In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Mostly Cloudy with a High of 51

🐶😺 New Urgent Care Veterinary Hospital Coming Soon

📰 The Emotional Support Chicken Mystery

👮🏾‍♂️ The 12 Scams of Christmas

📰 Hope House: Knoxville's New Initiative to Aid Young Homeless Women with Housing and Support

🐕‍🦺 Pet Training Tip of the Day

📅 New Event Added - The Shop at Corryton Christmas Sale

📅 Upcoming Events in December, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Event Added - The Shop at Corryton is having a Christmas sale on Saturday, 12/9, 10am - 4pm. They will have multiple vendors, goodies, and crafts for the kids. Come get those one-of-a-kind gifts for those special people in your life or to add something to your own decor.

New Urgent Care Veterinary Hospital Coming Soon

The much-anticipated Central Veterinary Hospital After Hours Urgent Care, situated at the prime location of 1212 Clinch Avenue, is all set to welcome pets in need of urgent medical attention on January 2nd, 2024!

The hospital will be open Monday through Friday from 5pm to midnight, catering to those late-evening unforeseen pet emergencies. On weekends, the hours extend from 12pm to midnight on Saturdays and 12pm to 7pm on Sundays, ensuring that pet care is available at the most crucial times.

Dr. Amanda Brzozowski and Dr. Emmie Truett bring a wealth of experience and expertise in emergency pet care, ensuring that each furry patient receives the best possible attention.

The Central Veterinary Hospital After Hours Urgent Care is not just about convenience but also about providing quality care when it matters the most. With state-of-the-art equipment and a team dedicated to the well-being of pets, this facility stands as a beacon of hope for pet owners in distress outside normal business hours.

The opening of this urgent care center is a testament to the growing need for accessible, round-the-clock veterinary services. It underscores a commitment to the health and well-being of pets, ensuring that no call for help goes unanswered, no matter the hour. For pet owners, this opening represents not just a new facility but a new era in pet care availability and assurance.

The Emotional Support Chicken Mystery

In a delightful and intriguing turn of events, residents of the Halls area are witnessing a rare and heartwarming phenomenon: the appearance of hand-knitted Emotional Support Chickens atop cars. These aren't your typical farmyard fowl; these knitted chickens boast a variety of unique styles, instantly capturing the attention and affection of those who find them.

Each chicken comes with a special tag that reads, "I am your Emotional Support Chicken - please take me home!" This endearing message not only brings a smile to the finders' faces but also ignites a sense of curiosity and community spirit. The hand-knitted chickens are more than just adorable ornaments; they serve as a symbol of comfort and support.

The creator of these charming chickens remains a mystery. No one knows who is knitting and placing them, adding an element of wonder to the whole experience. The anonymity of the creator adds to the intrigue, turning each chicken discovery into a small but significant event.

This unusual trend is not just a local curiosity; it speaks to a larger narrative about community, support, and the unexpected ways in which kindness can manifest. The Emotional Support Chickens of Halls are a reminder that sometimes, the smallest gestures can have the most profound impact on our emotional well-being.

Residents are now eagerly on the lookout for these special chickens, each hoping to find their own knit companion. This story goes beyond the boundaries of a quaint local event; it's a testament to the power of creativity and compassion in bringing people together and brightening their days in the most unexpected ways.

Hope House: Knoxville's New Initiative to Aid Young Homeless Women with Housing and Support

The "Hope House" initiative, led by Pastor Tim Jackson, will provide housing and support to ten young women aged 18 to 24. This project, located in a former parsonage next to the Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, aims to assist homeless women through faith-based training. Pastor Jackson, who has personal experiences with homelessness, spearheads this initiative.

The program offers a supportive environment that includes education and job training. The creation of Hope House is part of a broader community effort, involving collaboration with local organizations. It represents the first phase of a larger plan to aid the homeless, with a future phase focusing on establishing similar support for young homeless men.

The 12 Scams of Christmas

This holiday season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) highlights 12 common Christmas season scams. We will highlight two of these scams each day starting in today’s issue.

1. Beware of Deceptive Ads on Social Media: While browsing social media, always verify the authenticity of advertised products. Reports of undelivered items, misleading free trials, and counterfeit goods are common. The 2022 BBB Online Scams Report highlights online purchase scams as prevalent. Investigate the seller on BBB.org and read consumer feedback before making a purchase.
   

2. Avoid Social Media Gift Exchange Traps: Annual holiday scams like "Secret Sister," wine exchanges, and other online gift swaps are resurfacing. These schemes often involve sharing personal information and unknowingly participating in illegal pyramid schemes. Opt for gifts from reputable retailers and verify their credibility on BBB.org.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: Environment always wins- When our dogs tell us no, they’re saying “in this environment using my education I can’t”.

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] 

Saturday, 12/9:

• Christmas at the Shop: 10 am - 4 pm at the Shop at Corryton, 9403 Washington Pike. Lots of vendors, goodies, and crafts for the kids. A great place to find the perfect, unique gift.

• 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!