Happy Tuesday, Knoxville. In today’s edition: YWCA shelter renovations, Nutcracker, Santa and Friends, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Springbrook Farm development debate: Alcoa parents raised concerns about Costco, hotel, and distillery near the schools. City leaders acknowledged traffic and safety concerns and plan a traffic signal while coordinating with the school board — see how the city responds.

A look inside: YWCA nears completion of renovations to its East Tennessee headquarters and domestic violence shelter, preserving historic details with space for over 70 survivors to call home soon — see what’s new inside.

Donations fuel park improvements: Lakeshore Park’s next construction phase is underway, adding a terrace between Marble Hall and the Pavilion, a new restroom and accessible parking. Repaving to the Administration Building begins in January — read the full story.

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.

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.

Highlights this week

• Shop holiday gifts at the expo
• Experience holiday harmonies with 150 voices
• Tour Knox County Christmas lights and vote
• Celebrate at the Clayton Holiday Concert
• Join Mike McGill’s charitable Christmas spectacular
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Celebration on the move: Nostalgia on wheels: Knox Vegas Style’s vintage trolley, Molly, is bringing back downtown Knoxville’s trolley charm. Owner-driver Aquayla Maxwell, a former KAT pro, offers private rentals and themed experiences from karaoke to candle-making. Two-hour evening party packages start at $499, and Molly wowed crowds at the Christmas Parade. Get all the details.

Stories of care and recovery: Amid a deep freeze Sunday night, ReLAUNCH kept its downtown Knoxville warming shelter open overnight and is seeking approval to run 24/7. By day (6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), the center offers meals, showers, and basics. Since reinstating the shelter with the Salvation Army, they’ve connected seven people to treatment and reunited four with family. Read the full story.

Indie screens, zero fuss: Skip the multiplex chaos and let Central Cinema in Happy Holler handle your weeknight unwind. This independently run neighborhood spot curates cult gems, cozy seasonal picks, and occasional live commentary. Grab a friend, and let the good-weird lineup set the vibe.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

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 week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🎄 A Grinchy Christmas @ Ancient Lore Village | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and slip into Whoville at Ancient Lore Village for a cozy movie under the stars. Think cookie decorating, green cocoa, and a mischievous Grinch, plus dinner with stuffed mushrooms, chicken alfredo, and dessert. Bring blankets, and patience for candy cane theft.

🍵 Tea Tasting Workshop @ The Kraken’s Cup Tearoom | Wednesday (12/17) at 6:00pm – Trading your third coffee for some actual tea knowledge. This workshop digs into Eastern versus Western brewing, the magic of time and temperature, and a world tour of teapots, plus you get tea, cookies, worksheets, and a brewing guide to take home.

🐦 Ornaments for Bird Lovers @ Burlington Branch Library | Thursday (12/18) at 11:00am – Take a break from errands and get crafty with a Seven Islands ranger, making ornaments for your tree and the backyard regulars. Stitch a wool felt cardinal, craft a wooden pebble art keepsake, or press a birdseed ornament, materials provided, creativity required, kids 10-plus welcome.

🎁 Holiday Market @ Knoxville Expo Center | Friday (12/19) at 2:00pm – Still hunting for gifts that won’t end up regifted? Swing by the expo center’s holiday market, wander rows of vendors, and find something that feels less big-box and more you. Easy parking, plenty of browsing, and zero mall Santa trauma.

🎭 Nutcracker @ Tennessee Theatre | Friday (12/19) at 3:00pm – Holiday classic, upgraded: this Nutcracker packs an international cast, whimsical puppetry, and opulent European costumes, all set to Tchaikovsky. The rare tradition that lives up to the nostalgia, zero mall Santas, 100 percent sparkle, and enough wow to keep the in-laws quiet.

This weekend

🎅 Santa and Friends @ Ancient Lore Village | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – Skip the mall marathon. Ancient Lore Village is going full storybook, with Santa holding relaxed office hours. Bring the crew for unhurried face time and DIY photos, then wander the twinkling lights, festive décor, and cozy nooks. Tickets are limited, obviously.

🐑 The Chronicles of Yarnia @ Cedar Bluff Branch Library | Saturday (12/20) at 12:00pm – If your stash is starting to judge you, come stitch with the Yarnia crew, trade tips, and raid their craft books for fresh ideas. It is a cozy hang for knitters and crocheters, plus the kind of chatter you actually want to listen to.

🍪 Cookie Decorating Class @ Farragut Community Center | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – Whether your icing skills peak at stick figures, or you’ve got a piping bag holstered, this Knoxville cookie decorating class is a sweet excuse to escape the to-do list. Learn a few festive tricks, sip something merry, leave with pretty cookies, and bragging rights.

🎸 Cathie Ryan & John Doyle @ Laurel Theater | Saturday (12/20) at 8:00pm – Skip the mall and sink into An Irish Christmas with Cathie Ryan and John Doyle, longtime collaborators who turn tradition into goosebumps. Songs, stories, and memories from Ireland, plus originals now in the canon, delivered with warmth, wit, and world class chops. No tinsel required.

🚤 Boat Parade @ Concord Boat Ramp | Sunday (12/21) at 4:00pm – Skip the mall and join the Christmas boat parade from the Concord boat ramp to the Ft Loudoun dam. Decorate your skiff, pontoon, or proud tug, then cruise with company, twinkle lights, and shoreline gawkers. No race, just small-town sparkle we pretend not to enjoy.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 The Dinner Detective @ Hilton Knoxville – 6 pm
• 12/16 Simon Moullier @ Tennessee Theatre – 8 pm
• 12/17 Karaoke Night @ Roger’s – 7 pm
• 12/18 Blues Jam @ Open Chord – 7 pm
• 12/18 Christopher Seymore @ Barley’s Taproom – 7 pm
• 12/19 Alicia Harvey @ Nauti K’s Riverside – 6:30 pm
• 12/20 Nutcracker @ Tennessee Theatre – 1 pm
• 12/20 SuperCharger and more @ Open Chord – 8 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Matthew Peters (Hustle Realty)

Basement rancher with 4 beds, 3 baths, and 3,923 square feet in the heart of Halls Crossroads. Sunlit main level puts the primary suite, a well-appointed kitchen, and a dining room that actually flows beside an everyday-livable living room.

A fully finished walkout basement doubles the hangout factor, adding a second living area, bedroom, bath, and flex zones for media, office, gym, or an in-law setup. Quiet, established street close to schools, parks, and shopping, a Swiss Army floor plan in a crowd-favorite location.

Take a peek inside →