Knoxify » West Knoxville

The Weekender: Concerts, Canoe Tours and a Triathlon

CP — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:00:20 +0000

Paddling a canoe on the TN River. Photo: Lorne Sykora | flickr

Saturday, July 10th
West Side Y Tri. The West Side Family YMCA in West Hills will be holding a sprint triathlon starting at 8:00am. The event helps raise money for all YMCAs in the Knoxville area.

Canoe Tour of Tennessee River. Get up bright and early and head east to Holston River Park. Most Saturday’s this summer will offer canoe tours of the Tennessee River.

Second Saturday Concerts at The Cove. Head west to The Cove and Concord Park and take in an evening of concerts. Show time starts at 6:00pm and we would bring a lawn chair or two if we were you.

Where is – or isn’t – Knoxville?

Ben Taylor — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:11:24 +0000

Statue of Admiral David Farragut in Washington, DC. Photo: afagen

Thanks to all those who offered answers to my first question. You were most helpful. Feel free to share any further thoughts you may have at any time. For those who didn’t respond, the question is far from closed. In fact, I’d like to consider the same question, but in a different form, and from a different angle.

Where is-or isn’t-Knoxville?

For the first nineteen years of my life I lived in Farragut. Yet during that entire time I do not recall that I ever once considered myself to be from Farragut. I always thought and spoke of myself as being from Knoxville. When out of town, even in the presence of friends from Knoxville proper, I always told others I was from Knoxville. Not once did anyone ever challenge this. The other day, as I went through storage at my mother’s home, I found some old summer-camp letters from my first ‘girlfriend’ in the seventh grade. The stamped, metered envelopes were addressed to:

Ben Taylor
[Farragut Street Address]
Knoxville, TN 37922

How odd this seems to me now: I was living in another incorporated town with its own mayor and town council, and I was handing out my address abroad to all and sundry and saying it was Knoxville. The U.S. Postal Service didn’t seem to mind–the letters always arrived.

Nevertheless, this is a local matter. Were the Feds and I both wrong to say I was from Knoxville? If so, where must one live to legitimately make this claim?

If I wasn’t wrong, what does that mean? Does Knoxville extend beyond its own city limits? Where does it end?

If we were to start at a central point, say downtown, and taking all possible roads out of town, where and when would we start finding people for whom we (as well as they) would feel generally comfortable saying they were not from Knoxville?

View of Knoxville, Vol. 73

CP — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:28:44 +0000

A pier off of Northshore Drive. Photo: Chris is bored

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

‘Cars & Coffee’ an Event Filled with Horsepower and Caffeine

CP — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:30:29 +0000

If you’re ever asked to start a ’54 Buick Skylark, simply insert the key, turn, and push the gas pedal to the floor. Full throttle is the catalyst that actually starts the motor. Cool technology for the 50s.

1954 Buick Skylark

Last Saturday I cruised around a block in West Knoxville with Shannon Harper of Harper Dealerships in a ’54 Skylark. It was our transportation to the always fun car show, Cars & Coffee, held at European Auto Garage.

2010 Porsche GT3. Credit: Connor Hinkle

On the West coast, a Cars & Coffee event will often turn up Veyron’s, Enzo’s and even the Lexus LFA. While there were no astronomically-priced cars on hand like the Veyron, there wasn’t a shortage of beautiful cars either.

Overflow parking in the street. Credit: Connor Hinkle

With gallons of Starbucks coffee and countless Krispy Kreme doughnuts to offer the visitors, the boys of EAG helped strategically park each car that showed up. There were Porsche’s, Audi’s, Subaru’s, Ferrari’s, Acura’s and much more. The American muscle crowd had a good showing with quite a few Viper’s and a Corvette with plates that read, H82BEL8. Slick.

A row of spoilers. Credit: Connor Hinkle

Unlike other car get-togethers I’ve been to in the Knoxville area, Cars & Coffee was civil and didn’t scream, “Please arrest me officer.” It was a mature crowd of die-hard enthusiasts that loved their chariot of choice for one reason or another. This meet has been occurring for several months but it was my first time in attendance. Based on my experience and what I know from others, it’s only going to get better with each gathering.

A crowd of car enthusiasts. Credit: Connor Hinkle

For the most part Knoxville’s Cars & Coffee has been a word-of-mouth event, but I learned that if you want the skinny on the next event you can ‘Like’ EAG on Facebook. Even if you don’t own your dream car yet, like me, you should still pay a visit and talk shop about what you will be driving when you win the lottery.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 57

CP — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:30:39 +0000

This photo was taken by mosaic_photo

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

Thank You for Your Service: A Salute to Knoxville’s Veterans

Laura Bower — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:44 +0000

On the spur of the moment, I decided to attend the Veterans Day program at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery this year. Although I drive by the solemn rows of tombstones every day, I’d never ventured up the hill to the octagonal structure at the top. This year, in the wake of the Fort Hood massacre, I felt moved to do so. I wanted to honor our veterans in a personal way. My dad, a Korean War veteran, went with me to the service hosted by the Tennessee Chapter of the State Guard Association of the United States. Neither of us knew what to expect.

Other than a brief stint in UT’s Air Force ROTC, where my only claim to fame was to be nominated to the military ball court, I’ve never had the privilege of serving my country in the armed forces. But there are people close to me who have served and still do.

I’m especially proud of my uncle, retired Army Colonel William McClure Keeling, a Knoxville native who served as a surgeon in four military conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam (where he commanded the 18^th Surgical Hospital at Kwang Tri) and the first Iraq War, when he was called back to active duty under Operation Desert Storm. “It looked like we were in trouble in the Middle East, and they were going to need more people in the Army,” he said at the time.

On this blustery November 11, a hundred or so people gathered to pay tribute to our men and women who “serve to preserve this land of hopes and dreams,” as one of the speakers so aptly put it.

“Wars are fought not by John Wayne and Sylvester Stallone, where the good guys always win,” said the Reverend John Justice in his invocation. “Real wars are fought by good guys who sometimes die.”

Eddie Mannis, originally from Powell, was part of the program. A successful businessman who founded Prestige Cleaners, he’s also a community activist. But the reason he was speaking on Veterans Day was because of his commitment to HonorAir Knoxville, which he established. HonorAir Knoxville is sponsored by Prestige Cleaners, Covenant Health and Home Federal Bank in partnership with the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville. The organization’s stated purpose is to fly as many East Tennessee World War II veterans as possible to Washington D.C. to see the World War II Memorial built in their honor.

Mannis said over 16 million Americans fought in WWII; the youngest was just 12 years old. 400,000 Americans were killed in action, and 600,000 were wounded. There are fewer than two million WWII veterans still alive today. In less than five years, the Greatest Generation will be gone.

HonorAir exists in other cities, but it was Mannis’ vision that brought it to Knoxville. The first flight was in October 2007. Since then, Mannis and his team have flown 600 WWII veterans to Washington D.C. for a whirlwind day-long all-expense-paid adventure that culminates with the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The seventh flight is scheduled for April 28, 2010.

In his Veterans Day column in the Knoxville News Sentinel, Mannis included some comments from HonorAir participants that he also shared with us during the program.

John Edds said, “The day was emotional, especially the arrival in Washington and back in Knoxville. When I came home from the war, there was no fanfare. I had to hitchhike home to Claiborne County, so this homecoming reception meant so much.”

Raymond Shirley wrote, “The welcome awaiting us upon our return to Knoxville moved me to tears. When I was discharged from the Navy, I was given a bus ticket home to Sheffield, Ala. I arrived unnoticed.”

Bernie Shorr said, “After 68 years, I now realize that the American public really does appreciate what we did.”

There were HonorAir alums in the audience to hear Mannis speak. He was gracious and humble in his remarks, saying “Thank you for your gift to all of us. That gift is the American way of life.”

The AMVETS Riders were there too. This patriotic group of motorcycle riders stood quietly in the background – not part of the official agenda, although their presence was felt. Fredda Temples sang “America the Beautiful” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” The Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard presented the colors and sounded the volley. Retired Master Sergeant Maurice Parks, USMC, played a haunting and eloquent rendition of taps.

According to the official Web site of the state of Tennessee, the Volunteer State nickname comes from the record number of volunteers the state provided during both the War of 1812 and the Mexican War. Specifically, the name honors the bravery of the soldiers from Tennessee who served under General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans, a U.S. victory during the War of 1812. Yes, even before football, Tennessee had its share of “Volunteers,” willing to serve and die for our country.

Retired Army Major Larry Moore fought with the 173^rd Airborne in Vietnam. He was at the November 11 ceremony, where he was proudly wearing his uniform and bragging that one grandson was in the Coast Guard and another was an Army Ranger. Service is a family tradition for Moore and so many East Tennesseans.

My friend, Major Wiley Hammer of the HHT 3/278^th Armored Calvary Regiment with the Army National Guard, is about to deploy for his third tour in Iraq. These are his words: “The man you share a laugh and drink with tonight will share your foxhole next week. Let us not falter, let us not fail.” This holiday season, let us not fail to thank the men and women who honor us with their patriotism, their courage and their sacrifice.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 47

CP — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:30:42 +0000

This photo was taken by Chris is bored

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 46

CP — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:22 +0000

This photo was taken by MoonpieGirl

The View of Knoxville series is derived from photos in our flickr group. Add your pictures and we might feature them here.

New Neighborhood: Fox Den

CP — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:53 +0000

Our latest addition to the Knoxville Neighborhood Guide took us Far West, otherwise known as the Town of Farragut. Fox Den is an upscale golf and country club community that was originally developed in the late 1960s and 1970s and was considered by some back in the day to be the most prestigious neighborhood in west Knox County.

Sweet Melissa: A Story About the Beauty of Friendship and Orchids

Laura Bower — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:30:09 +0000

My friend, Melissa, told me her grandmother advised her always to have orchids in her house, especially in winter, because they bring a cold room to life. So, Melissa’s lovely home teemed with live orchids of every variety: phalaenopsis, cattleyas, paphiopedilums, dendrobiums and oncidiums. Her favorite orchid was called “Lady’s Slipper” and is actually native to this region. The Cherokee used it to treat various nervous disorders. Lady’s Slipper is sunny yellow with purple veins, fragrant and fragile-looking. Melissa was fragile too, dying suddenly and leaving two young children behind. She was my childhood friend, rediscovered as an adult, when we were both young mothers with tow-headed toddlers.

Melissa moved to Florida for a few years when her husband was in the Navy, but she always dreamed of coming home to Knoxville to raise her family. After her first bout of cancer, she was more determined than ever to move back, close to her parents and the friends with whom she’d grown up. Melissa and her husband ended up buying a house within walking distance of her childhood home, where her parents still live today. That sense of place, practically a genetic trait in all Southerners, called Melissa home.

We became neighbors and best friends. Our children were devoted playmates. We’d hang out at Whitlow Park in Sequoyah and watch our fearless little ones climb to precarious perches in the pine trees or swing themselves higher and higher on the swing set till they were airborne, landing in the gravel and laughing. We trick-or-treated together, had birthday parties at each other’s houses and shared chicken pox, so our kids would all get it over with at the same time. And, always there were orchids in Melissa’s immaculate, inviting house. Our children knew not to touch them or even breathe on them!

Crossroads, seem to come and go, yeah.
The gypsy flies from coast to coast
Knowing many, loving none,
Bearing sorrow havin fun,

So go the lyrics to the Allman Brothers song, “Melissa.”

It’s been ten years since Melissa died, but I think of her often, especially when I make the trip out to Lady Slipper Lane, off Watt Road in deep West Knoxville to Elmore Orchids. Melissa introduced me to this greenhouse that serves as a spa for orchids, a place for them to rest and recuperate from the hard work of being beautiful. Elmore’s boarding program is a wonderfully practical idea, typically East Tennessean in concept: don’t toss out those orchids after they bloom. Recycle them at Elmore’s, and you’ll never have to buy new orchids again! Of course, Elmore Orchids sells new orchids too. The family-owned business supplies local retailers and has a thriving walk-in business. Jim Elmore is adept at cultivating hybrid species of orchids as well as rare varieties of ferns.

Paul Fortsch, a University of Tennessee horticulture graduate with extensive experience at Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida and an internship with Lines Orchids on Signal Mountain, manages the greenhouse. Fortsch knows all his customers on sight, even if we’re only in every few months. He’s the one who calls us when our “babies” are back in bloom. Some people like to pick up their plants when they’re just beginning to bud. I like my orchids to get as much TLC as possible before I bring them home, preferably with a bloom or two and no “dud buds” in sight.

It’s interesting that Fortsch studied orchids in South Florida, since Susan Orlean’s mesmerizing book, The Orchid Thief, is set in South Florida’s Fakahatchee Strand and involves the Seminole Indians’ mystical connection to a rare species called the “Ghost Orchid,” from which they extract a mood-altering substance. The Academy Award winning movie, Adaptation, is based on this deliciously quirky and compelling story. I asked Fortsch about the infamous Ghost Orchid. He debunked the myth but said there are psychedelic orchids called ceboletta which are used by the same indigenous tribes that use the peyote cactus for ritualistic purposes.

During Fortsch’s time in the Florida everglades, he inventoried epiphytes or “air plants” in Sarasota County and slogged through the very same swamps featured in the book and the movie. “It was the most dangerous place I’ve ever been in my life,” he recalled. “The cottonmouths are worse than the alligators, unless they’re mating or have a brood. It’s all about timing with alligators.”

Although the ghost orchid is not psychotropic, it is an event in the orchid world when one blooms in cultivation, as it’s doing right now at Elmore’s. “It’s the only ghost orchid that’s bloomed for us this year,” said Fortsch.

As for me, I’m content with the domesticated phalaenopsis or “big-leaf orchid.” Phals are the hardiest house orchids and bloom the longest. The shape of the blossoms reminds me of our Tennessee state flower, iris germanica, a kissing cousin to the orchid. I put them in baskets and cachepots around my house, tie their drooping stems to stakes with raffia and spray their waxy leaves with Leaf Shine. Voila – instant room makeover! Who notices dust or scuffed baseboards when there’s a show-stopping phalaenopsis amabilis in the room? At least, that’s what my friend, Melissa, always said …

No one hears his lonely sigh,
There are no blankets where he lies.
In all his deepest dreams the gypsy flies
With sweet Melissa … mmm …

Her husband remarried. Her kids changed schools. Our boys, born just four months apart, are no longer inseparable. I got divorced and moved out of the neighborhood where Melissa and I both grew up. But somehow, the orchids connect us and sustain our friendship.