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YWCA Leaning on Local Social Media Scene to Become 1,000 Strong

CP — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:30:31 +0000

Slowly but surely Knoxville businesses and non-profits are wading into the social media scene. A recent Foursquare meet-up is proof that folks are seriously talking about how to enhance their online presence. One organization that’s taking the bull by the horns is YWCA Knoxville.

You may know this non-profit for their mission to “eliminate racism and empower women” but their newest campaign wants to galvanize it 1,000 times over. Using Facebook and Twitter, the YWCA is hoping to reach more women and men to help make a contribution that will enhance the lives of the women they are helping.

When researching this story we were surprised to learn that the YWCA offers more than we thought. For $40 a year they offer a great place to swim and take a wide range of classes. The YWCA also provides transitional housing for women in need and a center in East Knoxville that provides senior and after-school enrichment programs and camps during the summer.

If you would like to become 1,000 strong with the YWCA check out their info page for more details. The Knoxville community is fortunate to have such a caring organization.

Gettin’ Snuggie Wid It: Knoxville’s First-Ever Snug Pub Crawl

Laura Bower — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:30:01 +0000

Saturday night, October 17 is a date that will go down in history – albeit, quirky cultural history, but history nonetheless. This chilly evening marked Knoxville’s inaugural Snug Pub Crawl, hailed by one local tweeter as the “tweet-up of the century.” Twenty-some-odd Snuggie-clad seekers gathered at the appointed time on Market Square for a group picture. Head Snuggite, Saul Young, served as photojournalist for the event that drew participants from as far away as Chattanooga.

Promoted primarily on Facebook and Twitter, the Snug Pub Crawl was a gathering of like-minded social media mavens, but that’s where the similarities ended. The creativity and individuality of this gregarious gang of revelers was expressed through their Snuggies, those ubiquitous blankets with sleeves made famous on late-night infomercials, like Ginzu knives and ShamWows – in fact ShamWows were door prizes for a few lucky crawlers! There were zebra Snuggies and leopard Snuggies for those who wanted to take a walk on the wild side. Jennifer Vogel, known to most of us by her Twitter handle, @scarlettdancer, bedazzled her powder pink Snuggie with glittery, hand-sewn decorations. Newlyweds Chad and Chloe Kennedy wore matching royal blue Snuggies. Ted Fisher showed his Vol pride and Big Orange super powers in his UT Snuggie. Fashionista and local WATE-TV personality, Tearsa Smith, rocked her Snuggie, cinching her tiny waist with a wide leather belt and looking like an itty-bitty-zebra-diva! Speaking of local personalities, we missed Star 102′s Kim Hansard, who talked up the Crawl on her morning radio show.

After a Snuggie strut around Market Square, our first official crawl stop was the Preservation Pub. Although we were widely gawked at and photographed by passers-by outside, once we stepped into the cozy P-Pub, nobody batted an eye at our curious attire. In fact, we picked up a few Snuggie-wanna-bes, who put their jackets on backwards and joined our cause.

Speaking of causes, there really wasn’t one. We didn’t crawl for charity or donate our Snuggies to the homeless, although that would have been a nice gesture on this frosty fall night. There were no corporate sponsors or endorsements. We were doing what social media participants do: connecting, building relationships and being ourselves. Crazy, huh?

And yes there was drinking. All Snug Pub Crawlers were over twenty-one. There were tequila shots, single-malt Scotch and Guinness with Framboise. Remember, we weren’t driving … we were crawling.

If fun isn’t enough of a reason to get together anymore, perhaps we’re all taking life a bit too seriously. Sometimes, laughter is a means to an end. I lost my job last week, so the Snug Pub Crawl was a transition for me. It kept me moving forward and gave me an answer to the tedious question of “What’s next for you?” The Snug Pub Crawl, of course! Kind of like Nancy Kerrigan headed to Disneyworld after the Olympics. And it was much cheaper and safer than a Sonoma sweat lodge. I didn’t have to go any further than downtown to seek enlightenment.

After the P-Pub, we wended our way to the Downtown Grill & Brewery on Gay Street. Gathered at the big U-shaped table in the center of the bar, we feasted on soft pretzels and warm white cheddar cheese dip. We’d worked up an appetite from our strenuous two-block hike. I tried something my pals refer to as “chocobeer,” but quickly reverted to Glenlivet, neat. Jeremy Floyd, Kathryn Phoenix and I befriended another leopard-clad gal at a table upstairs and made her an honorary member of our animal kingdom.

Sometime later, the group continued to the Urban Bar in the Old City. It was past my bedtime, so I headed back to the parking garage, where I proceeded to search, in vain, for my car. Luckily the garage was well-lit, and I was in constant contact with my fellow crawlers via Twitter. Eventually, my Jetta manifested before my very eyes, and I made my way safely home. I heard the peaceful Snuggites went their separate ways around midnight.

The Snug Pub Crawl was more a celebration of friendship and good times than it was a Quixotic quest. More party than journey. Sometimes, what matters most is being in the moment, instead of worrying about the future. And days later, I still can’t get the tune to “Kung Fu Fightin” out of my head …

Everybody was snug pub crawlin’
Barrooms but not much brawlin’
In fact it was a little appallin’
Grown-ups in Snuggies, jawin’

Power Struggle for Knoxville Social Media King?

Brandon Clarke — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:07:12 +0000

Several months ago we asked if Knoxville is/was/becoming a social media hotspot. Comments ranged from “Yes, Knoxville is social media mecca.” to “Yes! I too have bumped into people who “know” me from the net. Always fun.” Everyone seemingly agreed that the interwebs were alive and well in K-Town.

Today, there appears to be a new social media storm brewing. Several individuals and groups are trying to emerge as the “king” of Knoxville’s social media scene as tweet-ups and other gatherings are popping up like Dandelions along Pellissippi parkway.

So we ask, is there a galvanized king or queen reigning over the local social media scene? If not, is Knoxville in need of such a figure/institution?

Photo by: Matt Hamm

Is Knoxville a social media hotspot?

Brandon Clarke — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:30:42 +0000

Lately, I have realized many of my clients, employees and friends already know what’s going on with my personal and business life. Which in turn propels conversation past “how are you doing” and takes us directly into immediate conversation about subject matter.

Based on my experiences, Knoxville is ablaze with social media interactions on sites such as Twitter, Facebook and local blogs.

Is Knoxville a social media hotspot? Have you met new people through sites such as Twitter and/or Facebook?

Photography by Thomas Hawk