Spring Scenes from the City (and a few notes for this weekend)

Dogwood beside the old Courthouse on Gay Street, Knoxville, March 2012

Spring is pretty much here. While all of the trees aren't as green as they will be later, the dogwoods are beautiful and that pretty much says spring in this city. I'm going to leave you with a weekend's worth of pictures to close out March and I'll start your April with a few more. I'm still learning how to use my camera and taking baby steps as I go.

Xylophone player! in Krutch Park, Knoxville, March 2012

As for this weekend, there are a number of downtown events about which to get excited. Here are a few:

• Friday 6:00 - 8:30 PM - Spring kick-off for Alive After Five at the KMA featuring Christabel and the Jons
• Saturday 9:00 AM in the Chamber of Commerce Offices CBID meets to determine guidelines for future grants
• Saturday 2:00 PM, Union Avenue Books: Author Christopher Hebert discusses his novel The Boiling Season
• Saturday 8:00 PM, Pilot Light: Theorizt CD Release Party for "Samurai Love Songs" with Theorizt, Hudson K and Mr. Kobayashi. Plan on staying VERY late for this one. $5 gets you in, $10 gets you in AND a copy of the CD. I have it and it is very, very good.
• Sunday 7:30 AM: Knoxville Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K

I hope to see you at some of these events or just out and about enjoying the record high pollen counts and the beauty that is an east Tennessee spring. I hope you enjoy the pictures. I'll have more in a later post.

View north on Gay Street, Knoxville, March 2012

A Favorite View: From a Table on Market Square, Knoxville, March 2012

Market Square from TVA Plaza, Knoxville, March 2012

Market Square from TVA Plaza, Knoxville, March 2012

Market Square from TVA Plaza, Knoxville, March 2012

First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Knoxville, March 2012

Attack Monkey, 100 Block, Knoxville

Off Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, March 2012

Sidewalk outside Reruns, Union Avenue, Knoxville, March 2012

Lorax window display, Reruns, Union Avenue

Spring, Spanish and Soccer via SLR

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

I'm not sure winter ever happened in Knoxville this year, but it appears spring is here. There are many things to love about springtime anywhere, but in Knoxville we have our own set of cool to enjoy: Rhythm and Blooms, Dogwood Arts Festival, new sculptures appearing in the city and the vibrant blooms of Redbuds, dogwoods and tulips.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

One of the sounds I enjoy whenever I hear it is the sound of other languages being spoken on the streets of downtown Knoxville it makes us seem just a little more cosmopolitan. Most commonly that language is Spanish, but I've heard a variety of other languages, including German, French and Japanese.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Even though the guys who work in Soccer Taco are often found in front of the restaurant with their soccer ball, it's in the spring that I slow down enough to enjoy the easy rhythms of the ball bouncing off their feet, the Spanish words flying through the air along with the ball and the especially the laughter. They seem to feel pure joy as they kick the ball about. The day I took these shots one of them fell as he attempted a fancy kick. I was afraid his friends would hurt themselves as they all fell to the ground laughing uncontrollably.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

I'm trying a few different moves with the camera and hope to work on it more in the near future. These shots were taken using the "sports" setting which is meant to capture action. I can actually shoot high definition video with the camera, but this is more fun.

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Soccer Styling in front of Soccer Taco, Market Square, Knoxville

Signs of Spring

Japanese Magnolias in Krutch Park, Knoxville, March 2011

Spring hasn't officially arrived, but the signs of its approach are all around the city. I even spotted actual landscaping in The History of Country Music Park (AKA Treble Clef Park). We'll have more cold weather, maybe even snow, but that annual battle is clearly swinging in the direction of the warmer contestant. Rita's Italian Ice has re-opened. Crowds have grown on the streets, short sleeves and pants have gained favor and everybody seems to be just a step or two happier.

Dafodils planted in The History of Country Music Park, 100 block of Gay Street, Knoxville

Organized gatherings have increased, as well. Though I missed them, I learned from friends and family that a group in front of the City and County Building protested the current spate of attacks on unions last Saturday, while a wedding happened next door at First Baptist Church. A memorial held the same day on Market Square also protested police handling of the case.

Friends, human and cannine in Krutch Park

Mostly, people are enjoying the opportunity to take the dogs for a walk, meet friends, old or new and enjoy the emerging color. It might be the best time of year in the city. In the past when the days grew longer, I knew that meant longer days for me as I toiled in my west Knoxville yard. Now, it means time for an extra walk alone or with the people I love. Spring is a pretty sweet time. Enjoy.

Even William Sargeant (the statue) has to love this tree.