In preparation for the summit, five town hall forums are being held in the region to discuss tourism issues impacting the Smokies and its gateway communities

Link...

Tomorrow morning at the library from 10:00 until noon we have a unique opportunity to voice our concerns and listen and learn what it means to be a gateway community.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has long been a great resource to those who understand that in order for tourist to get to the Smokies they must pass through our communities and what they see in route is just as important was what they see when they get to the Park.

Saturday November 10, Southland Books is having their Art Market from 10 to 3.
What a great chance to see and buy local art from local artists working in pottery, glass, blown glass, photography, painting and many other mediums!

The holidays are coming folks. You can go to the big box and buy crap or you can support our local artists.

While there, don't miss the mega selection of vinyl records they now carry! AWESOME. CDs may be nice but nothing beats album covers for reading while listening.

If you are a local artist, give Lisa at call to see if she has additional space for this Art Market. 984-4847

Map and directions

Blount County Public Library

Three seniors from Maryville College working on a community awareness grant will be joined by a representative from TVA to give an inspiring and educational presentation on where our electricity comes from, how to use less, why you should, and how the Green Power program works. The talk is free and begins at 6pm.

One of the students wrote about their efforts for Hellbender Press.

Update folks.
An "America Recycles Day" Computer Recycling Event is
being held at Technology Solutions of Tennessee, LLC.

Date: Saturday, November 17th 2007
Time: 10am to 4pm
Where: Harper Plaza, 718 East Harper Avenue 37804,
downtown Maryville at the corner of East Harper and
East Street.
Contact: (865) 386-5865 for details.

TSOT, LLC will be collecting Computers, Laptops,
Monitors, Printers, etc. from consumers and small
businesses. Please feel free to bring your old TVs,
cellphones, ipods, stereos, DVDs, VCRs, and cameras.

20% OFF COUPON FROM SOUTHLAND BOOKS

[& Free Coffee from Detour Coffee]

FOR ALL
PARTICIPANTS (LIMIT 1)

No lead acid batteries or household wastes (chemicals)
will be accepted.

Here is your opportunity to get rid of your old computer, monitor, printer, cell phone....

Technology Solutions will be hosting this recycling effort and they are next to Southland Books.
What a great service to the community and for your efforts you will also receive a discount on some purchases at Southland that day! AND you get a free cup o'joe from Detour Coffee!

Hummm... let's get this straight! I can take in that pile of pc crap in the garage and as a reward for not hauling it to the landfill I get a discount on my purchase at Southland Books and a free cup of coffee?? No doubt folks, this is the best deal in town!

Thanks again to the gang at Technology Solutions of Tennessee and Southland for making community count!

Saturday, November 17, 2007. The Leonid Meteors are coming and Comet Holmes is still easily visible in the North East sky after dark. Local Amateur Astronomers want to take you to these events.
The Tamke Allen Observatory in the west, the Knoxville Observers in the north and The Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society in the south are all going to be observing the comet and the Leonid meteors.
You can find the Tamke Allen Observatory web page at Link...
From that web site you can find links to both the Knoxville Observers and the Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society. From their respective web sites their are maps to the observing locations. For Tamke Allen, the observatory its self is the location. For the Knoxville Observers, the parking lot by the swimming pool at Norris Dam location is posted under events and for the Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society, look for the what their location web page calls Look Rock #1. If the parking lot of Look Rock #1 is full, all of the overlooks facing away from the light pollution of Knoxville and Maryville will be fine.

The comet looks like a star to the naked eye, but has a soft halo around it easily visible in binoculars. So bring your binoculars and visit any of these local amateur astronomers as they observe this unusual comet.
Predictions for meteor storms have been improving over the years and we hope the latest predictions calling for a good Leonid storm this year are true.

Dress warm. Bring a warm blanket to lay upon. Bring another warm blank with which to cover up.
A pillow may help. Bring some snacks and hot coffee or hot chocolate.
Meteor watching only requires your eyes and some degree of patients. It helps to have company and good conversation. Singing, "When you wish upon a star...", is entirely optional.

Just a reminder for those of you ( like me ) who have a turkey sleeping in your deep freeze- it really does cook better if it is thawed out before it goes into the oven.

Just a reminder for those of you ( like me ) who have a turkey sleeping in your deep freeze- it really does cook better if it is thawed out before it goes into the oven.

Springbrook Splendor, the lighting of the Alcoa Christmas Tree, due to a rain delay will be Tuesday November 27th at 6:15PM.

Location: Springbrook Park, Upper Field.

Updated 11/27/2007, 7:45am

Maryville City is lighting their Christmas tree tonight. It will be located at the Greenbelt right behind The Daily Times offices, next to the pedestrain bridge that goes to the library.