For many pet owners, having a dog makes for a great companion. For veterans, a dog can enhance their life in many ways. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs trains and raises dogs (with help from volunteers,) and then matches them up with local vets in East Tennessee. Jim Goyert, Vice Chairman explains how the non-profit works, and how it was started up as a way to give back. We also talk about a new facility in the works for the organization, thanks to local fundraisers.  

http://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/

*In the photo: Michele Silva meeting one of the groups of pups in training.

On Thursday, May 31st, Motorcycle enthusiasts are encouraged to head to downtown Maryville for the Great Smoky Mountain H.O.G. Rally. It's from 5-11pm with Slowest of the Slow race event and police exhibit. There will be live music, beer vendors and more.

The 4B's are back! That's what Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville calls Bike, Boat, Brew and Bark. The fun gets underway Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 10:00am – 6:00pm at Volunteer Landing in Downtown Knoxville. It’s a place where you can ride your bike, take your boat, bring your dog and grab a great local brew. Explore Knoxville in a new way on this special day.

Doctors and Lawyers, who is smarter? We'll find out when they compete during Interfaith's Trivia Night, Friday, June 22, 2018  at Bridgewater Event Center in Knoxville.  It's from 6:30 - 9 pm. Missy Standifer explains the rules of the game and how it provides health care to the working poor.

Remote Area Medical, (based in Maryville,) is honoring our veterans with a Salute to Service celebration. For the past 15 years, Stan Brock, Founder of RAM has put this event to  recognize the sacrifices they have made. It's on June 9th at the Downtown Island Airport. Robert Lambert, the Media Relations Specialist for RAM gives us the details. Also, Dr. Chris Sawyer shares his experiences as a doc serving the poor in the world through Remote Area Medical.

The Emerald Youth Foundation in Knox County wants to serve more children in the afternoons and summers. They launched a new initiative called Imagine a City. John Crooks, the Director of Communications says it's a ten year plan to groom more kids to become leaders in the community. The program focuses on faith, learning and health. But, it will take more funding, staff, mentors and coaches to be a success. 

A new 3-D, no-compression breast imaging unit. The Knoxville Comprehensive Center is the first in the country to acquire the new technology. If you've been for a mammogram, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Not with the Koning Breast CT. Andrew Gitschlag, Marketing Manager at KCBC, explains how the new technology gives physicians a clearer look, while lessening the anxiety for patients.

Deonna Evans is a single mom in Knox County who works three

jobs. She has two daughters who have autism and a teenage son. The four of them are finally getting

a home of their own, with their own rooms. The family will be moving out of their tiny

apartment and into a house built by the community and Deonna, thanks to

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. April Timko, the Marketing Manager of Habitat

tells us how the community's help is needed with manpower and money in this

"Women's Build" that starts Saturday, May 5, 2018.

The kids are almost out of school for the summer. Did you

know there are several free, educational programs and camps they can get involved in through

the Knoxville Arts Alliance? Executive Director, Liza Zenni runs down the list that takes us everywhere from Zoo Knoxville to the UT Gardens to keep kids learning and having fun.

Dine out with 24 restaurants and food suppliers in one night. The 9th Farragut and Food Festival is coming up on May 4th from 6:30-9:30 to promote businesses and restaurants in Farragut.  FBA  Director Steve Krempasky and Season's Cafe Chef Deron Little explain how the funds go back into the community to support programs like Shop Farragut and other efforts to promote Farragut based businesses.  

It's carnival time in East Tennessee! From May 9 - 13th you can enjoy rides, entertainment and food at the Spring Carnival at the Knoxville Center Mall Parking lot. Rick Long of the Knox North Lions Club gives us all of the details on the carnival and how it benefits local Lions clubs which provide vision care for people who cannot afford it.  Some of the groups they are involved with include: the Lions Vision Van, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Volunteer Ministries for the Blind, Whittle Springs Middle School, the Angel Tree Foundation and the Lions Clubs community projects in Northeast

Knox County.

More than one dozen officers from East Tennessee including

Knox County, Blount County and Loudon are getting ready for the ride of their

lives. They are participating in the Police Unity Tour- raising awareness of

the officers killed in the line of duty. And, raising money for a memorial and

museum. They bike ride from New Jersey to Washington DC in four days in May.

Knox County Lt. Debbie Rogers and Officer Brian Cole share the experience with

us from previous years and what they expect this year.

Volunteer Assisted Transportation through Knox County's

Office on Aging is in need of your time! Pick up and stay with senior riders

and provide assistance at appointments, grocery shopping and other errands.

Program specialist, Nancy Welch tells us what all is involved and what training

is provided.

Thank you for all of your donations of stuffed toys you've brought to Lexus of Knoxville. Now it's on to the Big Give Comfort Bears Program Finale The toys are being shared with emergency personnel on April 28 at the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek. Local police and fire stations will have all of their "toys" like the SWAT team and fire trucks out there from 2-4 for kids to get up close and climb aboard. 

Mother's Day is coming up quickly. If you're tried of sending flowers and want something different and fun, you can take her to the Bijou on May 5. Comedienne Leanne Morgan has a special tribute to moms that will keep you laughing.

After a three month old named

Knox died of SIDS, his family started a foundation called Knox Blocks. Their mission is to provide

Owlet Smart Socks for newborns. Kelsey Baird and Kelli Ryman explain how these socks monitor your baby while they sleep, and how you can help Knox Blocks raise funds to buy more Owlet Socks. There's a volleyball tournament April 14-15 in Farragut. You can play, sponsor, donate or watch! 

www.facebook.com/Knox-Blocks-Foundation-Gr...

Owning a home is the american dream. People in the market to buy a house who are in the medical field, teaching profession, military, police fire, need to check out Homes for Heroes. It's a national program that puts money back in heroes pockets. Local realtors, Tara Hayes and Mary Jo Benner with Homes for Days Group explain how the program works. www.homesforheroes.com

Catch up on road projects going on in East Tennessee with

Mark Nagi, the Community Relations Officer at the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Nagi gives us a recap on how the winter weather affected the roads,  updates us on the

bridge resurfacing project, and we talk potholes and the widening of Alcoa Highway. Report

potholes: 865-594-2408. Smartway.TN.gov

Ready for a night out? InterFaith Health Clinic is hosting

its annual Casino Royale at the Foundry in April. Missy Standifer runs down the

night of fun and how it helps the working poor get the health care they need.