Media Room

Maryville, Tenn. – Today, officials with Blount Partnership and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority hosted “Tourism Day,” a celebration highlighting the unique platforms that make Blount County, the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, an ideal tourist destination. The event was attended by the public, Blount Partnership members, special guests, and area media, and was held at the headquarters of the Blount Partnership as part of the 2013 National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4-12).

Walland, Tenn. — Joseph Lenn, executive chef of The Barn at Blackberry Farm is the 2013 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Southeast. Chef Lenn is the first chef from Tennessee to win this distinction. He began his career at Blackberry Farm as an intern, and has been at the helm of TheBarn since 2009.

Blake Smith, director of operations for the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, has been named the new general manager of the Clayton Center for the Arts located on the Maryville College campus.

One of the oldest buildings on Maryville College’s campus is now the most energy efficient.

The University Area Sertoma Club Corp. presents the 13th annual F.A.T. (Feeding Americans Today) Boys Against Hunger Golf Tournament to benefit Second Harvest Foodbank on Thursday, May 16 at Egwani Farms.

Alcoa, Tenn. – In celebration of Arbor Day, Earth Day and World Environment Day, Alcoa Tennessee Operations employees are joining their colleagues around the world to volunteer for environmental projects during Green Works, which officially runs April 21 to June 21. Green Works is an initiative of the Alcoa Foundation to help reduce the carbon footprint, recycle to save energy, and plant trees to replenish the environment.

BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University will be offering its Information Technology bachelor’s degree this summer at the University’s Knoxville campus at The Village at Hardin Valley at 10950 Spring Bluff Way in Knoxville, Tenn.

Townsend, Tenn. – Cades Cove Heritage Tours, based at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, will again offer a special evening tour to see the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont on June 6-13.

The Orchestra at Maryville College and the Maryville College Community Chorus will present a joint Spring Concert on Mon., April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre of the Clayton Center for the Arts.

The Great Smokies Experience is a one-of-a-kind, credit-bearing, college class experience for high school students entering their junior and senior years. Created and administered by professional educators from Maryville College, The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and the Mountain Challenge Program, this is a two-week program from July 18 to July 31, 2013*, where you will experience the great outdoors through hands-on experience and getting up close and personal with nature.