Tag: Knoxville

Local developers announce plans for unique, urban retail development featuring Publix and Walmart

Posted by Ryan Willis – January 4, 2012

Knoxville, Tenn. – Plans are underway for Knoxville’s first urban, vertical retail complex, built over covered parking and featuring two major brands from the grocery and retail industries.  This distinctive multi-story structure will revive the look and feel of a turn of the century factory, adapted for an urban shopping and dining experience for visitors. 

University Commons will cover 12+ acres, with 211,000 square feet of retail space and parking.

Both Walmart and Publix have made commitments to be a part of this project planned for the former Fulton Bellows site, adjacent to the University of Tennessee.  In addition to both Walmart and Publix, more than 40,000 square feet will be dedicated to smaller retailers and service providers. 

The retail complex will fill a grocery and retail void in the downtown area, including providing grocery/supermarket services in a federally designated “food desert.” A food desert is considered a low-income census tract (LICT) where a substantial number of residents have low access to a supermarket or large grocery store.

“With the commitment from Publix, we will provide a grocery and supermarket service not currently available and one that is much needed in this area,” said Mike McGuffin, a partner with CHM, LLC.  “Downtown residents, students on campus, residents from Alcoa Highway and other local neighborhoods, will all greatly benefit from the convenience University Commons will provide.” 

The University Commons project will have an approximate economic impact of $226 million on the Knoxville community and create more than 1,700 jobs.  “We’ll be able to provide job opportunities to low-income residents in this area, making it easier for them to get to and from work each day,” added McGuffin. 

With the current property classified as a brownfield site, the development of University Commons will return a non-productive real estate asset to productive use, while anchoring several other major public and private development efforts in the area.  “This project along with the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project will be great complements to each other,” said Jim Harrison, a partner with CHM, LLC.  “Together, these projects will make this semi-suburban area that is often used as a pass-through into a safe and attractive urban district for the community.” 

There are many hurdles involved in redeveloping this site, including securing the funding necessary to successfully complete the project.  “Because the current site is a brownfield, we will acquire some substantial expenses required to properly clean up the site, along with construction costs necessary to build this unique, vertical complex,” said Harrison. “We will be seeking funding for the project through real estate and sales tax TIFs and through the New Markets Tax Credit Program.” 

“University Commons will absolutely not happen unless we are able to secure the necessary funding through the TIFS and the NMTC.” 

The project is being developed by CHM, LLC, a Knoxville-based development team.  Members of the team include Budd Cullom, Jim Harrison and Mike McGuffin. 

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Boys & Girls Club members to enjoy ice skating and lunch in downtown Knoxville

Posted by Sarah Malak – December 19, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. – Tomorrow, one hundred youth from Boys & Girls Clubs in Blount, Loudon and North Anderson Counties will experience a day in downtown Knoxville full of fun and holiday memories – all sponsored by Regal Entertainment Group.

The youth will be given hats, scarves and gloves, admission to Holidays on Ice skating rink in downtown Knoxville’s Market Square and lunch at a downtown restaurant.

The event is tomorrow, December 20. Group One will eat lunch at Downtown Grill & Brewery from 11 a.m. to noon and ice skate in Market Square from noon to 1:30 p.m. Group Two will eat lunch at Latitude 35 from noon to 1 p.m. and ice skate in Market Square from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

“We are so thankful to Regal Entertainment Group for sponsoring this field trip to downtown Knoxville for our youth,” said John D. Lee, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. “Tomorrow’s activities will create lasting memories for the youth who participate – and enjoying an afternoon in downtown Knoxville will be a first for many of these kids. It will truly be a day to remember.”

Please contact Sarah Malak Pope at 865.584.0550 (w), 615.542.2999 (m) or spope@ackermannpr.com to arrange interviews and/or a visit. Boys & Girls Club staff and youth will be available for interviews.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs currently serves more than 5,600 youth and teens, ages 5 to 17 years throughout the Tennessee Valley region. The organization also provides 404,401 USDA hot meals and snacks annually for youth free of charge. The Clubs serve a variety of youth, more than 80% of whom live with a single parent, foster parent or other nontraditional guardian. There are 16 Club locations strategically placed throughout Knox, Blount, Loudon and Northern Anderson Counties. The organization employs more than 260 trained, professional, caring staff and welcomes more than 1,200 volunteers annually. It is a charter member of United Way.

Media Contact:
Sarah Malak Pope
Phone: 865.584.0550
spope@ackermannpr.com

Titanic Snow Princess Brings Holiday Magic to the Mountains

Posted by Rick Laney – November 22, 2011

Titanic Museum Attraction's "Snow Princess"

Pigeon Forge, TN – The folklore of the Smokies tell of mystical characters traveling through the misty woods, bringing the winter snow and frost with them as they paint the region in sparkling crystal. From across the Atlantic, a new personality has arrived to bring the fantasies of the season to life in the mountains as the Titanic Museum Attraction welcomes the Titanic Snow Princess for the first time ever to the Smokies. With each magical visit, the princess’ arrival will be heralded with real, falling snow from the great ship’s bow.

“The Titanic Snow Princess is a shining star for this year’s Titanic Christmas in Winter Wonderland,” says John Joslyn, expedition leader of the first private exploration dive to the Titanic and owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction. “She represents the magic and mystery of the holiday season common to children in 1912 and today.”

The Titanic Snow Princess brings the fairy tale legends of her own home across the waters to the peaks and forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, delivering holiday enchantment beginning Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday, Friday and Saturday Thanksgiving week only at 6 p.m.) and continuing every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. through December 17 at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. The Snow Princess will arrive by horse-drawn carriage and, with the wave of her hand, will light the winter night with thousands of Christmas lights and decorations aboard the Titanic as the invisible sprites of the mountains magically create a snowfall from the ship’s bow to welcome the fairy tale royalty.

The Titanic Christmas in Winter Wonderland extravaganza features thousands of holiday lights, Edwardian-period decorations, costumed merry-markers, a magical Gift Shoppe brimming with original, one-of-a-kind gifts and a return of last year’s crowd favorite, the legendary weekend snowfall.

“Every day, but especially at Christmas, we remember and honor the men, women and children who sailed on the Titanic. At this special time, our guests truly experience what it was like onboard the ship in 1912, and how it might have looked on a Christmas voyage almost 100 years ago,” says Joslyn.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, opens daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Titanic Branson has welcomed more than four million guests and Titanic Pigeon Forge boards approximately 100,000 “passengers” each month.

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

Scoop’d Celebrates Grand Opening with Fundraiser and Free Ice Cream Giveaway

Posted by Shane Rhyne – September 14, 2011

Knoxville, Tennessee – September 14, 2011 – Scoop’d, a locally-owned independent ice cream parlor, is celebrating its grand opening this weekend with a scoops of ice cream-inspired fun, including a chance to win free ice cream for a year. Scoop’d will also be raising money for the “We Back Pat” general fund in support of Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. The festivities begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, at the ice cream parlor at 11519 Parkside Drive.

Scoop’d is the brainchild of Greg and Crystal Stinson and is an independently owned modern-twist on the old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Ice cream in the shop is made in micro-batches in the store and includes an ever-changing rotation of traditional and exotic flavors. In addition to super-premium ice cream, the shop has also been introducing East Tennessee to the taste of traditional Hawaiian shave ices.

During the grand opening weekend, visitors to the ice cream parlor may register for a grand prize drawing of free ice cream for a year. The lucky winner will receive coupons good for a free ice cream purchase each week for 52 weeks. The winning name will be drawn at the conclusion of the grand opening weekend.

The grand opening weekend will also include an opportunity to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc.’s “We Back Pat” research fund. Beginning on Thursday, September 15 and continuing through September 30, Scoop’d is donating all profits from the sales of its Orange Dream ice cream to the fund.

Other activities at the shop during the weekend will include a mystery flavor guessing contest and special discounts on purchases.

Scoop’d is open from noon to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The ice cream parlor includes plush seats, a modern soda fountain bar, and a private party room available for hosting special events. In addition to ice cream and Hawaiian ice treats, the parlor also serves coffees, lattes and espressos.

For more information about Scoop’d, visit the ice cream parlor in Turkey Creek at 11519 Parkside Drive or online at www.scoopdicecream.com. Scoop’d fans can also keep up to date on news, polls about new flavors, discounts and more through the ice cream parlor’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.

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Media: Photos are available upon request.  For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Shane Rhyne  at (865) 584-0550 or srhyne@ackermannpr.com

Treat your little princess like a real princess at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s first-ever ‘Princess Tea Party’

Posted by Rick Laney – September 13, 2011

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – A magical day awaits little princesses throughout East Tennessee when the Titanic Museum Attraction has its “Princess Tea Party” starting Sept. 24, 2011.  For the first time ever, young ladies from across the area will be treated like royalty and aristocrats on board the world’s most luxurious and most famous ocean liner to ever set sail.

An English tradition dating back hundreds of years will come to life at Titanic Museum Attraction’s Princess Tea Party.  The English began drinking tea in the late 1650s, but with the high costs involved, it was normally a drink reserved almost exclusively for the very wealthy.  But, on Sept. 24, all princesses will enjoy an “afternoon tea” during the Princess Tea Party.

Each princess will experience an afternoon tea very much the way First Class passengers aboard RMS Titanic did.  Maids played an important role in serving tea on board the ship and they will be on hand to serve guests and teach them proper etiquette, table settings and serving skills.

First Class Maid Jamie will also be teaching mini-manner lessons during this time-honored ritual in gracious living.  Guests will be served classic finger sandwiches and cookies and will be given a Titanic fun patch to commemorate their participation in this special event.

Once the princesses have finished their afternoon tea they will be given a tour of the Titanic Museum.  The museum, which has already been named one of the Smoky Mountain Region’s top “must-see” attractions, hosts approximately 100,000 “passengers” each month.

The Princess Tea Party is open to children, ages 5-15 and will be held on Saturday, September 24.  The cost is $22 per child and $25 per adult (this includes admission into the Titanic Museum and the Tea Party).  Seating for the party will be every hour, starting at 9 a.m., with the last seating at 6 p.m.  Space for this signature event is limited and reservations are required.  Please call 800-381-7670 to make reservations.

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

East Tennessee Girl Scouts’ Museum Gets Makeover for Centennial Anniversary

Posted by Shane Rhyne – August 5, 2011

Girl Scouts of the Southen Appalachians logoKnoxville, Tenn. – (August 5, 2011) – With the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts coming up in 2012, the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians is in the midst of renovating the Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place.  The renovations have been ongoing for several weeks thanks to the help of a number of volunteers, including several University of Tennessee interior design students completing a “Service Learning” project.

All former Girl Scouts themselves, Cassidy Barnett, Deanna Olson, and Melissa Vincent, have spent many hours in the museum over the past several weeks, painting walls, arranging exhibits and gaining valuable experience they can utilize after graduation.  When given the opportunity to complete their required summer practicum course through a “service-learning” option with the Girl Scouts, each of the girls jumped at the idea.

“They were each thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the Girl Scouts and the museum renovation,” said Mary Beth Robinson, associate professor with The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design.  “Service-learning experiences – an option available as part of a required summer internship – give our students the chance to work with non-profits in the community and really apply what they have learned in a setting they may soon experience after graduation.”

The Girl Scout Museum at Daisy’s Place features hands-on exhibits and displays of unique Girl Scout memorabilia.  The museum features a library with a number of historical Girl Scout-related publications on camping, singing, crafts and other activities.  Guided tours and vintage uniform try-on sessions are also available.

“Our museum is such a special place and we are grateful to have so many wonderful artifacts and pieces of history to share with the public,” said Gail Yook, chairman of Daisy’s Place Executive Committee.  “With the help of our volunteers and these three young ladies, we will have a beautiful new museum for troops and the general public to explore.”

Renovations are expected to be completed in mid-August and will then be open to the public once again.  Admission is free, with hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.  The museum is located in the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians Service Center in Knoxville.

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About Us
The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians serves nearly 20,000 girl and adult members stretching from North Georgia to Southwest Virginia. Service centers are located in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City. Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The council offers financial assistance to ensure that every girl who wants to be a Girl Scout has the opportunity to join this vibrant organization.

Cellular Sales opens four new stores

Posted by Sarah Malak – July 29, 2011

Cape Girardeau, MO Cellular Sales location (Projected image; store is currently expanding.)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Cellular Sales, a premium Verizon retailer, has opened four new stores nationwide in the past week. The new stores opened in Denver, Pa., Tampa, Fla., Cape Girardeau, Mo. and Lockhart, Texas.

Currently, Cellular Sales has more than 400 stores across the United States. Sales consultants for the company earn an average of more than $51,000 per year.

Cellular Sales is an 18-year-old privately held company founded and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.  For the past three years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest growing retail companies in the country.

For more information about the new Cellular Sales stores, visit www.CellularSales.com. For more information on joining the company, visit www.JoinCellularSales.com.

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Tampa, FL New Cellular Sales Store, Located on Waters Avenue

 

Media Contact:
Sarah Malak
smalak@ackermannpr.com
865-584-0550

Nils Gaddis, D.O., Rejoins East Tennessee Medical Group

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – July 21, 2011

ALCOA, Tenn. – Nils Gaddis, D.O., will rejoin the internal medicine staff of East Tennessee Medical Group, 266 Joule St., Alcoa, Tenn, accepting new patients August 1.

Nils Gaddis, D.O.

Dr. Gaddis has been working as a hospitalist at Blount Memorial Hospital for ETMG for the last several years.  He received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. He completed his internship and residency at the Indiana University Department of Internal Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind.  At this same time Dr. Gaddis also served as the on-call physician at the Indiana University’s emergency room. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Ind.  He has been employed by ETMG since 2003.

Dr. Gaddis is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine.

East Tennessee Medical Group is a 50-provider multi-specialty medical group in Alcoa, serving Blount County for over 15 years. For the third consecutive year, ETMG has been recognized as the #1 Healthcare facility in Blount County by The Daily Times Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

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Neal W. Atchley, M.D., Re-joins East Tennessee Medical Group

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – July 7, 2011

ALCOA, Tenn. – Board-certified family practice physician, Neal W. Atchley, M.D., will rejoin the primary care physician staff of East Tennessee Medical Group, 266 Joule St., Alcoa, Tenn, accepting new patients August 1.

Neal W. Atchley, M.D.

Dr. Atchley earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tenn. He completed his family practice internship and his residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in Huntsville, Ala.  He is a member of the American Association of Family Practice.

East Tennessee Medical Group is a 50-provider multi-specialty medical group in Alcoa, serving Blount County for over 15 years. For the third consecutive year, ETMG has been recognized as the #1 Healthcare facility in Blount County by The Daily Times Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

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Media Contact:
Ron German
(865)984-ETMG
rgerman@etmg.net

East Tennessee Students win Alcoa Foundation Scholarships

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – June 1, 2011

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—Alcoa Tennessee Operations and the Alcoa Inc. Knoxville Office announced today that three high school seniors have been named Alcoa Foundation scholarship winners.

Carlos Garcia, son of Adrian and Raquel Garcia of Knoxville

Carlos Garcia, son of Adrian and Raquel Garcia of Knoxville, has been awarded a $6,000 scholarship from Alcoa Foundation. Garcia is a recent graduate of Farragut High School where he was a member of the National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta.  He was co-captain of the soccer team and was ranked fifth in his graduating class.  He plans to major in civil engineering at Texas A&M University beginning this fall.

Patrick Givens, son of Scott and Dodie Givens of Knoxville, has also been awarded a $6,000 scholarship from Alcoa Foundation. Givens graduated from Bearden High School where he was an AP Scholar.

Patrick Givens, son of Scott and Dodie Givens of Knoxville

A member of the National Honor Society and the Bearden High School Student Government, Givens was also a three year letterman on the Bearden golf team.  He will be attending Vanderbilt University, majoring in engineering.

In addition, Kimberley Owen, daughter of John and Linda Owen of Knoxville, has been awarded a $6,000 scholarship from Alcoa Foundation.  Owen graduated from Bearden High School where she was a National Merit Commended Scholar.  She was president of Mu Alpha Theta, as well as a member of Student Government Association, Key Club, French and National honor societies.  A first degree black belt, Owen will be attending Clemson University in the fall.  She plans to study chemical engineering.

Kimberley Owen, daughter of John and Linda Owen of Knoxville

These Alcoa Foundation scholarships are payable in four annual installments of $1,500 each.  These three students were awarded the scholarship based on academic achievement and potential, leadership ability, volunteerism/community service, and character, and were selected by a national panel of university professionals.

The award is part of Alcoa Foundation’s Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program which recognizes outstanding academic achievement by high school seniors.

During the 2011-2012 academic year, Alcoa Foundation will assist more than 180 students in the U.S. with their undergraduate college education.  These students represent 46 Alcoa locations in 18 states.

Since 1953, the Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program has recognized outstanding academic achievement by awarding more than $19 million in scholarships to more than 3,500 students.

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately $436 million.  Founded more than 50 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $530 million since 1952. In 2010, Alcoa Foundation contributed nearly $20 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, focusing on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders through education and learning.  The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa’s thousands of employee volunteers, who in 2010 gave more than 720,000 service hours.  Through the company’s signature Month of Service (October) program, Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities. In 2010, a record 49 percent of Alcoans took part in nearly 1,000 Month of Service events across 24 countries, reaching 59,000 children, serving 17,000 meals, planting 16,000 trees and supporting 3,000 nonprofit organizations. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, please access http://www.alcoa.com/foundation

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Contact:  Christy Newman
Alcoa Community Relations
865-977-3358 or 865-250-9155