In a summer of remakes, reboots and sequels comes “Inception,” easily the most original movie idea in ages. Now “original” doesn’t refer to its chases, cliffhangers, shoot-outs, skullduggery and last-minute rescues. Movies have trafficked in those things forever. What’s new here is how writer-director Christopher Nolan repackages all this with a science-fiction concept that allows his characters to chase and shoot across multiple levels of reality. This is, in some   Read More ...

Knoxville Site No Longer Under Consideration In its ongoing effort to select a permanent location for the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the organization’s Board of Governors has narrowed the options to remaining in its current Gatlinburg location or moving to a new site in Greeneville, TN. The board announced that Knoxville is no longer being considered. The board will now further their discussion with representatives from both Gatlinburg   Read More ...

Award winning band Diamond Rio, who headlined at Patriot Park’s Freedom Festival on July 3, 2010, discovered the Church of God Smoky Mountain Children’s Home during a meet and greet event prior to their concert. Diamond Rio has released seven studio albums, two greatest hits collections and “A Diamond Rio Christmas: The Star Still Shines,” a 2007 holiday album that marked their debut with Word. The band has earned three   Read More ...

It took three films, but “The Twilight Saga” finally nails just the right tone in “Eclipse,” a film that neatly balances the teenage operatic passions from Stephenie Meyer’s novels with the movies’ supernatural trappings. Where the first film leaned heavily on camp and the second faltered through caution and slickness, “Eclipse” moves confidently into the heart of the matter _ a love triangle that causes a young woman to realize   Read More ...

Merger combines more than 550 branded travel centers in North America Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Flying J Inc. announced today the completion of the merger of the two companies, creating an expanded network of more than 550 interstate travel centers and travel plazas focused on superior customer service and enhanced offerings for professional drivers and traveling motorists. The new company, to be called Pilot Flying J, now operates in   Read More ...

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts has partnered with eBay Giving Works to hold the first live, interactive online auction benefiting the nationally renowned arts center.  The auction features twelve works of art created by Arrowmont instructors and will run through Sunday, July 4 at 9 am EST.  100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the school.   Among others, instructors who have donated works for the auction include ceramicist Bede   Read More ...

The National Park Service (NPS) has completed an Environmental Assessment of its planned  Newfound Gap Road reconstruction and has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact  (FONSI) on the natural and cultural resources of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This FONSI clears the way for the Federal Highway Administration to contract for the rehabilitation of the 14.5 miles of Newfound Gap Road from the Park’s entrance at Gatlinburg, Tenn., to   Read More ...

Premier Surgical Associates will serve as a gold sponsor of and participate in this fall’s 14th Annual Komen Knoxville Race for the Cure. Since 1999, Premier Surgical Associates has entered a team in Knoxville’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. This year, Premier also is a gold sponsor of the signature fundraising event for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit corporation credited as the world’s leading catalyst   Read More ...

If you’ve decided it’s your time to take control of your weight, you will want to explore your options. In July, Foothills Weight Loss Specialists will offer two free seminars on surgical weight loss options: Thursday, July 8 6 p.m. Maryville, Tenn. Thursday, July 22 7 p.m. Maryville, Tenn. Since 2002, Foothills Weight Loss Specialists board-certified surgeons Dr. Mark Colquitt and Dr. Jonathan Ray have helped more than 1,000 patients   Read More ...

Wildflower Bake Shop officially has one year under their belt. With all your support they have had a great first year, and hope that they can continue their success within the coming years. To thank you for all of your support, they would like to celebrate with you this Thursday, June 24th, by giving you a FREE CUPCAKE with any purchase. Please plan to stop by! And again, a big   Read More ...