Category Archives: Politics

The Blue Streak goes to the inaugural — and parties in Nashville with half of Knoxville! Yay!

I had only been to one inauguration before this weekend: Bill Clinton’s. It wasn’t that much fun. We tromped around in the cold rain only to end up packed into a warehouse-like space where the closest we got to food … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Politics | 7 Comments

Business crowd likes what it sees as new UT prez is introduced at a packed downtown gathering

• “He said all the right things.” • “He seems like a good guy. And he’s from UT!” • “He doesn’t seem like a loose cannon!” Those were some of the comments heard in the crowd of nearly 300 business … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Business, Downtown, Events, Historic preservation, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Music, Politics, Public Relations, UT sports | 1 Comment

Goodbye to Regas, a special friend to me

I took a reporter to Regas a while back and was flabbergasted when he said he’d never been there before. I don’t think I could have had a reporting or a business career if it had not been for Regas … Continue reading

Filed under: Business, Downtown, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Politics, Public Relations | 13 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

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

Duncan Family Barbecue: Political picnic on steroids

Ten thousand guests. Eleven hundred pounds of barbecued pork. Two thousand pounds of fried chicken. Bluegrass music. Patriotic music. Old rock-and-roll. New rock-and-roll. And the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. Face painting. Balloon animals. A magician. Popcorn and ice … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Media, Music, Politics | 3 Comments

Con Hunley wows ’em at the fair; explains from experience what’s really important in life

You know I really like Con Hunley if I’m willing to go to the Tennessee Valley Fair to see him! I haven’t been to the fair since, well, the last time Con Hunley played there! I can’t for the life … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Music, Politics | 5 Comments

Knoxville hosts both hate and generosity on Saturday

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 … Continue reading

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

Yes, yes, yes!

I don’t know why I was worried, but I was. I guess it’s because I’ve seen the electorate do so many wrong-headed things (as they did in at least one case in Knox County last night — but that’s not my story … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Politics | 14 Comments

Urban League conference marked by hope and tears; 13 Knoxvillians leave D.C. with lifelong memories

Some of us (including me!) shook President Obama’s hand. We cried when national treasure, poet Maya Angelou, recited a poem about slavery and black history with rapper Common. We were astounded to see the media crush around Congressman Charles Rangel, … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Politics | 8 Comments