Monthly Archives: November 2010

Who knew a farm would have so many friends?

Mahasti Vafaie and her enthusiastic staff at the Tomato Head on Market Square played host to about 80 folks on Monday for one of the most charming fundraisers we’ve ever attended. The event was called “Raise the Roots.” The beneficiary was … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville | 6 Comments

Brunch: just another advantage of downtown living

Of course people in the suburbs go to brunch. But, I’m telling you from experience, nothing beats rolling out of bed, making yourself moderately presentable, grabbing your newspapers and taking a two-minute stroll to meet your regular Sunday brunch buddies. … Continue reading

Filed under: Business, Downtown, Knoxville | 6 Comments

Downtown’s magic lures us to a major life change

Alan and I have put our house where our mouth is! On Monday we sold our home on Cherokee Boulevard in Sequoyah Hills and became full-time residents of downtown Knoxville. This was the culmination of a process that included a … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Historic preservation, Knoxville, Media | 31 Comments

Want to keep a group bonded for years? Try this unique kind of potluck party.

This is a recipe for a party to have every year if you want to keep a diverse group of people together for the long haul. The reason I know about it is that my Leadership Knoxville class, the Class of … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 10 Comments

Birthday party for scorned woman is delightful

The old saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” could not apply more aptly to anyone than it does to Evelyn Hazen. Born into a wealthy Knoxville family in 1899, Hazen was the first woman to file suit … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville, Media, Politics | 5 Comments

Barbara Dooley on life, football and “Precious”

Barbara Dooley, the mother of UT football coach Derek Dooley and the wife of legendary University of Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley, says her son has her under a gag order in Knoxville — she’s not allowed to … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, UT sports | 6 Comments

The Knoxville Area Urban League fights racism every day — but takes time out to party, as well

It’s been more than a week and I still can’t get that darned song out of my head! I was among the some 800 people at the Knoxville Convention Center last Thursday to hear two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson bring … Continue reading

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

Haslam slam-dunk has hometown crowd thinking big

I wondered if I were the only one thinking it. Then I heard the woman beside me almost whisper it under her breath as she watched Bill Haslam on the TV monitor delivering his acceptance speech Tuesday night. “Do we … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Politics | 4 Comments