In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Light Rain with a High of 55

🎁 Fire & Iron MC Station 165 Brings Holiday Joy to Memory Care Residents

📰 Young Innovators Shine at 10th Annual Marble City First Lego League Robotics Qualifier

👮🏾‍♂️ Fatal Shooting at Arbor Place Apartments Under Investigation

📰 West Town Mall's 'Caring Santa' Experience Welcomes Families with Special Needs

🐕‍🦺 Pet Training Tip of the Day

📅 Upcoming Events in December, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

Knoxville Insider’s One-Month Milestone - In just one month, we have grown our community newsletter to more than 2,300 subscribers! Thank you for your support and interest! This newsletter is YOURS, so please let us know what events you would like listed, as well as share your good news stories, and local businesses you would like to see mentioned. We can be reached at [email protected] 

Fire & Iron MC Station 165 Brings Holiday Joy to Memory Care Residents

The spirit of giving shone brightly as members of Fire & Iron MC Station 165 were spotted at the Halls Walmart, engaged in a heartwarming holiday mission. The group, known for their dedication to community service, was fulfilling Christmas wishes for 10 residents of the American House memory care facility through the facility's Angel Tree program.

Fire & Iron MC is a national motorcycle club comprising firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and fire dispatchers, known for their commitment to charity and community support. With five stations across Tennessee, the club has become a staple in local communities, particularly in Halls where they've been active for around three years.

Each Fire & Iron MC station across the country is dedicated to supporting local causes, with each station choosing a specific benefit to raise funds for. In East Tennessee, their efforts have been particularly focused on supporting the East Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association. They host an annual benefit ride in the summer, gathering funds and awareness for this significant cause.

This Christmas season, the members of Station 165 decided to extend their charitable activities. They collaborated with American House to participate in the Angel Tree program, an initiative designed to ensure that residents in memory care facilities receive gifts and experience the joy of the holiday season.

In addition to their philanthropic endeavors, Fire & Iron MC members frequently come together for group rides, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community both within their organization and in the broader areas they serve.

The actions of Fire & Iron MC Station 165 at the Halls Walmart underscore the club's commitment to making a positive impact in their community, particularly during the holiday season. Their efforts go beyond the roar of motorcycle engines; they are a testament to the spirit of giving and the profound impact of community solidarity. As they continue their work, the members of Fire & Iron MC demonstrate that the true essence of the holiday season lies in compassion, generosity, and the joy of giving back.

Young Innovators Shine at 10th Annual Marble City First Lego League Robotics Qualifier

The 10th annual Marble City First Lego League qualifier recently took place at Hardin Valley High School. This event was a platform for young students from kindergarten to 8th grade to showcase their skills in robotics. The competition involved teams of kids who designed Lego robots to perform various tasks, thereby earning points and vying for a spot in the East Tennessee Championships.

The First Lego League is recognized for bringing together some of the most talented young individuals. They engage in a series of problem-solving games and challenges, fostering their skills in science and technology. This year, the league incorporated an artistic element into its science and technology focus, in line with the 'masterpiece theme'. This integration aimed to underline the common language shared between creative and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, thereby transforming STEM into STEAM by adding 'Art' into the mix.

West Town Mall's 'Caring Santa' Experience Welcomes Families with Special Needs

West Town Mall offers a unique 'Caring Santa' experience during the holiday season, catering specifically to families and children with special needs. This initiative allows visits with Santa outside of regular shopping hours, providing a calm and sensory-friendly setting for creating holiday memories.

For over a decade, West Town Mall has hosted this event, demonstrating its popularity and significance.

While 'Caring Santa' is the only sensory-friendly event this season, families can still visit Santa during regular mall hours until Christmas Eve. West Town Mall encourages reservations for these visits, but also welcomes walk-up guests.

Fatal Shooting at Arbor Place Apartments Under Investigation

Detectives from the Knoxville Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred near Hall of Fame Drive on Sunday morning. The incident happened at the Arbor Place Apartments on Lula Powell Drive around 10:45 a.m.

Upon arriving, police found a man in an apartment with at least one gunshot wound, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect had reportedly fled before officers arrived. The investigation is still in its early stages, but detectives are following significant leads.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: Make it as fun as possible - turn it into a game.

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

Upcoming Events in December

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

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:

• 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:

• 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!