Memphis Tigers to Introduce Newest Tiger Mascot

The Highland Hundred Tiger Guard at the University of Memphis is proud to announce the arrival of TOM III, continuing a Tiger tradition dating back more than 35 years.

Fans will have their first chance to see TOM III at the Tigers' football game against Central Florida on Saturday, November 22. 

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

The young tiger, born on August 31, arrived in Memphis last month and is receiving close supervision and loving care in his private facility.

"We were very fortunate to find this little guy so quickly," said Scott Forman, who takes over as Tiger Guard chair for TOM III. "Bobby Wharton and I had some specific requirements for what we wanted TOM III to be, and this tiger fit all of them."

Wharton led the Tiger Guard for all 17 years of TOM II's life, and will remain involved with TOM III. The group provides for 100 percent of the cost of maintaining the tiger, and no university funds are utilized for his care.

TOM III was donated by the Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue & Educational Center in Rock Springs, Wis. 

Faced with three new tiger cubs after an unexpected pregnancy, Big Cat Rescue founders Jeff Kozlowski and Jenny Meyer contacted the Memphis group to offer one of the cubs after learning of TOM II's death.

Kozlowski and Meyer will be in attendance at the football game on Saturday when TOM III is introduced. Both previous TOMs were also introduced at November football games.

WDVX Serves Up Live Music During Lunch

The WDVX Blue Plate Special features live performances from local and national artists who represent the WDVX programming tapestry of traditional and eclectic forms of American roots music to a live studio audience and a growing worldwide audience via a live Webcast at www.WDVX.com.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special is a free weekday concert series from noon to 1 p.m. in the Knoxville Visitor Center in downtown Knoxville.

Read the entire article.

Photo above: American cowboy music artist Michael Martin Murphey performs in front of a large lunch crowd in 2007. 

Photo by Darrin Devault

Museum of Appalachia to Honor Veterans, Military

The Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn., will offer free admission to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

"We appreciate those who risk their live for our country," said Elaine Meyer, the museum's executive director, "and this is one way to recognize these people and show that we realize the sacrifices they've made."

The museum's mission is to preserve and pass along the Appalachian heritage to younger generations. Among historical offerings of particular interest to veterans are extensive displays on the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and other military ventures.

A relatively new exhibit honors an East Tennessean who died in Vietnam, representing area servicemen and women who served during that conflict.

Museum of Appalachia is located 16 miles north of Knoxville, one mile east of I-75 (exit 122).

See "Tuesdays with Morrie" in Pulaski, Tenn.

Like me, I'm sure that many of you have read the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Detroit newspaperman Mitch Albom. 

Now is your opportunity to see a theater adaptation of the inspirational story at the STAAR Theatre and Center for the Arts on the square in Pulaski, Tenn., on Nov. 14-15 and 21-22.

STAAR is hosting a dinner theatre production with a full catered meal (optional and by reservation only) for this two-man production featuring Jeremy Fralix as Albom and Stan Pierchoski as Morrie Schwartz.

Schwartz was Albom's college professor, but the two lost contact for nearly 20 years. Albom rediscovered Schwartz in the final months of his mentor's life and visited him every Tuesday.

What followed was a final class in which Schwartz taught Albom an important lesson in how to live. 

Schwartz's story lives on in Albom's best-selling book.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Pierchoski Law Firm or online from the Southern Tennessee Area Arts Repertory.

Sen. Lamar Alexander Wins Easy Re-election

Sen. Lamar Alexander, 68, got a huge endorsement from Tennesseans on Election Day, easily defeating Democratic challenger Robert Tuke for a second term.

"I thank the people of Tennessee for giving me the opportunity to serve them in the United States Senate for another six years," Alexander said Tuesday evening after his victory. 

"I will do exactly what I pledged to do during the campaign: I will work across party lines to get results on the big issues facing our country -- and there certainly are plenty of those -- starting with the economy, energy independence, and health insurance," he said.

Alexander's re-election stirred up the memory of the time he visited my twin hometowns of Hollow Rock and Bruceton, Tenn., when I was a boy.

It was during his first campaign for Tennessee governor, the time he first walked across the state in a red-and-black plaid shirt and khaki pants. The outfit became a trademark look in subsequent political campaigns. (It even showed up this year in his campaign materials.)

His visit made quite an impression on me because I watched him help erect a few new pieces of playground equipment in Bruceton's Templeton Park before hopping onto a flat-bed trailer to deliver a short stump speech.

During Alexander's remarks, he thanked several community supporters by name, including my late grandfather Maurice Devault of Hollow Rock. I remember the pride I felt for my grandfather when his name was mentioned by this popular politician.

Alexander has served the Volunteer State and our country in several capacities through the years ... as governor, University of Tennessee president, U.S. Secretary of Education and now U.S. senator.

Congratulations, Senator, on your continuing long tenure in public service.

Teen Barefoots It Across America

I just came across the story of 19-year-old Coloradan Dashiel Alsup, who is nearing completion of a barefoot walk across America to raise awareness and money for Nashville-based shoe charity Soles4Souls. 

The organization is dedicated to providing free shoes to people in need around the world.

Alsup's Oct. 30 blog entry was interesting to me because he wrote about walking through my native Carroll County in West Tennessee, including a humorous account of hiding overnight inside the county's Civic Center in Huntingdon so he wouldn't have to sleep outside in a tent in the cold.

"Walking barefoot from Washington (state) to Tennessee is already an incredible achievement, and we're honored that he's been undertaking this barefoot journey on our behalf," said Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls Inc.

Elsey and Soles4Souls staff will be at The Parthenon in Nashville at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. They will walk down Broadway Avenue toward 8th Avenue and turn south until they arrive at the Nashville Rescue Mission.

"We welcome any and all supporters to join us in the walk to show our appreciation for Dashiel and what he has accomplished thus far," Elsey said.

Elsey stressed that supporters do not need to walk barefoot, although they are welcome to shed their shoes for charity.

The distribution at the Rescue Mission will begin around 11 a.m. and will continue until the supply of new shoes runs out.

"Amazing Feats of Aging" Exhibit in Oak Ridge

The American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge opened a new exhibit yesterday titled "Amazing Feats of Aging."

The interactive exhibit -- on view through Jan. 13, 2009 -- explores the science of aging, with special emphasis on healthy aging, how animals age, and the aging brain.

In addition to the exhibit, museum officials will host a free museum admission Tuesday program for senior adults (60+) on the topic of aging.

Upcoming programs:

• Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. -- "Painting Your Financial Picture for Long Term Care" by Clark Denton, MetLife Registered Investment Advisor.

• Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m. -- "Arthritis 101" by Stacy Woodley, branch director of the East Tennessee Area of the Arthritis Foundation