July First Friday Highlight: Brigid Oesterling

Photo by Shawn Poynter

Last First Friday (July 6), Magpies, where I usually begin my evening, wasn't holding their usual tasting event, so with a stomach void of mini cupcakes, I went to the 100 Block earlier than usual. At 6pm, it was pretty steamy outside and there weren't many people out yet.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

I went to a couple of shows that I'll write about soon, ones you should check out before the month ends, but since things were pretty slow at that point, my friend talked me into grabbing a beverage at the Crown and Goose.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

On our way back down Jackson Avenue, we passed a crowd gathering outside of the Heuristics Workshop on Jackson Avenue by the Gay Street Viaduct around 8:15ish.

I had heard Brigid Oesterling was having a fashion show and discovered this is where it would be happening. A few minutes later, Three Man Band began playing, and her models came out, walking along the loading dock outside the warehouse.

Photo by Shawn Poynter

I was fortunate to have seen another Brigid Oesterling fashion show recently in Nashville. We were both part of a show put on by RAW Nashville last month, and she and her mostly Knoxvillian models looked great on the runway set up in Mercy Lounge. (View photos here.)

Photo by Denise Sanabria

I was excited to see her designs, however, on Jackson Avenue in Knoxville, sauntering to the tunes of Three Man Band. It all seemed very... fitting (pun intended).

Hair was done by Kim Woods from Belleza Salon, and makeup by Lara Duren and Brynn Gonzales (left) of Lox Salon. Photo by Shawn Poynter

It was just the type of thing I like to see on a First Friday.

Brigid. Photo by Shawn Poynter

Brigid Oesterling

artist. curator. costumer. seamstress. sewing machine collector.  specializes in re-creating with recycled/re-used materials, especially inner tubes and rubber.

brigid.ko@gmail.com

www.brigidoesterling.com

Video by Matthew Amudsen

Freedom Thighs 2012

I couldn't tell you specifically what I like so much about the Freedom Thighs bike ride. There's an inexpressible feeling it gives you, something pictures and text may not have the ability to convey, but I'll try.

Outside the Birdhouse

The bike ride happens each 4th of July, meeting at the Birdhouse around 4pm. Bikers line up in the street, listen to a rendition on the Star Spangled Banner (this year, Dolly Parton's), and begin their patriotic cruise through the neighborhoods of Knoxville.



Most attendees are decked out in American themed apparel. I myself bought a flag vest a couple years back for my first Freedom Thighs, and it's become a go-to for this ride each year. This year, two synchronized boom boxes towed behind bikes busted out jams ranging from Ludacris's Roll Out to some USA themed songs sung in Spanish.

Eagle on Rollerblades!

I couldn't tell you either, if there is any common thread that runs through each of the bikers who come each year to ride this ride.

 I overheard one hipster-looking biker say to his friends as I slowly meandered past them, "I can't tell if this race is satirical or not. It seems like there are a lot of truly patriotic people here, but I know there are some anarchists here as well... and just so y'all know, I bought this (American flag) t-shirt at Wal-Mart."



Sidenote: I don't know much about this subject, but it's true that there is a small contingent of anarchists that like to ride bicycles in Knoxville. They're some real nice people, yet would a true anarchist attend an American-themed bike ride? Are anarchists known to be especially ironic?*

Maybe what I like about the ride is the simultaneous delight and confusion I feel.



Freedom Thighs does mostly draw a bunch of white hipsters, it's true.

Part of the route winds through some East Knox neighborhoods which are predominantly inhabited by African Americans. These are some of my favorite streets to ride through because there is such a great community presence there. So many families came out on their porches to cheer on us white kids dressed like idiots.

And together, we all cheered on America.

 If that's not patriotic, I couldn't tell you what is.

Babe-raham Lincoln

We made a stop at the Pilot on Magnolia. That Pilot made a billion dollars yesterday, and so did the ice-cream man who stopped there when he saw all of us.

Love grows at Pilot

Then some idiot started shooting fireworks. Really? At a gas station? I can't say everyone on the ride is the brightest.




I saw many faces on the ride that have moved away from Knoxville over the past few years. They come back for this ride, and that's saying something.




I didn't end up finishing out the whole route. I think they went about 10 miles in all, making various stops to rest, consume cold beverages, and eat hotdogs, but I had a cookout calling my name.

The Ice-Cream man found us

If you have been intrigued in the slightest by this post, you should consider taking a chance on shenaniganery and joining the ride next year. No one fits in, but we all do because we're American, you know what I'm saying?



 Wherever the 4th of July took you, whether you were enjoying a/c with normal, calm people or with a bunch of hooligans on bikes, I do hope it was as merry one.

Facilitators of Freedom Thighs

*Questions for another time.

Summer Reading

Vacation, a time for cold beer, hot sun, and good books.

My Knoxville oriented recommendation this summer is an absolute classic, James Agee's A Death in the Family. I read it just last week and have a new respect for this scion of southern lit.



It was a joy to read about Old Knoxville, walking through the Fort (when there still was an actual fort), shopping on Gay St., riding real trolleys, our city has always offered so much. Not only that Agee has an insight into the mind that is nothing short of impressive. It is beautiful, morose, peaceful, and timeless.

Perhaps check it out here.

I also read McCarthy's Blood Meridian... wow.

Any rec's from readers?

Bridge Update

For those of you who do not live withing 25 yards of the Henley St. bridge, I would like to give you an update.

First, I would like to thank Britton Bridge Company and TDOT for stopping overnight construction. My life, my wife's life, and my dogs life have been much better since then so thank you.

Second, I would just like to say...

OMG WTF?!?!



If you haven't seen it recently the bridge has no accessible end remaining and is now being chopped apart in the middle. I am so very confused by this process, and it looks so counter-intuitive, that I crave some reasonable explanation so as to not sound too unintelligent to people when the look upon with stupefied wonder at the seeming ineptitude that is taking place in my back yard.

I know, I have a history degree and sell insurance, I should just trust the experts. Well bridge experts have been known to give us jewels like this:



So perhaps it won't be that bad but please, how can cutting the ground out from underneath the guys jack-hammering make sense? How will that last section get removed without some amazingly complicated fete?

Oh well, I doubt anyone at the bridge company reads this blog, since they can't be bothered to even set up a website.

A Call To Arms (for cuddling)

From time to time we at The Wigshop have taken to asking our readers to help puppies find a home. So far (the previous two times) have lead to happy endings for the pups. Today we have another puppy that needs help. Each of these dogs are fully checked out and legitimately in need, truly abandoned, and will (as far as is possible to tell) be fantastic family pets. We have consistently had the same individual approach us for help, as he works for a vet and is able to "vet" these animals prior to their adoption offering. If you know of anyone who may be interested please pass this along as it makes a real difference in these animals' lives. Thanks!

Hey! My name is Frankie, A.K.A. Frankie Knuckles, A.K.A. Frank the Tank, but if you want me to sit then just call me Frank. Knoxville, you just lucked out. After doing a lot of traveling and sightseeing I’ve recently decided to call Knoxvegas my new home and have begun the quest to find my new forever family. First let me tell you a little about myself. I am a white, neutered, male boxer and my foster parents think that I am around 1-2 years old. Since I know you are all thinking it, let me go ahead and squash all of the bad rumors about white boxers because I can hear and see fine. I have received all of my shots and, except for being a little thin (53 lbs), the vet said that I am perfectly healthy. Although I am potty trained and extremely well behaved, I do have a lot of energy and will need my new family to take me on long walks and teach me proper manners. I am an especially social dog who loves meeting new people and making new doggy friends, so another requirement I have is that my new family be able to take me to the dog park at least once a week. If you feel like you might be the perfect person to give me the life I deserve then I would really love to meet you.


Sincerely,

Frankie





If you'd like to know more about Frank please email us here at the blog. Be patient, I promise we review everything and we'll pass you contact information along to his foster parents who will take care of further details.

Urban Farming Redux

Year two for Farmer Pol is looking promising.

I have expanded my beds, refined my layout, and timed my planting more appropriately. Lettuce, kale, sugar snaps, snows, brussels, broccoli, okra, tomatoes, and asparagus are on the menu for spring/ summer and I've got more in the works for summer/ fall.

Things I've learned this year:

- You can plant earlier in downtown than elsewhere because of the radiant heat. We likely average a good 3-5 degrees warmer which extends our growing period by a few weeks.

- Peas need a horizontal support, vertical wrought iron sounded like it would work well but the peas prefer something smaller to latch on to.

- One 4 foot row of Kale is enough for anyone.

- Go easy on the lettuce seeds, their germination rate is closer to 90% than 9% like I assumed.

- Small spaces allow for a more targeted and orderly garden. The design is as important as anything as it is a showpiece and a functional space.

I love my garden. It is big enough to produce enough produce to be practical, but not so big as to be a burden and time sink. I like to think that people headed to the city county building or out for a walk are pleasantly surprised to see such and unexpected thing in the middle of town as a garden.

Come by, enjoy, I'm happy to share (especially the kale). There are two pretty gardens on W. Hill at Henley, mine, of course, and Brian Pittmans just up the street. Neither of us mind if you look.

Clubbing with the Pol

Can you put a price on friendship?

Recently I was invited to join Club Leconte, a club at the top of the First Tennessee building, and have since been tossing around the benefits of that group. What I am having a hard time pinning down is the gain that I would see by joining. Is it worth it to pay a monthly fee to network? Would I stand to improve my situation professionally or socially by joining?

This is where our readers come in. I would love to hear back from any of you that are members of Club Leconte or similar groups. Have you benefited from being a member or is it just somewhere to go?

knoxville from afar

"Now is the night one blue dew..."

In the world of literature, Knoxville is represented admirably by two works: Cormac McCarthy's Suttree and James Agee's Pulitzer-winning A Death in the Family. Agee's work (and Agee himself) has been much celebrated our town in recent years- he now has a street and a park dedicated to him in his old neighborhood. Few Knoxvillians, however, have taken the time to read the book that made him such a notable native son.

It's a good book, particularly compelling if you've ever experienced the loss a family member. I know many of you don't have the time or desire to read the whole thing, but I think that everyone that loves this city should read the prologue "Knoxville: Summer, 1915". Not forced to in a high school classroom (which has made far too many people hate literature in general), but on their front porch in the early evening, listening to crickets. Because, that's exactly what the passage is about.


I was recently out of the country sitting in a bizarre tropical airport with a copy of A Death in the Family. I reread the prologue thinking about coming home. I doubt many other scruffy little cities have been so lovingly described. Sitting in the tropical heat, I was suddenly homesick for my porch swing. I wanted cool breezes and tall maple trees.

It occurred to me that the hundredth anniversary of that immortalized summer is coming up in a few years. The first time I read that passage a while back I was mainly stuck by what Knoxville had lost. Somewhere in the eighty years after 1915 our town had lost its charm, its pleasant character, its "Knoxvilleness". I think it's noteworthy that the passage was written in 1935 in New York City by a man who had left here. For a long time you had to leave Knoxville to love it.

Rereading "Knoxville: Summer, 1915" now, I realize that we have gained back something. I realize that my little house could have been one of those described by Agee. Market Square is filled with people again. One could walk through one of a half dozen neighborhoods this evening and see near the same scene as 1915 presented. I realize that Knoxville: Summer, 2015 might be the most like Agee's 1915 than it has been in a century. It makes me glad to be home.

More than a Miracle

As a foodie, one of my abiding loves is creative uses of everyday foods. Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and vinegar become a caprese salad. Brussel sprouts, honey, olive oil and pepper make for a delicious roasted veggie dish. And chicken, bacon, cheese and love make up the Double Down by KFC.



Before you say anything, please accept the premise that even a chain restaurant can surprise. I was skeptical at first as anyone would be. How, I questioned, could anyone improve on a chicken sandwich that Chic-Fil-A already perfected? Why even try? So as I approached this new offering, I wasn’t exactly optimistic. It’s not like this would be KFC’s version of the McRib or anything… or would it?



My favorite local KFC is located at 409 N. Cedar Bluff Rd. With a combined feeling of corporate glitz and real world grime, it is great to know that no one there knows my name so that I can enjoy my fried goodness in peace. So with a head full of doubts, I ordered my first Double Down...now I wish I had ordered a second.




From the first bite to the last, the balance of Fried chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheese product and mayo sauce lulled me into a gentle and loving embrace. To say that I loved it would be doing an injustice to the meaning of love, and I would be cheapening that special bond between man and his food. I walked away from that red letter moment in my life with a clearer view of what is possible in our culinary world, and those possibilities now seem boundless.

Go try it yourself.

KFC
409 North Cedar Bluff Road
Knoxville, TN‎
(865) 693-0795


View Larger Map

Looking for a party

As the resident politico laureate at the Wigshop it is my duty to stay up on happening around town that are of a political nature. Typically this is a column where I would bring you sordid details, gossip, rumor, and innuendo about local politicians who do bad things. (You know who you are and I'm watching.)

But today I am actually a little off of my game. I'm interested in finding out if there will be a Tea Party in Knoxville on the 15th and some of the details and plans. Also, if there will be counter-parties I.E. Coffee Party, etc. I'd love to know about those.

Add your knowledge to the comments and get a prize, by that I mean a warm feeling in your heart for being helpful.

Wigshop love,

The Pol

The Census

Lame Pol Lame.

I know, it's a lame post. But I really do want to encourage everyone to fill out and return the census form they received last week. I just did, it was completely underwhelmingly easy and short.

I hate the notion of filling out the census to get "my fair share" of other peoples money. It's an irresponsible way to think about how government services are distributed, but at least the data is useful.

We (downtowners) need to see the fruits of our labor and know how many people actually are as crazy as we are to think that a compacted living space around many more people is preferable to the 'burbs.

Encourage everyone one you know, owners, renters, squatters, everyone to fill it out and send it back. Not so that big brother can follow you, but so that we can have a reliable head count for base-lining future growth needs.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Is Knoxville the Bermuda Triangle?

I saw this Yee-Haw sign a couple of weeks ago in the windows of some of the Gay Street stores and was like, 'WTF, R.B.**? Knoxville the Bermuda Triangle of the Appalachians? No way. All the crazy stuff happens East of here. A corner of the triangle, maybe, but not the whole freakin' thing.'


And then I read this article in the Metro Pulse about how many Knoxvillians deny Knoxville's connection to Appalachia, in the impoverished, bizarre sense that it's often portrayed.

So, what do you think? Is Knoxville the Bermuda Triangle of the Appalachians (give evidence and antidotes to support your claim) and do we Knoxvillians need to do a better job of embracing Appalachia?

**Some background on R.B. Morris' claim that Knoxville is the Bermuda Triangle of the Appalachians.

Points of Interest

As the Chamber of Commerce rep at my job I receive, and read through, the "Greater Knoxville Business Journal". OK so I don't really read it, I skim over the new business licenses and bankruptcy's to see if anything interesting is going on. This time there are a few things that stuck out that I would love to know more about. So I'm gonna throw out the info I have and if anyone has any more insight toss it our way.

#1 16 Market Square has pulled a $90,000 building permit for "restaurant alterations". I think this is where the old World Grotto is.

#2 37 Market Square pulled a $445,000 building permit for "continuous foundation", I got nothing so anything will help.

#3 New business called Arcade Sound Ltd. obtained a business license w/ and address of 110 Summit Hill Dr.

#4 Monte's, a bar/ restaurant on 525 Henley St. has obtained a business license and obtained a beer permit. Anyone know what kind of place this is going to be??

Hope there is more information out there, but it is nice to see the development is continuing.

Why Not Knoxville?

OK sorry to double post, but I have to put this up as well.

I'm not usually one to discuss national issues on this blog, but I think Knoxville has a chance here to be of some good use to our president/ fellow citizens.

See articles here, here, and here.

Here is my basic premise. If we are going to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (9/11 mastermind) in Federal Court, but don't want to try him near NYC I say we try him in Knoxville.

We have a Federal Courthouse right here in downtown, we are far away from NYC, and we do not provide a high profile target for other terrorists.

On a more selfish note, I would love for the Federal government to pump $100 million plus into Knoxville for this trial each year. Imagine how much business would be driven into downtown at a time where we could really use an influx of new patrons to support the new businesses and residences that are coming on line.

Knoxville would benefit and the country would benefit, it's a win-win. I hope Bill Haslam (who is following the Wigshop on Twitter) sees this and pushes for it.

Read on for the other post I wrote today, which is also time sensitive.

Bike Lanes Have your Say

Just saw this on Flory's Blog.

I missed the meeting but emailed the guy.

You can email him too at dmassey@cityofknoxville.org.

Please email him if you would like to see bike lanes up and down Henley. Imagine how nice it would be to actually be able to ride your bike to Rally's to get a burger, or just truck straight through Summit Hill on your way to Old North.

Let your voices be heard people and email this guy.

Tell him the Wigshop sent ya. (or on second thought, don't say that)

100 Block update

I saw this the other day and realized... this repair might take longer than I thought.


On the plus side though, there should be some very nice (and sturdy) sidewalks. Also I'm hoping for a few underground storefronts. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

A Wonderful Place

"Thank you!!"

The title is true, but the situation was anything but. On Saturday my dog decided that she would go on an adventure. She sprinted across Western Ave. south on 17th not to be seen for 4 hours.

To me, this would be enough for a post but the real focus is on a great organization we have here in Knoxville, Young-Williams Animal Center. After giving up my foot search I headed out to Young Williams on Sutherland.

First, on the phone, the girl who answered was very sympathetic and kind. Second upon arriving I was directed to fill out a quick form and then taken right around all of the dogs that had been brought in (Which in my state was hard enough on its own.)

They let me know upon arrival that someone had called in with a description of a dog like mine which gave me hope. After the dog tour I called a very nice college student named Quinton who had Bella way up at 14th and bridge ave. But I digress.

Young Williams serves not only as a place to get a great pet (we got ours there), but also as a hub for lost pets for their owners. Their presence is well enough known that it only takes minutes for people to get reconnected with their missing loved ones.

Two important services, helping people find another family member and then helping to keep that family together. It's great that we have an organization like them in Knoxville that is well known enough that even our transient college students know about it.

Finally, this isn't anything more than a thank you post. The people at Young-Williams were helpful, kind, and encouraging. If you need a pet or a place to volunteer some time. Head over to Young-Williams, it's worth it.

Ten out of Tenn. at the Square Room

(Our resident music critic Jed comes back for round two. Enjoy.)

If you like finding new music you might want to check out the Ten out of Tenn series at the Square Room. It's a perfect show to get a sampling of new regional musicians.

The founder Trent Dabbs gets together 10 singer/songwriters from Tennessee (primarily our music capital, Nashville) and takes them on tour, with the members playing backup for each other and each getting to perform two of their own songs live. That way they all get a little bit of exposure, while hopefully drawing a bigger crowd than each individually would. This was the 3rd edition of Ten out of Tenn. Past editions have featured artists you might have heard of: Erin McCarley, Andy Davis and Matthew Perryman Jones.

The current group brought a mixed bag of tricks to the show. Full disclosure: The main reason I went was that my sister’s former middle school friend (and Knoxville native) Ashley Monroe was part of the lineup. Ashley’s sound was definitely more country than most of the artists. So while I’m biased towards Ashley’s performance, I thought on the whole that the ladies put on a better show than the guys.



Based on the short 2 song samplings, here is my (subjective) enjoyment of each artists songs in Tiers (Tier 1 – I liked both of their songs, Tier 2 – I liked one of their songs, Tier 3 – Didn’t really care for either song/maybe I just didn’t get it. Let’s be honest, if we all didn’t have different music tastes we’d all still be listening to Gregorian chants).

Tier 1: Madi Diaz, Joy Williams, Andrew Belle, Ashley Monroe

Tier 2: Trent Dabbs, Kyle Andrews, K.S. Rhoads

Tier 3: Mikky Ekko, Jedd Hughes, Sarah Siskind

(ed. note: Be sure to check out the next Ten out of Tenn. show at the Square Room! And check out the links to the musicians' MySpace pages.)

explosions in the sky

Just in case some of you have forgotten what Boomsday looked like Sunday night, here it is. Sorry for ze delay.

























































Huckleberry paid us a visit, too.