Monthly Archives: October 2009

Attention Knoxville City Council candidates: If you’re “sorry” to call during dinner, don’t do it!

At 6:45 on Tuesday night, I was cooking dinner (if you can believe it) when the phone rang. Against my better judgment, I picked it up. Sure enough. A political call. “I’m sorry to call at dinner time,” the friendly … Continue reading

Filed under: Knoxville, Politics, Public Relations | Leave a comment

Opera Goes to Church show: “a dream come true”

Maestro Brian Salesky, executive director of the Knoxville Opera Company, grew up in New York City in a household that played two kinds of music: gospel and opera. Therefore, he said Sunday it was a “dream come true” when he … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Media, Music | 5 Comments

Pilot Pumpers: three days of hijinks for a good cause

When is pumping gasoline fun? When it’s for charity and you have a bunch of high-spirited local celebrities doing it! That was the case the first three days of this week during Pilot Pumpers, the annual United Way fundraiser when … Continue reading

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Market Square Farm Market gently winding down; this summer saw more vendors, but less produce

The Market Square Farmers’ Market is winding down for the season. Mums have been offered for several weeks now and mostly fall crops are displayed in the farmers’ booths: greens, peppers, winter squashes, gourds and pumpkins. It’s been a wonderful … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Downtown, Knoxville | 6 Comments

Funkster Jeffrey Osborne rocks Urban League Gala

“I’m going to play a song from my very first album back in 1982,” announced crooner Jeffrey Osborne who played to a sold-out benefit for the Knoxville Area Urban League at the Knoxville Convention Center Thursday night. “I’ve sung this … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Music, Politics | 1 Comment

What does this sign mean?

I know. It seems pretty clear. You hear it all the time. Last week at the Clarence Brown Theatre production of “The Flu Season” (which was excellent, by the way), they said photography and audio and video recording of the … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville, Music, Theater | 20 Comments

Monte Kiffin blitzes United Way gathering

The invitation said Monte Kiffin was to be the guest speaker Tuesday at the United Way’s Tocqueville Society dinner. The party, which is an annual “thank you” to those who contribute $10,000 or more to the United Way, as well … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, UT sports | 1 Comment

All in a pleasant downtown Knoxville Sunday afternoon: 3-1/2 hours, 14 homes and zombies

Everywhere you looked in downtown Knoxville Sunday afternoon, you would see people wearing white stickers and carrying white booklets strolling in the mild weather. They were on Market Square, in the Old City, and even on the Clinch Avenue Bridge. More … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 4 Comments

Clear new focus of Scripps newspapers: “Create great content and sell the crap out of it!”

The other day, Rusty Coats, the new vice president for content and marketing for the E.W. Scripps Company, shed some light on the recent reorganization of the firm’s newspaper division, which includes the Knoxville News Sentinel. And, he revealed that … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, New media | 1 Comment

A weekend in Knoxville = a musical smorgasbord

On a weekend when the UT Pride of the Southland Marching Band was playing the mournful “Tennessee Waltz” following the Vols’ loss to Auburn, the rest of Knoxville was enjoying its usual diverse musical buffet. I just can’t believe all … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Events, Knoxville, Music | 1 Comment