Blue Streakers take a ‘dive’

Moxley Carmichael's Lauren Miller awards to booby prize -- a bottle of chardonnay -- to Chef Joseph Lenn, who came in last place in the pop quiz. (He's still a winner in our book, though!)

Moxley Carmichael’s Lauren Miller awards the booby prize — a bottle of chardonnay — to Chef Joseph Lenn, who came in last place in the pop quiz. (He’s still a winner in our book, though!)

Because the Blue Streak would not be possible without the cooperation of hundreds (at least) of Knoxvillians who patiently stop in the middle of partying to pose for photos and chat at events, we like to reward them from time to time.

We did that recently with a thank you party at Sweets P’s Downtown Dive, a new downtown restaurant that also is a Moxley Carmichael client. The guest list was made up of those who have been on the Blue Streak the most times in the past year or so.

We knew they would love the food — pulled pork and chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans and banana pudding — and the cool music by Slow Blind Hill, Jr., which was lined up by Sweet P’s proprietor, Chris Ford. But just to add a little more interest to the evening, we had a pop quiz — with prizes. It was to see who knew the most about the Blue Streak.

The winners went home with bottles of the Blue Streak’s favorite wine, pinot grigio, and the biggest loser took home a bottle of our least favorite wine, chardonnay!

If you’d like to take the quiz, read on. Answers will be at the end. Unfortunately, though, we’ve given away all the wine!

  1. Where is the Blue Streak’s favorite beach?
    1. Kiawah Island, S.C.
    2. Myrtle Beach, S.C.
    3. Gulf Shores, Ala.
    4. Nantucket
  2. What was the subject (by far) of the Blue Streak’s most popular post this past year?
    1. The best restaurant in Knoxville
    2. The best martini in Knoxville
    3. A scandalous divorce
    4. Racism in Knoxville
  3. What animal, featured at Zoofari this year, has put the Knoxville Zoo on the international zoological map for its work with them?
    1. Gorillas
    2. Red pandas
    3. Elephants
    4. Komodo dragons
  4. In April, the Blue Streak wrote about a race in World’s Fair Park featuring what kind of animal?
    1. Dachshunds
    2. Llamas
    3. Ostriches
    4. Frogs
  5. Which city did the Blue Streak NOT visit during the past year?
    1. Atlanta
    2. Prague
    3. Houston
    4. New York
  6. What is Jim Haslam’s favorite fundraiser?
    1. L’Amour du Vin at the Knoxville Museum of Art
    2. Dinner at Blackberry Farm featuring KSO musicians
    3. The Opera Ball
    4. The Tocqueville Society dinner for United Way
  7. A well-known Italian chef, Luciano Parolari, was a guest at a party at Bette and Richard Bryan’s house this past year. He is known as:
    1. The King of Risotto
    2. The Prince of Pasta
    3. The Earl of Ossobuco
    4. The Lord of Linguini
  8. What visiting television celebrity told those gathered to meet him that Knoxville is “a kick-ass town?”
    1. Jack Maxwell of the Travel Channel’s “Booze Traveler”
    2. Jack Hanna of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild”
    3. Don Short of Scripps Networks’ “West End Salvage”
    4. Nobody said that.
  9. What is the Blue Streak’s favorite wine?
    1. Pinot grigio
    2. Chardonnay
    3. Prosecco
    4. Sauvignon blanc
  10. Name the two-time Tony award-winning actor (who also has been nominated for an Emmy Award) who has appeared on the Blue Streak numerous times this year.
Moxley Carmichael's digital media manager, John McCulley, was ready to welcome guests to the party.

Moxley Carmichael’s digital media manager, John McCulley, was ready to welcome guests to the party.

I think I startled our CFO, Shaun Fulco Hyver, with this photo.

I think I startled our CFO, Shaun Fulco Hyver, with this photo.

Moxley Carmichael Chrissy Hughes, left, and Erin Rainey were giving out name tags. A number on each tag indicated how many times that guest had appeared on the blog in the past year.

Moxley Carmichael interns Chrissy Hughes, left, and Erin Rainey were giving out name tags. A number on each tag indicated how many times that guest had appeared on the blog in the past year.

Erin Donovan of Visit Knoxville and Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director David Butler.

Erin Donovan of Visit Knoxville and Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director David Butler.

City Councilman Duane Grieve and Mary Bogert, general manager of the Knoxville Convention Center.

City Councilman Duane Grieve and Mary Bogert, general manager of the Knoxville Convention Center.

Intern Cortney Roark, left, administers to pop quiz to Dawn Ford. The quiz was proctored this year because we actually had cheaters last year! Ha!

Intern Cortney Roark, left, administers the pop quiz to Dawn Ford. The quiz was proctored this year because we actually had cheaters last year! Ha!

Duane Grieve and Sarah Stowers sit down for the test.

Duane Grieve and Sarah Stowers sit down for the test.

From left, Jennifer Holder, Bruce Anderson, City Councilman Finbarr Saunders and Ellen Bebb.

From left, Jennifer Holder, Bruce Anderson, City Councilman Finbarr Saunders and Ellen Bebb.

Julia Bentley, left, and Jackie Wilson.

Julia Bentley, left, and Jackie Wilson.

We had a good turnout of top Knoxville chefs! From left, Chris Ford, Holly Hambright and Joseph Lenn.

We had a good turnout of top Knoxville chefs! From left, Chris Ford, Holly Hambright and Joseph Lenn.

And then, Knox Mason's Matt Gallaher arrived. Here he is at left with Dino Cartwright and Holly.

And then, Knox Mason’s chef owner Matt Gallaher arrived. Here he is at left with Dino Cartwright and Holly.

From left, Bill Regas, Sarah Stowers and Janet Testerman Crossley.

From left, Bill Regas, Sarah Stowers and Janet Testerman Crossley.

Newlyweds Joey and Janet Testerman Creswell are still in the throes of wedded bliss!

Newlyweds Joey and Janet Testerman Creswell are still in the throes of wedded bliss!

Moxley Carmichael's creative director, Charley Sexton, and Phyllis Nichols, CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League.

Moxley Carmichael’s creative director, Charley Sexton, and Phyllis Nichols, CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League.

Slow Blind Hill, Jr.

Slow Blind Hill, Jr.

Alan Carmichael, left, with Mark and Cathy Hill.

Alan Carmichael, left, with Mark and Cathy Hill.

Michael Higdon, left, with Moxley Carmichael VP Scott Bird.

Michael Higdon, left, with Moxley Carmichael VP Scott Bird.

Rachel Ford, left, joins Phyllis and Jim Nichols.

Rachel Ford, left, joins Phyllis and Jim Nichols.

Bartender Blake Gibson takes care of Shaun.

Bartender Blake Gibson takes care of Shaun.

Sam Juede takes care of me!

Sam Juede takes care of me!

Monique Anderson, left, with Bill and Gay Lyons.

Monique Anderson, left, with Bill and Gay Lyons.

Matt Gallaher, left, with Joseph and Kathryn Powell-Lenn.

Matt Gallaher, left, with Joseph and Kathryn Powell-Lenn.

Sweet P's co-owner Jonathan Ford with his aunt and uncle, Dawn and Richard Ford.

Sweet P’s co-owner Jonathan Ford with his aunt and uncle, Dawn and Richard Ford.

Other Sweet P's folks, from left, Josh Russell, Blake Gibson and Sam Juede.

Other Sweet P’s folks, from left, Josh Russell, Blake Gibson and Sam Juede.

We noted how many times folks had been on the Blue Streak by putting their "score" on their name tags.

We noted how many times folks had been on the Blue Streak by putting their “score” on their name tags.

Jim tried to cheat. Ha.

Jim tried to cheat by turning his upside down! Ha.

From left, Erica Beck, Maria Cornelius, Crystal and John McCulley and Angie Wilson. Erica, Maria and John are with Moxley Carmichael.

From left, Erica Beck, Maria Cornelius, Crystal and John McCulley and Angie Wilson. Erica, Maria and John are with Moxley Carmichael.

Holly Hambright, left, and Lisa McCoig.

Holly Hambright, left, and Lisa McCoig.

Gary Bentley with Erin Rainey, left, and Chrissy Hughes.

Gary Bentley with Erin Rainey, left, and Chrissy Hughes.

City Councilman Duane and Marsha Grieve.

City Councilman Duane and Marsha Grieve.

From left, Sam Gutterman, Charlie Pogue and Chris Ford.

From left, Sam Gutterman, Charlie Pogue and Chris Ford.

Mother and son.

Mother and son.

Angie Wilson and Dino Cartwright.

Angie Wilson and Dino Cartwright.

Bill Lyons, left, with Bruce Anderson.

Bill Lyons, left, with Bruce Anderson.

The winners! These ladies tied for first place in the trivia contest. They shared first prize, so each took home a bottle of Primaterra pinot grigio. Yum.

The winners! These ladies tied for first place in the trivia contest. They shared first prize, so each took home a bottle of Primaterra pinot grigio. Yum. Congrats to, from left, Phyllis Nichols, Gay Lyons and Dawn Ford.

Julia Bentley took hope second place -- and two bottles of Primaterra.

Julia Bentley took home second place — and two bottles of Primaterra. (She actually tied for second place with Rachel Ford, Jennifer Holder and Mickey Mallonee. She won the wine in a tie-breaking drawing.)

Four guests also tied for third place: Monique Anderson, Margie Nichols, Angie Wilson and Jim Nichols. Thanks to everyone for playing!

The MoxCar gang, from left: Amy Barger, Erica Beck, Lauren Miller, Shaun Fulco Hyver, Alan Carmichael, Natalie Bailey, Amanda Jennings, Maria Cornelius, Charley Sexton, John McCulley, Cortney Roark, Erin Rainey and Chrissy Hughes. Thanks, everybody!

The MoxCar gang, from left: Amy Barger, Erica Beck, Lauren Miller, Shaun Fulco Hyver, Alan Carmichael, Natalie Bailey, Amanda Jennings, Maria Cornelius, Charley Sexton, John McCulley, Cortney Roark, Erin Rainey and Chrissy Hughes. Thanks, everybody!

OK, without further ado, here are the answers to the quiz:

  1. Gulf Shores
  2. Racism in Knoxville
  3. Red pandas
  4. Llamas
  5. Atlanta
  6. Dinner at Blackberry Farm
  7. King of Risotto
  8. Don Short of “West End Salvage”
  9. Pinot grigio
  10. John Cullum

I didn’t do such a great job capturing everyone in the photos. Here are some folks I missed taking pics of: Former Knoxville Mayor Daniel Brown and his wife, Cathy; Peter Acly; Mickey Mallonee; City Councilman Marshall Stair and Margie Nichols. And, who knows? Maybe others. (It’s hard to take pictures at your own party!)

 

 

Filed under: Business, Downtown, Food, Knoxville, Public Relations. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Blue Streakers take a ‘dive’

  1. Lauren Miller, on December 2nd, 2015 at 3:26 pm said:

    Several people beyond the MoxCar team wore their Blue Streak blue! What a fun group.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on December 2nd, 2015 at 3:30 pm said:

    Yep, Lauren. Blue Streakers definitely like to embrace a theme!

  3. Georgiana Vines, on December 2nd, 2015 at 5:22 pm said:

    This was the night before I left for Rome and I figured I had better not party so didn’t attend. I would have won the chardonnay on the quiz, much to my surprise. Thought I kept up with Blue Streak better. But unlike you, it’s my favorite white wine!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on December 3rd, 2015 at 8:54 am said:

    Well, Georgiana: There’s always next year!

  5. monique anderson, on December 3rd, 2015 at 9:57 am said:

    Love your Blue Streak Party!

Leave a Reply