In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Mostly Cloudy with a High of 46

📰 Revival of Fire + Smoke: A Beloved West Knoxville Restaurant Reopens

📰 WBIR, Local NBC Channel Off Air for DirecTV Customers Amid Contract Dispute

👮🏾‍♂️ The 12 Scams of Christmas (#3 and #4)

📰 Knox County's Bold Steps in Special Education Reform

🐕‍🦺 Pet Training Tip of the Day

📅 New Event Added - Christmas Gift Market

📅 Upcoming Events in December, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Events Added:

• Meet Me at the Market presents its’ 2nd annual Christmas Gift Market at the Knoxville Expo Center on Saturday, 12/9 from 10 am - 5 pm. Over 100 local vendors! See the Grinch from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, Else & Anna from 12 pm - 3 pm, and Santa from 11 am - 4 pm!
  

• Maxxed for Miracles Toy Donation Drive-In: 12/9 from 9 am - 4 pm at 6729 Pleasant Ridge Road. First Annual Event brought to you by Powell Auction & Realty. ALL VEHICLES WELCOME Entry Fee: New Unopened $10 toy. Spectators are free. Food trucks and vendors will be onsite. All donations will go to Children’s Hospital.

WBIR, Local NBC Channel Off Air for DirecTV Customers Amid Contract Dispute

Knoxville residents that have DirecTV are currently unable to access local NBC programming due to a dispute between DirecTV/U-verse and Tegna, the owner of the local NBC affiliate WBIR.

The disagreement centers around the fees DirecTV is to pay Tegna, leading to a blackout since November 30. This incident reflects a growing trend of disputes in the television industry, exacerbated by the rising popularity of streaming services.

Knox County's Bold Steps in Special Education Reform

Knox County Schools have introduced the "KCS Way," aiming to enhance special education. The initiative has received a positive response, with significant steps like the creation of the Special Education Council and partnering with ESS South Central Firm to fill teaching assistant vacancies.

A council member and parent of a special needs child is hopeful about these changes and urges the community to speak up and support the ongoing improvements.

Revival of Fire + Smoke: A Beloved West Knoxville Restaurant Reopens

The well-known Fire + Smoke restaurant in West Knoxville is set to reopen after its sudden closure earlier in the year. This comes following the shutdown of Archer's BBQ by owner William Bagley III.

The revival of Fire + Smoke has been initiated by a loyal customer and will be led by Jared Martin, its former executive chef. The restaurant will retain its original location and staff, reinforcing its commitment to providing quality dining experiences to the local community.

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, with today’s issue containing #3 and #4.

3. Exercise Caution with Holiday Apps: Numerous festive apps are available on Apple's App Store and Google Play, offering interactive holiday experiences. Prioritize privacy by reviewing app policies, and be cautious of free apps, which may contain excessive ads or malware. Check user reviews for additional insights.
   

4. Alert for Fake Hacking Notifications: Scam Tracker frequently reports false alerts about compromised accounts like Amazon, PayPal, Netflix, or banks. Avoid reacting to unsolicited messages and directly contact the concerned businesses without clicking on any provided links.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: We don’t want to dilute our cues - for example using the dog’s name over and over. Then they’ll learn to tune us out and it loses meaning.

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, 12/9:

• 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.

• Christmas Gift Market: 10 am - 5 pm at the Knoxville Expo Center. Over 100 local vendors! See the Grinch from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, Else & Anna from 12 pm - 3 pm, and Santa from 11 am - 4 pm! Cost: $5 admission, kids are free. Questions? Email [email protected] 

• Maxxed for Miracles Toy Donation Drive-In: 9 am - 4 pm at 6729 Pleasant Ridge Road. First Annual Event brought to you by Powell Auction & Realty. ALL VEHICLES WELCOME Entry Fee: New Unopened $10 toy. Spectators are free. Food trucks and vendors will be onsite. All donations will go to Children’s Hospital.

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

Friday, 12/15:

• "Holiday Dance Party!" with The Streamliners Swing Orchestra: 6:30 pm - 9 pm at The Concourse, 4328 N. Broadway. Cost: $20 at the Door. 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!