News

Medicare Open Enrollment ends Dec. 7, and for seniors and their family members and caregivers, understanding the various Medicare parts can be daunting and confusing. A variety of businesses and organizations offer advice during open enrollment, but most are affiliated with specific insurance companies, and therefore, do not always provide objective advice.

Continuing a tradition that began in 1912, the mission of the News Sentinel Empty Stocking Fund is to provide food and toys to disadvantaged East Tennesseans. With the holidays quickly approaching, the program is accepting donations and registering volunteers in anticipation of assembling and distributing 3,600 food baskets.

The Tennessee Theatre announced today that Becky Hancock, recently hired as manager of communications and outreach, will serve as interim executive director following the resignation of Tom Cervone, who is leaving to take a position with the University of Tennessee.

U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) launched the fifth annual Calling All Communities (CAC) campaign on Monday, Nov. 4. It challenges schools to rally community support for the chance to win a share of $500,000 to fund what their students need the most to succeed. The top 20 schools that garner the most community votes will each win $25,000 to use as they wish to enhance their educational experience.

Whether you prefer to call and text, or you are a technology enthusiast who wants all the bells and whistles of a power-packed smartphone, U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) encourages customers to visit its five updated locations in East Tennessee.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series presents “ALL MOZART WITH LARA ST. JOHN” on November 14-15. Maestro Lucas Richman conducts the Orchestra joined by world-renowned violinist Lara St. John. The concert will take place on Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre. These performances are sponsored by Circle of Friends.

To help battle Tennessee’s high incidence of fire deaths, Rural/Metro is reminding homeowners to change the battery in their smoke alarms when Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. When you set your clocks back one hour, don’t forget to also replace your smoke alarm battery.

Art Cate, chief operating officer at Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC), was recently elected president of the North Knoxville Business & Professional Association at the organization’s monthly meeting. The year-long term begins in January 2014.

The Rev. Harold A. Middlebrook Sr., an iconic civil rights figure, received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Lifetime Achievement award at the Knoxville Area Urban League’s Equal Opportunity Awards Gala at the Knoxville Convention Center.

What’s the perfect complement to a warm fire, the smell of pumpkin spice and brisk air through the falling leaves of autumn? A soft, purring cat curled in your lap.