Looking for fresh strawberries and/or humanely-raised local meat? If you're interested in learning more about local food (and the people who produce it), the Market Square Farmers' Market is launching a monthly series of farm tours. The "To the Source Farm Tour" series kicks off on Sunday, May 18, with a visit to three farms in Meigs, Rhea, and Monroe counties.

The tour will visit Tidwell's Berry Farm, a family-owned "ready pick" berry farm in Spring City, Tennessee. The next stop on the tour is River Ridge Farm in Ten Mile, Tennessee, to tour the farm where Dave Waters and his family raise beef, pork, chickens, and other goodies. Regulars to the Market Square Farmers' Market are familiar with Dave as the market's "meat guy." The tour will conclude with an opportunity to pick your own strawberries at Strawberry Knob Farm in Madisonville.

"Eleanor" and I will be going as we continue to explore our local food options. Cost of the tour is $20 per person and shuttle vans (provided by CAC) will depart from Market Square at noon on Sunday, 18 May. The shuttles will return approximately 6:30 p.m. Advance registration is required by Wednesday and space is limited. So, contact Charlotte Tolley at the Farmers' Market booth on Market Days (today or Wednesday) or visit the new MSFM web site at www.marketsquarefarmersmarket.org for additional information in the "Special Events and Programs" section. "Eleanor" and I will be manning a booth for the MSFM this morning at the Beardsley Community Farm's Farm Fest and we'll also be signing interested people up. Other volunteers will be at the farm fest booth in the afternoon to get you signed up, also.

See you on the farm!

I was really pleased this morning to find an interview with Julie and Kevin posted on Design Sponge, a fantastic blog that covers artists and designers from around the world.

The Jackson Avenue ramp between State Street and Gay Street will be closed indefinitely today. City of Knoxville engineers made the decision after receiving a recommendation from TDOT inspectors to immediately shut down the ramp because of structural deficiencies. The city is looking at all its options for addressing the situation. The KNS has more.

I spent much of this morning and early afternoon in Market Square with my Fiancee. Wow! We had such a good time. It started around 10 with breakfast at Trio, then a hand-squeezed lemonade. Golden Girl bought a really nice silver iris pendant made from a spoon handle, and we got some homemade dog biscuits for our pooch. One of my favorite parts of the day was an extended conversation with a couple from Kentucky selling mosaic artwork. They were very nice people, and interesting to talk to. But, hey, that's pretty much the story of our entire festival experience. Good food, good times, good people. I love Knoxville!

Downtown accounting firm moving west

Coulter & Justus president Sam Coulter said the firm is out of space at its current home, in Gay Street's Riverview Tower, and that it seemed like a good financial move to own its own building.

Didn't know downtown Knoxville office space was so overbooked. This should help relieve the overcrowding.

Wow!

Smucker, the current owner of White Lily, has decided to close the White Lily plant in downtown Knoxville. Production will move to another facility. Let's hope it is in the U.S.

125 years! Are there any other businesses in Knoxville that have been around that long? Apparently, Mayo's has been around for nearly 130 years. Anything else?

The City of Knoxville's public art task force has forwarded its report to Mayor Haslam. It can be viewed at

Link...

Thanks, Bill Lyons

The parade will begin in Market Square and end at the future site of the city's new downtown dog park on the southeastern corner of Summit Hill Drive and Central Avenue.

Registrants will receive a doggie goody bag and a royal court will be selected for the best dressed. Grooming and vaccination stations will be on site, as well as food vendors (including gourmet dog treats). Participants may purchase Mardi Growl Parade dog shirts or photos of their favorite pets in front of a Mardi Growl background.

Registration is $8. As required by law, all dogs must be leashed and owners are required to clean up any dog waste.

The $78 million mixed use project will be at the old Supreme Court property. WBIR files this report. Here's WATE. And WVLT. And the Knoxville News Sentinel. Mayor Haslam says this is a private project and no city funds are involved.

Sorry to put two announcements here in one day but I know a lot of folks are dog lovers. This new event that is being held in conjunction with the city's planned new downtown dog park. There is a registration form and new logo to be found at...

Link...

January 14, 2008 - Be a part of Knoxville's first ever "Mardi Paws Parade" - a costume parade for dogs and their owners through downtown Knoxville. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 and will begin in Market Square and end at the future site of the city's new downtown dog park on the southeastern corner of Summit Hill Drive and Central Avenue.

This event is being presented by PetSafe Village and Invisible Fence Brand and produced by the City of Knoxville. It is designed to raise awareness of the city's new downtown dog park and proceeds from the event will go to support animal adoption efforts of the Young-Williams Animal Center.

Registrants will receive a doggie goody bag and a royal court will be selected for the best dressed. Grooming and vaccination stations will be on site, as well as food vendors (including gourmet dog treats). Participants may purchase Mardi Paws Parade dog shirts or photos of their favorite pets in front of a Mardi Paws background.

Early registration is $5 and ends January 26, 2008. Late registration and day of parade registration is $8. As required by law, all dogs must be leashed and owners are required to clean up any dog waste.

The City has inked a deal with Gridiron Burgers to occupy retail space at the new downtown cinema. The City will pay $300,000 to build out the space, and the PBA will lease it to Gridiron for five years. The restaurant hopes to open by summer. Details here.

As most of us remember in addition to the Market Square properties there was other “West” property that were seized by the Fed’s during the money laundering and Drug Sting’s causing the collapse of the (West Market Square Empire). There was James West’s Home Just this side of Asheville, NC a nice 4 BR 3 BA 2 Kitchen Rancher sitting on 2.25 acres purchased April 2004 for 267,000. And there was the close to 100 acres in Hawaii on the BIG Island.

It has come time that both of these properties are now up for auction.
Auction Dates:
North Carolina 176 Ridge Road Candler, NC February 12th
Hawaii Upper Maulua Homestead Road, Ninole, HI Date TBD in March

There will be a meeting Wednesday, November 28, to discuss the development of a dog park in downtown Knoxville.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Annex Community Room of the Emporium Building located at 100 S. Gay Street.

Arf! Arf! Last week at the Mayors' luncheon, Haslam was telling the public he hoped to make Knoxville "the dog friendliest city in this country". This would certainly be a boon for tourists who travel with pupsters and might be seeking a play area. It would also I'm sure be popular with people downtown and close to downtown.

I don't know who this lady is, but it sounds like she's ready to bring some interesting new aspects to the Market Square experience. I like the floor to ceiling glass booth idea anyway. Link...

This is great news. Regal is very happy with the attendance and with the profits.

Expanded details in this KNS article: Link...

The West's Market Square properties have been auctioned off. KNS files this report.

According to the KNS, Cardinal purchased 16-22 Market Sq. for $2,425,000. Hatcher Hill Properties purchased the Pres. Pub building for $400K. M & W Properties purchased the vacant building at 36 Market Sq. for $530K.

Flasback

The News Sentinel reports that Ernie Gross has filed a $3.6 million lawsuit against Mark Saroff in relation to the warehouse fire that destroyed Gross' business. There's also another lawsuit, and a bank has foreclosed on the property.

This Friday, Oct. 5th is the fourth anniversary of Knoxville's First Friday downtown event.

The Knoxville Symphony's Chamber Orchestra will perform on the Market Square stage at 6pm as part of the celebration.

More information and a schedule of other activities here.

Faisal is a charming guy with a real knack for creating delicious dishes. He told me the other day, he is doing "surprisingly well".

The KNS Bottom Line Blog had this to say:

"The cafe, which is open from 10:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday, sells but isn't limited to a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Patrons can find what Petro touts as "global comfort food," including French pressed coffee, tea, wraps, sandwiches, salads and grains."

Read more at Link...

With the interest in the new Regal Riviera a lot of folks are talking about downtown. The following was posted by the blogger formerly known as South Knox Bubba on November 17, 2002 (I hope that date is correct). Ten days earlier city council had broken ground on the public space at Market Square after previously voting unanimously to accept the three-phase plan for Market Square – (1) public spaces, facade improvements to storefronts, Krutch Park extension, (2) Market Square Parking Garage, and (3) a downtown movie theater. I remember reading this with interest and deciding to clip and save it. I just found it while going over old files in a “misc” folder on my hard drive. Interesting reading, going on five years later!

Read more...

Carl Rove Resigns effective end of the month.

Glory be !

But the evil you know.....

I guess the local media is too busy working on the county government stories to cover this story... I just would like to see someone other that the same 3 or 4 folks that own all of downtown buy one or some of these. Wish I had the money. See you at the auction.
_____________

MIXED RETAIL/RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS: 16-22 Market Square, Knoxville, TN
AUCTION DATE: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

3 buildings containing a total of 22,584 ± sq. ft. including leased retail space, restaurant, night club,
and eleven residential lofts. Operating businesses are not included in the sale. Subject to lease agreements. DIP’s are being prepared and will be available for download soon.

_____________

RETAIL BUILDING/RESTAURANT: 28 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
AUCTION DATE: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

2,365 ± sq. ft. building that is presently leased to the Preservation Pub Restaurant. The operating
business is not included in the sale. The second floor is vacant and unfinished. Subject to lease agreements. DIP’s are being prepared and will be available for download soon.

____________

RETAIL BUILDING: 36 Market Square, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
AUCTION DATE: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

12,544 ± sq. ft. four-story masonry building that is vacant. Sits on corner lot with an
unfinished basement. Zoned C-2/Central Business. Subject to lease agreements.
DIP’s are being prepared and will be available for download soon.

PHOTOS ATTACHED

Today was great at lunch at WDVX. RB Morris and Hector Quirko were at their best. The crowd was into it. And RB's new CD was there. Madeline Rogero and Bill Lyons were sitting together in the front row acting like big buddies and this led RB to joke with them read a great poem on Knoxville in not so good days. Maybe it is just me but I think we are at a better place as a community than we have ever been.

The following information was posted by Rumormonger on Knox Blab.

Public Hearing Regarding Environmental Assessment of New Transit Center:

Link...

As a follow up to yesterday's post about the Sentinel Towers TIF, sources close to the developer responded with some additional information about the project from their perspective. In the interest of equal time and fair play, here are some points they say should be considered:

• The developers did not ask for a penny from the taxpayers. They offered what the county says the property is worth. They ask for a TIF, but that abates only the increased value of the property created by the $50 million private dollars they are investing.

• Why a TIF? Economics. It cost about the same to build a 21 floor building here as in Nashville. Or Atlanta. But the rate you can get for rental or sale of space is far, far less. The numbers won’t work for a big building here without some incentive. The developers found a way to do that that (unlike many proposals) doesn’t ask for a penny. And we still pay the capital debt portion of the taxes in both the city and the county. The CBID levy is not abated at all. Every major building downtown (Riverview, FTPlaza, Bank of America etc.) has had public support, usually taxpayers paid for parking and/or land. Taxpayers don’t shell out a dime in this proposal.

• The County ran a very open, public process. The public wanted mixed used and that is what the developers proposed.

Here is a Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF format) about the project.

The KNS has a follow up article on Commissioner Mark Harmon's excellent summary of last night's County Commission meeting and the vote on the TIF for the Sentinel Tower project.

The money quote, from Commissioner Pinkston: "When you think what this might bring to downtown Knoxville, I'm going to vote for it. This may be the jumpstart the city of Knoxville needs."

Hahahaha. Doesn't that guy read Metro Pulse? How many "jump starts" is it going to take? Downtown ought to be hopping like a frog on a hot griddle by now.

And no one has mentioned the irony that the KNS scored huge tax breaks (don't recall the exact figure, but wasn't it somewhere around $5 million?) to move its operations... out of downtown!

And check out the roster of usual suspects looking for another handout from taxpayers. Isn't the City of Knoxville already paying out $10 or $11 million a year in debt service on that empty Convention Center that some of those guys made a bundle on? My, my, all these low tax, less government Republicans looking for another handout from taxpayers.

It seems like nobody can turn a shovel of dirt downtown without a TIF or some other kind of public assistance. Too bad failing schools or folks without health insurance can't get that kind of public assistance.

And one more thing. Has the EPA or TDEC or anybody inspected that former News Sentinel site for contamination from all the chemicals used in the printing business all those years? That could be a ticking time bomb. If it goes off, will the developers come back and ask the taxpayers to clean it up? Either way, just hope they don't dump it in a South Knox sinkhole.

Remember back at the beginning of "Sundown" season when I raised some criticisms of the event, mainly having to do with an overabundance of teenagers, and particularly teenagers who were either finding a way to get obnoxiously drunk at the event, or who arrived in that condition?

I didn't get much backup for my contentions that it's time to look at moving it to another location -- and in fact got attacked, in a couple of cases, for daring to suggest that the concerts are generally not good for retail business (depending on who is playing).

Welp, not only has KPD cracked down on teenaged drunks at the event this year (Yay!), but I see others making the same observations that I did, and wondering whether other locations might be more suitable for the event. I think Sundown is a victim of its own success, and has outgrown Market Square.

Although some might accuse me of being pretty much against everything and figure, much like a stopped watch giving the correct time twice a day, that I'm bound to be right occasionally, I think I'm being vindicated on this score.

Being a curmudgeon is a lonely job. Pay's pretty shitty, too.

Link...

There are children living downtown! No, not under an overpass. In luxury condos!

(Update: in print, front page, above the fold!)

County Mayor Mike Ragdale is right on the money in moving to sell the Andrew Johnson Building. My suggestion would be to move as many of the county employees currently in the AJ to TVA's East Tower.

I have never understood why we put our (public) servants' quarters on some of East Tennessee's most prime, waterfront real estate.

My father and a business associate will be passing through Knoxville this evening and staying downtown (let's assume the Holiday Inn). He asked for a recommendation on a steak house or other nice place to eat.

Considering I have sworn off eating out until my two year old decides that restaurants don't mean race track (I'm thinking 7) and when I forget and take us out anyway it means Chick Filet, IHOP, or McDonald's, I don't feel qualified to make a recommendation on downtown.

I assume The Butcher Shop and Chesapeake's are still going strong. Are there any treasures out there for consideration? If there was one restaurant and one sight to see downtown for an out-of-towner, what would they be?