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Hello neighbors!

Are you ready for some great food, fellowship and lots of fun activities this weekend? The Lakemoor Hills annual neighborhood picnic is this Saturday, May 23rd at 4:00 on the open green next to Lake Hills Presbyterian Church. Alex Shivers and neighbors will be smoking pork loins, chicken and hot dogs, and drinks will be provided. All you need to do is bring a covered dish to share, a lawn chair, and be ready to have a great time! There will be pony rides, a “bouncy house”, volleyball, horseshoes, car show, art display, steel drums, plant swap, door prizes and more. For questions/more information, please contact Diane de Ropp at [email protected] Thanks so much and SEE YOU SATURDAY!

See you there,
DIANE

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 15 – Tuesday, May 5, 2015

1. Old Sevier Community Starts Second Butterfly Garden
2. Free Parking and Shuttle Rides to Vestival
3. City Acquires Old South High
4. City Proposes Additions to Form Based Code
5. KAT Expands Coverage East, West and South
6. Council to Consider Demolition Delay Ordinance
7. Mayor Proposes $206 Million Budget
8. Knoxville Receives TVA Grant to Weatherize Lower-Income Homes
9. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Deadline for news & calendar items: 5 p.m. Mondays.

[Read more…] about Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory

ATTENTION Lakemoor Hills Residents!! Please mark your calendar for our annual neighborhood picnic!! It will be held Saturday, May 23rd, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Lake Hills Presbyterian Church. The Lakemoor Hills Homeowner’s Association is furnishing BBQ cooked on site and drinks and everyone is asked to bring a side dish to share. If you enjoy great fellowship, delicious food and lots of fun activities for all ages, come and join the fun!! There will be an art display for residents, so please contact Kenneth Pace at 919-4357 if you would like to display your art work/crafts, etc. We’re also having a car “show”, so please contact Mike Parker at 579-9001 if you have an antique/interesting car, etc. you would like to display. We’re looking forward to seeing you on the 23rd!! Thanks!!! Diane de Ropp – 573-1507 and Suzan Bowman – 579-9001

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 14 – Tuesday, April 28, 2015

1. Sandy Gillespie Elected President of Kingston Pike Sequoyah Hills
2. Post Your Neighborhood News
3. Fifteenth Annual Vestival Celebrates Area History
4. Second Knoxville SOUP Seeks Applicants
5. Three Houses Up for Sale in Homemaker’s Program
6. Testify on Blighted Properties at the May Public Officer Hearing
7. Knoxville Accepts Challenge to Improve Bicycle, Pedestrian Safety
8. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Deadline for news & calendar items: 5 p.m. Mondays.

[Read more…] about Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory

Has anyone seen the eagles that have appeared along the bluff overlooking Sequoyah Hills Park?  We are trying to determine if they are nesting on our peninsula.  If anyone has spotted the bird (s) or their nest, please me know.  We need to document this to stop a potential manmade intrusion to the neighborhood.  Kathy Proctor  [email protected]

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 12 – Tuesday, April 14, 2015

1. 25th Annual Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes Set for April 26
2. Be-Bop-A-Lula: Everly Brothers Park Will Be Reality
3. Register Now for “Fight the Blight” Workshop
4. Fair Housing Conference Set for This Friday
5. Knox Heritage, Others Seek Reprieve for Historic Home
6. Renowned Urban Planner to Speak in Knoxville
7. Bike Summit Set for Next Week
8. South Knoxville Alliance Seeks Funding Proposals
9. Celebrate Earth Day at Knoxville’s 16th Annual EarthFest
10. MPC Begins Work on Northeast County Sector Plan
11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Deadline for news & calendar items: 5 p.m. Mondays.

1. 25th Annual Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes Set for April 26

When the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization held its first tour of homes in 1990, the profit from the event was dedicated to a legal defense fund in case the group could not reach a compromise with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) over the expansion of I-40 through the neighborhood.

Twenty five years later, the neighborhood organization can look back on a successful effort to preserve neighborhood homes, the neighborhood park and the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Center from demolition at the hands of TDOT. No lawsuit was required, and the Tour of Homes is still going strong.

The Silver Anniversary of the Fourth & Gill Tour of Homes will be held Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are $10, $12 on the day of the event. Children under 12 go free. See https://fourthandgill.wordpress.com/annual-home-tour/ for details.

2. Be-Bop-A-Lula: Everly Brothers Park Will Be Reality

All you have to do is dream, and the Bearden Council did just that.

The agenda for tonight’s City Council meeting includes a long-awaited resolution to authorize the City to lease a small piece of ground in Bearden that will become a passive city park honoring the Everly brothers, Phil and Don, who lived and performed in the area and attended West High School in the 1950s.

Located at the intersection of Kingston Pike and Forest Park Blvd., the parcel was acquired by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) some years ago as part of the rebuilding of the Kingston Pike bridge over the railroad track.

Now, thanks to the bird-dogging efforts of Bearden Council and Second District Councilman Duane Grieve, along with various city departments, this parcel will become Everly Brothers Park, which will also serve as a gateway to the Bearden community.

East Tennessee Community Design Center provided park design. Work on the park has already begun, and TDOT built a retaining wall at the location in preparation for the park. Ace Hardware and Aldi’s Market contributed materials for the park. Bearden Council is heading up a fund-raising effort to connect the park to the Third Creek Greenway. Bearden Council also hopes to erect a monument to the Everly Brothers, dubbed by Rolling Stone magazine as “the most influential duo of Rock and Roll.”

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony has not yet been planned.

3. Register Now for “Fight the Blight” Workshop

Tomorrow — Wednesday, April 15 — is the deadline for signing up for the four-session “Fight the Blight” workshop offered by the City of Knoxville.

The workshop will be held over the course of four Wednesdays starting April 22 and continuing through May 13. The first three workshops will be held in the City County Building (Small Assembly Room) from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., and the final workshop on May 13 will be held from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the CAC/L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Avenue.

To participate in this workshop, please fill out the one-page application located here: http://www.planetreg.com/E3319621138154. Or call Travis Nissen at 215-3077 to register by phone.

At the workshop, participants will learn how and why properties become blighted, examine the nuts and bolts of city codes enforcement, and hear about public and private efforts that address blight. They will share views and concerns about blight, and propose solutions for these properties at the neighborhood level as well as in collaborative efforts with the city.

Neighborhood representatives who attend this workshop will then be eligible to participate in ongoing meetings of the Neighborhood Working Group, which is composed of neighborhood group representatives and city officials who meet every other month to discuss problem properties and possible solutions.

4. Fair Housing Conference Set for This Friday

If your neighborhood organization is making an effort to reach out to all of your residents — including renters — you will find useful information at the annual Fair Housing Conference this coming Friday, April 17. Please register in advance.

The conference will include a panel on landlord-tenant law and fair housing, a report on a statewide listening tour conducted by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, homeless individuals speaking about barriers to housing, and advice on working with people with disabilities who employ service animals.

Carlos Osegueda, regional director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office, will be the keynote speaker.

All are encouraged to register and attend. The conference is free for community and neighborhood representatives. The conference begins at 8 a.m. at Gettysvue Country Club, 9317 Linksvue Drive. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The conference ends at 3 p.m.

Please register ASAP by calling Jennifer Bell at KCDC at 403-1234, ext. 228, or by visiting www.echoknoxville.com, where you can also view the full agenda. Free transportation to and from the conference site will be provided by CAC, but you must register in advance.

The conference is sponsored by the Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities (ECHO), which is composed of individuals who work for organizations such as governmental agencies, housing providers, social service agencies and advocacy groups.

5. Knox Heritage, Others Seek Reprieve for Historic Home

Following news reports that an historic home at 2921 North Broadway may be sold to a developer for a Walmart Neighborhood Market or similar enterprise, Knoxville citizens are mounting a multi-pronged campaign to save the house.

The effort is led by Knox Heritage, which is urging citizens to sign a petition and donate funds to buy the home. See https://www.facebook.com/KnoxHeritage and http://knoxheritage.org/ for additional information.

News reports suggest that the developer has an option to purchase the neighboring property owned by Centerpointe Church. Both the church property and the historic home are zoned O-1 (office). The house has no historic overlay protection.

In order for a commercial enterprise to be located on these parcels, the Metropolitan Planning Commission and Knoxville City Council would have to agree to rezone them from office to commercial. Variances from the zoning regulations might also be required, and these are voted on by the Board of Zoning Appeals, whose decisions are appealable to City Council.

6. Renowned Urban Planner to Speak in Knoxville

Gil Penalosa, founder of the Toronto-based nonprofit 8-80 Cities, will be in Knoxville next week to discuss how citizens and governments can create vibrant and healthy cities for everyone, regardless of age or social status.

Penalosa will speak on Thursday evening, April 23, at The Standard, an events venue located at 416 West Jackson Avenue. A reception begins at 6 p.m., and Penalosa will begin his presentation at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge, but attendees may wish to bring cash for food that will be available on site.

Penalosa offers a simple but effective principle for inclusive city building — creating a safe and joyful space for everyone from 8 to 80 years old.

As a former Commissioner of Parks for the City of Bogota, Colombia, Penalosa was an integral part of that city’s much celebrated transformation of public space and sustainable mobility during the late 1990s. His team initiated the “new Ciclovia” — a program that sees over 1 million people walk, run, skate and bike along 75 miles of city roads every Sunday, and today is internationally recognized and emulated.

Penalosa’s appearance is sponsored by the Tennessee Bike Summit (see below).

7. Bike Summit Set for Next Week

The Fourth Annual Tennessee Bike Summit will be held Thursday and Friday, April 23 and 24, at the Knoxville Convention Center. The keynote speakers are Gil Penalosa and Martha Roskowski.

The summit — presented by Bike Walk Knoxville and Bike Walk Tennessee — is billed as a chance to discuss how to build safe roads, strong communities, and a Tennessee where everyone is able to enjoy the benefits of bicycling and walking.

Topics include New Practices in Bicycle Facility Design, Interim Solutions & Tactical Urbanism, Planning and Building Great Trails, Safe Routes to School, and Empowering People to Take Action. Other topics are Encouraging and Engaging Youth and Nontraditional Populations, Funding Opportunities for Projects, and Economic Benefits of Bicycle Facilities and Bicycling.

Bike rides, mobile workshops, and social events are also included. The registration fee is $85 for two days or $45 for one day. For more, visit http://www.tnbikesummit.org/.

8. South Knoxville Alliance Seeks Funding Proposals

South Knoxville Alliance (SKA) will hold its second Knoxville SOUP, a micro-funding event and dinner, on Saturday, May 16, at Ijams Nature Center.

Artists are encouraged to complete an application on www.KnoxvilleSOUP.org no later than May 9. Four individuals or teams will be selected to present their project at the dinner; they will be notified no later than May 13.

The suggested donation is $5.00 at the door, but more can be given. All donations collected at the door go to the winner at the end of the evening. Proposals will be presented at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner. Votes will be tallied by 8:15 p.m., and the winner will be announced.

The first Knoxville SOUP, held last month, raised $412 for the rejuvenation of the Mary Vestal Park and Greenway Extension.

For more, email [email protected] or call 865-309-4020.

9. Celebrate Earth Day at Knoxville’s 16th Annual EarthFest

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day? Look no further: EarthFest is back!

The festivities will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville. There will be over 100 exhibitors and attractions. As always, it’s a free, zero-waste event for the whole family, including your pets.

Waste stations will be located throughout the festival that offer recycling and composting opportunities for everything distributed at the event. In order to minimize waste, exhibitors and food vendors agree to control the types of materials they sell or distribute. In 2014, the day-long event sent less than 3 pounds of waste to the landfill.

Over the past 16 years, EarthFest has become East Tennessee’s premier Earth Day event. There are plenty of attractions including an interactive educational scavenger hunt, a vintage pop-up clothing shop, a fuel-efficient car showcase, three live bands, and Max A. Pooch, a unique dog who enjoys cleaning up litter and promoting recycling.

Other onsite events will include an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most simultaneous cloth diaper changes, a Medic blood drive and interactive youth learning area. Prizes will be given away every hour. Visit www.knox-earthfest.org.

10. MPC Begins Work on Northeast County Sector Plan

The Metropolitan Planning Commission is in the process of updating the Northeast County Sector Plan.

MPC has scheduled — in the last half of April — the first round of public meetings to discuss the background report and gather community input on the sector’s needs. Also, MPC staff is offering to attend other community meetings to discuss the plan. Contact Bryan Berry at [email protected].

For details, see http://www.knoxmpc.org/northeastcounty/index.htm.

11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.

Visit http://www.cityofknoxville.org/calendar/ for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions. See the Community Events Calendar: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/events/events.pdf

If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.

Tuesday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 15
Tennessee River Tour
Tree plantings, school workshops, “pint night” fundraisers for local nonprofits
at local watering holes, River Tour speaker series, and more.
Living Land & Waters
www.tennesseerivertour.org

Tuesday, April 14 — 4-5 p.m.
City of Knoxville Greenways Commission
(2nd Tuesdays every two months)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/greenways.asp
Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail
Lori Goerlich, Parks & Recreation Dept., 215-2807

Tuesday, April 14 — 6 p.m.
Brown Avenue Neighborhood Watch (Second Tuesdays)
Hoitt Ave. Baptist Church, 2121 Hoitt Ave.
Jimmy Ramsey, 637-0243

Tuesday, April 14 — 7 p.m.
City Council (Every Other Tuesday)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil
Agenda: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil/agenda.pdf

Wednesday, April 15 — 12 Noon
Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch (Third Wednesdays)
Lee Williams Senior Center, 2240 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave
Sylvia Cook, 206-3433, [email protected]

Thursday, April 16 — Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. Meeting – 8 a.m.
East Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Third Thursdays)
Open to Neighborhood Residents and Leaders
Meeting location varies
Doug Minter, [email protected], Knoxville Chamber, 637-4550
http://www.eastknox.org/

Thursday, April 16 — 8:30 a.m.
Historic Zoning Commission (Third Thursdays)
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/historic.asp
Kaye Graybeal, 215-3795, [email protected]

Thursday, April 16 — 12 p.m.
KUB Board of Commissioners (Third Thursdays, except July)
Historic Miller’s Building, 445 S. Gay St.
See www.kub.org. Click on “About Us” at top of the page.

Thursday, April 16 — 4 p.m.
City Board of Zoning Appeals (Third Thursdays)
Small Assembly Room, City County Building
Pre-Agenda Meeting: 3 p.m. in Room 511
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/zoning.asp

Thursday, April 16 — 6 p.m.
Public meeting for Police Advisory & Review Committee (PARC)
City County Building, Main Assembly Room, 400 W. Main St.
http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/parc/.
Lisa Chambers, 215-3869, [email protected]

Thursday, April 16 — 7 p.m.
Old Sevier Community Group
(Third Thursdays, January-November)
South Knoxville Elementary School Library, 801 Sevier Avenue
Gary Deitsch, 573-7355, [email protected]

Saturday, April 18 — 10 a.m.
South Haven Neighborhood Association (Third Saturdays)
Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1615 Price Ave.
Pat Harmon, 591-3958

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization
Board Meeting (Third Mondays except January)
“Birdhouse”/Fourth & Gill Center, 800 North Fourth Avenue
Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, [email protected]

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association
(Third Mondays except June, July, December)
All are welcome to attend.
New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane
Ronnie Collins, 637-9630

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.
West Hills Community Association (Third Mondays)
Executive Committee: July, August, September, November, December
General Meeting: February, May and October
First Church of the Nazarene, 538 Vanosdale Rd.
Ashley Williams, 313-0282

Tuesday, April 21 — 3-6 p.m.
Flower Planting at New Picnic Shelter, Chilhowee Park
Volunteers needed to pull weeds and plant flowers donated by Oakes Daylilies
Bring a trowel, hoe or small shovel
Come to the entrance at Beaman and East Fifth Avenue
Friends of Chilhowee Park

Tuesday, April 21 — 6 p.m.
Delrose Drive Neighborhood Watch (Third Tuesdays)
Riverview Baptist Church, 3618 Delrose Dr.
Corina and John Buffalow, 523-0102

Tuesday, April 21 — 6:30 p.m.
Lonsdale United for Change (Third Tuesdays)
Lonsdale Recreation Center, Stonewall Ave.
Steve Ritter, 973-0877

Tuesday, April 21 — 7 p.m.
Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association (Third Tuesdays, except December)
Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail
http://edgewoodpark.us/

Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 8, No. 11 – Tuesday, April 7, 2015

 

1. Lonsdale Market Reopens This Saturday
2. Neighborhood Advisory Council Meets Wednesday
3. Squirrel Joins Easter Egg Hunt in West Hills
4. Newman Seay, Vestal Leader, Dies
5. Tired of Blight? Join the “Fight the Blight” Workshop
6. Register Now for April 17 Fair Housing Conference
7. New Commander for KPD’s East District Patrol
8. Free Women’s Health Fair Set for This Saturday
9. Health Department hosts Women’s Health Conference
10. Next Eight Days: Tennessee River Tour Promotes Clean Water
11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

 

Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods. Deadline for news & calendar items: 5 p.m. Mondays.

 

1. Lonsdale Market Reopens This Saturday

 

The Lonsdale Multicultural Community Market is back.

 

The festive event — sponsored by the Latino Task Force and Lonsdale United for Change — will be held this coming Saturday, April 11, from11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Lonsdale Park, 1317 Louisiana Avenue.

 

Crafts will be available for sale, along with homemade food from Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Mexico, Peru, Salvador and possibly Africa and the Philippines — and also soul food from the U.S.

 

The market was created last year in an effort to build community in Lonsdale and surrounding neighborhoods, introduce U.S.-born citizens to other cultures, and provide support to those making food and creating crafts.

 

 

2. Neighborhood Advisory Council Meets Wednesday

 

Homelessness and urban agriculture are among the topics to be discussed at the Neighborhood Advisory Council’s monthly meeting thisWednesday, April 8, from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the CAC building, 2247 Western Avenue.

 

Members of the Homeless Collective will be on hand to share concerns about the ways in which homeless people are stereotyped and to share plans for reaching out to community groups.

 

Brian Blackmon with the City of Knoxville’s Office of Sustainability, will discuss urban agriculture and proposed changes to city ordinances to encourage both community gardens and market gardens on privately held property.

 

Other topics may be discussed. All are welcome to attend.

 

 

3. Squirrel Joins Easter Egg Hunt in West Hills

 

The West Hills Community Association held its annual Easter Egg Hunt this past weekend, but not all of the eggs were claimed by children.

 

Several volunteers, including WHCA President Ashley Williams, spent four hours hiding 3,000 eggs in a 4.5-acre area of West Hills Park last Saturday morning, just in time for some 200 children to descend on the scene. “It took all of about 45 seconds for the eggs to be found,” Williams quipped.

 

But a permanent park resident robbed the kids of two of the eggs. One volunteer chased a squirrel running across a field and up a tree with a bright pink plastic egg in its mouth. Williams snapped a photo of the squirrel chomping through the plastic and eating the chocolate inside. The bushy-tailed rodent made off with another egg later in the morning. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Williams said.

 

Other event volunteers included Chuck Anderton, Richard Clark, Lee Hume, and Will Overstreet. County Commissioner Jeff Ownby donated bottled water and cupcakes to the event.

 

 

4. Newman Seay, Vestal Leader, Dies

 

Newman Seay, longtime president of the Vestal Community Organization, passed away March 31 after a bout with cancer. He was a staunch advocate for his community, the owner and operator of Knox Electric Service, and a veteran of the U.S. Army.

 

 

5. Tired of Blight? Join the “Fight the Blight” Workshop

 

The City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods, in coordination with various city departments, is conducting a four-session workshop focused on the challenges we face with blighted properties and how to better work together to address them.

 

The workshop will be held over the course of four Wednesdays starting April 22 and continuing through May 13. The first three workshops will be held in the City County Building (Small Assembly Room) from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., and the final workshop on May 13 will be held from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the CAC/L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Avenue.

 

To participate in this workshop, please fill out the one-page application located here: http://www.planetreg.com/E3319621138154.  Or call Travis Nissen at 215-3077 for a hard copy to be mailed to you.

 

Seating is limited to representatives of established neighborhood organizations.  Applications must be received by Wednesday, April 15.

 

At the workshop, neighborhood group representatives will learn how and why properties become blighted, examine the nuts and bolts of city codes enforcement, and hear about public and private efforts that address blight. Individuals who take this class will then be eligible to participate in ongoing meetings of the Neighborhood Working Group, which is composed of neighborhood group representatives and city officials who meet every other month to discuss problem properties and possible solutions.

 

 

6. Register Now for April 17 Fair Housing Conference

 

Carlos Osegueda, regional director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office, will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Fair Housing Conference on Friday, April 17.

 

Among other features, the conference will include a panel on landlord-tenant law and fair housing, a report on a statewide listening tour conducted by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, homeless individuals speaking about barriers to housing, and advice on working with people with disabilities who employ service animals.

 

All are encouraged to register and attend. The conference is free for community and neighborhood representatives. Free transportation to and from the conference site will be provided from the CAC building on Western Avenue. The conference begins at 8 a.m. at Gettysvue Country Club, 9317 Linksvue Drive. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The conference ends at 3 p.m.

 

Please register in advance by calling Jennifer Bell at KCDC at 403-1234, ext. 228, or by visiting www.echoknoxville.com, where you can also view the full agenda.

 

The conference is sponsored by the Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities (ECHO), which is composed of individuals who work for organizations such as governmental agencies, housing providers, social service agencies and advocacy groups.

 

 

7. New Commander for KPD’s East District Patrol

 

Captain Kenny Miller and Captain Eve Thomas have switched roles at the Knoxville Police Department.

 

Captain Thomas is now the Commander of KPD’s Internal Affairs Unit, and Captain Miller is now the Commander of the East District in the Patrol Division.  “This transition is to allow the two of them to continue to expand their skills in different roles in the Police Department and prepare them for future advancement,” noted Police Chief David Rausch. “Both Captains have been with KPD since January 1993.”

 

As commander of the East District, Captain Miller supervises all officer patrols in South Knoxville and in the areas of the city east of I-275.

 

 

8. Free Women’s Health Fair Set for This Saturday

 

A Women’s Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 11, at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2137 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

 

Students in King University’s family nurse practioner program, all of whom are already experienced registered nurses, will be available to answer questions, share health information and limited health screenings. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center’s Mobile Mammography unit will be present to do screening mammograms, but appointments are required. Interested women desiring a screening mammogram at Saturday’s event should call Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center at 865-583-1003 to schedule an appointment for that day. Financial assistance is available for women who qualify for assistance in getting a mammogram.

 

Also, there will be a limited number of free cholesterol screenings available.  The most accurate results are obtained if the cholesterol readings are done while the person is fasting (no food or beverage for 8-12 hours prior to the test, except water or black coffee). These results will be given onsite to the participants to share with their health care providers. Light refreshments will be provided.

 

For more, contact Dr. Bonnie Graham at [email protected] or 865-690-5803.

 

 

9. Health Department hosts Women’s Health Conference

 

Do you want to understand addiction, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and what they mean for our community?

 

To address these issues, The Knox County Health Department will host a State of Women’s Health Conference on Friday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Crown Plaza Knoxville, 401 E. Summit Hill Drive.

 

The conference is open to the public, will feature interactive discussions, and is free with lunch provided.  The charge is $10 for those who need continuing education credits.

 

See State of Women’s Health to learn more, click here to register, or contact Katie Larsen at [email protected] or 215-5170.

 

 

10. Next Eight Days: Tennessee River Tour Promotes Clean Water 

 

If you are interested in clean water, trees, and donating to local environmental organizations, you will really like the next eight days in Knoxville.

 

The nationally recognized Living Lands and Waters barge will dock at Volunteer Landing from April 8-15 as part of the Tennessee River Tour, an initiative to help clean up the Tennessee River and raise water quality awareness through stops in Knoxville and seven other cities along the river in three states.

 

Chad Pregracke, founder and president of Living Lands and Waters, as well as 2013 “CNN Hero of the Year,” will bring some of his staff and fleet to the Tennessee River for the first time. Since its founding in 1998, his organization has helped clean waterways in dozens of towns along 23 rivers in 20 states.

 

Knoxville is home to the headwaters of the Tennessee River, making it the natural kickoff city for the two-month tour. Local events include:

 

*** Ijams Nature Center’s 26th annual River Rescue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11. On average, River Rescue has 1,000 volunteers each year, collecting 8 tons of trash from 30 cleanup sites along Knoxville’s creek and river banks. This year, all of the trash collected Saturday will be transported to the barge where it will be displayed for the public to view for the first time ever.

 

*** Citizens can tour the Living Lands and Waters barge at Volunteer Landing Park on Sunday, April 12, from 1-4 p.m. The first 500 visitors receive a free tree to plant. There are actually four barges: one for carrying trash, one for sorting recyclables, a “floating classroom,” and solar-powered living quarters for the staff when they are away at long-distance cleanups.

 

*** Also on Sunday afternoon, a “Tennessee River Expo” at Volunteer Landing will provide information from local groups that work to improve our waterways.

 

*** Kasey Krouse, the City of Knoxville’s Urban Forester, has worked with Living Lands and Waters to select five sites across Knoxville to plant trees, helping stabilize creek and river banks. Volunteers will first remove invasive exotic plants, and then will plant 500 trees in the 1-4 p.m.hours at each of the following sites: Ijams Nature Center, Wednesday, April 8; Third Creek Greenway at Tobler Lane, Thursday, April 9; Williams Creek at Lay Avenue, Friday, April 10; Adair Park & Greenway, Monday, April 13; and James White Parkway, Tuesday, April 14.

 

*** Several local watering holes will host “pint nights” – when a portion of proceeds are donated to local nonprofits that work to clean up our waterways and environment. The timing, locations and benefitted nonprofits are:

— Wednesday, April 8, 5 p.m.-Midnight, Bearden Beer Market, Water Quality Forum

— Friday, April 10, 5-8 p.m., Scruffy City Hall, Legacy Parks Foundation

— Saturday, April 11, 6-8 p.m., Ijams Nature Center, Ijams River Rangers

— Tuesday, April 14, 5 p.m.-Midnight, Bearden Beer Market, Keep Knoxville Beautiful

 

*** Stephen Lyn Bales, Senior Naturalist at Ijams, will speak in the Living Lands and Waters floating classroom on the barge at Volunteer Landing, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13. His lecture will cover wildlife species that are now returning to the Tennessee River as the river’s health and ecology continues to improve following decades of concerted efforts. The event is free but available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

 

11. Neighborhood and Government Calendar

 

Include your neighborhood-related event or meeting in this space. Call 215-3456.

 

Visit http://www.cityofknoxville.org/calendar/ for a complete list of meetings of various city boards and commissions. See the Community Events Calendar: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/events/events.pdf

 

If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to attend a City of Knoxville public meeting, please contact Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 215-2034 no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting you wish to attend.

 

Tuesday, April 7 — 4:30 p.m.

Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch (First Tuesdays)

Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.

Lawrence Washington, 524-4498

 

Tuesday, April 7 — 5:30 p.m.

Public Meeting

Community Development Department, City of Knoxville

Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan

John T. O’Connor Center, 611 Winona Street

Linda Rust, 215-2120, [email protected]

 

Tuesday, April 7 — 6 p.m.

            Mechanicsville Community Association (First Tuesdays)

Fairview Recreation Center, 1628 Dora St.

Charles Wright, 637-1802

 

Tuesday, April 7 — 6-7 p.m.

Norwood Neighborhood Watch – 6 p.m.

Norwood Homeowners Association – 7 p.m.

Monthly on a Tuesday: May 5, Jun 2, Jul 14, Aug 11, Sep 8

New Hope Presbyterian Church, 1705 Merchants Road

Lynn Redmon, 688-3136

 

Wednesday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 15

Tennessee River Tour

Tree plantings, school workshops, “pint night” fundraisers for local nonprofits

at local watering holes, River Tour speaker series, and more.

Living Land & Waters

www.tennesseerivertour.org

 

Wednesday, April 8 — 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Food Policy Council

(Second Wednesdays but check website for confirmation)

Knox County Health Department, 140 Dameron Avenue

http://www.knoxfood.org/; [email protected]

 

Wednesday, April 8 — 11:30 a.m.

Community Forum (Second Wednesdays)

Bearden Branch Library, 100 Golf Club Road

Sue Mauer, 690-0269

 

Wednesday, April 8 — 4:30 p.m.

Neighborhood Advisory Council, City of Knoxville

(Second Wednesdays except December)

CAC / L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Ave.

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/neighborhoods

David Massey, 215-3232

 

Wednesday, April 8 — 6 p.m.

Public Meeting: Plan to improve accessibility, safety and convenience

of traveling by bicycle in Knoxville.

East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street

www.cityofknoxville.org/bicycleplan/feb2015_finalreport.pdf

City of Knoxville

 

Thursday, April 9 — 1:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Planning Commission (Second Thursdays)

http://www.knoxmpc.org

Agenda: http://agenda.knoxmpc.org

 

Thursday, April 9 — 5:30 p.m.

City Council Special Call Meeting

Topic: Revisions to the Sign Ordinance

Small Assembly Room, City County Building

 

Thursday, April 9 — 6 p.m.

Lonsdale Homes Resident Association (Second Thursdays)

Community Building, 1956 Goins Dr.

Phyllis Patrick, 323-7224

 

Thursday, April 9 — 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Greenwood Heights Neighborhood Watch (Second Thursdays)

Corner of Buttercup Circle and Sundrop Dr.

Alice Wershing, [email protected]

 

Thursday, April 9 — 7-8 p.m.

Colonial Village Neighborhood Association

(Second Thursdays except December and January)

South Knoxville Church of God, 5623 Magazine Road

Terry Caruthers, 579-5702, [email protected]

 

Friday, April 10 — 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m.

North Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Second Fridays)

Breakfast at 7:45 am, Meeting at 8 a.m.

Open to North Knoxville Residents, Neighborhood Groups, Business Owners

Meeting location varies. Check Website for location. http://northknoxvillebpa.org/

Becky Dodson, [email protected], 545-6750.

 

Friday, April 10 — 6 p.m.

Beaumont Community Organization (Second Fridays)

Community Room, Solid Waste Transfer Station, 1033 Elm St.

Natasha Murphy, 936-0139

 

Saturday, April 11 — 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lonsdale Multicultural Community Market (Second Saturdays)

Pavilion, Lonsdale Park, 1317 Louisiana Avenue

Latino Task Force and Lonsdale United for Change

 

Sunday, April 12 — 2 p.m.

Historic Sutherland Heights Neighborhood Association

(Second Sundays, even-numbered months)

Marble City Baptist Church, 2740 Sutherland Avenue

John Yates, 865-588-8883, [email protected]

 

Monday, April 13 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Home Energy Savings Fair

Community Action Committee building, 2247 Western Ave

www.knoxvillescores.org

Louise Gorenflo, [email protected]

 

Monday, April 13 — 1:30 p.m.

Montgomery Village Residents Association (Second Mondays)

4600 Joe Lewis Rd. #175

Ronnie Thompson, 604-6492

 

Monday, April 13 — 3 p.m.

Northgate Resident Association (Second Mondays)

Social Hall, 4301 Whittle Springs Rd.

David Wildsmith, 219-0417

 

Monday, April 13 — 5-6 p.m.

Cold Springs Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays)

Michael Meadowview Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays)

CAC East Neighborhood Center, 4200 Asheville Hwy.

Michael Meadowview:  Marian Bailey, 525-5625

Cold Springs: Terrell Patrick, 525-4833

 

Monday, April 13

Fountain City Town Hall (Second Mondays)

Board Meetings: 6 p.m. Monthly

General Membership Meetings: 7 p.m., April, September, November

Church of the Good Shepherd, 5337 Jacksboro Pike

Daniel Dunn, 387-6390, [email protected]

 

Monday, April 13 — 6 p.m.

Lyons View Community Club (Second Mondays)

Lyons View Community Center, 114 Sprankle Ave.

Mary Brewster, 454-2390

 

Monday, April 13 — 6 p.m.

Vestal Community Organization (Second Mondays)

South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Old Maryville Pike

Newman Seay, 577-4593

 

Monday, April 13 — 6:30 p.m.

Community Potluck

Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization (Second Mondays)

Central United Methodist Church, 210 Third Ave.

Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, [email protected]

 

Monday, April 13 — 6:30 p.m.

Historic Old North Knoxville (Second Mondays)

St. James Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway

Andie Ray, 548-5221

 

Monday, April 13 — 7 p.m.

Belle Morris Community Action Group (Second Mondays)

City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave.

http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Belle_Morris

Rick Wilen, 524-5008

 

Tuesday, April 14 — 2 p.m.

Western Heights Resident Association (Second Tuesdays)

Building to the right of the mail boxes when you enter Western Heights

Jamesena Nolan, 237-5558

 

Tuesday, April 14 — 4-5 p.m.

City of Knoxville Greenways Commission

(2nd Tuesdays every two months)

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/greenways.asp

Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail

Lori Goerlich, Parks & Recreation Dept., 215-2807

 

Tuesday, April 14 — 6 p.m.

Brown Avenue Neighborhood Watch (Second Tuesdays)

Hoitt Ave. Baptist Church, 2121 Hoitt Ave.

Jimmy Ramsey, 637-0243

 

Tuesday, April 14 — 7 p.m.

City Council (Every Other Tuesday)

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil

Agenda: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil/agenda.pdf

 

Wednesday, April 15 — 12 Noon

Eastport/Lee Williams Neighborhood Watch (every 3rd Wednesday)

Lee Williams Senior Center, 2240 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave

Sylvia Cook, 206-3433, [email protected]

 

Thursday, April 16 — Breakfast – 7:30 a.m. Meeting – 8 a.m.

East Knoxville Business & Professional Association (Third Thursdays)

Open to Neighborhood Residents and Leaders

Meeting location varies

Doug Minter, [email protected], Knoxville Chamber, 637-4550

http://www.eastknox.org/

 

Thursday, April 16 — 8:30 a.m.

Historic Zoning Commission (Third Thursdays)

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/historic.asp

Kaye Graybeal, 215-3795, [email protected]

 

Thursday, April 16 — 12 p.m.

KUB Board of Commissioners (Third Thursdays, except July)

Historic Miller’s Building, 445 S. Gay St.

See www.kub.org. Click on “About Us” at top of the page.

 

Thursday, April 16 — 4 p.m.

City Board of Zoning Appeals (Third Thursdays)

Small Assembly Room, City County Building

Pre-Agenda Meeting: 3 p.m. in Room 511

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/zoning.asp

 

Thursday, April 16 — 6 p.m.

Public meeting for Police Advisory & Review Committee (PARC)

City County Building, Main Assembly Room, 400 W. Main St.

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/parc/.

Lisa Chambers, 215-3869, [email protected]

 

Thursday, April 16 — 7 p.m.

Old Sevier Community Group

(Third Thursdays, January-November)

South Knoxville Elementary School Library, 801 Sevier Avenue

Gary Deitsch, 573-7355, [email protected]

 

Saturday, April 18 — 10 a.m.

South Haven Neighborhood Association (Third Saturdays)

Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1615 Price Ave.

Pat Harmon, 591-3958

 

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.

Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization

Board Meeting (Third Mondays except January)

“Birdhouse”/Fourth & Gill Center, 800 North Fourth Avenue

Liz Upchurch, 898-1809, [email protected]

 

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.

Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association

(Third Mondays except June, July, December)

All are welcome to attend.

New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane

Ronnie Collins, 637-9630

 

Monday, April 20 — 7 p.m.

West Hills Community Association (Third Mondays)

Executive Committee: July, August, September, November, December

General Meeting: February, May and October

First Church of the Nazarene, 538 Vanosdale Rd.

Ashley Williams, 313-0282

 

Tuesday, April 21 — 6 p.m.

Delrose Drive Neighborhood Watch (Third Tuesdays)

Riverview Baptist Church, 3618 Delrose Dr.
Corina and John Buffalow, 523-0102

 

Tuesday, April 21 — 6:30 p.m.

Lonsdale United for Change (Third Tuesdays)

Lonsdale Recreation Center, Stonewall Ave.

Steve Ritter, 973-0877

 

Tuesday, April 21 — 7 p.m.

Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association (Third Tuesdays, except December)

Larry Cox Senior Center, 3109 Ocoee Trail

http://edgewoodpark.us/

 

Wednesday, April 22 — 9 a.m.

Infill Housing Design Review Committee (Fourth Wednesdays)

Re: infill housing in central city neighborhoods with IH-1 overlay

http://www.knoxmpc.org/zoning/infill.htm

Jeff Archer, 215-3821, [email protected]

 

Thursday, April 23 — 9 a.m.

Special Events Community Meeting (Fourth Thursdays, January-October)

“Meet with city services that may assist in planning your event.”

Civic Coliseum Ballroom, Third Floor

Free Parking available at Civic Coliseum Parking Garage

Office of Special Events, 215-4248

 

Friday, April 24 — 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

State of Women’s Health – Addiction, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Free with lunch; 10.00 if you want CEUs

Crowne Plaza Knoxville, 401 W. Summit Hill Dr.

Register at

For more, Katie Larsen, [email protected] or 215-5170

 

Monday, April 27 — 5 p.m. (zoning at 7 p.m.)

Knox County Commission

(Fourth Mondays, January-October. Third Mondays, November-December)

www.knoxcounty.org/commission

Agenda: Click on “Information” and then “Commission Agendas”

Public Forum held at beginning & ending of meeting

 

Tuesday, April 28 — 6 p.m.

Inskip Community Association (Asociación de la Comunidad de Inskip)

Community Meeting (Fourth Tuesdays)

Inskip Baptist Church, 4810 Rowan Rd.

Betty Jo Mahan, 679-2748, [email protected]

 

Tuesday, April 28 — 6:30 p.m.

Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association (Last Tuesdays)

Administration Building, Knoxville Zoo

Paul Ruff, 696-6584

 

Tuesday, April 28 — 7 p.m.

City Council (Every Other Tuesday)

http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil

Agenda: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil/agenda.pdf

 

Thursday, April 30 — 3:30 p.m.

Better Building Board

(Last Thursday, January-October. First Thursday, December)

Small Assembly Room, City-County Building

Agenda: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/boards/betterbuilding.asp

Cheri Hollifield, 215-2119, [email protected]