Celebration of Life for Douglas Young Dec. 9

Pasquale Bettio

From Pasquale Bettio: Famour artist, and Doug's best friend in Los Angeles: "We created so many projects together. World hunger projects, American Communities of Friendship,Los Angles Creative Capital of the World, Sharing Friends of the Arts, Hollywood International,www,.TheArteryUSA.org, and a number of various projects with the Hollywood Art's Council, Miricale Mile Civic Coalition, connecting Oak Ridge Tennessee, the city,the fire department,city council, the Los Angles Fire Department community projects with Scientology, The Rose Brest Cancer Society Department of Recreation and Parks The Living Museum Of Artography and Assemblage, the Oakridge museum of science exchanging art and a portrait from Emmanuel Snitcouskt of Albert Einstein which stand in the lobby.

As I write this I am realizing I could go on for hours. Please go to www.salute America.org and appreciate the creation of so many sayings that we all use today, EXTRA EFFORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, THERE'S A WINNER IN YOU to name two. His writings include one hundred motivational poems and several books, hundred of articles, scripts, briefs and he created the Dance Hall Of Fame with noted chorographer Joe Cassini."

Doug Young--dead at age 63

Douglas Lindley Young, also known as D. Lindley Young, and Doug Young, 63, passed away on Tuesday, December 4 at his home in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was suffering from throat and neck cancer.



Young was preceded in death by his father Carlo Young, brother, Allen Young, cousin, Dr. Van Vandergriff and wife Judge Maxine Thomas. He is survived by his mother Barbara Mason, of Daytona Beach, FL, son, Scott Young and grandson, Gabriel Young, both of Knoxville, sister and brother-in-law Rob and Tonie Bayman, of Houston, TX, sister Stephanie Wilson of FL, brother Jeffery Young of NC, uncle Fred Young, aunt Ruby Vandergriff, cousins Pat Wrinkle of Knoxville, Becky Loree of Brentwood, Nashville, Jean Blanton, of KY, and friend, Barbara Arfa Slaughter of Florida. Longtime friends from Los Angeles, CA included artist James Pasquale Bettio, choreographer Joseph Cassini, and singers Freda Payne and Sherri Shirelle.
Doug Young grew up in North Knoxville, and graduated from Fulton High School in 1968 where he was a member of the winning football team, a member of Who‘s Who and was awarded honors for leadership. He met his lifelong, best friend, Herb Newton, at Fulton High School. Young attended the University of Tennessee for two years before moving to Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles and attended the California College of Law. He passed the bar exam on his first attempt in California and practiced criminal law in Los Angeles for numerous years. Young’s clients included Marvin and Frankie Gaye, Freda Payne, Ike Turner, Sly Stone the former wife of writer Harold Robbins and members of the Billionaire Boys‘ Club. Young moved to Florida due to health reasons, returning to Knoxville to take care of his ailing father.
While living in Los Angeles, Young created the Salute America Organization and The Winner in You Award and organized and hosted an event that was the “largest national day of award giving in history.” Young’s theme was “There is a winner in you.” Young was also one of the founders of the Annual Super Celebrity Event to End World Hunger, organizing and planning the first gala held in Los Angeles in 1983. One of the joys of his life was to see others receive awards for merit and achievement.
In 2003, Young, known on air as Wild Bill Lindley, began the radio show Salute America at Horne Radio Station 850 AM. The show was a political talk show that focused on national and international news, but, also included guests from the local political arena. Doug's son, Scott Young, was the producer, the board was handled by Tracy Meares, and the co-host, who was added September 2007, was Martha Rose Woodward, writer with the Knoxville Journal. He was also founder of the Modern Tribune, an on-line news site.

Due to that show, Young met Renee Wheeler, owner of the Knoxville Journal and Martha Woodward, writer, who would become his dearest friends.

Young’s numerous hobbies included computers, writing, lecturing, reading, politics, studying history, giving awards, hosting radio shows, walking and he was an ardent fan of University of Tennessee sports.
Young was most recently employed by Renee Wheeler of the Knoxville Journal Newspaper as political writer and spokesperson.

A 2 Z Landscaping and Lawncare Josh Shipley

Landscaping and household repairs going on at our house this week.

5th Floor of Sunsphere Opens in 2012

After months of struggling with fire codes and regulations from the Public Building Authority, Tony Cappiello has opened the Icon Ultra Lounge on the 5th floor of the Sunsphere.

Cappiello, who has exclusive rental rights to the space on the 5th floor of the 30 year old theme structure of the 1982 World’s Fair, said he has invested an estimated $450,000 to renovate the space. The capacity is now 120 making it three times larger than its predecessor, The Skybox.



Cappiello said he chose to light up the floors, bars and tables so guests could be "wowed by the experience."



Cappiello said that his plans took into consideration the panoramic view and placed seating in special areas so guests can enjoy the sunsets. He added two-seat tables near the windows and large, over-stuffed booths to round out the new theme.



A new electrical system was installed, the floor was reworked and stained sky blue and a fireplace was added to create a cozy corner. A DJ booth, a second bar and two additional restrooms were also added.



The Rain Bar, which has a continuous stream of water that flows through the bar top and into a nearby water wall, is on one side. The Sun Bar is on the other side and is topped with onyx and covered with gold tufted panels aimed at capturing the look of the famous gold glass panels.



Cappiello said that he studied other bars in cities such as Chicago, Las Vegas and New Orleans. "We wanted to make it an upscale, higher-end establishment," he said.



Cappiello is an attorney and developer who also purchased the Lord Lindsey, another downtown landmark that he plans to convert into a nightclub. Cappiello said that he enjoyed designing the Icon Ultra Lounge himself. “Choosing the colors, materials and furniture is one of my favorite parts in the process," he said.



Since parking is always a problem at the Sunsphere, Cappiello said spaces are available at the nearby Knoxville Museum of Art, in the lot next to Church Street United Methodist Church and the Locust Street parking garage next to the YMCA. He says he will provide a golf cart to circle the grounds and plans to add a valet service in the future.



Icon Ultra Lounge is closed on Mondays and is open 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.



The 4th floor of the Sunsphere contains the Observation Center and is open from dawn to dusk most days of the year. It is free to the public, however, shoes and shirt are required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No swimwear allowed. The 6th floor of the Sunsphere is open for rental through Sara Spangler and can be used for small to large parties, weddings, and other events. Call 865 363 9538 for information about how you can rent the space.





5th floor of Sunsphere reopens with Tony Cappiello

5th Floor of Sunsphere reopens as 2 bars

Flight---A very bad movie; do not waste your money on seeing it.

Blue jean quilt

Blue jean quilt made for Jana by Martha Woodward

Ted and the Bug-eyed Cat by Ric Morgan

Ted and the Bug-Eyed Cat







Ted did not know where he was. He wasn’t exactly lost, he just had somehow managed to get far away from what he considered as home. It wasn’t really confusing or upsetting, just a little unsettling.



Ted lay in a large round clearing surrounded by a thick woods. A narrow pathway went off the Ted’s left, but where did it go? How did he get here? This was definitely not Ted territory.



Ted’s back was nice and warm, something that rarely happened, so he rolled over, putting all four of his legs in the air and began to warm his belly, too. His giant paws hung limp and loose. He was feeling good at the moment. This is not normal behavior for a polar bear, he realized, but wasn’t so bad—almost pleasant in spite of the fact he didn’t know where he was or just exactly how he got there.



As his luxuriant fur coat warmed in the sun, Ted became drowsy again, as his eye lids began to fall and grow heavy with sleep. “Peace,” he thought, “peace.” He was comfortable—not hungry or thirsty—just as peaceful as a bear could be under these circumstances. If only he knew where he was.



Ted didn’t know how long he had been asleep when he heard the sound of piece of wood snapping as someone stepped on it. It was slight sound, almost inaudible, so whatever was coming must not have been very big. Ted didn’t feel frightened or fearful, so instead of his usual response of leaping up and confronting whatever was coining, he just staying on his back, rolling is head back and forth to see what might have made the sound.



There it was again, the sound of a breaking twig, only this time louder and closer. Ted swiveled his head around until he was looking over the top—his line of vision upside down. Again the sound of a twig snapping, only very close this time and from the direction Ted was looking.



Out of the dark woods and into the clearing filled with sunlight, stepped a large orange and white stripped cat. Ted had seen lot of cats before, but this was the biggest he had ever seen. The head was huge and two eyes bulged from its face, below which were a white muzzle with very long whiskers and a pink nose. Those enormous yellow eyes gave it a very determined look as it marched directly toward Ted.



Ted stayed on his back and looked at this creature with some dismay. He blinked his eyes several times trying to get a better focus out his recent sleep. But what he saw didn’t change and as a matter of fact was getting closer as Ted stared at it. It stopped for a moment and stared back at Ted.



After this harmless staring contest the cat up and walked closer to Ted, finally sticking his nose lightly against Ted’s large black nose. They sniffed each other for a moment, then the cat walked around Ted sniffing him several places. One place the cat sniffed startled Ted and he flinched as the cat’s cold nose touched his butt.



After sniffing Ted all over the cat walked up to Ted’s huge left paw just dangling there and the cat started to lick it, and continued for quite some time. Following that the cat walked around to Ted’s head and began licking his forehead. Ted was enjoying the pampering until the cat suddenly stopped and looked at Ted’s eyes. The huge bug-eyes of the cat unnerved Ted a bit because it felt like that cat was looking deep inside of him.



The cat walked around to the other end of Ted and climbed up on his stomach and punched around for a bit looking for the softest place. Once the cat had found a spot to its satisfaction the cat lay down and began to bathe. It seemed to Ted to be long, drawn out process, but when the cat was eventually done, it began licking on Ted’s bright white, almost blinding coat. Finally the cat settled down and went into a deep sleep quickly.



Now what was he supposed going to do. Ted realized his back now hurt from laying on it so long, but he couldn’t very well rollover with the sleeping cat on his stomach. At that point a fly began to annoy Ted, flying all around his head and face. Ted swatted at it with his right paw, the motion momentarily awake the cat, that let out a small meowing sound, then put its head down and went back to sleep.



Ted took a deep sigh and just lay there. He wasn’t particularly tired or sleepy himself, since he had done so much sleeping earlier. Ted’s mind began to wander back to the question of where he was and how he got there. The problem was he rather liked where he was, being off all that vast tundra of freezing ice and snow where he had lived all his life until now. The longer he pondered his situation the more tired and sleepy he became, finally drifting off to sleep with a large yellow cat snoozing on his stomach.



Ted awoke when the cat awoke, stood and stretched, yawning in such a way as to show a vast cavern of teeth, tongue and throat. The cat got up and moved around a bit. Ted thought he might be looking for another place to lay back down, but instead the cat walked off Ted and around to Ted’s head. Ted took advantage of the situation and rolled back onto his stomach before the cat could make up its mind what the do next. Ted folded his front legs under himself and lay his head done on the ground. It felt really good to be off his back. As a matter it was a bit sore from laying on it for so long.



The cat walked around Ted’s hulking, massive body until it reached a spot right in front of Ted’s face. The cat sat down and scratched its right ear with its hind paw, then sat and just stared at Ted. Ted just started back.



In a moment the cat stood, walked close to Ted’s face and licked Ted’s large black, wet and cold nose, then turned and walked down the pathway Ted had noticed earlier. He thought about getting up and following the large scruffy, disheveled bundle of flesh and fur, but he thought better of it.



Ted decided he was hungry now and was going to have to go foraging for something to eat. Ted stood up, turned around a couple of times to get his bearing, sniffed the air with his highly developed sense of smell, then picked a direction and headed off into the woods to see what he could find to eat that would fill him up and taste good. If only he knew where he was and how he got there.

Tom Mattingly's New book about Smokey-the-dog

Come dressed as Elvis for Costume contest at Asia Cafe

Halloween Costume Contest Sunday, Oct. 28 at Asia Cafe

Asia Café Hosts Halloween Costume Contest, Sunday, 28th October 2012. Come dressed in your best holiday costume. $0.98 cents Dragon & Mermaid Draft all day. Judging begins at 8 p.m. $50 to first place winner.

Skipper and Phillip Lim at Bikini Contest at Asia Cafe

Asia Cafe--6714 N. Central Avenue

Phillip Lim, owner of Asia Cafe

Asia Cafe--Where East Meets West

Jimmy Lim, Go Bananaz Cafe owner

Jimmy Lim, Go Bananaz Cafe

When Jimmy Lim, an immigrant originally from Malaysia, opened his restaurant, Go Bananaz Café , in November 2011, in Farragut at 11151-D Kingston Pike, his plan was to sell both Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.



The gregarious owner says he named the restaurant in a humorous way. “When I say ‘Asian’ and I also sell Mediterranean, it doesn’t match. Going bananas is better than going crazy,” he teased.


Lim’s brother, Phillip Lim, established the successful Asia Café, located at 6714 North Central and Callahan Road in 2007 and has seen his business grow. Jimmy Lim hopes Go Bananaz Café will catch the same fire.



Lim says he depends on Austin, a family member, and a great kitchen staff to prepare the southeast Asian menu Tuesdays through Saturdays, including a limited number of Mediterranean dishes. However, on Sundays, the restaurant serves only Mediterranean cuisine, including gyros and pitas.

“We concentrate on historic, tried and true recipes from the two cultures,” Lim said.

“We offer cold beers for patrons, and diners can bring their own wine for a cork fee.”

Lim said he understands some might consider it “bananas” to mix Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. He says some might ask, “Are you nuts? Have you gone bananas?”

Lim said most of the restaurant’s dishes are priced under $10, including soups, salads, traditional Asian dishes, hibachi and sushi. There will also be daily specials at even lower prices.



All of the dishes are made with only fresh ingredients. “I provide only the freshest meats and vegetables--what is in season. I shop and refuse to purchase inferior products. People in Farragut want the best and I provide it. Only fresh foods give the tastes we are after.”

Go Bananaz Café seats about 40 and also offers take-out dining options.

“It took a while for customers to find us,” Lim said. “We have provided tasty food at fair prices. We pride ourselves on friendly service. When customers get to know us, they return as we become like family.”



Lim says Austin and he discuss the menu with customers. “We can make foods as hot an spicy as they want, or cool them down,” he explained.



Lim says he spends a lot of time talking to his customers. He enjoys hearing about their lives and counts them as friends.

Go Bananaz Café, 11151-D Kingston Pike, is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Call 865-671-1888. Lim says for customers to come on in and give him a chance. He will please you with great food.

Foothills Quilters of Maryville, to host Quilt Show--11-2

Members of the Foothills Quilters of Maryville, Tennessee, invite the public to attend their 12th Quilt Show to be held November 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 West Broadway (across from the Municipal Building in downtown Maryville at the intersection of 411 and 321. There is no admission fee to attend the show, which will feature, in addition to the quilts, bed turnings of antique quilts, demonstrations, a boutique and both opportunity quilts and baskets. A special exhibit of the Appalachian Trail Challenge wall hangings made by members of the group will be displayed.

13 Year Old Farmer, Birke Baehr to be seen on CTV

Homespun Hobbies on CTV; Channel 6 or Channel 12--the show runs for 15 minutes


Saturday October 6 @ 7:15pm Birke 1

Tuesday October 9 @ 2:15pm Birke 1


Saturday October 13 @ 7:15pm Birke 2

Tuesday October 16 @ 2:15pm Birke 2
Saturday October 20 @ 7:15pm Watermelon

Tuesday October 23 @ 2:15pm Watermelon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH BIRKE BAEHR will air: Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 4pm, this Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6pm, and this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 10:30pm.

It is 24 minutes in length.

Tee-shirt quilt made by Martha Woodward

Loida, favorite singer at Asia Cafe, also a server

Asia Cafe--Hot Night of Karaoke

Karaoke--Extremely Popular at Asia Cafe

According to Wikipedia, “There are disputes about who invented the name karaoke. Daisuke Inoue of Kobe, Japan is said to have been the first person to use a machine in which recorded music of popular tunes lacking the vocals was used in the “sing-along” style. However, in the USA from 1961–1966, the American TV network NBC carried a karaoke-like series, Sing Along with Mitch, featuring host Mitch Miller and a chorus. Viewers could sit at home in the comfort of their living rooms and sing along as the tunes played while the lyrics were superimposed near the bottom of the TV screen.”

Many families have fond memories of gathering around their TV screens for a weekly time of family fun. The primary difference between Karaoke and sing-along songs is the absence of the lead vocalist.

As newer and more high tech inventions followed, the ability for singers to sing-along to cassettes and now to cds has grown. DJs can now use machines on which thousands of tunes are stored, awaiting to be chosen by anyone who has a desire to sing karaoke style.

Karaoke became popular in the USA in the 1980s. Most recently, it has made a huge comeback. Several sites in Knoxville offer this fun style of musical performance weekly.

I dropped in one night at the Asia Café located on 6714 N. Central Pike and Callahan Road, to check out live performances of karaoke.

First, I had the preconceived notion that most karaoke singers were probably not that good. I expected to have to sit through lack-luster performances. Not the case.

On the night I attended Karaoke Night at Asia Café, DJ Darrell Wallace was deep in concentration as he prepared the loud speakers and computer equipment needed by the performers. Wallace began the night with a Travis Tritt hit, but said that his favorite singer is Bob Seger. Wallace does karaoke for fun, but also sings for weddings and performs at other special occasions.

Up next came Ralph, a retiree, who says he enjoys singing karaoke because it “gets me out of the house two times a week.” Ralph is a widower who says his daughter encouraged him to take up karaoke as a hobby. He said, “It makes me feel good and I meet nice people.”

Ralph has been singing since he attended Farragut High School where he won a talent contest. He sings mostly country songs, but will sing classic rock on occasion. He sang, “After the Lovin’” and “For the Good Times.” Ralph’s voice was smooth and he kept perfectly to the beat. He gave a great performance for which the audience clapped and cheered. He is obviously one of the Asia Café’s favorite performers.

Animal, a member of the band, “Listening Post,” sang a hard rock song, “You Give Love a Bad Name,” as Darrell Wallace joined in on the chorus.

Ken, another member of a local band, who has a beautiful voice sang “I’ll Wait for You.”

Lorida, a server at Asia Café, is also a popular singer. Members in the crowd called out to her, “Sing Whitney Houston’s song.” She sang, “I Will Always Love You,” to everyone’s delight.

Several other singers rounded out the night of fun.

Two other DJ s are hosts for karaoke at Asia Café, Big Daddy and Danny Smith. The three DJ s alternate weeks and cover both Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. until around midnight. Big Daddy does more Oldies and Classic Rock, while Danny Smith uses more country tunes. But, each of the three will play the tunes that suit the customers. All karaoke performances are free to singers and audiences.

The night ended with a big bang of what else, “Rocky Top.”

Asia Café’s owner, Phillip Lim, says karaoke is extremely popular. He invites everyone to join in on the fun each Friday and Saturday night in his restaurant.

Karaoke Great Fun at Asia Cafe Phillip Lim, Owner

Animal and Darrell rock on down with a oldies hard rock song at Asia Cafe on Friday, Sept. 30, 2012

Davis Limbaugh and I have become Twitter pals.

Martha Woodward @Sunspherebook 19 Sep


@DavidLimbaugh What was O doing on Letterman while the Mideast is in flames? Poor timing; disrespect to families of dead Americans.

David Limbaugh

@DavidLimbaugh @Sunspherebook Nothing shall interfere with his re-election myopia
08:22 AM - 19 Sep 12

from David Limbaugh on Twitter this week :)

@DavidLimbaugh Love your comments. Did you see this? youtube.com/watch?v=sZZ7pp…

Michael Williams, editor/writer

Michael Williams, writer/reporter

Michael Williams, editor for the Sevier County News and part-time writer for the Knoxville Journal Newspaper, was well-received as the guest speaker for the Northside Kiwanis Club’s noon meeting at the Foundry on September 12. William told the club members about his book, Stranger Than Fiction: the Lincoln Curse, a collection of 50 interesting, historical events that Williams says are “…the weird and bizarre twists of history.”.




Williams said that, “Studying the strange and unusual aspects of history is like taking a road less traveled and discovering facts seldom chronicled and often overlooked in the grand scheme of historical research.” He said that he had been interested in history since he was a young boy.



Williams said that he spent nine years of freelance writing for more than 30 magazines and newspapers, before he went to work for the Citizen Tribune newspaper in Morristown, Tennessee where his knowledge of history paid off well.



One of the aspects of his job that Williams enjoys is interviewing people who have experienced historical events first hand. One interview he conducted was with Frank Buckles, who, at the age of 107, was the last veteran of World War I. Williams said that he also interviewed Dutch Van Kirk, the navigator of the Enola Gay which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. He interviewed veterans of Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and D-Day as well as a survivor of the U.S.S. Indianapolis tragedy. He has interviewed numerous politicians, actors, country music stars, athletes, authors and comedians.



In 2008 he covered a funeral that would prove pivotal in his career as a writer. It was the funeral of a sailor killed in World War II whose body was discovered in 2007 and returned home in 2008, 65 years after he was killed. The funeral was in Sneedville, Tennessee, and Williams’ story was picked up by the Associated Press and ran in newspapers across the nation. He soon began stringing for the AP.



Williams said that his fascination with strange historical facts prompted him to write “Stranger than Fiction: The Lincoln Curse,” a collection of 50 stories that have to be true because no one could make them up.



Michael Williams lives in Sevierville, Tennessee with his wife of 29 years. He also works as a contributing writer for the Associated Press and the Civil War Courier. He can be contacted at www.seviercountynews.com.

Michael Williams speaks ar Kiwanis Club 9-12-12

Order a copy for $9.00

TN Solar Energy Association Hosts D-I-Y Solar Workshop



Joyce Chao, programs director for the Tennessee Solar Energy Association, announces a conference to be held at the UT Conference Center, Thursday October 18th, 2012.



According to Chao, “The Tennessee Solar Energy Association (TSEA) in collaboration with the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC), is holding a workshop for those interested in installing solar for their homes, businesses and farms.”



The workshop will be held at the U.T. Conference Center in downtown Knoxville, also known as the former Miller‘s Building. The date for the workshop is the evening of October 18th beginning at 6 pm and ending at 9:30p.m. Details are available on TNSolarEnergy.org and a way to sign-up for the event is found under the Events heading of the website.



During this educational workshop, experts will give you all the information needed by parties that are interested in solar for their home or business and are looking to reduce the cost by doing some or all of the work themselves. You will receive a manual containing articles on each aspect of solar purchasing of equipment and how the equipment is assembled to produce electricity from sunlight. The manual will contain examples of home solar projects as published in Home Power magazine who has given permission to make copies of the most relevant material for you.



Stephen Levy, the organization’s technical director, said, “After all, if there is one source of power you can rely on, it is the sun. It has been doing its job for some millions of years so reliability is a non-issue. With all the current challenges and changes that have been happening in our country recently, we need to be active more than ever to make sure solar energy takes off in the near future.”



Registration may be completed using the convenience of PayPal or your credit card. The cost for the dinner buffet, the manual and the instruction is $30 for everyone except for TSEA and TREEDC members who will have a $5 discount. The cost is kept as low as possible; a confirmation will be sent by email. Space is limited to 40 persons, so sign-up today. Free parking will be available at the Locust Street garage across the street from the U.T. Conference Center.



The Tennessee Solar Energy Association is a non-profit charter- member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). TSEA is dedicated to educating Tennesseans about the many unique benefits of using solar energy. TSEA invites all solar energy professionals, educators, policy makers, business people, and environmentally conscious citizens to join in teaching others to view our sun’s energy output as the extremely valuable resource it is.

TSEA believes that widespread adoption of solar technology in the state of Tennessee will help create energy independence, lessen harmful environmental impacts, and result in cost savings for consumers.





For more information about the workshop on solar energy, Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at the UT Conference Center - 413C. Contact Steve Levy, the organization’s technical director, at: steve@tnsolarenergy.org (865) 974-1838 (office), 311Conference Center, Street. B3 Knoxville, TN 37996. Contact: Joyce Chao, programs director

Joyce@tnsolarenergy.org; (865) 974-1838 (office); (404) 543-2709 (cell)

My purpose in writing this invitation is to offer the community an opportunity to attend and participate in talks by outstanding individuals during lunch held at the Orangery on the third Thursday of most months.



I am president of the Knoxville Torch Cub and we have a luncheon once a month during the school calendar. Most of our members are retired professionals as well as former professors at the University as well as those wanting stimulating learning experiences and stimulating discussions.



We invite guests to join us for our September 20th meeting where Sam Venable will be speaking. Below is our publicity for the meeting.



There will be no charge for attending other than the cost of your meal. We meet at noon and order our meals first. While the meals are being prepared, the speaker will present his'/her talk. During the meal we can ask questions of the speaker. So join us this September 20th.



Sam Veneable will be speaking at the Orangery on September 20th during lunch and the public is invited. Plan to enjoy Sam’s stories that few people can tell as well as he can.



Bring a friend and share this special opportunity to have a delicious lunch and the best humor this side of the Mississippi.



No reservations are needed but we request that you RSVP Mr. Levy at steve@esper.com or call him at the number below.



Time: noon until 1 pm

Place: Orangery Restaurant, Kingston Pike

Date: September 20th

This is the September meeting of the Torch Club International, Knoxville Chapter.



For more information on the meeting contact Stephen Levy, President, at 865-805-2313 or email him at steve@esper.com

TN Solar Energy Association Hosts D-I-Y Solar Workshop



Joyce Chao, programs director for the Tennessee Solar Energy Association, announces a conference to be held at the UT Conference Center, Thursday October 18th, 2012.



According to Chao, “The Tennessee Solar Energy Association (TSEA) in collaboration with the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC), is holding a workshop for those interested in installing solar for their homes, businesses and farms.”



The workshop will be held at the U.T. Conference Center in downtown Knoxville, also known as the former Miller‘s Building. The date for the workshop is the evening of October 18th beginning at 6 pm and ending at 9:30p.m. Details are available on TNSolarEnergy.org and a way to sign-up for the event is found under the Events heading of the website.



During this educational workshop, experts will give you all the information needed by parties that are interested in solar for their home or business and are looking to reduce the cost by doing some or all of the work themselves. You will receive a manual containing articles on each aspect of solar purchasing of equipment and how the equipment is assembled to produce electricity from sunlight. The manual will contain examples of home solar projects as published in Home Power magazine who has given permission to make copies of the most relevant material for you.



Stephen Levy, the organization’s technical director, said, “After all, if there is one source of power you can rely on, it is the sun. It has been doing its job for some millions of years so reliability is a non-issue. With all the current challenges and changes that have been happening in our country recently, we need to be active more than ever to make sure solar energy takes off in the near future.”



Registration may be completed using the convenience of PayPal or your credit card. The cost for the dinner buffet, the manual and the instruction is $30 for everyone except for TSEA and TREEDC members who will have a $5 discount. The cost is kept as low as possible; a confirmation will be sent by email. Space is limited to 40 persons, so sign-up today. Free parking will be available at the Locust Street garage across the street from the U.T. Conference Center.



The Tennessee Solar Energy Association is a non-profit charter- member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). TSEA is dedicated to educating Tennesseans about the many unique benefits of using solar energy. TSEA invites all solar energy professionals, educators, policy makers, business people, and environmentally conscious citizens to join in teaching others to view our sun’s energy output as the extremely valuable resource it is.

TSEA believes that widespread adoption of solar technology in the state of Tennessee will help create energy independence, lessen harmful environmental impacts, and result in cost savings for consumers.





For more information about the workshop on solar energy, Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at the UT Conference Center - 413C. Contact Steve Levy, the organization’s technical director, at: steve@tnsolarenergy.org (865) 974-1838 (office), 311Conference Center, Street. B3 Knoxville, TN 37996. Contact: Joyce Chao, programs director

Joyce@tnsolarenergy.org; (865) 974-1838 (office); (404) 543-2709 (cell)

Ann Romney--poise, grace, class---she's got it all.

Ann Romney's Speech was fabulous.

Go see this movie

2016 Obama's America--Movie Review

"2016: Obama's America" is based on Indian-American conservative author Dinesh D'Souza's book, "The Roots of Obama's Rage." D'Souza also co-directed with John Sullivan, and narrates the majority of the film. Dinesh shows that Obama harbors a deep-seated animosity toward the West as a result of his forefather’s rebellion against British rule in their native Kenya. Obama, who had a bust of Winston Churchill removed from the Oval Office when he first settled in, operates with a “Kenyan, anti-colonial” worldview.




What does that mean? It means that Obama wants to see the USA pay for being the richest country in the world. He believes the USA got the wealth by taking it away from people of color around the world--this is the anti-colonial belief system that drives his plans and decisions.



The poster for the film shows a profile of President Obama cast against a hazy gray fog with the tag line, "Love Him, Hate Him, You Don't Know Him."



Box office buzz around the movie has shocked many pundits, who didn’t see it coming. So entrenched are the liberal media to helping Obama’s 2012 campaign, many did not expect any push back from Romney supporters.



However, the documentary was released in a limited number of theaters over the last few days and became such a sudden hit that its release was expanded to over 1,200 theaters. It will earn a total of $9 million for the weekend, leaving the liberal leaning press with no real answers as to how so many voters could be interested in learning more about the background of a man who they really do not know.



Dinesh takes Obama’s own words and shows the development of Obama’s world view according to Obama’s training in his youth in Indonesia and from his grandfather who was a known communist and his communist mentor, Frank Marshall Davis.



The first half of the film delves into how Obama came to his world view which is something most Americans would never vote for if they truly understood what the man is after. The second half of the film uncovers and lays bear Obama’s real plans for America. When he says he wants to change America, what he is talking about is something most of us can conceive.



If you are planning to vote for Obama, you truly do need to go see this movie. According to Dinesh, from Obama’s own words and his writings and actions we have already seen, if he wins a second term Obama will take America to her knees. l. Obama plans to order the destruction of most of the USA’s nuclear arsenal. We had 5,000 warheads when Obama took office; we now have 1,500. During a trip to the USSR, Obama promised to reduce the number of warheads owned by the USA to 300, thus taking America’s warheads below the level of China, the USSR, and several other countries. Obama wants the USA to see how it feels to release the status of superpower. 2. Obama plans to keep spending in order to cause the USA’s financial markets to collapse. He believes that the USA is full of white families (Duponts, Carneige, Vanderbilt, Gates) who got their wealth by taking it away from people of color from around the world as seen in movies like the one about blood diamonds, for instance. Obama wants the USA to pay for what he sees as exploitation. 3. Obama has already made NASA an “outreach program for the Muslim world.” Obama wants the Muslim world to have the opportunity to get in the space race. He wants American space superiority ended. He drastically cut all NASA’s programs and there will be no more voyages to Mars to back to the moon. 4. Obama wants higher taxes and plans for tax rates to go up to 100%. How could this happen? He has already set in place the idea of raising taxes on the top 1%; he gets to decide who these people are and how high to raise their taxes. Once he gets the tax rates somewhat higher, people will begin losing their homes and businesses. He will step in and seize their properties and, thus, the government owns what was private property and businesses, and he can become the dictator.



Two things happened during the viewing of this movie that I attended on Sunday that are rare. First, while the movie was playing, a scene came on showing Nancy Pelosi. Someone in the audience yelled, “Moron,” and everyone clapped and cheered. Second, the movie got a standing ovation.



On my way out the door, I was shaking so fiercely that I could barely get my key in the door of my car in order to unlock it. A man and his wife passed me and she said, “God help us,” and her husband said, “I am not sure even God can help us now.”



The voters who voted for Obama were tricked. Will they look at reality--high unemployment, higher gas prices, 40% loss of value in homes, unrest, divisions between rich/poor, and more? Hopefully, people will look behind the mask and see the man who is totally evil.



caption: Love Him, Hate Him, You Don't Know Him, is the caption for the new movie detailing Obama's world view.

Paul Bass stopped by for a visit this week. I enjoyed interviewing him.

Paul Bass of Assist 2 Sell

I'm learning to speak/write Spanish.

There is absolutely no reason why any person who has a computer does not learn a new language. I became convinced that I need to learn how to speak Spanish while doing an interview at a local farm. I met three men from Mexico and wanted so much to learn from them, but I only knew a few words of Spanish and they only knew a few words of English.

I have been taking lessons using www.spanishdict.com and it is awesome. I also have a friend who wanted to learn, so we do the work on line and call each other and practice. I also practice on anyone I see out in the world who looks Mexican. I have been pleased with how much I have learned in a short time frame.

From Bill Larson in the Kiwanis Club Newsletter

UPCOMING PROGRAMS For Northside Kiwanis Club:
Aug. 15, Birke Baehr, author of a new book titled "Birke on the Farm". He was with us a year or so ago and he was glad to come back and push his new book. It's the story of a boy's search for "real food." See http://www.birkeonthefarm.com/.
On Aug. 22, Lena Sadiwsky from WVLT will speak on the local news scene.
On Aug. 29, Kim Bumpas from VisitKnoxville will be our speaker.


A SPECIAL THANK YOU!!!!
Martha Rose Woodward has been exceptionally helpful in getting speakers for our programs recently. She knows (nearly) everybody in town and has the wonderful secret to getting them to say "yes" to come speak at Northside. When you see her, please say "thanks."

James and Donna Butler--farmers

Watermelons fresh in the field--Butler Farm

Butler Farm near Maryville, TN--time to pick watermelons

It's gone

Trees can be weapons

Tree removal---had huge tree cut down.

Tree removal--70 ft. maple tree going, going, gone.

Roddie, our chicken

Watermelon--my favorite fruit.

Schedule for Homespun Hobbies

Homespun Hobbies airs on Community Television Channels 6 and 12 at 7:15 p.m. Saturdays  and 2:15 p.m. Tuesdays.

Saturday, July 14 and Tuesday July 17 Doug Young Speaks to Kiwanis Club

Saturday July 21 and Tuesday, July 24 Solar Energy by Stephen Levy

Saturday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 31 Jim Johnston author of "The Price of Peace"

Saturday, August 4 and Tuesday August 7  Wes Hall Speaks at Kiwanis Club

Adele--Rolling in the Deep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ckIulg1DfQ

Adele---LOVE HER!!!!!! Set Fire to the Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcMKwbMEcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuanbnnzXQ4&feature=related

Wish I had some

Stephen Levy, Jim Hackworth, Stefan Partin

Stephen Levy Heats Up Solar Energy Education

A second generation engineer, Stephen Levy, originally from New England, says he really does not feel retired since he has chosen to spend his remaining years focusing on the issue of solar energy. He believes that the sun is a gift of life for us all and that we must make the best use of this gift of life as best we can.




Jim Hackworth along with Levy registered with the state, the state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society as the Tennessee Solar Energy Association (TSEA) on July 4th 2009. TSEA is a 501c(3) organization dedicated to educating Tennesseans about the many unique benefits of using solar energy. TSEA believes the adoption of solar technology in the state of Tennessee will help create energy independence, lessen harmful environmental impacts, and result in cost savings for consumers.



Levy is currently the technical director of the Tennessee Solar Energy Association. He has been in the electrical power business all his adult life has had his father who worked for Stone & Webster on the Manhattan project. While at Fort Monmouth New Jersey for 30 years he was president of the New Jersey Environmental Commissions as well as a local planning board member. He also came into contact with William Cherry while at Fort Monmouth. Bill Cherry along with Dr. Paul Rappaport and Dr. Joseph Mandelkorn created the model solar cell. The result of his efforts were first presented to the public in 1979 when he gave the first presentation on the advantages of rooftop solar to the New Jersey Builders’ Association.



Levy spent 35 years in electric power generation, energy storage, transformation and switching. He holds 12 patents and has served as an invited lecturer at 7 universities during his career. He was also appointed by the Ballistics Missile Command to their technical advisory board . Much of the work he did in his years in the industry was in army research. He was the Army project engineer responsible for the design, construction, and promotion of the Army Pulse Power Center, a $25 million advanced 30 megawatt testing laboratory for developing directed energy weaponry. He was cited by the Electric Power Research Institute for his founding and chairing the Interagency-EPRI Alliance in the “pioneering development and use of MOS-controlled thyristor technology.”



Levy’s career included work on top secret programs with the US military that were so secretive that, even he, did not know exactly what he was working on. Levy says he tested parts and wrote reports only to learn years later that the parts had been for atomic bombs.

Levy who was trained at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and New Jersey Institute of Technology, continues to have a focus on education.



His strong beliefs that today’s youth needs to understand the importance of solar energy led him to join with Professor Tom Meek of the Materials Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee four years ago in offering a graduate level class on solar energy. Levy says his first class contained eleven wonderful students. He says that teaching the class has been one of the best things he has ever done. He says the students are simply brilliant and he enjoys learning from them. “I’m sure I am learning more from them than they are learning from me,” he said. “They make me feel like our future is in good hands.”

It was good to see my guy Bill yesterday.

Farmers' Market a neat place to visit

Watermelon Days Festival in Cordele, Georgia

Alchemy Tattoo and Body Piercing

Watermelon time at Martha's house

Wes Hall guest speaker at Northside Kiwanis Club 5-30-12

Wes Hall, full-time reporter for the Knoxville Journal Newspaper, was the guest speaker for the Northside Kiwanis Club on Wednesday, May 30 at the Foundry with approximately 20 members and guests in attendance. Hall shared with the group about some of the positive affects journalism has had on communities, and the changes he has seen in the media, as well as some moving events and humorous encounters that he has covered through the years. The 60 year old writer says that he began his career as a news reporter and sports photographer for the Lenoir City High School newspaper in 1964. As the years flew by, he worked in broadcast news reporting and as stringer for the Knoxville Journal at small radio stations in rural counties (Loudon, Bradley, Monroe, McMinn, Rhea, Bledsoe) then for WIVK, Newstalk, Dick Broadcasting as field reporter, and US-101-WUSY Chattanooga, as field reporter. Along the way, he received awards from the Cleveland Jaycees for fundraising and media relations and from CBS News for reporting about a helicopter paramedic who was working despite having been dismissed over mental issues from another agency. Hall's speech was lively and delivered his in his jovial style. “Someone at the office asked me if I was afraid I’d make a fool of myself,” he said. “No,” he said, “I don’t mind making a fool of myself since some of the best speakers I know often make fools of themselves.” Hall said, "I have the utmost respect for the Kiwanis. I know that you are touching lives of young people all over the globe. I appreciate the opportunity to share some time with a group dedicated to our future generation. You as Kiwanians raise funds for scholarships, disaster relief, research to eliminate maternal and neonatal tenanus and many other projects. Kiwanians do a lot of work without expecting anything in return, but you are paid in immeasurable ways. Just knowing a child's life is better because of something you did through Kiwanis is enough pay for sure.” "I urge everyone to support Kiwanis and their endeavors," Hall said. Hall said that when he applied and interviewed for the job with the Knoxville Journal, owner, Renee Wheeler, told him she was going to pray about it, and she would let him know if he had the job. He told that he would pray about it and let her know, if she called, if he would take it. He said he did pray--for patience, because he truly wanted the job, however, she soon called and offered the job to him, so both prayers were answered. Hall ended his speech by asking,"WHAT have I learned?" He answered, "God doesn't always explain where he wants us to go… or why.. that we may never know. But if we listen and let go of our small ideas, God has bigger ideas. Success to me is not about money. It's about what we leave behind and the lives we have touched positively." Hall’s speech was well-received by club members who thanked him for being there and gave him a big round of applause and a gift bag of chocolate candy. Tom Mattingly, program chairman, said, “We are so pleased you could be our speaker. Please remember us and plan to visit soon and often. You did a great job and we thank you.”

Wes Hall speaks to Northside Kiwanis Club