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I Almost Threw Out My Keurig. It Wasn't Broken.
Every cup from my Keurig started tasting weak, flat, stale — so I unplugged it and stuck it in a closet. Then I learned the dirty secret of grocery store K-Cups: by the time a pod reaches your kitchen, it's usually spent months going from factory to warehouse to truck to shelf. The flavor oils are long gone. Some brands even over-roast to hide it.
The fix wasn't a new machine. It was fresh pods from Angelino's, a family-owned L.A. roastery that roasts, packs, and ships within 3–5 days — straight to your door, from 39¢ a cup. Over 1,000,000 happy customers. 50+ flavors, no subscription required, and 15% off your first order, applied automatically at checkout.
Record: HIGH - 85 in 1940 | LOW - 25 in 1962
TuskHead and Johnny Chestpain Team Up on New Country-Punk Single
It sounds like a foot-stomping honky-tonk party. But listen closer, and "Numb" is about something much heavier.
TuskHead (Patrick van Zandwijk), the Dutch Americana artist signed to Knoxville's own Migrant Records, has teamed up with fellow Dutch country artist Johnny Chestpain (Jared Kroese) on a new single that blends traditional country, raw punk energy, and an honest conversation about mental health. Keenan Schuck adds pedal steel guitar for a true honky-tonk edge.
Kroese, who first made his name with the ska-reggae band Skankin' Rebels, draws on country legends like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and David Allan Coe. TuskHead's songs often explore vulnerability and personal struggles. The two connected on social media, then shared a stage, and in January 2026 they went into Pacha Mama Studio in Den Bosch, Netherlands, to record "Numb" together.
The song tackles emotional numbness and the internal battles so many people carry quietly, and the topic is personal for both artists.
TuskHead has also partnered with the men's mental health organization Hey There Fella, hoping his music helps open up conversations that too often stay behind closed doors.
"Numb" was recorded before TuskHead's partnership with Migrant Records began and is being released independently by both artists. It's available now on all major streaming platforms.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
A Christmas Carol Returns
Scrooge, the Cratchits, and three very persuasive ghosts are back. The Clarence Brown Theatre's A Christmas Carol returns for the holiday season, running November 19th - December 19th, on the UT campus.
Adapted by Edward Morgan and Joseph Hanreddy with music by John Tanner, the production brings Charles Dickens' timeless story of redemption to life with music, spectacle, and plenty of holiday heart. For many Knoxville families, it's how the Christmas season officially begins.
With a month of performances, there's time to plan, but holiday dates tend to go fast. More Info
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Business Doctor Tip: Picture Your Business 3–5 Years From Now
"Grow the business" is not a plan. Get very clear on where you want your business to be in 3 to 5 years, then work backward from there. Ask whether that goal is realistic for your industry. Figure out how many employees you'll need to hire and which systems and processes have to be in place. With a clear picture of the finish line, a dream becomes a roadmap.
Book a qualification call at https://kingdomimpactconsultinggroup.com/contact-us or call (865) 255-4722.
"Late Night" Legend Jay Leno Brings His Stand-Up to Knoxville
For 22 years, he was the guy America fell asleep laughing with. Now Jay Leno is bringing his stand-up comedy to the historic Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) for one night only, November 19th, at 7:30 PM.
The longtime host of NBC's The Tonight Show never stopped doing what he loves most: getting on stage and telling jokes. Expect sharp, clean observational humor from a comedian who's spent decades making audiences laugh. More Info
The Retropolitan Craft Fair - Vintage, Upcycled & Handmade
If your holiday list calls for something you won't find at the mall, mark your calendar. The Retropolitan Craft Fair, one of Knoxville's longest-running indie craft fairs, returns to the Mill & Mine on November 22, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
This juried fair brings together a curated lineup of vintage finds, upcycled treasures, and handmade goods from local and regional makers: think prints, knits, jewelry, clothing, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Food and family-friendly activities round out the day.
It's the perfect way to get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting independent artists and small businesses. More Info
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🗓️ Now through October 31st - Wicked Cool returns to downtown — a citywide Halloween celebration organized by Downtown Knoxville that turns Gay Street, Market Square, and the surrounding blocks into something genuinely special. Flying ghosts, spooky photo ops, and creepy-crawly installations go up throughout the area, and local businesses lean all the way into the season with Halloween-themed cocktails, specials, and décor. More Info
🗓️ Now through November 7th - Walnut Springs Winery in Strawberry Plains is launching their Wine Maze experience — A Night of Pour Decisions. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: you wander through the corn maze with wine in hand, discovering five tasting stations tucked into the twists and turns, each one bringing a new pour and a new vibe. Boots are encouraged. Getting a little lost is part of the fun. More Info & Tickets
🗓️ October 27th - A Night of Scary Stories with the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association — 7:00 PM–8:30 PM. Classic ghost stories, urban legends, historic horror, and a few silly tales. More Info
🗓️ October 27th - Knox MAHJ Social Club is hosting Tiles for Tatas from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens Carriage House — an American Mahjong event benefiting Breast Connect and the work of Stephanie Buchanan Ewers in the fight against breast cancer. To reserve: text or call Stephanie at (865) 809-2636.
🗓️ October 28th - at 12:00 PM, the KSO Principal String Quartet, featuring Gordon Tsai and Edward Pulgar (violin), Kathryn Gawne (viola), and Andy Bryenton (cello), performs at the Elks Lodge (5600 Lonas Drive). More Info
🗓️ October 28th - Nature Nuggets — 10:00 AM–11:00 AM. A FREE program for little ones 18 months and up and their caregivers. Gather at Jo's Grove, take a short hike, celebrate birds of prey, and meet Zoe, Ijams' resident turkey vulture. More Info
🗓️ October 28th - Christ United Methodist Church in Halls (7535 Maynardville Pike) is hosting its BOO BASH! Fall Family Carnival from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, a welcoming evening where kids, teens, parents, grandparents, and friends can all enjoy the season together. More Info
🗓️ October 28th - November 15th - The Clarence Brown Theatre presents Clyde's, by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, in the new Jenny Boyd Theatre on the UT campus. More Info
🗓️ October 29th - The Whiskey Row Region Course (Class #255) takes place at 6:30 PM at 2901 Tazewell Pike — a 1.5-hour interactive session on how Louisville's historic Whiskey Row went from pre-Prohibition powerhouse to post-Prohibition ghost town to full-blown modern destination. More Info
🗓️ October 29th-30th - BOO! at the Zoo (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive) from 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Admission is $15 for ages 3 and up, children under 3 are free, and parking is free. Tickets are limited each night, so buy online in advance. More Info
🗓️ October 29th-30th - The Museum of Appalachia Fall Heritage Days returns for four days — at the museum's stunning 35-acre grounds in Norris. This is the region's most immersive celebration of early Appalachian life at harvest time, with skilled artisans and educators demonstrating the crafts, foods, and traditions that defined this corner of the mountains. More Info
🗓️ October 30th - Dracula, Patron Party & Performance. Make a night of it with the Dracula-themed patron party at 6:00 PM, featuring bites catered by Foothills Milling Co., adult beverages, and mocktails, followed by the 7:00 PM performance. General admission for the party and show is $100. The evening is sponsored by David's Abbey Carpet & Floors. More Info
🗓️ October 30th - Starlight Paddle — 7:00 PM–9:00 PM. Can't make the full moon? Join the naturalists for another two-hour guided paddle, this time beneath the stars, on the night before Halloween. More Info
🗓️ October 30th - Ridgeview Baptist Church is opening the doors to Wonder House from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Wonder House is an interactive walk-through experience that takes families through four themed rooms, each telling one part of what the church calls "the greatest story ever told": Creation, the Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Kids and grown-ups move from room to room as the story unfolds around them. Register
🗓️ October 30th - Halloween Blast - Come in costume and get half off admission. Expect a costume contest and Halloween-themed games all night long. More Info
🗓️ October 30th - November 1st - The Foothills Craft Guild's 60th Annual Fine Craft Show takes over the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway). Friday and Saturday run 10 AM–6 PM; Sunday is 10 AM–4 PM. More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Playing 'Possum — October 21st (6:00 PM–7:00 PM) and October 31st (11:00 AM–noon). Meet Orta, Ijams' newest animal ambassador, a young Virginia opossum! These misunderstood marsupials play an important role in our ecosystem and have some seriously cool survival tricks. Along with the animal presentation, you'll learn the basics of nature journaling and create your own opossum masterpiece. More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Bats Storytime — 10:00 AM–noon. Spend Halloween morning at the Ijams Nature Playscape at Grayson Subaru Preserve, where volunteer storytellers read books all about bats. Themed crafts and Playscape time are included, and it's FREE! More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Dracula, 5:00 PM Performance. Tickets are $35, and the one-hour show is the perfect start to your Halloween night. Wear your costume, take in the ballet, then head out for the rest of your plans. More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Fall Fungi ID: Beginner Workshop — 10:00 AM–noon. Fungi identification doesn't leave mush-room for guessing! Join an Ijams naturalist (or "fun-guide") to learn the basics of fungi and lichen anatomy, how to identify them, and the role they play in the forest. More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Hopewell Church invites the whole community to the Hallelujah Hoedown from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at East Knox County Elementary School (9315 Rutledge Pike).
🗓️ October 31st - Weed Wrangle - 9:00 AM–noon. Then put that knowledge to work. Volunteers will pull invasive plants at Collier Preserve, with Ijams Nature Center supplying Weed Wrenches to get them out by the root. Bring work gloves and wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Sign up here.
🗓️ October 31st - Monsters at the Museum returns to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S. Gay Street) on October 31st from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a full day of free, family-friendly Halloween fun. More Info
🗓️ October 31st - Trick or Treat on the Square takes over Market Square and Union Avenue from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM — a free, family-friendly evening where downtown shops, restaurants, and businesses hand out candy to kids making their way through the square. Free trick-or-treat tote bags are available while supplies last at the Downtown Knoxville table at 17 Market Square (between Kabuki and Not Watson's). More Info
🗓️ November 4th - Laura Resau is coming to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay Street) on November 4th at 6:00 PM to answer exactly that question, in a talk called "The Alchemy of a Novel." More Info
🗓️ November 6th - It’s time to Go Big Orange! The University of Tennessee’s Homecoming Parade returns to campus at 4:00 p.m., bringing Volunteers together to celebrate the traditions, history, and spirit of Rocky Top. The entire Knoxville and campus community is invited to join the fun and show off their Tennessee pride! More Info
🗓️ November 6th-7th - The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC), the Knoxville nonprofit that builds and maintains many of the area's natural-surface trails, hosts its annual Fall Fest on November 6th–7th at Baker Creek Preserve and Urban Wilderness Gateway Park. It's AMBC's biggest fundraiser of the year, and it's FREE to attend. More Info
🗓️ November 6th-8th - Ready to get a head start on your Christmas list? The Knoxville Christmas Fair, a long-running East Tennessee holiday tradition, fills the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Hwy) with handmade gifts, ornaments, seasonal décor, and one-of-a-kind crafts from local and regional makers. More Info
🗓️ November 7th - November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, and East Tennessee is kicking it off together. The Epilepsy Foundation of East Tennessee hosts its Epilepsy Awareness Walk from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at World's Fair Park (720 11th Street). More Info
🗓️ November 7th-8th - For the first time ever, Zoo Knoxville (3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive) is inviting four-legged family members to visit during Dog Days, presented by PetSafe Brands, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The zoo is open for regular admission, and you can bring your well-behaved dog along for the adventure. More Info, Rules, & Tickets
🗓️ November 8th - Knoxville Opera presents Voices of Valor, a large-scale Veterans Day concert honoring the service and sacrifice of America's veterans, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (711 S. Northshore Drive), in partnership with the Cathedral Concert Series. More Info
🗓️ November 8th - Plant lovers, this one's for you. Flora & Folia (226 N. Peters Road) is turning four, and they're celebrating by giving back. Free Plant Day on November 8th, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
🗓️ November 10th - Contemporary artist Patricia Pasbrig of Textured Strokes is teaching "Acrylic Painting with Modeling Paste," a full-day sculptural acrylic workshop, at Chota Recreation Center, Classroom A (145 Awohili Drive, Loudon). ⏰ Registration deadline: November 1st. More Info
🗓️ November 12th-13th - Few pieces of music build like Ravel's Boléro, and few places are as grand for hearing it as the historic Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street). The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra presents Bartók & Boléro at 7:30 PM, conducted by Music Director Aram Demirjian and featuring acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk. More Info
🗓️ November 14th - Get a head start on your gift list with something truly one of a kind. Concord United Methodist Church's United Women in Faith hosts its 9th Annual Artisan Craft Fair, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 11020 Roane Drive.
🗓️ November 14th - Get ready for a magical day of shopping, creativity, and community at The Mystical Market at Enchanted Hollow from noon to 8 p.m.! Explore unique handmade goods and mystical treasures from local vendors, grab a bite from food trucks, and enjoy live entertainment and a children’s area for the little ones. More info
🗓️ November 17th - Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert is coming to the historic Tennessee Theatre (604 S. Gay Street) at 8:00 PM to celebrate the beloved 1986 film's 40th anniversary. More Info
🗓️ November 17th - What does it take to keep going through career changes, setbacks, and life as part of a military family? A panel of Knoxville women will answer that question at "Built for This," a fireside chat experience on resilience from Ladies Lifestyle Network Knoxville. The evening takes place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at The Hub Pro Studio (1104 Merchant Drive, Suite 103). More Info & Tickets
🗓️ November 20th - Get ready to say hello to the holiday season. Pinnacle at Turkey Creek (11251 Parkside Drive) is hosting All Is Bright, a free evening of festive family fun, on November 20th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
🗓️ November 20th-21st - Get a jump on your holiday shopping, or just come hunting for treasures. The Knoxville Flea Market fills the Knoxville Expo Center (5441 Clinton Highway) with more than 275 booths the weekend before Thanksgiving. More Info
🗓️ November 21st - A Medieval Holiday Festival takes over the grounds at 865 Axe Throwing (5821 Babelay Road) from noon to 7:00 PM, with vendors, activities, and entertainment all day long.
🗓️ November 25th-29th - Fantasy of Trees, benefiting Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (formerly East Tennessee Children's Hospital), fills the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) with a dazzling forest of decorated Christmas trees during Thanksgiving week. More Info
🗓️ November 28th - Old City Market, presented by Dogwood Arts, fills the 100 block of West Jackson Avenue with local makers, artists, and bakers for a special Small Business Saturday market, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More Info
🗓️ November 28th - The Gobbler 5K & 10K hits Fountain City's Adair Park on November 28th, at 8:30 AM, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The start line sits next to the Knoxville Parks & Recreation building at 1807 Adair Drive. More Info
Recurring:
🗓️ Tuesdays - Knoxville Dodgeball has been running weekly drop-in games at the Farragut Community Center Gym every Tuesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM since April 2025, and the doors are open to anyone 18 and up. More Info
Networking:
Veterans:
🗓️Free Veterans’ Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 20 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly. Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates
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