MetroPulse Stories

Knoxville: The Unexpected Outdoors Wonderland

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 -0000

For decades, Knoxville hailed itself as the Gateway to the Smokies. Not many cities identify themselves by wonders that are an hour’s drive away, but the practice offers obvious advantages. It doesn’t cost anything, doesn’t cause traffic or parking tie-ups in town, and if something goes wrong, it’s never our fault. But lately, that mindset’s been changing. Hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers, fishermen, and other outdoorsy sorts have found many opportunities close by—even, as crazy as it sometimes seems, within city limits. Photographer David Luttrell explores our new urban wilderness.

For Sale: Inflammatory URL, $2,000 (Cheap!)

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:21:00 -0000

Someone does not like KUB very much.

Quote of the Week: "I am very remorseful for my actions..."

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:19:00 -0000

Knox County Commissioner Jeff Ownby has regrets.

The Weekly Plan-It: May 16-May 19

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:17:00 -0000

Highlights of the week ahead: May 16-May 19

More Pride, People!

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:14:00 -0000

David Thompson wants you to be less embarrassed.

Three Favorites From Tennessee’s “Watchable Wildlife” List You Might Witness Riverside

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:11:00 -0000

“Watchable wildlife” is the phrase the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency uses to describe the critters that walk, fly, or swim through our fields, forests, streams, rivers, lakes, and skies. There are more of them than most of us have ever dreamt of in our philosophies.

Shane Carruth's Follows 'Primer' With the Perplexing But Rewarding 'Upstream Color'

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:11:00 -0000

That Upstream Color even exists represents both a triumph and a rebuke to the mainstream film-production system that couldn’t spring for a work this daring and, for all its polish, most likely inexpensive.

Q&A: Nic Arning, Raising Funds for the Hank Rappe Playground at Lakeshore Park

kennedyr@metropulse.com (Rose Kennedy) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:07:00 -0000

Nic Arning is part of a committee raising funds for a universal playground to be built at Lakeshore Park in memory of 3-year-old Knoxville Youth Sports tee-ball player Hank Rappe. Hank, the son of Dr. Matt and Brandy Rappe, passed away in his sleep April 5, two nights before his very first tee-ball game at KYS.

Lady of the Lake: What’s SUP

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:04:00 -0000

No, really—what is S.U.P.? It is the acronym for Stand Up Paddling. Stand-up paddleboards are those large surf boards where people stand on top, using a long paddle to move them along the water.

Internationally Renowned Saxophonist Greg Tardy Finds His Way Into Knoxville's Jazz Community

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:40:00 -0000

He’s maybe not as familiar by sight as some of Knoxville's other jazz players, but judging by the crowds he draws around the world, and the prominent discs that have featured his saxophone, Greg Tardy is one of the most accomplished musicians in Knoxville.

LAKE LIFE CALENDAR, MAY 16- MAY 26

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 -0000

Events near or on the water around the Knoxville area.

Local Music Review: Wesley Wyrick

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 -0000

Wesley Wyrick’s debut album, Second Nature, certainly isn’t an easy listen. It’s a psychedelic collage more than a collection of songs—10 eerie tracks built on left-field samples, electronic spasms, and droning, lo-fi synths.

Q&A: Todd Steed Talks About His New Album of Songs Written in China

coury@metropulse.com (Coury Turczyn) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:55:00 -0000

Knoxville icon Todd Steed’s new album, Songs on a Stick, is a collaboration between Steed and his old friend Owen Davis. The songs were all written while Steed and Davis were in China, where they taught last summer.

Baz Luhrmann’s 'Great Gatsby': All Spectacle, No Heart

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:48:00 -0000

Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby has quite a bit going for it: an epic soundtrack; eye-popping art direction; a titanic-sized (or Titanic-sized) budget, courtesy of co-producer Jay-Z; a number of radiant performances; and source material from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great American Novel. It also kinda sucks.

The Elusive Specialty: Of Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese, and Biscuits

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:41:00 -0000

But do we serve anything worth waiting in line for? Something that we’d say, “When you’re in Knoxville, you just have to try a ___”?

The Dogwood Miracle of Buffalo John

olivejkeith@gmail.com (Olive J. Keith) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:36:00 -0000

Buffalo John works in the cubicle next to mine. He’s built like a Navy SEAL and is frequently leered at by the cougar down the hall. I adopted him as my younger brother on the same day we met Gov. Bill Haslam.

Letter: Literary Thanks

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:34:00 -0000

Doyle: Thanks to all—Ms. Piper, Mr. Turczyn, and audience members—for deepening my experience of community. Thanks to each of you for helping Literary Rounds grow.

Letter: Downtown a No-Fun Zone Once Again?

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:31:00 -0000

Babb: Knoxville has a long history of killing popular festivals.

Letter: The Henley Puzzle

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:28:00 -0000

Manter: Should we infer that the Public Building Authority that runs the park is feuding with someone at the opera or the city or both?

Q&A: Food Writer Francis Lam

gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:27:00 -0000

In this era where everyone who Instagrams his lunch and posts it on Tumblr fancies himself a food writer, Francis Lam is the real deal.