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The Wild World of the Van Gogh Truthers

In 1990, after years of practicing medicine and reviewing Van Gogh’s case history via his hundreds of letters, Arenberg published a paper in JAMA diagnosing Van Gogh as suffering not from epilepsy, as the artist’s physician claimed a century earlier, but from Ménière’s disease, an inner-ear affliction that can cause vertigo, of which Van Gogh complained, and tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ears. Ménière’s, to Arenberg, could better explain Van Gogh’s decision to slice off his ear. After retiring, in 2017, Arenberg recommitted himself to studying Van Gogh and became convinced that art historians had made an even more alarming mistake: Van Gogh had not committed suicide. He’d been murdered.

Read the article for free on Air Mail, a lively digital read for the world citizen, with stories both foreign and domestic that you won’t find anywhere else, written by some of the world’s finest journalists.

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Scattered Thunderstorms with a High of 87

📰 Celebrate Irish Heritage at Knoxville Irish Fest

🗓️ FREE Vessel Examinations Next Saturday

🛍️ Shop Local

🗓️ Upcoming Events

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Record High 99 in 2012 | Record Low 53 in 1882

Make a Splash at Loudon Riverfest!

Celebrate summer at Loudon Riverfest on Saturday, August 15, at Riverside Park and Legion Park (201 Ferry St.). This annual community celebration offers a full day of family-friendly fun, entertainment, and activities along the beautiful Tennessee River.

Kids can cool off in the Cool Down Zone, where the City of Loudon Fire Department will be on hand to provide refreshing sprays from a fire truck. Don't miss an exciting demonstration by the Loudon County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, along with plenty of fun on both wet and dry inflatables provided by BB's Bouncers (all-day wristbands available for $10).

Browse a variety of food and craft vendors, visit local organizations and businesses showcasing their services, and enjoy live music throughout the day. Car enthusiasts can admire a collection of classic vehicles, and the evening wraps up with a spectacular fireworks display that can be viewed from the park or by boat on the river.

Whether you're coming for the food, the family activities, the music, or the fireworks, Loudon Riverfest is a great way to celebrate summer with your community!

Celebrate Irish Heritage at Knoxville Irish Fest

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Ireland at Knoxville Irish Fest, returning to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville for a day of family-friendly fun and celebration!

Enjoy a lively festival featuring authentic Irish food, traditional music, refreshing drinks, and performances by talented Irish dancers and local bands. Throughout the day, guests can also explore historic church tours, watch demonstrations of Gaelic men's games, browse the silent auction, and enjoy games and activities designed especially for kids.

Whether you have Irish roots or simply enjoy the culture, Knoxville Irish Fest offers something for everyone in a welcoming and festive atmosphere.

Admission is $15 for adults, while children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available only at the gate, and both cash and credit cards are accepted.

Gather your family and friends and join the celebration for a memorable day of Irish traditions, delicious food, lively entertainment, and community spirit in the heart of downtown Knoxville! 🍀

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Kick Up Your Boots at Country Night at Kern's Bakery

Looking for a fun way to spend your Friday evening? Head to Kern's Bakery on Friday, July 10, from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. for an energetic night of country music, line dancing, and community fun!

Whether you're taking your very first steps on the dance floor or you're a seasoned line dancer, this event welcomes all experience levels. Enjoy great country music, learn new dance moves, practice your favorites, and spend the evening connecting with friends—old and new—in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

No special attire is required, so just throw on your favorite boots (if you have them!) and come ready to dance. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind, get moving, and enjoy a lively summer night with the Knoxville community.

Gather your friends and join the fun for an evening filled with music, laughter, and plenty of line dancing! More Info

FREE Vessel Examinations Next Saturday

The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Knoxville-First Flotilla invites all Jefferson County boaters to get a free vessel safety examination on Saturday, July 11th, at the boat launch at the Dandridge Municipal Park on Chestnut Hill Road and Public Drive.

Coast Guard Auxiliary-certified vessel examiners will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) for your boat (personal pleasure craft only) or jet ski between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. No appointment is needed; just show up. There is no charge, and there are no consequences if you don't pass. Our goal is to help make boating as safe as possible for you, your family, and your friends through education and awareness.

An examiner will inspect your boat’s equipment, including navigation lights and life jackets, to ensure your safety on the water. Your boat will earn the VSC decal if it meets all the requirements. Paddle craft (kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards) can also receive an inspection. Your decal may provide third-party benefits – consult your insurance provider for more information. Additionally, the decal informs the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency that your vessel complies with all their requirements.

Boaters are urged to take advantage of programs offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron; volunteer organizations dedicated to promoting safe boating. To find out more, visit www.cgaux.org or www.usps.org.

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🗓️ July 2nd-31st - The "Where's Waldo?" Scavenger Hunt is returning to Downtown Knoxville, and it's free for the whole family. Starting July 1st and running all month long, Waldo will be hiding inside dozens of downtown businesses — shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more — just waiting to be spotted. More

🗓️ July 9th - Zoo Knoxville's Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by the Tennessee Wind Symphony — and this one has some history behind it. The show was originally scheduled for June 18th but was rescheduled due to a storm forecast. More Info & Tickets (Free for zoo members)

🗓️ July 10th - Soundscapes at the Knoxville Museum of Art returns, with nationally touring saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Saxl Rose taking the stage at 7:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM). More Info

🗓️ July 10th - Movies Under the Stars returns for its 14th year at Ijams Nature Center, and the July screening is a classic that'll hit different under an open sky. All Dogs Go to Heaven screens at the Ijams Visitor Center Lawn (2915 Island Home Ave.) Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the movie begins at dark — roughly 9:00 PM in July. Arrive early to grab a good spot. More Info

🗓️ July 10th - GalFunction and Show Your Shine LLC are hosting a Friday Table Talk at The Hub Pro Studio (1104 Merchant Drive, Suite 103) from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — an hour and a half of guided conversation, honest dialogue, and the kind of support that only comes from fellow female entrepreneurs who are in it alongside you.

🗓️ July 10th-12th - FanBoy Expo takes over the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) for three action-packed days — and with over 30,000 fans attending each summer event, this is one of the biggest and most electric weekends on the Knoxville calendar. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - RetroFlea returns to Retrospect Vintage Store (108 W Anderson Ave NW) on July 11th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — six hours of browsing more than 25 vintage vendors bringing deals across all eras and varieties of vintage goods.

🗓️ July 11th - Faith Promise Church is hosting Win the City from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 5830 Haynes-Sterchi Road, and the community giveaway includes: Free car washes, Free haircuts, Free hygiene bags, Free food, Free family portraits, Kids activities, Free oil changes (registration required for oil changes only — all other services are walk-up, no registration needed) Register for your free oil change

🗓️ July 11th - Tea & Treasures (4104 W. Martin Mill Pike) — a charming shop billed as "a unique collection of old and new" — hosts its 2nd Saturday Marketplace from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (weather permitting).

🗓️ July 11th - WIVK's Southern Life Expo, presented by Visit My Smokies, is coming to the Knoxville Expo Center from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part? It's completely free to attend. More Info

🗓️ July 11th - Mark your calendar: the America's 250th Anniversary Celebration at the Cove comes to The Cove at Concord Park for a full day of free, family-friendly festivities presented by Visit Knoxville and Knox County, starting at 11:00 AM. More Info

🗓️ July 16th - IBN Masterclass will be held from 8:45 AM to noon at Bearden Banquet Hall (5806 Kingston Pike), Incredible Business Networking — co-hosted by Jennifer Maizel of Marvelous Maizel Marketing. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 18th - Rain Barrel Workshop at 9:00 AM at 100 Monterey Rd, Oak Ridge. For $50, instructors will teach you how to transform a standard 55-gallon barrel into a functioning rain barrel for your garden — and you leave with the finished product in hand. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 19th - Knoxville Social Circle is heading to Augusta Quarry (520 Augusta Ave) at 12:00 PM for an afternoon of swimming, floating, relaxing, and soaking up some summer sun. Whether you want to jump in, lounge by the water, or just hang out and chat, the format is as low-key as a summer afternoon should be.

🗓️ July 25th - Blitzfire — the quarterly signature event at B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) — is happening from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and it's unlike anything else in our area. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ July 26th - Sonny's Original Southern Pub and Nicks Moto are hosting a group ride to the legendary Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. and you're invited to roll with them. The day kicks off with breakfast at Sonny's (2613 Adair Dr) at 8:00 AM, with kickstands up at 9:30 AM sharp. Come with a full tank of gas, and bring your own water and snacks — there's no food or drink available at the museum, though the group will be stopping at nearby restaurants along the way.

🗓️ July 29th - One of the most celebrated voices in rock history is coming to Knoxville. Graham Nash brings his Live on Tour 2026 to the Bijou on July 29th at 7:30 PM — and with a career spanning more than six decades, this is as close to a living history of contemporary music as you can get in one evening. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 1st - The Kuumba Festival — East Tennessee's largest African American Cultural Arts Festival — returns to Market Square, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a full, joyful, free celebration of culture, community, craft, and creativity in the middle of the city. More Info

🗓️ July 31st-August 2nd - CreepyCon 2026 celebrates its 10th Anniversary at the Knoxville Convention Center (701 Henley Street) from July 31st through August 2nd — and Tennessee's biggest Halloween and horror convention has never looked better. More Info

🗓️ August 7th-9th - The 2026 Kerbela Shrine Circus returns to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center (1600 Phillip Fulmer Way SW). More Info

🗓️ August 8th - Tea & Treasures (4104 W. Martin Mill Pike) — a charming shop billed as "a unique collection of old and new" — hosts its 2nd Saturday Marketplace from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (weather permitting).

🗓️ August 8th - Irish Fest on the Hill returns at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Knoxville, from 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM. The event honors Knoxville's deep Irish heritage through an afternoon of live Irish bands, traditional Irish dancers, kids' games, and classic Irish food — the kind of spread that leaves everyone happy and full. More Info

🗓️ August 9th - Old City Market transforms West Jackson Avenue into an outdoor showcase of Knoxville makers, artists, bakers, and crafters on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM — additional markets are on Sept 20th, Oct 18th, and Dec 13th. More Info

🗓️ August 9th - The Back-to-School Bash at B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena (6709 Maynardville Pike) is happening from noon to 4:00 PM. More Info

🗓️ August 13th-15th - The Flexible Jewelry Event at Fountain City Jewelers (2802 Essary Drive), and it's exactly what it sounds like: a special showcase of bracelets and rings crafted from genuine 14K gold, diamonds, and natural gemstones. The event runs all three days during regular store hours — Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. No appointment needed. Stop in anytime August 13th–15th. More Info

🗓️ August 15th - History Hootenanny returns to the East Tennessee History Center (601 S Gay St) and Krutch Park, running 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM — and the best part is that it's completely free and open to the public. More Info

🗓️ August 22nd - GermanFest Knoxville returns to First Lutheran Church (1207 Broadway) from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM — a full nine hours of German culture, Southern hospitality, and the kind of sheer, wholehearted fun that you can only find at a festival that includes competitive dachshund racing. More Info

🗓️ August 28th - Appalachian Arts Craft Center is hosting Appalachian Voices: Stories, Laughter & Creativity — a special community luncheon celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the rich culture of Appalachian life. The event takes place at the Oak Ridge Conference Center (1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge) from 11:45 AM to 1:15 PM. More Info & Tickets

🗓️ August 30th - The 13th Annual Knox Asian Festival takes over World's Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Presented by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, this is one of the most genuinely immersive cultural events in the entire state — and it's right here in Knoxville. More Info

🗓️ September 16th - Big Kahuna Wing Festival at World's Fair Park; Thousands of pounds of wings; Competitive wing cook-off; Wing eating contest; Live entertainment; Kids activities; Pyro musical fireworks show. 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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