MetroPulse Stories: Features

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.

Citizen Burchett

gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:58:00 -0000

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is no stranger to headlines, often generated by his particular management style. His detractors complain that Burchett is better at being a man of the people than being a politician, but the truth is more complicated. He may be more comfortable fishing in his trademark Carhartt jacket than in a tuxedo at a benefit, but his unassuming bonhomie is occasionally belied by his sheer ambition. Cari Wade Gervin spends some quality time with the mayor.

EDM Empire: Brian Coakley and Andrea Kerns’ Midnight Voyage Productions Redefines Knoxville’s Electronic Music Scene

mconnergibson@gmail.com (Mike Gibson) — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:27:00 -0000

Brian Coakley and Andrea Kerns have created an unusual business built on electronic dance music. In a town full of venues that either book their shows in-house or rely on one of the most successful promotional agencies in the South in AC Entertainment, their Midnight Voyage Productions has carved out it own special niche. In the process, they’ve helped usher in what Spin called in 2011 the “new rave generation” of EDM. Mike Gibson tunes in.

The FBI Transcripts: Cast of Characters

gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:00:00 -0000

This isn’t a full list of everyone who may have been involved in the rebate fraud, or even everyone listed in the affidavit, but this should help you keep your names straight while reading the conversations in the FBI's transcripts of recorded conversations of Pilot Flying J employees.

The Case Against Pilot: Behind the Accusations of Fraud at Pilot Flying J

gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:00:00 -0000

The FBI raid of Pilot Flying J was big news last week—and it got even bigger once the FBI released its affidavit. Contained within are long transcripts of secretly recorded conversations between sales managers that reveal an alleged scheme to defraud the fuel company’s customers by shortchanging them on rebates. Cari Wade Gervin takes a deep dive into the document.

Into the Wild: A Personal Journey Through East Tennessee’s Wilderness

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:02:00 -0000

For our Earth Day special cover, writer (and former Metro Pulse staffer) David Madison expresses the importance of passing the Tennessee Wilderness Act by taking us into said wilderness. Through memories and interviews with the nature lovers he’s met along the way, he shows how keeping this wilderness intact makes Tennessee a unique place to live.

Semi-Tough: Some Less Strenuous Fitness Tips

everettm@metropulse.com (Matthew Everett) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:45:00 -0000

So you don’t necessarily want to get ACTION MOVIE RIPPED!, but you’d like to lose some weight and keep it off, feel better, get a little bit stronger and faster and run farther. In short, you want to get in shape but don’t want to commit to giving it 100 percent all the time—you don’t want to live like a caveman. Here are some tips.

Going Caveman: Will Crossfit Training, a Paleo Diet, and Minimalist Running Make You Prehistoric-Strong—Or Just Worn Out?

everettm@metropulse.com (Matthew Everett) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:43:00 -0000

CrossFit training is the newest cult-like workout regimen. Along with paleo diets and minimalist or barefoot running, it’s part of a cultural trend to get back to our caveman-like habits to find new health. Does it work? Yes—if you stick with it, and sticking with it is way, way hard, as Matthew Everett discovers firsthand.

State of Rebellion: Can Tennessee Really Nullify Federal Law?

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:54:00 -0000

The Tennessee Legislature has been dabbling with the concept of nullification as of late. In particular, our very own Sen. Stacey Campfield, Rep. Bill Dunn, plus area Sen. Frank Niceley have all supported extraordinary bills to “nullify” federal initiatives, especially those having to do with the Affordable Care Act, gun-control legislation, and the National Defense Authorization Act. Can we really do that? Well, no. And here’s what happened the last time a state tried, according to Jack Neely.

Science Project: Can a Pair of West Knoxville Moms Put Together a New, State-of-the-Art Children’s Discovery Center?

paige.huntoon@metropulse.com (Paige Huntoon) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:53:00 -0000

Ashley Klappholz and Ellie Kittrell have a vision: to create a cutting-edge children’s science museum for Knoxville, which they feel is a big gap in the city’s attractions. They have formed a board and have attracted funding for feasibility studies. But meanwhile, Knoxville already has a children’s museum—the small East Tennessee Discovery Center. And its all-star board of community leaders also wanted to build a new museum, but their effort stalled out with economy. So can two moms from West Knoxville succeed this time around? Paige Huntoon takes a look.

Pilots ’N Paws: Pilot Chris Pease Airlifts Adoptable Dogs to States With a Better Chance at Life

kennedyr@metropulse.com (Rose Kennedy) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:32:00 -0000

Chris Pease estimates in the past three years he’s flown dozens of missions on behalf of Pilots ’N Paws, the nationwide organization that acts as a clearinghouse to match private pilots willing to provide free transport with people and organizations who rescue, shelter, or foster animals and need to move them to another location where adoptive homes await.

#StillTenn: Heading into March Madness, Lady Vols Coach Holly Warlick Takes Control

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:00:00 -0000

Holly Warlick’s debut as a head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team this year—after replacing retired legend Pat Summitt—was not terribly reassuring. But the team rebounded from the embarrassing season-opener loss to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and despite a spate of injuries that sidelined three starters, the Lady Vols persevered through conference play and finished strong enough to finish first in the league and get Warlick voted Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. Betty Bean profiles our new team leader.

Runaway Success: Cruz Contreras and the Black Lillies

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:18:00 -0000

The Black Lillies played more than 230 shows in 2012, while also finding time to record their third and most fully developed album, Runaway Freeway Blues. They have earned spirited praise from all over the country, including from Nashville’s country-music industry, and now they’re set to play their first headlining show at the Tennessee Theatre to celebrate the release of their new album. But it all nearly didn’t happen. Ryan Reed profiles Cruz Contreras and his band’s success.

The Way-Back Machine: Knox Websites Could Use Some Updating

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 -0000

Most prominent local websites include outdated information. Many herald attractions and events now in the past. Anachronisms are almost everywhere, even on homepages.

Function Dysfunction: Working Through Knoxville's Websites

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 -0000

Most websites, certainly including metropulse.com, offer puzzlements and creaky dysfunctions, things that aren’t clear or take longer than you’d expect.

Image Problem: How Well Do Knoxville’s Websites Present the City to the World? Um...

neely@metropulse.com (Jack Neely) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 -0000

Ever try googling Knoxville to see what pops up? Unsurprisingly, a lot of public and semi-public websites from government-related organizations. But have you ever taken a good look at them, and considered what kind of image they portray of Knoxville to newcomers? Scary! Jack Neely plunges into Knox cyberspace and doesn’t quite understand what he sees.

World’s Fare: West Knoxville’s Growing District of International Food Markets

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:18:00 -0000

Over the last five years, in what may be one of Knoxville’s most unexpected commercial developments, the area along Kingston Pike from West Hills to Walker Springs has nurtured a growing corridor of international food stores. Dennis Perkins takes us on a tour.

Snack Food International

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:15:00 -0000

Even though exotic fruits and vegetables can be used in interesting and filling meals, one of the best things about prowling through international groceries is finding all the good stuff that’s bad for you.

Reform School: Tennessee's Growing Debate Over School Vouchers

gervinc@metropulse.com (Cari Wade Gervin) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:50:00 -0000

With the so-called “Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Act,” Gov. Bill Haslam has opened the floodgates in Tennessee to one of the most controversial aspects of the education reform movement: school vouchers. Whether you think that change is for better or for worse—well, that depends on a lot of things. Cari Wade Gervin gives us a primer. Gamut: Arts & Entertainment

Old-Time Revival: Traditional Appalachian Square Dancing Slowly Refinds its Footing in Knoxville

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:06:00 -0000

In Knoxville, for the first time in a long time, there’s a quiet revival of traditional Appalachian square dancing and old-time music. One might not think these things need any reviving, but for several decades now the traditional Southern squares have come to be marginalized by more commercially popular square dances. Holly Haworth jumps in.