Patios, porches and rooftops: another downtown progressive dinner and another pair of targets!

Alan Carmichael munches a tiny lamb lollipop at sunset under a stunning sculpture on Tim Young's rooftop at The Gallery condos.

Alan Carmichael munches a tiny lamb lollipop at dusk under a stunning sculpture on Tim Young's rooftop at The Gallery condos.

Success just makes us bolder! As regular Blue Streak readers know, some of us downtowners are determined to convince all our friends to move here, too! Our strategy is to seduce them by inviting them to join us on one (or more) of our downtown progressive dinners. Since we already have successfully recruited one couple this way — Bruce and Monique Anderson — we are heady with a feeling of invincibility! There is no stopping us!

Actually, our friends are moving downtown faster than we can recruit them! Since our last downtown progressive dinner in February (click here for a report on that one), our friend Tim Young has purchased a fabulous new downtown condo (he previously was leasing downtown) and our pal Eddie Mannis has bought the penthouse in the Glencoe. (A photo of it also is included in that February blog post.)

To take advantage of the beautiful weather, our theme for last Friday’s progressive dinner was patios, porches and rooftops. Our newest targets: federal judge Tom Varlan and his sweet wife, Danni, of Children’s Hospital. “I’d move downtown in a heartbeat,” Danni said. “He’s a tough nut, though.” Well, we will see about that!

First stop on our progressive dinner was at 6 p.m. at our condo at Cherokee Lofts. Because our entire condo building shares the courtyard, we invited all our neighbors to drop by during our part of the evening. We were happy that several took us up on the invitation.

Here is our courtyard. Way at the end are Alan and our neighbor Stuart Morrison, who actually lives in the Cunningham (with the maroon door). Stuart and his wife, Lisa, planted the pretty garden.

Here is our courtyard. Way at the end are Alan and our neighbor Stuart Morrison, who actually lives in the Cunningham (with the maroon door). Stuart and his wife, Lisa, planted the pretty garden.

Stuart and Lisa actually run a horse farm in Blount County and just use the downtown condo as a retreat, of sorts. They are offering it for short-term high-end rental. Click here to look at its interior. Feel free to share the link if you know anyone who might be interested in leasing it.

Our signature cocktail for our stop was a watermelon martini. They were hugely popular. We used the fruit from two whole watermelons -- and still ran out. Luckilly, we had beer and wine as backups.

Our signature cocktail for our stop was a watermelon martini. They were hugely popular. We used the fruit from two whole watermelons -- and still ran out. Luckily, we had beer and wine as backups.

Waiting our guests' arrival

Waiting our guests' arrival

It was not a long wait! From left, Danni Varlan, Gay Lyons and Stuart

It was not a long wait! From left, Danni Varlan, Gay Lyons and Stuart

Tim Young, left, and Bill Lyons

Tim Young, left, and Bill Lyons

Monique Anderson, left, and Mickey Mallonee

Monique Anderson, left, and Mickey Mallonee

Our neighbor, Lindsay Stegall, a newlywed. (She is holding a drink for her husband, Thomas, in case you were wondering why she has a glass in each hand!)

Our neighbor, Lindsay Stegall, a newlywed. (She is holding a drink for her husband, Thomas, in case you were wondering why she has a glass in each hand!)

We served creamy chicken and bacon puffs.

We served creamy chicken and bacon puffs.

And my favorite, the Barefoot Contessa's caviar dip with gourmet potato chips. We nestled the dip in a bowl of ice to keep it cool, which worked out great.

And my favorite, the Barefoot Contessa's caviar dip with gourmet potato chips. We nestled the dip in a bowl of ice to keep it cool, which worked out great.

Before we knew it, it was 7 p.m. and time to move to our next stop, the Andersons' place at The Glencoe. Here we are headed that way on Church Avenue.

Before we knew it, it was 7 p.m. and time to move to our next stop, the Andersons' place at The Glencoe. Here we are headed that way on Church Avenue.

Monique was pouring wine when we got there! Pinot grigio, thank goodness. (I hate chardonnay.)

Monique was pouring wine when we got there! Pinot grigio, thank goodness. (I hate chardonnay.)

We served ourselves in the kitchen and moved out to this lovely porch to eat. The porch overlooks First Presbyterian Church and its charming cemetery.

We served ourselves in the kitchen and moved out to this lovely porch to eat. The porch overlooks First Presbyterian Church and its charming cemetery.

I sat with Gay, Tim and Bill in another inviting eating area of the porch.

I sat with Gay, Tim and Bill in another inviting eating area of the porch.

Eddie Mannis caught up with us at this point. He had had to drop in at another event.

Eddie Mannis caught up with us at this point. He had had to drop in at another event. Here he is with Danni.

Monique served these spicy little drumettes. Yum.

Monique served these spicy little drumettes. Yum.

The Barefoot Contessa's guacamole

The Barefoot Contessa's guacamole

And some of the most delicious chicken quesadillas I've ever had!

And some of the most delicious chicken quesadillas I've ever had!

Bruce and Monique's son, John, made this stunning vase when he was in high school. These lilies are just perfect in it!

Bruce and Monique's son, John, made this stunning vase when he was in high school. Don't you think these lilies are just perfect in it?

Holy cow! Eight o'clock came so quickly! We had to press on.

Holy cow! Eight o'clock came so quickly! We had to press on.

We took Clinch Avenue to cut over to Gay Street and Bill Snyder, the Tennessee Theatre's famous organist, popped out of the side door of the theater!

We took Clinch Avenue to cut over to Gay Street and Bill Snyder, the Tennessee Theatre's famous organist, popped out of the side door of the theater!

So did the Tennessee's operations manager, Tom Bugg. He and Mickey are quite friendly, as you can see!

So did the Tennessee's operations manager, Tom Bugg. He and Mickey are quite friendly, as you can see!

Once we got to Gay Street, we stopped to greet friends at the Downtown Grille and Brewery. Bill is talking to Scott Barker of the News Sentinel. Scott McNutt is to the right. And photographer Gary Heatherly has his back to the camera. Come on, guys, get a move on!

Once we got to Gay Street, we stopped to greet friends at the Downtown Grill and Brewery. Bill is talking to Scott Barker of the News Sentinel. Scott McNutt is to the right. And photographer Gary Heatherly has his back to the camera. Come on, guys, get a move on!

OK, back on track on Gay Street.

OK, back on track on Gay Street.

We finally made it to the breezeway that allows access to The Gallery lofts, above Mast General Store, where Tim lives..

We finally made it to the breezeway that allows access to The Gallery lofts, above Mast General Store, where Tim lives.

Wow! Look at Tim's living room!

Wow! Look at Tim's living room!

I love this painting. So happy!

I love this painting. So happy!

We went out on the porch, and Tim pointed out various sights.

We went out on the porch, and Tim pointed out various sights.

Like the historic Cowan building that is in danger of "destruction by neglect," according to Knox Heritage.

Like the historic Cal Johnson building that is in danger of "demolition by neglect," according to Knox Heritage.

Look at this dramatic design on Tim's bedroom wall! (Don't ask me what Alan's up to!)

Look at this dramatic design on Tim's bedroom wall! (Don't ask me what Alan's up to!)

Tim, the CEO of Summit Medical Group, is one of the most high-powered company executives in town. So I was really touched to see that he has a romantic side.

Tim, the CEO of Summit Medical Group, is one of the most high-powered company executives in town. So I was really touched to see that he has a romantic side.

Frenzy belongs to Tim's two daughters. Isn't she pretty?

Frenzie belongs to Tim's two daughters. Isn't she pretty?

I just posted this photo so I can promote the blog by saying, "See picture of Danni Varlan in the shower!" Ha.

I just posted this photo so I can promote the blog by saying, "See picture of Danni Varlan in the shower!" Ha.

Yikes! We were running behind! But, to tell the truth, we weren't overly stressed about it.

Yikes! We were running behind! But, to tell the truth, we weren't overly stressed about it.

On the way to the roof where we were to dine, we passed through this room. Anybody else read "Fifty Shades of Grey?" I was a little concerned this might be a torture device!

On the way to the roof where we were to dine, we passed through this room. Anybody else read "Fifty Shades of Grey?" I was a little concerned this might be a torture device!

He even reminded me of the character Christian Grey as he offered to demonstrate the equipment!

He even reminded me of the character Christian Grey as he offered to demonstrate the equipment!

Then he proved it WAS a torture device! (Just a different kind of torture than in the book!)

Then he proved it WAS a torture device! (Just a different kind of torture than in the book!)

We finally make it to the roof and Tim grabs the -- yay! -- pinot grigio! (Not a drop of chardonnay in sight!)

We finally make it to the roof and Tim grabs the -- yay! -- pinot grigio! (Not a drop of chardonnay in sight!)

Tim also offers a signature cocktail: a John Daly. It is sweet tea vodka and lemonade -- sugar free, of course, for health reasons! Love.

Tim also offers a signature cocktail: a John Daly. It is sweet tea vodka and lemonade -- sugar free, of course, for health reasons! Love the way he thinks!

Relaxing on the roof

Relaxing on the roof

Bill talks to our target, Tom Varlan.

Bill talks to our target, Tom Varlan.

Cardamom rubbed rack of lamb with expresso jus over almond cous-cous with poached cherries! Wow.

Cardamom rubbed rack of lamb with expresso jus over almond cous-cous with poached cherries! Wow.

My favorite bite of the night: caramelized apples with gorgonzola and toasted walnuts on baquette toast points.Tim hired caterer Nancy Kendrick's company, Creative Catering, and they did a splendid job.

My favorite bite of the night: caramelized apples with gorgonzola and toasted walnuts on baguette toast points. Tim hired caterer Nancy Kendrick's company, Creative Catering, and they did a splendid job.

Mayor Madeline Rogero joined us when her Tennessee Municipal League dinner at the Knoxville Convention Center was over. We headed down Gay Street to our next stop at Kendrick Place.

Mayor Madeline Rogero joined us when her Tennessee Municipal League dinner at the Knoxville Convention Center was over. We headed down Gay Street to our next stop at Kendrick Place.

With just one more stop, we were doing pretty well time-wise.

With just one more stop, we were doing pretty well time-wise.

If you go to Bill ! and Gay Lyons' condo at Kendrick Place, you WILL climb stairs -- the place is four stories! We headed to the roof.

If you go to Bill and Gay Lyons' condo at Kendrick Place, you WILL climb stairs -- the place is four stories! We headed to the roof.

The balsamic strawberries were tasty.

The balsamic strawberries were mighty tasty.

But the chocolate bacon was unbelievable! That's mascerated pink grapefruit in the center.

But the chocolate bacon was unbelievable! That's mascerated pink grapefruit in the center.

It was a beautiful night to be on a downtown rooftop.

It was a beautiful night to be on a downtown rooftop.

We were all back in our individual downtown homes by 11. I hope we made a good impression on Danni and Tom. Will keep you posted.

Note: Click here for info about the historic Cal Johnson building that is in danger of “demolition by neglect.”

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

19 Responses to Patios, porches and rooftops: another downtown progressive dinner and another pair of targets!

  1. Gay Lyons, on June 11th, 2012 at 11:50 am said:

    Just when you think these can’t be any more fun than the last one, we manage to prove ourselves wrong. We may be able to count Eddie Mannis as a successful recruit. He had his first tour of the penthouse at the Glencoe during the last progressive. I think Danni’s sold; let’s work on Tom. We’d like to be their neighbors–again.

  2. monique anderson, on June 11th, 2012 at 12:07 pm said:

    Wow! Those pictures are great. And, that’s how much fun it was. Thanks everyone. We had a fabulous time and can’t wait for the next one!!!

  3. Mickey Mallonee, on June 11th, 2012 at 1:08 pm said:

    It was great. Better and better everytime. Cynthia, you really know your PR job. If you keep this up we will need more lofts downtown. What a problem to have, right?

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on June 11th, 2012 at 1:14 pm said:

    Ha, Mickey! That is great problem! Gay and Monique: Great sharing host duties with you!

  5. Tim Young, on June 11th, 2012 at 1:46 pm said:

    Great coverage Cynthia…..felt like I was re-living Friday’s events. Great food and time with friends. I’m already looking forward to our next downtown gathering.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on June 11th, 2012 at 3:29 pm said:

    Your place is fantastic, Tim! And so is your cat!

  7. Bill Lyons, on June 11th, 2012 at 4:47 pm said:

    Maybe the cats can have a downtown progressive dinner. Rexie, Caesar, and Frenzie would be quite a trio and they can find a suburban cat to recruit. .

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on June 11th, 2012 at 5:04 pm said:

    Good idea. Plus, maybe Caesar and Frenzie can teach Rexie to be more sociable!

  9. Fay Bailey, on June 11th, 2012 at 6:15 pm said:

    Looks like fun – Fay

  10. Celeste Herbert, on June 11th, 2012 at 6:38 pm said:

    This makes me want to move downtown!

  11. Linda Underwood, on June 11th, 2012 at 8:17 pm said:

    Oh, I would just love to live downtown. This looks like such a fun evening. Trying my best to get Al to want it as much as I do! Living in the suburbs is convenient, but downtown life would bring a new dimension to our lives!

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on June 11th, 2012 at 8:34 pm said:

    Celeste and Linda: I know both of you fairly well and, trust me, you would absolutely love it! There is something to do all the time — or you can just stay in your cool condo and not do anything at all. It’s great to have a choice. When we lived in Sequoyah Hills, I loved our house. But when I went there after work, I always wondered what I was missing downtown. Now I don’t have to wonder!

  13. Nora Robinson, on June 12th, 2012 at 2:55 pm said:

    As a new resident of Tennessee, and a new condo-owner downtown, I can’t wait to meet more people and help look for more suburban “converts.”

  14. Glo Marquis, on June 12th, 2012 at 4:42 pm said:

    Oh, y’all have the best time!!! But our little granddaughters live at Kensington…If we lived downtown, I wouldn’t get to keep them as much……I lived in Old Town Alexandria,Va., for about six years, and the life style there was very much like what y’all do! When Elaine lived in one of the West’s lofts over Oodles, she had a blast! Maybe one day!!!!

  15. Danni Varlan, on June 13th, 2012 at 3:12 pm said:

    It was a fabulous evening. The food was delicious and well-paced so that you did not get too full along the way. The cocktails were adventurous and delicious. Most of all, it was fun to just wander around with great friends from place to place. I could get into being able to visit with good friends any time I wanted to without driving anywhere. PLEASE TOM!!!

  16. Georgiana Vines, on June 15th, 2012 at 10:07 am said:

    It’s a good thing you had some walking to you. Otherwise, by the looks of the food, you’d be putting on weight. I’m impressed Tim has his place in order. I still have boxes in my office and I moved to Crown Court in the YMCA building 11 months ago.

  17. Cynthia Moxley, on June 15th, 2012 at 11:20 am said:

    Nora: We are so glad to have you downtown. We will keep you informed as we plan upcoming outings! Glo: I understand what you are saying about the grandchildren. But wouldn’t they love to visit their cool grandmother in her cool downtown loft?? Danni: We will all need to keep the pressure on Tom! I hope he had as much fun as the rest of us did! Georgiana: We have lived downtown two years and we still have boxes in our storage area! Oh, well. At least we are having fun!

  18. Janet Perkins, on July 27th, 2012 at 7:25 am said:

    I guess with this article, I’m encouraged to move there! Haha. It seems like you guys are having fun and you’re really down to earth so, why not?

  19. Cynthia Moxley, on July 27th, 2012 at 7:34 am said:

    Janet: We would love to have you as a neighbor!

Leave a Reply