I became involved in the arts at an early age, performing publicly when I was 4 and believe my early exposure to the arts helped me realize that the world was much bigger than the small town where I was raised. That's why I'm committed to helping our residents become more culturally enriched through the arts and historic preservation. Full story »
Having already sweetened the pot with a Grammy, five No. 1 singles and the longest charting country single of all time, it doesn't look like Kristian Bush, the guitar pickin', mandolin playin', country singin' front man of duo sensation Sugarland, is going to dissolve anytime soon. Full story »
November 27 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of author and Knoxville native James Agee. The James Agee Centennial Celebration, sponsored by The James Agee Trust, Knox County Public Library, and the University of Tennessee, concludes November 22. Full story »
Walking into the Skalet abode, one immediately gets a sense of the family's personality. Bold colors and imaginative decor all but shout "cheerful, sociable, loving and just a little bit opinionated." Maybe that's why wife Amy, husband Chris, four-and-a-half year old Frances and nine-month old Hank feel so very at home here. Full story »
World's Fair Park is inarguably a prominent and appealing feature of downtown Knoxville. The gleaming Sunsphere stands 266 feet tall. There is an architecturally pleasing amphitheater that can seat 1,000. The large park has two expansive public lawns, one of 125,000 square feet that can seat 6,000 and one of 60,000 square feet that can seat 4,000. There are acres of flowers, water fountains, a meandering urban stream with cascading waterfalls. Full story »
Some might have written it off as yet another example of lackluster 1950s architecture: one more rancher planted among a million in the tilled, watered flowerbed of suburbia. Yawn. But when Paula Clancy drove past the house, sitting queenlike atop three-and-half secluded acres on a ridgetop in Fountain City, she saw her family's dream home. Full story »
From Suttree's days of "derelict trucks piled with produce and flowers. . . and country commerce," Knoxville's Downtown has zipped right past the "toe-tapping country music of WNOX on Lowell Blanchard's "Midday Merry-go-round," and the ghosts of buildings past to become a vibrant, young-centric and exciting city. Full story »
The next time someone ridicules poetry, remind them that we use abstract language to talk about things that cannot be said. Music, painting, poetry - these are how we talk about pain and loss. It's Carpetbag Theatre's mission - making art from suffering. Full story »
Every year in this country, 1.2 million students drop out of school. And educators are scrambling to find out why. Even though Knox County Schools have been seeing better retention rates in the last few years, Superintendent James P. McIntyre, Jr., and his staff are implementing a whole new approach to stemming the classroom exodus by implementing a five-year strategic plan called "Excellence for All Children." Full story »
It's been 150 years since Darwin made his big discovery. It's been 84 since a trial initiated for the crime of teaching it at an East Tennessee school shone a hot, bright and not particularly flattering light on Rhea County, Tennessee. But East Tennessee's connection with the evolution issue isn't merely relegated to dusty archives from the 1920s. Full story »
A scant few feet from where Todd Witcher and Cheryl Holcombe stand, a blue jay swoops down into a fig tree for a snack. He regards them quizzically through the branches, as though to question what they're doing in his yard, so close to his fig tree. Full story »
A vine-covered arbor is the perfect nook for a casual end-of-summer gathering. Its arch provides a graceful welcome. The vines that were trimmed back last winter have reached full growth. Its bench offers a place to enjoy the shade. Full story »
It's football time in Tenne...sseeeeee!'" It's the phrase that sends tens of thousands of fans into mania and an adage that for 43 years has earned Bobby Denton rock star status in Vol Country. Full story »
Eric Berry stood in the lobby of Neyland-Thompson Sports Center and laughed at the idea. "A Heisman Trophy for a player on defense? Not anytime soon." Full story »
As an artist and former art teacher, Melynda Whetsel isn't afraid of blank canvases, heaps of raw material, or the prospect of a colossal mess. As an interior designer, she understands that every home begins as an empty shell and that the process of filling it requires equal part vision and patience. Full story »
