Kingsport!

Vote for H.S. Football Player of the Year (through Wed Dec 9)

2009-12-08T06:30:00.003-05:00

Click here to vote (through Wed Dec 9) or go to www.wjhl.com keyword: player

Kingsport area players in the running:

Chris Sensabaugh, Dobyns-Bennett
Ashton Zanoni, Sullivan South
Eric Pearcy, Sullivan North
Dusty Clark, Gate City

Public invited to reception celebrating Harvard Award (5:30 Wed Dec 9 Kingsport Center for Higher Education, 300 W Market)

2009-12-08T05:58:00.005-05:00

Kingsport to host reception to celebrate winning Harvard Award KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The city of Kingsport and Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce will host a celebration reception honoring Kingsport’s winning the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

The event will take place Wednesday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kingsport Higher Education Center in downtown Kingsport.

The public is invited to attend.

Kingsport garnered the prestigious honor for its efforts to enhance higher education in the community.

The celebration event will honor and thank the hundreds of Kingsport leaders and citizens who helped and supported the city’s efforts in creating the Kingsport Academic Village.

“This prestigious award is the finest example of what can be accomplished when no one is concerned about who gets the credit,” Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips said. “But we realized that literally hundreds of people who had made the Harvard award possible had not been properly thanked. It would have never been possible without the involvement and support of the vast majority of the citizens of Kingsport. This is an opportunity for us to say thank you Kingsport for what each of you did in making the Academic Village and Harvard award possible.”

“In today's challenging global economy, the quality of a community's local workforce is invaluable to ensuring a community's long-term livelihood and economic success,” said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in Government Program at Harvard Kennedy School. “As a 2009 Innovations in American Government Award winner, the city of Kingsport has demonstrated an impressive commitment to revitalizing its community through a host of creative measures that municipalities nationwide can adopt to similarly achieve their economic potential.”

The Ash Institute describes the Innovations in American Government Award as “a significant force in recognizing and promoting excellence and creativity in the public sector. Through its annual awards competition, the program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and that it deserves greater public trust. By highlighting exemplary models of governments’ innovative performance, the program serves as a catalyst for continued progress in addressing the nation’s most pressing public concerns.”

“The competition for this year's award was intense and all the citizens of Kingsport should be very proud of what they have accomplished together,” said Pearl Sims, director of Vanderbilt University’s Leadership Development Center and the onsite evaluator for the Harvard Award. “Kingsport offers to other cities concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life for citizens and models for our nation how to address some of our most pressing public concerns. As a researcher at Vanderbilt University and as a native Tennessean, I wish to add my heartfelt congratulations to the city of Kingsport for winning the Innovations in American Government Awards Program.”

To receive this award, Kingsport presented achievements in the Higher Education program and developments in educational policy over the past ten years and emphasized the improvements in the economic and educational base since implementation of programs such as the Educate and Grow scholarship program and the creation of the Regional Center for Applied Technology.

These initiatives have been fundamental to the revitalization of the downtown area and have produced more jobs, higher property values, and most importantly a more educated citizenry and workforce.

Education
Under the Educate and Grow plan, city of Kingsport officials collaborated with various partners to develop and finance a host of new programs to enhance academic outcomes of Kingsport students and build a more qualified workforce.

K-14: A first in the nation, the city’s K-14 program extends public high school by an optional two years to provide students with additional training and technical skills requested by local employers.

Dual Enrollment: Through established partnerships with the area’s local colleges, high school students now have the opportunity to take college-level classes and receive both college and high school credit for their work.

Scholarships: Any Kingsport high school graduate is eligible for a four-semester scholarship at the city’s Northeast State Community College. Such funding allows students to earn a two-year associate’s degree or transfer credits towards a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Curriculum: Officials have developed new areas of medical and technical study at the college level that better reflect the growing number of industries in the region along with attracting new industries.

New Infrastructure
Kingsport underwent a series of infrastructure enhancements, building an “academic village” in close proximity to the city’s business center. Officials project the new building plans will increase the downtown student population to 2,500 over the next few years.

Regional Center for Applied Technology (RCAT): Launched in 2002 as a branch of Northeast State Community College, RCAT offers high school graduates and continuing education students courses in computer science and information technology; office administration; business management; and on-demand industry-specific job training.

Regional Center for Health Professions: In addition to enhancing the technology skills of Kingsport’s labor force, the city opened the Regional Center for Health Professionals in 2008 to draw new health care opportunities to the region. Students can earn two-year degrees in medical technology and nursing.

Kingsport Center for Higher Education: Opened this August, the center offer courses towards associate up to doctoral degrees through a unique partnership with five local colleges and universities – Northeast State, Carson-Newman College, King College, Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Tennessee.

Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM): This public-private partnership between the state of Tennessee, Northeast State, and two of Kingsport’s largest manufacturers, Eastman Chemical Company and Domtar, will offer certifications and associate of applied science programs in electrical, fabrication and chemical process technologies.

Pal Barger Automotive Technology Center: A fifth facility, scheduled to open in the fall of 2010, will be dedicated to state-of-the-art automotive technology training programs.

Results
Kingsport’s Educate and Grow initiative cites much success in bringing new industry to the region and improving the skills of its workforce.

Industry Diversification: Formerly dependent solely on the manufacturing industry, the greater Kingsport region now reports a more diversified economy including new jobs in healthcare (8,000), hospitality (5,000), construction (3,900), professional services (2,500) and information technology (600).

Sales Tax Revenues: Sales tax revenues have increased by nearly $950,000 since 2005 and property values are increasing.

Investment: The city cites an increase of $370 million in new construction since 2006 including 12 new restaurants and regional education buildings.

Population: 2,700 families have moved to Kingsport over the last two years and the city is experiencing an increase in young adults aged 20-24. The number of residents earning college degrees has increased by two percent.

Kingsport cake designer in finals for Elvis' 75th Anniversary Cake

2009-12-07T20:07:00.003-05:00

She needs your vote. Click here to go to the website and vote (through Dec 14)

Carson-Newman LIVE on ESPN Saturday at 3:30 in NCAA D2 Final Four

2009-12-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

ESPN 3:30 12/5/09 Carson-Newman vs Grand Valley in the National Semifinals (Final Four). Winner advances to the national championship game next week! Tune in.

This Saturday (Dec 5), Carson-Newman (enrollment 2,320) will play at Grand Valley State (enrollment 23,295) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while California, PA (enrollment 8,206) will play at NW Missouri (enrollment 8,206) in Maryville, MO. The winners will play for the NCAA D2 National Championship on Dec 12 in Florence, Alabama.

Carson-Newman and Tusculum are the only NCAA D2 programs in the region. Emory & Henry is D3 and UVA-Wise is NAIA.

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DII_football.html

Carson-Newman roster of NETN/SWVA regional team members:

Matthew Arnold (Abingdon, VA/Abingdon)
Miles Hite (Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee High)

Cody Calloway (Bristol, Va./John S. Battle)

Joe Cadle (Bristol, Va./John S. Battle)

Thomas Turnbull (Bristol. Tenn./Tennessee High)

Chris Robinson (Clintwood, VA/Clintwood)

Russell Hull (Clintwood, VA/Clintwood)

Corey Headley (Erwin, Tenn./Unicoi County)

Drew Rice (Erwin, Tenn./Unicoi County)

Adam Venters (Fall Branch, Tenn. / Daniel Boone)

Tyler Stewart (Greeneville, Tenn./Greeneville)

Christian McFall (Jefferson City, Tenn./Jefferson County H.S.)

Issac Kinley (Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill)

Larry Smith (Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill)

Zack Fleming (Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett)

Jaycob Coleman (Norton, Va./John I. Burton)

YMCA FREE Military Memberships

2009-12-03T22:03:00.003-05:00

Jeff, I wanted to pass along to you that the YMCA has partnered with the Department of Defense to offer FREE military memberships to eligible military families. Especially in light of the recent news of Army National Guard and Reservists being deployed from our area, I think this is a great opportunity for folks of our region.The following are eligible for totally free memberships: 1. Immediate family of deployed Army National Guard and Reservists of all military branches. 2. Active Duty Independent Duty personnel and their families as approved by their Military Service POC. 3. Relocated spouses of deployed Active Duty personnel.We are happy to answer questions for interested families and to give them more information on the details of this great opportunity. Any help spreading the word about this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Abigail Simmons
Membership/Marketing Director
Greater Kingsport Family YMCA Wellmont Center
asimmons@ymcakpt.org
(423) 578-2193
1100 Franklin Square
Kingsport, TN 37664

Dec 5-6 Christmas at Allandale Mansion

2009-12-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge:

Dec 5 - Christmas at Exchange Place

2009-12-03T10:56:00.000-05:00

Exchange Place "Christmas in the Country""Christmas In the Country " at Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Road in Kingsport will be held Saturday, December 5, from 10 am - 4:00 p.m. The celebration features the sales of fresh greenery and trees, hand crafted wreaths and roping, traditional foods and folk arts. From 12 to 4 p.m. visitors can step back in time and see costumed interpreters demonstrating December activities on the mid 19th century farm. The traditional Yule Log Ceremony with carol singing around the bonfire begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information or to preregister for corn shuck angel workshops, please call 423-288-6071.

Dec 11 - Rep. Shipley to host toy drive for needy at concert

2009-12-01T23:34:00.001-05:00

Country Christmas Concert & Toy Drive

Friday, December 11, 2009
Time:7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:Renaissance Center, 1200 E Center ST, Kingsport

REP. SHIPLEY TO HOST TOY DRIVE FOR NEEDY AT CONCERT
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s office is once again collecting toys for needy children in Sullivan County through the “Toys from Cops” program. Toys are being collected by the Sheriff’s office again this year and will be distributed on December 19th & 20th. Rep. Tony Shipley is hosting a toy drive at the Renaissance Center Theatre, during a special holiday concert. Concert-goers are asked to bring a new toy to the event.

The concert features Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, singer/songwriter/legislator from Lancaster. Terri Lynn is a remarkable gospel singer, and she will be singing many of her own hits, as well as some special holiday tunes. Prior to entering her political career, Terri Lynn produced nine CD’s of numerous number one songs, like “Old Gideon Bible,” “Mama Prays”, “He’s the One on the White Horse”, among others. Weaver will be in Kingsport to support the re-election of Rep. Shipley, and the concert admission is a campaign fund-raising event for him.

Also participating in the concert will be local artist, McKenna Andrews. McKenna (also known as “Rock Angel”) is a talented 13-year old singer, song-writer and guitarist, as well as an author. Her book, “Riding the Storm Out”, is an amazing tale inspired by the true story of captive dolphins swept from their Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, and out to sea by Hurricane Katrina. McKenna and her family experienced Katrina first-hand prior to re-locating to Tennessee. She received a 2006 Mom’s Choice Award for this publication. She will be autographing her books following the concert.

Sheriff Wayne Anderson (or a Deputy) will be on hand to assist Rep. Shipley in gathering the toys for needy Sullivan County children. He requested that the toys not be wrapped so they can be distributed appropriate to age.

The concert will be on December 11th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Center Theatre, located at 1200 E. Center Street, in Kingsport. A reception will be held following the concert, at which attendees can meet the performers and purchase their music. Admission to the concert is $20 for adults, $5 for students, and children under 5 are free. Active duty military personnel immediate families will be admitted for free (green ID required). Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the concert. For questions regarding this event, call or text: 423/817-1047.

Dec 4-5 and 11-12 Historic Rocky Mount Christmas

2009-12-01T22:57:00.001-05:00

Historic Rocky Mount begins candlelight Christmas tours In today's world of a highly commercialized Christmas, a visit to Rocky Mount Living History Museum can readily provide a glimpse back to an earlier time... a time when Christmas was recognized simply as the birth of Christ, rather than for the shopping frenzy it is today. Enjoy an evening of spectacular candle-lit tours as you visit the historic buildings at Rocky Mount! Tours begin at 4:30 each evening on Dec. 4- 5 and Dec. 11-12, and will leave the Visitor Center every fifteen minutes. The program, which lasts approximately an hour and a half, costs $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children aged three and over. Reservations are strongly encouraged, although walk-in visitors are also welcomed. Group rates are available for groups of twelve or more people by reservation only. For further information, call (423) 538-7396 or (888) 538-1791.

Rocky Mount Museum is a "living history" museum, which uses first-person interpretation to portray people living in 1791. The museum is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Living History tours and the facility are available by reservation at any time, including Sundays and Mondays for school and other groups, with advance reservations.

Dec 7 - Another section of Greenbelt opens!

2009-12-01T22:49:00.002-05:00

Dec 7 1:00 PM ceremony location map (at Reedy Creek bridge near Center St/Lynn Garden Dr) Take a virtual tour of the Greenbelt at www.kingsportgreenbelt.com

Dec 10 - A Very Deery Christmas in Historic Blountville!

2009-12-01T22:46:00.001-05:00

7th Annual Christmas Celebration set for Historic Blountville!

Ring in the Holiday Season with a special evening as Blountville begins its Christmas celebrations at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 10, 2009. Festivities will begin in front of the old Sullivan County Courthouse with the annual Christmas tree lighting by Hon. Mayor Steve Godsey, followed by Christmas carols and candlelight tours of the Old Deery Inn provided by the Sullivan County Historic Preservation Association. Christmas celebrations will continue on Saturday with the Blountville Christmas Parade starting at 2 p.m. at the former Food Country building on Hwy. 126. Watch out for Santa as the parade continues through downtown Blountville! Saturday events will include additional candlelight tours of the Old Deery Inn from 2 p.m. thru 5 p.m. Deery Inn tours are $3 per person. All other events are free and open to the general public. Come join us as we celebrate... Have a very "Deery" Christmas! Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism

The Santa Train Tradition

2009-12-01T22:44:00.000-05:00

Would you consider posting something on your blog again about The Santa Train Tradition? If every Kingsport fan near a Food City purchased a book again this year, we would add a substantial amount to the Santa Train Scholarship. You might even issue a challenge and encourage them to purchase a copy and also get one to give as a gift. Surprisingly, even our Santa Train essay winner’s family did not know about the book until the day of the chamber breakfast. I bet there are also many others who do not even know about the book and its benefit to the train. For those not living near a Food City, you can also give the website – www.thesantatraintradition.com Thanks for your help, Brad Hoover

Dec 5 - Downtown Christmas Spectacular

2009-12-01T22:39:00.004-05:00

Go to www.downtownkingsport.org for all the details.

December the 5th 2009 will see the Downtown alive with activity as we Open the Doors of Merchants and Restaurants to welcome the Public into Downtown. Festivities start with the Movie at 3:00 pm in the Historic Strand Theatre at Restoration Church followed at 4:00pm with the Merchants Open House, Ginger Bread Exhibit at Regions Bank, Pictures with Santa, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Church Circle at 6:30pm. The finally will be the Christmas Spectacular Variety Show at the Historic Strand Theatre at Restoration Church

Sincerely,
Downtown Kingsport Association.

Dec 9 - Harvard Award Celebration - Please Come!

2009-12-01T22:32:00.002-05:00

Click to enlarge. I'm planning to be there. Please come!

Dec 10-20 - "A Christmas Story" by Kingsport Theatre Guild

2009-12-01T12:36:00.000-05:00

Kingsport Theatre Guild Presents A Christmas Story December 10 - December 20, 2009

Jean Shepherd's A Christmas Story. Based upon the motion picture A Christmas Story. A joint production between imagination!theatre and MainStage theatre. "You'll shoot your eye out kid!"
A Sneak Preview will be held at the Downtown Christmas Spectacular shows on December the 5th, 10th and 17th

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out." All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more.

Comedy. By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.

Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinios"

Show Dates:
Dec 10 @ 10 AM
Dec 12 @ 7 PM
Dec 13 @ 3 PM
Dec 18 @ 7 PM
Dec 19 & 20 @ 3 PM

For Times and locations go to www.kingsporttheatre.org

A 16-year old's perspective on living in Kingsport.

2009-11-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge. A 16-year old's perspective on living in Kingsport.

Dec 4 - ETSU Bluegrass and Wreath Festival at Netherland Inn

2009-11-29T20:28:00.003-05:00

Click either to enlarge:

Matthew West coming to Higher Ground in Kingsport

2009-11-29T13:25:00.005-05:00

In response to Operation Christmas Child, Christian recording artist, Matthew West, will be live in concert at Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN on Friday, December 17. Tickets are $10. Call HGBC at 423.245.3141

Playlist of top songs:

The Motions

Next Thing You Know

More

You are Everything

When I Say I Do

Only Grace

Something to Say

Safe and Sound

Stop the World

Top Programs win Innovations in American Government Awards

2009-11-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

Top Programs Win Innovations in American Government Awards Nation's Cities Weekly Kingsport's Higher Education Initiative revitalized a region with an over-reliance on heavy manufacturing, an aging population and a shrinking work force ...

City goes green with construction of higher education center

2009-11-28T16:33:00.000-05:00

City goes green with construction of Kingsport Center for Higher ... Kingsport Times News By Matthew Lane KINGSPORT — City officials say the Kingsport Center for Higher Education is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the region, ...

Spurrier's rivals - Kingsport, FSU, Clemson

2009-11-27T17:15:00.003-05:00

Spurrier battles with SCarolina-Clemson intensity The Associated Press In the early '60s at Scientific Hill High in the mountains of Tennessee, he said there's nothing he wanted to do more than knock off crosstown Kingsport ...

Kingsport-Bristol ranks #11 in the nation in house price appreciation (3Q09)

2009-11-27T06:07:00.003-05:00

For detailed report, click here. Kingsport-Bristol ranks #11 of 297 metro areas in house price appreciation in the U.S. for the 3rd Quarter and #42 for 1-year. Kingsport-Bristol is one of only 31 metros to post any increase at all -- and the only one in Tennessee.

Florida is particularly hard hit with 7 of the bottom 20 MSA's. Chattanooga (#55) and Charlottesville (#53) are the next highest ranking metros in Tennessee and Virginia, respectively.

Other nearby metros were: Asheville, NC (#47), Hickory, NC (#122), Greenville, SC (#129), Knoxville, TN (#137), Roanoke, VA (#151), Spartanburg, SC (#190).

House prices in Kingsport-Bristol increased 25.43% in 5 years. The worst depreciation is Las Vegas, NV at -34.29% (5-years) and -8.46% (3Q09).

Black Friday - 70 new deals added to www.KingsportDeals.com

2009-11-26T08:08:00.001-05:00

www.KingsportDeals.com Jeff, would you mind adding Kingsport Deals to your list of good news announcements this week? I am so excited about having 70 COUPONS this week on the KingsportDeals.com website. Our Kingsport merchants really came through this week on making sure we provided our area residents with wonderful ways to save!

Thank you so much!

Emily Macbeth
Kingsport Deals
423-246-0336
423-246-2188 Fax
emacbeth@kingsportdeals.com

Black Friday - $1,000 Downtown Kingsport Shopping Spree

2009-11-26T08:05:00.001-05:00

Don't miss your chance for some great deals on Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Merchants will be open extra hours to help you with your Christmas shopping on Nov. 27th and 28th.

For every $100 you spend in a downtown restaurant or store, you are entered to win a $1000 Downtown Shopping Spree!!

Here are a few of the deals Downtown Kingsport Merchants will be offering:

The Guilded Nest - Willow Tree Angels 1/2 price~Lady Primrose Royal Bath Products 1/2 Price~15% off purchases over $40.00 (does not apply to sale products)

Haggle Shop Antiques - Select booths are ½ price ~ Several booths are 20-30% off

Ripper Arts Studio & Gallery - $5 off $50 purchase, $15 off $100, $30 off $200, $100 off $500

RiverMtn. Antiques - 1/2 off all embroidery~10% off Flax and Sacred Threads and jewelry from 12:00- 2:00~20% off furniture not reduced over 50.00 or marked Firm~ Certain candles are buy 2 get 15% off~ Pendleton Bedding sets 20% off~20% off furniture unless already marked down or Firm~5% off custom ordered furniture 10% off anything over 50.00

Finer Things for Her - Additional $20 with $100 gift card purchase ~ free gift wrapping and shipping with $50 purchase

Nooks & Crannies Antiques - Photos with Santa!!

Stir Fry Café - Happy Hour specials from 4-7p.m. ~ Half Price sushi on Saturday from 5-9p.m.~ Ivy Road performing Friday night and What It Is on Saturday night

The Barefoot Chameleon - Free gift w/ $50 purchase of Melissa and Doug Toys~25% off pet items in Pet Corner

Carriage House -Free gift with $50 Life is Good purchase.

Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau
Amy Margaret McColl
151 E. Main Street
Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

"Blue Thursday" - Sullivan South Send Off

2009-11-26T07:57:00.004-05:00

The Sullivan South Rebels football team will leave on Thursday at 4pm to head to the State semi-finals (Final Four). If you have finished your Thanksgiving Festivities how about coming out to cheer for these guys as they leave Kingsport. No matter who you pull for on Friday nights come on out and cheer for the Rebels and let them know that we are all behind them as they go for the state!

So, here's some additional info: In addition to the support below, wanted to pass along to you that Tom Taylor and the gang will broadcast the game Friday night for those who will not be making the trip. Remember the time difference. Pre-game show at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and game time 8:00 p.m. Eastern on AM 870 or FM 100.7. Pass along to those who aren't going to Columbia.

You can also hear the game streaming live on the internet. Go to www.coacht.com (scoreboard)