A rock band is only as good as the connection that they share between one another…for the boys of The Few (formerly known as Thoroughfare) it was about not only making music but finding something that they could believe in. With the addition of lead vocalist Lindsey Stamey (formerly of Vertigo) it seems as if The Few has taken what once was a well-established rock band and has charted a new territory. With an already energetic fan base and tour dates with some of today’s most well-known rock bands, I sat down with The Few to focus in on their creative stage presence, their music, and what’s next for this explosive rock band from Knoxville, TN. Well…it’s OFFICIAL The Few is like a wrecking ball of rock music in full force and on tour. Tell us about the new band, members, and the background of how all of this started? Everything came together very quickly with The Few.  Colin (drums), Cameron (keys), Thomas (bass) and Seth (guitar)... (more...)

Each spring, Daylight Saving Time is a reminder to reset clocks and to double check safety devices like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Cell phones are no exception. U.S. Cellular recommends updating emergency contacts in your phone and using your phone to reset clocks throughout the house, office and cars. “In Case of Emergency,” or ICE contacts in your cell phone are one of the first resources that emergency personnel use to get in touch with the family of a person during an emergency. Having one or more ICE numbers stored in your cell phone helps emergency workers contact family members and/or loved ones quickly and could even be lifesaving. “Use Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to add or update new primary ICE contact information,” said Jack Brundige, U.S. Cellular’s director of sales for Tennessee. “Updating ICE contacts provides added security and peace of mind.” ICE information should be entered into each family member’s mobile phone contacts/address... (more...)

When the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off March 16, it will mark the first of 64 games that will be played in 13 U.S. cities over 21 days. College basketball players won’t be the only ones competing, as some 37 million Americans will enter office pools this year with hopes of becoming the resident bracket expert in the workplace. No wonder it’s called “March Madness.” Keeping up with a tournament of this size is no small task, especially when a great deal of the early action happens weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In order to keep up with the Cinderella stories, close calls and buzzer beaters leading up to the “Big Dance,” U.S. Cellular offers these tips to help hoop fans manage the madness using their mobile phones: What’s the score? – NCAA Tournament Alerts allow you to keep up with all the tournament action. Individuals can go to www.4info.com to sign up and follow your favorite teams at the tourney. The service provides live scoring updates via text and... (more...)

This season, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be undertaking a number of projects to improve Park roads and facilities that includes campground/picnic restrooms, trailheads, and a popular campground.  Great Smoky Mountains National Park has benefitted tremendously from funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as previously-authorized Federal Lands Highway Program funds.  As a consequence, the scheduled work will result in the temporary closure of several popular roads and delayed opening of some facilities.  The Park’s website (www.nps.gov/grsm) provides a map outlining the project areas and details the schedule of work and timetable for each project to help visitors better plan their visit. The following is a snapshot of this year’s facility schedule: Operating Hours for Visitor Centers – The three visitor centers are open daily and the operating hours through... (more...)

“No worries” might be the mantra for students heading off on a spring break trip, but without proper planning, a vacation can put you to the test. U.S. Cellular wants to help make sure that spring break remains fun with this vacation checklist: There’s no place like roam – Before you leave, check to see if your wireless plan covers your travel destination. U.S. Cellular offers national plans that include free roaming, as well as a $69.99 unlimited national plan that provides convenience and service. Over and Out – Time spent away from family may result in more talk time. Don’t go over your minutes. Sign up for U.S. Cellular’s Overage Protection and receive alerts when you’ve reached 75 percent of your minutes or text messages and another reminder when your reach 100 percent. Overage Protection is a free and easy way to help keep you on budget. If more talking and texting are unavoidable, you can always change your plan at any time with U.S. Cellular. Back me up on this –... (more...)

When: APRIL 27th 2010 What Time: Shotgun start at 1:00 PM Where: Eagles Landing Golf Course in Sevierville How Much: $65.00 Per Person -OR- $260.00 Per Four Person Team Who: Anybody that can use a golf club (properly) Tennessee Fire Service Coalition -AND- Sevier County Fire Chief’s Association Training Center Proper dress attire required Beverages will be available during the tournament Lunch will be served before the tournament Prizes will be awarded For more information or to register contact: Matt Henderson – (865)604-5309 Tony Watson – (865)775-4838 Charlie Cole – (865)654-3782 Sponsored by: Tournament flyer  Read More →

March 5, 2010 – Many of us have grown up playing tee ball on a city ballfield; taking an evening walk with our loved ones on the greenways; or just enjoyed nature in a park. In one way or another, city parks are a part of every citizen’s life in Knoxville. That’s why the City Parks and Recreation Department is launching an Adopt-a-Park program. A press conference will be held on Tuesday, March 9, at 3:30 p.m. in Tyson Park to kickoff the program. “Parks serve as the front yard of our community,” said Mayor Bill Haslam. “A lot of people have a strong attachment to the parks they use and want to do something to help maintain and improve them. This program is a great way for them to become more involved with their favorite parks and it’s also going to be a great benefit to the city.” Several groups have already committed to the Adopt-a-Park program, including the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church, Pluto Sports,... (more...)

March 5, 2010 – Knoxville Zoo is saddened to announce the death of Jackie, a 35-year-old female chimpanzee, due to complications with her pregnancy. Jackie came to Knoxville Zoo in March of 2008 from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with companions Bo and Binti. The move was a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which manages the placement and reproduction of endangered chimpanzees in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the U.S. Upon her arrival, she was reunited with Jimbo, a male chimpanzee who was her long-time companion in Cleveland before his move to Knoxville in 2006. The SSP made a breeding recommendation for Jimbo and Jackie shortly thereafter, and Jackie was confirmed to be pregnant in late 2009. Zoo staff anticipated her to give birth sometime between mid-March and mid-April. Jackie... (more...)

March 5, 2010 – There will be a road closure at Cross Park Drive just west of its intersection with Corporate Drive for a continuation of utility improvements at that site. Both lanes will be closed during the construction. The road will be closed beginning March 13 and is expected to remain closed until at least March 21. AT&T is completing the relocation of underground phone lines in preparation for an upcoming City of Knoxville drainage improvements project at this location.  Read More →

Meet and greet with Dolly Parton highlights the event’s live auction. The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation is hosting its 17th annual Las Vegas Night fundraiser at the Music Road Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at 6 p.m., everyone is invited to join the festivities celebrating the success of a community campaign to raise $10 million, and the recent opening of LeConte Medical Center! The Vegas-themed event includes an evening of play-money gambling, a full dinner buffet, drinks, karaoke, and dancing the night away to tunes performed by Rock-It.  The event also features a silent and live auction. Live auction items for this year’s event include a Meet ‘n’ Greet and photo with Dolly Parton at Dollywood during her annual Homecoming on May 7, 2010; a graduation photo package from Gary Woods Photography; and a two-night stay in a luxurious one-bedroom condo, along with a 50-minute aromatherapy... (more...)