City seeks leaders for Neighborhood Advisory Council
Alanna McKissack is term-limited at the city of Knoxville’s Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) and a few other seats are open as well. McKissack joined NAC in 2021, representing District 2-A and as a member of the Westwood Homeowners Association.
Originally from Alpharetta, Georgia, McKissack attended the University of Tennessee, graduating in 2015 with a major in ecology and evolutionary biology. She served as a CAC AmeriCorps member. Her professional experience includes working with Keep Blount Beautiful, Keep Knoxville Beautiful and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Today, she serves as the community relations manager for Knox County.
McKissack joined the NAC because of her deep commitment to Knoxville and her belief in building strong, connected communities. Throughout her service, she has been especially passionate about promoting walkability, preserving and expanding green spaces and improving neighborhood safety.
Open seats for the 2027-2029 term include:
- Seat 1-A – Currently vacant
- Seat 2-B – Alanna McKissack – Term limited
- Seat 4-B – Brent Waugh – Term limited
- Seat 5-A – Philip Hipps – Term limited
- Seat 6-A – Tiara-Lady Wilson
- At Large Seat C – Erin Hatfield
Applications are due on Thursday, September 18, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. The NAC consists of two members from each of six city council districts plus three at-large members.
The NAC meets on each second Wednesday (except July and December). It advises the city mayor and administration. Info: City’s website or contact Debbie Sharp at dsharp@knoxvilletn.gov.
Area restaurants donate to KCS today
Today (08/25/26) is ‘Dine Out for Education’ day in Knox County – a joint effort between Knox County Schools and the Partners in Education Foundation. Participating restaurants give 10% of their pre-tax proceeds for the day. Eat somewhere on the list, and a slice of the check goes back to schools. Twenty-one businesses, thirty locations.
School board member Katherine Bike alerted us to this event and also shared the “needs list” for individual schools. Bike called it “a public document that says more about school budgets than most budget presentations do.”
Where to eat:
Downtown and Central — Brown Bag (800 S. Gay), Cruze Farm Dairy (445 S. Gay), Maple Hall (414 S. Gay), Ale’Rae’s Gastropub (937 N. Broadway), Five & Hoek Coffee (200 W. Magnolia), Sunspot (2200 Cumberland)
South Knoxville — Redbud Kitchen (906 Sevier), The Sugar Queen Creamery (106 E. Young High Pike)
West Knoxville, Bearden, Cedar Bluff — Main Event (9081 Kingston Pike), Culver’s (9113 Kingston Pike), Edible Arrangements (9307 Kingston Pike), Gondolier (1063 N. Cedar Bluff), Courtney’s Cakes (5306 N. Middlebrook), Aubrey’s (6005 Brookvale and 9208 Middlebrook), Texas Roadhouse (120 Morrell)
Farragut and Hardin Valley — Brown Bag (10636 Pentwater), Stefano’s Pizza (10573 Hardin Valley), Texas Roadhouse (11001 Turkey)
North Knoxville and Clinton Highway — El Chico (116 Cedar Ln.), Pizza Inn (5420 Clinton), Caza Brava (5640 Clinton), Super Chix (6672 Clinton)
East Knoxville — Texas Roadhouse (3071 Kinzel), Aubrey’s (805 Huckleberry Springs)
Powell — Culver’s (112 W. Emory), Aubrey’s (214 E. Emory), Southern Kitchen Sandwich (2307 W. Emory), The Sugar Queen Creamery (4523 Market Bell), Texas Roadhouse (7559 Conner)
New and less new leaders at Knoxville Habitat
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity leaders: Blake Lawson, chief development officer, Kathy Westbrook, volunteer; Richard Westbrook, chairperson-elect; and Anna Engelstad, chief executive officer. This photo is of Richard Westbrook’s Leadership Volunteer of the Year at the Habitat state conference.
Heat killed fish in Fountain City Lake
An unsigned statement from Fountain City Town Hall on social media reported that representatives from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) inspected conditions at the Fountain City Lake in response to dead fish that surfaced there.
“TWRA launched a boat onto the pond and spent considerable time evaluating the water, conditions and dead fish,” reads the post. “Based on their assessment, it appears the combination of intense, prolonged heat, extended cloud cover – which reduces photosynthesis and ultimately lowers oxygen levels – and an influx in the fish population, is the likely cause of the recent fish deaths.
“TWRA explained that some fish mortality is typical in smaller numbers, but the extreme weather conditions this year appear to have contributed to a larger-than-usual occurrence.
“The good news is that TWRA observed a large school of catfish gathered in the shade, along with several other species of fish that are thriving in the pond and are prime for fishing. … We’ll continue to share updates with the community as we learn more.”
Notes & quotes
Laura Pinkston, independent candidate for Tennessee governor, will host a family-friendly picnic at West Hills Park on Wednesday, August 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees can ask questions and share the issues that matter most to them. The event will include food, face painting and shaved ice and is open to the public.
Powell Masters Masonic Fish Fry is Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 4 p.m. until all the fish is gone. Meal includes fried fish, baked beans, hush puppies and more. Cost is $12; children 12 and younger eat free. University of Tennessee basketball legend Tony White will be on hand for photos and autographs. Powell Lodge #244 is at 7700 Fersner Road, Powell.
Knox Asian Festival is Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at World’s Fair Park. Tickets and details here.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors – in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” – Fred Rogers
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Neighbors by Sandra Clark.
