In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather: Partly Cloudy with a High of 86

📰 Scruffy City Santa is Now Booking

🗓️ Carry the Torch Knoxville, a Benefit Event for the Volunteer Ministry Center

🗓️ All Breed Dog Show and More

🏡 Real Estate 

🗓️ Upcoming Events (new Spice & Tea events)

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities

Scruffy City Santa is Now Booking

Scruffy City Santa (David Raborn) loves the magic of the holiday season. There is nothing that turns this man into a big teddy bear than seeing children light up when they see Santa whether in a red suit or when he shows up at a UT game in TN orange suit! When the adult children scream “SANTA” that simply elevates the joy!

He is committed - from growing and dying his beard and hair snow white, investing in a plush Santa suit, and of course never forgetting Beth Raborn (Mrs. Claus) and the random elf ringing bells to let all the hear he’s coming. The best part is his loud boisterous laugh and shaking belly. Whether it’s taking pictures, talking to kids, or handing out tokens for all those to cherish it’s truly a sight and joy to see the magic he brings to Knoxville.

His story started in 2021 with a random suggestion of a red suit from Amazon. He figured - why not? After he received it he was asked to be part of a toy drive. While volunteering his time he noticed a 4-5 year-old girl watching him from behind her mother and he waved and smiled. It was the joy and look of happiness on her face that convinced he - he had to do this for others.

Three years later he prepares throughout the year for this season with anticipation equal to what he saw in that first child’s eyes. More Info or call David Raborn directly at (865) 481-9560.

-contributed by Michelle H., one of our Knoxville Insider readers

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

Community:

Doyle High School, Class of 1974 50th Reunion, on Friday, September 6th at 6:30pm (graduates only) and September 7th at 6pm (graduates and guest). Questions? [email protected] To register: Click Here

Punk Rock Flea Market: is returning to the Mill and Mine! Mark your calendars for a full day of action on Saturday, September 7th from noon to 9pm. More Info

Knox Asian Festival: on Saturday, September 7th from 6pm-9pm and Sunday, September 8th from 10:30am-6pm, World’s Fair Park, $3 tickets, More Info

Support Knox County Mobile Meals at their Power of the Purse event! We are currently collecting new and gently used purses & jewelry for the event. Drop off donations at: Southern Market on Homberg; Chico’s at Turkey Creek; Mac’s Pharmacy on South Peters; and Lulu’s Tea Room in Powell. The event is on Thursday, September 12th at Rothchilds. More Info

Find additional events (including recurring events) on our Community Events page.

Food:

Spice Blend: Create your own spice blend at the Spice & Tea Exchange, 522 South Gay Street on Tuesday, September 3rd at 7pm, $70 per person + tax, Call (865) 985-0913 or email [email protected] to register

Tea Blend: Create your own team blend at the Spice & Tea Exchange, 522 South Gay Street on Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm, $70 per person + tax, Call (865) 985-0913 or email [email protected] to register

Sips & Dips: On Wednesday, September 18th from 6pm-8pm, Kraken’s Cup is looking for some guinea pigs needed to test new menu items! Tickets required – Limited seating – $25 per guest at the Kraken’s Cup, 4815 N Broadway, Suite 107. Call for tickets - (865) 297-3083.

Rye Whiskey 203: A Whiskey on the River class, to be held on Thursday, September 19th, starting at 6pm, More Info

How Do You Brew? – How do you get the best flavor from your cuppa? Take this class to learn on Wednesday, September 25th at 6pm, Limited seating – $40 per guest at the Kraken’s Cup, 4815 N Broadway, Suite 107. Call for tickets - (865) 297-3083.

Tea Flights: offered Mondays - Thursdays 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

Brew at the Zoo: On Friday, October 4th, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., enjoy an evening of great brews, delicious food, and fun animal encounters. Features 35 breweries, More Info

Music:

The Lonesome River Band: at Union County Opry on Saturday, September 7th at 7pm, 150 Main Street in Maynardville, More Info

Faith, Hope & Love - Music from Puccini, Verde & More: presented by Marble City Opera on Sunday, September 8th at 5:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Free tickets

Air Supply’s The Lost in Love Experience: I'm all out of love…I'm so lost without you… - Remember that song? Come listen to this and other hits, on Thursday, October 10th! Tickets available here

Networking:

There are many recurring business networking events, both weekly and monthly.

See Recurring Weekly & Monthly Networking Events

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

Carry the Torch Knoxville, a Benefit Event for the Volunteer Ministry Center

The Volunteer Ministry Center’s Carry the Torch Knoxville event will be held on Thursday, October 24th at the Knoxville Convention Center and will feature Tracy Kidder and Dr. Jim O’Connell.

Tracy Kidder is an outstanding author whose best-selling works include House, Among Schoolchildren, Old Friends, Home Town, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Strength in What Remains, and The Soul of a New Machine, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. His most recent book, Rough Sleepers, is the powerful story of an inspiring doctor, Dr. Jim O’Connell.

Dr. Jim O’Connell helped create a program to care for Boston’s homeless community. He is the founding physician of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, which now serves over 10,000 homeless individuals and families each year in two hospital-based clinics and in 30 shelters and outreach sites and on the streets of Boston. He assisted in establishing the nation’s first medical respite program for homeless persons and designed and implemented the nation’s first computerized medical record for the homeless program. He has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CBS Evening News, and in several feature-length documentaries.

Carry the Torch will begin with a Mission Fair at 10:00 am. Agencies which provide housing, general assistance, medical, and behavioral health services throughout our community, along with VMC will present booths and interact with visitors who are looking for volunteer opportunities. The Carry the Torch luncheon will begin promptly at 11:45 am in the Ballroom of the Knoxville Convention Center.

Carry the Torch is a sponsored table event, but limited reserved seating is available to the public for $125 per seat. Seats may be purchased through the VMC website at www.vmcinc.org or by contacting Mary Beth Ramey at (865) 524-3926, x 229.

The mission of the Volunteer Ministry Center is to end and prevent homelessness through compassion, accountability, and results.

All Breed Dog Show and More

The Great Smoky Mountain Show Cluster, the biggest cluster of AKC dog shows, will be held on Thursday - Sunday, September 26th-29th. Two local non-profit AKC All Breed Kennel clubs are sponsoring this event (Tennessee Valley Kennel Club and Oak Ridge Kennel Club).

The show will be held under the rules of the American Kennel Club (like the Westminster Dog Show broadcast on TV each year). There will be top dogs from all over the US competing.

Interested in registering your dog? Registration ends on Wednesday, September 11th. Helpful links: More Info - Full event details (document) - Register

Knoxville Real Estate Insider

Benefits of a Home Warranty (Issue #012)

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