In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Partly Cloudy with a High of 50

📰 Isaiah 117 House - a Safe Haven for Children Awaiting Foster Care

📰 Debate Over Transparency: Tennessee Appeals Court Considers Release of Child Abuse Case Records by DCS

📰 Knox County Junior Commission Program Invites High Schoolers for Second Year of Civic Engagement

🐕‍🦺 Pets: Training and Holiday Tips of the Day

📅 New Event(s) Added - Sip & Shop at the Painted Perch & Christmas Party at the Strike & Spare for those in need with children

📅 Upcoming December Events, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Event(s) Added:

• Sip & Shop Ladies Night at the Painted Perch: December 14th, 6pm - 8pm, Wine, Cheese, Sales, & a Ton of Fun, 9715 Kington Pike

• Christmas Party at the Strike & Spare Fountain Lanes: December 18th, 5pm - 8:30pm. This party is for anyone that needs assitance during the holiday for their children (ages 0-12 will receive a gift & ages 13-16 are also invited).

Isaiah 117 House - a Safe Haven for Children Awaiting Foster Care

The Isaiah 117 House has recently opened in Knox County, offering a comforting and home-like environment for children awaiting foster care placement. This initiative, led by Founder and Executive Director Ronda Paulson, aims to provide a warmer, more personal setting than typical state offices, with amenities like clean clothes, toys, and a safe space.

Staffed by friendly, certified volunteers, the house works in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. With over 800 children in foster care but only 300 foster families in Knoxville, Isaiah 117 House plays a crucial role in easing the transition for children.

Knox County Junior Commission Program Invites High Schoolers for Second Year of Civic Engagement

The Knox County Junior Commission's youth civics education initiative is set for its second annual run. This program offers high school students an immersive experience in local government operations.

Interested students should submit their applications by 5 p.m. on December 20th. Applications can be made online through the Junior Commission's website at knoxcounty.org/juniorcommission. Successful applicants will receive notification in the week starting January 8th.

Debate Over Transparency: Tennessee Appeals Court Considers Release of Child Abuse Case Records by DCS

The Tennessee Court of Appeals is considering the extent and timing of information release by the Department of Children’s Service (DCS) in cases of child deaths due to abuse or neglect. This issue arose after a Memphis journalist was denied access to DCS records while investigating the death of a 14-year-old boy who died from starvation in 2020, living in terrible conditions. Despite DCS having a history of multiple abuse investigations in the boy's family, the agency cited ongoing legal proceedings as a reason to withhold detailed records.

The situation is complicated by a rule commonly used by law enforcement to restrict record release during active court cases, which DCS is utilizing. However, a law requires DCS to disclose records related to child deaths or near-deaths after an investigation ends. The law aims to allow public scrutiny of DCS's actions.

The debate focuses on balancing immediate public oversight with the legal process's integrity. A trial related to the child abuse case is set for August 2024. This current legal challenge traces back to a 2014 law mandating DCS to release investigation records post-closure, following a successful media-led legal fight in 2013 for greater transparency in child death cases.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: Dogs are den animals. Make a crate a cozy space and good place to be.

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

Christmas Season with Pets Tip of the Day

Tip: With colder temperatures on the rise, you may want to train your dog to wear booties. Cold temperatures, ice, and snow can be just as harmful to your dog's paws as warm weather.

Today’s Christmas Season with Pets Tip of the Day is brought to you by Carol Logue of KT Walking Paws.

Upcoming December Events

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

Thursday, 12/14:

• Sip & Shop Ladies Night at the Painted Perch: 6pm - 8pm, Wine, Cheese, Sales, & a Ton of Fun, 9715 Kington Pike

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:

• Christmas Holiday Market: 9am - 3pm in Halls, Black Oak Plaza. This is free to attend, outdoor event.

• 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

Monday, 12/18:

• Christmas Party at the Strike & Spare Fountain Lanes: December 18th, 5pm - 8:30pm. This party is for anyone that needs assitance during the holiday for their children (ages 0-12 will receive a gift & ages 13-16 are also invited). They will provide bowling, food & snacks. Santa Claus will be there for photo opportunities and visits. NO gifts will be given before 8pm. MUST be present to receive gift. Limited Lanes are available, call to sign up (Ricky Spiva - (865) 283-2394 or Fountain Lanes - (865) 687-4611)

• The Grand Victoria Christmas Open House: December 18th, 3pm - 8pm, 6325 Tazewell Pike. Come check out the newest venue in Knoxville, enjoying a Christmas open house and local vendors with gifts and crafts. More Info

Thursday, 12/21:

• Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour: December 21st, Second Presbyterian Church, 2829 Kingston Pike, 4pm and 7pm. Cost: Varies. More Info

Multi-Date Events:

• 37th Annual Clayton Holiday Concert: December 15th, 7:30pm; December 16th, 3pm & 7:30pm; December 17th, 3pm at the Civic Auditorium. More Info

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

• Holiday Open House at Sanctuary Day Spa & Boutique: December 16th and 17th from 9am - 5pm, 9700 Kingston Pike. Holiday food, drink, retail sales and more! Get your holiday shopping wrapped up with our free gift wrapping 🎁 & enjoy some Spa treats and door prizes at the same time! More Info

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

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

• Santa & the Grinch: Have your photo made with Santa & the Grinch every Sunday until Christmas, 2pm - 5pm at Painting with Friends Studio, 4301 East Emory Road 1st come 1st serve. Cost: $3.00/person. 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!