Knoxify

Best Place to Shop Vintage in Knoxville?

CP — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:45 +0000

Whether you’re looking for a cameo silk chiffon 30s dress or a unique Les Paul guitar, you’re darn near expected to have a lengthy search for vintage items in Knoxville. That is, unless you leave a comment below telling us the best place in Knoxville to shop for vintage, well, anything.

Photo: Eric Murray | flickr

Maryville: The Shed at SMH-D and Stinker’s BBQ

Chad Huskey — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:53:34 +0000

Your ol pal Chad has once again ventured into the land known as Maryville. It’s been awhile since I last wrote about my adventures in chasing ice cold beverages in Knoxville’s neighbor.

Photo: Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson

Now that the sun is shining, and warm days are here, it’s time to get back in gear and continue my quest to drink a few beers for you, our dear Knoxify readers.

This time around I ended up at, The Shed. Nope, I’m not talking about the place my Mamaw drug me off to with a switch when I got out of line. I’m talking about the outdoor concert and event venue at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson in Maryville. Now I know what allot of folks think when they hear about The Shed. They think it’s just some biker thing for leather clad men on loud motorcycles. Truth be told, if you just heard one of their ads on the radio, it would be easy to get that impression. They do offer discount tickets to those who ride their bikes in, but any and all are welcome, and I have seen a pretty diverse crowd at several shows. They have live music most every Friday and Saturday night. From cover bands like Big Gun & Use Your Illusion, to cult favorites like Unknown Hinson, local favorites like Mic Harrison, and well known, albeit older, acts like Billy Joe Shaver & The Marshall Tucker Band.

Photo: Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson

The Shed is a large open area with an impressive stage and large standing room (bring your own chairs) all covered by a large roof. So even if the weather turns bad you can still enjoy an outdoor stage without getting soaked. To the left of the stage is Stinker’s BBQ. Selling pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, chicken, and all your favorite BBQ dishes and sides. Stinker’s is open for
lunch and supper daily.

What about the beer you ask? The beer is cold and easy to find. The selection, while not vast, is not bad. All the normal domestics on tap & bottles: Bud, Miller, Coors, PBR. I noticed Shiner Bock, Heineken, and a few other more flavorful beers that did not include the word Light (or Lite) in the name. There are several places to get beer which makes it convenient, and keeps the lines down. There is a bar at the back of the concert hall facing the stage. You can also get bottles and cans while picking up your sandwich at Stinker’s, and then there is also a full service bar at the very back of the whole structure behind the stage and past Stinker’s. The bar is in a large open area with several tables, and barstools, and they have the concert on TV’s, so you can still keep up with what’s going on out front.

So after attending a few concerts, my overall impression, it’s a great place to catch a show, have some BBQ and drink a few cold ones. It’s a good time, and a really great concert venue. It’s kind of a hidden gem because as I said a lot of folks pass it off as just some biker hang out, but I suggest you give it a try some Saturday evening, and you may just be surprised. It’s a laid back environment, and the crowd is always into the show, cheering and responding to the artist on stage. Another thing, myself and others have noticed while in attendance, while loud enough to be heard clearly and have a good sound, the music is not deafening, and you can actually carry on a conversation without losing your voice from yelling. Because of local ordinances the music does have to be wrapped up by 11:00, so it’s also a good way to kick off the night if you plan on shutting down the bars later.

So bring a chair, bring a wet nap, bring a can koozie, and kick back for a great summer evening in the foothills of the Smokies.

For More Info:
Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson
1820 W. Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Maryville, TN 37801
Phone: 865-977-1669
Fax: 865-977-8419

Photo: Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson

View of Knoxville, Vol. 79

CP — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:30:51 +0000

Stairway to Vol heaven. Photo: Derek Slagle | flickr

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

The Weekender: A Concert and a Volkswagen Gathering

CP — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:00:54 +0000

Campin' with the vee-dub. Photo: Andrew Carr | flickr

Friday, July 23rd
Appalachian Voices. A plethora of amazing musicians will assemble at the Bijou Theatre for the Appalachian Voices benefit concert.

Saturday, July 24th
“Jammin’ In The Park” VW Car Show. We’re suckers for a good vee-dub gathering at Chilhowee Park and the fact you can bring your tent is even better.

Best Place to Smoke a Cigar in Knoxville?

CP — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:30:31 +0000

On fire. Photo: Andrew E. Larsen | flickr

Some days are harder than others and a cold one just doesn’t cut it. That’s when you turn to the ole stogies.

Where do you cool out and smoke your favorite cigar?

Princeps, Non Homines: Latin for “Bill Haslam”

Laura Bower — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:45:40 +0000

Editors Note: The political views of contributing author’s do not necessarily reflect those of Knoxify as a whole. We hope you enjoy this rare but excellent political piece by the lovely Laura Bower.

I first met Bill Haslam at Webb School of Knoxville. His youngest step-sister and I were close friends. He was four years older, a somewhat intimidating presence on the periphery of my self-absorbed life. I ran varsity track in 8th grade, because there was no middle school team. Bill ran track too. He also played basketball and baseball and served in student government. He was outstanding at Webb, so successful and well-liked that I looked upon him as an almost otherworldly being – an Adonis in khakis – which he still wears to this day, even though he’s no longer bound by our school dress code. He’s still running, too – literally and figuratively.

Because Knoxville is a small world, our paths have continued to cross over the years and much to my amazement, Bill has always remembered me and called me by name, even when he wasn’t running for office.

A year or so ago, he came to speak to a group of young executives at the company where I worked. We were mentoring these hand-picked employees to be future leaders, and Bill had a lot to say on the subject.

According to Bill, there are five keys to being a good leader:

You have to know yourself. A really great leader welcomes honest feedback and seeks it out. Not all the feedback is true or accurate, but “perception becomes reality,” so it’s important to understand how others perceive you.
Know what you believe. Your values define you.
Know what you want to do. In other words, “be purposeful.”
Know the numbers. No matter what business you’re in, make it a point to learn about the financials for your area and for your company in general. You can’t hope to contribute to the bottom line if you don’t know what your revenues, expenses and margins are.
Hire great people. Find folks who represent you well and are problem solvers. Then trust them to do their jobs.
When asked what he looked for in new hires, Bill said the top three attributes are brain power,
work ethic and low ego. You have to be able to “get past yourself,” he added.

Ironically, in the race for governor, it is Bill’s lack of ego that’s being sold as a shortcoming by his detractors and his niceness as a character flaw. It’s as if he’s too good to be true. As if. The truth is Bill has always been comfortable in his skin, unfazed by his own charisma. He’s genuine, unpretentious and grounded. He has character and integrity, in addition to business acumen and private-sector experience.

Annette Winston, who worked with Bill when she served on Knoxville’s Industrial Development Board, put it this way: “What I know about Bill is that he has enormous empathy toward others, in spite of the privilege in which he was reared. In short, he is a terrific guy, in favor of limited
government and hands-off once he puts a competent manager in place.”

Back at Webb, our motto was “princeps, non homines” Latin for “leaders, not ordinary men.” It was a call to serve the greater good and get past yourself. Bill’s done that. As Knoxville’s mayor, he’s balanced six consecutive city budgets, lowered the city debt burden by 25 percent and sparked a downtown renaissance. He has nothing to prove, and yet he’s willing to continue in public service. Then again, Bill is no ordinary man.

“Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Bill celebrating a football victory.

Foursquare Users: Join the Market Square Swarm!

Nicole VanScoten — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:15:36 +0000

It's a swarm!

On the heals of Social Media Club Knoxville’s successful “Unlocking Foursquare’s True Potential” panel last month, the group has decided to try to unlock Foursquare’s elusive Swarm Badge.

How, you ask? By having a Market Square pub crawl!

At least 50 people are needed to unlock the badge, so if you want to be a part of the swarm, meet in Market Square on Thursday, July 22 at 6pm. The swarm will begin by “checking in” at Market Square and subsequently all the bars they wind up at.

The group is meeting promptly at 6pm near the stage and then heading to Latitude 35 as the first stop on the crawl. If you get to the party late, just check Foursquare to see where everyone is!

And if you’re not already a Foursquare user, be sure to sign up before Thursday!

See you at the swarm!

You Can Now Text Us at 320-KNOXIFY

CP — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:30:10 +0000

Text us baby. Photo: Ian Iott | flickr

You can tweet us, you can Facebook us and you can even e-mail us.

Now, you can text us.

Add (320) KNOXIFY or 320-566-9439 to your cellphone contact list and give us a shout. As always, we love hearing your tips, tricks or good ole candid feedback in 160 characters or less. But please, no texting and driving.

View of Knoxville, Vol. 78

CP — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:30:55 +0000

Photo: Eric Loftis | flickr

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

The Weekender: Quilts, Cars and an Energy House

CP — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:22:32 +0000

Friday, July 16th
AQS Quilt Expo. Get your quilt on at the Knoxville Convention Center from 9am-6pm.

Saturday, July 17th
Mopar Car Show. Rev up your American muscle and head to Chilhowee Park for the Mopar Car Show. The events start at 8am.

Knox Heritage “Green House” Open House. An 1880s Victorian house originally purposed as the “Energy House” for the 1982 World’s Fair is undergoing renovations to become a single-family residence once again. From 1-5pm, join contractors and KH staff to see sustainable design and construction in practice.