Watch Mayor Dennis Phillips and Northeast State President Bill Locke present Kingsport’s higher education story to Harvard today at 2 pm click here.

Feed won’t begin until 2 p.m. - requires Real player (free download at real.com) it will also be available on YouTube, here later.

The annual Keep Kingsport Beautiful (KKB) and City of Kingsport Public Works Department’s CPR week (Clean-up, Pick-up and Recycle Week) is back and is scheduled for the week of April 13 through April 17.

On their regularly scheduled Garbage, Trash or Recycling Day during that week Kingsport residents will have the opportunity to get rid of unwanted household items and yard debris. 

During this week garbage, trash and recycling will be picked up on the residents regularly scheduled days.  Both loose and bagged leaves will also be collected during this week.

In order to make the pick-ups as efficient as possible please use the following tips:
□    Please separate piles of different items.  Keep brush, furniture and appliances separated.

□    Please be responsible with quantities.  This service is not designed to handle large quantities of materials, such as home renovations or land clearing.  It is intended only for general yard and home maintenance

□    No paint.

□    No more than four (4) tires per household.  Tires must be off rims.

□    Please stack brush neatly.  Brush must also be cut into six (6) feet lengths.

□    No hazardous material. 

Domtar, Eastman and BAE will be assisting the City of Kingsport with the pick-up’s during this week.

During this year’s CPR week Sullivan County will also sponsor two free days at the Kingsport Demolition Landfill. These days will be Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 25.

Residents may also put out extra household garbage that won’t fit in their 96 gallon cart on their regular day during CPR week.  Please place any extra garbage four (4) feet from the 96 gallon cart.

If the volume of material that is out on resident’s regularly scheduled trash collection day is too large for those routes to be finished on that day, the crews will start their collection in that area on the regularly scheduled day the following week.

Information on Keep Kingsport Beautiful made available by the City of Kingsport.

NASHVILLE—State Representative Tony Shipley (R-Kingsport) will be taking an active role in a local band’s effort to raise funds for their upcoming trip to Nashville. The Dobyns-Bennett High School Wind Ensemble will be traveling to perform in the State Capitol in Nashville for the Governor, Constitutional officers, and members of the General Assembly on April 29, 2009.

Rep. Shipley attended the Dobyns-Bennett Music Department’s Holiday Concert to present a proclamation recognizing the band for their 18th place finish at Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 13-15, 2008. He introduced and secured passage of HJR 23, whose text mirrored the proclamation, after the beginning of the 106th General Assembly.

“Having a band in our community that ranks 18th in the nation is quite remarkable,“ remarked Rep. Shipley.

“After being so impressed by the awesome performance I saw that night and the numerous awards and achievements that the Dobyns-Bennett Band has achieved, I realized that merely congratulating them with a House Joint Resolution was not enough,“ Rep. Shipley said. “They deserve more than that. That’s why I felt it so important to go a step further, and what better way to recognize them than to invite them to Nashville to perform in their State Capitol?“

To help defray the costs of the trip, Rep. Shipley and his friends will be hosting a fundraising car wash at AYP Automotive, 2607 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport, on

Saturday, April 11th, 2009, from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

As a kick-off of their new location and as a member of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, AYP was eager to help send the band to Nashville. AYP regularly gives back to the community by offering non-profit organizations and schools an opportunity to raise funds by making their facility available.

“AYP is doing a wonderful community service by allowing us to use their facility to help out these students. We’re actively developing fundraisers to help other schools in the district as well,“ Rep. Shipley said.

“I am committed to making this a great experience for these students,“ stated Rep. Shipley. “In consideration of all of their accomplishments over the last few years, I think the least I can do is roll up my sleeves and wash a few cars on Saturday. I hope to see the community come out in force to help me show our appreciation for these outstanding students and make this trip an overwhelming success.“

The Dobyns-Bennett Marching Band has a total enrollment of over 380 students, making it the largest high school band in the State of Tennessee. The band has won many top honors, including being back to back championships at the Contest of Champions in Murfreesboro, TN, in 2006 and 2007. The band marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl Parade, and twice in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Dobyns-Bennett Wind Ensemble has performed at the Tennessee Music Educators Association Annual Convention as well as the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. The program as a whole has been awarded the John Philip Sousa Sudler Flag of Honor, the highest international honor a band program can receive.

Representative Shipley serves the 2nd District in the Tennessee House of Representatives. His district encompasses part of Sullivan County, including the city of Kingsport and the communities of Colonial Heights, Indian Springs, and Sullivan Gardens. Rep. Shipley is serving his first term in the legislature, and is on the House Transportation and House Health and Human Resources Committees and on the Fiscal Review Board. Rep. Shipley also serves as Vice-Chairman for the Public Safety Subcommittee, on the sub-committee of Health Professional Occupations, and on a special committee for the study of Diabetes Prevention. He is also Vice-Chairman of the House Republican Caucus Energy Task Force.

Read more about the Kingsport Community Foundation, and how you can help. Click here.

January 2009 Unemployment Rates
Released March 5, 2009
Source: Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

While the unemployment rate rose in all 95 of Tennessee’s counties, Sullivan County has the 3rd lowest unemployment rate and Washington County is 5th.

8.5% = U.S.

9.3% = State of Tennessee

6.9% = Sullivan County

Counties with lowest unemployment rates (out of 95 counties):

1. Knox County (6.6%) - Knoxville
1. Lincoln County (6.6%) - Fayetteville
2. Williamson County (6.8%) - Franklin-Brentwood
3. Sullivan County (6.9%) - Kingsport-Bristol
4. Davidson County (7.0%) - Nashville
5. Washington County (7.4%) - Johnson City
5. Hamilton County (7.4%) - Chattanooga
6. Montgomery County (7.6%) - Clarksville

Other counties of regional interest:

14.1% = Greene County (Greeneville)
13.8% = Cocke County (Newport)
12.6% = Sevier County (Sevierville-Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge)
12.6% = Hancock County (Sneedville)
12.4% = Johnson County (Mountain City)
12.4% = Grainger County (Rutledge)
11.8% = Jefferson County (Jefferson City-Dandridge)
11.6% = Claiborne County (Tazewell)
11.3% = Campbell County (LaFollette-Jacksboro)
10.8% = Hawkins County (Church Hill-Mount Carmel-Rogersville)
10.4% = Hamblen County (Morristown)
9.5% = Unicoi County (Erwin)
9.5% = Union County (Maynardville)
9.2% = Blount County (Maryville-Alcoa)
9.1% = Carter County (Elizabethton)
8.4% = Anderson County (Oak Ridge-Clinton)

Educator Appreciation Week
March 19th-25th
Waldenbooks
Kingsport Town Center

Educator Appreciation Weeks are a twice-yearly opportunity to save 25% on regularly priced merchandise (certain exclusions apply). These events are open to all educators/instructors, including current and retired educators, home-schoolers, daycare facilitators, student teachers, fitness instructors, librarians, and religious instructors. Please call 423-246-1818 for more information.

By JEFF FLEMING

Kingsport’s settlement pre-dates the State of Tennessee by 21 years!

1761 - British Fort Robinson (later taken over by United States and renamed Fort Patrick Henry) was nearing completion

1775 - Land grant awarded to first Kingsport settler

1775-1783 - American Revolutionary War

1779 - Jonesborough founded

1779 - Sullivan County, NC (later TN) formally established

1784-1789 The Lost State of Franklin

1796 - Tennessee statehood from North Carolina

1822 - “Old” Kingsport incorporated

1861-1865 - American Civil War

1856 - City of Bristol incorporated

1869 - City of Johnson City incorporated

1914-1918 World War I

1917 - “New” Kingsport incorporated

Fun Fest staff and supporters are geared-up for an exciting 2009 after receiving numerous awards highlighting 2008’s successes.

Kingsport’s nine-day festival looks forward to distracting this community from the struggles of a tough economy. “Kingsport is the type of community that during tough times we all pull together and raise each others’ spirits,” said Lucy Fleming, director of Fun Fest. “This is the time to remember why Fun Fest was started in the first place and focus on the importance of taking pride in our community.”

Fun Fest has been awarded the prominent “Top 20 Events” designation from the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) for July 2009 as well as three Kaleidoscope Awards from the Southeast Festival and Events Association. “This is the fifth consecutive year that Fun Fest has been awarded a Top 20 Events designation from STS and its seventh award since 2000,” said Fleming.

During the SFEA’s Kaleidoscope Awards ceremony, Fun Fest’s Crazy 8s Race received the Gold Award in the “Best Event within an Event”.

“We are extremely excited and honored to receive this award,” said Hank Brown, Crazy 8s Race Director. “2008 was a banner year for Crazy 8s with two very prestigious awards – first, being named the Top Road Race of 2008 by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, and now, the Kaleidoscope Award honoring Crazy 8s and Fun Fest as the Best Event Within an Event. We want to thank this community for supporting Crazy 8s and making it such a success.  The Crazy 8s committee is working hard to make 2009 even better.”

In addition to Crazy 8’s award, the “Friends of Festus” program received the Bronze Award in the “Best Solicitation Package” category and the Silver Award in the “Best Event Photography” category for Jeffery Stoner’s photo from the Hot Air Balloon Rally.

“I’m not surprised this festival has received this kind of recognition,” said Wanda Valentine, Chairman of Fun Fest 2009. “Fun Fest has such a great diversity of events with something for everyone. I believe this recognition is proof of the amount of organization put forth by the Fun Fest staff, thousands of volunteers and the Kingsport community.”

The list of this quarter’s Top 20 Events can be found at http://www.southeasttourism.org.

Fun Fest 2009 will take place on July 10-18. For more information about Fun Fest, visit http://www.FunFest.net.

Fun Fest is a program of the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce.  The Kingsport Chamber is a membership organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members.  The Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.  The Kingsport Chamber has been accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for 25 years.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce 17th Annual Golf Scramble is set for Monday, May 4 at Ridgefields Country Club.

Due to the popularity of the event, two rounds will be available, with one tee time at 8:45 a.m. and the other at 2 p.m.

Sponsored by Food City, Pepsi and Hunter, Smith & Davis, the tournament benefits the Kingsport Chamber and its Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Kingsport Leadership programs.

Associate sponsors include Pratt’s Real Pit Bar-B-Que & Catering and Sagebrush Steakhouse.

Media sponsors include the Kingsport Times-News, WKPT-TV19/WAPK and 640 WXSM Xtreme Sports Monster.

Lexus of Kingsport serves as the Hole-in-One sponsor.

“The tournament is always a great event and a fun way to support the Kingsport Chamber and two of its vital programs,” said Kevin Harmon, Kingsport Chamber Golf Scramble chair and Kingsport Town Center general manager.  “Ridgefields is one of the best golf courses in the state and always does a superb job of hosting the tournament.”

Awards will be given to the top three places in two flights in each round. 

Hole competitions include prizes for longest drive, most accurate drive, closest to the pin and any holes-in-one.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will also be provided.

Hole sponsorships are available for $250 and individual player entry fees are $150 per player or $600 for a team of four.

A chairman’s discount package is offered for $775 and includes a team of four and hole sponsorship.

To enter the Kingsport Chamber 17th Annual Golf Scramble or sponsor a hole, call the Kingsport Chamber at 392-8800.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members.  The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area. The Kingsport Chamber has been accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for 25 years.  For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, call 392-8800 or visit http://www.kingsportchamber.org or http://www.MovetoKingsport.com

Click here for the latest NETWORKS newsletter.

NETWORKS-Sullivan Partnership is the economic development organization for Sullivan County and its municipal sectors of Bluff City, Bristol and Kingsport.

Twice Upon a Child
Join us for
Spring & Summer Event!

KINGSPORT, TN - Twice Upon A Child is the Tri-Cities fastest growing and largest children’s consignment sale. Every spring and fall since 2005 thousands of consignors and shoppers have participated in this extraordinary sale that makes children’s clothing, toys and equipment truly affordable. Here you will find a huge selection of gently used (and some new) children’s name-brand clothing as well as shoes, toys, baby merchandise, sports equipment, video games, maternity and so much more. You will not need to worry about the quality of the merchandise because we do not accept clothing with holes, odors or stains or toys and baby equipment with missing parts. Kids are expensive, but their stuff doesn’t have to be! So come visit us and see what you’ve been missing!

Meadowview Convention Center
Thursday, March 26th 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, March 27th 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday * , March 28th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
*(some items half-price)

If you would like more details about our sale and see pictures from our Fall 2008 Event, please visit our website @ http://www.twiceuponachildconsignment.com/

I recently met Janice Carson “virtually” via my daily blog.

I’ve heard great things about Ya-Ya’s and I need to get in there soon!

The “sweetest shop in Tri-Cities” is located at the corner of Shelby & Sullivan in the historic Shelby Row tudors (many sugar free selections, too!)

Just one of the many hidden gems when you explore downtown Kingsport!

Check out their website at: http://www.yayascandycorner.com/

Gourmet Truffles, Creams and Meltaways, Other Assorted Chocolates, Fudge, Sugar Free Selection, Custom Gift Baskets and Boxes, Green Mountain Coffee (by the bag), Other Gift Items, Shipping Available (additional cost)

The program for the East TN Environmental Conference is now online at http://www.tnenvironment.com/2009_Program.pdf

It is next Tuesday and Wednesday (March 10-11) at MeadowView in Kingsport and we still have some spaces left.

The website http://www.TNEnvironment.com can be used for registration and all information.

Open to the public (registration required)

I spoke with the store manager at the recent Chamber 4th Friday breakfast.

She said she’s amazed at how many people are still traveling to Johnson City to shop at Lane Bryant because they don’t realize the new store is open.

LANE BRYANT is back in Kingsport!

The Fort Henry Mall location closed several years ago, but a new Lane Bryant opened last year at Kingsport Pavilion, 2626 E Stone Dr beside Old Navy, Target and Kohl’s.

—————————————————-

Lane Bryant is the leader in women’s plus size clothing, sizes 14 to 32. We focus on trendy plus size clothing and classic fashions for full figured women. We carry a great line of Jeans for plus-sizes as well as career suiting, maternity clothes, casual tops and bottoms and much more. Lane Bryant also has an extensive line of plus size lingerie and intimate apparel . Our Cacique line offers bras and panties for plus-sizes, sleepwear and shapewear. Lane Bryant is the most recognized name in plus-size fashions, and our emphasis on fashion-not merely size-makes us a style leader.

By JEFF FLEMING

Have you received exceptional customer service at a restaurant? grocery store? city worker? retailer? any other?

Accepting “Caught in the Act” of Hospitality Nominations

Kingsport, TN. – The Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau (KCVB) is looking for exceptional people who give exemplary service to their customers and visitors. We want to recognize front-line service personnel who go above and beyond the call of duty to make Kingsport – the King of Hospitality.

For more than ten years, the KCVB has been honoring local employees with a “Caught in the Act” of Hospitality Award during National Tourism Week (May 9-17). Over sixty employees have been honored since the program’s inception.

“Not only do we want people to visit Kingsport, we want them to return home, telling their friends and family what a wonderful and hospitable place Kingsport is. ‘Caught in the Act’ encourages employees to continue to provide superior customer service,“ said Barbara Kite, KCVB Director of Finance. The KCVB recognizes the impact that one individual can have on a visitor’s or local customer’s experience. We want to make sure that we reward those who encourage people to visit Kingsport.

Once candidates have been selected for the award, the KCVB staff will visit each honoree’s place of business and present the award, along with a gift certificate and a gift package to show our appreciation for their tremendous effort to make Kingsport both a great city to live as well as to visit.

To nominate a deserving individual, please use the attached form or download an online form at http://www.visitkingsport.com. Forms can also be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce and can be returned by fax, email or dropped off. The deadline for entries is April 25, 2008.

By JEFF FLEMING

One of my co-workers, Rack Cross, is an avid birdwatcher. He shared with me recently that there is a rare occurrence happening right here in Kingsport—American Bald Eagles are nesting at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. He relayed the almost-spiritual experience of personally observing a free-flying Eagle soaring up the river valley in search of food.

By the 1950s, there were fewer than 500 nesting pairs in the 48 contiguous states. Today there are an estimated 70000 bald eagles in existence. ...

A city-by-city look at unemployment rates

This is a report from HR Morning released February 12, 2009. Check out Kingsport in relation to other cities nationwide.

http://www.hrmorning.com/a-city-by-city-list-of-unemployment-rates/

Kingsport 2008 home sale prices up 5.6%, total sales down

By Don Fenley The 2008 housing market in NE Tennessee was a year to forget in most categories, but there are bright spots. And, there’...

posted by Jeff Fleming @ 7:25 AM

Will you please come?

Admittedly, this is a shameless plug for my son and his senior teammates. I’d love to see you come out to send them off in their last wrestling match at Dobyns-Bennett.

These 8 seniors are the first D-B wrestlers to have progressed through the newly-created Robinson & Sevier middle school programs. As a result of the feeder programs, D-B has 41 members on the wrestling team this year. Also, revenue from KCVB’s hosting of AAU National Wrestling Tournaments have provided facilities for these student-athletes that are unparalleled in the region ($12,500 last year alone).

As of Jan 24, D-B is 20-5 as a team and individual Tribe wrestlers have faced competition from 10 states (PA, OH, KY, WV, VA, TN, NC, SC, GA and AL).

D-B Wrestling Senior Night

Tue Feb 3 6:30, D-B Dome

D-B & Greeneville vs Elizabethton & Chuckey-Doak

Seniors:
Carter, Craig
Earles, Evan
Erwin, Mark
Fleming, Zack
Hoover, Bradley
Joyner, Brandon
Marshall, Greg
Metzger, Adam

True or false: City annexations into Sullivan County are to blame for declining enrollment

Sullivan school enrollment projected to decline

Originally posted January 17, 2009

True or false: City annexations into Sullivan County are to blame for the declining enrollment in county schools. That’s mostly false…

posted by Jeff Fleming @ 8:25 AM

Assistant City Manager by day, blogger about his beloved city by night.  Jeff Fleming puts the spotlight on the Model City here to talk about the good things making news in Kingsport and the Tri-Cities.