Oasis springs up in midst of “Extreme” madness

Last week, the Robinson Road build site of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” was a muddy, cold mess. Heavy machines were slipping and sliding. People were falling down in slippery muck. There really was nowhere to go to get your feet on solid ground — until it froze!
But, starting late Thursday, a little oasis sprang up. [...]

Our kind of New Year’s!

For the past 11 years, we have been celebrating News Year’s Eve with two other couples: Richard and Dawn Ford and Jackie and Ray Fisher. Sometimes we go out to eat, sometimes we go to a party, and sometimes we watch the ball drop at Market Square.
This year we did all three. And we saw [...]

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” subcontractors bond at reception prior to Knoxville project

I hope you have heard by now that the Emmy-winning ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is coming to Knoxville to build a home for a deserving family next month. This is the show that enlists tons of community volunteers and donated materials and — while the selected family is whisked away for a [...]

Knoxvillians hear fun history and check in with former mayor during visit to Governor’s Residence

One of the hardest things to get used to after being elected Tennessee governor, according to Gov. Bill Haslam, is not being able to ride in a car alone with his wife, Crissy. “Just think about it,” Haslam commented over dinner recently.

Pilot Celebrity Pumpers raise funds — and spirits

The annual Pilot Pumpers fundraiser for the United Way last month raised a record $63,478. Here’s the deal: during the three-day promotion at all area Pilot convenience stores, Pilot donates to United Way five cents for every gallon of gas sold and 10 percent of all in-store sales. To drum up interest in the event [...]

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Let the good times roll — every year! The Mardi Gras themed Summer Supper fundraiser benefiting Knox Heritage last Friday was such a rousing success that the non-profit preservation group has decided to make it an annual event.
Here’s what happened. About 80 guests and 40 host committee members gathered in the courtyard of Kendrick Place [...]

Thanks to our favorite targets!

We threw a little cocktail party the other day to thank all those patient souls who have been on The Blue Streak the most during the past year. Without the cooperation of all the folks who patiently pose for the photos, this blog would not be possible.

Knoxville goes to the dogs!

Dog Fancy magazine, the world’s most widely read dog magazine, has named Knoxville the most dog-friendly city in the Southeast. The city’s “Dogtown USA” designation will be included in the next issue of the magazine which hits newsstands Aug. 23.
“We’re so excited for Knoxville’s pet community,” said Randy Boyd, president and CEO of Knoxville-based Radio [...]

Political year gives Follies plenty of material

Election years always provide the best material for the good folks from the Society of Professional Journalists who are writing and producing the annual Front Page Follies shows. The shows, performed largely by local journalists and PR people, are designed to raise money for journalism scholarships. The strategy: Serve cocktails and dinner. Have an auction. [...]

Boy, was Biscuitfest a blast!

There were pizza biscuits, bologna biscuits, orange cranberry streusel biscuits, and biscuits with jalapenos in them. There were celebrity chefs, including Michelle Bernstein and Nathalie Dupree, in addition to our own great chefs from Blackberry Farm. There were cooking demonstrations, bake-offs and a Mr. and Miss Biscuit contest. A $150-per-ticket dinner Friday and a $125-per-ticket [...]