It’s a beautiful autumn day in the neighborhood. And this is our column about good folks being good neighbors.
The best example is out in Halls where the Crossroads Women’s League honored military veterans in a special way on Nov. 11. There is a delicious lunch with red/white/blue cupcakes. Then everybody loads up in jeeps and a flatbed for a trip downtown for the Veterans Day parade.
Every year the women do this and every year it grows. Faye Nelson Heydasch and her husband, Robert, captured an awesome photo gallery of the parade itself. Go here and scroll down.
Halls Crossroads veterans in a group photo by Robert Heydasch. Note in the back right corner where Gene Bayless and Kelly Beeler are exploring somebody’s phone.
Murals showcase work of CAC
A post from the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) praised the work of local artist Paris Woodhull and her crew who “have worked persistently throughout the month of October to help bring three murals to life at the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee‘s Ross Building.
Mural artist Paris Woodhull (at right) with painting assistants Paige Smith (left) and Brittany Priest.
A portion of the mural on the CAC Ross Building on Western Avenue.
“The addition of this art has already begun to transform the way clients, employees and community partners experience our space and we look forward to hosting this work for many, many years to come.”
Funding for the project came through a “creative placemaking grant,” the money generated through the state of Tennessee’s specialty license plate program.
Special thanks to the Tennessee Arts Commission for making this project possible through a creative placemaking grant. Funding for projects like these are generated through the state of Tennessee’s specialty license plate program. Check out existing specialty plates here.
Vocalist Kelle Jolly is hinting at a new venture, posting “Is this foreshadowing? Maybe!”
Christi Branscom rejoins Partners
Christi Branscom
Christi Branscom, who has served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services for nearly six years, has rejoined her former firm, Partners Development, located in downtown Knoxville, as principal, general counsel and managing broker. Details: Branscom returns 2024
Farragut hires new Public Works director
Will Wiley
Will Wiley has joined the town of Farragut staff as the new director of Public Works. He and his family are relocating here from Poway, California, a suburb of San Diego, where he was the assistant director of public works maintenance and operations.
Long-time Public Works Director Bud McKelvey will retire in 2025 after Farragut Town Hall and Campbell Station Inn renovations are complete. As of this fall, his department was divided into two groups: parks maintenance and right-of-way maintenance.
Will and his wife, Heather, have two daughters, Claire and Grace.
United Way gets interim CEO
Chrystal Armstrong Brown
United Way of Greater Knoxville Chief Impact Officer Chrystal Armstrong Brown will serve as interim CEO as of Nov. 11, 2024. Matt Ryerson, who has served as CEO since December 2019, has resigned.
“Matt served as a bridge, following Ben Landers’ 26 years of leadership in the CEO position, to where we are today. And now, we’re ready to move forward with the next chapter of this great organization with intention, innovation and dedication,” said UWGK board chair Clarence Vaughn III. Details: Ryerson leaves United Way
The Bottom offers banned books
The Bottom, unique books and gift store on Magnolia Avenue, has a gift for November. The Bans Off Our Books box honors the classic books that are often banned and challenged. Priced at $45, this curated collection will come with two banned books and a banned books/censorship tote to carry them in. Pre-orders accepted through November 15. Orders will be ready for pick-up or shipped by November 30. Pre-order here.
Featured Books: Choose from Kindred by Octavia Butler, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin.
Thank a KPD officer
Did you know that the city has a way for you to formally thank a Knoxville Police Department (KPD) officer?
Did an officer attend your meeting and help with a situation in your neighborhood? Did you receive exemplary assistance from an officer after a traffic accident? Did an officer assist you in the community?
Did someone from KPD provide you with a helpful resource?
If you have had a good experience with an officer in 2024, KPD would like to hear about it. Fill out this form on the city’s website to brighten someone’s day.
KPD officers have to deal with very difficult situations, sometimes life or death, and a “thank you” from a community member can make a huge difference in an officer’s day.
Notes
Christmas Parades: Notices are starting to come in and KnoxTNToday.com will publish a list starting Tuesday, November 19. Send emails to news@knoxtntoday.com
Farragut: New to town or just want to know more about land use in the Mixed-Use Town Center zone? Attend the free workshop at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd. Info: Community Development Director Mark Shipley at mshipley@townoffarragut.org.
