http://www.blounttoday.com/news/blounttoday.com Storiesen-ushttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/kristi-burkhalter-chat-room/?partner=RSSKristi Burkhalter knows how to ad lib when she needs to…just ask the mother of three about her most embarrassing moment. “I rewrote the lyrics to our National Anthem at a sold-out Nashville Sounds baseball game. I’ve sung and/or acted my way out of a lot of on stage ‘goofs’ throughout the years, but there was no mistaking things that evening. Thank heavens I didn’t offend anyone and somehow, I still managed to pull out a standing ovation - go figure.” Kristi met the man who would one day become her husband, Tab Burkhalter, when they were both seniors in high school in Nashville. They had the same orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist, but they never could seem to get together. They gave up and went their separate ways. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16833-733842lifestyles/chatroomLance ColemanMaryville, TNKristi Burkhalter is in the Chat Roomblounttoday.comkristi-burkhalter-chat-roomurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16833-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/working-tips/?partner=RSSPlanners for the second annual Blount County Relay for Life Celebrity Waiters event had a goal of raising $25,000 for cancer research during the gala on Saturday, Feb. 27. They surpassed it by more than $15,000. “Blount County is an awesome county,” said Linda Whitehead, 2010 Relay for Life event chair. “They are really wonderful about coming together with events and raising money.” colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:13:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16832-733842featured_videosLance ColemanMaryville, TNWorking for tipsblounttoday.comworking-tipsurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16832-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/rolling-out-new-message/?partner=RSSOn Monday morning, March 8, when school buses rolled out for their appointed rounds in Maryville and Blount County, there was something new on the sides of the buses. Maryville businessman Steve Stilts is hoping people take notice. Stilts, along with his partners Rick Ford and Keith Pankey, recently started East Tennessee Ads, a company that sells and fixes miniature billboard-type advertisements on the exterior sides of school buses. The ads are situated on the back quarter panel of the bus, from the rear wheel well to the end of the bus. On Saturday, March 6, Pankey and Stilts put the adhesive ads on the buses owned by Dwayne Flynn and by John Clabough. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16831-733842news/localLance ColemanMaryville, TNRolling out a new messageblounttoday.comrolling-out-new-messageurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16831-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/message-spring/?partner=RSSJohn Berry is excited about a fashion show. Not that he’s looking for a dapper new wardrobe. His excitement is building for a fashion show because of what the show will mean to those in Blount and surrounding counties who can not hear. Berry is founder of the Hearing and Speech Foundation and owner of Blount Hearing and Speech Services. As foundation founder, Berry helps coordinate the activities of the foundation and sees first-hand the life-changing difference the foundation makes for low-income clients who otherwise could not afford services. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16830-733842featured_videosLance ColemanMaryville, TNMessage for Springblounttoday.commessage-springurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16830-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/speaker-calls-curing-communities-focusing-strength/?partner=RSSWho would’ve thought a Leadership Blount summit on healthcare would end up focusing on how to cure sick communities. That’s what happened when Dr. John McKnight of Northwestern University explained the connection between public health and a community’s ability to rebuild itself. McKnight co-founded the Asset-based Community Development Institute of Northwestern University. One of the first aspects he covered was to explain how a group of medical professionals were asked to explain the five basic determinants of a healthy community. They listed them, in no particular order, as: Personal behavior, relationships, physical environment, economic status and access to medical care. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16829-733842news/localLance ColemanMaryville, TNSpeaker calls for curing communities by focusing on strengthsblounttoday.comspeaker-calls-curing-communities-focusing-strengthurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16829-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/mother-love-members-host-celebration-heritage-and-/?partner=RSSPeople from across Blount County gathered at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Center on Feb. 27 to celebrate the African-American culture, enjoy good food, see art from Alcoa Elementary students and take in the latest trends during a fashion show. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:59:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16828-733842featured_videosLance ColemanMaryville, TNMother Love members host celebration of heritage and communityblounttoday.commother-love-members-host-celebration-heritage-and-urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16828-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/showing/?partner=RSSVisitors who braved the cold in mid-February got a special treat at Trillium Cove in Townsend on Feb. 13. Artist members of the Townsend Artisan Guild filled Mountain Sage Gallery for an art show and wine and cheese reception from 2 to 5 p.m. The artists displayed their works, talked to visitors about their inspirations and techniques and enjoyed the fellowship with customers and each other. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16827-733842featured_videosStaff WriterMaryville, TNShowing offblounttoday.comshowingurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16827-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/stephanie-stieler-manna-heaven-food-pantry-founder/?partner=RSSThe director of the food bag distribution organization Manna from Heaven stepped down on Tuesday, March 9, citing health reasons. Stephanie Stieler, 49, said she has been director of the organization since she formed it in California 13 years ago, but has opted to step down after suffering from acute kidney failure. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16826-733842news/localLance ColemanMaryville, TNStephanie Stieler, Manna From Heaven food pantry founder, to step downblounttoday.comstephanie-stieler-manna-heaven-food-pantry-founderurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16826-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/clayton-center-gala-welcomes-sen-alexander-home-pl/?partner=RSSIt is not unusual for Lamar Alexander to come home…to his home in the mountains, his hometown of Maryville, to friends and family here. However, on March 27, when Senator Alexander comes to the Clayton Center for the Arts for its grand opening, he will be making a homecoming pilgrimage of multiple dimensions and a particular depth. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16824-733842news/localStaff WriterMaryville, TNClayton Center Gala welcomes Sen. Alexander home to playblounttoday.comclayton-center-gala-welcomes-sen-alexander-home-plurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16824-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/budget-committee-picks-new-financial-advisor/?partner=RSSThe Budget Committee of the Blount County Commission picked a financial advisor during their meeting Monday night. The firm must be approved by the full commission on Thursday, March 18, finance director Stephen Jennings said. “They are the PFM Group. I’m working with the managing director who is in Memphis. They are a national firm, but they have local expertise,” he said. “They have the state of Tennessee as a client, and they work for the cities of Clarksville, Chattanooga, Memphis and Murfreesboro.” Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:56:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16825-733842news/localStaff WriterMaryville, TNBudget committee picks new financial advisor blounttoday.combudget-committee-picks-new-financial-advisorurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16825-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/juried-outdoor-eco-sculpture-deadline-monday/?partner=RSSThe Maryville Arts Coalition, a partner with Earth Round Up, is presenting the 2nd Annual Juried Outdoor ECO-Sculpture Exhibition and Competition. Deadline is midnight on Monday, March 15, to enter. A non-refundable entry fee of $25 for up to three works may be submitted per artist. Only one entry per artist. Group collaborative projects are considered one work. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:55:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16822-733842news/localStaff WriterMaryville, TNJuried outdoor ECO-Sculpture deadline is Mondayblounttoday.comjuried-outdoor-eco-sculpture-deadline-mondayurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16822-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/united-way-announces-venture-grant-opportunity/?partner=RSSUnited Way of Blount County is accepting 2010 Venture Grant applications for programs addressing financial stability. Venture Grants are a one year/one time funding opportunity. Additionally, funding is available to address transportation for at-risk dialysis patients. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:55:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16823-733842news/localStaff WriterMaryville, TNUnited Way announces Venture Grant opportunityblounttoday.comunited-way-announces-venture-grant-opportunityurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16823-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/light-rail-talk-blount/?partner=RSSImagine a train line from Knoxville to Blount County, carrying people from the airport and the new Alcoa downtown center to Knoxville in a matter of minutes. That’s a vision former Knoxville city councilman Joe Hultquist painted for members of the Citizens Against the Pellissippi Parkway Extension during their meeting on Feb. 22. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:39:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16821-733842news/localLance ColemanMaryville, TNLight rail talk in Blountblounttoday.comlight-rail-talk-blounturn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16821-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/career-celebrate/?partner=RSSAs Lt. Doyle Daugherty worked his last day at the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, a whole squad room full of law enforcement personnel showed up to wish the departing deputy well. More than 50 people filed in and congratulated Daugherty, 61, as he celebrated 30 years in the business during a retirement send-off on Feb. 19. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16820-733842featured_videosLance ColemanMaryville, TNA career to celebrateblounttoday.comcareer-celebrateurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16820-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/new-face-type-2-diabetes/?partner=RSSType 2 diabetes, typically thought of as a disease seen in our parents and grandparents, has recently emerged as a disease in our children. By the end of the 20th century, the incidence of type 2 diabetes was rising rapidly among children and teenagers. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 8 to 45 percent of new cases of pediatric diabetes may be type 2. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:36:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16819-733842columnists/blount-memorial-health-columnDawn Hollaway, RN, BSN, MPH, CDEMaryville, TNThe new face of type 2 diabetesblounttoday.comnew-face-type-2-diabetesurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16819-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/still-waiting-party-1999/?partner=RSSMaryville’s first trip to the state tournament since the turn of the millennium will have to wait at least another year. Morristown West hands were everywhere in the opening minutes, the Lady Trojans pulling away from the Lady Rebels with an early 11-0 run. When Maryville caught up three quarters later, foul trouble sealed the Lady Rebels’ fate in a 58-42 sectional loss to Morristown West on Saturday night. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16818-733842sports/basketballChris CannonMaryville, TNStill waiting to party like 1999blounttoday.comstill-waiting-party-1999urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16818-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/cats-catcher/?partner=RSSMegan Willis and Cat Osterman were one of college softball’s most dominating batteries the middle part of last decade. Osterman tossed 20 no-hitters and 10 perfect games in a University of Texas career that rewrote the record books. Willis, the Longhorn catcher the last two of those seasons, wowed Texas crowds with her ability to pick off base runners from her knees. She did it 59 times in four seasons and was twice named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:33:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16817-733842sports/newsStefan CooperMaryville, TNCat’s catcherblounttoday.comcats-catcherurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16817-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/showing-their-stuff/?partner=RSSThe Maryville College baseball team is off to a start that shows a lot of what the Scots have to offer for the 2010 campaign. Maryville showed off its hitting ability in a weekend sweep that saw the Scots rake in 30 hits in two games, and it wasn’t a one-time fling. After opening the season at 4-4, Maryville collected its seventh consecutive win with victories over Mt. Union, 10-4, and Oglethorpe, 10-1, at Scotland Yard. The Scots moved to 11-4 on the year with a .292 team batting average, Maryville averaging of 8.5 hits per game. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:32:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16816-733842sports/collegeChris CannonMaryville, TNShowing their stuffblounttoday.comshowing-their-stuffurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16816-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/playing-win/?partner=RSSA group of adult Special Olympics athletes with a desire to play competitive basketball recently showed their abilities, playing hard while still having fun and showing good sportsmanship. The Blount County Blazers, a group of independent Special Olympics adults, played at the regional tournament for the newly-created competitive basketball league on Feb. 13 at Maryville College. colemanl@blounttoday.com (Lance Coleman)Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16815-733842featured_videosLance ColemanMaryville, TNPlaying to winblounttoday.complaying-winurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16815-733842Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/11/worship-listings-march-11-2010/?partner=RSSCommunity Worship Listings for March 11, 2010 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:30:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16814-733842lifestyles/faith-valuesStaff WriterMaryville, TNWorship Listings for March 11, 2010blounttoday.comworship-listings-march-11-2010urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16814-733842Change0Usable