Jack Neely

• Knoxville: The Unexpected Outdoors Wonderland Published 05/15/2013 at 4 p.m.

  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 ...

• Internationally Renowned Saxophonist Greg Tardy Finds His Way Into Knoxville's Jazz Community Published 05/15/2013 at 11:40 a.m.

  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 ...

• The Elusive Specialty: Of Hot Dogs, Grilled Cheese, and Biscuits Published 05/15/2013 at 10:41 a.m. 1 Comment

  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 ___”?

• Averageville: Is Knoxville the Typical American City? Published 05/08/2013 at 11:14 a.m.

  I’ve been talking around that conclusion for a long time, without ever daring to suggest that particular superlative.

• Downtown Business Owners Question Rossini Festival's Move to Henley Street Published 05/08/2013 at 11:01 a.m. 2 Comments

  After 12 mostly successful years on Gay Street and Market Square, the city will be moving the Rossini Festival’s unusual street fair in 2014 to Henley Street, between Main and Clinch, saying it is responding to business owners’ complaints. Jack ...

• Where the Boxcars Are All Empty: The Mysteries of Harry McClintock's Knoxville Youth Published 05/01/2013 at 10:28 a.m.

  If you’re a student of folk music, over 50, or both, you can sing along with an unusual song called “Big Rock Candy Mountain."

• The National Profile: Some Weird Resonance in the News, and an Appreciation of Terry Morrow Published 04/24/2013 at 12:18 p.m.

  Knoxvillians of a certain age have been struggling avoid a certain comparison, but maybe it’s time to go ahead and get it out. Consider two brothers, successful businessmen, the more outgoing of whom has gubernatorial aspirations.

• Robinella Announces Upcoming New Album, 'Ode to Love' Published 04/24/2013 at 9:59 a.m.

  Robinella, one of the most credible local almost-hit-it-big stories of the last decade or two, is still around, with its unusual jazz-country sensibility and its popular lead singer, Robin Bailey.

• Better 'n You! A Few Reasons Why We Should Stop Citing State Rankings Published 04/17/2013 at 10:40 a.m.

  State rankings are kind of like ethnic slurs. We can use them as punchlines of jokes about being grateful for Mississippi, and as motivating tools to talk about ourselves. But when someone else uses them, it can rankle.

• New Centennial Conservation Expo Promises to Conjure the Spirit of the Enormous, Influential 1913 Fair Published 04/17/2013 at 10:22 a.m. 1 Comment

  On Wednesday, with some Edwardian fanfare, Mayor Madeline Rogero and her staff announced the centennial celebration of the National Conservation Exposition of 1913. If all goes according to still-unfolding plans, this year’s Centennial Conservation Expo will be an unusual Saturday ...

• Best Meat & Three: Chandler’s Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  This sunny soul-food buffet, now a decade old, has become an East Knoxville institution.

• Best Salads: Trio Café Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  This Market Square cafe-with-patio offers probably the most conspicuous salad bar downtown.

• Best Jazz Band: Donald Brown Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  Originally from Memphis, East Tennessee’s best-known jazz pianist is a former member of Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers, with several albums of his own (hear Piano Short Stories) and has been a familiar figure in town for 20-odd years.

• Best Breakfast: Pete's Coffee shop Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  Pete’s breakfast is now both politically historic and literary.

• Best Concert Venue: Tennessee Theatre Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  Kind of a shoo-in in this category, the Tennessee Theatre has won many times before. But it got more national attention in 2010 than it has in any calendar year in its 82-year history, except for maybe the night back ...

• Best Thing In/About Knoxville to Surprise Newcomers With & Best Place To Break Up: Market Square Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  A colorfully historical jumble of Victorian and early 20th-century architecture on a more personable scale than most of downtown, and 30-odd businesses, mostly local, mostly unusual, is a big part of the 156-year-old Square’s appeal.

• Best Gay Club: Carousel II and Club XYZ (tie) Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  They tied. And why shouldn’t they? They both offer well-stocked bars and regular drag shows in interesting neighborhoods.

• Best Eyewear Shop: Luttrell’s Eyewear Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  Walk into this Bearden business, more colorful in decor than any mall shop, and more comfortable, and you may have the impression you’re visiting a friendly neighbor.

• Best Middle-Eastern: Sitar Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  Bearden’s long-lived Indian restaurant has more competition than it used to, but it’s still a Knoxville favorite.

• Best Wine List: Oodles Uncorked Published 05/12/2010 at 5 p.m.

  A wine list notable for its variety, but maybe more so for its economy.

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