A Christmas Day Walk Through the City

Balcony on Market Square, Knoxville, Christmas 2011

If you don't enjoy close proximity to other people and the hustle and bustle of downtown streets, the city probably isn't your best place to spend time. We've certainly seen our share of high intensity activity in recent days. I've never seen downtown stores and sidewalks more crowded than they've been the last few weeks. And I've loved every minute of it.


Decorations in 36 Market Square, Knoxville

Still, it's nice to have a break from the crowds now and again. Most Sundays are pretty quiet in downtown Knoxville. Holiday Sundays are beyond quiet and Christmas morning was no exception. By the time I roused myself for a long walk in the afternoon, there were increasing signs of life.

Preservation Pub, Knoxville, Christmas Day 2011

The Hotel Oliver seems to have done a good business this holiday season and I saw several families coming and going from their doors. I passed about a half-dozen people in Market Square. The ice rink and every business was closed, though a sign outside Preservation Pub promised they would open at 7:00 on Christmas night. I didn't check, but I bet faithful patrons appeared at the designated hour. I noticed decorations I'd missed when moving among the masses.



Regal Cinemas, Gay Street, Knoxville, Christmas Day 2011



Tennessee Theater advertising V-Roys' New Year's Eve Show

Gay Street showed the most life as it had the only open business I saw all afternoon: Regal Cinemas. You know, the business that will never make it. It had a large crowd waiting for tickets. Couples walked up and down the street or sat in Krutch Park. I met one lady there who deserves a post for herself sometime soon.

A man casts a long shadow on an empty street.

 

A Porsche Boxter in the Old City, Christmas Day 2011

The 100 Block and the Old City were similarly shut down. I passed a few people including my neighbor and our deputy mayor, Bill Lyons out for a walk with his family. A couple of dogs ran about in Dog Park on Central while their owners waiting for the animals to spend their energy. Garbage cans and recycle bins needed emptying. The sun began to set and the air grew cooler. Warm soup and a good book called my name. It was a very good day in the city.

Market Square Holiday Market 2011

Market Square Holiday Market 2011

The Market Square Farmer's Market has morphed over the last three weeks into a combination of some of the same vendors you've come to enjoy (or you should have) from that event with new arts and crafts vendors to form the Market Square Holiday Market. The final day for the market is this Saturday (December 17) and I'd really encourage you to try to catch it.


Crafts at the Market Square Holiday Market

 

Berry Bowl by Audrey Jaccard purchased at the Holiday Market


The action begins at noon with the farmers hanging out to around 3:00 PM and the artists and crafts-persons on hand until 7:00. It is one of the great times of the year to bring the whole family. Start with a light lunch to make the children happy, say at Dazzo's or Coolato Gelato on Gay Street or perennial favorite Tomato Head on the square and then head into the Market where you'll find gifts for many of the people on your list.

Follow that with ice skating for the whole family and then take your weary bones into a nice restaurant like Bella Luna, 31 Bistro or Cafe Four. It's a pretty sweet day. A little Italian Ice or Hot Chocolate after the meal gives you a little something to enjoy as you walk through the beautifully lighted Krutch Park. It sounds like a great place to take a vacation excursion. Are we lucky to live here or what?


Berdeaux's Sauces purchased at the Holiday Market



Holiday Market on Union Avenue, Knoxville, 2011

I'll be traveling for a brief bit of holiday revelry with my extended family, but you can enjoy it for both of us. If you don't make it out for the Market, find your own way to enjoy your family. There may not ever be another Christmas with them like the one you have. Cherish it.

Lost and Found Objects, Friends, Stories on the Street and Happy Endings

Strollstice Group holds candles and sings, Market Square, Knoxville

Recently I donned my coat and hat ready for an evening of pictures on the street. It was the night of the Tour de Lights and the Strollstice. I hoped to sing along with the carrollers and return to take photographs of the bike ride. The last thing I do before I head out the door is grab my camera. That's where the night took an unexpected turn. My camera was not to be found. I had taken it out earlier and made stops at Bliss and Mast, so I hoped I'd left it on the counter as I made my purchases and that I would find it there, safe and secure. Honestly, my first thought was that I hoped I could retrieve it in time to take pictures of the events in question.

I passed the group gathering for the Strollstice. It's a gathering started last year by the late, much loved, Robert Loest, hero of many downtown residents. His idea was to banish the darkness with candles at the beginning of the Winter Solstice after the longest night of the year. A blessing was given by a priest and the group paraded around downtown singing carols into the night. This year's event was also set in remembrance of Robert who died unexpectedly last February.

Strollstice Group sings "Auld Lang Syne" on Market Square

I spoke to Victoria at Bliss who took my number, but reported no camera. I checked the shelves near where I selected gifts for Urban Baby. No luck. My pulse and my pace quickening, I walked to Mast and spoke to the crew at the front counter and looked on the shelves there. Nothing. I walked back home with the sinking feeling that I would have to buy a new camera which is definitely not what I need to spend money on at Christmas. I searched the house again. I returned to Bliss. I returned to Mast. Nothing, nothing, nothing.

Forget the events of the evening, how would I blog at all until I got a new camera?

I decided I had to leave my number there though, realistically, I knew if the camera had not shown up in the first hours since I left it, it would not be returned by someone who was sudddenly stricken with an attack of conscience. I said as much to Amber (pictured in last photo in the Tour de Lights post) who had not been at the counter when I asked the first time. She informed me that a manager had found a camera earlier. The angels sang. I sang (inside). My blogging career would not end, after all.

I found the Strollstice group as they ended their walk. I missed most of the event, but perhaps got the best part. They sang "Auld Lang Syne" on a cold and wet winter night, candles held aloft. Small voices, small glimmers of light. As the group dispersed I talked to friends - not old aquaintances, but good new ones. I felt thankful for the great place I live and for friendly faces on the street. Of course, I felt thankful for my camera.

Cynthia Markert, smiling as always, stands on Union Avenue

One of the most consistently friendly faces downtown is Cynthia Markert. Her paintings are well known treasures, but her warm presence is even more of a jewel. I bumped into her just after the Strollstice gathering ended. She, like myself, was taking pictures on the street of the bikers and enjoying the joy of the occasion and the season. I told her the story of my camera and she told me the story of one of her paintings.

She'd carried a number of her paintings out to her car parked on Gay Street and had driven off, only to realize later that a painting had been left on the street. She said, "Of course, it quickly became my favorite." She thought it was lost forever until she got a call from a couple who found it leaning against the escalator behind the Regal Cinema. They had tracked her down and wanted to return her painting.

So what is the moral of these stories? I'm not sure. I do know that objects lost and found become more precious. I know that there are good, honest people in downtown Knoxville. And mostly I know that I'm happy and proud to find myself among those people.

Sights from an Ending Year

Still Moving, Market Street, Knoxville, December 2010

I usually have a few random images that haven't found a home. I keep running into this truck around town. It is marvelous that is still able to move about town at all and, as such, is a great inspiration to those of us of a certain age who hope we can keep doing the same. My first vehicle to ever own was a 1949 Ford Pickup truck with a busted head gasket. I owned it for only a week or two, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for old rust heaps. I do miss that leopard-skin print ceiling someone had custom-designed for the old girl.

Skating on the Square, Market Square, Knoxville, December 2010

Skating on the Square, Market Square, Knoxville, December 2010

Skating has been a theme for Christmas in the City, as it has for the past several years. It's great to see so many people having so much fun. As I mentioned in a previous post, however, there are those who are raising questions about its continuation. Merchants seem to have mixed feelings about it. There certainly is no way to suggest it adds to the aesthetic quality of the Square. It is without question pretty much an eyesore unless you are standing close to the rink and watching the skaters. Still, there are some days it is packed, so that's worth something.

Holiday Market, Market Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Finally, the Holiday Market pictured here has been on my radar for the first time even though we lived downtown last year when it happened. This was our first year to buy extensively from the Farmer's Market and we absolutely loved that experience - both the good food and the familiar friendly faces each week. So, as it ended before Thanksgiving to be replaced by the Holiday Market, we had some hope of stretching out the great experience. It just wasn't the same. As pictured here, the crowds were often sparse. The weather didn't cooperate given the colder temperatures and unusually rainy month. I hope the vendors did well, but it just didn't have the spirit to which we had become accustomed. It also meant more necessary, but not so attractive vendor tents.

I feel like I'm griping a bit here and I don't really mean to, but one other thing stands out in my mind that diminishes the aesthetic quality of any large event on Krutch Park or Market Square: Porta-Potties. How about some real bathrooms downtown for the general public to use? I understand that businesses don't want a steady flow (bad pun) of visitors to their facilities, but what are the folks to do? It seems like an obvious need that should be addressed by the city. Maybe the new mayor would like to forever be memorialized by permanent public facilities in Krutch Park. Probably not.

Christmas Day in Downtown Knoxville

So Christmas has come and gone, once again. What is it like to experience Christmas in the city? Of course, like anywhere, that depends on the person you ask. For everyone downtown, it's pretty quiet. The streets are empty for most of the day. A soft snow-mist fell for much of the morning before turning to more proper flakes by noon. Few cars passed in the street. In my home the day meant sleeping late, opening gifts with family and enjoying brunch around noon. It was exhausting and, of course, called for a nap. Not much different than the suburbs, right?

I was the lonely recycler.

Mid-afternoon I took a walk to check the pulse of the city. First, I walked to the recycle center to drop off our boxes and used wrapping paper. I was happy to see I wasn't the first to deliver the balls of festive, useless paper to a new life. I took a shot of a little additional urban blight as I left. These buildings could be great. I wonder how they play into the vision of Marble Alley.

State Street blight or Marble City makeover?

Homeless friends panhandling on Christmas day.

Walking down Gay Street, I found these guys. One said he was from Morristown looking for what to do next. The woman kept laughing uncontrollable and the guys told me she needs to take her Haldol. I cautioned them about panhandling in the same spot where Bill and Jake were previously accosted. One of them had a harmonica which he played sporadically, so I guess they could take the busker defense.

Christmas movie goer, Regal Cinemas, Downtown Knoxville, Christmas day

Regal Cinemas had three workers to one customer when I looked, but they claimed to have had a pretty busy day. They were one of the few businesses open. The ice skating rink was open and had about twenty skaters when I looked. I hope it has done well this year, but I've looked several times when it wasn't very busy.

Twenty ice skaters skating, Knoxville, Christmas Day 2010

James Park Home, Christmas Day 2010

I walked down Walnut Street and took a pretty good picture of the James Park house. James Park was Knoxville's second mayor. The foundation dates to 1797 with the actual structure going back to 1812.  It's pretty remarkable that it has survived. It's one of the oldest houses in Knoxville.

Umoja Abdul-Ahad, Knoxville, Christmas, 2010

I kind of hit full-cycle by the end of my walk when I met Umoja Abdul-Ahad. He was kind enough to stand for this picture as he prepared to walk the city, himself. Omoja, I learned, is the executive director of Global Recycle Summit, an organization that promotes recycling. I was relieved I recycled my Christmas wrapping paper rather than trashing it. I would have felt a bit guilty.

Dirty Guv'nahs' New Year's Eve Show

So, the action was slow, but I made a new friend. Not a bad outcome of a little walk in the city. As I turned back onto Gay Street, ice pellets fell heavily and the chill had deepened. I walked past the Bijou marque announcing the upcoming Dirty Guv'nahs' New Year's Eve show. I realized it was a farewell walk to a year that is ending. It's been a good year for our city and here's hoping the next is even better. Starting it with the Dirty Guv'nahs at the Bijou would be a promising beginning, indeed. I certainly plan to be there.

Happy Christmas Everybody

This will be my final post until after Christmas. I may actually skip a few days while I spend time with my family. I hope you each have a wonderful holiday however you celebrate it. I wish for each of you that special, quiet moment where through the din of shopping, commercialism, Walmart and all the noise that runs counter to the true meaning of this day that you feel that special spark that reminds you of its spectacular wonder. For everyone who does not celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a moment of peace during this day and share in a glimmer of the hopefulness this day is intended to give to each of us.

I'll leave you with a couple of videos. These are probably my two favorite Christmas songs. Happy Christmas, everybody.

The first is the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" with lyrics by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The video incorrectly states that his son died in the Civil War. He was shot, but survived.



The second is probably too familiar, but is still powerful: John Lennon's "Happy Christmas, War is Over."

Local Christmas Music for Your Stocking

As always, Knoxville enjoys an embarrassment of riches in the musical arena. This Christmas season has given us at least three new disks featuring local artists. You can't go wrong with any of the three, so head out to disk exchange and pick them up!

The first is by Christabel and the Jons. After much thought and consideration she decided to call her new Christmas album . . . "The Christmas Album." No room for confusion there. This is the one of the three that I haven't heard. It was sold out at Disc Exchange when I inquired. According to the person I spoke to there and a review I read it's about what you would expect: gently swinging renditions of old favorites along with a couple of quirky numbers such as John Prine's "Christmas in Prison." It isn't yet available on itunes or Amazon, but you can get it here or of course, you can get it at Disc Exchange - they told me they would have copies starting Tuesday of Christmas week.

Also available is a new disc by a collection of local artists including the Dirty Guv'nahs, Jonathan Sexton and the Big Love Choir and Jay Clark among others, called "Homegrown for the Holidays." Mostly filled with traditional tunes, my favorites are "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by the Dirty Guv'nahs and "Happy Birthday Jesus" by Jay Clark. While not all the music is superb, what makes this disc a must-buy is the fact the money raised from the sales of the album go to the Knoxville Area Rescue Mission. So you get some good music and a good feeling from supporting a good cause.

Finally, the new CD by Scott Miller is my favorite of the batch. It's called "Christmas Gift" and the only flaw it has is that it is too short, coming in at only seven songs. It has a connection to Christabel's album in its inclusion of "Christmas in Prison." Overall it has a reverent feel without relying too much on traditional songs. It's nice to hear Roger Miller's "Old Toy Trains" and Neil Young's "Star of Bethlehem on the same CD. I only wish he had done a full-length album. I wouldn't mind seeing an expanded version of this one next year. It is available on itunes and at Disc Exchange.

So how about enjoying a bit of seasonal cheer while supporting the local folks?

Bikes, Bright Lights and Biting Cold

Santa and his Rudolph, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

To avoid the Christmas spirit in downtown Knoxville, you must be determined to revel in your inner Scrooge. From Christmas Wrestlers to gorgeous lights, we've got enough spirit to make a Grinch run and hide. The events and fun just keep coming. Tonight was no exception.

Ice Queen and her ride, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

What the Dickens!?! Andi's candles are actually lighted!

Halloween at Christmas?

Thirty eight degrees and a steady drizzle didn't stop dozens of bikers from joining the annual Tour de Lights bike ride through downtown Knoxville. The cold, sloppy night still offered an upgrade from the icy conditions last Thursday when the ride was originally scheduled.

Happy couple at the Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Santa in his sleigh, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

Stars of Bethlehem? Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010.

The ride brought out couples and whole families, old and young, serious riders and the less-than-serious. The spirit of camaraderie in the midst of the silliness and the fun promotion of a simple, pollution-free transportation alternative were really what the night was about.

Adult, Fit Santa, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Gotta have Elves, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

A Christmas Story Lamp - and yes, she rode in heels.

Well paid and happy judges, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

The bikers gathered in a chaotic group at the corner of Market and Union. I understood the start time to be 6:00 PM, then I heard 7:00PM. By the time I heard a rumor it would be 7:30, I was getting about as stiff as my camera which periodically refused to take pictures during the event.

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

Strange Cycle, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010

Tour de Lights on Gay Street, Knoxville, December 2010

It did begin around 7:00 amidst great cheer. Smiles abounded from the riders and organizers to the judges and hot chocolate personnel. In the pictures the drizzle looks almost like the snow from my pictures last week, but it was a slowly soaking mist that must have made the biking slightly dicey in a group at night. The night was cold and wet, but the friendship was warm and real and, in the end, maybe the weather was perfect for a winter time ride with Ice Queens, Santas, Reindeer and everything Christmas.

Happy Hot Chocolate Crew, Tour de Lights, Knoxville, December 2010
(special thanks to second from left who got my camera returned to make this blog possible)