In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Cloudy with a High of 41

📰 Knoxville Ranks Among Top U.S. Cities for Teacher Salaries

📰 Car Fire on I-40 East Near Campbell Station Road on Wednesday Morning

📰 Critical Need for O-Negative Blood - Gift Cards Offered to Donors

💰NEW - Local Deals section (1 new deal) Know of more? Send us the Details!

📣 Event Spotlight: Local Author Audra McElyea Book Reading of her latest thriller "If You See Me"

📅 Upcoming Events

🗓️ Know of Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Events Added for January! Check them out in our Events section! Know of an event not listed? Let us know about it!

Car Fire on I-40 East Near Campbell Station Road on Wednesday Morning

A car fire on I-40 East near Campbell Station Road caused significant traffic delays in the area. The incident was reported on Thursday around 7:40 am, and resulted in the closure of the entry ramp from Campbell Station Road and the far-right eastbound lane. The driver was unharmed and contacted emergency services. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Knoxville Ranks Among Top U.S. Cities for Teacher Salaries

A recent study highlights that Knoxville is among the U.S. cities where teachers receive some of the highest salaries, considering the cost of living and taxes.

The report noted that while the average national salary for public school teachers is $68,469, the actual value varies significantly across different regions. For instance, teachers in McAllen, Texas, enjoy the highest purchasing power. Conversely, Honolulu ranks lowest in terms of take-home pay for teachers. The study aimed to shed light on the disparities in teachers' financial well-being in different U.S. cities. More Info

Critical Need for O-Negative Blood - Gift Cards Offered to Donors

Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville urgently requires O-negative blood donors due to a critical shortage. As the universal blood type, O-negative is essential in emergencies when a patient's blood type is unknown. The center emphasizes that one donation can save up to three lives, making community participation crucial. Interested donors can find more information and schedule appointments through Medic's website or by visiting one of their donor centers or mobile drives.

Individuals donating blood at MEDIC will receive a MEDIC beanie and a Texas Roadhouse coupon as a token of appreciation. Additionally, blood donors are eligible for a $15 e-gift card if they donate between December 26 and December 31. Platelet donors have the opportunity to receive a $25 e-gift card on weekdays or a $50 e-gift card on weekends if they donate by January 31. Furthermore, all donors at MEDIC from December 26 to January 21 will also be gifted a MEDIC beanie. More Info

Event Spotlight

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Audra McElyea (a local author) as she brings her latest thriller "If You See Me" to life at Addison's Bookstore! This exclusive event, set for January 5th from 6pm - 8pm, is a must-attend for book lovers and aspiring authors alike. For just $25, secure your ticket for a signed paperback, or bring your own copy to be autographed!

This isn't just any book launch – it's a live reading featuring the talented voices of Bailey Carr and Amanda Stribling, renowned audiobook narrators and Knoxville natives. Fresh from the bustling scenes of NYC and Nashville, they're here to give you a taste of the story in a way only they can.

Don't miss the chance to meet the creative minds behind the voice-overs that bring your favorite characters to life. Their emotive storytelling and engaging narrations promise to elevate your reading experience, providing an immersive look into the suspenseful world of "If You See Me".

So, mark your calendars and grab your tickets through Eventbrite. Be part of a literary night to remember – where words transcend the pages and the voices of homegrown talent fill the room with magic and mystery. See you there! More Info

Discounts, Specials & More

• Yoga with Shelby at Belle Wellness: $20 classes in January More Info

Upcoming Events

A star (*) = New Event Added Today
Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected] 

December/January Multi-Date Events:

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

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

January Events:

Health & Wellness:

• New Year, ReNewed You Flow: Monday, January 1st from 12pm - 1:15pm at Warrier Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400. Cost: $20 or valid membership. More Info

• Yoga Foundations: Mondays - January 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th at 5:30pm (More Info) and 6:30pm (More Info) at Warrier Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400. Cost: $50 for the series.

• Farragut Health & Wellness Expo: Saturday, January 13th, from 10am - 3pm More Info

Theater Shows:

• Wicked: The Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. January 10th-21st. More Info 

Music:

• “From Here to Memphis” - Ray Beltran & BlueMax and Kelle Jolly: Come show your support for our area’s best Blues performers on Saturday, January 12th at 6:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm) as they go on to Memphis to challenge an international field of emerging Blues talent. More Info

• The Heavenly Life: Mahler Symphony No. 4: The Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra takes center stage January 25th-26th to celebrate its 50th anniversary with three stellar works by Jesse Montgomery, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Georges Bizet. More Info

• Raye Zaragoza with Aysanabee: Raye Zaragoza, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter makes political folk music informed by her heritage takes the stage on Tuesday, January 30th. More Info

Comedy:

• Ron White: Saturday, January 27th. More Info

Business-to-Business Networking:

• New Year's Networking: Wednesday, January 10th from 4pm - 6pm at Warrier Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400. Co-hosted by TradeBank with Warrior Heart USA. RSVP to [email protected].

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!