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Hi Knoxville, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Swan Lake, Andrea Bocelli, Japanese New Year celebration, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Rising talent gains recognition: Gatlinburg-Pittman student William Snyder-Bush was selected for Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Synergy Competition. His asphaltum landscape will be displayed at Maryville College’s Clayton Center March 4 to 26 — get competition and exhibit details.
Sephora addition and more: Marcus & Millichap arranged the sale of the 86,584 square foot Kohl’s on Washington Pike in Knoxville to a locally based investor. Kohl’s has occupied the site since 1997 — see property and lease details.
Swift teamwork on the water: After a calf fell from a bluff into the Tennessee River in Loudon County, a barge crew spotted it and responders rescued, warmed, and reunited it with its mother — read the full story.
Timely safety warning issued: After a Jan. 26 chimney fire in West Knox County, Rural Metro Fire reminded residents to service fireplaces or wood stoves. No injuries were reported and crews contained the fire quickly — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*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:
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🫶 We got your back
Adventure options for everyone: Winter fun is easy to find. A recent roundup highlights spots for skating, skiing, tubing, and sledding around Knoxville. Ice Chalet Knoxville hosts year round public skating and lessons, and Cool Sports offers another local ice option for families looking to stay active indoors. Check out the full roundup.
Access to vital care: Remote Area Medical will host a free dental, vision, and medical clinic in Knoxville February 6 to 8. No insurance or ID required. Services include exams, cleanings, extractions, eye exams, and prescription glasses. Parking opens tonight at 11:59 p.m. and the clinic is first come, first served. Get all the clinic details.
Do-good shopping fix: At Ladies of Charity Knoxville, thrifting fuels community care, with clothing, furniture, and housewares supporting local emergency assistance. A satisfying gem hunt awaits, plus the quiet glow of doing good while scoring something useful.
Craving rolls tonight? When the sushi mood hits, Nama Sushi Bar balances classic nigiri and inventive rolls, with a vibe that fits date night or a midweek treat. A few shared favorites feel like self-care.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
💰 Coin & Currency Show @ Knoxville Coin Show | Friday (2/6) at 9:00 AM – Dust off that jar of state quarters and come nerd out, free admission and all. Dealers are buying and selling coins, currency, bullion, and the odd collectible, with tables of everyday finds and rarities. Bring the kids for free gifts, leave a little richer.
🏡 House & Garden Show @ Knoxville Convention Center | Friday (2/6) at 10:00 AM – Winter cabin fever calls for a pre-spring tune-up for your house, yard, and sanity. At the Convention Center, stroll the Grand Gardens, catch how-to demos, browse the Maker Market, and snag show-only deals from trusted vendors. Bonus, your upgrades help fund Dogwood Arts’ year-round magic.
🌳 Genealogy and Maps Workshop @ East Tennessee History Center | Saturday (2/7) at 1:00 PM – Over at the East Tennessee History Center, this workshop turns maps, public land and metes and bounds deeds, and migration routes into clues for untangling the family tree. Ann Blomquist leads with treasures from the McClung Collection, so bring family info, and pre-register, obviously.
🐾 Meet Your Match Foster Meet and Greet @ Pet Supplies Plus | Saturday (2/7) at 2:00 PM – Looking for a Valentine that doesn’t ghost? Knox Vintage Pet Project brings adoptable dogs to Pet Supplies Plus in Cedar Bluff, a meet and greet that’s basically speed dating with better breath. Chat with fosters, get some snuggles, and maybe find your four-legged plus-one.
🦢 Swan Lake @ Bijou Theatre | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 PM – Swap Netflix for a night of Swan Lake at the Bijou as Grand Kyiv Ballet brings the classic to life, all velvet, violin, and goosebumps. World-class dancers, lush sets, Tchaikovsky in your bones. Dress up if you want, just clap like you mean it.
🎤 Andrea Bocelli @ Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center | Saturday (2/7) at 8:00 PM – Trade the usual Schott roar for goosebumps as Andrea Bocelli turns Value City Arena into a cathedral of sound. He sings, you pretend there’s something in your eye, and everyone remembers why date night is worth a sitter. Dress up, park early, enjoy.
🎍 Japanese New Year Celebration @ Market Square | Sunday (2/8) at 2:30 PM – Snow won round one, so the Japanese New Year celebration hits Market Square on Feb 8 at 2:30 PM. Expect mochi pounding, a try-it calligraphy table, and traditional toys and games, plus that neighborly Knoxville vibe that warms you faster than sake.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Knoxville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 39°F – Low: 24°F – Precip: 1%
Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
This house is wild
This 4,580 sq ft, 6-bed, 6-bath showpiece in historic Sequoyah Hills blends traditional and modern after a recent remodel. Sunlit main level showcases a chef’s kitchen with an extra-long quartzite leathered island, clever storage, and a breakfast nook. A full lower-level apartment with private keypad entry adds flexibility. 2025 HVAC, landscaping, minutes to downtown, UT, Bearden, and riverfront greenways.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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