Calendar of Events

By Tim Clue and Spike Manton - Leaving Iowa is a hilarious, sentimental comedy about family, family relationships, and family vacations. It is the story of a writer who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. This play is a postcard to anyone who recognizes that we are given an earthly family to teach us that a perfect father/son relationship may never occur this side of Heaven, but these “ties that bind” do give us a glimpse of our Heavenly Father’s love. As Mom says, “Follow your father, sweetheart.”
NOVEMBER 12, 17, 18, 25, 26 @ 7:30 pm
NOVEMBER 13 & 20 @ 2:30 pm

The WordPlayers performances are held at The WordPlayers' Theatre at MCM, 1540 Robinson Rd. at Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923. Information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org

The WordPlayers Present: Leaving Iowa, a comedy by Tim Clue and Spike Manton

Leaving Iowa is a hilarious, sentimental comedy about family, family relationships, and family vacations. It is the story of a writer who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. (Recommended for ages 12+)

Nov. 12, 17, 18, 25, 26 @ 7:30 pm, Nov. 13 & 20 @ 2:30 pm
at The WordPlayers' Theatre @ MCM, 1540 Robinson Rd., Knoxville, TN 37923

Tickets: Adults: $12, Seniors(60+)/Students(12+): $10, Groups of 12 or more $8
Purchase tickets online at www.wordplayers.org or at the door with cash or check.
For reservations and information, please call: 865-539-2490

Admission to Knoxville Zoo will be free on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 during Kroger Free Weekend! Visitors can help local charities who make a difference in our community during Kroger Free Weekend as well; Mission of Hope will be accepting donations of non-perishable food and hygiene items or new, unwrapped toys and Young-Williams Animal Center, The Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley and KnoxPAWS will be collecting donations of dog and cat food.

Knoxville Zoo, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.org

Details TBA!

At Cherokee Country Club (for reservations please contact Theresa Stone – 865-584-2724)
Information: 865-524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

Robert Belfour – Nov 12 – tickets $10 JCA member/student/snr 65+, $11 general audience advance, $12 at door, $6 children 12 and under

Robert 'Wolfman' Belfour is a blues guitarist and singer based in Memphis, Tennessee. Born to sharecropper parents on a farm in Holly Springs, Mississippi, he began playing guitar in the late '40s after the death of his father who left the instrument to him. He learned by emulating the sounds of such greats as John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and his idol,Howlin Wolf, as they were being broadcast on his mother's battery-operated radio. He was also influenced to some extent by his neighbor, Junior Kimbrough. Belfour's style is deeply-rooted in the sounds of his North Mississippi birthplace. It is a highly rhythmic and riff-oriented type of playing that can also be heard in the work of other players from the region, like Jessie Mae Hemphill, R.L. Burnside, and the late Fred Mcdowell.

Appalachian Arts Craft Center Hosts Chili Supper and Silent Auction November 12. The Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris is hosting a chili supper with music by the Woodpickers and a silent auction from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, November 12, at the Norris Community Building. The cost is only $5 for homemade chili, cornbread, dessert, and drink, plus live music by the Woodpickers. Those wanting to purchase a meal served in their own handcrafted pottery bowl (which they can take home after they are through eating), can do so for only $20. There will also be a range of homemade crafts, services, and other items up for bid at a silent auction going on during the evening. For more information, stop by the center, located at 2716 Andersonville Hwy , Norris , TN , 37828 , or call 865-494-9854 . Or see www.appalachianarts.net.

Beginning and seasoned quilters alike will come together on Saturday, November 12th at Historic Ramsey House to experience quilting the way it was done yesterday - and continues today. The event kicks off at 10:00 am on the Ramsey House grounds at 2614 Thorngrove Pike with an outdoor exhibit of quilts provided by the Seymour Quilt Guild. “This promises to be an impressive display well worth the $8.00 admission in and of itself,“ said event organizer Judy LaRose.

Central to the day is a bed turning in the Ramsey visitors’ center. Three turnings during the day are scheduled for 11am , 2pm , and 4pm. An antique bed, layered with heritage quilts from the Ramsey House collection, will feature in the bed turning. Members of the quilt guild will discuss the techniques and finer points of each quilt for the audience.

Also featured are workshops and demonstrations throughout the day including the ever-popular “yo-yos,” crazy quilts, and cathedral quilts and demonstrations in English paper piecing, hand piecing, hand quilting, a children’s project, and “make and take” items. A more in-depth “Beginners” workshop, designed to take the participant through the entire process of making a quilt from beginning to end, will give audience members a look into the world of quilting and an opportunity to become a part of this time-honored tradition. Class participation for the Beginner’s workshop is by reservation. The members of the Seymour Quilt Guild, co-sponsors for the event, will also have a boutique featuring handmade pieces for sale to the public.

A light lunch will be available for purchase and all proceeds of the day will support Historic Ramsey House. For more information, please contact Historic Ramsey House at www.ramseyhouse.org/events or call 865-546-0745.

(Ages 8 and up) Enjoy peaceful Mead's Quarry Lake during this guided canoe trip. Ijams and Riversports Outfitters provide all of the equipment. Spaces are limited. $15 for members, $17.50 for non-members. Leader: Stephen Lyn Bales.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Visit Ijams and learn some landscaping ideas for creating and improving native areas, which will not only benefit wildlife, but also reduce maintenance for you! Free. Leader: Peg Beute.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Visit Ijams Saturday for a live animal encounter with one of our non-releasable education animals. Free to members, $2 for non-members. No registration required.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Join us for a nature walk at Holston River Park and Greenway. With the leaves off the trees, birdlife will be easier to see and identify. Free for members, $5 for non-members. Leader: Stephen Lyn Bales. Meet at Holston River Park but please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Visit Ijams for a look at the secrets to making cheese at home. This program includes a demonstration and tasting. $4 for members, $8 for non-members. Leader: Rita Cochran.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org