In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Light Rain with a High of 58

👮🏾‍♂️ Knoxville Pet Sitter Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty

📰 New French Culinary Destination: Lilou Set to Open on Gay Street

📰 'Do the Write Thing' Campaign Encourages Student Impact

📰 Lawsuit Filed Against Tennessee Over Law Allegedly Confusing Voters in Primary Elections

🐕‍🦺 Pet Training Tip of the Day

📅 Upcoming Events in December, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Events Added Today - Check out the Events & Entertainment section for newly added events for Friday, Saturday & Sunday!

New French Culinary Destination: Lilou Set to Open on Gay Street

Aaron Thompson and Jessica King, previously known for Sapphire, are close to launching their new venture, Lilou, at the old Sapphire site on Gay Street. This French bar and restaurant will enhance the soon-to-open hotel at the same location.

The duo's strategy for Lilou mirrors their approach with their Italian venues. They have prioritized authenticity in their culinary experiences, exemplified by hiring a Milanese chef for Osteria Stella. In a similar vein, Lilou's chef, Benjamin Tilatti, hails from southwest France, ensuring the authenticity of their French offerings.

Lawsuit Filed Against Tennessee Over Law Allegedly Confusing Voters in Primary Elections

A legal challenge has been brought against the state of Tennessee, claiming that a recently implemented law could potentially discourage voter participation in primary elections by causing confusion.

Enacted in May, this legislation mandates that poll workers notify voters about the illegality of voting in open primary elections unless they are genuine members of a political party.

This lawsuit was initiated by the Tennessee League of Women Voters, along with Phil Lawson and ex-mayor of Knoxville, Victor Ashe. Kathryn King, representing the League of Women Voters, expressed concerns that this new law might lead to voter confusion.

'Do the Write Thing' Campaign Encourages Student Impact

The "Do the Write Thing" campaign, initiated by Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen, invites middle school students to write about the impact of violence in their lives and propose solutions to reduce it.

Participants can submit essays, stories, poems, or songs addressing the effects of violence, causes of youth violence, and personal actions to decrease it.

The best submissions will earn two students a trip to Washington, D.C., for a national event, with their works published and entered into the Library of Congress.

This initiative, supported by community partners like United Way of Greater Knoxville, aims to help local leaders tackle youth violence by incorporating the perspectives of young people. The campaign is currently seeking volunteers to judge the submissions, with the entry period opening on January 30.
More Info

Knoxville Pet Sitter Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty

A former pet sitter from Knoxville, Haylee Elisabeth Morris, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and a rabies vaccination law violation. She was sentenced to nearly four years of probation and agreed to a lifetime ban on owning companion animals.

Morris is also required to pay $34,000 to Young-Williams Animal Center, where she previously adopted and fostered pets. The center had barred her from adopting or fostering since July 2022 due to suspicions of her acquiring an excessive number of animals.

The case, which involved four people, saw different outcomes for each, including dismissed and diverted charges for others involved.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: Train for the situation, not in the situation.

Today’s Pet Training Tip of the Day is brought to you by Rachel Neubauer of Zoom Room Knoxville-Hardin Valley.

Upcoming Events in December

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected] 

Saturday, 12/2:

• Yoga for a Cause benefitting Toys for Tots: 9:30 am - 10:30 am at Warrior Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400 in Oak Ridge. Cost: Please bring an unwrapped toy. More Info

Sunday, 12/3:

• Christmas Concert & Food Drive: Knoxville Community Band at the Bijou Theater, 803 Gay Street, 3 pm to benefit FISH Hospitality Pantries Cost: Please bring non-perishable food items. More Info

Sunday, 12/9:

• Tour de Lights: 3:30 pm - 8 pm, a Family-Friendly Bike Ride that starts at Mary Costa Plaza. More Info

Saturday, 12/16:

• Yoga for Martial Arts: 9 am - 10 am at Warrior Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400 in Oak Ridge. Cost: $20 drop-in or included in membership. More Info

Christmas Parades:

• Friday, 12/1 @ 7 pm - WIVK Christmas Parade, Downtown Knoxville 17 Market Square

• Saturday, 12/2 @ 5 pm - Powell Christmas Parade, Starts at Powell Middle School

• Saturday, 12/2 @9 am - Karns Christmas Parade, Ingles Market, Karns

• Saturday, 12/2 @3:30 pm - 9th Annual Rocky Hill Christmas Parade and Festival, Rocky Hill Center, 7428 S Northshore Dr.

• Sunday, 12/3 @2:30 pm - Gibbs Christmas Parade, Begins at Gibbs High School and ends at the Clear Springs Baptist Church property.

• Saturday, 12/9 @3 pm- 30th Annual Seymour Community Christmas Parade, Valley Grove Baptist Church, 9000 Sevierville Pike

• Saturday, 12/9 @6 pm - Halls Christmas Parade, Starts at Halls High School

Multi-Date Events:

• Book Sale: Bearden Branch Library, December 1st and 2nd, from 10 am until 5 pm. Most books one or two dollars. Great selection.

• Safety City’s ‘Christmas in the City: December 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th; 4 pm - 8 pm, More Info

• Downtown Peppermint Trail: Now through 1/7/2024. More Info

• Holiday Serenity - Yin Yoga: 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm on 12/6, 12 at Warrior Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400 in Oak Ridge. Cost: $20 drop-in or included in membership. More Info 

• Ice Skating in Market Square: An open-air ice rink, Now through 1/2/2024. More Info

Expanding Small Business Saturday into Small Business December

As the holiday season approaches, we have a unique opportunity to transform the success of Small Business Saturday into a broader, more impactful initiative: Small Business December. This initiative is more than just a campaign; it’s a community-driven movement to support our local economy and the small businesses that are its backbone. Small businesses give our community its unique character, create jobs, and invigorate our local economy. By choosing to shop locally throughout December, we not only find unique gifts for our loved ones but also contribute to the prosperity and resilience of our neighborhood.

Our collective efforts can make a significant difference. We encourage each of you to be ambassadors for this cause. Share your local shopping experiences on social media, recommend your favorite small businesses to friends and family, and consider buying your holiday gifts from local artisans and shopkeepers. Local businesses often offer beautifully crafted, unique items that make thoughtful and memorable gifts. Remember, every purchase you make at a small business is an investment in our community’s future.

Let’s come together to make Small Business December a new tradition that supports and celebrates the heart of our community - our local businesses. It’s more than just shopping; it’s about building a stronger, more connected community. Your support can help turn a challenging year into a brighter season for our small business owners. Let’s show them how much they mean to us and make this December a month of local love and community spirit.

We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider?

We ❤️ Local Businesses!

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Knoxville Insider" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message to [email protected] and let's celebrate the spirit of Knoxville together! Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it at the email address above!