Month: December 2009

B&W Y-12 donates food, money to help increasing demand for Second Harvest Food Bank

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 8, 2009

Second Harvest logo

Knoxville, TN – B&W Y-12 employees delivered food, a $6,500 corporate contribution and more than $2,100 in employee donations to Second Harvest Food Bank today. The delivery is aimed to draw attention to Second Harvest’s efforts to feed the hungry and to encourage other individuals and businesses to contribute.

“Due to economic hard times, food donations are down this year while demand for food is up,” said Second Harvest Executive Director Elaine Streno. In October 2008, 130,000 people, including many seniors and children, needed food from Second Harvest. This October, the number was 165,000.  “We help 159 schools feed over 7,500 kids in East Tennessee,” Streno added.

From its 21,000-square-foot warehouse in Knoxville, Second Harvest provides food to people in 18 counties – Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union. Second Harvest Food Bank works with a network of agency partners such as church pantries, shelters, group homes, community kitchens, schools and many other organizations that serve the needy.

B&W Y-12 operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. President Darrel Kohlhorst and other staff will tour Second Harvest’s facility Tuesday, and Second Harvest officials will be available to discuss their program. If you would like photos after Tuesday’s event, please contact B&W Y-12 Public Affairs:  Ellen Boatner (865-241-4937) or Ryn Etter (865-241-3366).

If you are interested in supporting Second Harvest, or work as part of an agency or food bank and are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call Elaine Streno at 865-850-4284.  For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org

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Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and 450 Agency/Food Partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 145,000 kids, adults and seniors each month.

Santa Spotted Surfing, Sliding and Splashing at Secret Sevierville Getaway

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

WildernessSmall

Sevierville, Tenn. –  Everyone knows December is a busy month for Santa Claus.  With all of the festivities leading up to the holidays, the always-elusive Santa was spotted this week at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville, Tenn. enjoying summertime fun in the middle of winter.  When he isn’t dashing through the snow, the Jolly Old Elf can “hang ten” like a pro – and he proved it, much to the delight of throngs of young onlookers.  Click on the image of Santa below to watch a music video of Santa’s visit to Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Click Photo to watch video of Santa at Wilderness

Dave McGregor, general manager at Wilderness at the Smokies, said he could not confirm nor deny the special visitors, but eyewitnesses claim they recognized Mr. and Mrs. Claus the minute the couple arrived and quietly headed for Runaway Canyon, the resort’s newest waterslide attraction that opened Thanksgiving weekend.  Santa told one guest that riding the new Runaway Canyon slide – with its winding channels and gargantuan tunnels that send riders blasting through explosive turns and 360-degree loops – was like flying behind his reindeer on Christmas Eve.  After numerous rides on the five-story high Runaway Canyon, Mr. and Mrs. Claus slid into lounge chairs next to the indoor wave pool to kick back, relax and read for a while.

Before heading back to his room, Santa spent some time in the wave pool and hot tubs with Mrs. Claus, he then grabbed a bodyboard and hit the SurfRider – where 19,000 gallons of water per minute create a five-foot, ocean-like wave.  Guests were amazed that a resident of the North Pole could have such wild surfing skills.  When he finished riding the waves, Santa received a standing ovation from his adoring fans. 

SurfinSantaWireWith holiday and winter specials and promotions, guests at Wilderness at the Smokies resort can save big on their family getaways right now.  On New Year’s Eve, the waterpark will stay open until midnight and a free New Year’s Eve Party will be open exclusively for hotel guests. The Wild Perks! program offered by Wilderness at the Smokies resort is also available at no charge to all guests and allows visitors to accumulate points toward free resort stays or Cabana Rentals simply by staying at the resort. 

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  With two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

Clayton Homes Expands Its Energy Efficient Housing Line

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 8, 2009

claytonehomelogo

New ehome Boasts Energy-Efficient Features in Affordable Setting

Clayton ehome interior

Clayton ehome interior

Maryville, Tenn. (December 8, 2009) – The nation’s largest homebuilder, Clayton Homes, is unveiling a new product in their line of energy-efficient housing, called the ehome. These fully customizable homes feature an Energy Saver Plus package which is proven to save homeowners money.  The Clayton ehome also leverages the environmentally friendly values of off-site construction.  “These homes are built in climate-controlled building facilities, which drastically reduces waste,” says Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes. “Having energy-efficient features is just one part of it; what sets us apart from any other builder out there is the building process.”  Clayton estimates that construction waste is less than half what a traditional site-built home produces.

The ehome also addresses the changing culture surrounding green building. Earlier this year, Clayton Homes launched the i-house and the response was overwhelmingly positive.  Clayton says, “We have confirmed that there is a demand for energy-efficient housing.”  He says the ehome is an extension of that, bringing green features to Clayton Homes’ core customer.  “We learned a lot in the i-house R&D process,” says Clayton.  “We’re taking those best practices and applying them in a more traditional home.”  Clayton Homes has been building manufactured homes since 1934.

The Clayton ehome

The Clayton ehome

From low “e” Energy Star® rated windows to compact fluorescent lighting, the Clayton ehome is equipped with energy-efficient features. “The cost savings that the home owner will enjoy are as much as $600 a year,” says Clayton.  Homeowners can maximize those savings by customizing their ehome, using the company’s online configuration tool.  The homeowner can select from a variety of floor plans, exterior cladding materials, color schemes, kitchens, baths, window placements, and interior design schemes with the click of a mouse.

The Clayton ehome is now available for purchase.  Customers can go to the dedicated ehome website and customize their energy-efficient home.  The price point is lower than the cost of the i-house, starting at under $49,000.  Model homes are open for tours in 100 cities throughout the United States; for a complete list, visit www.claytonehome.com.

Clayton is committed to energy efficiency not just in the homes it builds, but in all aspects of its operation. Its corporate headquarters was recently awarded LEED certification, one of only 14 certified buildings in the Southeast.

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About Clayton Homes: A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing.  With 35 home building facilities and more than 1.5 million homes built, Clayton is the leading home builder in the country.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com.

Media contact
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

Southeast’s Largest Indoor and Outdoor Waterpark Opens New Attraction – Runaway Canyon

Posted by Rick Laney – December 8, 2009

Sevierville, Tenn. – Wilderness at the Smokies in East Tennessee, the southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort, opened its newest attraction, Runaway Canyon, last week.  Runaway Canyon is located in the Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.

RunawayCanyonSmallRunaway Canyon is a five-story high enclosed waterslide measuring more than 450-feet and featuring a total drop of almost 60-feet.  Using more than 8,000 gallons of water per minute, Runaway Canyon propels up to four people in rafts through a series of exciting, totally enclosed twists, turns and drops.

Runaway Canyon sends entire families rocketing through winding channels and gargantuan tunnels.  This dark journey has you blasting through water curtains, climbing high onto steeply-banked walls, and leaning into explosive turns, 360-degree loops and pulse-pounding dips.

General Manager David McGregor said Runaway Canyon represents an additional local investment by Wilderness at the Smokies of more than $1 million.

“Our guests are going to love Runaway Canyon,” McGregor said.  “It is an exciting slide for the entire family.  Guests are going to recognize that Wilderness at the Smokies plans to give them something new every time they come to stay with us.”

The name “Runaway Canyon” was selected by fifth grade students at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville.  With the help of Principal Jerry L. Wear, Wilderness at the Smokies asked students to help them pick the name of the new attraction.  As a reward for selecting the name, fifth graders from Catlettsburg Elementary were among the first people to experience Runaway Canyon when it opened.

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in June 2008 with the Stone Hill Lodge and Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark.  Six months later, River Lodge and the 60,000-square-foot Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark were added.  In May 2009, Wilderness at the Smokies expanded again with the addition of Lake Wilderness, the resort’s second outdoor waterpark.  Lake Wilderness features Cataloochee Creek Adventure River, the Wilderness Rapids Wave Pool and a set of poolside cabanas.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  With two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and surf rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

FeistyLittleDroid.com Provides Online Community for Droid Phone Users

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 7, 2009

feisty_little_droidFans, users and developers of the popular Google Android smartphone now have a brand new online community where they can learn from each other, share ‘Droid apps and tips, get expert advice, and catch up on the latest Droid-related news and blogging.

FeistyLittleDroid.com will open its virtual doors on December 7, and is sponsored by Cellular Sales, the nation’s largest Verizon Wireless retailer. FeistyLittleDroid offers community members the chance to interact with fellow Droid enthusiasts via a variety of popular social networking tools, including discussion forums, reviews, photos and personal blogs.

Movie fans may recognize the new site’s name as a nod to one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars franchise.

“Everyone’s favorite little Droid in Star Wars was a feisty fellow” said Jay Witherspoon of Cellular Sales. “He was unafraid to back down when challenged, while remaining loyal and eager for friendship. Those are qualities we think reflect the Droid phone and its users, too. So we loved the idea of using the ‘feisty little droid’ reference for our new community.”

To celebrate the launch of  FeistyLittleDroid, the site will be hosting a series of contests and giveaways on the site and through the official FeistyLittleDroid Twitter feed throughout the months of December ‘09 and January ‘10. Prizes will include gift certificates to online retailers specializing in vintage Star Wars toys and collectibles.

Cellular Sales LogoWhile FeistyLittleDroid is sponsored by Cellular Sales, visitors and participants won’t find company sales pitches there. Instead, Cellular Sales intends to offer FeistyLittleDroid as a free community for all Droid fans, no matter where they purchase their phone and service.

“We hope to see the site grow into a premier one-stop shop for Droid enthusiasts who want to develop relationships around their shared interest, and even work collaboratively to create, test and review new apps for the Droid,” said Witherspoon. “We want it to become an entertaining, informative and welcoming home for the entire Droid community. That’s why we have created FeistyLittleDroid with a playful and spirited atmosphere—maybe like the Star Wars cantina, but with less blaster fire.”

Droid fans can create their free online account at FeistyLittleDroid.com beginning on Monday, December 7.

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Media Contact:

Katie Granju, Ackermann PR Digital Communications/Social Media Director
(865) 584-0550
kgranju@ackermannpr.com

Cellular Sales

Cellular Sales is a 15-year old privately held company headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.  The company currently operates throughout the United States.  By year end, Cellular Sales – which attributes its rapid growth to unparalleled customer service – will operate more than 300 locations throughout the country.  For the past two years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing privately held companies. This year, the company was in the Top 100 for retailers.

DROID is a trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and its related companies. Used under license.