Nathan’s Journey

Getting My Soul Back: Learning About Love, Intent, and Faith

Story by Nathan Sparks

Early in life, I was unconsciously indoctrinated into the adult system of reward and punishment. When I did what my parents wanted, I was told and believed that I was good and vice versa. It wasn’t that the adults were maliciously manipulating me, they were trying to save me from disappointment while making their lives easier.

I resisted being told to blindly follow rules—intuitively at first, then with stubbornness and anger. Simple rules such as, “Don’t set your goals too high or you might be disappointed,” “don’t rock the boat,” and “this is a good as it gets” encouraged fear and mediocrity. Young and innocent, I naively believed those rules, and became less wild and free.

The rules made no sense to me. Why would I want to set my sights low, only to get that? If that’s all, why bother? Why would we want to aspire to follow other people’s dreams? The old saying often echoed from within me long into my adult life, “If I’m not the lead horse, the view is all the same.”

I was never perfectly clear on what I wanted in life, but I was damn sure of what I didn’t, well at least I thought so. My resentment of authority often blinded me, and as a result, I have made mistakes—a lot of mistakes. What I really wanted was to find my authentic self, not the person I was told to and pretending to be.

As a child, I fought against the “brainwashing” with anger—the only tool I had. But that reactive nature created discord in my relationships. I wasn’t about to let anyone stop me from becoming the person I wanted to be and getting what I wanted, no matter what the cost. I was bullheaded, arrogant, and often insensitive to the feelings of others. My “victories” were hollow and short lived. I wasn’t happy, and in retrospect, I could have chosen a much easier and less destructive path.

I made my first attempt to be admired, respected and get ahead when I was twelve. I became a child entrepreneur, selling sugar-rushes and smiles to schoolmates by means of 25 cent Charms Blow Pops. And, I did this knowing that it was absolutely against school policy.

When the short, stocky man with his high and tight flat top who called himself The Principal slammed my locker shut and screamed like a marine drill sergeant while his neck twitched to an inaudible tango, I knew I was in for some corporal punishment.

It wasn’t my first run-in with authority, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be my last. Looking back, I wish that I had understood who or what the real enemy was, as it is clear now that I had gotten it all wrong.

But junior high was just a turning point, and my misperception of the problem (or enemy) became deeply-embedded in my being during my more than 105 beatings during grade school. Being treated like that really sucked, but it taught me a lesson. I could survive anything. I also became angry and doubtful of people’s intentions. And although I never intended for it to, the anger and doubt stayed with me for a long time.

I had once again allowed the judgements of the adults around me, who said I was a failure, to be my truth too. Consequently, I spent much of my life trying to prove to others that I could succeed. No matter what the challenge, I was game. Each experience, successful or not, brought me closer to my goal at the time; financial abundance. I saw success as being measured by money and assets. Again, I was fighting the wrong enemy. Although there is nothing wrong with financial success, it is not an achievement that will create true happiness in life. After achieving financial success and fi nding only fleeting happiness, I learned that true happiness comes from learning how to give and receive love, having good intentions and choosing faith over everything else.

Learning to choose faith has been my hardest lesson to learn, and I am still learning.

My father wasn’t a church going man, so our family didn’t attend services. Dad believed that God was in nature. I did however, experiencing different denominations by means of attending church with my friends. One fateful day while at Sunday service with a friend, I was coaxed to my feet to walk to the front of the church and be saved. Several of us children were then escorted to a small room where a man came to tell us that we needed to take Jesus into our heart and be saved.

He also said that this was our only chance and that if we didn’t follow his instruction we would burn in hell for eternity. Whatever his exact words were I cannot recall, but it scared me completely, and I slipped out the door and ran all the way home. I didn’t understand how an all-knowing, all-powerful God would want His creations to suffer and burn in hell for eternity. So with all of the wisdom of my pre-teen years, I parted company with God, thinking I could handle this just fine on my own. Again, I had gotten it wrong and it would be many years before I found my way back. God never gave up on me and through the years I have had many extraordinary experiences that could have only happened through the presence of God. I made it back, but the journey left a few dings in my armor for sure.

It doesn’t matter how much we do or accomplish if we’re not enjoying life and living in balance. For many years I traded balance for vices. In January of 2001, I purchased Cityview Magazine. Media life was time-consuming, and I ignored my health and enjoyment to get “the job” done. I ate poorly, drank too much, got by with little sleep and exercise. I knew that I needed to find a way to reset and adopt better habits, and deep down, I was looking for something more. I just wasn’t sure what it was.

I was looking for an “Easy Button” instead of putting in the work to truly become a multi-disciplined person of character. People offered to help, but that old mantra of mistrust kicked in and I shut them out, clouding my own mind and body with overwork, three pots of coffee a day and a few cocktails–sometimes a few more than I could remember. All the while, I was in denial of what I was doing and who I had become. I even said there was no stress, when my stress was obvious to everyone around me. And this behavior became my norm. Wow! I was the poster child for an early heart attack or worse. I had fallen prey to all those old, mediocre beliefs of my authority fi gures and I had become a disenchanted, domesticated everyman.

I had made a big mistake. I judged myself as not being worthy of my own dreams. In misery, I was not willing to admit that I could be better or that life could be better. At that time, it was more important that I believe I was right than to be truly happy. Scrooge would have been proud, but instead of a visit from a ghost, I was to be visited by something altogether different.

God never gives up, and I believe there is some of God in us all. That is the only way to explain what happened next. Someone came into my life who could see the truth in me and courageously speak it with love. Through her example and skills to navigate life, I learned there was a better way for me too. Angelique Medow’s presence and program inspired me to want to be better. Her business helps others achieve their balance. And with balance, there is no need to bury ourselves in work or escape. If her programs can help me, I’d guess they can help anyone. I haven’t made this journey easy.

Busy with her own journey to bring to the masses a set of tools to increase their willpower, recognize intuitive guidance, and overcome personal limitations, she has poured unconditional love into my perspective on myself and life. She continually encourages me to say yes to my best and find sustainable ways to say no to my old, destructive behaviors.

Her upcoming book, Nine Paths to Unwavering Willpower, will outline the paths she shares to a freer, more joyful life. Angelique defines willpower as self-acceptance as opposed to what had been my paradigm of force and control. By learning, accepting, and appreciating my deepest needs, I can continually find healthy ways to fulfill them. When I first learned of her ideas, I was skeptical. Honestly, they sounded too good to be true. But, I tagged along, thinking I was right about my unhealthy choices and this would be a good way to affirm my beliefs about my need to drive and party harder.

In retrospect, I have never been happier to be completely wrong. Although at first, the experience was analogous to dropping a cherry bomb into a hornets nest. My old beliefs rose to fight like the soldier bees of hive. But they were no match for truth and love–and one by one, they fell away and I could see the beauty in life and me. As I grew in acceptance of myself and my deepest needs, I began to appreciate who I really am. Almost miraculously, my old struggles started to simply melt away—they had lost their grip on me. I was developing a new awareness.

I believe that we can have anything if we believe strongly enough and vividly visualize how it will feel to be there. One of the most common things I experienced in my 30+ years of consulting was the resistance to change, and mostly that was due to fear. Looking at my own life, it seemed humorously ironic as I had been behaving just like my clients. And that is how I got stuck, simply afraid to change, I had held on tight to what I had, even when it wasn’t what I wanted. I had to hit my reset button to allow myself to move out of fear, criticism and judgement and into willingness, worthiness and hope.

True willingness, worthiness, and hope are fostered by good spiritual health. And my spiritual health was on “E” for empty. Angelique recommended I meet with several gifted teachers to assist me on my journey. I gotta tell you, the idea of going to “see someone” made me feel like I was admitting that something was wrong with me, and that didn’t fit in my control drama. Again, never happier to be wrong, and as they loved me through my process, I began to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined without their help.

My first meeting was with Jerzy Tworek. His ability to help me better regulate my body, mind, and emotions has worked wonders. His style of work is easy, his way is pleasant and he knows just what to do and say to help and make me feel better.

My second meeting was with Rev. George Doebler, who has decades of experience in spirituality and personal growth. Doebler jumped right into my business, challenging me on just about everything that I didn’t really want to talk about. It was diffi cult, but change is rough when we don’t want to look at who we are and what we’re doing. I was angry about being challenged, but had to admit that the introspection opened a door.

My third meeting was with Dr. Suzanne Jonas, an expert in sound therapies. I’ve always enjoyed music and I thought it might be fun as well as insightful. Jonas challenged me to read The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz. It’s a game changer for sure.

I’m also attending a weekly men’s bible study during lunch on Tuesdays. Hallerin Hilton Hill leads the group and he is a man that in my opinion doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. In a short time, I have learned so much. One of his suggestions is the five-five-five plan. Read in the word, meditate, pray, each five minutes a day. It really works.

I also decided to take steps to feel willing, worthy, and hopeful about my body. Three days a week I am in an extensive performance training program with Devin Driscoll at D1, a renowned expert in physical fi ness for athletes. I’m taking aerobic exercise from CoreChange and supplementing my nutrition with whole food products and supplements from Eddie’s Health Shoppe.

Over the next six issues, we’ll feature stories about each of the people and programs I’m implementing i n my soul journey. Check back to learn more about what I’m doing and how you can do it too.

I’m committed to this soul journey, my new way of life. I will continue making regular appointments with these and/or other practitioners as needed. I choose to be a man of true character in all areas of my life. I will make no action that is not the will of God and in the best interest of all involved. I will take time to be patient and ask what is best in every situation and should for any reason I fail I will ask forgiveness with sincerity and humility.

When I first made this commitment to myself, I took a deep breath and it felt like someone had lifted a weight off my shoulders that I had been carrying since third grade. I was more open and joyful than I had been in decades. I can honestly say that my compassion has increased, and that my level of respect and honesty is at an all-time high.

As I wholeheartedly accept this commitment, I am left with an interesting feeling of peace, contentment and joy at the soul level. From intuition, I know that doing this will bring me to a place of joy and satisfaction and love that I have always desired. In following this path, I will be living my most vivid and exciting dream, instead of living a life of “quiet desperation.” I choose a life of deep satisfaction—and you can too.

Deron Little

Story by Emily Stevens

Deron Little brings next-level aesthetics to the culinary scene. Little is the part-owner of Seasons Innovative Bar & Grill in Turkey Creek and Kitchen 919, located in the former Orangery building. Little has been doing ice carvings for the last 42 years and teaching courses to students at UT’s Culinary Institute for 20 years. “I try to teach kids to never settle for second best. Ice is like life: it’s not perfect, it’s what you make out of it.” He begins with a 320-pound block of ice and meticulously carves away, using a chainsaw, chisels, and special auger bits to create an intricate visual. Important to ice carving is the use of light. Certain cuts and angles will catch the light to produce prisms that add to the piece’s mystical beauty. Although Little still carves by hand, many modern ice sculptures are created with CNC (computer numerical control) machines. Sadly, this unique art form is slowly melting away, but Little is doing his part to keep the practice alive for future generations.

Wendy Seaward

Story by Emily Stevens

Upon close inspection, you realize that every bead is stitched individually. There are no shortcuts, no machines; the machine is the skilled hands of Wendy Seaward. A beadwork artist of 25 years, Wendy uses intricate stitches to create unique patterns and surface embellish her pieces. Each mask, which takes roughly two months to complete, is created from a cast armature of a person’s face. “Bent Perception,” the purple mask shown here, is a cast of her daughter. A mask can be expressive or concealing, she says, which plays into her inspiration for each one.

Her original inspiration, though, came from her work in Africa while in the Peace Corps. She gained her appreciation for the craft through collecting beadwork from the Swazi and Zulu cultures. “I thought it was an amazing medium and such a cool type of women’s work that was very much under appreciated.” Wendy participates in six to twelve indoor craft fairs annually and also posts about her upcoming shows and open houses on her Facebook page. For more information, visitwendyseaward.com.

Central Cinema

Story by Drew Hamilton

With the rise of movie streaming platforms, it’s easier than ever to bring media directly to the consumer. On our televisions at home, our laptops, and even our phones, there are thousands of choices at our disposal. However, convenience always comes with a cost. The communal viewing experience of the movie theater has taken a blow, but there are still those fighting to keep that experience, and independent cinema and moviehouses, alive.

Born out of the long-running Knoxville Horror Film Fest, founders William Mahaffey, Nick Huinker, and Logan Myers opened Central Cinema in Happy Holler in August of 2018. The building, which formerly was home to a silent moviehouse just over 100 years ago, is once again bringing people together to laugh, cry, and experience film as it was first intended, as a shared experience. “It’s really my passion,” says William, “to bring these films to Knoxville and show them to people.”

In addition to classics and cult favorites, the staff at Central Cinema work to curate a diverse schedule that includes newly released documentaries and independent films that will not play in any other movie theater in the region. As for the coming year, William is excited to add more family-friendly films to entice movie fans of all ages. “We’d love for more families to come and try the theater out,” he says. “The one’s that have, love it and come back.

When it comes to the preservation and promotion of film in Knoxville, Central Cinema stands at the vanguard. Located at 1205 N Central Street, you can visitcentralcinema865.comfor upcoming movies and showtimes.

Electric Darling

Story by Drew Hamilton

With local favorites The Dirty Guv’nahs operating in semi-retirement, members Kevin Hyfantis and Cosmo Holloway found themselves penning songs in need of a home; enter Electric Darling. Eager to distance themselves from lead vocal duties, they soon found a powerful female vocalist, but her tenure with the project was cut short with a move to New York City. Fortuitously, the band found salvation with the addition of local firebrand Sarah Phillips.

Steeped in crunchy guitar work that harkens back to 70’s-era Rolling Stones, there’s also a distinct hint of North Mississippi blues a la Junior Kimbrough, most prominently on their track “Love Child.” As the riff repeats, rising and tumbling back towards its beginning, it provides a hypnotic base for Phillips’ booming vocals.

The addition of this female vocalist is what makes this band work. These soulful punches give a reinforced gravitas to the distinctly Southern sounds of veteran rockers Hyfantis and Holloway.

Since they started playing two years ago, the band has already generated a buzz locally with energetic performances and carefully crafted songs. “We’ve really been hyper-focused on writing what we think is solid, great material over the past year,” says Hyfantis.

And for those hopeful for the release of new tunes, Hyfantis can confirm that they’ve recently been recording at the studio of Garrett Sale (better known as William Wild). “We’ve had some sessions. We’ve got some songs recorded,” says Hyfantis. “Our goal is to release a handful in the spring.”

If their current output is any indicator, the forecast is good for Electric Darling. Check them out atelectricdarling.spaceand look for live dates in Knoxville, Nashville, and Atlanta in the coming months.

Political Money Talks

Story by George Korda

The American public, news media, and political candidates themselves have something in common when it comes to money’s influence in politics: they’re consistently inconsistent.

Every election cycle features two certainties: one, public and media complaints about money having too much influence in politics; two, that the public and media don’t take candidates seriously unless their campaign coffers are stuffed with cash.

We’ve all seen in the news media lamentations of money has too much importance in the political process. We’ve also seen in the news media candidates being dismissed or downgraded because they’re not raising enough of the stuff that’s said to be too important in politics.

Candidates and political parties will sometimes try to look good by decrying how campaign spending and fundraising are problems. Meanwhile, their fundraising arms are twisting without letup the arms of donors to squeeze out one more dollar.

There are four pillars upon which campaigns are run: organization, issues, emotion, and money. Without the fourth you’re stymied in creating an effective organization and you can’t consistently communicate your messages, either issue-related or emotional.

I’ve observed and participated in politics and political campaigns as a press secretary and consultant. Over the years I’d have won a lot of money if there were a Las Vegas line on the first question reporters will ask a candidate in a press conference or interview.

My bet: “How much money have you raised?” That’s followed by, “Are you happy with that amount of money (whatever the amount, good or bad), you’ve raised?” or “Why do you think you’re having trouble raising money?” Inevitably, those questions lead to this: “If you can’t improve your fundraising will you get out of the race?”

I once listened to a group of reporter friends complaining about the power of money in campaigns. They went on for a while, and then I said, “You’re complaining about money being too important, but it’s always a major point you cover about candidates. If their fundraising is bad, you write them off. But when a lot of money is spent, you say it’s a bad thing. Which is it?”

“Yes,” someone said, and everyone laughed, because it was funny. But, it’s also reality.

Polls invariably say people want change, but if you were to ask them if they support limits that will hinder their favored candidates from being elected, support would collapse. Perhaps new laws are what we need to finally limit the reach of money’s tentacles in politics. A Pew Research poll in May 2018 said that 65 percent of Americans think that new campaign finance laws “could be written that would be effective in reducing the role of money in politics, while 31 percent say any new laws would not be effective.” The 31 percent have it right.

Laws are periodically passed to “fix” money in politics. That was the goal of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (also known as McCain-Feingold). McCain-Feingold replaced a 1971 reform law, but it only created new procedures about which the media and public complained. The fact is that every such law meets the same fate: An army of lawyers immediately going to work figuring out how politicians and political parties can keep raising and spending gobs of money, legally.

Tennessee Republican U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander has had a longstanding answer to the fundraising question, which he related during the 2012 presidential campaign: “Get rid of the limits on contributions, and super PACs will go away. You’ll have full disclosure because everyone will give their money directly to the campaigns and campaigns must disclose their contributions in ways that we’ve already agreed don’t discourage free speech.”

Alexander’s proposal could end the practice of candidates being better-dressed panhandlers, and reduce the importance of “bundlers,” people who can raise large amounts of money for campaigns. It also means that mega-rich donors could, quite literally, give mega-millions to a candidate. Would training a telescope on them make a difference to voters?

Candidates and political parties, regardless of what they might say for appearance’s sake, will try to tear the heart from anything that they believe harms their chances to win. The news media, despite stories or editorials lamenting the force of money in politics, won’t stop using it as a credibility yardstick. Individual voters may want spending limits, but not if it costs their candidate victory.

Those three points are something you can take to the bank, consistently.

Trials and Tribulations

Story by Bruce Fox

When it comes to parenting most of us are relatively unprepared. We may know the basics from our experience with family or friends, or at least we think we know. But, for every parent I have ever talked too, and certainly for myself, there have been moments that I could not in a million years have imagined would have happened to me. This column and podcast, Insights, is intended to be a look into areas of life where we all need more information. Speaking as the father of two boys, a single dad, and any overworked entrepreneur, you can never have too much information. With this in mind as Bruce Fox and I sat down this month, we decided to talk about our experiences as single dads. Sometimes you get more than you anticipate, and I was admittedly brought to tears as I listened to Bruce recant the story of his daughter’s transition into her teenage years. Bruce normally leans into the conversation, but in this case, I saw him leaning away from the microphone as the emotion of the memory welled up inside him. Just as he was re-living a moment from the past, I found myself visualizing moments from my own experiences and wondering how my reaction to those events affected my boys.

Both Bruce and I had the misfortune of experiencing divorce. Any divorce is a tragedy, some more than others. It was uplifting to hear how Bruce had managed to keep his civil and maintain the best interests of his children. I know from experience that civility and maintaining the children’s best interest is essential to raising your kids correctly. Don’t depend on your attorney or the judge to know what is best for your family; that is a matter that only you and God know best. I hope you take time to listen to our podcast and that if you find yourself in the divorce arena, be sure to get some really good counseling before making any decisions.

Parenting is complex and often difficult, but there are few things that can bring as much joy into your life than knowing that you took the time to do the right thing for your children. We would welcome hearing your stories about parenting.

Campfire Cooking

Story by Emily Stevens

You don’t have to travel to the Smokies or even a local park to enjoy a meal al fresco—your backyard makes the perfect place to start. Campfire cooking is seemingly a way of the pioneers, but new cookware and updated recipes allow you to enjoy more than a roasted weenie and can of beans.

To plan your meal, think about what equipment is needed; for example, a Dutch oven, kettle, or iron skillet. Most of these pieces require seasoning before use, which is a protective coating on the cookware created by applying oil and heat.

Speaking of heat, cooking over an open flame is very different from cooking on a stove. Similar to pre-heating an oven, you must let your campfire burn and allow coals to get hot to achieve even cooking. Occasionally, recipes might require you to place coals on top of the Dutch oven to ensure all-around heat, or you may have to rotate a pan while cooking. Extreme caution should be exercised during campfire cooking and protective clothing and eyewear should be worn while handling hot cookware to protect against burns or flyaway embers. When everyone is through enjoying the cozy campfire, it should always be put out completely. In the wise words of Smokey, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

After brushing up on your campfire cooking tips and instructions, carefully research what you would like to prepare. Keep in mind, if you are out in the backcountry, access to certain amenities, such as running water or electricity, may be limited so plan your meal preparation accordingly. Some of our favorite recipes have come fromfreshoffthegrid.com, such as their Apple Sweet Potato Hash and Dutch Oven Chicken Marbella. And, no meal is complete without an ooey gooey s’more for dessert.

Winter Wandering

Story by Emily Stevens

Don’t let the cold scare you indoors

Winter in East Tennessee can bring a variety of weather, from a light frost to inches of snow. This time of year offers the chance to see and experience local hiking trails in a new way—tree branches are outlined with a dusting of snow, frozen water droplets sparkle on leaves, and the air is simply crisper. As for gear, hiking boots are a must to maintain balance on slick ground and layers are necessary to keep you warm and dry. Per all hikes, be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and water, and keep an eye on the weather as storms can roll in quickly.

WalkFor a close-to-home winter walk, we recommend Meads Quarry Park. Although the quarry is very popular in summer months, it can be just as fun in the winter time. There are several easy loops through Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness; you can stroll up the train tracks that are no longer in use, or hike up to the historical Stanton Cemetery along Tharp Trace.

HikeNothing is more awe-inspiring than a waterfall frozen in time. Visit your usual Smoky Mountains’ favorites such as Abrams Falls in Cades Cove in the winter months to see icy cascades of all shapes and sizes. When temperatures are cold enough, Grotto Falls freezes and forms a tall, unique ice sculpture that visitors can walk behind.

SnowshoeClosed from December through March, the unplowed road to the Clingmans Dome parking area allows park visitors the chance to experience cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the South. Begin at Newfound Gap and follow Clingmans Dome Road for a 15-mile round-trip expedition that will offer a panoramic view minus the usual crowds.

We recommend warming up after your adventure with a cup of hot cocoa from Coffee & Chocolate or a hot toddy made with Silver Release from Knox Whiskey Works.

Abre Tus Oídos

Story by N. Brooks Clark

You know you’ve walked into a restaurant that’s serious about soccer when you see Megan Buzzeo, charismatic former goalkeeper for Farragut High and UT Martin tending bar. Now Head Keeper Coach for Hardin Valley Academy, Megan’s flashing Argentinian-blue eyes welcome both soccer aficionados and people just looking for authentic, carefully prepared Mexican cuisine. “We get people coming from downtown,” says Megan, “There’s a little more room than some of the other locations. People like to hang out, sometimes just for a cold beer and appetizers.”

We ask entrenador de porteros [goalkeeper coach] Buzzeo which is her favorite appetizer on the menu. “The Oaxaca Fundido appetizer,” she answers. “It’s got melted Oaxaca cheese—a lean cheese, topped with pastor de verdad, that’s grilled, marinated pork, grilled mushrooms, poblano peppers, onions, a fried egg, and fresh sliced jalapeno peppers. It’s different and appeals to everybody.” (A word to our readers: Megan was right, it was delicious.)

No Mexican restaurant is worth its Margarita salt unless it is serious about tequila. At Soccer Taco the barrels of Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila are stacked in pyramids 15 feet high. Reposado is the product of a novel, two-step aging process. The first involves resting the tequila in charred American White Oak barrels for 11 months. It’s then moved to new charred barrels and aged for an additional 30 days. Owner Nelly Kirtley travels to Mexico to pick up the tequila herself. Needless to say, we felt that a Reposado marg or two were necesario.

“We have many people who have been with us for more than 10 years,” says manager Eric Ramos. We found the staff to be both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the menu and happy to offer suggestions for dishes we hadn’t had before. “Most diners have their mind set about what they want when they come in,” says Ramos. “But we ask that they abrir sus oídos – open their ears – and try new things. Whatever dish they choose, diners will have a real Mexican experience.”

The high ceilings give a spacious feeling while sound panels suspended above the dining room also keep the noise level pleasant. Ample wall space allows nine TVs and plenty of team banners—Real Madrid, The Emirates, Manchester United, FC Bayern München, and more. “People really like the open spaces too,” says Buzzeo. “The kids can go play outside in the grass by the patio.” In this patio area, Soccer Taco often partners with the Casual Pint to provide live music. The atmosphere is very much family, great food, fun, and soccer.

Our food arrived piping hot and exactly at the right “pace” for our table, the mark of a great restaurant. It’s clear that the chef is proud of his work, and the presentation is careful and modern.

Since the original menu was inspired by taquerías [taco shops], it’s fitting that traditional Mexican-style Street Tacos anchor the menu. The secret weapon is Juanita, who has handmade thousands of corn tortillas every day for years and gives a certain no sé qué to favorites like the Buche [pork stomach], Pastor [pork], and Chipotle Steak Lengua [Tongue]—all served with chopped cilantro and onion, lime, and homemade habanero salsa. Don’t be hesitant to try the lengua – it was the favorite at our table.

Another entrée choice, Shrimp Rellenos, was an absolute standout. Tender poblano peppers stuffed with grilled shrimp, sautéed onions, and bell peppers are served over a bed of rice with a savory queso.

If you are a carnitas fan (and who isn’t?), be sure to try the Enchiladas de Carnitas which come covered in a green tomatillo sauce. If you’re feeling a little like a vaquero, then the Enchilada Cowboys are for you; cheese, bell pepper, onion, and carnitas enchiladas with a piquant red sauce. The extensive menu features six different choices of fajitas, tortas, a large selection of sides, and some combinations called Soccer Specials. There are plenty of plant-based options as well, and we recommend (naturally) the Titans – two poblanos stuffed with cheese and the house red sauce.

Whether you’re in the mood for a cerveza fria and quesadilla at the bar, or the Big League Fajitas for Two, Soccer Taco offers a range of delicious choices at very reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere.

2031 Thunderhead Road Knoxville, TN 37922 (865) 691-3503

East Meets Knox

Story by Drew Hamilton

The South has a glorious culinary tradition. Growing up, there were never too many days that went by without cornbread, black-eyed peas, or something else distinctly regional. While it’s hard to beat mom’s home cooking, Knoxville is lucky to have a variety of options. In this issue’s Dining Guide, we turn our attention to the wealth of Asian cuisine available in the Marble City. Representing a broad spectrum of culinary traditions, these hot spots are the perfect way to liven up your restaurant rotation.

Kaizen Located just off Market Square, Kaizen has become a reliable fixture in downtown dining. Modeled after the Japanese izakaya, the restaurant focuses on a menu of small plates in a laid back environment.

416 W. Clinch Ave, Knoxville 37902 (865) 409-4444 | knoxkaizen.com

Bida Saigon Bida Saigon is a family-owned restaurant committed to serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. While their menu covers a wide range of options, they pride themselves on their pho, a type of Vietnamese soup.

8078 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919 (865) 694-5999 | bidasaigoncafe.com

Nama Sushi Bar Nama Sushi Bar opened in July of 2004, in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Fifteen years later, it has branched out to four more locations. Nama offers an amazing variation of Asian style cuisine, but its delicious sushi selection is Nama’s biggest attraction.

Bearden: 5130 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 Cedar Bluff: 260 N. Peters Road, Knoxville, TN 37923 Downtown: 506 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 namasushibar.com

Taste of Thai Taste of Thai brings the flavors of Southeast Asia to Cedar Bluff. With a spacious dining room and patio to match, there is a lot to love about this popular institution.

8926 Town and Country Circle, Knoxville 37923 (865) 691-4442 | tasteofthaiknoxville.com

Kaya Korean Named after an ancient Korean kingdom known for its impressive art and culture, Kaya sets out to live up to that name by offering top-notch Korean fare. Be sure to try the Korean BBQ for the interactive experience of cooking at your table.

7818 Montvue Center Way, Knoxville 37919 | (865) 691-0237

Fin-Two Japanese Ale House New to the Knoxville scene, Fin-Two is serving up Japanese food and craft beer in the heart of the Old City. The trendy eatery has been steadily gaining a loyal following since opening its doors mere months ago.

122 S. Central St, Knoxville 37902 | (865) 437-3105

Viet Bread and Tea Viet Bread and Tea is another new downtown restaurant offering Vietnamese classics like banh mi, pho, and bubble tea, all made from scratch. For a quick bite at a reasonable price, this establishment delivers on both counts.

522 S. Gay St, Knoxville 37902 | (865) 312-5509

Landing House Landing House is an Asian fusion restaurant based in a two-story house in South Knoxville. Serving Chinese, Cambodian, and French inspired food, this spot brings the diverse tastes and flavors together under one roof.

1147 Sevier Ave, Knoxville 37920 (865) 264-3663 | landing-house.business.site

Erick Baker

Story by Emily Stevens

Local singer-songwriter Erick Baker credits much of his career beginnings to Knoxville, where he played just about every venue he could. In 2007 he received the opportunity of a lifetime, to open for John Legend at the Tennessee Theatre. Baker says, “The guy that walked on stage that night, wasn’t the same guy that walked off. One set, six songs in just thirty minutes, changed my life forever.” With the release of five studio albums and many touring days under his belt, Baker is a seasoned performer whose charisma and emotional lyrics are not to be missed. He has taken his life lessons and transformed them into music that audiences can connect with and relate to; he truly believes in shared experience with the listener. Baker is returning to the local stage on February 14 and 15 for two special concerts at the Bijou Theatre. For tickets and show times, visitknoxbijou.org.

The Knoxonomist

Story by Cityview

Dear Knoxonomist:

Curious minds want to know. What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

—Kathy from Karns

Dear Kathy,

In general, the Knoxonomist approves of New Year’s Resolutions. His study of humanity, mainly from a barstool at his local watering hole, has led him to the regrettable conclusion that most folks could stand considerable improvement. The Knoxonomist is not like most folks. When well-lubricated by the nectar of PBR, he finds himself a finely-honed being—an inspiration, not a work in progress.

Mrs. K does not agree and recommends he rethink his assertion.

Every year she composes New Year’s Resolutions for the Knoxonomist, a task she accomplishes with great relish and industry. These books are so impressive, he is sure that she must begin work on the project in the summer. It is typeset and bound, containing hundreds of resolutions, conveniently divided into chapters. It always has a thoughtful title: one year’s was “Striving to be Your Personal Best”; another’s was “You Can Do It: Tips for Being a Better Person”; the most annoying was “Becoming the Husband Your Wife Wants.”

Exhaustively indexed and cross-referenced, they contain case studies of the Knoxonomist’s wrong-doings followed by a multiple-choice quiz to ensure the Knoxonomist derived the correct lesson. In some cases there is extra space to write a detailed paragraph explaining what he should have done or said instead.

The Knoxonomist promises to give the tome the consideration it deserves and then hides it; last year he carefully buried it under loose insulation in the attic. Somehow, the tome would appear, open, next to the Knoxonomist’s computer with a passage highlighted, “I resolve to empty the cat box instead of just dumping in more cat litter” (Chapter 3: Household Chores), or “I resolve to trim my eyebrows on a weekly basis” (Chapter 27: Personal Grooming), or “I resolve not to ask panhandlers for change after offering them a dollar” (Chapter 42: Interpersonal Relations).

One year, the Knoxonomist decided to create a list of resolutions for Mrs. K., but after a quick risk-benefit analysis, he burned the list in his office wastebasket which incinerated a buried half-empty bag of Doritos. Nacho cheese-flavored smoke filled the room. The Knoxonomist managed to drown the flaming mess in the bathtub, and then spent the next few hours franticly deodorizing the house before Mrs. K got home.

However, the next day the Knoxonomist discovered that year’s tome sitting open-faced next to his computer. Highlighted in yellow: “I resolve to not eat bean burritos” (Chapter 68: Common Sense).

But enough digression. Kathy, you asked about the Knoxonomist’s New Year’s Resolutions. He has none.

A Nose For Justice

Story by Richard Sparks

Police dogs have been helping the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) take a bite out of crime for more than a century. It all started in the late 1800s, when bloodhounds were used by the KPD to track fugitives. The use of police dogs at the KPD for other functions began sometime in the 1950s or 1960s. At that time dogs were mostly used for apprehension of suspects and protection of police officers.

Modern police dogs make even greater contributions to police work. Their ability to find hiding suspects, missing persons, crime scene evidence, explosives, or contraband is simply amazing. It is widely thought that a police K-9 searching an area can effectively do the work of ten human officers. They often succeed in their tasks when everyone else has given up hope.

The KPD has 14 dog teams, and most of the dogs on these teams come from special breeders in Europe. The most common breeds of dogs currently used by the department are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds. But sometimes, more unusual breeds are employed. For instance, a department in Ohio uses a Dogo Argentino, and locally, there is a giant Schnauzer that performs police duties.

Police dogs don’t come cheap. Even untrained dogs can cost around $9,000, and fully trained dogs can cost even more, as much as $17,000. In order to conserve funds, the KPD purchases untrained dogs and trains them in-house. There are three master dog trainers that work for the department and teach the dogs obedience, odor recognition, tracking, and all of the other skills that a fully trained police dog needs to know. Working dogs continue to receive bi-weekly training maintenance from the master trainers throughout their careers, as well as on-the-job training from their handlers.

KPD dogs are not only well trained, they are periodically scientifically tested for reliability in evidence finding, particularly for narcotics. KPD drug searching dogs are trained until they can demonstrate a 90 percent accuracy rate in finding drugs. These dogs also go through annual certification tests through the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA.org).

Each dog has its own designated human partner on the force. We spoke to KPD Officer Brian Mullane, who has worked with police dogs for the last 11 years. He has had two K-9 partners – Rocco, a Dutch Shepherd, and Milan, a Belgian Malinois. Officer Mullane explained to us how K-9 units spend an enormous amount of time together working as a team, relying on each other for safety and guidance. This creates a very strong bond between human and K-9 partners.

Officer Mullane recounted to us one of Rocco’s exploits where they were attempting to find a burglary suspect who was fleeing through a heavily wooded area. Rocco tracked and apprehended the suspect, who was trying to escape detection by hiding in a nearly impenetrable thicket of briars. After catching the perpetrator, Rocco returned to the criminal’s vehicle and located drug paraphernalia. Later, when the victim’s stolen iPad could not be located, Rocco searched the suspect’s path of flight and found the stolen item in a large leaf pile where it had been concealed by the thief. Performing these tasks would have been difficult or impossible for a human officer, but Rocco’s training and skills allowed him to accomplish them with ease.

Rocco retired after eight years of exemplary service. After his retirement, Officer Mullane received his new K-9 partner, Milan. Not long ago they were asked to locate and apprehend two suspects that had fled on foot from a stolen vehicle. After an extensive search of the area, Milan’s keen nose detected the suspects’ odor coming through an eight-foot fence. Milan and Officer Mullane found a path around the fence and began moving through some extremely dense underbrush. The area was so thick with branches and growth that Officer Mullane’s visibility was limited to only a few feet. Milan was working at the end of a twenty-foot lead, and out of sight of his partner, when he suddenly stopped and began barking. To Officer Mullane’s surprise, Milan had located and trapped the suspects, who had fled upward into the trees to escape the police K-9. Upon the arrival of Officer Mullane, they surrendered without further incident.

During their working years, many K-9s live at the homes of their police partners, while others live at a specially constructed kennel facility at the KPD. Most K-9s work until they reach retirement age of 8-10 years old. After retirement, many dogs are adopted by their human partner, or by another dog handler in the department, and enjoy their golden years with their human families.

K-9s make a significant positive contribution to police work, and their potential out in the line of duty continues to grow with new training techniques and implementations. In our appreciation for the police officers dedicated to keeping our community safe, let us also tip our hats to the K-9 officers taking police work to the next level.

Living up to The Legend

Story by Gary Wade

The post-World War II baby boomer generation grew up with Walt Disney’sDavy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier, starring Fess Parker in the title role:

Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee Greenest state in the land of the free Raised in the woods so he knew every tree Killed him a “bar” when he was only three.

Although the hit mini-series lasted only two years, the merchandising continued on for a much longer period, especially with the sales of Davy’s trademark coonskin caps. In 1988, Disney recreated stories of the legendary hero in a four-part TV series titled “The New Adventures of Davy Crockett” and starring Tim Dunigan. While well received, its popularity was nothing near that of the Fess Parker portrayal 34 years earlier.

During Crockett’s lifetime, New York theatergoers enjoyed “The Lion of the West,” a production based upon his life and times as a folksy Congressman. In 1833, an unauthorized biography,Sketches and Eccentricities of Colonel David Crockett of West Tennessee, became a best seller. More recently, his death at the Alamo has sparked a number of full-length movies that mix fact with fiction in interpretations of Crockett’s role in the Texas struggle for independence from Mexico. For example, in 1960, the iconic John Wayne produced, directed, and starred as Crockett in a film titledThe Alamo. At the conclusion of the epic 13-day battle in 1836, Wayne as Crockett dies heroically. As he is run through by a lance, he ignites the powder magazine, causing innumerable Mexican casualties.

In a 2004 Touchstone Pictures’ release, Billy Bob Thornton starred as Crockett in a film also titledThe Alamo; Dennis Quaid played the role of Sam Houston. This version depicts Colonel Crockett’s reaction to leaving his home in Tennessee and surrendering a seat in Congress, a consequence of his opposition to the Cherokee Indian Removal Act sponsored by President Andrew Jackson. The plot begins with Crockett and his band of men, unaware of the overwhelming odds against success, joining about 200 Texans in defense of the Alamo. Things quickly turned bleak. Originally constructed as a Franciscan mission, the Alamo was no fortress, and the Mexican forces, led by its dictator President Santa Anna, consisted of a well-supplied infantry of over two thousand. The Texans refused to surrender, remaining inside the Alamo and doing their best to fortify the converted mission.

The movie includes the first twelve days of the siege and the Texans’ realization that they could not withstand another Mexican advance. Indignant at the resilience of the Texas volunteers, Santa Anna orders the hoisting of the blood-red flag, signaling no quarter to any survivors of the ensuing attack. As the remaining defenders prepared to meet their fate, one of the Texans approached Crockett in a pivotal scene that went something like this: “Sir, I live here in Texas. I have dreamed of independence from Mexican rule all of my life, but you’re from Tennessee. Colonel Travis offered you the opportunity to leave, why are you still here?” After a thoughtful pause, he answered calmly—and to paraphrase: “If I were just old Davy, I believe I would’ve jumped on my horse and ridden right out of here. But that fellow – Colonel David Crockett, Congressman … frontiersman … people are watchin’ him. And sometimes you just have to live up to who you are … So I believe I’ll make my peace with my Maker tonight and fight Santa Anna tomorrow.” This qualified as the most noteworthy dialogue in the full-length movie which, by the way, was a genuine box office disaster, losing almost 150 million dollars.

In keeping with the more recent historical accounts, Crockett was captured during this final battle. At this point, Hollywood supplies a fictional account of his ultimate demise. Crockett, demonstrating a literal command of graveside humor, offers Santa Anna one more chance to surrender before his execution, thereby fulfilling his legacy of casual bravado.

The epic scene reminded me of the wit and wisdom of my grandmother, Victoria Atchley Wade, who lived across the street from my parents and my three brothers in downtown Sevierville. As a mother, she had single-handedly reared two children of her own, and so, was never short of “advice and counsel” for “her” four boys—and, for that matter, anyone else who was willing to listen. Until Thornton as Crockett uttered those memorable words, “Live up to who you are,” I never quite understood one of her favorite sayings, typically imparted as I walked out of her door, “Remember who you are!” Never at a loss for self-esteem, she insisted that “the boys” never fall short of her own high standards.

In much the same way, every Tennessee lawyer, as an officer of the third branch of our state and federal governments, has always had the responsibility to represent the profession with “honesty, fairness, and integrity,” championing the causes of those who have entrusted the profession with the resolution of the most difficult legal challenges of their lives. Recently, our Tennessee Supreme Court added the word “civility,” to the litany of promises in the oath ending with “to the best of my skill and abilities, so help me God.” That said, tempers inevitably flare from time to time in our adversarial legal system, but the best and most ethical lawyers conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, remembering their roles as representatives of the courts. So, every day and in every way, all who have the privilege to engage in the practice of law should strive to “live up to” the expectations of the profession … Now, I have gone to preachin’. ‘Nuff said.

“…sometimes you just have to live up to who you are.”

Diggin’ Vinyl

Story by Robert Pryor, Sr.

I miss records. I’m not talking about CD’s or downloading songs from iTunes. I mean phonograph records. You know, the round vinyl things with the hole in the middle.

Okay, I know that there are 44 billion songs available on the internet just waiting for me to push a button and they are mine, but I really miss records. I miss them because they require an effort to protect and to play, not to mention the fact that they sound superior to digital recordings. I get a warm, comforting feeling from hearing vinyl records, just like I do from eating country fried steak and gravy.

I also miss record stores. Where did they go? I crave the inconvenience of driving to the record store and parking my car and walking into a shop full of 33-1/3 rpm albums and with rows and rows of 45 rpm records. Those are the ones with the big hole in the middle. I used to get a rush just walking into the store and smelling incense and vinyl blended together forming an intoxicating mixture. I now have carpal tunnel syndrome from flipping through those gorgeous records in my youth. They would be arranged by artist, and I could riffle through a table of 45’s from Paul Anka to ZZ Top in three minutes and know immediately which ones I must buy. I was addicted from age 6 to age 60. Then it all went away. Did I say I miss records?

I’ve always been fascinated by things that go round and round and make music. As a child, I perhaps was hit in the head by a toy music box. As far back as I can recall, there were records in my home. First, there were 78 rpm records, but they broke too easily. I even had one that was recorded by my mother singing “White Christmas.” Our big floor model radio had a Victrola (now, there’s a new word for those of you under 70) in the top, but the sound was a bit distorted. That prompted me to become close to our next-door neighbors who had a better sounding system and more records. They were a nice couple whose son was in the Air Force stationed in Korea during the Korean War. They even had a Korean record that their son sent them in the mail. I played it repeatedly even though I didn’t understand any of the lyrics. I’m reminded of that record every time I hear the background music in an authentic Asian restaurant.

Our neighbors also had a memorable record by Stuart Hamblen called, “I Won’t Go Huntin’ With You, Jake, But I’ll Go Chasin’ Women.”

Oh, I won’t go huntin’ with you, Jake, but I’ll go chasin’ women So, put them hounds back in the pen and quit that silly grinnin’. Well, the moon is bright and I’m half tight and my life is just beginnin’. I won’t go huntin’ with you, Jake, but I’ll go chasin’ women.

—Stuart Hamblen, 1949

My mother made a big deal about it when she heard I had sung that song in Sunday School. They asked if anyone knew a song to sing, and I was not bashful because I knew every word.

My life truly changed on my sixth birthday when my parents bought me an RCA Victor 45 rpm record player. You might remember those little ten-inch square players with the fat spindle in the middle. You could stack 10 or so 45 rpm records on the spindle, and they would play automatically. After one finished, the next one would fall into place. Mr. Allen Bell ran an appliance store on Broadway near Fairmont Boulevard, and he sold the player that would transform me into a lifetime vinyl junkie. Mr. Bell was a friend of my family and gave my father a box of 45 rpm records to play because we had none in the house. The box was a special release in celebration of the first anniversary of the introduction of the 45 rpm record and contained all RCA Victor records, and none were calculated to interest a six-year-old boy. However, the excitement of owning and playing my own records made the music genre and the artist insignificant to me. After all, I was graduating from my mother’s recording of “White Christmas” and a Korean love song. I still own that box of records, and it includes recordings by Vaughn Monroe, Glenn Miller, and the Sons of the Pioneers featuring their lead singer, Leonard Slye, who later would become a star in cowboy movies and take the stage name, Roy Rogers. I began to sing Vaughn Monroe’s “Racing With the Moon” around the house trying to imitate his deep baritone voice.

I did not know it at the time, but I was part of a new era in popular music. This revolution was greatly influenced by the introduction of the 45 rpm record as stores like Mr. Bell’s appliance shop were soon to be transformed into record stores all over the country. The sale of record players brought customers back to purchase records. When there were records for sale, the refrigerators and stoves were moved out and racks of records were moved in. Soon, it became much easier to find recorded music and record players and more difficult to find a good, dependable oven.

For me, it was a short jump from Vaughn Monroe to “Bull Moose” Jackson to Bill Haley & The Comets to Little Richard and, of course, on to Elvis. In my youth, I had an insatiable appetite for early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, and even pop music. In those early days, pop music dominated the Hit Parade, including recordings by Eddie Fisher, the Ames Brothers, Jo Stafford, and Nat King Cole. Soon pop gave way to rock and doo-wop. In the 60s, my interest turned to country music, especially Johnny Cash.

When I say I miss record stores, I mean stores like Clark & Jones Music on Gay Street, Miller’s Department Store, and Woolworth. Clark & Jones sold sheet music originally, but suddenly opened a record store in the basement with private booths to test drive your purchase. It was the same at Miller’s, with 45 players in each booth. Woolworth had no listening booths, but plenty of tables with organized top new releases. It is embarrassing for me to now realize how indifferent I was about racial issues as a young boy. The very recording artists who made the records I loved and collected would have been unable to buy food at the Woolworth’s lunch counter at that time. My social consciousness was severely impaired. By age 10, I was readingBillboardmagazine to keep up with new rock and roll releases by people like Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, the Drifters, the Clovers, and Fats Domino. A good day for me as a kid would be to put on a starched pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt and jump on a KTL bus from north Knoxville to Gay Street downtown. I would eat a couple of Krystals and drink an Orange Crush in a brown bottle. The first Krystal I remember was across the street from the Tennessee Theatre. Usually, I walked next door to Nan Denton’s and had a corn dog and an Orange Julius. After my brain freeze wore off, I was on my way to all of my favorite record stores to spend what little money I had saved or borrowed.

The best record store in Knoxville in those days was Mr. Sam Morrison’s Bell Record Sales on Market Square. Mr. Morrison was my friend in music and he always saved me the best new rock and roll. It was a shotgun store lined with 45 rpm records from the front to the back. He had a great Garrard turntable, and when he played a record it not only sounded great in the store, but also played over a speaker outside. The vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables out of their trucks around the old Market House could dance and jump around to “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles. Charlie Louvin of the Grand Ole Opry told of how he and his brother, Ira, would ride with their father from Sand Mountain in north Alabama to Knoxville’s Market Square to sell homegrown produce out of the family farm truck. The Louvin brothers would sing and play their guitars around Market Square probably to Mr. Morrison’s outdoor speaker.

Dougout Doug Dunlap had a store on Cumberland Avenue that was always an interesting place to visit and buy records. Doug was always on and cool. Each record came with a free show. I remember first hearing Doug Clark and The Hot Nuts and “Twist and Shout” at Dougout Doug’s. Sometimes, I bought records through the mail from Ernie’s Record Mart in Nashville and Randy’s Record Mart in Gallatin as advertised on WLAC radio in Nashville. That’s where the good stuff was played from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Disc jockeys, John R., Gene Nobles, and “Hoss Man” Allen, promoted and sold packaged sets of records on commission, and it became headquarters for white kids buying black “race” records. Between record commercials, they sold bibles, zodiac necklaces, and baby chicks.

In my youth, I had occasion to be in several Knoxville radio stations. At WNOX, I was friends with Lowell Blanchard and Jerry Collins, and they would routinely give me promotional 45 rpm records that the station did not need or want. At WKGN, the top disc jockey was Eddie Parker, and he also would save me records for my collection. At some point, I bought a tape recorder and recorded Top 40 radio shows for songs I could not afford to buy. In fact, the first time Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan Show I hooked up my tape recorder and recorded him before I owned any of his records.

By age 10, I was reading Billboard magazine to keep up with new rock and roll releases.

Through the years, I have kept all my vinyl records because, in many ways, they tell the story of my life. I recently visited Raven Records on North Central, which specializes in used records, and was immediately taken back to the good old days. Records were stacked everywhere, outdated advertising posters were on the wall, and lots of people like me were prowling around still diggin’ vinyl.

December Week 1

Story by Nathan Sparks

Check In:

It has taken a minute to get back in gear from the holiday. Learning not to let extraneous events distract from my plan has proven a little challenging, but as of 6 AM on Tuesday, December 3, I am back on track and on the treadmill for my early cardio. I plan to be at D1 Training with Devin three times this week. I definitely feel better, but the pounds are not coming off like I would like, so beginning today I will be on a strict Keto diet until I see 190 lbs. on the scale. I saw a 4-pound drop for a few days, but then right back up to 207. It’s disappointing, but I’m still happy with the improvement in my posture and my attitude.

This week I am going to explore some additional cardio options. The performance lab inside of the west location of Eddie’s Health Shoppe has a zero-gravity treadmill. I haven’t been able to really run in years due to my knees and this may help me rebuild. I have seen some recent improvement after getting stem cell injections in both knees at Optimal Health in Farragut. I am hopeful this is rebuilding my cartilage and will post before and after X-rays soon.

This week I will also be at Core Change for a class and at Optimal Health to try out the Ultra Slim program, which aids in cell detoxification. If time permits, I am going to check out various cryotherapy options.

Time to get Lifted!

Lifelong Learning

Story by Susan Alexander

Senior adults can find a class for nearly every interest, from Brexit to beekeeping.

Henry Ford didn’t mince words when he talked about the importance of lifelong learning: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty,” he said. “Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Ford would agree that a lot of young seniors must live in East Tennessee.

Opportunities abound here for learning for senior adults. Classes range in scope from watercolor painting to lure making. They allow participants to travel or take part from their favorite recliner. There are programs exclusively for seniors and others open to anyone interested in learning.

Here are some of the options available.

Seniors for Creative Learning For seven weeks each in the spring and fall, the University of Tennessee’s Non-Credit Programs and the O’Connor Senior Center partner with the Seniors for Creative Learning (SCL), an all-volunteer group, to present lectures on a wide range of topics. The fall program launched just after Labor Day and offered participants age 50 and over everything from talks on current concerns like Brexit and climate change to UT sports history and Knoxville ghost stories. Each session also includes a few field trips; this fall members went to the Hermitage in Nashville, for a cruise on the Star of Knoxville, and to visit a 3D printing facility in West Knoxville.

Joe Clarke, chair of the SCL board, says 159 members are currently enrolled. Membership is $40 per person or $55 for a couple (which can also be a couple of friends) for each session; once someone has enrolled he or she can attend any of the programs. Programs are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the O’Connor Center. This fall, 25 programs were offered. Current offerings and registration info is atutnoncredit.wordpress.com/tag/seniors-for-creative-learning.

On the first day of the fall session, Clarke said 70 people attended a lecture by Knoxville attorney Wanda Sobieski about women’s suffrage and Tennessee’s role in women getting the right to vote.

Dianne Whitaker has been attending SCL programs for five years, having moved to Knoxville the year prior. She tries to attend as many of the lectures as her schedule permits. “I always learn something new,” she said. “It has made me more informed about Knoxville. I look forward to hearing any history of the Knoxville area. “One talk about Russia was absolutely captivating; we heard the real story of the people. It’s speakers like that who’ve kept me attached and going.”

O’Connor Senior Center Apart from the programs offered through SCL, the O’Connor Senior Center offers lots of options for seniors age 50 and over who want to try something new or expand the knowledge they have. The clubs and classes there can help participants learn languages such as French, Italian, and Spanish. Other programs help seniors brush up on their needlework, learn mahjong, bridge, or chess. They can trace family history, hike, sing, dance, and even play a little softball. On average, about 200 people come through the door every day for the various activities, says acting manager Calie Terry.

Free Lunch n’ Learn classes primarily offer health-related information twice a month, and the Council on Aging offers health- and welfare-related programming. There is no membership fee to come to the O’Connor Center, and most of the O’Connor programming is free. A few are donation based when there are supplies that need to be paid for. For info about everything there, go toknoxseniors.org/envor call865-523-1135.

“It’s a lot of fun here,” Terry says. “There’s always something interesting going on.”

Knox County Senior Centers In addition to the programs offered at the O’Connor Center, activities and classes are offered at the half-dozen senior centers sprinkled around Knox County. Offerings are different at each one, and fees are minimal or nonexistent. For information, go toknoxcounty.org/seniors/centers.php.

UT Non-Credit Programs Seniors who are looking for in-depth learning can register for classes directly through the university’s non-credit programs department. Many classes include multiple sessions over a period of weeks, and topics again are wide-ranging. Though the programs are open to any age, Leah Rauhuff, communications specialist with Non-Credit Programs, acknowledges that an older demographic takes advantage of many of the personal development classes, most especially the arts-related, finance, and gardening classes. Costs vary by class. For a current catalog, call865-974-0150or go tononcredit.utk.edu.

Pellissippi State Community CollegeUT isn’t the only educational institution in Knox County that offers lifelong learning for all ages. Pellissippi State also has a robust class catalog that ranges from beekeeping to bass fishing and motorcycle riding. Some classes meet multiple times and others are one-time programs. Costs vary by class. For a current catalog, call865-539-7167or go topstcc.edu/bcs.

Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning Though the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, or ORICL, has no age restriction, the vast majority of participants are senior adults, says administrator Susan Perry. The program has been active for more than 20 years, begun after Oak Ridge residents became aware of Duke University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and wanted something similar here. ORICL partners with Roane State Community College, where most all the classes are held, though it’s ORICL’s curriculum committee that determines class offerings and identifies the volunteer instructors willing to lead them.

A $100 annual membership fee makes dozens of classes available in three sessions: fall, from mid-September to early December; winter-spring, from February through April; and a short summer session in June and July. Perry said 83 classes and trips are being offered this fall. Its more than 400 participants come from throughout the region, including Knoxville, Oliver Springs, and Kingston. For a catalog and registration info, go toroanestate.edu/?8465-ORICL-Oak-Ridge-Institute-for-Continued-Learning.

Murray Martin, head of the curriculum committee and an ORNL retiree, got involved with ORICL around 2000 when he took a friend’s music class. Since then, he’s taught several music appreciation classes of his own, shared travelogues of overseas trips he’s taken, and moderated a DVD film series on Western European art. What keeps him going is the interest of the participants.

“Years ago, I taught a couple of math courses, and the thing that bothers any professor is the lack of interest on the part of the students,” he says. “In ORICL, people are here because they are interested, they ask intelligent questions, it’s a lot of fun interaction.”

Roane State Community College Like UT and Pellissippi State, Roane State offers personal development classes and other programming apart from ORICL. Want to learn how to fly a drone? Make money on eBay? Those are just two of the classes being offered this fall. The college was still adding classes to its fall offerings as this issue went to print. To find them, go toroanestate.edu/?9666-Personal-Development. Costs vary by class.

Road Scholar Does wanderlust accompany your love of learning? You might want to look into Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel), an educational travel company that caters to adults age 50 and up. Its mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel. Each year it hosts more than 5,000 trips to all 50 states and 150 countries – some that even include grandchildren! Some trips offer very detailed itineraries and lots of activity; others are lightly structured with lots of free time built in. All of them are led by knowledgeable guides who share information about the sights and take care of the bothersome details that travel often entails. A catalog of their offerings is available atroadscholar.org.

West Knoxville resident Vivian Vega took a Road Scholar trip to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, last year. Over the course of about a week, the group visited eight or nine gardens, including the spectacular Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Though Vega traveled alone, she said her 23 traveling companions – all but two of whom were women – were welcoming and easy to travel with.

The cost of the trip, which includes tours, meals, and lodging, was not inconsiderable but Vega said it was well worth what she spent.

“I would do that exact tour again; I was very impressed with it,” she said. “The gardens were beautiful, and there was always somebody available to answer a question. I saw things I’ve never seen before, I learned local folklore, the weather was perfect, the food was great. I can’t say enough about it.”

Refusing to be Complacent

Story by Nathan Sparks

I don’t know many people who don’t want to be happy, healthy and full of energy, but I do know a lot who have become complacent and unwilling to put in the effort to live a fulfilling life. It’s so easy to look at others and be critical of how they are treating themselves, but not quite as easy to look at ourselves and be totally honest. So, in a reflective moment, I did just that. I took a really hard look at myself in the mirror. The reflection inspired me to start a new journey, a completely different lifestyle. Over the next year, myself and the team we select to help will give you detailed information about resources available in our community to help you achieve balance in life.

This project, entitled Lifted, will cover six areas—Physical, Mental, Spiritual, Business, Home, and Social—with hope of achieving a new level of balance. To assist, we are choosing local experts in these areas to help us on the journey. Right off the bat, I know that improving my physical condition will allow me to have a better experience with the other areas, so let’s begin there.

The thought of beginning is a little daunting. At the start, I am 208 pounds and a formidable 27 percent body fat. I learned this by sitting down with Eddie Reymond, owner of Eddie’s Health Shoppe, for a Bod Pod session. Eddie measured me and then calculated what my caloric intake should be to lose weight. It will be a pretty big change for me as I have learned that I am overeating by 1,200-2,000 calories per day. Armed with this new knowledge, I’m off to the gym! But the bigger question is, where?

Remembering a recent encounter, Chris Blue spoke with me about his training success. He related that his mentor Hallerin Hill had said to “train like an athlete,” so he hooked up with athlete and professional wrestler Devin Driscoll, owner of D1 Performance Training. Chris’ results are impressive and he agreed to introduce me. I wanted a trainer who is as physically fit as I want to be and Devin lives up to that. He trains clients like he trains himself. It’s not brutal, but it’s not easy either; it looks sustainable.

I am also going to start an aerobic program this week at Core Change. I like the idea of a high-intensity low-impact aerobic workout and being in a class setting provides me some motivation not to stop.

I am excited about both of these new physical activities. This week I will be visiting local providers that can assist me with my nutrition needs. I can’t wait to see what additional support Knoxville has to offer.

Energy Efficiency

The first in a series that explores the trends in new home construction and remodeling to improve the comfort, aesthetic, and market value of your home.

Story by Isaiah Woodruff

From the earliest man, a home was simply a place where he could find shelter and protection from the weather, predators, and other humans. It was a cave, a hole in a mountain and most likely lacking anything we would remotely refer to as creature comforts.

As the human race has evolved over the centuries, so have our homes and the role they play in our lives. In essence, our homes have always echoed who we really are and served as benchmarks showcasing our journey and success in life. Where the home is located, how large it is, the amount of acreage, what it’s made of, how it looks, and what’s inside all contribute to the home’s character and atmosphere and serve as a reflection of the people who own it or live there. Still a bastion of safety and security against Mother Nature and unwanted visitors, our homes now, more than ever, embody our personalities, philosophies, egos, and position.

While the relationship between a home and homeowner may be a topic best suited for philosophers or the social sciences, we want to examine how homes have evolved and what homeowners today want in their humble abodes. With marked advancements in technology, building materials, structural design and other elements, homeowners now have unlimited potential to create their idyllic private space. At the top of their list…homeowners want a place that enriches their life and lets them enjoy basking in an environment that mirrors their true personalities.

So, if that’s what homeowners want, the question to ask is, “how do they achieve that?” The answer is multidimensional. No one component used in creating the perfect space can satisfactorily address that issue. It must be a combination of many factors including, but certainly not limited to, architectural styles, urban versus rural environments, the home’s footprint, energy efficiency, smart home capabilities, the type of building materials used and possibly creature comforts.

According to Merriam-Webster, “creature comfort” is defined as, “something (such as food, warmth, or special accommodations) that gives bodily comfort.” For a homeowner, a special accommodation might mean elevated amenities such as heated bathroom floors, a wine cellar complete with tasting room, an elevator or dumbwaiter to service upper floors of the house. Even an atrium, outdoor living space complete with fire pit, butler’s style kitchen, and entertainment center can make the list. With considerations ranging from where to build and how large, to what it’s going to look like and what are the conveniences, creation of the perfect environment is a process limited only by one’s vision and financial wherewithal.

Over the course of the coming year, Cityview is going to delve into what homeowners in and around Knoxville are doing as they build or remodel their homes. Through six issues we’re going to bring you local trends as experienced by a number of our area’s most esteemed builders, architects, contractors, realtors, interior designers, and other industry professionals as we look at many of the different factors involved in facilitating the evolution of the picture-perfect space.

We invite you to join us in our journey and we look forward to sharing Knoxville’s most impressive trends in building.

Foam Insulation

An essential element to the ambiance of any home is how it makes you feel when you’re in it. In particular, we’re referring to the climate of the home or more specifically, the comfort factor.

Is the den drafty? Does the dining room seem warmer than the master bedroom? Why is it so cold in the closet? These are all questions that relate to how energy efficient a home is and how well insulated it is…or isn’t.

When it comes to energy efficient insulation, foam may be the single best option. While fiberglass is still widely used, there are some significant advantages to creating a fully encapsulated space, and that is exactly how spray foam works, everything is fully sealed including the eaves.

One of the most common uses of foam is on the roof. Unlike fiberglass which lays on the ceiling, open cell foam is sprayed directly onto the roof and still allows the substrate to breathe. This stops the heat or cold right at the source. During summer in East Tennessee, attic temperatures in traditionally insulated homes often reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Foam attics on the other hand, run about 8-10 degrees above the home thermostat setting. The foam typically goes over the garage as well creating a more comfortable overall environment.

You can expect 25-30% savings on the energy bill, says Mike Grace, owner of Foam Works of East Tennessee. That is significant in anyone’s book but Grace says that savings of up to 50% can be achieved if the walls are foamed as well. Existing homes can still get foam in the attic or crawl space, but only new construction lends itself to the walls being sprayed.

Homes that incorporate closed cell foam in the walls can see a 30% increase in rigidity, and that makes for a significantly stronger structure. But is the increased cost really worth it? Grace says the savings are typically so significant that customers are able to recover the additional cost in a few years, and after that? Well who wouldn’t want a super low energy bill for the life of their home.

Solar Shingles

Aside from integrating foam insulation products and technology into a home to help preserve its energy efficiency, many homeowners are also keenly interested in lowering their home’s energy consumption and cost of operation through the application of solar shingles. For decades, solar power was heralded as the replacement for electricity provided through a local utility. The battle has always been the cost of installing a solar system, the length of time required to provide savings and offset that cost, and the amount of power generated versus the cost of the electricity provided by the utility.

The early days of solar saw costly installations, cosmetically unappealing systems mounted on the home or adjacent to it, and the minimally effective generation of power. And, then there was the bank of collection batteries necessary to store and redistribute the power through the home! But, that was then.

With the rise in utilizing solar panels, consumers now have access to installments that do not compromise aesthetics. In the form of roofing shingles, solar power can be harnessed and directly used in your home. Project Sunroof, created by Google, includes an estimator for potential savings. By entering your home address, Google uses its expansive data to calculate how much sun reaches your roof and estimates how much money you could save in energy per year, as well as average installation costs for your area. Project Sunroof details that are there are only 78 existing solar installations in Knoxville, but 83 percent of buildings in the area are solar-viable.

More homeowners are looking to go green, and solar shingles are a great way to start. Traditional solar panels are heavy, costly, and can ruin the look of your property. Solar shingles, on the other hand, require very little maintenance after installation and produce no emissions. At the forefront of production is Tesla. In 2018, the famed car brand performed the first installations of the solar glass tiles. The roof tiles contain solar cells and blend in seamlessly with the regular roofing materials. Although the upfront cost for solar shingles and the installation is costly, there is potential for a homeowner to reduce their annual energy costs. Solar shingles are not readily available yet, but hopefully soon. Whatever system you choose, you are certain to see energy savings, plus possible tax credits.

During the course of the year, we will be covering various building trends in our area. Be on the lookout for facts and information from local resources and experts as we explore what’s next in the home building industry.

Mod Knox Home Design

Story by Karen Clark

When Oly Cumpian and Greg Hayzen bought their land near the Concord Yacht Club, they knew they wanted to design and build a house that reflected their experiences traveling and living abroad, a warm and welcoming home for their two children, and an energy-conscious structure.

Both engineers by training—Greg in mechanical engineering and Oly in engineering physics—they brought a thoughtful and focused methodology to their home design. “They were a joy to work with and this was a great project,” says builder Mike Stevens. “This home is totally their vision.”

The couple met in Spain while working on their advanced degrees, then lived in Sweden for a time, noting design elements along the way. “We admired the European use of space and simplicity of design,” says Oly. “We tucked those ideas away for future use.”

Their home adheres to the classical elements of modernism, using an analytical approach to the function of the building, a strictly rational use of materials, an openness to structural innovation, and the elimination of ornament. Constructed with a wall of full-height glass windows overlooking the lake, the rest of the façade uses architectural concrete from Dempster Poured Foundations. A separate open garage connects to the house with a wooden bridge and walkway, which is protected from the road and elements with an ingenious steel wall.

This wall is perforated with a computer-generated random pattern of moon shapes, which change in phases from a small crescent to a full moon as you approach the house. It’s a subtle design you might not notice, but allows for a delightful pattern of light to play on the walkway.

The interior of the home is light, airy, and comfortable—a study in tall ceilings, polished concrete floors, exposed steel support beams, and exposed ventilation. Like many others, Oly and Greg found that every party ended up with guests in the kitchen around the island, so the open kitchen sits directly in the center of the main floor, flanked on one side by a living area and the other by the dining space.

The southern-facing wall of ceiling-height windows with powered semi-opaque shades provides passive solar heat in the winter and blocks the heat in the summer. Greg credits architects Tricia Stuth and Ted Shelton for this and other innovations in the house. “Oly and I knew what we wanted in concept and principle, but realized we needed architects to bring it all together,” says Greg. “We were so fortunate to meet Tricia and Ted through friends and find people who really understood and supported our vision.”

Kitchen

A long island separates the stove from the wall of windows, providing a sweeping lake view for the hosts. A dramatic cone of steel, designed and fabricated by Greg, is suspended above the induction stove. It resembles an inverted ice-cream come and is a stunning example of function melding with design.

The Dacor induction cooktop from Quinn Appliances uses the power and precision of an electromagnetic field below the glass cooktop surface that transfers current directly to the cookware, causing it to heat up.

Oly was looking for both energy efficiency and a cooktop that could mimic the heat control you get with a gas burner, so she chose induction, which delivers both fast heat and controlled simmering. Essentially, induction cuts out the intermediate step of heating up a burner and then transferring the heat to the pot.

As soon as you remove the pot, that heating stops. Because the heat is going from the pan to the cooktop, the glass surface never gets as hot as it does on a traditional radiant electric range. If you turn an induction burner on with no pot on it by mistake, it won’t get hot—a nice safety feature.

In keeping with the best use of space, the Dacor wall oven is a single multi-function appliance that combines the power of a microwave and convection technology to enable searing, broiling, and even air frying.

In the kitchen, as throughout the house, light strips at the foot of cabinets create soft, illuminated downlights on the floor.

Entertaining

The dining area opens directly onto the covered porch with a folding glass wall allowing for a large entertaining space. Oly was very specific that there be no bulky transitions on the floors between rooms, and the result is an uninterrupted flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The living room, on the other side of the kitchen has a dramatic wall running to the height of the house and features an original abstract impressionistic diptych by painter Angel Blanco, a friend of the couple. They commissioned the work, but Blanco gave them the finished piece as a gift for their new home. A small wood stove sits on the side of the room. “I wanted a wood-burning fireplace but didn’t want it to be the focus of the room,” says Greg.

Flexibility

On the other side of this wall you find a generous room with a full bath. This multi-use space is currently the children’s playroom, but is quickly converted to a guest room as needed. The full-size bath in black and grey tile features a captivating backlit circular mirror from The Lighting Center that acts as both light source and artwork. The glass enclosure, from Clinton Glass, and the high-mounted window make this a well-lit space.

The built-in cabinetry, from Wildwood Cabinets, are the same throughout the house – flush to the wall with minimal hardware, you might miss them if you aren’t looking. They take advantage of every available space, beneath the staircase and behind doors, to provide an astonishing amount of storage space without overwhelming the living areas with bulky cabinets.

Family

Walk up an open staircase behind the kitchen and you find yourself in the family areas. Both 5-year-old Mateo and his younger sister, 18-month-old Lucia, have their bedrooms here along with the master bedroom. At the end of the hall is a waist-high door in the wall—Greg’s inspiration. Accessed with a short ladder, this “secret door” opens onto a loft play space that sits above the guest room below. It’s easy to see that this will quickly become Mateo’s and Lucia’s favorite hideaway—what could be better than your own secret playhouse?

Situated between the children’s rooms and the master bedroom is an exterior door that leads out onto a private courtyard. A teak deck is protected on each side with the walls of the house and is a lovely private area with a wooded view. An outcropping of large stones excavated during the build provide a focal point—Greg and Oly also have a fountain planned for this space. A second entry onto the courtyard is a multi-purpose room that serves as a laundry area and potting shed. Looking up to your left, you can see the rooftop deck that sits atop the master bedroom with sweeping views of the lake on one side, and the woods on the other.

Master

The master bedroom has a glass wall, with shades for privacy, which provides a clear view through the house, over the outdoor covered patio and to the lake beyond. Greg was impressed with the ingenuity of the architects in thinking about this view. “They were so intentional,” he says, “about making sure that when you are lying in bed you have an unimpeded view of the water and landscape. It’s a detail I may not have thought of, and it’s wonderful.”

With the help of Tricia Stuth, Ted Shelton, Mike Stevens, and many vendors, Oly and Greg were able to achieve the home of their dreams. Engineered for efficiency, their modern lakefront home seamlessly incorporates their goals of simple living and open design.

“We knew what we wanted,” says Oly, “and even though we made adjustments along the way, we couldn’t be more pleased. Our family is going to love this house for a long time.”

Set in Stone

Story by Karen Clark

Amy and Jack Williamson cultivate an aura of gentility in Arcadia.

If you think back to your 10th grade World Civilization class, you’ll remember the story of Leonidas, the Spartan king who defended the pass at Thermopylae with his famous army of the “Three Hundred.” Moving through the wide gates onto the neck of Knoxville’s Arcadia Peninsula, you can’t help but be reminded of the Greek battleground and the heroes who fought there.

Amy and Jack Williamson’s home, on Leonidas Way, echoes this sense of history and permanence. Faced in full-bed Tennessee limestone with natural slate rakes, the home is nestled into Arcadia’s rolling landscape with sweeping views of the lake and surrounding countryside. Your eye is immediately drawn to enormous stone corbels which support sloped limestone lintels over the windows. This design element, along with sweep siding and hand-hewn timber support beams, creates an appearance of by-gone grandeur. Both Tennessee natives (Amy is from Kingston and Jack from Maryville), the Williamsons began construction about three years ago and moved in this past March. They wanted a home that would allow them to entertain friends and provide plenty of room for their sons Tyler and Blaine.

The home has two wings connected with stone arch and wooden barrel-ceilinged hallways. It’s an inviting style that affords plenty of space and privacy and opens up the center of the house. This open plan gives an easy flow from kitchen, to main living area, out to the patio, pool, then down to the fire pit and dock.

“I really love building houses,” says Amy. “This is our third one, and we had such a terrific experience with both our architect Shawn Fisher and our builder David Ivey.”

Jack found the property a few years ago; he and Amy loved the fact that it is so close to everything while still feeling secluded. “This is the last large house we’ll probably build with our sons headed for college soon,” says Amy.

As you enter, you are greeted with a pleasingly unusual entryway—a brick herringbone foyer and an Old World stone arch hallway running to both your left and right. You are immediately in the heart of the house, the large living room with glass door onto the patio and the stone-faced kitchen to your left.

“I knew that we wanted to see that beautiful floating staircase and to expose lake views from all rooms,” says architect Fisher. “And I wanted to be sure that the master suite was private, off to the side out and of the way.” This room, with its high white ceilings, timber frame detail and grand twin chandeliers, is decorated in a style that decorator Liza Dewald describes as “charming casual.”

The large Marvin windows and glass doors offer an uninterrupted view of the pool and lake. “More and larger windows are the trend in today’s modern homes,” says Bryan Davis of HomeChoice Windows and Doors. Vintage Parisian doors flank the fireplace, sourced by Brad Johnson at Willow Creek Gallery. They were refinished in Knoxville and completed with mercury glass fronts by Laura Goff Designs.

The furniture layout is one of Dewald’s favorites —two large sofas facing each other with two chairs facing the fireplace. “I think this makes for a great conversation space,” she says, “and also a great place to stretch out and watch the game!” Wide, eight-inch hickory flooring runs throughout the house and is set apart from its more mundane cousins by a wealth of knots and a sanded and distressed finish.

The covered patio space right outside the living room has a full outdoor kitchen with wood surround and massive gas lanterns over the island. “Jack wanted a really big grill!” says Amy. You can see that the Williamsons are serious entertainers. Additional seating faces a gas fireplace with steps down to the pool house and infinity pool, the edge of which lines up with the lake view. Doors on either side of the stone fireplace lead into the dining room and main master suite respectively. A “soldier course” of vertically arranged thin pieces of slate sit atop the doors leaning into the house, lending intriguing visual interest to the back stone wall. One of the home’s signature touches—support columns set at a 45-degree angle, add distinctive a look. A gently curving stone walkway leads down from the pool level to a second, lower level stone patio with Adirondack chairs surrounding a rectangular gas fire and facing the lake.

“We used natural grey Tennessee sandstone for both the patio and pool surround,” says Kent Everett of Castone. “It’s a very hard rock, and can be a challenge to cut, but it’s very durable. The variations in color are a result of the slightly different locations it was quarried, which really adds to its beauty.”

The kitchen has an inventive feature that was Amy’s idea. Instead of the more typical rectangular island, with chairs along one side, Amy embedded a generous three-sided banquette into the middle of the kitchen island space. It provides comfortable seating, plenty of counter space, and a convenient casual dining area.

The back wall of the kitchen, faced in a thin-cut sandstone and a herringbone brick backsplash, has a custom hood from DuMond Iron over the Wolfe range from Ferguson’s. “I wanted to bring in texture and warmth,” explains designer Dewald. “Amy and I really wanted to bring character into each space.”

The pantry design is ingenious. It runs horizontally behind the entire width of the kitchen. Not only providing spillover counter space and an extra-large stone sink, it serves as a service area of sorts behind the kitchen. The “coffee bar” with all the essentials sits behind exquisite custom cabinetry fitted with the same mercury glass fronts found in the great room. This area keeps appliances close at hand but out of sight. The laundry room leads off this space, tucked away behind a sliding barn door.

In keeping with the theme of casual entertaining, the dining room is open to the kitchen and living space. It overlooks the lake and, like many rooms in the home, has a gas fireplace. The painting over the mantel, by local artist J. Austen Jennings, was commissioned specially for the house and is reflective of the view from the room. Large open-plan houses can be a challenge to decorate, as one room flows to another. Dewald shared her secret for the large spaces. “I carry the same colors throughout, but what is a wall color in one room may be the trim color in the next,” she explains. “Or, I may take a trim color in one room, and use that for the custom cabinetry.”

The Williamsons decided to locate two separate suites on the main level—one on each end of the barrel-ceilinged hallway. Since Amy’s father, Stan Branson, lives on Nubbin Ridge, and Jack’s mother, Carolyn Williamson, lives in Maryville, Amy doesn’t expect their parents to stay overnight very often, but it’s a great solution for house guests.

The first thing you notice is the breathtaking curved wall of windows overlooking the lake. The very high ceilings use timber beams and a grand chandelier to add texture and an English country look to the room. With neutral carpeting and tall windows, Amy decided to be bold with the wall color, setting off these elements with the charcoal grey walls.

The master bath is just the right size—spacious without feeling cavernous. The spa feeling is accentuated by the light grey color scheme, soaking tub with lake view, and large shower. The tile is perfectly set by the experts at Cella Flooring. Windows in the shower are set high, providing plenty of light without sacrificing privacy, and the cabinets are finished in the same grey as the bedroom walls.

The built-in vanity sits to the left of the door and leads into Amy and Jack’s closets. “I really wanted a girly closet,” laughs Amy. “I just love this square chandelier over the island, and the glass-fronted cabinets make it feel elegant.” A Place for Everything did the closet designs throughout the house.

The main floor guest room is slightly smaller, but still boasts beautiful lake views, a walk-in closet, and generous bath. “Locating this guest suite near the staircase and opposite the office allows for plenty of exposed light and a real sense of privacy,” says Fisher. “I was always struck by the way even large houses, like Biltmore, can make spaces feel cozy. I think the rounded walls and arched ceiling add that intimate feeling to this space.”

Everett points to these stone archways as his favorite part of the house. “I think they add a historic feeling to the hallway,” he says. The back staircase behind the kitchen has a graceful custom railing from Dumond Iron and leads up to the second floor, where both boys have their bedrooms and a large bonus room for entertaining friends. With lake views and a full bath, it can be used as an extra bedroom if needed.

The guest room décor, in navy blue and brushed gold, was inspired by the sui generis navy-and-gold vanity that Dewald found at Fergusons. “We both just loved it,” she says, “and we designed the guest room theme from there.” This guest room has what Amy calls her “Vegas shower,” and the brushed gold and modern tilework does indeed remind you of one of those razzle-dazzle hotels on the Vegas strip.

Tyler’s room, decorated in greys and neutrals, has a wide lake view, a masculine bathroom, and walk-in closet. Amy used a wood-look tile for the bathroom flooring that’s beautiful and practical for this space. Blaine wanted a more “industrial flair” for his space. This room, in lighter greys, has a seating area adjacent to his room that the family jokingly calls Blaine’s lounge. This is an open area, close to the home’s elevator and back spiral staircase, with a seating area, fireplace, and television—a great rainy-day nook to read a book or watch a movie.

One of the home’s most magnificent features is the main spiral staircase that runs from the second floor down into the lower level. Its wide steps have a low rise, which prevents the slightly dizzy feeling some people get when going down a spiral staircase. The risers are faced in brick, which matches the historic feeling of the arched hallway. The dramatic double chandelier, hung in the center from a single large chain, would look perfectly at home in a grand English country house. “That chandelier didn’t quite work when it arrived,” says builder Ivey. “We worked with Tuck Dumond of Dumond Ironworks to re-design it on site. This staircase may be my favorite part of the house.”

At the bottom of this staircase is a large family and game room. Outfitted with three large comfortable sofas in a U-shape, this seating faces a media wall of five televisions. “Jack likes to be able to see all the games at once,” laughs Amy.

This large space also has a pool and game table, as well as a smaller-scale full kitchen, a workout room, and a golf simulation room.

“When I work with clients, they will tell me the things that are important to them, for example, a large pantry,” says Fisher. “I work with the landscape and sight lines to develop a plan that meets both their functional and aesthetic vision. It’s such a satisfying process to see a client’s vision come to life and know that we’ve accomplished something wonderful together.”

“We knew this would be our ‘last hurrah’ before the kids left home,” says Amy, “so we really wanted it to be a place that they and their friends would enjoy. Working with Shawn, David, Liza, and all the many talented people who helped us was a sheer joy. It’s only been a few months, but it already feels like home.”

Animal Allies

Story by Rebecca Whalen

Eleven years ago, Dawn Childress walked into the Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville looking to meet her next family member. “We had lost a couple of our dogs and decided we wanted to adopt instead of buying a purebred,” she recalls. And that’s when she met Nala, a Golden Retriever-Australian Shepard mix whom she locked eyes with while there.

Fast-forward 11 years and Nala is just one of thousands of pets who have found their forever homes in East Tennessee. They have been brought to the center, the individuals dropping them off always knowing that those four-legged friends were in good hands with a future home on the horizon. “Without this, I just can’t even imagine the animals that wouldn’t be saved,” Childress says.

As a volunteer of three years, but a supporter of much longer, Childress has watched the center grow and evolve over the last decade. Resources never before available are accessible now. Programs that were either non-existent or brand new are now staple services at the center. So much has changed, and yet, at its core, Young-Williams has always had the same mission in mind: to lead the community to end pet homelessness, promote animal welfare and enhance the human-animal bond.

Changing the Shelter Culture

Young-Williams is an open-intake shelter. Nearly 10,000 animals a year come through its doors by way of animal control, good samaritans who simply find strays, neglect/abuse cases, or what the center calls “managed intake” (appointment-based surrender).

The center has been running since 2001. Originally a government-owned entity, the center became a nonprofit back in 2012. They still contract with the city and the county for work. “Animals are a passion for a lot of people,” says Janet Testerman, the organization’s CEO. “It’s given us the ability to implement new programming initiatives and really change the landscape of animal welfare both in our county and region.”

Testerman came to the center about three years ago and spent time learning the ins and outs of the organization. But as time progressed, she felt the culture needed to progress as well. “We taught the community for so many years that we were a dumping ground for animals,” she says. “We were really intended to be the last resort, not the first resort and we needed to shift that.”

Childress has noticed the difference. “They’ve done a lot to try to save as many of the animals as possible,” she says. “And in the three years that I’ve been there, I can see a huge difference. Animals that maybe they wouldn’t have been able to save before, they are now able to.”

She credits this in part to the addition of the center’s behavioral department, an opportunity to better understand and serve the animals that come through its doors. “Sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to work with them and figure out what’s going on to save an animal,” Childress says. “That wouldn’t happen if we didn’t have the shelter the way it is currently.”

Making it Easier to Save

One of the first operations Testerman tackled was the adoption process. “We needed to stop policing people that came into our center. We needed to make it easier for them to get these animals into their forever homes,” Testerman says. And so the center created a process that was more than simply filling out an application. It became focused on dialogue. Folks still have to fill out the paperwork, but potential pet owners are engaged in conversation about their mindset, their lifestyle, where they live, if they have a yard, kids, and so much more.

That mindset continued into the organization’s owner surrender program. Those looking to surrender their animal make an appointment with the center that can take up to two weeks. “We know that 40 percent of people who relinquish a pet, don’t want to,” Testerman says. “They just had a life hurdle or they’ve encountered a medical issue themselves or the animal has a medical issue that they can’t afford. Or maybe the animal has a behavior issue that they don’t know what to do about.”

So they created their Pet Resource Center, which does, in essence, social work for pet owners to try to keep their animals home. The organization is now able to provide services like pet-friendly housing deposits and a pet food pantry. And with an extra emphasis on education with these pet owners, more than 1,000 animals have been able to stay in their homes, reserving space at the center for animals with truly no other place to go.

Ever Evolving Programming

The programs at Young-Williams weren’t created overnight, nor have they been fostered in just the three years Testerman has been at the helm. They’ve simply taken on refreshed forms. For years, the center has taken abuse and neglect cases, where animals have gone through the judicial system, whether it was a charge related to the animal or not. Those animals come into the care and custody of Young-Williams Animal Center.

The organization’s Spay-Neuter program spays and neuters roughly 10,000 animals a year who come into the center, and an additional 10,000 that are privately owned. And with mobile units on the road four days a week in Knox County, and a satellite location at the Young-Williams Animal Village, the organization has their work cut out for them. “The other thing we’re starting to move into with the public spay-neuter program, is that a lot of pet owners can’t even afford our already low costs, so how do we create better access? How do we get these animals vaccinated?” Testerman says. The organization has been looking into grant funding that would provide subsidies to help pet owners on this front.

Just this year, Testerman and her team worked hard to create a trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return program. In fact, the organization helped to change city and county ordinances to support a community cat program, whereby if a cat comes to the shelter, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and then sent right back to where they came from. “They’ve got a 70 to 100 percent chance of finding their way back home,” Testerman says. “They’re healthy coming in, and they’re going back out healthier.” The center has returned roughly 1,100 cats back into their community.

Critical Volunteers

With this and so much work to be done, Young-Williams staff of 70 needs volunteers to make it all happen. With more than 900 volunteers in their system, 75 of which they see regularly, there’s much to do at the center to keep things moving. Childress, who helps on a lot of fronts for the center, runs the Canine Caretaker class, which helps volunteers learn proper animal handling and care. Through this and her other administrative work for the organization, she sees first hand how critical these extra bodies are.

“You get a pretty eclectic mix of people that want to come in and help these animals,” she says. “They try to figure out different roles for people…They couldn’t function as a shelter without all the help from the volunteers. There’s just so much that goes into running this place on a daily basis.”

Programs like Doggie Day Trips help the center understand more about the animals they take in. Anita Milstead, a long-time volunteer of the organization, runs this group. “This is another opportunity for volunteerism for people who maybe have the ability to volunteer on a regular basis, but they just want to do a little something,” she says. But that little something goes a long way. When volunteers take a dog out for the day, be it to their home, on a hike, or a walk around Market Square, it’s actually providing the center ample information about that animal, from an adoption perspective.

Similarly, a volunteer-run dog play group helps the center understand a little bit more about the animals coming through their doors, how they get along with other dogs, how social they are with people, and whether aggression is an issue. “What we’re trying to do is capture as much behavioral information as possible so we can find the best match for them,” Testerman says.

And of course, a foster program gives pets a chance and opens up shelter space for other animals who need it. “We’ve been able to really increase our impact by having that,” Childress says.

Milstead can attest to that. After adopting her dog, Izzy, from another shelter, she knew her pup needed a playmate and so while doing her normal volunteering with Young Williams, she found Izzy’s new sibling, Sophie. Animal Control found Sophie and her six puppies under an overpass downtown, and after coming in to the shelter all seven of the dogs went in to foster care. Eventually Sophie made it back to Young-Williams on a day when Milstead was volunteering, and she knew Sophie needed to come home with her. “I saw her and thought, this is the one.”

All of this work is to ensure that every cat, dog, guinea pig, rabbit, hamster, and more are given a home and a proper chance at a life well-lived. “They can’t just close their doors when they’re full. They can’t turn away an animal because it’s too old or too sick or too injured,” Milstead says. “Their doors are open to anything.”

At the end of 2018, Young-Williams Animal Center reached no-kill status, a first in the organization’s history. According to Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit focused on saving homeless pets and ending killing in animal shelters, “no-kill” status means a 90 percent save rate for animals entering a shelter.

Best of the Best 2019

Story by Nathan Sparks

This just might be our favorite issue each year. Getting to watch as the contenders leapfrog over each other, constantly jockeying for the lead during the voting is amazing.

This year we had an enormous surge of voter participation. At times, we had over 25,000 votes per day, and the grand total was just under 380,000 votes. It was by far our biggest turnout—ever! The most popular categories were in Dining. In fact, the top 26 most voted categories were food-related with Americana Restaurants topping the list with a whopping total of 5,820 votes won by Aubrey’s by a wide margin. Randy Burleson’s folks do an awesome job.

The most popular category outside of food—Hair Salon—and left little surprise there as Grow has dominated that category for several years. And that brings up an interesting point about who is really the best and why. It is the “why” that consistently allows for fresh, more motivated talent to enter the winner’s circle. Traditional business models touted who they were and what they did or offered, but we would say that companies like Apple broke that mold. They started with “why,” and for the modern consumer this creates a bond through how they feel about the company’s actions. And when your customers believe in not only what you are doing, but why you are doing it–shazam–it’s like magic. They will follow you anywhere.

That kind of emotional loyalty builds modern brands. Customers tell you not only where they go, but why they go there. We here at Cityview are blessed with a dedicated readership. We receive your calls and emails of appreciation for the work we do here, and it further motivates us to keep telling the stories that matter to this community. Why do we do it? Because telling stories further cements the bonds we share as neighbors and friends.

So, we pledge to keep on bringing you the best content, and we look forward to seeing the best of all of you in the pages ofCityview.

Around Town

Apartment/ Loft SuburbanAventine NorthshoreWellsley Park at Deane HillFox Lake Apartment HomesCharityYoung-Williams Animal CenterKARMEast TN Children’s HospitalChildren’s Party DestinationZoo KnoxvilleMain Eventthe Muse KnoxvilleDance ClubCotton Eyed JoeHanna’sDrake’sEvent VenueThe Mill & MineZoo KnoxvilleTennessee TheatreGame Night/TriviaAubrey’sToken Game TavernBarley’s Taproom & PizzeriaHotelThe OliverThe TennesseanHyatt DowntownKids’ CampTates’ SchoolIjams Nature CenterWesley WoodsMarinaConcord MarinaChoto MarinaSequoyah MarinaOutdoor AdventureIjam’s Nature CenterZoo KnoxvilleOakes FarmPatio – UrbanBalter BeerworksAubrey’sBearden Beer MarketPatio – WaterfrontLakeside TavernCalhoun’sBubba Brew’sPublic Golf CourseWillow Creek Golf ClubThree Ridges Golf CourseDead Horse Lake Golf CourseSmall Music VenueThe Mill & MineOpen ChordPreservation PubTouring ServiceKnox Brew ToursParanormal Adventure Tours (formerly Knoxville Ghost Tours)Knoxville ToursWedding VenueBlackberry FarmThe Pavilion at Hunter Valley FarmDara’s Garden

Art & Music

Health & Beauty

Dining

Café 4East RestaurantAubrey’sPizza PalaceJackie’s DreamFirst Date RestaurantLakeside TavernDowntown Grill & BreweryConnors Steak & SeafoodFood TruckPenne For Your ThoughtsKnox DoughCJ’s TacosHappy HourDowntown Grill & BreweryBalter BeerworksAubrey’sIce CreamCruze FarmBruster’s Ice CreamPhoenix Pharmacy and FountainItalian RestaurantAltruda’sSavelli’sEmiliaJuice BarTropical Smoothie CafeNekterJava Juice BoxLocal DessertLitton’sButtermilk Sky Pie ShopCruze FarmLocal Meat and ThreeLitton’sSweet P’sJackie’s DreamMargaritaSoccer TacoChez GuevaraChivo TaqueriaMexican RestaurantSoccer TacoChez GuevaraChuy’sNorth RestaurantLitton’sAubrey’sCentral Flats and TapsPizzaBig Ed’sHard Knox PizzeriaA DopoSeafoodChesapeake’sBonefish GrillShrimp DockSouth RestaurantYe Olde SteakhouseSoKno TacoSweet P’sSpecialty DrinkPeter Kern LibraryKefiWater Into WineSteakYe Olde SteakhouseRuth’s ChrisConnors Steak & SeafoodSushiNamaKabukiAnabaVegetarian MenuTomato HeadYassin’s Falafel HouseSunspotWest/Farragut RestaurantLakeside TavernConner’s Steak & SeafoodSeasonsWine ListWater into WineOld City Wine BarBlackberry FarmWingsWild Wing CafeBig KahunaBuffalo Wild Wings

People

Schools & Education

Stores & Services

2. Clinton Antique

3. Architectural AnticsAppliance StorePattersons Home AppliancesFriedman’s AppliancesFergusonArchitect – CommercialMBI Companies INC.BarberMcMurry ArchitectsAmy Sherrill at Benefield RichtersArchitect – ResidentialJonathan MillerAmy SherrillBarberMcMurry ArchitectsAssisted LivingNHC FarragutMorning PointeArbor TerraceAuto DetailerHarper Auto SquareKnox DetailsSynergyAuto MechanicMatlock TireFisher TireDiscount TireAuto Repair ShopHarper Auto SquareJoe Neubert Collision CenterFisher TireBanking – BusinessORNL Federal Credit UnionKnoxville TVA Employees Credit UnionRegions BankBanking – PersonalORNL Federal Credit UnionKnoxville TVA Employees Credit UnionRegions BankBicycle ShopCedar Bluff CyclesGreenlee’sHarper’sBoat DealershipTravis MarineAmerican Boat CenterAlcoa Good TimesBody ShopJoe Neubert Collision CentersHarper Collision CenterWalker CollisionBoutique StoreJosie’s BoutiqueAltar’d StateBlissBridal ShopWhite Lace & PromisesDavid’s BridalLoveliest BridalCabinet Shop/DealerDixie KitchenKitchen SalesStandard Kitchen & BathCar Dealership – DomesticBeaty ChevroletRay Varner FordTed Russell Ford/ LincolnCar Dealership – ImportHarper Auto SquareGrayson Automotive GroupLexus of KnoxvilleCar WashPure Magic Car WashSynergy Car WashZips Car WashChiropractic ServicesBrown ChiropracticApple Health and WellnessFreedom ChiropracticChristmas Tree DecoratorSam FranklinLisa Foster FloralLindsay Piper – NetherlandCleaning Service – HomeMerry Maids2 Maids and a MopClean AuthorityCleaning Service – OfficeDuncan & Sons’ Building MaintenanceJani-KingMaid Perfect CleaningCommercial ConstructionJohnson and GaylonMerit ConstructionCreative StructuresCompounding PharmacyMac’s PharmacyBelew DrugsVolunteer PharmacyComputer RepairComputer DepotShafer Technology SolutionsKnox GeeksConsignment ShopRepeat BoutiquePlanet ExchangeDuck Duck GooseContractor – Custom HomesF.E. 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JenkinsBliss HomeFurniture Store – OfficeOffice Furniture OutfittersO.P. JenkinsBill Cox FurnitureGreenhouseStanley’s GreenhousePope’s GreenhouseThress NurseryGun RangeShoot Point BlankBud’sGunny’sGun StoreBud’sShoot Point BlankHarvey’s Pistol & PawnHandymanMr. HandymanDon McConHoneyDew ServicesHead Hunter/RecruiterStaffing SolutionsStaff SourceLBMC StaffingHealth Food StoreEddie’s Health ShoppeThree Rivers MarketWhole FoodsHearing CenterChildren’s ENT SpecialistBridgewater Balance & HearingTN Hearing InstrumentHeating and Air Conditioning CompanyPioneer Heating and AirHillerChancey & ReynoldsHome Health CareEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital Home Health CareAmedisys Home Health CareNHC HealthcareInsurance – CommercialTISKnoxville Insurance GroupLiberty MutualInsurance – HealthBlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeFarm BureauCignaInsurance – LifeTN Brokerage AgencyCate-Russell Insurance, Inc. Modern Woodmen of AmericaInsurance AgentMansour Hasan – State FarmJosh Hemphill at State FarmMichael Bailey at Bailey InsuranceIT ProviderIT CompanyShafer TechnologiesAllevia TechnologyJewelry StoreMarkman’sLamon JewelersKimball’sKitchen and Bath DesignDixie KitchenKitchen SalesStandard Kitchen & BathLandscape ArchitectGrant Smith at EarthedelicSara HedstromStephen HackneyLiquor/Package StoreTotal WineBob’sMcScrooge’sLog Home CompanyAppalachian Log HomesStone Mill Log HomesHonest AbeMartial ArtsKnoxville Academy of Martial ArtsBullman’s Kickboxing & Krav MagaPremier Martial ArtsMen’s StoreJos. A BankMen’s WearhouseM.S. McClellan & Co. Mortgage CompanyMortgage Investors GroupORNL Federal Credit UnionFountain City FinanceMotorcycle DealershipSmoky Mountain Harley-DavidsonKnoxville Harley DavidsonAlcoa Good TimesMoving CompanyGouffonTwo Men and A TruckFox MovingNutrition StoreEddie’s Health ShopThree Rivers MarketVitamin ShoppePest Control/ ExterminatorDayton’s Pest ControlCook’s Pest ControlRussell’s Pest ControlPet BoardingPetSafe VillageBrewster’s Bark and BedButler Animal ClinicPet GroomerFoxy LocksAdorable PetsDoggone PrettyPet StoreRiver Dog BakeryAgri Feed Pet SupplyMisty’s Pet DepotPlumberCedar Bluff PlumbingMy Professional PlumberScott’s PlumbingReal Estate CompanyRealty ExecutivesColdwell Banker Wallace & WallaceKeller WilliamsRegenerative MedicineOptimal HealthApple Health & WellnessTennessee Regenerative Sports Medicine PLLCSecurity SystemHIS SecurityFleenor SecuritySafeT SystemsSmall GymFrankie’s Body ShopWorkout AnytimeOrange Theory FitnessSporting Goods Store – GeneralAcademy Sports + OutdoorsTennessee Sporting GoodsDick’s Sporting GoodsStaffing and EmploymentStaffing SolutionsRandstadStaff SourceTailor/AlterationsSandra G’s AlterationsPrestige CleanersQuality AlterationsTire StoreFisher TireMatlock TireDiscount TireVideo ProductionAlways AboundingJupiter EntertainmentPopFizzWaterproofing/Crawl Space EncapsulationMasterDryB-Dry WaterproofingCrawl Space NinjaWeb Site DesignerSlamDotSouth Made MarketingNew Frame CreativeWedding PlannerSouthern Bliss WeddingsHunter Valley FarmsLive, Laugh, Love WeddingsYoga StudioReal Hot YogaGlowing BodyBlueridge Yoga and Wellness Center

Core Change Fitness

Story by Chelsie Hall

Welcome to Core Change! We are so glad you are interested in learning more about our community and method. Core Change is a locally, family-owned Lagree fitness studio that is on a serious mission to help you find your inner power and create the strongest version of yourself. We believe that at your core you are infinite potential. Your core is physically and energetically your power center. Through our core-centric method, you will tap into your inner-strength and create a powerful mind-body experience for the best total body workout! At Core Change, you will be challenged and supported by magnetic coaches who will push you to reach your personal best through high intensity, low impact, intentional movements. Your results will be unparalleled. We are excited to help you unlock your full potential and find your inner power – you are so much stronger than you think!

Here’s to reaching your goals together! Let’s get started!

-The Core Change Team

Michelle Porter

Story by Drew Hamilton

While pursuing a degree in microbiology at the University of Tennessee, Michelle found herself drawn to the world of craft cocktails and bartending. Now, just a few years after graduation, she finds herself as the CEO of Flying Panda Specialty Beverage Company, a local venture focused on providing high-quality cocktails on the go, with a percentage of the profits dedicated to helping endangered species.

At what point did you decide that this was a business?

I had worked as a consultant for a couple of bars doing cocktail menus and whatnot. The craft cocktail side of things was really fascinating to me. I went down to a conference in New Orleans called Tales of the Cocktail, and I think the exposure there started to get my wheels turning. I noticed that while you could get everything else conveniently, there was a big void in ready-to-drink container cocktails.

How did you decide on the name?

As we were launching the company, I wanted to help the giant panda. It was on the endangered species list, so I thought that the whole company was just going to be geared towards giving partial proceeds towards getting the panda off the endangered species list. Well, it was pulled from that list through a collective effort from the Chinese government and conservation groups before we got to market. So we called it Flying Panda as a tribute to what happened with that animal. Now, each flavor that we do, we pick a different animal that’s either on the vulnerable or endangered species list and try to help that animal with each specific flavor.

We found a nonprofit organization called Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas. They have 50 different species on a 1,800-acre sanctuary and are pretty well self-sustained. All the animals just get to roam free, but you can drive through and see them in their natural state. They do really well with tourism so they are able to take the money that we give them and funnel it directly towards the animals that we choose.

How is the craft beverage community in Knoxville?

I love Knoxville, and it’s been really cool to see that aspect of it. There’s not a lot of industries where people that are directly competing have each other’s back, help each other out, and talk pretty openly about process. So it’s been a really cool thing to be a part of that. I mean, you can’t ask for a more locally supportive community.

From the Editor

Story by Drew Hamilton

Pincho was never supposed to be a part of our lives. As we returned home from our extended “Tour de Thanksgiving,” our house was dark and devoid of life. The dogs were at the sitter’s and a steady chorus of rain sang out across the gutters forming rivers to the storm drains down the street. As my wife and I hurried to convey our luggage to the safety of the indoors, a new voice appeared on the stoop. Grey and white with the right amount of earnestness and desperation, a small kitten cast its lot our way looking for shelter.

Had it been any other time, there would have been a cacophony of excited canines protective of their abode. Instead, there was solely my wife, always ready to offer a roof and food to any of God’s creatures, large or small (and at any price tag, much to my chagrin).

He made himself at home rather quickly. The skittish nature we associate with most felines seemed to escape him completely, and I was hurriedly dispatched to the store for food and litter. No matter his ultimate fate, I was informed by my wife that he would be our guest for the evening. With a familiarity that many cats never seem to develop, Pincho decided that our digs would accommodate his needs quite nicely. Whether the inclement weather informed this decision in any way, I can only speculate. After satiating his appetite with the finest kibble that Kroger could offer (my executive decision), he planted himself decisively in the crook of my knee on the couch and proceeded to purr like a finely tuned Harley before finally drifting off to slumber, comfortable that his display had pulled all of the necessary heartstrings to earn a permanent spot on our roster.

The dogs have not quite warmed up to Pincho just yet. For now, he lives in my home office, content to lie beside me as I type. I’m sure that he will eventually be accepted into the fold, and he seems to have the patience to wait. As for me, I accept Pincho as a happy surprise. My first cat in a decade, I think he will be a welcome counterbalance to the boisterous dog energy that’s kept this house on its heels thus far. He at least seems to be content to let me write. Perhaps he doesn’t want to wear out his welcome…at least not just yet.

As you read this issue’s article about the Young-Williams Animal Center, consider whether there is room in your life for an animal who needs a second chance. Don’t wait for opportunity to show up at your front door. We just got lucky.

Baroness of Business

Story by Cityview

Julie BlaylockKnoxville seems to have a certain magnetic charm that draws people in from all over the map. Our community is certainly better for it, especially when it involves people like Julie Blaylock. Originally from Long Island, New York, Julie made the move to Knoxville in 2000. Studying English at the University of Tennessee, she once considered teaching. However, there was another path in the works for her.

Working for seven years at an architectural firm as an office manager, she was eventually laid off, but taking it in stride, she was off to bigger and better things. In 2011, she was hired to be an executive assistant at the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce by then President/CEO Bettye Sisco.

Founded in 1987 by the late mayor Bob Leonard and a couple of local enthusiastic business owners, the Chamber has grown by leaps and bounds over the course of its 33-year history. Although it went through some hard times, Blaylock learned a lot from her mentor, Sisco, who was able to increase the membership at the Chamber by the hundreds over her tenure.

After Sisco’s retirement, Julie was hired by the board to take over the position as president and CEO in February of 2017, after a short period as interim director. It’s a job that’s proven to be very rewarding.

“I love the people,” she says, “and that includes my staff, my board, my ambassadors, my volunteers, and all of our business owners. I started out life thinking I wanted to teach. What I really wanted to do is help people, and I get to do that every day in this job.” Blaylock explains it is the best job she never knew she wanted.

The Chamber continues to grow by leaps and bounds, no doubt in part as a result of Julie’s zeal for her work and her passion for bringing people together. “I think one of the most important functions of the Chamber is connecting the right people with the right resources,” she explains. “That could be small business development assistance, economic assistance, new clients, new customers, new vendors … We are on the fast track to convening all of the entities that are under our umbrella.”

Julie doesn’t fathom leaving her post any time soon. Having fallen in love with Knoxville almost twenty years ago, she can’t imagine returning to New York. “The size of the city is perfect,” she says. “There are lots of restaurants and plenty to do, but it still has that small-town feel.”

Mayor Glen Jacobs and his team are working closely with Blaylock to host small-business events and encourage local commerce.

Enforcer of fair play

Story by Cityview

John WrightFor ten years, John held the crucial, load-bearing position of an SEC referee. This necessary position was laced with the immense pressure as the eyes of many watched his every move. He dodged the occasional 250-pound linebacker or a toe-drag snag in the end zone, amidst staying vigilant. While constantly under a magnifying glass, John’s calls not only determined the outcome of a game, but also the spirit of thousands of fans. His standard of ethics was unwavering regardless of disgruntled “boos.”

Surprisingly, John did not start out with lofty dreams of being an SEC football official. In fact, his foray into the world of refereeing came at the challenge of his friend, Sam McKenzie. At the time, John was coaching a team of middle-schoolers. “Sam started officiating the year before I did, and he was calling one of our games,” explains John. “I got mad on a call, and I was giving him grief. He said,’You know what, John? If you think you can do it better, you bring your behind out there.’”

John did just that, and the next year he was out to prove his mettle as an official. “Once I got out there and got into it, I realized that I didn’t know anything,” John says. “I thought I knew. Myself, as a coach, I didn’t know the rules like I thought I did.” From there, it was a steady climb through the ranks.

Starting at the Pee Wee level, John eventually made it to high school games, college junior varsity, then to varsity where he officiated two state championships. He even refereed some arena football games prior to his strenuous 10-year role in the SEC. It was no easy task. Even in the offseason, officials spend countless hours studying the rules of the game and attending seminars to hone their craft. Much like collegiate football teams, they spend hours reviewing game film to ensure that they are making calls to the best of their ability. “I think most fans think they can do the job. But once you get into it and realize how much is involved and what goes into the preparation, your perspective changes,” says John. “You have to be thick-skinned, and you have to take a lot of criticism.”

Challenges have faced John off the field as well. In July of 2016, he and his wife Kimberly lost their daughter, Jazmine Wright. John credits God with helping them work through the pain of losing a child. Now retired from his role, he chooses to focus on his family and faith, but he still looks back fondly at his time on the field. “You get the best seat in the house,” John says. “And I was blessed to be able to do it for ten years of my life.”

Equine Extraordinaire

Story by Cityview

Reagan CampbellMany people take decades to find their true passion, something they focus on with veracity and laser-sharp focus, and many spend their entire lives without ever finding that one special thing. However, there is the rare minority that discover, very early in life, something that lights a fire and spurs them towards greatness. Reagan Campbell would fit comfortably in this elite fraternity.

Fascinated by horses for as far back as she can remember, she recalls fond memories of admiration from afar. “My grandmother used to take me to find pastures with horses,” she says, “and we would sit and watch them for hours when I was two or three years old.”

It wasn’t long before she made her way into the saddle, riding Hunter Jumpers, before moving to Saddlebred horses at age seven. At the tender age of eight, she began competing. Her proficiency at riding was apparent, even at such a young age, but she is quick to thank her family for helping her succeed.

“They have been extremely supportive,” she says. “My mom and sister went to all my practices. My mom mainly went to all the horse shows over the years, and my dad helped me pick out and buy my amazing horses.”

Over the course of her career, Reagan has ridden several horses, each propelling her from championship to championship, and she has warm remembrances of them all. Mystery Machine, her first competitive horse, was a great introduction to the competitive equestrian scene. “He took care of me and gave me a thirst for something more.” With him, she won her first world champion title. Her most recent companion, It’s Aerosmith, has continued the tradition. “He has taught me patience, courage, and about never giving up,” she explains. In the end, they all have left an indelible mark on her life. “It’s hard to explain in words really how much they mean to me and the life lessons that I have learned from each of them,” she says. “It’s a bond that only a girl and her horse can understand.”

In November of last year, Reagan rode in her last competition as a juvenile, winning both of her classes unanimously for an undefeated season.

Now, as an 18-year-old freshman at Ole Miss majoring in hospitality management, she plans to focus on her studies, but this is by no means a retirement. She explains that when balancing college and competition, you have to have a lot of energy. For Reagan, this comes easy as her passion for riding is so strong.

“These horses are in my blood,” she says. “I’ll be back!”

Leader of the Blue

Story by Cityview

Eve ThomasWhen charting the rise of Knoxville’s Chief of Police, Eve Thomas, there’s a clear trail of hard work, building block by block as she earned the respect and trust of her colleagues. However, her life could have quite easily gone in another direction. Rather than running straight to the doors of the police academy, she instead applied on a whim at the urging of her brother. While her brother’s career in law enforcement never came to fruition, Chief Thomas quickly saw opportunity.

“I had a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UT,” she says. “And it really rolled along with my degree—helping people and being able to work out in the community. I really enjoyed that.” It didn’t take long for that passion to be noticed by her superiors. Starting as a patrol officer, she then moved into recruitment, an area that she still focuses on. “Of course, you have to have the heart for it,” she explains. From there, she worked with the Accreditation Unit, responsible for keeping the department compliant with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. After commanding her own squad with a promotion to sergeant in 1999, she eventually reached the rank of lieutenant in 2005.

“At that point, you get to assist the department and community by affecting policy and procedure,” she says. “I actually got to work in our downtown, riding a bike … with people, and being on Market Square. That’s the truest form of community policing.”

Most recently, in June of 2018, Chief Thomas was appointed to her current position by then-mayor, Madeline Rogero. It was a historical moment as she is the first woman in the department to reach such heights. Chief Thomas seems to take the appointment in stride. Having risen through the ranks working side by side with her fellow officers, there is a mutual respect built over decades. “Everyone knew what to expect from me because they knew what I expected from them,” she explains. “Hopefully, they realize that I want what’s in their best interest and the community’s best interest as well.”

As she continues to serve, Chief Thomas stresses the importance of staying tuned in to not only her officers, but the community as well. “It’s partnerships and problem solving,” she says. “And if we don’t have those partnerships, we can’t solve our problems together.”

People with Passion & Purpose

Story by Cityview

Introducing several of Knoxville’s finest, we’re proud to include them in our People Section.

As parents, we have great expectations for our children. We work to prepare them to become men and women of character and productive members of society. During this journey we have opportunities to rejoice in their accomplishments and applaud their every success. And, even though we may suspect they are destined for greatness, it may be too early in their development to quantify how much greatness lies within them. They grow. They mature. And, then they show us.

This is the case with our son, Aaron. As he developed we saw that he was very intelligent, which his mother is quick to say he gets from her. We recognized he had a kind heart and a gentle nature. We observed he had an uncanny way of connecting with people on so many different levels. And, we took pride in his work ethic where, again, his mother takes the credit. What we couldn’t see or know during those formative years was just how smart, caring, relatable and hard working he would become. And, then he showed us.

Like so many other amazing men and women in our area, Aaron is among a group of extremely gifted people who have chosen to lead instead of follow, to challenge their limits and elude any suspected influence of mediocrity. These are the servants, champions, leaders, and innovators who help to make our area a vibrant, dynamic community in which to raise a family, work, live, play, and otherwise call home. It is no one person, but rather, a group of people banded together by drive, vision, and sometimes sheer determination, who collectively contribute to and enhance the cultural and financial well-being of our community.

There is a myriad of such stories to choose among, and that always creates difficulty in selecting who we feature. Our community is blessed to have a plethora of people who have achieved positions of greatness atop their industry or sport. It is their dedication and commitment to excellence that has made Knoxville what it is and it is how we will continually improve our community. Celebrated for their talents and service, we are honored to present this year’s sampling of those individuals in our People Section.

The Fervent Fundraiser: Aaron Richardson

Baroness of Business: Julie Blaylock

Queen of Clutch: Patricia Nash

Shining Cookie Couple: Mike and Robin Maddux

Leader of the Blue: Eve Thomas

The Magazine Mogul: William S. Rukeyser

Equine Extraordinaire: Reagan Campbell

Enforcer of Fair Play: John Wright

The Grateful Servant: Jerry Askew

Queen of the Clutch

Story by Cityview

Patricia NashCrafted with the finest leather and tooled with great detail, designer Patricia Nash has built a company based on passion and high-quality. Nash’s interest in handbags piqued when she discovered an old purse belonging to her mother. The bag had been wrapped away in her closet for years, and she was stunned by how beautifully the leather had aged. This inspired her to create bags with a vintage feel, but designed for today’s women with better functionality.

Nash and her team draw inspirations from travels, memories, and motifs from around the world. “It can be architecture, it can be landscape…or it can be people,” Nash says. “We went to Cuba and were so full of inspiration when came back, whether it was from graffiti on the walls or just the spirit and passion of the people.” She has thousands of bags collected from various countries that she archives and later pulls out for inspiration when creating new lines.

Nash adds that you don’t have to travel far for inspiration. “Right in your backyard you can find something that inspires you. I found some really great tooled vintage bags outside of Murfreesboro at a trading post.”

In fall 2020, Patricia Nash Designs will celebrate their ten-year anniversary. The team is already brainstorming how to commemorate the milestone and are planning specials with several retailers. “We are developing a lot of vintage kind of throwback capsules exclusive for all of these retailers.”

Recently, the company launched footwear which Nash says was a real challenge. “You have to be an engineer. You have to be technically experienced to really create a shoe that fits well, that wears right, and is not too expensive.” Fortunately, they were able to work with great partners who have been in the industry for years.

In addition, they began a jewelry line in March 2019. “I got my inspiration from a lot of old-world coins and compasses and things that make you think about travel.”

When asked what is the secret to designing a great handbag, Nash says it needs to be authentic and thoughtful. “You have to make sure it’s unique. It’s yourself; it’s something that would trigger an emotional response, but also be that workhorse.”

It is evident in all of her collections that Patricia Nash pays attention to every detail and prides herself on the best craftsmanship. Her lines and stores that carry her products can be viewed atpatricianashdesigns.com. Locally, you can visit her flagship store at 1132 N. 6thAvenue.

Shining Cookie Couple

Story by Cityview

Mike and Robin Madduxnever set out to be in the cookie business. In fact, Moonshine Mountain Cookies really started out as a special treat for customers at the pizzeria that the couple started decades ago. Although the restaurant is no longer around, the cookies that were born out of that business have taken on a life of their own. Once Mike and Robin saw the huge demand for their delicious cookies, they knew they had a hit on their hands.

Initially leasing a small kitchen space in the Old City three days a week, sales started to skyrocket and they decided to open their own bakery. Moonshine Mountain’s cookies have many signature flavors worth sampling. While most cookies have a traditional flat shape, Mike and Robin opt for a more plump shape, keeping the product moist and brimming with flavor.

The addition of moonshine was Mike’s idea. “Because of past experience in the pizza business, I was still getting literature from the food industry,” he says. “And one thing kept jumping out to me about what was hot and trending … Moonshine had just been legalized.”

The couple discovered that the addition of different flavored moonshines gave their cookies an extra kick. During the baking process, the alcohol dissipates from the dough, leaving behind nothing but flavor, making it consumable for people of all ages.

The cookies have earned a reputation outside of Knoxville, and the pair sees people stopping in their store from many states.

Occasionally, they’ll even see a customer twice in one day. “We’ve sold boxes of cookies that people intend to give as a gift,” Mike says, “only to see those people return to the store an hour later for more because the first box didn’t make it home.”

In addition to the business from their bakeries, the company also ships the tasty treats all over the country. “One day we got a phone call, and I almost didn’t take it because it was from Michigan,” says Mike. “I went ahead and answered it, and it was General Motors. They had heard about us through our website.”

Today, the couple continues to attract new customers from all over, inviting them to experience what Moonshine Mountain Cookies has to offer. What started as a small promotional stunt a little over 30 years ago has turned into a thriving national business for Mike and Robin. By adding a little bit of one of East Tennessee’s most infamous beverages, they’ve turned their operation into one of Knoxville’s most iconic desserts.

The Fervent Fundraiser

Story by Cityview

Aaron RichardsonIn an alternate universe, Aaron Richardson may very well be a dentist. Fortunately, in this realm, Aaron took quite a different path. Graduating from UT Martin with a degree in cellular and molecular biology, his original intent was to go to dental school. “It was the family business on my mother’s side,” he says. But upon finishing school, that career was the furthest thing from his mind, and he found himself going in a different direction. Fortunately, another opportunity presented itself. “I lucked out, honestly,” he says. “I fell on a nonprofit and never looked back.”

With the help of friends, Aaron found a part-time opportunity with March of Dimes in Chattanooga. That experience began to reinforce his passion for service and awaken a deeply rooted sense of community. As he began to familiarize himself with the organization, he was soon called upon to do a little bit of everything, and in doing so, he started to really connect with donors and volunteers to serve a higher cause.

“I think that’s where my love for nonprofits started taking me,” he says. “I had an opportunity to sit down and connect with these individuals and find out why they were so passionate about an organization.”

This chapter with March of Dimes opened doors for Aaron, which led him to a position at Zoo Knoxville. He jumped at the chance, excited to take on a challenge that would help both people and animals. “That’s always been my goal in life,” he says, “to make a lasting impact where you can and as big as you can.”

Serving as the organization’s Major Gifts Officer and Donor Relations Coordinator, Aaron did just that, working tirelessly behind the scenes to put on the nonprofit’s yearly gala, Zoofari, along with a slew of other responsibilities involving both leadership and support roles to ensure that Zoo Knoxville received the funding it needs to serve our vibrant community.

Now, a volunteer on the committee, Aaron has recently accepted a position with Regal Cinemas and is looking forward to transitioning his skills to the for-profit arena.

Apart from his professional work, Aaron stays active in the community, serving on both the Tennessee Alumni Association Advisory Council and the board of Nucleus Knoxville. It all comes from a place of love for both this city and the people who make it great. “Knoxville is such an amazing community,” he says. “We’re a great central hub to some amazing things. We’re not just a stop to get somewhere else. We truly are a destination.”

The Grateful Servant

Story by Cityview

Jerry Askewnever planned to stay in Knoxville for long. “I expected to stay here three or four years and move on,” he says. “I got married. We had some babies. And before you knew it, it was home.” For the community, it has been a fortuitous turn. Originally moving to Knoxville in 1985 to accept a position at the University of Tennessee as the Dean of Students, Jerry found more than a few reasons to stay. Dedicated to the welfare of his fellow citizens, he has committed himself to service, now as the president of the Alliance for Better Nonprofits and as a deacon in his church.

Born and raised in a small town in North Carolina, he nonetheless found himself surrounded by good teachers and a supportive structure encouraging him to branch out and succeed. This good fortune continued on to college where Jerry met the man that would spur him towards his current path. Dr. Donald E. Harris, affectionately referred to as “Doc,” was Jerry’s fraternity advisor while he studied at UNC, but the impact he had on his life would extend much further. “He was one phone call away,” he says. “He was always there for you.”

The kindness that he saw in Doc inspired him to do his best to help others. “I’m the beneficiary of great grace,” he says. “You can’t earn grace by definition. I just try to express my gratitude by doing for others what’s been done for me.”

So far, it seems that Jerry has made good on that promise. Having served on the boards of over 40 nonprofits, his current work with the Alliance for Better Nonprofits allows him to help others better serve the community. By offering crucial resources and uniting those with a spirit for service, the organization streamlines the work done by nonprofits in the community. “Nonprofits are corporations,” he says. “They have a different tax structure from for-profit corporations, but they are corporations. So the idea was, from a donor community, to help them to be more effective so that we can continue to support them and make a difference.”

In the four years that the Alliance has been operating, they’ve done much to follow through. “We identified 27 different groups that were serving refugees and brought them together to organize themselves so they could have a common vision,” Jerry says. “They could identify what resources were already there and identify gaps in services. Then, they could work together to fill those gaps.” By making a concerted effort, he is optimistic about the strides that Knoxville’s nonprofits can make in the coming years.

Searching for a New Normal

Story by Drew Hamilton

Cityview’s Best of the Best winner, yoga instructor Emily Hildreth discusses struggle, perseverance, and a shot at a better future.

In the ledger of life, we can break down our interactions with others into two categories, giving and taking. For many, the columns will even out. For others, the scales will tip decidedly to one side. For Emily Hildreth, the books resoundingly place her in the “giver” category. Givers don’t often ask for help, and as you read this, consider that her path has not been an easy one. There is hope, however, in the form of stem cells, and that is how we can all help this woman who has given so much to others. Obstacles that would easily sideline others with a weaker constitution have only emboldened her to take the bull by the horns and march ahead.

With a passion for dance, Emily began classical ballet at the age of four. While her father’s job took her from Orlando to Asheville, Little Rock, and eventually Knoxville, dance was a constant fixture that she kept up through high school graduation. However, her active lifestyle took a blow soon after.

“I was biking on the Virginia Creeper trail, and I suddenly braked,” she explains. “I don’t remember braking or even why.” The incident flung her over the handlebars, landing on her knee. When she still felt tingling and numbness in her leg a week later, she decided it was time to consult her family doctor.

Luckily, Emily’s doctor had his suspicions about the nature of the accident and the sensations in her leg. After calling for a spinal tap and a MRI, she was dealt a devastating blow. The tests confirmed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

“I was scared,” Emily says. “I was really scared just because there was so much unknown.” Her diagnosis came in 2006 at the age of 20, and in the years since, there are still many unknowns when it comes to MS. Scientists are unsure what causes MS, and conventional medicine offers no cure. What they do know is that most of those who receive the diagnosis are between the ages of 20 and 50, and the disease manifests in women at two to three times the rate as men.

At its core, multiple sclerosis involves the immune system attacking one’s own central nervous system. In doing so, it damages myelin, the protective layer over the body’s nerves. Once this layer is damaged, scar tissue is formed and communication between the body and the brain becomes jumbled.

This is why the symptoms experienced by people living with MS can be so varied. For many, fatigue and weakness are commonplace, along with tingling and numbness. In addition, some people experience mood swings, depression, and interruptions in cognitive function. These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency, many times ebbing and flowing in unpredictable ways.

For Emily, it is a constant battle, and every day is a new challenge. That’s why stem cells may help, but the intravenous procedure is expensive and not approved by the FDA. Upon her diagnosis, she was prescribed a very intense regimen of medication including an extremely painful shot that had to be injected regularly into her thigh. “I relied on my former husband, and he helped me give injections to myself,” she recalls. “So I was scared for a long time, but then I found that, over time, it was pretty regular. It was life returning back to normal.” But a return to normalcy took hard work and a desire to fight.

Just six months after her diagnosis, she knew that she had to be proactive. Suffering from anxiety and depression, she turned to yoga as a way to settle her mind and find peace. “It was for my mental health,” she explains. “It’s something I always have to deal with, and yoga really helped, actually.

“When I first started, I was only doing hot power yoga, and it was just exhausting,” she continues. “I was burning the wick at both ends. But then I found that it was good for my anxiety and depression because it was an outlet that let that anxious energy out.” While reaping the mental benefits from this form of yoga, the intensity of the sessions would leave her completely wiped out, exacerbating the fatigue that she’s been stricken with since a mononucleosis diagnosis as a teen and magnified by MS. She soon began exploring a different approach. “My focus in yoga has shifted from hot power yoga, extreme physical activity, physical exhaustion to help my mind,” Emily says. “Now, it’s more towards yin yoga, which is more relaxing, more introspective, more meditative. I don’t feel depleted leaving a class. I feel more like I’ve charged my battery.”

After two years of experiencing the benefits of yoga first-hand, Emily decided that she wanted to share this ancient practice with others, hoping that they too could find glimpses of peace and tranquility in the face of trials and tribulations.

First keeping her own troubles hidden from her clients, she was pleasantly surprised when she allowed herself to be more transparent and honest about her diagnosis and struggles. She now finds it as a source of comfort and strength.

“I see it through sharing with people, which I didn’t always used to do,” she admits. “But I find it is both a positive thing for myself and others. It’s also confidence building for me just to be vulnerable enough to tell people, ‘No, I might be fit, and this might be my occupation, what I do. But it’s not always easy.’ I can be more relatable to people and that helps me to stay positive. Then I feel like they open up to me, and we can all have each other’s back a little bit.”

It’s this kind of openness that endears Emily to her clients, both as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer. So it’s no surprise that they showed their support with their votes in this year’s Best of the Best, naming Emily the Gold Winner in the Female Yoga Instructor category. Flattered by the win and accepting it with humility, she vows to continue helping others on their road to health and fulfillment.

For someone so selfless, we atCityviewfeel compelled to bring her story to the community at large. But we cannot stop there. There is a new chapter on the horizon for Emily, a chapter that could finally bring her relief. Through a local physician, Emily discovered the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, and quite possibly, an end to her suffering. After wading through testimonials and reviews, she found hope. “I’ve had a relapse on every medication,” she notes. With a successful stem cell treatment, she can calm the storm inside her and finally shed the medications that have both helped and haunted her for all these years. “It will take away the inflammation, and that will help to protect that myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves,” she says with hope. “That will be my new normal.”

For Emily, the need for a new normalcy can’t come quickly enough. As a single mother of two, the disease has presented additional hurdles. Hoping to protect her children as long as possible from the burden she bears every single day, she finally revealed her diagnosis to Elliot, nine, and George, six, this summer. “It wasn’t in the forefront of my mind as something I needed to discuss with them at their age,” she says. “But when I had my most recent relapse, I had severe fatigue, dizziness, and vertigo. It’s affected my mental health as well.” Her fears of a relapse are well founded as she’s bounced around from treatment to treatment, medication to medication. While on Avonex, the intramuscular injection would give her flu-like symptoms anywhere from 24 to 36 hours. “I would be feverish with intense headaches,” she recalls. “My muscles would become rigid and tense, and I’d be freezing.” This was her weekly routine.

From there, it was the subcutaneous shot, Copaxone. “I still have scar tissue on my injection spots,” she says. “I would have huge welts, hot and bruised.” With a limited number of approved injection sites, she would have to return to wounds still healing in a never-ending cycle of discomfort and pain.

A switch to the oral medication, Tecfidera, gave her a respite from needles but came with its own side effects. “Every day, I would break out in hives,” she says. “I would get really sick to my stomach, kind of like morning sickness. That was every day.”

At her wit’s end, she finds herself looking far from home. Refusing to give up, she is fighting for a better life. She is fighting for her children. She is fighting for a new normal.

Nearly four years off of medication, she has to be careful. Growing up as a “yes person,” she sadly must say no to certain things. She has to be judicious with how much she gives with the potential of a relapse lurking in the shadows, a relapse that could leave her permanently disabled. But there is hope.

Cityview feels compelled to share stories like these because we believe in our community. We believe that our readers can come together to support a fellow Knoxvillian in her time of need. In the ledger of life, let’s put a mark in the “give” column.

To help make Emily’s treatment a reality, please visitbit.ly/Emily039s

The Magazine Mogul

Story by Cityview

William S. RukeyserYou could argue that journalism is in Bill Rukeyser’s blood. For many years, Bill’s father Merryle wrote seven newspaper columns per week for International News Service. Growing up with the sounds of his father’s constant clacking on the typewriter, it wasn’t long before he caught the bug. “I learned to type before I learned to write cursive,” he says. Growing up, Bill succeeded both of his brothers as a high school sports correspondent for a local newspaper in Rochelle, New York.

Upon his college graduation, he eagerly took a job as a foreign correspondent for theWall Street Journal,working out of the paper’s London office. For a young writer, the post was a dream, living abroad writing about the commodity market. However, an opportunity in New York would soon return him to the states.

Lured by the prospect of good money and his own office, Bill took a position as associate editor atFortunemagazine. From there, he moved toMoneymagazine for a time before returning toFortuneas managing editor. After launching the French version ofFortune, a new prospect presented itself in the form of Whittle Communications.

Hundreds of miles away from Bill’s office in Rockefeller Center, Chris Whittle was carving out a name for himself in the publishing world in Knoxville. After a lucrative offer, Bill left his metropolitan lifestyle for a position as editor-in-chief. Making the move in 1988, he quickly settled in to life down South.

Now, mostly removed from the publishing world apart from editing books, Bill has moved on to a different post as chairman of the board of University Health Systems, the nonprofit organization that operates the UT Medical Center. During his tenure as chairman, he has been able to see the medical center grow by leaps and bounds to provide cutting edge care.

Bill credits much of this success with their focus on maintaining positive relationships with the doctors on staff. “We have an unusually collaborative relationship between administrators and physicians,” he says. “Nurturing and preserving that collaborative atmosphere is the basis of our work. It’s taken a lot of time to get to the level of cooperation we have and, like reputation, it can be lost quickly.”

As for the future, Bill is focused on remaining current in medical technology and continuing to recruit the best staff. By maintaining such high standards, UT Medical Center can continue to operate as one of the premier hospitals in the region for years to come.

Leading By Example

Story by Susan Alexander

Owen Ragland followed his father into the Air Force and led all three of his children along the same path. The frequent moves the military requires can be challenging, especially for the spouse who is organizing them and managing the household while his or her mate is deployed, he says. But the experiences he and his family had in different countries and cultures more than made up for the inconveniences.

Ragland was in Germany, for instance, the week the Berlin Wall came down. Later, his wife and children saw much of Europe while he was stationed in England, thanks to short trips via low-cost airlines. Even later, he met with high-level officials in both Israel and Syria as he studied the Middle East.

“My kids got to see other cultures and learn about their traditions and languages. It made an impression on all of them.

“It was a good life for our family,” he says, referring to his childhood, though clearly, it was good for the family he fathered as well.

Ragland’s path into the Air Force started at the University of Tennessee, where he joined the AFROTC program. After earning a degree in engineering, he attended flight school in Del Rio, Texas. Then he was asked to be an instructor there. He stayed for four years.

“I started on the T-37, which was sort of like a VW Beetle with wings,” he says. “Then I became an instructor on the advanced trainer, the T-38, which was more like a Corvette – supersonic, very aerodynamic.”

His next assignment took him, his wife Leslie, and their young family to England, where he flew an A-10 as the Cold War came to a close. “It was a big, ugly airplane; a Gatling gun with wings,” he says. “It flew low and slow.”

Though he was stationed in England, he frequently was dispatched to Germany and recalls the excitement as the Berlin Wall came down. “There was a lot of uncertainty about what was going to happen,” he says. “The people in East Germany had been oppressed for so long. Their infrastructure was failing. But their government promised they would rebuild East Germany, and the German people have such a strong work ethic, and they did. I have very fond memories of being there.”

Then it was on to Arizona, where he trained on another fighter jet and then upgraded to instructor; then on to North Carolina, from which he was deployed to the Middle East. In North Carolina he trained Jeannie Leavitt, the first female fighter pilot, in 1993.

Next was Air Force Headquarters in Virginia, where he kept track of excess aircraft at bases around the world and had them moved where they were most needed. Then back to England for another three years as an instructor flying fighters and with children old enough to understand the benefits and sacrifices that come with a military career. All three chose to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“My son is flying drones in New Mexico, though he is currently deployed,” he says. “My oldest daughter studied Russian and was a nuclear missile crew commander. She is now an intelligence officer. And my youngest daughter studied French and political science with an emphasis on Africa and served as a personnel officer. She has since left the Air Force, but her husband is on active duty in Mississippi.”

The Raglands have four grandchildren, too young to enlist just yet.

As his career continued, Ragland attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, earning a graduate degree in strategic studies. Students there specialize in one region of the world, and Ragland’s was the Middle East. He visited both Israel and Syria, meeting with military, political, and industrial leaders to understand the myriad and longstanding issues that confront the region.

When it comes to understanding the Middle East, he says, “It all comes back to Iran. That is the country in the Middle East that pulls all the strings. We tend to underestimate them, but they are very politically astute and they have lots of engineers. It’s very complex. It’s hard for us, as a 250-year-old country, to have an appreciation for issues that go back thousands of years. They view things through a different lens.”

As Ragland climbed the ranks to colonel, he absorbed leadership skills from officers with every new assignment.

“I watched every leader that I had, from the time I was a lieutenant to a colonel. I learned what I wanted to do and what I didn’t want to do. I really appreciated leaders who addressed rumors. They knew the danger of rumors in an organization. We knew they would give us one of three answers: I’ve heard that and here’s what going on; I’ll find out; or, I’m not at liberty to say. If your leaders do that consistently, you know what’s going on and you trust them to tell you what you need to know.

“I learned to be a problem solver in a dynamic environment. You study and study to do your job, but when you deploy in a combat situation, you have to take the best of what you know and figure out how to solve problems. It’s assigning and assessing risk.”

If Ragland’s first 18 years in the Air Force were about flying, his final eight were about training officers. He concluded his military career where he started it: back at UT as the AFROTC commander and professor of aerospace studies. He served there for three years before retiring. “It was a lot better sitting behind the desk than standing in front of it,” he says.

When UT played the Air Force Academy in football in the fall of 2006, Ragland organized a flyover and brought recruiters and general officers to campus. It was a positive experience for both Knoxville and the Air Force representatives who came, though UT did win the game. “My son was here for the game, and he was at the Academy at the time. He thought I should be cheering for the Academy to win, but I said, ‘Son, I went to school here and I work here. I’m a Vol. You can root for the Air Force!”

Back in East Tennessee, he and Leslie settled in Maryville and became active in First United Methodist Church. After leaving the Air Force, he served as director of a UT campus ministry for three years, then transitioned to working for a property management company. Now he is legal administrator for Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley, P.C. in Knoxville.

“I run the business operations and oversee the staff and allow the attorneys to be attorneys. It’s a big enough firm to have a lot of issues, but it’s small enough to have one person to deal with them.”

Ragland, 60, is also active in the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council, serving as president four of the past five years. The council gathers representatives of area military and veterans’ organizations for monthly meetings at the Knoxville Chamber office on Market Square to learn what each other are doing and see how they can work together. “If a unit commander says we’ve got people deployed, then another group will say let us work with their spouses to help them. It’s a great way to support our military and veterans,” he says. “Knoxville is a wonderful community for doing that.”

Though he’s still having fun at work and believes he has something to give there, he’s also looking ahead. “My buddies at church say they have a place for me with Habitat when I retire, and I will travel with my wife.

“I encourage people to see the world. It gives you an appreciation for what we have as Americans, what we’ve done as a nation, and who we are.”

Winters’ Field

Story by Drew Hamilton

Larry and Kathy Winters draw from the past to prepare a new generation for the future.

As the UTV sprints up the hill to the open field serving as the overflow parking lot at Melton Hill Park in Hardin Valley, I can see that there is a sense of urgency in today’s activities. Retired Marine Larry Winters has no trouble spotting me, as I’m the only person in sight wearing overalls and sporting a camera with a large, professional lens. There is no time to waste, and as soon as I jump in the vehicle, we are off to the races.

As the Unit Commander of the local Young Marines chapter, Larry is already hours into what will turn into a very long day. As we barrel toward the starting line of this year’s Marine Mud Run, we pass several volunteers of all ages. Even in a rush, Larry is sure to wave or salute, dishing out compliments and thanking them by name for offering their time to make this event a success.

As he shuttles me from obstacle to obstacle, I can see the happiness and pride that Larry feels. After 20 years of service to his country, he’s still not finished. He knows what the Young Marines can do for the youth of East Tennessee, and he is passionate to do everything in his power to set these kids up for success.

Growing up in East Tennessee, it wasn’t long before Larry started to feel the wanderlust that would spur him on to bigger things. “I didn’t see much of a future for a 17 year old growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the late fifties,” says Larry. “So the Marine Corps was for me. I wanted to prove myself and do a lot of things. My goal was to be the best the Marine I could be.” Encouraged by a boxing coach who saw his potential, he was off to Parris Island.

Making good on his word, Larry’s hard work earned him every accolade available to a graduating Marine. As the smallest graduate in his class, he was already on a path to bigger things.

With the onset of Vietnam War, he was sent on his first tour as part of an underwater demolition team tasked with blowing up a series of coral reefs at Da Nang Harbor to both widen and deepen the entrance to make room for war ships sent to aid in the endeavor. Sleeping on the beaches at night, life was exciting for this young Marine still considering his position lucky as a “soft target.” For all of the horror happening miles away, he never heard a shot fired. But all of this would change.

Meanwhile in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Larry’s future wife Kathy was starting to see the hellish realities of young men returning from a foreign land, ravaged by war. As casualties poured in, Kathy was recruited to serve her country in the United States Army Nurse Corps. Fresh out of nursing school, she found herself in charge of two 60-bed surgical wards.

Hundreds of soldiers passed through these wards permanently scarred in the service of their country. Many left an indelible mark on Kathy’s psyche. “One kid, I remember vividly,” she recalls. “We got him processed out. He had really bad burns to his face and body. The next day he’s at my door. He says, ‘I don’t know where to go. My fiancé won’t look at me, and she won’t talk to me.’ He was probably 17 or 18 years old, and he had nowhere to go.” The exchange still haunts her today.

Apart from the physical wounds, she saw the underlying emotional toil, although the men there were hesitant to speak about their experiences. “In Vietnam, nobody worried about the mental toils,” she explains. “It was certainly something for people in the field, but the guys coming back? They never talked about it. It was a very isolated, intuitive type of thing. It wasn’t something they discussed.”

At 24 and now at the rank of Sergeant, Larry was called upon yet again to serve his country in his second tour of Vietnam. Far away from the beaches, he found himself in the jungle leading reconnaissance missions. “They quit sending Lieutenants to the field,” he explains. “They just didn’t have the experience. They’d get on the trails and get ambushed, and then you’d lose the whole team. They just never came back. Sometimes you’d find a body. Sometimes you wouldn’t find anything.”

In a miraculous twist of fate, at the end of 27 recon missions, Larry did not lose a single man. Considering the environment he found himself in, this is nothing less than shocking. Running a seven-man team, every mission had the potential to be their last. Engaging the enemy, their options were limited. “You either fight your way out of it, run your way out of it, or eliminate the threat,” he says. In such a vulnerable position, every movement could be lethal. “You don’t speak. You don’t cook food. You don’t wear helmets,” he explains. “You’ve got to stay engaged. You’ve got to think about what you’re doing.” But in the end, he did not leave unscathed. Wounded not once, but twice, he returned home to the United States on a stretcher with a bullet in his spine. “I was in Millington Naval Hospital for a long time,” he says. “I was paralyzed on my left side for almost two years.” As for his team, under a new leader they were killed just one week after Larry was taken away. Their deaths still weigh heavy on his heart, leaving him guilt-stricken to this day.

Shaken, he nevertheless vowed to move ever forward. Luckily for him, he found a partner to join him in his endeavors. Out of the Marine Corps, he found himself working as an engineer in Los Angeles for Humana hospitals when he met a lovely young nurse teaching there. In a fortuitous elevator ride, Kathy found herself alone with Larry and the relationship blossomed from there. Now married for forty years, their bond is as strong as ever.

With the resolve that made him such an effective Marine and the support of an equally driven partner, Larry set out to establish his empire. Working his way through a series of escalating roles, he eventually founded a successful architectural business of his own in California. But the hills of East Tennessee proved to possess a siren’s song too strong to keep the couple on the west coast.

Retirement, however, was not in the forecast, at least not in the traditional sense. “At the age of 60 he says, ‘I think I’m going to retire,’” explains Kathy. “And I said, ‘Well, you need to get a hobby because I’m not it!’” Thus began their current trajectory. After seeing a sign reading “Learn To Fly Here,” the hook was set.

Learning to fly wasn’t enough. Returning home one day, Larry announced to his wife that he had bought an airport in Seymour, Tennessee. The year was 2005. He explained to Kathy that they had five years to pay it off, and true to his word, he did just that. It is a pristine facility home to nearly 40 airplanes. “Larry’s a visionary,” Kathy says. “He knows what he wants, and he makes it happen.”

It’s this passion that has made him such an effective leader over the years, and now, he channels this into his work with the local chapter of the Young Marines. As Unit Commander, he works with his wife to improve the lives of the children in the program by instilling good core values in the program’s participants.

The group has taken numerous trips over the years, visiting Washington D.C. several times. Forever tenacious, Larry has worked hard to make these happen. After unreliable transportation failed them on one journey, he was quick to right the ship. In need of a bus, Larry approached the Marine Corps League. “He said, ‘I want a check for $20,000, and I’m not leaving here tonight until you write it,’” Kathy recalls, beaming with pride. True to his word, he left that night with a $20,000 check.

Forever going above and beyond the call of duty, Larry and Kathy have also carved out eight acres of their airpark to dedicate to the Young Marines, and Larry has invested countless hours outfitting the land with facilities to serve the organization. What once was a blank canvas now hosts an impressive gun range, pavilion, and the beginnings of what will soon be an extensive obstacle course. “He’s just amazing,” Kathy says. “I can just sit here and think of the work and the hours that he’s put in for these kids. He’s such an impressive man.” Larry is equally enamored with Kathy, and you can see it in the loving glances they share. All these years later, they continue to selflessly serve their country, inspiring a new generation to do the same.

Running a seven-man team, every mission had the potential to be their last.