Note: This release was submitted by the organizers of the festival.

While green is the color of choice where any Irish celebration is concerned, Knoxville’s first annual Irish Festival, which will be held on July 25 and 26 at the World’sFair Park, is taking this concept to the next level.

The Irish Festival, a benefit to support five non-profit organizations that serve the greater Knoxville area, is an opportunity to better familiarize East Tennesseans with the Irish culture, and to demonstrate the impact that culture has had on the history of the area.

“There are a lot of people in Tennessee that can trace their lineage back to Irish origins, but not many know the specifics,” says Jon Ferrie, President of the Irish Festival of Knoxville. “We want to provide the community with an opportunity to learn a little bit more about the Irish culture that so many in the area claim to be part of.”

The festival will provide an excellent opportunity to learn about the Irish culture, and the impact it has had on the greater Knoxville area throughout history. Included in the scheduled events for that day are many live bands and dancers giving performances consistent with the Irish culture. At the same time, the amphitheater will showcase children programs, environmental educational seminars, and information about the five charities that are benefiting from the event.

Irish history and culture are not the only lessons to be learned at this year’s festival. The event is being touted as a “100% environmentally friendly” function. Positively zero waste from the event will be removed to landfills, and extensive measures have been taken to offset the event’s “carbon-footprint.” The Irish Festival is the first privately organized event in the Knoxville area to be able to make this claim. “Earth Fest 2008,” a city-sponsored event, was previously the only other local event to achieve such lofty goals.

“It seems to fit perfectly that we make our festival ‘green’ in every sense of the word,” said Ferrie. “Not only are we providing an opportunity for the community to learn about both Ireland and the impact the Irish community has had in Knoxville, but we are also providing an opportunity to learn about the environment, and the affects our pollutants have on the future of our world. This is an excellent learning opportunity all around.”

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done to help the environment,” continued Ferrie, “and it all has to start somewhere. Our hope is that everyone will come out to experience a taste of the Irish culture, show their support for these five worthy charities, and in the process, come away from the event with a fresh new outlook on the environment, and a better understanding of the steps necessary to help make a difference.”

The Irish Festival is a two-day event being held to benefit five local non-profit organizations serving the Knoxville area. All of the proceeds from the event will go to help support the Fraternal Order of Police (Volunteer Lodge #2), the Knoxville Firefighter’s Association, the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad, the Remote Area Medical Foundation, and the Ulster Project. Each of these five organizations will be present at the event, and available to provide more information about the services they provide.

The festival will be kicked off on Friday night with a “Green Tie” Charity Event in the Sunsphere on the World’sFair Park. It is a semi-formal event, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres provided by Southern Graces Catering Services, beer and wine, a live Irish Band performing, and door prizes. Valet parking will also be available. Tickets for the charity gala are $75 per person, and purchase information can be found on the web site at www.irishfestknox.org.

Admission to Saturday’s festival at the World’s Fair Park, which will run from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., is $10 for adults, and free for children. All proceeds will benefit the five charities.

For more information, including sponsorship and booth information, please visit the website at IrishFestKnox.org.

NOTE: The following release was sent from Oak Ridge Associated Universities, a Knoxville Chamber member.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—Two Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) employees, Occupational Health Registered Nurse Sally Gadola and Project Manager Mikki Prater, are among only 27 individuals chosen this June by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) to receive a 2008 PCPFS Community Leadership Award. The national award is given annually to those who improve the lives of others within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities or fitness-related programs.

“We are honored to present this award to Ms. Gadola and Ms. Prater,” said Melissa Johnson, PCPFS executive director. “Physical activity and sports participation are an important part of living a healthy, more active life, and we are pleased to recognize these two women for their commitment to making a difference and influencing the health of their communities.”

As head of ORAU’s Occupational Health Department, Gadola oversees many daily responsibilities that help ensure the health and wellness of the company’s more than 900 employees. However, it was Gadola’s effort beyond those expectations that ultimately led to her most recent recognition.

“Sally is extremely successful at showcasing the need for employees to think, act, and be healthy in all aspects of mind, body and spirituality,” said ORAU Vice President of Human Resources Dan Standley. “Her unrelenting drive to educate employees about the importance of health and wellness has resulted in numerous special guest presentations, the establishment of several company-wide health competitions, as well as regular opportunities for employees to participate in local blood donation drives.”

Prater has also led an inspiring initiative to encourage ORAU employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. She began by organizing a team of 26 co-workers to participate in a variety of walking, running and hiking activities. Later, Prater was able to negotiate free trial passes to a local gym for her team members to try the fitness-center environment, risk free. Prater also created homemade, healthy meals and shared the finished products with her co-workers to demonstrate that healthy food can taste delicious.

“Mikki has done a great deal to motivate and establish a healthy mindset for her co-workers and did so by sacrificing much of her personal time to organize, cook, plan and shop,” said Standley. “In our company’s recent wellness competition, six of the top 10 finalists and over 50 percent of the top 25 individuals were from Mikki’s team. These statistics alone demonstrate the profound, positive impact that Mikki’s efforts have had on her colleagues.”

ORAU President Ron Townsend notes that as a company that places extreme importance on the health and wellness of its employees, ORAU applauds Gadola and Prater’s efforts for helping continue a corporate culture rich in health awareness activities.
“ORAU constantly strives to promote a work environment in which employees are conscious about healthy lifestyle choices,” said Townsend. “Sally and Mikki’s infectious enthusiasm has brought awareness of healthy living to many ORAU employees and has certainly helped influence ORAU’s recognition as being one of Tennessee’s top employers for 2007 and 2008. We’re very proud of both of them.”

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness and sports in America. The Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the HHS office containing the PCPFS Executive Director and support staff. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Office of the PCPFS serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. For more information about PCPFS please visit fitness.gov.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is a university consortium leveraging the scientific strength of 99 major research institutions to advance science and education by partnering with national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information about ORAU, please visit orau.org.

NOTE: This release was sent from the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists.

The 2008 Front Page Follies will laud “The Sunshine Boys,” News Sentinel editor Jack McElroy and First Amendment attorney Richard Hollow, for their pursuit of justice after Knox County Commission plunged our area into darkness with backroom deals on January 31, 2007, dubbed “Black Wednesday.”

Maybe not as funny as George Burns and Walter Matthau in the acclaimed 1975 movie or earlier Neil Simon play, McElroy and Hollow made an even bigger impact on the lives of area citizens, who have a more open government as a result of the decision upholding the Sunshine Law.

What will be hilarious, however, are the performances of the Follies cast, led by director Carol Zinavage. Some examples of song parodies now being rehearsed are: “Sunshine in our meetings --makes us nervous….” (to the tune ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’); City Council members singing “Thank God We’re Not County Boys” (to the tune of “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”); “The Ballad of Pat Head Summitt,” with apologies to Davy Crockett: “… learned how to stare when she was only three….;” and “Bubba Shot the Red Light….”
This year the 30th annual Follies will also honor the Nine Citizens who joined the legal action, represented by Herb Moncier. The gridiron show is organized by the East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The Front Page Follies will be staged at the Knoxville Convention Center with dinner, auction and show on July 19, 2008. Tables of ten at $1,000 will receive preferential seating in the order payment is received. Proceeds from ticket sales go to an endowment fund for scholarships for journalism and broadcasting students at UT, and for a scholarship at Pellissippi State Technical Community College.

To purchase tickets, please send a check payable to “University of Tennessee” with FPF in the memo line to: Front Page Follies, 1345 Circle Park, 302 Communications Building, Knoxville TN 37996. For credit card payment (Visa, MC and Discover), please call Jennifer Horner at the UT Development Office: 974-7073 or e-mail her at jhorner@utk.edu. For additional information, please e-mail: etspj.communications@gmail.com or see our Web site: www.etspj.org.

NOTE: This release was sent from LBMC, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

LBMC Healthcare Group, LLC, a member of the LBMC (Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC) Family of Companies, has added Hollie Hissam, CPA as a healthcare consultant to its Knoxville office. Hissam will be serving clients across Tennessee, including Middle Tennessee where LBMC Healthcare Group has an additional office in Brentwood (Nashville), Tenn.

In her new role, she will be primarily performing financial due diligence work for potential mergers and acquisitions. Hollie previously worked as a supervising senior for Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC and has been with the LBMC Family of Companies for six years now. She earned both her bachelor and master degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Hissam is an active member of the Junior League of Knoxville and Young Professionals of Knoxville. She is also an active volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

LBMC Healthcare Group, LLC provides financial reimbursement, coding and compliance, corporate integrity, operational consulting and strategic and business planning services to hospitals, health systems, behavioral health facilities, ambulatory health centers and physician practices.

NOTE: This release was sent from Wackenhut, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.—Wackenhut Services’ Oak Ridge Team recently achieved a second place overall finish in the annual Security Protection Officer Training Competition (SPOTC) held at the Department of Energy National Training Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Team was also awarded the prestigious Competitors’ Choice Award, which is voted on by all participants and honors the team with the most professionalism, spirit and sportsmanship.

"We congratulate the Oak Ridge Wackenhut Team on yet another outstanding performance," said Gerald Boyd, Manager of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Office. "The Team's high placement in the competition is indicative of the outstanding work Wackenhut does in Oak Ridge every day."

Ted Sherry, Manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Y-12 Site Office, said, "This is a tough competition -- it requires the very best skills of the security police officers who take part in this annual event. We are very proud of Wackenhut's performance in this competition and appreciate the important work of the men and women who protect our national security assets in Oak Ridge."
The WSI-OR Team was led by coaches Tim Ford and Lynn Bales and captain T.J. Fromberger. Other team members are: Matthew Carroll, Brad Carter, Steve Constant, Tony Stephens and Neal Wolfenbarger.

The competition included DOE security forces, law enforcement agencies, and military units from around the country, in addition to a team of nuclear security professionals from Canada.

Team events included shooting rifles and handguns, pushing vehicles, ascending towers, casualty evacuation, crossing obstacles, and running varying distances. Some stages of the competition required the team to don full-face respirators while negotiating obstacles, shooting, and running.

“Although I am very proud of our Team’s second place-overall performance in this very difficult competition, I feel that the Competitors’ Choice Award is the highest honor a team can be awarded at SPOTC and it is that achievement that I am most proud of,” said John Burleson, WSI-OR General Manager. “Our team’s dedication and professionalism was recognized by their competition and that says a lot about how they conduct themselves and carry out their mission. They should all be very proud of themselves for achieving this excellence.”

Wackenhut and its approximately 1000 employees provide the para-military Protective Force for the Oak Ridge Reservation, which includes the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the East Tennessee Technology Park, the Federal Office Building Complex and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The Knox County Health Department is hosting a free quarterly Worksite Wellness Seminar called "Evaluating Wellness Programs" on July 24 from 2 - 4p.m. at the Knox County Health Department community room.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed by contacting Aimee Pehrson at aimee.pehrson@knoxcounty.org or 215-5187.

Southern Graces, a Knoxville Chamber member, is hosting a lecture entitled, "History of the Sunsphere" by William Denton, the architect who designed the Sunsphere.

What? lunch and lecture about the Sunsphere

When? Monday, July 28, 200, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where? Sunsphere--6th floor

Who? Southern Graces & Events Planners provides a delicious lunch.

Public is invited; fee $25 call 865 951 0319 or email Sunspherebook@aol.com.

NOTE: This release was sent from Coulter & Justus, P.C., a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Sam Coulter, one of the founders and President of Coulter & Justus, P.C., has announced the promotion of Rob Wildi to Audit Principal.

Mr. Wildi serves as the firm’s scheduler for all audit engagements and is responsible for clients from a variety of industries including healthcare, wholesale, restaurants, coal mining and nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Wildi began his accounting career in 1995 after receiving his B.S. degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University. Rob also holds a Masters degree in Professional Accounting from West Virginia University. He joined Coulter & Justus in 1998.

ABOUT COULTER & JUSTUS: The firm that is now Coulter & Justus, P.C. began in the 1930's in Knoxville, Tennessee. From the 1950's to 1993, the firm was the Knoxville office of the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young. In 1993, Ernst & Young partners, Sam Coulter and Ron Justus, acquired the Knoxville practice and changed the name to Coulter & Justus, P.C.

NOTE: This release was sent by LBMC, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), is pleased to announce the following promotions for the firm’s year beginning June 1, 2008 – all are located in the Knoxville office.

Marianne Nichols, CPA has been promoted to a Senior Manager in tax. Marianne was previously a Manager in the division.

Rebecca (Becca) Krumdieck, CPA has been promoted to a Manager in tax. Becca was previously a Supervising Senior in the division.

Kelly Fitzpatrick, CPA has been promoted to a Senior in tax. Kelly was previously a staff accountant in the division.

Jessica Stanford has been promoted to a Senior in audit. Jessica previously held a staff position in the division.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.

NOTE: This release was sent from Capital Mark Bank & Trust, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

CapitalMark Bank & Trust has signed a lease on office space located in The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse located at 501 West Main Street. CapitalMark established a full service banking office in Knoxville in November of 2007.
Currently, CapitalMark is located across the street at 550 West Main on the 5th Floor. “We wanted to be in the heart of Knoxville’s financial district because of our distinct business model “, said CapitalMark City Executive Jim Vavalides. According to Mr. Vavalides, “The CapitalMark model focuses on owner managed businesses and the executive and professional segments. Basing customer needs at the center of all activities empowers a highly skilled and experienced team. Our Banking Teams can make decisions on the spot without the level of bureaucracy found at many banks.”

This distinct business model has afforded CapitalMark some prestigious rankings and milestones in the financial market. In March of 2007, CapitalMark raised a record breaking $35 million in capital before opening their doors, within six months CapitalMark surpassed $100 million is assets and today has total assets of over $250 million. CapitalMark was ranked 5th in the nation among all 2007 start-up banks in total asset growth.
“I’m pleased that CapitalMark Bank and Trust is establishing its offices in one of downtown’s landmark buildings, the old U.S. Post Office and Courthouse,” said Mayor Bill Haslam.
“I think CapitalMark will be a great addition to that historic building, a great neighbor downtown and I wish them well,” he added.
Sam Furrow with Furrow Services owns the historic property and leased the space to CapitalMark. “I think this confirms the resurgence to downtown Knoxville and importance of a healthy downtown to the community. CapitalMark is investing and committed to the Knoxville community by locating downtown” said Mr. Furrow.
When asked about when CapitalMark will occupy the space, Mr. Vavalides said, “The plan is to be fully operational in the new facility by January 2, 2009.”