In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather - Cloudy with a High of 59

📰 Pilot and GM Launch Electric Vehicle Charging Network in Knoxville

📰 Remembering Pearl Harbor: Knoxville Veteran Honored on 82nd Anniversary

👮🏾‍♂️ The 12 Scams of Christmas (#9 and #10)

📰 Knoxville Preparatory School's Charter Agreement Approved by Knox County Schools

🐕‍🦺 Pets: Training and Holiday Tips of the Day

📅 New Event Added - Holiday Open House & Corryton Christmas Parade

📅 Upcoming December Events, including Christmas Parades

💡 We Want to Spotlight Your Business!
 

New Events Added:

• Holiday Open House at Sanctuary Day Spa & Boutique: December 16th and 17th from 9am - 5pm, 9700 Kingston Pike. Holiday food, drink, retail sales and more! Get your holiday shopping wrapped up with our free gift wrapping 🎁 & enjoy some Spa treats and door prizes at the same time!
  

• Corryton Christmas Parade: December 9th at 11am.

Pilot and GM Launch Electric Vehicle Charging Network in Knoxville

Pilot and General Motors have inaugurated the first locations of their nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network, including one in Knoxville. This development, in collaboration with EVgo, introduces 17 fast-charging locations across 13 states.

The network includes stops at the Flying J Travel Center in Knoxville. Pilot aims to expand the network to 200 locations with 2,000 fast charger stalls at Pilot and Flying J centers by the end of 2024. The service will be accessible via GM vehicle brand apps, Pilot’s myRewards Plus app, and the EVgo app, with exclusive benefits for GM drivers starting in spring 2024. More Info

Knoxville Preparatory School's Charter Agreement Approved by Knox County Schools

After initially not passing due to Knox County Schools (KCS) leaders' disagreement and a lack of thorough review, the charter agreement with Knoxville Preparatory School, an all-boys charter school planning to open in fall 2024, has been approved.

The agreement, effective through June 2035, had faced challenges regarding concerns about Title IX non-discrimination guidelines and community benefits. With the approval, the school can proceed with enrollment and staffing, operating from the Boys and Girls Club building on Irwin Street.

The revised agreement includes a 90-day notice for building relocation and provisions for school nutrition communication. The charter was passed with a majority vote from the Board of Education.

Remembering Pearl Harbor: Knoxville Veteran Honored on 82nd Anniversary

On the 82nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, Bob Luttrell, a 98-year-old World War II veteran, recalls the moment he heard of the attack as a high school sophomore, a memory that inspired him to join the Navy at 17.

The Knoxville chapter of Disabled American Veterans honored Luttrell, along with other veterans, during a Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance Ceremony. The event also featured Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis, an inspiration for the movie character Forrest Gump.

The 12 Scams of Christmas

This holiday season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) highlights 12 common Christmas season scams. We will highlight two of these scams each day, with today’s issue containing #9 and #10.

9. Fake Shipping Notification Scams: Amidst the rise in online shopping, be vigilant about phishing emails masquerading as shipping notifications. They may attempt to steal personal information or install malware.
   

10. Advent Calendar Purchase Scams: With a surge in advent calendar offerings, ensure you research and read reviews before purchasing. Check the seller's reputation on BBB.org.

Pet Training Tip of the Day

Tip: Sniffing is a great calming activity for dogs - It’s how they learn about their environment.

Today’s Pet Training Tip of the Day is brought to you by Rachel Neubauer of Zoom Room Knoxville-Hardin Valley.

Christmas Season with Pets Tip of the Day

With lots of deliveries this December follow these 3 steps when a delivery person comes to the door:

1. Acknowledge dog barks with a kind word

2. Take your dog to the room with their cozy, safe space while you answer the door

3. Prevent your dog from sitting on guard at a window, door, or in the garden

Today’s Christmas Season with Pets Tip of the Day is brought to you by Carol Logue of KT Walking Paws.

Upcoming December Events

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

Saturday, 12/9:

• Christmas at the Shop: 10 am - 4 pm at the Shop at Corryton, 9403 Washington Pike. Lots of vendors, goodies, and crafts for the kids. A great place to find the perfect, unique gift.

• Christmas Gift Market: 10 am - 5 pm at the Knoxville Expo Center. Over 100 local vendors! See the Grinch from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, Else & Anna from 12 pm - 3 pm, and Santa from 11 am - 4 pm! Cost: $5 admission, kids are free. Questions? Email [email protected] 

• Corryton Christmas Parade: December 9th at 11am.

• Maxxed for Miracles Toy Donation Drive-In: 9 am - 4 pm at 6729 Pleasant Ridge Road. First Annual Event brought to you by Powell Auction & Realty. ALL VEHICLES WELCOME Entry Fee: New Unopened $10 toy. Spectators are free. Food trucks and vendors will be onsite. All donations will go to Children’s Hospital.

• Tour de Lights: 3:30 pm - 8 pm, a Family-Friendly Bike Ride that starts at Mary Costa Plaza. More Info

Sunday, 12/10:

• Cookies & Cocoa with Santa: 2pm - 4pm at Friendly Farm, 1104 Rebel Hollow Rd in Tazewell. Cost: $10 More Info & Buy Tickets

Friday, 12/15:

• "Holiday Dance Party!" with The Streamliners Swing Orchestra: 6:30 pm - 9 pm at The Concourse, 4328 N. Broadway. Cost: $20 at the Door. More Info

Saturday, 12/16:

• Christmas Holiday Market: 9am - 3pm in Halls, Black Oak Plaza. This is free to attend, outdoor event.

• Yoga for Martial Arts: 9 am - 10 am at Warrior Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400 in Oak Ridge. Cost: $20 drop-in or included in membership. More Info

Christmas Parades:

• Saturday, 12/9 @3 pm- 30th Annual Seymour Community Christmas Parade: Valley Grove Baptist Church, 9000 Sevierville Pike

• Saturday, 12/9 @6 pm - Halls Christmas Parade: Starts at Halls High School

Multi-Date Events:

• Safety City’s “Christmas in the City”: December 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th; 4 pm - 8 pm, More Info

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

• Holiday Open House at Sanctuary Day Spa & Boutique: December 16th and 17th from 9am - 5pm, 9700 Kingston Pike. Holiday food, drink, retail sales and more! Get your holiday shopping wrapped up with our free gift wrapping 🎁 & enjoy some Spa treats and door prizes at the same time! More Info

• Holiday Serenity - Yin Yoga: 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm on 12/6, 12 at Warrior Heart USA, 297 Oak Ridge Turnpike Suite 400 in Oak Ridge. Cost: $20 drop-in or included in membership. More Info 

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

Expanding Small Business Saturday into Small Business December

As the holiday season approaches, we have a unique opportunity to transform the success of Small Business Saturday into a broader, more impactful initiative: Small Business December. This initiative is more than just a campaign; it’s a community-driven movement to support our local economy and the small businesses that are its backbone. Small businesses give our community its unique character, create jobs, and invigorate our local economy. By choosing to shop locally throughout December, we not only find unique gifts for our loved ones but also contribute to the prosperity and resilience of our neighborhood.

Our collective efforts can make a significant difference. We encourage each of you to be ambassadors for this cause. Share your local shopping experiences on social media, recommend your favorite small businesses to friends and family, and consider buying your holiday gifts from local artisans and shopkeepers. Local businesses often offer beautifully crafted, unique items that make thoughtful and memorable gifts. Remember, every purchase you make at a small business is an investment in our community’s future.

Let’s come together to make Small Business December a new tradition that supports and celebrates the heart of our community - our local businesses. It’s more than just shopping; it’s about building a stronger, more connected community. Your support can help turn a challenging year into a brighter season for our small business owners. Let’s show them how much they mean to us and make this December a month of local love and community spirit.

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!