Friday, April 4 will be a dynamite "First Friday Luncheon."

There will be a roundtable discussion featuring Howard Kerr, one of Blount County's most distinguished citizens. Howard Kerr has served our community in many ways, including terms in the State Legislature. He competed for the Republican nomination for Mayor in 2006, finishing 2nd in the primary to Jerry Cunningham.

Others on the panel will be: Jim Folts, Chair of "Citizens For Better Government." Mr. Folts retired after founding several computer companies; Arnold Klugman, an engineer who retired as head of Worldwide Manufacturing for Motorola. Mr. Klugman is active in community affairs and is trying to bring industry to Blount County; and Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves.

The panel will lead a discussion dealing with "Blount County's Future."

The First Friday Luncheon meets at Ryan's Buffet Restaurant, Hunters Crossing, Alcoa--near Wal-Mart. We meet at 11:30AM for lunch. The dynamic program will begin at 12Noon.

Remember--this Friday, April 4 at Ryan's.

The Second Annual Boys & Girls Club Motorcycle Ride will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Blount County.

Saturday, April 12, 2008, 2:00PM. Registration from 12:30 to 2:00PM at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Entry Fee: $20.00 per rider ($10 is tax deductible). Entry Fee includes ride, one free T-Shirt for the first 150 registered riders, and a meal.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Brochure here. For more information:

Bill Kilgore—865-388-7258
Gary Honaker—865-982-3830
Anna Beth Meccia—865-544-3825 x 221

Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22, 2008

In Blount County, the Cities of Alcoa and Maryville along with Maryville College, The Little River Watershed Association, and many others are holding an Earth Round-Up on Saturday, April 19th, 2008.

The events begin at 8AM with a clean up of Little River and Blount County Roadways and culminate with festivities at the Maryville College Campus from 5PM to 8PM

Check out KnoxViews for more Earth Day/Month events in the East Tennessee area.

Saturday, April 19th 10am until 1pm
in the parking lot at Maryville First United Methodist Church at 804 Montvale Station Road (across from Maryville Middle School)

Be sure to bring your family and your pets,there are activities for every one including:

• face painting
• crafts for children
• inflatable
• Daisy the Clown
• Petting Zoo
• Drawings for Prizes
• Sheriff's K-9 Unit
• Animals Works
• ArfNets
• Knoxville Zoo
• Blount CARE
• Smoky Mountain Animal Care Foundation
• Blount County Humane Society
• H.A.B.I.T
• Dog Bite Treats
• And much more.....

Pet items as well as People items will be on sell by the different rescue groups to help their organizations care for the animals.
Also some of the rescues will have adoptable animals.

The Church will be collecting NEW stuffed animals to give to the children at East TN Hospital. If you would like to participate in this mission project please bring those to the event!

Let's Play!

Residents invited to Annual Earth Roundup. The 2nd Annual Earth Roundup will be held on Saturday, April 19th beginning with the Little River Clean up that begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. Call Keep Blount Beautiful at 681-4809 for more details. Then, beginning at 4 p.m., bring your family to Maryville College for food, activities, and information about a variety of environmental subjects how you can take steps to improve and conserve our most precious resources such as our rivers, air, and electricity. For more information on the entire event call, Cathy Rhodes, Little River Watershed, at 980-2130.

I came across this at the City of Maryville website and thought it worthy enough to post here. Link...

The tradition continues and is growing.

Arts, entertainment, food in downtown Maryville.

Live music later in the evening at Tomato Head.

Maps of participating businesses are available at Fine Arts Blount ArtSpace Gallery, 301 Church St. E, in downtown Maryville (865-982-0898).

Check it out!

Featured speakers: Bob Tuke and Mike Padgett
Both are Democratic candidates for Lamar Alexander's US Senate seat, in Lamar's hometown... Priceless.

Also speaking will be Blount County's favorite son Judge Mike Meares.

Commissioner Wendy Reeves will invoke FDR for us... and don't forget, there's (good) food !!

It should be well worth anyone's time and money ($50.00 per ticket).

Saturday April 26th at the Airport Hilton.
Doors open at 6:30, Dinner at 7:00.

For tickets contact any Blount County Democratic Party member, Democratic Women's Club member or call 865-379-8683. Leave a message, they will call you back.

UPDATE: We have been told that Tuke and Padgett will not be able to attend.

The Maryville Farmers' Market starts up again the first Saturday in May.

May 3, 2008
Opens at 9 AM and closes when the produce is gone, usually around noon or 1 PM.

Location: Church Street near CBBC Bank.

There is plenty of parking.

Get ready! Check it out!

Fresh produce is on its way.