Wesley House is Knoxville asset
I visited Wesley House a couple of years ago when AT&T donated at-home laptops for selected students. Wow. What an impressive program. Executive Director Porschia Pickett has assembled a great team. The place has a neat vibe.
Wesley runs an after-school and summer program for elementary and middle school children. And the website allows donors to sponsor a Wesley student. “Your gift provides access to after-school programs, academic support, enriching educational experiences, mentoring relationships, healthy meals and a caring community that believes in every child’s potential,” according to the website. Students have a safe place to learn, grow and discover their potential.
Grandparents frequently are involved with kids while parents are unavailable. Wesley House runs on volunteers, and grandparents are woven into the mix. OK. So there a few games of BINGO and maybe mahjong during the day. The seniors, called “grannies” although men are among them, gather on Fridays for a noon meal, fellowship and BINGO. Throughout the year, staff stays connected with the grannies by assisting with day-to-day needs and addressing social isolation. There currently is a wait list for participants.
During the pandemic, Wesley House staff saw a need for supplemental food for participants. Thus, was born the Red Bird Community Store. Today the Red Bird is open five days a week, providing essential resources to anyone in need. Pantry hours are posted on the website, but basically the store is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with time off for a lunch break.
Masquerade Ball 2026
A major fund-raising event is Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Bridgewater Place, 205 Bridgewater Road Knoxville.
Wesley House’s Masquerade Ball raises funds to support Knoxville youth, senior citizens and underserved members of the Beaumont, Lonsdale and Mechanicsville communities.
This black-tie event will include fine dining, live entertainment, a silent auction, dancing, drinks, and this year – a new concept – Masked Singer.
Community leaders will perform in costume and mask. Guests will enjoy the mystery, vote for their favorite performances, and watch as the singers are unmasked at the end of the evening. “Every vote and every dollar raised helps strengthen the children, families and communities we serve,” said Pickett.
Link to Masquerade Ball tickets.
Vivian Shipe announces city council campaign
Vivian Shipe
Vivian Underwood Shipe has declared her candidacy for Knoxville City Council at-large Seat C. The seat is currently held by Amelia Parker, who is term-limited. Shipe was a candidate for an at-large seat on Knox County Commission in the recent August general election. She polled 38,576 (44.33%) votes to Republican Garrett Holt’s 45,530 (52.3%). An independent candidate took the balance.
Shipe joins Ellen Zavisca as announced candidates for the 2027 election. Zavisca is running for at-large Seat A, now held by term-limited Lynne Fugate. Shipe already has put up her website here.
She says: “I am confident that my extensive experience in community advocacy and my active involvement in various boards and organizations have equipped me with the skills and dedication necessary to effectively serve our city.
“I will continue to work on issues of mental health, housing for all, protection of our local environment against threats like data centers.” She will spend the next six months listening to citizens to “gauge their concerns.”
Shipe says if given the opportunity, she can work with fellow council members to make life better for all. The Primary election is Tuesday, August 31, 2027, with the General on Tuesday, November 2, 2027.
Art talk at UT
Timothy Hiles
Timothy W. Hiles Ph.D. will discuss his research and book Art, Movement and Disability: Transcending the Beauty Paradigm from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2-26, at the UT Art + Architecture Building, room 113, 1715 Volunteer Blvd. on the UT campus. Hilles is associate professor emeritus from the department.
Knox Planning hires two
Knox Planning Commission has welcomed two assistant planners this summer, both as assistant planners.
Ellie Bernstein
Ellie Bernstein is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in geography with a concentration in cultural geography and GIS. She has held internships with the city of Knoxville’s Housing and Neighborhood Development department and with the East Tennessee Development District.
Chase Eubanks
Chase Eubanks is a Chattanooga native and ETSU graduate who recently moved to Knoxville. His interest in the role economic development and sustainability play in supporting a thriving community inspired him to earn his undergraduate degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration. He previously worked for the city’s Plans Review and Inspections office.
Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Neighbors archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter. Send comments to news@knoxtntoday.com/.
