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🕊️ A century-old space just got a second life

🕊️ A century-old space just got a second life

What’s slow: Alcoa traffic. What’s not: everything else!

January 15, 2026

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Just like that, we’re mid-January! The lights are down, the trees are out on the curb, and the calendar’s already filling up again. Feels like Knoxville’s shaking off the holiday dust and getting back into its groove.

We’ve got big shows rolling through (Rascal Flatts fans, this is your moment), quiet creative workshops, and one soulful pup named Yvette looking for her people. There’s even an orchid class if your plants are feeling as tired as your New Year’s resolutions!

In today’s Scoop:

🚧 Patience Needed on Alcoa
🕊️ A New Chapter Downtown
🎨 Savor, Then Stroll
🐾 From Puppies to Puzzles

🍽️ A Little Marrakech, Right Here

900 E Hill Ave Ste# 130, Knoxville, TN

Tarik’s North African offers a welcome change of pace when your dinner plans need something memorable. Set in East Hill with rotating local art and an easygoing glow, the space is warm and inviting before the first dish even hits the table.

The lamb tagine is a must: slow-cooked, fragrant, and layered with spices that hit in the best way. Add in Tarik’s genuine hospitality, and you’ve got a night out that's thoughtful, flavorful, and refreshingly different.

🎨 A Thoughtful Pause at a Local Gallery

23 Emory Pl, Knoxville, TN

Lilienthal Gallery is a good place to slow your pace and take something in. The current HER exhibition runs through February, spotlighting contemporary work centered on women’s voices and stories.

Throughout the rest of the year, you can return for the carefully curated mix of global and regional artists, plus the calm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer.

🚧 Expect Rolling Roadblocks on Alcoa Highway This Week

The Gist: If Alcoa Highway is part of your daily drive, plan for short slowdowns through Saturday, Jan. 17. TDOT crews are running rolling roadblocks between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes, with breaks in between to let traffic clear. Flaggers will also be active near Cherokee Trail and Medical Center Way as crews unload materials.

Why It Matters: This stretch is busy, especially for commuters and hospital traffic, so extra time and patience will help. This work is part of the long-term Alcoa Highway rebuild, with construction continuing into 2028.

Photo from knoxtntoday.com

The Gist: After a major renovation, YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley has reopened its century-old downtown building as the YWCA Nancy J. Land Center. The refreshed space expands the Jenny Boyd Keys of Hope Program, which provides housing and support for women overcoming homelessness, domestic abuse, and addiction. Updates include modern systems, improved ADA access, and more room for residents, all while preserving the building’s historic character.

Why It Matters: The center will now serve more than 200 women each year, offering stability, dignity, and a true path forward. YWCA plans to begin accepting new applications in the coming weeks.

Your Future Loving Companion: Meet Yvette

Yvette is a beautiful 3 year old mixed breed weighing 49 pounds and currently in foster care through Young-Williams Animal Center. She enjoys crisp outdoor walks, playful games of tug of war, and long evenings curled up beside you watching movies.

Yvette is leash trained, potty trained, crate trained, and eager to learn with food rewards. She does best with polite dogs, loves affection, and has a knack for stealing hearts with her expressive puppy eyes.

To learn more about this sweet gal...

Click Here

🧱 LEGO Club | Howard Pinkston Branch Library | Knoxville | 01/15 | More
Hands-on building for children who loves teamwork, and colorful bricks.

🦖 Dinosaur Adventure | Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center | Knoxville | 01/17 | More
Life-sized dinosaurs, interactive exhibits, and hands-on fun for families.

🎮 Pokémon: League Challenge | CM Games Cedar Bluff | Knoxville | 01/19 | More
Competition, strategic battles, and friendly rivalries with Pokemon trainers.

🔍 Stained Glass Workshop | Able Trade | Knoxville | 01/19 | More
Hands-on creativity making beautiful stained glass pieces with your children.

🐾 Winter Wonderland Pawty | Hounds Town | Knoxville | 01/21 | More
Frosty-themed playdate with puppy friends, and tail-wagging activities.

🐶 Game Night | The Bark | Knoxville | 01/22 | More
Casual games, and playful puppies for a relaxed midweek indoor hangout.

🎤 Rascal Flatts: Life Is A Highway | Thompson-Boling Arena | Knoxville | 01/16 | More
Singalong country-pop hits packed with nostalgia, and arena-sized energy.

🎭 Hvad Her Adeem the Artist? | Laurel Theater | Knoxville | 01/17 | More
Storytelling, humor, and experience delivered with heart, and fearless honesty.

🌸 Orchid Repotting | Stanley’s Greenhouse | Knoxville | 01/17 | More
Hands-on guidance to keep your orchids thriving and beautifully repotted.

📚 FwF Book Club | Union Station | Knoxville | 01/18 | More
Conversations, book hangouts, and lively discussion for curious local readers.

💃 The Sunday Get Down | Maple Hall | Knoxville | 01/18 | More
Soulful R&B, funk grooves, and joyful dancing with an inclusive community.

🧩Puzzle Month Puzzle Off | Printshop Beer Co. | Knoxville | 01/19 | More
Fast-paced puzzling, crafted beers, and competition with multiple prizes.