Knoxify

Makers Donuts is Small Batch with Big Flavor

CP — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 09:45:48 +0000

It’s 7:30 a.m.

My head is foggy and my day is starting off in the wrong gear.

Days are made better with food. Good food. Something comforting but not heavy.

It hits me. Makers Donuts is open. Will they be packed? Will I feel anxious at the sight of a long line because I’ve put off trying these circles of wonder? Who cares, I’m in.

I arrive to a few patrons exiting, carrying their dozen-to-go with a smile. I swing open the door and I’m greeted by a couple of cheerful donut slingers, instantly entranced by the smells and colors.

A colleague prepped me with a request that half the box be filled with cinnamon and chocolate glazed. But these are more than that – they’re Churro, a crispy cake donut tossed in a cinnamon sugar blend and chocolate ganache, a dark chocolate glaze paired perfectly with just the right amount of donut.

I freelance the rest asking the Makers bakers to surprise me.

After being transported back to the office, each donut invites curiosity with a knife as a small bite of each has to be sampled. So many colors, so many toppings. They all quickly become bite-sized pieces of donuts taste-tested down to the last crumb.

Each flavor offers something different – bacon, lemon, fruity tastes that work perfectly with their ingredient mixture. Even the concoctions drawing snarled upper lips are quick to please with each surprising bite.

Beyond the colors, flavors and smells is baking perfection. Crispy on the outside with a perfect cake infusion on the inside. It’s like a something with a something that’s just nom nom nom.

Seriously, there are no words and Makers Donuts is no hype. The social media web that promotes this place is spot on.

Sean Alsobrooks and his wife Sara executed this place like they’ve opened hundreds before it. The branding is new and vintage at the same time. The eagerness to serve by the staff is infectious. And most importantly, the product delivers on levels you don’t expect. Makers has perfected an experience that will delight Knoxville for years to come.

Makers Donuts is Small Batch with Big Flavor originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

5 Unconventional Valentine’s Day Dates for the Knoxville Couple

Alexa Kavanaugh — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 02:46:29 +0000

Valentine’s Day is just on the horizon, and couples all over Knoxville are frantically booking both babysitters and restaurant reservations. The classic dinner and movie date is of course a go-to on this sometimes arduous holiday, but Knoxvillians are lucky enough to live in a city that offers much more than fine dining and movies. Here are five ways to spice up you and your S.O.’s V-Day plans without leaving your backyard.

Breakout Knoxville – This intense escape game makes the perfect date destination for the adventurous couple. Players are given one hour to break out of a room by solving various puzzles, uncovering hidden items and cracking codes that hold the key to your escape. For $24 per person, you and your date can put your communication skills to the test under a different kind of pressure. To learn more about escape times and game varieties visit www.BreakoutKnoxville.com.

Circle G Ranch – This is not your average zoo experience. Just 16 miles from downtown Knoxville, Circle G Ranch offers an up close and personal take on zoo fun by allowing visitors to drive through the habitat of over 500 free-roaming animals. Guests can keep windows down to feed zebras, water buffalo, alpacas and more right out of their hands. At $9 per adult, this wild date is sure to get you and your date laughing this Valentine’s Day. To see hours of operation and other park adventures, go to www.RideCamels.com.

Volunteer Rifle Range – Want to add a little edge to your Valentine’s Day? Thrill-seeking couples can test their aim by practicing with rifles or pistols at this shooting range only six miles from downtown. The shooting range is open from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, with $8 admission for a two-hour time slot. Shoot a bullseye and show it off at brunch when your new neighbor starts talking about her deep yoga stretches in front of your husband. Find out more at www.vrcp.info.

Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concert – For the couple who wants a classy, sophisticated V-Day experience without emptying their wallets, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra will host a free concert at the Tennessee Theatre at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Guests are welcome to open seating to support the 300 competitive students who make up the enchanting orchestra. After the concert, turn up the fun and hop over to Broadway’s new microbrewery, Balter Beerworks for some craft brews and a burger that won’t disappoint. More information on the Knoxville Symphony can be found at www.KnoxvilleSymphony.org.

The Classic Date – How could you go wrong with the simple, yet unequivocally pleasing movie date? There’s a reason it’s everyone’s go-to. If you and your S.O. are looking for a fun night out on a budget, download the Atom Tickets app. Simply create an account, complete your profile and receive a free movie ticket! Be sure to select a movie time that shows the price in orange (those are the ones that are eligible for free tickets). After your movie, swing by Menchie’s in Bearden for buy one get one free frozen yogurt when you bring a donation for Goodwill Industries!

No matter your interests or budget, Knoxville offers a little something for everyone. Experience a Valentine’s Day to remember this year by exploring Knoxville and putting a fun spin on the ideal date.

Feature photo by Chris Sloan.

5 Unconventional Valentine’s Day Dates for the Knoxville Couple originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

10 Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund in Knoxville

Knoxify Staff — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 15:35:27 +0000

It’s the season for Uncle Sam to giveth and taketh away. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you should have a few extra dollars to toss around.

We always seem to have those dollars earmarked for something before they ever arrive so very few are used in a freelance manner. But this year we plan to funnel some of our leftovers to our favorite places in Knoxville.

We have a knack for spending other peoples money so let’s see if we can spend yours. Here are 10 ways to spend your tax refund in and around Knoxville.

A Nice Dinner

Knoxville is a notoriously hungry town with a lot of grazing options. When we’re in the mood to splurge we always head to Maryville for the best dining experience around at the Foothills Milling Company. Start with the stuffed grit fritters and make your way to either the meatloaf (seasonal) or the farm raised venison. We encourage you to call at least 2 weeks in advance to make a reservation, take friends, and bring your own bottle of vino to share.

Want to spend all of your tax refund – dine at Blackberry Farm.

A Day at the Zoo

The air is starting to warm up and the skies are clearing which makes for a perfect time to visit the Knoxville Zoo. We tend to gravitate towards the Williams Family Giraffe encounter where you can feed the stick-legged safari skyscrapers.

Want to spend all of your tax refund – head for Dollywood.

Take In Some Jams

Hold on to your cash just a little longer and jam out at the Rhythm N Blooms festival in April. This three-day music fest features acts ranging from The Dirty Guv’nahs to the Drive-by Truckers.

Want to spend all of your tax refund – go VIP at Bonnaroo.

Go Shopping

Start east and make your way down Kingston Pike. Grab Knoxville-themed swag from Nothing Too Fancy. Get girly at Anthropologie. Stop by American Boat Center and grab your SUP for summer paddle sessions.

Want to spend all of your tax refund – day trip to Nashville.

We would love to hear how you wield your purchasing power around Knoxville this time of year.

10 Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund in Knoxville originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Magpies, Knoxville’s Sweetest Bakery

Brian Canever — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:38:24 +0000

Only a few minutes from Market Square, a block from the intersection of Broadway and Central, there is a little bakery that has been making culinary fantasies come to life through a combination of friendly staff, delicious desserts and a heck of a lot of butter.

Magpies Bakery (tag line: “All butter, all the time”) has been in business in its current location at 846 North Central St. for six years. But, the company goes back well over twenty years to when, hip owner, Peggy Hambright was contemplating whether or not to finish her degree in graphic design after going on tour with local band, (The) Judybats.

“When I came back from tour, graphic design had completely gone over to computers and it was like starting over for me,” says Hambright. “So I started working at the Tomato Head as a grunt and making desserts for the restaurant.”

Several moves later, from the Tomato Head to her mom’s kitchen in South Knoxville, Hambright and her husband, Scott Carpenter, purchased a location in the Old City, where the company had its first storefront.

At that time, the main attraction was pies — hence the name, a portmanteau of Margaret, Hambright’s birth name, and the store’s specialty. But, a co-worker came along one day and suggested they expand from pies and wedding cakes to cupcakes. Hambright was persuaded and you are now looking at Metropulse’s “Best of Knoxville” six-time defending bakery and cupcake champion.

Owner Peggy Hambright with Oatmeal Cookies. Image used with permission

The list of awards and shout-outs are almost endless: Rachel Ray Magazine, Southern Living, Knoxville News Sentinel, The New York Times. Just last year, singer John Legend and Sports Illustrated model Chrissy Teigen stopped in for a wedding cake tasting while planning to tie the knot at nearby Blackberry Farm.

Aside from regular-sized cupcakes, Magpies sells mini cupcakes in classic ($6), deluxe ($7.50) and super deluxe ($8.50) packages. A few other customer favorites, according to Hambright: a creamy banana pudding (small: $3.50, large: $7), chocolate cream pies (starting at $10) oatmeal cookies ($1.25 of $6 for six), and crumb bums ($5), a Magpies trademark.

A third of the business is wedding cakes, which range from traditional to some extravagant enough to rival and beat TLC’s Cake Boss creations. Pies come in fruity flavors, including rhubarb and cherry, and there are all different kinds of cheesecakes.

Creative wedding cake design rivals TLC’s Cake Boss. Image used with permission

“We also sell to two Krogers, Three Rivers Market, and a few restaurants which helps us in the seasonal lull,” says Hambright.

With about a dozen dedicated employees, including manager Ryan Huddleston, the future looks bright for Knoxville’s sweetest bakery.

“We’ve just been trying to do the best we can since we started,” says Hambright. “I’ve been in business 23 solid years and I’ve learned you’ve just gotta keep the wheels turning and maintaining your good quality and you’ll earn recognition.”

On Monday through Thursday from 11:00-2:00pm, Magpies hosts a happy hour where you can get a regular cupcake and milk shot for $1.50. And, if you’re lucky, Hambright says the store will often sell leftover goodies from the weekend for super-discounted prices on Mondays.

Is your mouth watering yet? Image used with permission

Magpies, Knoxville’s Sweetest Bakery originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

#tbt – Knoxville Style

Michael Goldsborough — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 17:27:16 +0000

Can you tell us where this #tbt is from Knoxville circa 1889?

#tbt – Knoxville Style originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

#BecauseLizSaidTo – An Insiders Guide on what to do in Knoxville

Liz Floyd — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 13:52:03 +0000

Below are the top 10.5 things I do in my hometown – Knoxville, TN – Follow along on twitter or instagram…why? #BecauseLizSaidTo

Listen, Google is a great tool to help you find all the tourist traps (read: must do at least once) in East Tennessee such as the Three River’s Rambler and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood and World’s Fair Park, and they are all great! BUT if you want an insiders guide to what us locals really like to do in our not-so-little town of Knoxville … You know besides watch football … check out the list below.

Sidebar: Want that awesome t-shirt right there? Y’all can get it here.

1. Go Shopping. It’s my number one always, I LOOOOOOVVE to shop in Knoxville. There are plenty of creative boutiques, especially in The District in Bearden. My two favorites are Serendipity and Ironic. And then of course you must go to Turkey Creek for some real, intense shopping. If you get off at Lovell Road, stay in the right lane.

2. Eat at Aubrey’s. “Real comfort. Real food. Real good.” DISCLAIMER I DID work there over the summer before college … but all favoritism aside, they have some “real good” food. Check out their daily specials before you go and don’t be surprised if your favorite dish from Sunspot shows up now and then.

3. Get a “SMAY” – pronounced “smay” – from Tin Roof on the strip. Don’t ask me what they put in it, and whatever you do, DO-NOT drink more than two. All I know is that it’s pink and that is all I need to know.

4. Get gay on Gay street! No really, every year, Knoxville has Pride Fest. And every year, they have an awesome parade! However, Gay St. isn’t just for Pride Fest, there are tons of places to check out even on a week night for shopping, food, and drinks.

5. Speaking of Gay Street, go to Coolato Gelato. Get a pistachio macaroon for me. Tweet/Instagram a photo of you with a pistachio macaroon #becauseLizsaidto & I will so RT you. Pistachio MacaroOOOOON!! If Tennessee doesn’t have an official Gelato, this should be it.

6. Run (or walk) on the Greenway. There are bunches of trails on Knoxville’s Greenway. My favorite starts here and goes either to the UT gardens, or toward Bearden. It’s an absolutely gorgeous, physically rewarding trip (read: a workout), but it’s fun.

7. Sex Week at The University of Tennessee. It’s SEAT (Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at TN). We are currently in “The Red Zone” which according to the website is “statistically when students are most at risk for sexual assault.” It starts at the beginning of Fall semester, and goes to Thanksgiving Break. Their goal is to get the word out about things like sexual assault prevention through programming and resources provided by the organization.

8. Fifth from the right. This is the game I like to play at The Casual Pint. Whatever beer is on tap, get the fifth one from the right. It will never do you wrong. It’s kinda like Roulette, except, you always win!

9. Run free at PetSafe Dog Parks. There are three around Knoxville and even if you have to steal your neighbor’s cousin’s hell hound for the day, it’s so worth it. I don’t know about you, but watching dogs run around is therapeutic to me!

10. Karaoke at Twisted Mike’s Taproom. It’s a good mix of age groups, a few Over The Hill, a few barely 18, and a ton in the middle. They do a great job and they’ve got that necessary age balance. It’s at 8pm every Wednesday. I’ll be the one singing Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”

10.5 Finally, Sam & Andy’s. The Vol Burger. Bring cash. That is all.

#BecauseLizSaidTo – An Insiders Guide on what to do in Knoxville originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Destination Knoxville

Laura Bower — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:30:44 +0000

“I’m excited to live in a more transparent world.” – Kim Bumpas

A West Tennessee native, Kim Bumpas came east to Knoxville 22 years ago and never looked back. She was drawn to the mountains, the climate and the casual, laid-back campus at The University of Tennessee. Now president of Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation in the aftermath of the Gloria Ray debacle, Bumpas is philosophical about the future of her adopted city and the direction of Knoxville’s de facto destination marketing organization.

“Forget the acronym,” Bumpas said. “Whether it’s KTSC or something else, we have to get past the drama of the last 10-15 weeks and get together as a community to define the leisure marketing initiative.”

Bumpas zeroed in on three points she believes are critical to Knoxville’s success in tourism: transparency, community involvement and education of what destination marketing is and can be. “Do all that, and Knoxville will be unstoppable,” she added.

Unstoppable describes Kim Bumpas as well. Honest, direct, unorthodox – she’s all these things and more. She’s also passionate about Knoxville. Since her predecessor stepped down amid a firestorm of controversy about contract provisions and compensation, Bumpas has been the voice of reason and the guiding hand of KTSC.

“Sometimes something bad has to happen to get to the good,” said Bumpas.

Flash back two decades to her first foray into tourism & lodging – there was no hospitality major at UT “back in the day” pointed out Bumpas. But that didn’t hinder this persistent student from getting hands-on operations experience in the hotel business, working her way from the front desk up to manager of the Holiday Inn at Cedar Bluff while completing her marketing degree at UT. Next came a sales position at the Downtown Holiday Inn and then a five-year stint with Hyatt Regency. The Hyatt job led to a position at Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau under the tutelage of mentor Mike Carrier. That was 11 months prior to the CVB’s “aggressive merger” with the Sports Corporation folks.

Fast forward ten years – a lot has changed. A decade ago, tourism marketing was all about groups. Market Square had not yet undergone its renaissance. There was no “walk out of hotel” experience for visitors. Bumpas credits Scott Schimmel, co-owner of Bliss and Bliss Home, John Craig, president of the Market Square District Association and Biscuitfest visionary, and Governor Bill Haslam, two-term mayor of Knoxville, with morphing Market Square and downtown into a unique destination with crossover appeal for leisure travelers as well as groups.

Now our beloved Scruffy Little City is sitting pretty, poised for breakout success as a leisure and group tourism destination.

Meanwhile, Knox County’s Audit Review Committee has completed its analysis of KTSC’s financials commissioned by Mayor Tim Burchett. Pugh and Company will present the findings on May 22 at 9 a.m., in a public meeting at the City County Building. Bumpas said she welcomes the opportunity for openness and community dialogue. She’s about building consensus and moving forward.

Bumpas is currently overseeing the imminent separation of KTSC and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, operated by Sports Management, Inc. This strategic uncoupling is part of KTSC’s efforts to define its purpose and chart its course under her leadership.

“I like to sleep good at night, so I try to make decisions that don’t keep me up,” said Bumpas. “I really care what people think. I care about Knoxville. That’s why I do what I do.”

Destination Knoxville originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 160

Knoxify Staff — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:29 +0000

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

Image by Casey Fox

View of Knoxville, Vol. 160 originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 159

Knoxify Staff — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:28 +0000

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

Solitary by Tony Wayman

View of Knoxville, Vol. 159 originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Betty White is officially a TN Volunteer!

Laura Braden — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:43 +0000

A few months back, Knoxify published an article about my fur-kid’s desire to integrate into her new hometown. Then I completely forgot to write the follow-up about her reaching that objective. So here we go!

Since September, Betty White has been participating in UT’s amazing HABIT (Human Animal Bond in Tennessee) program.

Quick recap from my previous article: HABIT trains dogs (and their humans) for animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT). This includes visiting schools (kids feel more comfortable reading to the dogs and the dogs think they’re getting attention – adorable!), nursing homes, retirement centers, mental health facilities, youth rehab centers and hospice programs. Dog-lovers can attest to the healing powers of playing with a sweet furball, but research shows that AAA and AAT can decrease emotional/physical pain, improve confidence/socialization and reduce anxiety.

Every Friday morning, Betty White visits patients at the Cancer Institute and the oncology floor at UT Hospital. We take a lap through the Institute’s waiting room before heading into the chemotherapy room. The set-up is pretty comfortable: recliners line the parameter of the room and nurses offer drinks and snacks. Patients read, watch TV, visit with nurses and/or sleep while they receive their treatment. The process can take hours so having a pup visit helps break up the monotony. We then trek across the hospital (where we ‘re stopped at least a dozen times by folks astonished and pleased to see a dog) to the oncology floor where folks are in beds in private rooms.

She typically visits with about 40-50 people each week. The interaction varies – some folks are confused why she’s there…and then light up when I say she’s there for whoever needs a “puppy fix.” Some want to talk about their pets or their treatment or their kids or how their day is going…and many talk to her directly/exclusively. Some want her in their laps, and some just need a quick hug before sending her on to the next patient. Every now and then you encounter someone who doesn’t like dogs, but the folks who shriek or ooh/ahh at the site of her quickly overshadows them.

Betty White with Chemo Bear (the Cancer Institute's mascot)

The focus is really (and rightly) on Betty White. She’s the star of the show – I’m merely the chauffer and human on the end of the leash. What’s amazing is that she always knows exactly how to act – gentle around tubes and machines…gives kids kisses…and curls up and falls asleep on hospital beds as if she were at home on her favorite couch. She’s fallen in love with one lady in particular – Miss Minnie – who we see at the Institute every other Friday. Without fail, Betty White makes a beeline for her, hops in her lap and proceeds to snore for about 20 minutes before I force her to move on.

The time commitment is minimal (approximately one hour/week), and the reward is beyond expectation. Betty White is bringing joy and comfort – even if it’s for five minutes – to someone’s day … and she knows it. It’s really made her more confident and social (she came from the shelter pretty skittish towards strangers). And when I tell her we’re “going to work,” she goes nuts!

There’s no one-size-fits all model. Some of the “craziest” dogs make the best HABIT workers, while some of the most laidback pups get depressed or stressed out from the work. Betty White probably wouldn’t do well with their reading program (she loves kids and she’d just want to play with them the entire time), but she does great in hospitals (largely because machines, wheelchairs and loud noises don’t phase her).

I’d encourage everyone to check out HABIT and attend their next orientation session on April 21!

Betty White is officially a TN Volunteer! originally appeared on Knoxify. Knoxify is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.