Saturday in Knoxville dawned overcast and drizzly, but our spirits were not dampened. We knew we were about to embark on the “Bloody Mary March,” our own name for the monthly Market Square Mixer, which is a contest among downtown restaurants to see who can make the best cocktail.
The type of drink for the contest [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville | 7 Comments »

In the morning last Saturday, I witnessed scores of volunteers of all races come together in a huge event to help the less fortunate — also of all races.
In the afternoon, I stood on Market Square and watched hate mongers shout “White Power!” while surrounded by police and counter-protesters.
The contrast could not have been more [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Politics | 3 Comments »

Today is the last day for us in the glass tower that has been our home for the past 15 years. It’s moving day and we are taking our toys and moving from First Tennessee Plaza, the tallest building in downtown, to the Miller’s Building, about four blocks north on Gay Street.
I will explain the reasons [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Historic preservation, Journalism, Public Relations | 12 Comments »

You didn’t, did you? That’s what I was afraid of. Sigh.
A swarm is a group of people (hopefully 50) trying to earn the “swarm” badge on the social networking site Foursquare. There was an attempt Thursday by a group on Market Square to earn that badge. But, doomed by confusion and perhaps a little impatience, [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, New media | 12 Comments »

If you stay flexible, sometimes great opportunities come along.
I was reminded of this last week when I picked up a voice message Wednesday evening from my friend Gay Lyons. “Call me as soon as you can,” the message said. “I want to invite you to a really interesting party at my house on Friday.”
I thought, “Oh, no. I won’t [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Media, New media | 5 Comments »

This has been a stressful week at Moxley Carmichael. We had an important vote at County Commission on Monday (which we won, thankfully). We had the big Pilot announcement on Wednesday. (Glad that’s over.) Plus a million other things, including some new business presentations, which tend to get me keyed up.
That’s why I was glad [...]

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

He seems like an open book. But downtown developer David Dewhirst is a man with secrets! At least he was until last Friday when he led about 40 Knox Heritage supporters on the 2010 “Downtown Secret Supper” tour — and spilled the beans about some of his latest plans.
Here’s what we found out:

Behind the buildings [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 7 Comments »

Landscape architect Sara Hedstrom loves downtown Knoxville. That’s where she chose to open her business, Hedstrom Design. But she selected a rustic location this weekend for her wedding, which was both gorgeous and fun. She and Ben Pinnell committed what the minister, the Rev. George Doebler, described as “an irrational act,” by marrying on Saturday evening [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville | 2 Comments »

How does a workaholic artist relax? By making more art, of course!
Julie Bernal, 27, works 40-hour weeks at Moxley Carmichael as a graphic designer. Her clients include Pilot, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Young-Williams Animal Center, Premier Surgical Associates and many other members of our great, high-profile client list. Julie designs

Filed under: Art, Downtown, Media | 7 Comments »

The McCarthys have moved to Loudon County. Andie Ray has sold Vagabondia. Robert Loest has passed away. And I’m afraid we are about to lose another downtown icon: Taylor, the downtown rose guy.
Oddly, although downtown seems to be booming, Taylor says business is down for him. He says he is selling fewer flowers this year [...]

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville | 4 Comments »