Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Hey!, Lakemoor Hills Wins Achievement Award
Knoxville Neighborhood Advisory – Vol. 7, No. 9 – Friday, February 28, 2014
1. Don’t Miss the City-Wide Neighborhood Event of the Year!
2. Seven Finalists for Good Neighbor of the Year Award
3. Six Neighborhood Groups to Receive Achievement Awards
4. Awards Luncheon Schedule — and Parking
5. Save the Dates: City to Offer ‘Fight the Blight’ Workshop
6. Mayor Rogero Joins Community Leaders in Violence Prevention Efforts
7. KKB to Launch “Beautification Mobs”
8. KAT to Consider Options on Routes 10 and 90
9. Maryville College Offers “New Opportunity School for Women”
10. Neighborhood and Government Calendar
Published by the City of Knoxville’s Office of Neighborhoods to report news important to Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods.
1. Don’t Miss the City-Wide Neighborhood Event of the Year! Everyone interested in the health and vitality of Knoxville’s residential neighborhoods should plan to attend the City of Knoxville’s Neighborhood Awards & Networking Luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center onSaturday, March 8. Register online here: http://www.planetReg.com/
2. Seven Finalists for Good Neighbor of the Year Award Seven Knoxville neighborhood residents will be honored as finalists for the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year Award at the City of Knoxville’s Neighborhood Awards and Networking Luncheon on Saturday, March 8. The seven were nominated by their neighbors in response to a call from the Office of Neighborhoods in early January. All will be honored, but only one will receive the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year Award. The award, named for the late Diana Conn of the Old Sevier Community, is presented annually to a Knoxville resident who — in a spirit of cooperation and with commitment to inclusive community — has devoted time and talent in service to his or her neighbors and neighborhood. The finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name): — Betty Jo Mahan, Inskip Community Assn. (Asociación de la Comunidad de Inskip) — Bruce and Tracy Martin, Delrose Drive Neighborhood Watch — Calvin Chappelle, Parkridge Community Organization — Gerry Moll, Fourth and Gill, The Bird House — Kathy Hitchcox, South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association — Travetta Johnson, Parkridge Community Organization Attend the March 8 luncheon to find out why these seven individuals were considered by their peers to be good neighbors… and to see which of them will be named the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year.
3. Six Neighborhood Groups to Receive Achievement Awards
Alice Bell Spring Hill Neighborhood Association — faced with the federally mandated inevitability of an unsightly cell phone tower at the entrance to the neighborhood — nevertheless negotiated its way to the best possible outcome, turning a lemon into lemonade. Lakemoor Hills Homeowners Association, a mainly county neighborhood that includes city residents as well, worked through privacy issues to better utilize modern technology to secure the neighborhood against crime. Lyons View Community Club, by creating key partnerships to upgrade its community center and playground, increased involvement by neighbors in the organization. Parkridge Community Organization managed to support a butterfly garden, revive a tour of historic homes, hold a street fair, and transform an ugly freeway underpass into an inviting work of art, all in the same year. South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association completed several major projects in 2013, including an outdoor classroom, certification as a community wildlife habitat, and a program to honor police, fire, postal and other service workers. Finally, Western Heights Residents Association jumped at the chance to partner with an outside organization to build a proud community that is prepared to “take back the neighborhood.” All six of these neighborhood groups will receive Neighborhood Achievement Awards at the Neighborhood Awards & Networking Luncheon on Saturday, March 8.
4. Awards Luncheon Schedule — and Parking
Here is the schedule for the March 8 luncheon: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Morning Reception Come early to enjoy fruit juice, coffee or tea as you meet and greet other neighborhood activists, city staff, members of Knoxville City Council, and other elected officials. Pick up information at booths staffed by city agencies and nonprofit organizations.11 a.m.-Noon: Small Group Discussion Participate with others in a guided discussion to share ideas on positive projects to strengthen your neighborhood and build a strong sense of community. 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Awards Luncheon Enjoy a free box lunch and lively conversation, and then celebrate with Mayor Madeline Rogero as she presides over the presentation of Neighborhood Achievement Awards and the Diana Conn Good Neighbor of the Year Award. This event will be held on the Cumberland Avenue side of the Knoxville Convention Center (KCC). Across Cumberland, there will be free parking at the Poplar Street Parking Lot. Parking is also available at Church Street United Methodist Church, though the cost may be up to $5 for the day. On the far side of the KCC, free parking will be available in the Locust Street Garage.
5. Save the Dates: City to Offer ‘Fight the Blight’ Workshop
Starting April 17, the Office of Neighborhoods, in coordination with various city departments, will conduct a four-session workshop focused on the challenges we face with blighted properties and how to better work together to address them. Neighborhood group representatives and other active citizens will learn how and why properties become blighted, examine the details of city code enforcement, and hear about public and private efforts that address blight. Participants will have opportunities to share views and concerns about blight and the city’s response, and find solutions for these properties at the neighborhood level as well as in collaborative efforts with the city. The workshop will be held in the early evening over the course of four Thursdays starting April 17 and continuing through May 8. Exact time and location are still to be determined. The Office of Neighborhoods will begin taking applications for this workshop next month.
6. Mayor Rogero Joins Community Leaders in Violence Prevention Efforts
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero this week led a delegation of local community leaders to a National League of Cities conference on violence prevention and strategies for building safe, healthy and hopeful communities. The conference, called “Cities United: A Convening of Mayors Committed to Eliminating Violence-Related Deaths of African-American Males,” was held in New Orleans earlier this week. Mayor Rogero joined 20 mayors and 225 local officials and staff from 37 cities at the inaugural Cities United meeting. The purpose of the initiative is to promote achievement and reduce violence-related deaths among African-American men and boys. It is also in line with the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative announced by President Barack Obama on Thursday, which will focus on key moments in the lives of young black men where interventions have been shown to have the greatest impact — for example, making sure children arrive at school ready to learn, and reducing negative interactions with the criminal justice system. “Since last summer, I have been meeting with a small advisory group of local ministers, community leaders, Councilman and former Mayor Daniel Brown and Police Chief David Rausch to study issues related to violence in our local neighborhoods and to talk about how to best coordinate our resources and efforts,” Mayor Rogero said. “As in many other cities, African-American males in Knoxville make up a disproportionate share of those affected by violence. This conference has given us a chance to learn from the experiences of other cities and help us think about the next steps we can take here.”
Accompanying Mayor Rogero to the conference were Thomas “Tank” Strickland Jr., the City’s Director of Community Relations; the Rev. Daryl Arnold, pastor of Overcoming Believers Church; the Rev. Dr. John A. Butler, pastor of Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church and presiding elder of the Knoxville district; and Andre Canty, youth community activist and president of 100 Black Men of Knoxville. The delegation’s expenses were covered by the National League of Cities and the Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville. For Arnold, the need to form a strategy to address youth violence is both urgent and personal. He said he’s performed about 60 funeral services in the past decade involving young crime victims — most of them not members of his own church. Arnold said he is often sought out by victims’ families and considers the funeral services to be “an opportunity to raise questions and to refocus young people.” Butler agreed that a broad strategy with many partners is what’s needed. “We need to address the violence in our community with a community-based approach,” said Butler, who is also president of Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance and of the Knoxville NAACP. “We are learning how other cities have gotten their communities engaged. It needs to be a community-based solution, not just looking at government for a solution. That’s critical for me.” Mayor Rogero plans this year to broaden the discussion of black male achievement and violence prevention, with opportunities for public input and community outreach.
7. KKB to Launch “Beautification Mobs”
Keep Knoxville Beautiful — the nonprofit organization that leads the charge against litter in our community — has come up with a new way to deal with littered and unsightly high-visibility roadside locations Inspired by the flash mob and cash mob method of calls to action, KKB will bring Beautification Mobs to life this spring with the help of Carex Design Group and volunteers throughout the area. The KKB Beautification mobs will identify and beautify public locations throughout the Knoxville area with trash cleanup, landscaping, and routine maintenance, focusing on highly visible locations in the City and County. KKB invites the community to nominate locations for KKB’s Beautification Mob and to participate as a volunteer. Criteria for nomination and selection will include: ** unsightly vegetated spaces ** high visibility / high profile locations ** space limited in area (no more than 500 sf) ** suited to low-profile landscaping options ** owner(s) amenable to access ** volunteers willing to adopt, beautify and maintain Anyone may nominate a location by sending an email stating the details of the proposed location to KKB Executive Director Allison Teeters at info@keepknoxvillebeautiful.
8. KAT to Consider Options on Routes 10 and 90
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) and the K2 Committee of the Knoxville Transportation Authority (KTA) will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6, in the community room of Knoxville Station, 301 Church Avenue, to begin a discussion on Route 10 (Sequoyah Hills). This group will be looking at the route to examine ways to improve its low ridership, and what options exist for the route. In addition, KAT will also consider a number of minor adjustments to Route 90 (Crosstown), including some schedule adjustments and a small routing change for improved service and connections. The public is encouraged to attend and provide input and suggestions for these routes. For more information, contact Lauren Robinson, KTA Secretary, at [email protected] or at 215-7800.
9. Maryville College Offers “New Opportunity School for Women”
The New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) at Maryville College is now accepting applications for its first summer residential program, which will be held on the Maryville College campus from July 13 through Aug. 2. The school is designed to improve the educational, financial and personal circumstances of low-income women in the Appalachian region. There is no cost to the women who are selected for NOSW. Eligible women are between the ages of 30-55 and live in any county of East Tennessee, including Knox County. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, a strong desire to get out of poverty and other oppressive circumstances, and a willingness to work toward further education and improved employment. Participants begin the program with three weeks in residence at Maryville College, July 13-Aug. 2, an intensive period of learning, life skills, job readiness, college readiness, and rebuilding self-esteem. The application, which is due before May 15, can be found on line here: !http://www.maryvillecollege.
Saturday, March 1 — 1:30 p.m. “The People Speak” Howard Zinn film on history of efforts to secure voting rights Panel Discussion, Reception, and Awards Presentation (Awards for essays on current issues about voting and citizen involvement) League of Women Voters of Knoxville/Knox County Pellissippi State Community College, Hardin Valley Rd. Vivian Shipe, [email protected], 617-8353
Monday, March 3 — 5 p.m. Knox County Board of Education – Work Session (Monday before the regular meeting and the third Mondays, except holidays or holiday weeks) First Floor Board Room, Andrew Johnson Building, 912 South Gay St. For agenda, work sessions, and other items: Visit http://knoxschools.org. Click on “Board of Education.”
Monday, March 3 — 5:30 p.m. Council of Involved Neighborhoods (COIN) (First Mondays, except holidays) CAC/L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Ave. Dave Gartner, 862-2066
Monday, March 3 — 7 p.m. Cedar Heights Residents Association (First Mondays) 5316 Cedar Heights Rd. [email protected] or 765-1047
Tuesday, March 4 — 5 p.m. Dandridge Avenue Neighborhood Watch (First Tuesdays) Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave. Lawrence Washington, 524-4498
Tuesday, March 4 — 6:30 p.m. Parkridge Community Organization (First Tuesdays) Cansler YMCA, 616 Jessamine St. Jerry Caldwell, 329-9943
Tuesday, March 4 — 7 p.m. City Council (Every Other Tuesday)http://www.cityofknoxville.
Tuesday, March 4 — 7 p.m. Mechanicsville Community Association (First Tuesdays) Fairview Recreation Center, 1628 Dora St. Charles Wright, 637-1802
Wednesday, March 5 — 5 p.m. Knox County Board of Education (First Wednesdays, except holiday weeks) Large Assembly Room, City County Building For agenda, work sessions, and other items: Visit http://knoxschools.org/. Click on “Board of Education”
Thursday, March 6 — 8:30 a.m. City Tree Board (First Thursdays) Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. www.cityofknoxville.org/
Thursday, March 6 — 4 p.m. Montgomery Village Resident Association (First Thursdays) 4600 Joe Lewis Rd. #175 Tonja Warren, 577-5555
Saturday, March 8 — 10a.m.-1:30. Neighborhood Awards & Networking Luncheon For All City Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Organizations Office of Neighborhoods David Massey, 215-3232, [email protected]
Monday, March 10 — 7 p.m. Town Hall East (Second Mondays in September, November, January, March and May) Guest Speaker: Mark Donaldson, Executive Director for MPC Fellowship Hall, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 409 Asheville Highway Mac Goodwin, 524-9954
Monday, March 10 — 5 p.m. Knox County Board of Education – Work Session *Rescheduled from March 17 (Monday before the regular meeting and third Mondays, except holidays or holiday weeks) First Floor Board Room, Andrew Johnson Building, 912 South Gay St. For agenda, work sessions, and other items: Visit http://knoxschools.org. Click on “Board of Education.”
Monday, March 10 — 3 p.m. Northgate Resident Association (Second Mondays) Social Hall, 4301 Whittle Springs Rd. David Wildsmith, 219-0417
Monday, March 10 — 5-6 p.m. Michael Meadowview Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays) CAC East Neighborhood Center, 4200 Asheville Hwy. Marian Bailey, 525-5625 Monday, March 10 — 6 p.m. Cold Springs Neighborhood Watch (Second Mondays) Magnolia Ave. Methodist Church, 2700 Magnolia Ave. (Harrison St. Entrance) Terrell Patrick, 525-4833
Monday, March 10 — 6 p.m. Lyons View Community Club (Second Mondays) Lyons View Community Center, 114 Sprankle Ave. Mary Brewster, 454-2390
Monday, March 10 — 6 p.m. Vestal Community Organization (Second Mondays) South Knoxville Community Center, 522 Old Maryville Pike Newman Seay, 577-4593
Monday, March 10 — 6:30 p.m. Old North Knoxville (Second Mondays) St. James Episcopal, Parish Hall, 1101 N. Broadway Lauren Rider, 964-3905 Monday, March 10 — 6:30 p.m. Community Potluck Historic Fourth & Gill Neighborhood Organization (Second Mondays) Central United Methodist Church, 210 Third Ave. Judith Neff, 567-7980
Monday, March 10 — 7 p.m. Belle Morris Community Action Group (Second Mondays) City View Baptist Church, 2311 Fine Ave. www.bellemorris.com Rick Wilen, 524-5008
Monday, March 10 — 7-8 p.m. A Knox County Health Department presentation Fountain City Town Hall (Second Mondays, September-April) Church of the Good Shepherd, 5337 Jacksboro Pike Ken Cloninger, 688-6257, [email protected]
Tuesday, March 11 — 11:45 a.m. Agenda Review, Metropolitan Planning Commission (Tuesday before MPC’s monthly meeting) Small Assembly Room, City County Building
Tuesday, March 11 — 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, March 11 — 6 p.m. Brown Avenue Neighborhood Watch (Second Tuesdays) Hoitt Ave. Baptist Church, 2121 Hoitt Ave. Jimmy Ramsey, 637-0243 Tuesday, March 11 — 7 p.m. Mechanicsville Neighborhood Watch Association (Second Tuesdays) Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, College St. R. Bentley Marlow, 607-4357 Wednesday, March 12 — 11:30 a.m. Community Forum (Second Wednesdays) West Knoxville Library, 100 Golf Club Rd. Kingston Pike Sue Mauer, 690-0269 Wednesday, March 12 — 1 p.m. 100 Block Association (Second Wednesdays) Dewhirst Properties, 123 S. Gay St. Jody Freeman, 525-1554 Wednesday, March 12 — 4:30 p.m. Neighborhood Advisory Council, City of Knoxville (Every Second Wednesday, except July and December) CAC / L.T. Ross Building, 2247 Western Ave.http://www.cityofknoxville.