Happy New Year, Knoxville! In today’s edition: Dr. Robert Ivy retires, Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years, Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

New finishes elevate spaces: Dyon Construction announced an expansion of concrete resurfacing services across Knoxville, adding polished concrete, epoxy garage floors, and pool deck upgrades, plus sealing services to improve durability, safety, and appearance — get all the details.

Honoring a trusted healer: KOC hand surgeon Dr. Robert Ivy retired at the end of 2025 after 31 years, former KOC president and Cityview Top Doc whose work left a lasting impact on Knoxville — see his career highlights.

Calm amid critical moments: Jordan Babcock was recognized as Knoxville’s 2025 Police Officer of the Year, lauded for leadership in crisis intervention and efforts that strengthened public trust and support for people experiencing crisis — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!

Highlights this week

• Join Tennessee’s biggest wedding party
• Experience Knoxville’s reptile and exotics expo
• Celebrate 100 years of Globetrotter magic
• Cook Italian classics with your family
• Make stained glass holiday ornaments
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is $150 off

🫶 We got your back

Personal stories in style: The McClung Museum in Knoxville has announced a new exhibition, “Fashioning Ourselves,” featuring over 30 items from its collection exploring how clothing marks milestones, expresses values and beliefs, and helps us navigate challenges. The museum will offer hands-on programs for all ages. The opening reception will be Friday, January 30. Get all the details.

From big box to belonging: An affiliate of the University of Tennessee Foundation purchased the former Walmart on the west side of campus for 26 million dollars. The space, vacant since 2019, will become a student rec center. UT plans to lease it with a 1 dollar per day purchase option as campus expansion continues. Read the full story.

For cozy home vibes: When your space needs an easy upgrade, Knox Haus Candle Co. hand-pours 100% soy candles in their own concrete vessels. Light one, enjoy the scent, then repurpose the vessel… because good-looking things deserve more than a single binge-length cameo.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

Today

🖼 January 2nd First Friday @ Emporium Center | Friday (1/2) at 5:00 PM – First Friday at the Emporium kicks off the year with fresh exhibits, strong coffee energy, and no holiday small talk. See the MLK Gallery of Arts Tribute, B. J. Clark rediscovering Knoxville, Crue Smith’s Winter’s Gap, and Keith Bryant’s Panax Herbarium and Monolith Assemblage.

🍤 Date Night A Taste Of New Orleans @ The Cutting Edge Classroom | Friday (1/2) at 6:00 PM – Date night needs more sizzle and less small talk? Chef John brings French Quarter vibes with a hands-on New Orleans menu, from grilled oysters, gumbo, and crab beignets to bananas Foster, plus an optional cocktail. Consider it couples therapy, with butter.

This weekend

🌿 Ijams Work Party! @ Meads Quarry | Saturday (1/3) at 9:00 AM – Starting the year by tuning up Ijams’ trail flow, this work party is yard work that pays in scenery, lunch, and cold drinks. The Bike Zoo feeds us, they’ve got tools and a plan, you bring water, gloves, eye protection, and a friend.

🌳 Workshop: Beginning Genealogy @ East Tennessee History Center | Saturday (1/3) at 1:00 PM – If you keep meaning to dig into your family tree, consider this your nudge. A beginner-friendly workshop at the History Center covers charts, free research sites, software, and smart tips, led by Ann Blomquist of Tennessee Ancestors. It’s free, but you do need to pre-register.

🎭 Kimberly Akimbo @ Tennessee Theatre | Saturday (1/3) at 2:00 PM – Take a break from routine and grab a seat at the Tennessee Theatre as Broadway’s Tony-winning Kimberly Akimbo rolls into town, all heart, humor, and high notes. It makes you laugh, then quietly wallops you, and yes, Market Square cocktails await.

🎻 Knoxville Symphony Orchestra @ Bijou Theatre | Saturday (1/3) at 2:30 PM – Nothing beats the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra live, strings humming, timpani in your chest, and that moment the conductor lands goosebumps. Trade Netflix for crescendos and top-shelf musicianship, then pat yourself on the back for having taste. Grab tickets, enjoy downtown, and call it a night.

✨ Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show @ Covenant Health Park | Saturday (1/3) at 6:00 PM – Covenant Health Park turns into a glittering snow globe for the Smokies Winter Wonderland Light Show, enough twinkle to make your porch lights feel inadequate. Stroll with cocoa, snap grandkid-approved photos, and let ORNL FCU pick up the power bill. Low stress, high sparkle.

🌿 Moss Meander @ Ijams Nature Center | Sunday (1/4) at 2:30 PM – Remember when moss meant fairies were afoot? Join an Ijams naturalist for a mellow, 1.5-mile meander to ID species, nerd out on why it holds the forest’s story, and feel smug about noticing green things again. Free parking, no fairy wings required.

Next week

👩 Glow & Grow @ Printshop Beer Co. | Thursday (1/8) at 5:00 PM – Knoxville’s women who run things are kicking off a private, ticketed launch built for connection, collaboration, and community. Think less awkward mixer, more purposeful meet-up with inspiration, real conversation, and the Maker City brain trust. Tickets are dropping on Eventbrite, so keep your inbox handy.

🍸 Cocktails? Yes! @ NOI Knoxville | Friday (1/9) at 6:30 PM – Yes to cocktails, yes to awards, yes to supporting the folks actually doing the work in Knoxville. YES! Knoxville’s first-ever fundraiser serves up clinking glasses, light bragging rights, and the kind of mingling you don’t dread, all for a cause you can feel good about.

🎧 Soundscapes @ Knoxville Museum of Art | Friday (1/9) at 7:30 PM – Soundscapes at the KMA returns with music, art, and the kind of dance cardio your knees approve of, as Atlanta’s Solful Hornz salute Earth, Wind & Fire. Galleries are open, a cash bar and bites await, and members get in free, kids under 12 too.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

• 1/2 Live @ The Pirate Tavern – 9:00 PM
• 1/2 SkyWay 61 @ Preservation Pub – 9:00 PM
• 1/3 SkyWay 61 @ Sonny’s Original Southern Pub – 8:00 PM
• 1/3 The Jaystorm Project @ Finn’s Restaurant & Tavern – 9:00 PM
• 1/4 Folk Punk Sunday @ The Boocherie – 6:00 PM
• 1/9 Soundscapes @ Knoxville Museum of Art – 7:30 PM
• 1/9 SkyWay 61 @ Finn’s Restaurant & Tavern – 9:00 PM
• 1/10 Matt Cordell: Elvis Tribute Show @ Open Chord Stage – 8:00 PM
• 1/10 Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons @ Knoxville Museum of Art – 8:45 PM
• 1/16 Sam Williams @ Open Chord Stage – 8:00 PM

🏠 Price is right – Knoxville edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Sahel Naimy (Wallace)

Set in Westmoreland Hills in West Knoxville, this one-owner 1987 residence spans 5,453 square feet and blends classic design with flexibility. An oversized garage suits cars, gear, or a workshop. Above it, a skylit bonus room with 9 foot ceilings joins a second hobby room. Formal dining and living rooms anchor the entry. A family room opens to a vaulted sunroom overlooking the fenced backyard.

A main level ensuite with kitchenette and private entrance adds versatility. The kitchen connects to a breakfast area and family room. Upstairs offers a primary suite and three bedrooms. Laundry on both levels, with paint refreshed in 2024.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →