East Tennessee Now

Frank Murphy interviews Marketing Manager Sarah Kaplan and Content Creator Josh Holley of Young-Williams Animal Center about the 12th Annual Cause for Paws fundraiser which will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Knoxville Museum of Art. This year's theme is "Pawcasso." Tickets and information are available at https://www.young-williams.org/event/cause-for-paws-2026/ 

Young-Williams Animal Center serves as the municipal animal shelter for Knox County and City of Knoxville while maintaining a 92% save rate. They offer free vaccine clinics, foster programs, and interactive volunteer opportunities like "Doggy Day Trips" and "Paws for Reading" at the center on Division Street. They also offer a pet food pantry at their Animal Village location on Kingston Pike. The Kylie Roberto Foster Fund helps provide support to foster kittens.

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Frank Murphy interviews Nancy Welch, program manager of Volunteer Assisted Transportation, and Pat Housley, a volunteer driver for the organization. Volunteer Assisted Transportation is part of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee. 

CAC’s Volunteer Assisted Transportation is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program dedicated to providing accessible and affordable transportation services to Knox County older adults and people with disabilities who require aid and assistance to travel safely. Learn more at https://knoxseniors.org/transportation 

Volunteer drivers provide one-on-one assisted transportation to the frail, and mobility challenged. These individuals require aid and assistance to their destinations, during their outings, and back to their residences. VAT can provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, social events, senior centers, activities, and much more.

VAT is seeking volunteers to drive agency-owned vehicles to assist people who might otherwise not be able to leave their homes. Drivers must be 21 years of age and have an excellent driving record. They must be able to pass a background check, drug test and physical exam. To volunteer, call 865-673-5001 or email [email protected] 

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Frank Murphy interviews Mona Nair, Development Director of Blount County Habitat for Humanity and Tony and Hazel Hughes, chairpersons of the 14th Annual Homes FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament on Thursday, October 15th, 2026 at Lambert Acres Golf Course. Learn more about the golf tournament at https://blounthabitat.kindful.com/e/14th-annual-homes-fore-humanity-golf-tournament-presented-by-atmos-energy 

The ReStore is a venture of Blount County Habitat for Humanity and supports its mission to provide simple, affordable homes for people in need through the sale of donated items at reduced prices. The ReStore also benefits the community by diverting waste from local landfills. In addition, we collaborate with other community agencies to help support their clients’ needs. The Blount County Habitat for Humanity ReStore is located at 548 Foothills Plaza Drive in Maryville, Tennessee. 

Blount County Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of HFHI, a global, non-profit housing organization operated on ecumenical Christian principles. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally by constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Learn more at https://blounthabitat.org/ 

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Frank Murphy interviews Maestro Brian Salesky, Artistic Director of the Amadeus Concert Ensemble, which will present its ninth season of free concerts as part of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville. The performances will feature 29 works by 19 composers spanning four centuries of music. 

The season’s themed concerts are: 

• PIANO PASSIONS on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
• FROM PARIS WITH LOVE on Sunday, January 10, 2027 at 5:30 p.m.
• SCHUBERTFEST on Sunday, April 25, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Free reservations may be made three weeks prior to each concert at www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/ 

The season’s themed concerts commence with PIANO PASSIONS on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. The program includes Vivaldi’s Concerto for Strings in D minor, Falla’s Pantomine and Ritual Fire Dance from El Amor Brujo, a movement from Granados’ Piano Quintet, and the Knoxville premiers of Koželuch’s Keyboard Concerto for Four Hands, Turina’s Rapsodia Sinfónica, and Marcello’s Introduction, Aria, and Presto. The featured soloist is the internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Chih-Long Hu, Professor of Piano at UT Knoxville, whose brilliant musicianship has earned him significant competition awards in Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Andorra, and California. Maestro Salesky will join Dr. Hu at the keyboard for the duo concerto.

Since 2023, Maestro Salesky has produced and conducted Amadeus Concert Ensemble concerts dedicated to the music of Verdi, Mozart, Handel, Beethoven, Richard and Johann Strauss, French Opera, Spanish/Polish/Russian composers, and a musical celebration of Sacred Heart Cathedral’s
Casavant organ.

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Frank Murphy interviews Pedro Tomás-Mitchell, president of HoLa Hora Latina. The 25th HoLa Festival will be held on the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission is $4 for those 12 years and older. 

Local vendors will be selling handmade, artisan crafts, art, home décor, apparel, jewelry, and other unique items authentic to Hispanic cultures. Food vendors will be selling homemade Latin American cuisine and draft beer. The festival features performances by Latin jazz, rock, salsa, and traditional bands and dancers. Children can learn about Spain and Latin America at the Hispanic Heritage Booths. Learn more at https://holahoralatina.org/hola-festival/ 

HoLa Hora Latina started in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1992 and is the oldest grassroots Latino non-profit organization in East Tennessee. Chartered in 2003, it is now a 501(c)(3) charity. The mission of HoLa Hora Latina is to promote unity in the community by creating art, cultural and communication bridges between the greater Knoxville and Latino communities and by encouraging education, participation and leadership.

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Frank Murphy interviews Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Legacy Parks works to expand parks, create trails and increase access to rivers. Since 2005, Legacy Parks has raised over $32 million for parks and open space, helped conserve 1,000 acres of forest and farmland, and added over 800 acres of parkland in the region. The foundation has five areas of focus: 

• Connect our Greenways and Trails
• Create Recreational Opportunities for the Underserved 
• Exceed the National Average for Public Parks and Green Space
• Maintain the Health of and Access to Our Waterways
• Preserve Our Ridges and Views

Their current and upcoming projects include art installations along the SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk and a new pedestrian bridge at Seven Islands State Birding Park. Learn more at https://legacyparks.org/ 

The annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson University. This year's guest speaker will be Conor Knighton of CBS Sunday Morning. He is the author of the book Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park. Tickets and information are available at https://legacyparks.org/2026-legacy-luncheon-for-the-parks/ 

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Frank Murphy interviews Kristy DuBose, executive director of The Koinonia Foundation of Tennessee, which provides a variety of programs designed to support, empower, and engage individuals with disabilities. These programs include recreational and social opportunities, educational workshops, skill-building activities, and community-based events that promote inclusion and independence. They serve individuals with disabilities across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and abilities. They work with participants who may experience physical, developmental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities. 

The annual Koinonia Foundation Gala will be held on September 24, 2026 at The Press Room. Tickets are $100 per person or $775 for a table of eight. Information is available at https://kftn.org/2026-gala/ 

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Frank Murphy interviews Mindy Savage of the American Heart Association and Matt Odom, chairman of the 2026 Greater Knoxville Heart Walk. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Covenant Health Park, 500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville. More than 3,000 people are expected to gather for the new Greater Knoxville Heart Walk experience, a participant-centered event focused on CPR readiness, survivor stories and community impact. The walk begins and ends on the field following a route through downtown Knoxville.

• Saturday, September 12, 2026
• 7:30 am – Gates open for pre-walk activities
• 8:30 am – Tug-of-war competition
• 9:15 am – Programming
• 9:30 am – Walk kicks off from the field

Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community-facing initiative. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research and drive equitable health for all people. Participants can register for the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk at greaterknoxvilleheartwalk.org. From there, they can create a fundraising page and complete the Lifesaver Challenge, which includes learning Hands-Only CPR in just 90 seconds.

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Frank Murphy interviews Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic's Executive Director Deborah Murph and Director of Marketing and Development Shaun Fulco. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic provides quality healthcare for the medically uninsured who live or work in Sevier County, Tennessee. The clinic offers medical, dental, and behavioral health care as well as a medication assistance program. Learn more at https://mountainhope.org/

The 6th Annual Raffle for Hope will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at The Ridge Events Center in Sevierville. Tickets may be purchased by emailing [email protected] or calling 865-774-7684. Details are available at https://mountainhope.org/news-and-events/raffleforhope/ 

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic began in early 1999 when retired pediatrician Dr. Alyene Reese and retired social worker Sue Ellen Riddle opened an all-volunteer clinic in five borrowed rooms at a local church. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mountain Hope has grown into a comprehensive community healthcare organization while remaining focused on compassionate, professional care and responsible stewardship. Since its founding, Mountain Hope has served more than 36,000 individuals. In 2025 alone, the clinic provided more than 13,000 patient visits.

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Frank Murphy interviews Sara Keel, Program Manager for Knox County CAC Mobile Meals about their upcoming "Power of the Purse" fundraiser on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Donations of gently used purses are being accepted through August 31, 2026 at these locations during normal business hours:

CAC Ross Building  – 2247 Western Avenue
Southern Market  – 5400 Homberg Drive
Chico’s Turkey Creek  – 11321 Parkside Drive
Powell Florist – 7301 Clinton Highway 
Elder’s Ace Hardware Hardin Valley  – 10009 Hardin Valley Road
The Metropolis – 6513 Kingston Pike
Details are available at https://www.knoxseniors.org/events/potp-donations/

Knox County CAC (Community Action Committee) Mobile Meals provides nutritious, home-delivered meals, along with safety checks and friendly connection, to more than 1,100 homebound seniors throughout Knox County. Meals are delivered every weekday by a dedicated volunteer network, helping seniors maintain their health, independence, and quality of life at home. By combining reliable meal service with regular in-person contact, Mobile Meals supports seniors in staying safe, reducing isolation, and continuing to live with dignity in their own homes. Learn more at https://www.knoxseniors.org/our-services/senior-nutrition/mobile-meals/

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