The Neighborly Notice - Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Debbie Helsley
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1. Charter Review Task Force to Hold Meeting
2. ONE Seeks Cohort for Leadership Training Class
3. Learn More About How to Effectively Communicate in Public Meetings
4. Register Your Team for the Neighborhood Wiffleball Tournament
5. BBB and POH Meet Next Week
6. Knoxville Fire Department Offers Free Hands-Only CPR Training
7. City Seeks General Contractors
8. ETCDC Hosts Input Session
9. Join Bike Walk Knoxville’s Social Hour
10. Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Orchid Awards
11. Volunteers Needed for East Knoxville Clean Up
12. Last Day for Early Voting is This Thursday
13. International Overdose Awareness Day is Next Friday
14. Trees Knoxville Seeks Input and They’re Hiring
15. Get The Legal Advice You Need
16. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
1. Charter Review Task Force to Hold Meeting
The City of Knoxville Rules of Procedure and Charter Review Task Force will meet today, Tuesday, August 19, at 3:30 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City-County Building, 400 Main St.
Click here to view the meeting agenda and agenda packet.Residents who wish to speak may sign up in one of three ways:
- Call the City Council Office at 865-215-2075
- Email CityRe...@knoxvilletn.gov.
- Sign up in person before the meeting begins
2. ONE Seeks Cohort for Leadership Training ClassThe Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) is looking for neighbors interested in participating in the Building Strong Neighborhood Organizations (BSNO) Leadership Training Class. If you are interested in participating, please email the following information to Hayley Howard by no later than Friday, Aug. 22, at 4:30 p.m.:
- Name
- Physical Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Neighborhood organization
- What do you hope to get out of the course
BSNO is a free, eight-week course that will take place on Monday evenings, except during fall break, Sept. 8-Nov. 3, with graduation taking place on Nov. 10. This leadership training program, for those living in the city, is created specifically for participants in and leaders of resident-led, resident-controlled, democratically run neighborhood groups. Additionally, the training is open to individuals who would like to start neighborhood associations in unorganized neighborhoods.
More than 70 neighborhood leaders have graduated from this class in the past. We consider anyone helping in a neighborhood organization or starting an organization to be a leader.
Participants will receive resources, including a binder of “how-to” articles on various aspects of creating and sustaining community-based organizations.
If you have any questions, please email Hayley Howard at hho...@knoxvilletn.gov.
3. Learn More About How to Effectively Communicate in Public Meetings
Are you interested in learning more about how to effectively communicate in public meetings?
The Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) is hosting a virtual workshop on the topic on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom.
To register for the virtual workshop, please email Hayley Howard at hho...@knoxvilletn.gov.
4. Register Your Team for the Neighborhood Wiffleball Tournament
Calling all neighborhood organizations and groups! The Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) invites you to the Eighth Annual Wiffleball Tournament. It will be a fun-filled day of friendly competition, community bonding, and neighborhood pride.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
- Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until we crown a champion)
- Location: Caswell Park, 570 Winona St.
Gather your team of 8–11 players (including at least two females) and show off your skills in this lighthearted tournament. Whether you're a seasoned slugger or just in it for the laughs, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow neighborhood leaders, enjoy some outdoor fun, and celebrate our shared commitment to community.
There will be free food, bragging rights, and the ever-so-famous two-foot silver trophy. Register your team by Friday, Sept. 19, by 4:30 p.m. to secure your team a spot. For more details, contact Shannett Riley at sri...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3232.
If you are a Healthy Knoxville neighborhood or working towards this, our wiffleball tournament counts as one of the activities. For more information about this program contact the ONE.
Let’s knock it out of the park together. See you on the field!
5. BBB and POH Meet Next Week
The Better Building Board (BBB) will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Room 575 of the City County Building, 400 Main St.
You will want to check their website for the agenda with addresses on them.
The Public Officer Hearing (POH) will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, in the Small Assembly Room of the City County Building, 400 Main St. See the above website for the agenda.
Please contact their office at 865-215-2119 or codesenf...@knoxvilletn.gov with questions about attending a hearing.
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services.
To request language translation services, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at tit...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at sc...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034 at least 72 hours before the meeting.
6. Knoxville Fire Department Offers Free Hands-Only CPR Training
The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) is bringing lifesaving skills directly to the community by offering free Hands Only CPR training sessions for neighborhood organizations. As part of their commitment to public safety, KFD is eager to participate in upcoming community meetings and events to teach residents how to respond in cardiac emergencies.
Neighborhood associations, community groups, and neighborhood watch organizations are encouraged to host a training session at their meetings or events. To schedule a session, contact Deputy Chief Gary Compton at gcom...@knoxvilletn.gov and please include “Hands Only Training” in the subject line. This training is a valuable opportunity to empower residents with skills that can save lives.
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, and immediate CPR can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival. KFD’s training sessions cover hands-only CPR, and basic emergency response techniques. This equips community members with the knowledge to act quickly in critical situations.
Don’t miss this chance to make your neighborhood safer. Schedule a training today!
7. City Seeks General Contractors
The City of Knoxville Housing and Neighborhood Development Department is seeking licensed general contractors to support its housing rehabilitation and construction programs for low- to moderate-income residents.
Program needs include:
- New home construction
- Single-family home renovations
- Interior and exterior repair projects
To qualify, contractors must have:
- Home Improvement License or Contractor’s License
- Credit Review
- Proof of insurance, including worker’s compensation
- References
Do you, or does someone you know seem like a good fit?
Contact Charles Sherrod at cshe...@knoxvilletn.gov or call 865-215-2610 for more information.
8. ETCDC Hosts Input Session
East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) will be hosting a Community Collaborative Input Session on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at their offices, 1221 N. Central St. The focus will be on two key North (and East) Knoxville sites.
These two sites have long served the community, and they need your help in imagining what they can become. The two sites are the Knox Central on N. Central St. the other is the Knox County Schools Maintenance & Operations site at E 5th Ave. All are welcome but especially our North (and East) Knoxville neighbors.
9. Join Bike Walk Knoxville’s Social Hour
Bike Walk Knoxville will be hosting a Social Hour on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 6-8 p.m. They would like to update the community on the latest about biking and walking around our city and hear from you about your priorities for improving active transportation.
The event will be at Ash’s Bearden Beer Market, 4524 Old Kingston Pike.
All are welcome to join. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
10. Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Orchid Awards
Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) will host the Orchids Beautification Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Dr.
Nominate an Orchid today. Visit the website for categories and requirements. The nomination period ends on Friday, Aug. 29. Also, keep your eyes peeled for ticket sales going live in September.Since 1979, KKB has presented Orchids Beautification Awards to Knoxville and Knox County buildings, public art, and outdoor spaces that beautify and elevate the local landscape. In addition to traditional categories such as New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, and Public Art, Keep Knoxville Beautiful highlights the accomplishments and sustainable efforts of our valuable volunteers, community partners, and green organizations and businesses.
For more information, please visit KKB’s website.
11. Volunteers Needed for East Knoxville Clean Up
Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) will host their fifth annual East Knoxville Clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m.-12 noon. The event base will be at Caswell Park, 616 Jessamine St.
Go to their website to register.
They will be removing litter from East Knoxville roads, creeks, and parks. Participants of any age are welcome! They look forward to seeing those who live, work, or play in East Knoxville - as well as anyone who wants to lend a helping hand.
Thank you to the sponsors Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), The Pete and Thomas Foundation, Surveying and Mapping LLC, Junk Galaxy, City of Knoxville, Knox County, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and Nobody Trashes Tennessee.
12. Last Day for Early Voting is This Thursday
This Thursday, Aug. 21, is the last day for early voting in this primary election. Early voting provides residents with a convenient and secure way to exercise their right to vote and encourages all eligible voters to take advantage of this opportunity.
Voter turnout has been low as of now; we hope that the 97,000 registered voters will get out and vote either during early voting or on Election Day on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Voters can check their registration status and find polling locations on the City’s website.
Happy voting, Knoxville!
13. International Overdose Awareness Day is Next Friday
The Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) is proud to host Knoxville’s 2025 International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, Aug. 29, at Lakeshore Park, 5930 Lyons View Pike at the Marble Hall from 2–7 p.m.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global campaign to end overdose. Remember loved ones who have died from drug overdose and acknowledge the grief of those left behind and celebrate life.
All proceeds from this event benefit MDC’s Recovery Housing Support Fund, which aids these individuals who are not financially capable of paying the initial fee to enter a safe place to further their recovery process.
If you would like to add your loved one’s name on the Overdose Awareness wrapped cement truck, please submit your loved one by texting “FIRST NAME ONLY and DEATH DATE” to Jessica at 865-440-5598.
Both trucks will be displayed at the event.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Jessica Stanley Birch at jbi...@metrodrug.org or 865-440-5598.
14. Trees Knoxville Seeks Input and They’re Hiring
Trees Knoxville (TK) is in need of the community’s input on where to plant trees for their upcoming planting season, which runs from November to April.
TK plants trees along streets, in parks, at bus stops, schools, cemeteries, and churches. If you see a place in Knoxville that could use shade, please fill out our survey and tell us where to plant some trees. The survey is open until the end of August, so give us your suggestions soon! Mark the areas you think could use some trees here.
By the way, did you know that TK is hiring? They are excited to announce the hiring of an Outreach and Engagement Coordinator to join their team!
If you know someone who might be a great fit, please share this opportunity with them. The full job description and application details can be found here.
Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 29.
15. Get The Legal Advice You Need
Free legal clinics are held at Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, on the second Saturday of each month from 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
You can get help with legal issues including:
- Divorce / custody
- Landlord / tenant
- Debt / collections
- Estate planning
- Immigration
- Criminal records
Walk-ins are welcome, but scheduled appointments are encouraged.
To learn more and to schedule an appointment, visit Administer Justice’s website.
16. Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
To add your neighborhood event or meeting to the Google calendar, call 865-215-3232.
Other Calendars
Additional online calendars that cover events outside the neighborhood realm include:
- Arts & Culture Alliance (There’s More to Knoxville)
- Arts & Fine Crafts Center Classes (City of Knoxville)
- City of Knoxville General Calendar
- Parks and Rec Community Programming
The City of Knoxville requires a permit to operate a short-term rental property. Details and a list of short-term rental permits are located on the City’s website here.
