In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Scattered Thunderstorms with a High of 86

📰 Reflecting on the "Next Big Steps" for Knoxville: A Vision from 1995

📰 Princess Breakfast at Ancient Lore Village

🗓️ Upcoming Events

🗓️ Elections: Early Voting info

🗓️ Event Showcase: Doyle High School Class of 1974 50th Reunion, Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Sage 30th Reunion

🏡 Real Estate: Should I use a REALTOR?

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities

Reflecting on the "Next Big Steps" for Knoxville: A Vision from 1995

 I am thrilled to share that I have been gifted a historical copy of the "Next Big Steps" for Knoxville, a pivotal document created in 1995 by The Downtown Organization. This comprehensive plan was designed to chart a course for Knoxville's development, aiming to restore the heart and soul of Downtown Knoxville. Over the next nine Mondays, I will share each step of this visionary plan, and together we can "grade" Knoxville's progress towards these goals and engage in dialogue with subscribers on ideas for the next great visions.

The overall objective was to “Define Downtown as the Regional Hub” through a series of 9 "Big Steps" strategies which embodied a vision to transform downtown into a beautiful place to live, work, shop, and play. It builds upon two previous efforts: the 1988 Downtown Knoxville Plan and the 21st Century Jobs Plan. By clearly defining downtown as the regional hub, this strategy aimed to create a vibrant, dynamic urban center.

The Planning Process began in February 1996 with the kickoff of a workshop assembled consisting of a core team of world-class design professionals, three committee chairs, and their design liaisons. The sketches provided by this group were elaborated on in community-based workshops and committees. Top community stakeholders reviewed and approved the plans, leading to the immediate commencement of work. The success of this plan was carried out through normal private development and public budgeting processes, dictated by market and political readiness. Though not all of these were fully implemented, they were bold and visionary for the time.

Grading Knoxville's Progress

As we delve into the vision that previous leaders had for our "scruffy city," I invite you to join me in "grading" the implementation of these plans. Each week, we will review a different aspect of the "Next Big Steps" strategy, assessing how well Knoxville has achieved these goals over the past few decades.

Stay tuned for the first step next Monday, and let's explore together how Knoxville has evolved and what more can be done to continue moving our beloved city forward.

Princess Breakfast at Ancient Lore Village

Step into a fairy tale and join us for a magical morning at Willows Landing! Delight in a charming breakfast with three beloved princesses: Rapunzel, Snow White, and Cinderella.

What to Expect:

• Meet & Greet: Interact with Rapunzel, Snow White, and Cinderella! Capture these special moments with plenty of photo opportunities that will create lasting memories.

• Live Performance: Be enchanted by Snow White as she serenades you with “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” transporting you to a world of dreams and wonder.

• Delicious Breakfast: Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast spread fit for royalty. Our chefs have prepared a delightful array of morning favorites, with special mimosas available for purchase for moms who tag along.

• Photo Opportunities: Don’t forget your cameras! Our picturesque setting offers the perfect backdrop for magical photos with your favorite princesses.

Magical Princess Breakfast Party Menu:

• Blueberry Muffins

• Fruit Platter

• Scrambled Eggs

• Crispy Bacon

• Belgian Waffles

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024

• Time Slots: 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM

• Ticket Price:

  • Adults: $35

  • Children (under 10 years old): $25

  • *Price does not include gratuity, state tax, or alcohol tax

Don’t miss this enchanting opportunity to create magical memories with your family. Secure your tickets now and prepare for a morning filled with joy, laughter, and princess magic at Willows Landing! More Info

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

Community:

Learn How to Play the Bridge Card Game: Recurring on Tuesdays starting on July 23rd from 6pm - 8:30pm at the Knoxville Bridge Center, 7400 Deane Hill Drive. Register. Questions: contact Maggie Hughes at (865) 680-7364 or [email protected]

Classic Movie at the Tennessee Theatre: The Lion King and The Matrix are showing on Saturday, July 27th, Star Wars - The Return of the Jedi and Thelma and Louise are showing on Saturday, August 10th, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Jurassic Park are showing on Saturday, August 24th, More Info

Knoxville Community Band Concert: Sunday, July 28th at Bearden Middle School at 3pm. No admission charge!

Food:

Tea Flights: offered Monday - Thursday at The Spice and Tea Exchange. Limited to 4 people per group at $8.99/person. Call the store for more information (865) 985-0913

Music:

Hillbilly Thomists and Fiddling Leona: at the Bijou Theatre on Saturday, August 3rd. Enjoy some of your bluegrass favorites as well as Leona’s fresh take on fiddling! Tickets are on sale now! Partial proceeds benefit the Chesterton Academy, a local classical model high school, More Info/Tickets

Networking:

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

Motley Crew Community Luncheon: hosted by Hubert Smith: Every month on the first Friday at Crowne Plaza Knoxville.  This is a public event. All are welcome. No RSVP. No speakers! No politics! Lots of fun, food, and fellowship! Doors open at 11am, More Info call Cheryl at (865) 456-1095

Emotional Sobriety: Each Thursday at 5pm (except July 4)at The Kraken’s Cup. The Kracken’s Cup has partnered with Sober in Knoxville to create a safe and accepting environment for their N Knoxville meetups. Questions? Email [email protected].

Veterans:

Free Veteran’s Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 13 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly, Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

Doyle High School - Class of 1974, 50th Reunion

Join us in celebrating the 50th reunion of Doyle High School's Class of 1974!

Event Details:

Friday, September 6th:

• Time: 6:30 PM

• Location: Private residence of a fellow graduate

• Note: This celebration is for graduates only.

Saturday, September 7th:

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Buddy's Banquet Hall

• Note: Graduates and one guest are welcome ($75/person)

Please reach out to Donna at [email protected] for more information.

To register: Click Here

We look forward to reconnecting and celebrating this special milestone with you!

Murder Mystery Dinner Show

North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show is now playing in Knoxville, TN! At The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, you'll solve a challenging crime while enjoying a fantastic dinner. Beware—the criminal is among the guests, and you might become a prime suspect!

• Date: July 27th, 2024 (and many Saturday evenings until October)

• Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Location: Hilton Knoxville (501 W Church St)

What’s Included:

• A delicious dinner

• Engaging murder mystery entertainment

• Wait staff gratuity

• Prize package for the top sleuth

• A bar available throughout the event

Tickets: Starting at $60.99

• Geared toward adults. Teenagers with adult supervision may attend; check the FAQ for age restrictions

Don't miss this thrilling and hilarious evening! Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable experience. More info

Sage 30th Reunion

Join us on Friday, October 11, for the Sage 30th Reunion Tour at Open Chord! This is a night you won't want to miss as Sage takes the stage to celebrate three decades of incredible music and unforgettable performances. These guys are an integral part of Knoxville’s music culture!

Event Details:

· Date: Friday, October 11

· Venue: Open Chord

· Doors Open: 6:00 PM

· Show Starts: 8:00 PM

Why You Should Attend:

· Rock and Roll: Experience the electrifying energy of Sage's live performance as they play their greatest hits and fan favorites.

· Limited Seating: Make sure to arrive early as seating is limited, and you won't want to miss a single note of this special reunion show.

· Nostalgia: Relive the memories and create new ones as Sage brings their iconic sound to life once again.

Grab your friends, mark your calendar, and be prepared for an unforgettable night at Open Chord! Don't wait—seating is limited, so arrive early to secure your spot. See you there for a night of rock and roll celebration! More info

Knoxville Real Estate Insider

Should I use a REALTOR? _{(Issue #007)}

How to Increase Your Home's Value _{(Issue #006)}
The Value of Home Inspections _{(Issue #005)}
Can Home Ownership Build Wealth?_{(Issue #004)}
Buy Now or Wait?_{(Issue #003)}
Generational Trends_{(Issue #002)}
Market Report as of April 2024 _{(Issue #001)}

 Do you have specific real estate questions you'd like answered? Submit a Question. A realtor will have an answer for you in the next issue of the Knoxville Real Estate Insider.

Are you a local realtor selling a home or property? Do you have an upcoming open house? Let us know at [email protected] or (865) 234-2421! We can include them here.

Early Voting Details

The primary elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate, and Tennessee House of Representatives will take place on Thursday, August 1st. Additionally, several Knox County elections will be decided through a general election on the same day.

Early voting is from Friday, July 12th through Saturday, July 27th. Early voting locations:

Voting Locations can be found here

Become a Knoxville Insider Sponsor

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• Hero or section banners

• Logo

• Video

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• Spotlight Directory

• and more…

Reach out to us at [email protected].

We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Knoxville area residents in an upcoming issue of Knoxville Insider? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]!