Press Planner
November
Saturday, Nov 7th
Invitational Choir Festival
The Maryville College Music Department will welcome choirs from across East Tennessee for its Invitational Choir Festival set for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Six area ensembles will perform at the Clayton Center for the Arts, accompanied by MC Concert Choir and the smaller ensembles Lads, Lassies and Off Kilter. Tickets are $12.50 and available for purchase at the Clayton Center box office or online at claytonartscenter.com.
Tuesday, Nov 10th
Carry the Torch fundraising luncheon
Volunteer Ministry Center will host its 18th Annual Carry the Torch fundraising luncheon at the Knoxville Convention Center on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring Jeannette Walls as the keynote speaker with WATE Anchor, Lori Tucker, as Honorary Chair. This signature annual event boasts 700-800 attendees and raises funds towards preventing and ending homelessness in Knoxville. Funds are raised to support the mission of VMC through sponsorships, ticket purchases and donations. Attendees will enjoy a program, lunch and book signing from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a Mission Fair to highlight other community organizations and their services beginning at 10 a.m. Get involved and learn more at www.vmcinc.org/carry-the-torch.
Tuesday, Nov 10th
Remote Area Medical telethon
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Remote Area Medical will host its second annual live telethon on its social media channels. Join RAM and guest hosts Abbie Ham and Mike Witcher from 2 to 10 p.m. to see exclusive content, learn more about RAM’s mission, hear from patients and volunteers and donate to help support RAM. Prize drawings will be held each hour of the telethon. For more information on how to watch, donate or volunteer, visit https://www.ramusa.org/answer-the-call-2026/ or call 865-579-1530.
Friday, Nov 13th
Red Kettle Campaign
The familiar sound of Salvation Army bells will soon return to East Tennessee as the organization’s annual Red Kettle Campaign gets underway. The official kickoff celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 13, at the Knoxville Ice Bears game, marking the start of the holiday fundraising season. The Salvation Army is calling on community members to volunteer as bell ringers throughout the campaign. As more kettle locations open in the coming weeks, the need for volunteers will increase significantly. Volunteers can find available locations and sign up for shifts at SalvationArmyVolunteer.org.
Friday, Nov 13th
We Love Dolly
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and Bijou Theatre will present We Love Dolly, a benefit concert featuring the music of Dolly Parton, on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Bijou Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and all net proceeds will benefit the Imagination Library of Knox County. Visit www.knoxjazz.org for tickets and more information.
Saturday, Nov 14th
Oak Ridge 2026/2027 winter basketball leagues
The City of Oak Ridge Recreation & Parks Department has opened registration for its 2026/2027 winter basketball leagues. Basketball registration will close on Saturday, Nov. 14. The teen basketball league will be held on Saturday mornings and is open to anyone eighteen or younger who has not played TSSAA basketball during the 2026/2027 school year and is still currently enrolled in school. Boys’ and girls’ basketball divisions will be offered. Games are scheduled to begin Dec. 10. Co-Ed Volleyball registration will be from Monday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 12. Co-Ed Volleyball matches are scheduled to begin Jan. 5, and matches will be held on Tuesday evenings. Interested teams may obtain registration information at the front desk of the Oak Ridge Civic Center or by contacting Matt Reece via email at mreece@oakridgetn.gov. For more information, call the Recreation Center at (865) 425-3450.
Friday, Nov 20th
Knoxville Fire Fighters Association benefit concert
The Knoxville Fire Fighters Association represents the professional fire fighters of Knoxville and has been proudly serving our community since 1918. In order to raise funds for educational and safety programs, they are hosting a benefit concert featuring the Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute with songs like “Friends in Low Places,” “The Dance,” and “The Thunder Rolls.” The concert will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. The purchase of tickets to the show helps to support programs in Knoxville, Knox County and East Tennessee. Visit www.knoxvillefirefighters.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
Saturday, Nov 21st
Owl Ridge Raptor Center presentation
Join the UT Arboretum Society as Lisa Thomison, director and co-founder of the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, introduces the audience to some of their feathered “ambassadors” on Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, 901 S. Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge. Several live raptors will accompany her while she introduces the work of this federal and state licensed raptor rehabilitation center. Register at: http://www.utarboretumsociety.org/programs/. This is a free program, but a donation box will be available. All donations will be given to Owl Ridge Raptor Center to support their work.
Monday, Nov 30th
Buddy’s Coupon Books
Buddy’s bar-b-q is partnering with Alzheimer’s Tennessee to launch a special fundraising initiative. The 2026 Buddy’s Coupon Books are available at all Buddy’s bar-b-q locations. Each book costs just $1 and provides $15 in savings on Buddy’s menu items. All proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s Tennessee. The coupon books also include helpful resources and tips about Alzheimer’s and brain health. Coupon books will be on sale through November, and coupons are valid through March 15, 2027. For more information, visit www.alztennessee.org/buddys.
Monday, Nov 30th
Friends & Pets in Need Holiday Food Drive
Food City is preparing to kickoff its 9th Annual Friends & Pets in Need Holiday Food Drive. Now through Thursday, Dec. 31, specially marked bags containing non-perishable food items, as well as bags containing pet food products, will be available for purchase for only $15 (plus tax) at all area Food City locations. Customers wishing to purchase the bags may deposit them in the collection bins located at the front of the store. 100 percent of the products collected will benefit local hunger relief organizations and animal shelters throughout the region.
Monday, Nov 30th
Race Against Hunger campaign
Food City’s annual Race Against Hunger campaign will run from now through Monday, Nov. 30. Food City customers are invited to make a $1, $3 or $5 contribution as they checkout or round up their order total to the next dollar amount. Customers shopping online will also have the opportunity to make an online contribution. 100 percent of the proceeds raised will benefit local hunger relief organizations. Approximately four meals are provided for every dollar donated.
Monday, Nov 30th
Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk
The 19th Annual Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk will be held on April 10, 2027, and artist registration is open now. Each spring Downtown Knoxville transforms into a vibrant, open-air art gallery as more than 300 artists take to the pavement to bring their creativity to life. Chalk Walk spots fill up fast. Visit https://www.dogwoodarts.com/chalkwalk for more information and to register.
December
Saturday, Dec 5th
Keyboards at Christmas
Keyboards at Christmas returns to the Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. The event brings together talented musicians for two performances of beautiful Christmas music with all proceeds benefiting Mission of Hope. Tickets are $29.99 each with reserved seating for both performances. Parking is free. Tickets are available now at missionofhope.org/keyboards-at-christmas/, which links directly to the Clayton Center’s box office.
January
Wednesday, Jan 13th
Remote Area Medical clinic
Remote Area Medical is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support
staff for its Jan. 15-17 clinic. The three-day clinic is to be held at Knoxville Expo Center, located at 5441 Clinton Highway, Knoxville. RAM also is in need of general support volunteers to help set up on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 13-14, and take down on Sunday, Jan. 17. Overnight parking volunteers to greet patients also are needed, and interpreters can volunteer to aid patients through the process, either in the parking lot or during clinic operations. Individuals do not need to work in the medical field to volunteer as general support. If you or your organization would like to volunteer your time to help provide free healthcare services to Knoxville and surrounding communities, visit https://www.ramusa.org/volunteer or call 865-579-1530.
April
Friday, Apr 23rd
Homestead Event
The Homestead Event will be April 23-24, 2027, at Deep Well Farm in Lenoir City. The “start where you are” focus brings families and beginning homesteaders together for practical education, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and a vendor market. Find more information at www.thehomesteadevent.org.
Courtney steps down as Farragut football coach
For the first time in more than three decades, someone without the last name Courtney will lead the Farragut Admirals football program. Farragut football coach Geoff Courtney, the son of TSSAA Hall of Famer Eddie Courtney, announced his resignation Tuesday, Nov. 3. In his time at the helm, Courtney posted a record of 8-24 with a 1-9 record his final season in 2026. Prior to being named the head coach in 2024, Courtney served on his father’s staff as offensive coordinator, helping Farragut reach its lone state title in 2016. Eddie Courtney did not have a comment, but Geoff detailed his decision in an email sent to the farragutpress Tuesday. “After much thought and reflection, I have made the decision to step down as Head Football Coach at Farragut High School, effective immediately,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Farragut Admirals football program over the past three seasons. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many outstanding young men, dedicated coaches and supportive families who have invested so much into this program.” In his statement, Courtney thanked his players for their commitment, effort and willingness to grow and develop on and off the field.
Read Morefarragutpress ‘Dream Team’ racks up TPA awards
The Chicago Bulls had Michael Jordan. NASCAR had Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. Alabama had Nick Saban. And in the same dominant, award-winning vein, the farragutpress has the quiet yet confident team of Tony Christen and Cindy Wilfert. Having racked up more than 220 Tennessee Press Association honors together since 2018, the design dream team added to its total with 12 awards this year, including eight first-place finishes. There were a total of 231 entries from 17 newspapers in this year’s contest. With entries judged by members of the Maine Press Association, along with other judges from Arkansas and North Carolina, the farragutpress awards spanned multiple categories. First-place finishes were as follows: Best Special Section, Even Better Now (N-2); Best Self-Promotion of a Newspaper, farragutpress Fur Family (N-2); Best Sales Promotion for a Retailer, YMCA ad series (N-1,N-2,D-1); Best Use of Single Color Ad, Water into Wine (N-2); Best 1/4 Page or Smaller Ad, Camp Big Fish (N-2); Best Professional Service Ad, McKinnish Law (N-2); Best Furniture and/or Appliance Ad, Keith Window Company (N-1,N-2,D-1); Best Niche Publication, Tellico Pulse (N-2,D-1).
Read More
News
Officials investigating alleged FHS hazing Read More
Courtney steps down as Farragut football coach Read More
farragutpress ‘Dream Team’ racks up TPA awards Read More
Lovell housing project gets green light Read More
New staffers focus on service, communication Read More
Lace up to honor local veterans Read More
Farragut feels the bill squeeze Read More
Fatal farragut-area crash Read More
Correction Read More
Presstalk
PRESSTALK RULES Read More
Opinion
Letter to the editor Read More
Letter to the editor Read More
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR RULES Read More
Business
Shipping stop has a new captain Read More
Finding the root of better health Read More
business briefs Read More
Community
Harvest Fest brings fall fun Read More
Brewster shares gilded age connections Read More
Seniors to take center stage in Morning Pointe talent show Read More
FHS Homecoming Court Read More
Sports
Irish ‘fight’ to the very end Read More
Hawks, Ads punch state XC tickets Read More
Win or go home: teams enter playoffs Read More
Admirals honor seniors in final outing Read More
Area standouts rack up DII soccer awards Read More
Bearden season ends in state semis Read More
