Zoofari is Zoo Knoxville’s largest and most important fundraiser. And this year was no exception. Cynthia Moxley writes in The Blue Streak: “I loved the theme last year — ‘Pandamonium!’ It featured the zoo’s four beloved — and adorable — red pandas! This year, not so much! Because the theme was “Vim and Venom” — in other words, snakes!” See Moxley’s photo array with creative outfits, food galore and a few snakes here.

Local physicians pledge $125,000 for health science center

Drs. Bhavna and Amit Vora have pledged $125,000 to fund the new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center, now open in the heart of West Knoxville.

Drs. Bhavna and Amit Vora

“Education is the reason we are where we are today,” said Dr. Bhavna Vora, referring to herself and her husband, Dr. Amit Vora. “Coming from humble backgrounds, it opened doors that allowed us to become physicians and serve our communities. That is why supporting healthcare education by our monetary contribution matters deeply to us.”

Dr. Bhavna Vora is a family practice physician who is also chair of the board of Summit Medical Group, the largest organization of primary care physicians in East Tennessee. She also serves on the board of Roane State Foundation. Dr. Amit Vora, an endocrinologist, is the Chief of Endocrinology and Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Knoxville.

“When you educate one person, you uplift an entire family and strengthen the community around them,” Dr. Bhavna Vora added.

The new 130,000-square-foot health science education facility is located at 9575 Sherrill Boulevard, across from Parkwest Medical Center, and houses health science programs offered by both Roane State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville.

The state of Tennessee contributed more than $67.5 million toward the $75 million project, with Roane State Foundation raising the remainder of the funds. This contribution from the Voras brings the campaign to approximately 97% of its final goal. Info on the new campus and the continued fundraising campaign now focused on supporting student scholarships here.

Dr. Amit Vora joined ECET in March 2008. He did some of his early schooling in New York where his father taught medicine at New York Medical College. Their family moved back to India and after a few years, he returned to the U.S. to do his training in internal medicine at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago where he was bestowed the humanitarian award for two years in a row. This was followed by fellowship training in Endocrinology at Penn State University.

Dr. Vora has lectured locally and nationally on diabetes care and is actively involved in the American Diabetes Association as the current president of its volunteer board. He is a member of several professional organizations including AACE and the Endocrine Society.

Dr. Bhavana Vora is a family practitioner, who trained at UT in Knoxville. They have been in the Knoxville area for about 10 years and have two daughters, Anusha and Aashi.s in East Tennessee right now.

Bailey family grows; Laura Bailey works on

Larry and Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey was an only child. In celebrating a significant birthday last week, she shared that the family has grown. Her three children have added 10 grandchildren and they’ve brought along another 13 great grands.

Laura goes to work everyday and doesn’t see retirement ahead. She heads the Bailey Group of Realty Executives Associates in Powell.

Knoxville SOUP calls for proposals

Groups or individuals who need funds for a project that benefits the community are invited to apply to present at the first Knoxville SOUP micro-grant dinner of 2026. Set for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, the dinner will take place at Kerbela Temple in South Knoxville, but applicants can be from anywhere in Knox County.

Up to four projects will be selected. For a suggested $5 donation, SOUP attendees will get a dinner of soup, salad, bread and dessert, listen to the proposals, then vote on their favorite. The winner will receive the proceeds from the door donations. Info and application here. Application deadline is June 16.

Inskip Lions Club seeks new members

Want to know what Lions do in Knoxville? Betty McMahan says, We do provide glasses and vision services as most people know but much more. You are invited to an informal membership drive to learn the local and international service projects we support on Monday, June 8, from 5-7 p.m.  at The Inskip Lions Clubhouse on 4701 High School Road right beside Inskip Elementary School. We will provide pizza and ice cream from the Rusty Wallace Ice Cream truck!

Notes & quotes

Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee (SMQ) will host more than 200 unique quilts June 19-20 at the Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $10; for a two-day pass, $15; and free for children under age 12. The Expo Center has free parking and is accessible to the disabled.

Candidate Forum, hosted by SKNBC, Tuesday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. South High Senior Living, 835 Tipton.

2026 Annual MLK Parade/March Juneteenth Celebration, parade lineup 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 19, step off 10 a.m. Chilhowee Park, Gate 13; Juneteenth Celebration, Dr. Walter Hardy Park, 2089 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Terra Madre – Women in Clay exhibition is opening at the Emporium, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, on Friday, June 5, from 5-9 p.m. This free gathering with the exhibiting artists will feature live music by Nick Marlow. The exhibit will be on display through June 26. Gallery hours are M-F 9-5.

The Knoxville Area Urban League’s largest community event – Shoes for School on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Covenant Health Park – will be bigger than ever and in a new location. Talk with a representative about how the event supports local students and involves a lot of community groups. Info or donate.

Knox Girls Who Walk – a Saturday Audiobooks Walk at Morningside Park. Grab your headphones and current audiobook for a roughly 3-mile loop walk (with option to hop off after each one-mile loop. Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. (walk starts at 9:15). RSVP here.

Quote: “I don’t remember seeing a single picture of (then-Prince) Charles from the state dinner. His remarks are lost to history. Even without talking much, just tucking her chin in shyly and looking up out of those luminous blue eyes, Diana outshone her prince. It was pretty much a total eclipse of the son.” – Maureen Dowd, writing about the 1985 visit of Prince Charles and Diana to the United States.

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