In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Cloudy with a High of 54

📰 KUB Launches Gigabit Internet Service

👮🏾‍♂️ Seven Youths Detained After Standoff with Knoxville Police in Stolen Vehicle Case

📰 Musical Triumph Over Hearing Loss

🐕‍🦺 Pets: Training and Holiday Tips of the Day

📅 New Event(s) Added - The Best Thing About Christmas at the Bijou Theatre

📅 Upcoming December Events, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Event(s) Added:

• The Best Thing About Christmas at the Bijou Theatre: December 19th & 20th, See the Christmas Spirit…Nashville Style, Doors open at 6pm, Show begins at 7pm, More Info/Get Tickets 

KUB Launches Gigabit Internet Service

KUB now offers gigabit internet services to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses, with a monthly cost of around $65. The municipal broadband system aims to provide reliable internet, phone, and TV services. The first phase, involving over 1,100 miles of fiber infrastructure, covers areas from West Knoxville to Union and Grainger Counties, including parts of Fountain City, South Knoxville, Luttrell, Washburn, and East Knoxville.

The project's goal is to offer affordable fiber internet to all KUB customers, with installation alongside existing electric wires. The third phase, expected to finish in 2028, will include parts of West Knoxville and Powell. Fiber installation will be underground or overhead, depending on the electric lines' placement. Details about the second phase's specific areas are not yet available, but interested customers can check availability and sign up through KUB's website.

Musical Triumph Over Hearing Loss

Zoe Nutt, a Knoxville musician, has gained success with her new song, despite having lost her hearing due to a suspected Cytomegalovirus infection.

She began experiencing hearing loss at a young age, becoming profoundly deaf in her right ear by the age of eight. In college, a significant loss of hearing led her to switch her focus to songwriting and music business. Nutt learned to play guitar by feeling the vibrations and used hearing aids and a cochlear implant, which later failed.

Her music, especially her recent song "Like You," draws from her personal experience with hearing loss. For Nutt, the fulfillment of creating music she is proud of is her most significant accomplishment, more so than her commercial success.

Seven Youths Detained After Standoff with Knoxville Police in Stolen Vehicle Case

Seven young males were detained by the Knoxville Police Department following a standoff that involved crisis negotiators. The incident began with a pursuit of a stolen Hyundai SUV.

Two individuals were initially found in a residence, and six others were discovered in a camper nearby. A 16-year-old, armed and barricaded in the camper, was apprehended after extensive negotiations.

Authorities recovered firearms and suspected Hydrocodone pills. The youths face charges related to auto theft, weapon possession, and evading arrest.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: End a training session on a positive note.

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 daylight savings time and it getting dark earlier, you may want to invest in an LED collar or reflective gear to ensure cars are able to see you when walking when it's dark.

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

• The Best Thing About Christmas at the Bijou Theatre: December 19th & 20th, See the Christmas Spirit…Nashville Style, Doors open at 6pm, Show begins at 7pm, More Info/Get Tickets 

• 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!