Knoxville By Cycle Summer Ride Series

• Get Outdoors
  May 17, 2008
  10 a.m. Meet at World’s Fair Park
• Blooms and Bikes
  June 28, 2008
  9 a.m. Meet at the entrance to UT Gardens
• East Side Story
  July 12, 2008
  9 a.m. Meet at Caswell Park (playground), 620 Winona St.
• Scavenger Hunt
  Aug 9, 2008
  9 a.m. Meet at Market Square

Team In Training

Join Team In Training, the world's largest endurance sports training program and a fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as they celebrate 20 years of saving lives! Join TNT during their 20th anniversary year and discover...

• New Friends- as you support and encourage one another during training and travel to your event together.
• New Milestones- expert coaches will help you achieve your personal goals and optimal performance.
• New You!- crossing the finish line, you'll experience an incredible sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've done something you can be proud of - not just for yourself, but for thousands of people battling cancer.

• Memphis in May Triathlon - Memphis, TN May 18, 2008
• Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - San Diego, CA June 1, 2008
• Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon - Anchorage, AK June 21, 2008

For more information call 800.332.2980 or visit http://www.teamintraining.org/tn/

The Appalachian Quilt Trail

During your trips to Ijams Nature Center or down Island Home Avenue in the past month or so, you probably noticed a bright touch of artwork that has been added to the Ijams landscape. The front of the shed located across the street from the Ijams entrance now boasts a quilt block painted by Karen Nolt.

Ijams Nature Center is a part of the Appalachian Quilt Trail, which stretches through the entire Appalachian region and is a project of the Rural Conservation and Development Districts. Homeowners and businesses throughout the Appalachian region whose properties include a suitable outbuilding were asked to host a block. Each block is a traditional quilting pattern and is approved by the Knox County Committee for Authenticity and Visual Aesthetics. Each block has its unique color scheme, pattern of geometric shapes and name; the one appropriately chosen for Ijams is called Garden Walk.

The idea behind the Appalachian Quilt Trail is that it will stimulate economic development in rural areas by encouraging tourists to journey out to see each quilt block on the trail. The hope is that artists, growers, restaurateurs and hotel owners in these areas will see a boost in business while tourists travel along the trail and that these tourists will repeat their trips to these rural destinations in the future.

The Appalachian Quilt Trail project is being supported by regional groups like the East Tennessee Foundation and Knox County Parks and Recreation. More information about the project can be found at Ijams Nature Center or by calling Jane Pearce at 865-524-7857, Fiona McAnally at 865-523-7263 or Karen Nolt at 865-215-6610. We encourage you to do your part in supporting regional business and craftspeople; start your trek down the Appalachian Quilt trail at Ijams.

-by Kelley Dodd, Development Coordinator

Read With Me

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale's Read with Me program is looking for volunteers to give one hour per a week to read with first and second grade children. The program begins in early October and will end in early May 2007. Contact Sandy Garber at 215-4770 if you are interested in participating.