom and opportunity for the rest of the world,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. “Our soldiers go to battle under our flag, and those taken by war come home in caskets draped in the stars and stripes. It is only proper that we do everything we can to ensure the flag is retired properly.”

 

Once collected, the flags will be handed over to various community organizations, including American Legion Post 2, Woodmen of the World, Boy Scouts, the Order of Elks and others for proper disposal during the organizations’ respective flag retirement ceremonies. Community organizations interested in becoming a program partner should contact Knox County Veterans and Senior Services Director Robert “Buzz” Buswell at 865-604-4443.

 

Knox County Senior Center hours vary. More information about the centers can be found online

at http://www.knoxcounty.org/seniors.

 

Flags can be dropped off at any of the following locations:

• Carter Senior Center
• Corryton Senior Center
• Frank R. Strang Senior Center
• Halls Senior Center
• Karns Senior Center
• South Knox Senior Center

Karns senior center to host art reception Thursday evening

The Karns Senior Center will host an art reception on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at 8042 Oak Ridge Highway.

The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

 

Art pieces featured at the reception were completed by art class students at the Karns and Frank R.

Strang senior centers. Types of work include watercolor, pen/ink and charcoal/pencil sketch.

 

Knox County senior centers provide programming specifically geared toward seniors. These programs

offer recreation opportunities, health and wellness resources, computer and technology lessons, and

other activities for those aged 50 and older.

 

More information about Knox County Senior Services can be found online at

http://www.knoxcounty.org/seniors.